| Rnd | Vs | Mission | Table | ? | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jon Halter | Free for All | 7 | draw | 1 | 1 |
| 2. | Brian Makens | Fighting Withdrawal | 1 | win | 6 | 1 |
| 3. | Cliff Gleason | Hold the Line | 9 | loss | 3 | 4 |
| Rnd | Vs | Mission | Table | ? | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | Allen Lind | Encounter | 10 | draw | 3 | 3 |
| 5. | Andrew Wherchan | Breakthrough | 2 | loss | 2 | 5 |
| 6. | Nick Depippo | Dare to Win | 15 | draw | 1 | 1 |
132 Infantry Division - 132 Pioneer
The 132 Infantry Division was formed on October 5, 1940 as part of the 11th wave (Replacement Army's Military District XII). Its three infantry regiments (the 436, 437 & 438) included formations from the 263rd, 268th and 17th Infantry Divisions. After training, the Division was initially deployed to the Balkans for anti-partisan and security duties. In late May 1941, the 718 Infantry Division relieved the 132 Infantry Division, so the 132nd could be transferred to the Eastern front in preparation for Operation Barbarossa.
Barbarossa and the Crimea
Lead by its Panzer Jaeger Company (using captured French Chenilette tractors), the 132nd entered Russia near Lemberg in early July 1941. During July/August 1941 the division fought in several smaller actions as it approached Kanev on the Dnieper. Later in the year, the Division was assigned to the Crimean peninsula to take part in the siege of Soviet fortress at Sevastopol. The 132nd took part in both the siege and also in several assaults on the fortress and the city itself. In addition, the Division saw action throughout the Crimea from November 1941 to September 1942, including the winter battle of Feodosia.
Army Group North - Leningrad
In September 1942, the 132 Infantry Division was assigned to Army Group North (18th Army), and was transferred to the Leningrad Front. Throughout 1942 and 1943, the 132nd took part in numerous battles in the theater of operations surrounding Leningrad. These actions included combat in the Mga positions, at Gaitolowo, Tschernaja, the Pogostje Pocket and at Smerdynia. The division suffered heavy casualties during the fall and only made good its losses in Feb 1943 when it received reinforcements and some new equipment.
Starting on August 11, 1943 near Barkskoya Lake, the 132nd was again involved in heavy fighting as Soviet troops attempted to isolate the German forces in the Poretschay bridgehead. After a Soviet breakthrough northeast of Poretschay, several units of the 132nd (II Bttn, 1st Grenadier Regiment, the Division's Reconnaissance Bttn., its Pioneer Bttn. (Black) and parts of the II Bttn, 437th Grenadier Regiment) were formed into "Group Schmidt". "Group Schmidt" (with Tiger tanks in support) was tasked with recapturing parts of the main battle line that Russian forces had seized. Despite heavy fire from the Soviet units, "Group Schmidt" succeeding securing the line, though the Sandkaule heights remained in enemy hands. During the fighting the regimental infantry (White) pioneer platoons also served as a Divisional reserve.
132 Infantrie Division On August 16th, 1943, the 132nd Infantry Division was relieved by the 1st Infantry Division and was pulled from the line. During the fighting in the Poretschay bridgehead the 132nd had destroyed 24 tanks (10 in close combat with light weapons). Total losses for the Soviet forces amounted to over a dozen Russian Battalions.
Due to continued Soviet pressure, the bridgehead was evacuated and the 132nd, along with the other German forces in the area, withdrew back over the Volchov River. As of October 6, the Division had taken up new positions near Kussinka. Throughout the rest of the winter of 1943/spring of 1944 the 132nd Division was involved in several operations as the German army pulled back from Leningrad towards Nevel.
Bagration
June of 1944 found the 132nd Infantry Division occupying defensive positions near Polozk (northwest of Orsha) as part of Army Group North. On June 23, Operation Bagration was launched. As the magnitude of the operation became apparent, the 132nd was relocated south of Duna to help protect the now open Southern flank of the Army Group North. On the night of June 30-July 1st, elements of the 132 Infantry Division were used to form "Battle Group Ambrosius." The battle group consisted of several Grenadier Companies, the Division "Alarm Company" (Pioneers), several SP AA guns (2cm) and self-propelled AT guns.
During the night, the battle group made its was southward towards the town of Mioriya. Uponarrival, the battle group dug in and setup a defensive line with Mioriya on the group's right flank. The defensive positions covered were approximately 2 km in length. The two self-propelled flak guns (2cm) and the self-propelled AT guns were deployed to cover the left flank where a road ran through the position. The two Grenadier companies and the Pioneer company held the center of the line. Four HMGs (MG-42) and two 8cm mortars reinforced the right flank of the line.
Under heavy fire, Battle Group Ambrosius held the position for three days until July 4, when the Russians broke through units to its south. The Russians captured Mioriya and cut off the group from its headquarters. At dusk on the 4th, the cutoff elements received orders (via observers from a supporting 150 mm artillery unit) to breakout towards the north-northwest.
As the group made its way back towards the main German lines near Duna, it ran a gauntlet of firefights with Russian troops. During its withdrawal, the battle group had to fight its way through a small village guarded by T-26 tanks. During the ensuing firefight, one of the SP flak guns was lost, while all of the Soviet armor was destroyed by shaped charges and fire from the SP guns. Early in the morning of July 5th, Battle Group Ambrosius regained the German lines and safety.
Over the next few months, elements of the 132nd Infantry Division (along with elements of Army Group North) retreated towards the north-northwest along the line of the Duna River. During the retreat the Division was often broken into smaller battle groups. In early September 1944, after engagements with vastly superior Russian forces, the Division was forced to re-organize. The 437th Infantry Regiment was disbanded and its troops were used to reinforce the other elements within the division.
Kurland (Courland)
On the 14th of September, Soviet forces broke through Army Group North's lines near Ergli. Once again the 132 Infantry Division was forced to fight its way out of encirclement towards Riga on the Baltic. On October 5th, the 132 took up defensive positions southwest of Riga to cover the retreat of Army Group North over the Duna River and into Kurland (Courland). On October 13, the 132nd withdrew through Riga and crossed the Duna, the last German troops to cross from east to west through Riga.
For the duration of the War, the 132nd fought with the beleaguered remnants of Army Group North (later renamed to Army Group Kurland). During those last months it fought in six major battles with limited resources (having lost most if its heavy equipment on the retreat into Lithuania). The 132nd held its positions until Army Group Kurland surrendered to Soviet forceson May 8, 1945.