Mission #1 - June 22, 1941
------ GSASL After Action report
Co. B, 1st Batt., 2nd Reg. Commander: Mike Manuel -- Primary Mission: Pockets
FRIENDLY VP: 66 ENEMY VP: 33
Turns Played: 14
Result: German Victory
We entered in two groups the main group under my command intered near a road in sector 11 we had no contact with the enemy and advanced upon the hill into the woods. We had our first encounter with the Russians at the edge of the woods. They had setup in a tavern at the hill I5 crossroads.I trained most of my men on the enemy in the tavern and sent a small force with Cpl. Schlotter to the south to try a flanking move on the tavern. the russians but up better resistance than I expected. It took a few minutes longer than expected to clear the tavern. Eventually with two machine guns trained on them they broke and tried to make their escape. We mopped them up. meanwhile Cpl Schlotter had made their way down the hill to a small farm and their encountered numerous russians. he dispatched a runner to me and informed me of their situation. i then immediately turned to the south and put my machine guns and most of my remaining men on the hill line. after many minutes of furious combat.(2 squads Battle hardened) we flushed out the russians including a GAZ that was dispatched with a burst of HMG fire. with the loss of their vehicle the russians seamed to lose their fight. We mopped up taking a few casualties in the process. and moved to the east wher we had reports of another large concentration of russians. Sgt. Osbun in the north end was in a dicey situation right from the start. he lost a squad to enemy fire right away and then encountered many russians at the western edge of the small village. he eventually made it into the woods on top of hill 513,but got bogged down with hand to hand fighting in the village buildings on the hill. he lost more men in the fighting but also battle hardened 3 squads. Sgt. Osbun reports that 3 of his men in his platoon and a half HEROICLY jumped up and helped lead the men into the buildings driving the Russians out in disarray.
My men in the meantime had advanced to the east and encountered heavy resistance in the wheatfields and woods on the eastern end of our sector. A BT M37 also entered but a Lucky shot by our ATR crew dispatched the tank. we took some losses. but were able to to inflict some more casualties on the Russians before they we able to withdraw.
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Company D, 1st Batt, 2nd Regiment-- Commander: Tim Kitchen Primary Mission: Bunker Busting
FRIENDLY VP: 22 ENEMY VP: 11
Turns Played: 12
Result: German Victory
My simple plan was to clear the 11B2-11Q7 ridge line, then sweep from north to south to clear enemy positions. This worked fairly well, although I made the mistake of planting the assault engineers on the left flank instead of in the middle, where they could lead the southerly attack. This probably cost me a turn or two getting back up to lead the assault. Enemy resistance was pretty light for a Bunker Busting mission. I only found 3 single squad foxholes, a fortified building, and two pillboxes to account for the 22 VP's I got. My casualties were very light, probably because of the amount of Russian conscripts that showed up. This was not as lop sided as the points would indicate, as I was actually behind up until Turn 11, when I captured a wooden fortified building location and eliminated two S? to move ahead.
I lucked out on two HOB roles and battle hardened two squads. The Russians received two RE's, both of which had little effect. RE #52 lowered my already low RE# from 3-4 to 2-3. Enemy RE#44 actually helped me by placing a Russian leader, HMG and 4-5-8 squad well off the beaten path, and eliminated an S? that I probably would not have gotten to.
The STuGIII's in the supporting troops earned my wrath several times during the mission. Panics were common, and I swear they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. I became so irritated with them that I sent one on a "scouting expedition" to try and remove some S? locations well ahead of the main attack. Well, I found the enemy (2 x 5-2-7), and they immediately jumped into close combat which scared the crap out of me. The assault gun escaped, and I was a bit more careful after that. Even if the guns weren't helping, it would surely hurt if I lost them. Ironically, that same assault gun helped to wrap up the game when it secured a CH against the fortified building on turn 10. The Russian 7-0 and 4-2-6 were KIA, and I jumped into the location from the back with a half squad the next turn.
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Mission #2 - July 1, 1941
Independent Co. D -- Commander: T. Landgraff -- Primary Mission: Meeting Engagement
FRIENDLY VP: 89 -- Captured: 9 squads (36 VP), ldrs 9-1, 7-0, 6+1 (8 VP), Elim: 12 squads (24 VP), ldrs 10-0 com., 7-0 (2 VP), VPOs: 7FF2 (6 VP), 6J8 (3 VP), 4O6 (4 VP), 4P1 (3 VP), 4S2-T3 (3 VP) ENEMY VP: 0 Turns Played: 11
Result: Crushing German victory
VPO locations dictated entry corridors for both sides consisting of the southernmost 9 hexrows on their respective edges. After some initial confusion, due to faulty recon reporting the bd 7 bridge nearly 1/2 km north of its actual location, the company was across the river in short order. The armored car took up position in 4EE5, and a 9-1, squad, and MMG in 4CC8, from where both covered the east edge of bd 4. The initial shot fired in the scenario, during Russ. turn 3 MPh, saw the 9-1, sqd, and dm MMG disrupting the Russ 9-1 CO in 4AA2 through HOB. A good omen which proved prophetic. 4AA2 was as far west as the Russians would get. AC KIA'd a squad moving in the open in same fire phase. Meanwhile, the other 9-1 led a platoon in halftracks to post the HMG and 2 LMGs in the bd 6 chateau. By Russian turn 5, the mg was assembled in the upper level of 6M5, from where it could cover 3 OG Russ entry hexes, as well as the west edge of the orchard, and shot up several squads that activated in both areas. HMG eventually malfunctioned in turn 8, and failed repair att., but it had already done a great deal of damage. :-) The other 2 squads entering in halftracks sped to occupy bd 4 VPOs S2-T3. 8-0 led the other 2 platoons to this area, from where they were able to work southeast through the woods. Looked like a firefight for a sec when 2 Russ squads reached the 4X1 stone bldg., but a lucky shot from a 12FP FG in 4V2-4V3 sent them reeling. After that, it was a complete turkey shoot, with the aforementioned mgs breaking everything in sight, and the 2 platoons in the center moving in to mop up the survivors. The Russians were showing up piecemeal, completely outnumbered, and hardly even got off a return shot. I didn't even have to take an MC until turn 6, when a lucky mg burst from the lone enemy AFV of the scenario, a mighty T-37, raked the chateau's upper level. My squad passed it. A 10-0 commissar helped our cause by eliminating a squad of conscripts which failed to rally in two successive RPhs. Nice guy. He was later wounded 3 times (survived all 3); the 4th killed him. To heighten the overkill, a German RE in turn 5 brought on a platoon of Panzergrenadiers 251/1s and a 251/10 with a rare (for me) 9-2 arm ldr. The 251/10 aided the AC and MMG covering the west edge of bd 6, while the inf drove around the north side of the chateau to occupy the VPO bldg 6J8. They easily chased off a squad which had just routed there, drove off a stubborn 447 w/MMG in the middle of the orchard, then moved south along the east edge of the bd in the enemy's rear, preventing routs, taking prisoners, and picking up equipment. The 251/10 later drove to 6C3 to gain LOS to the T37 in 6D4, withstood its withering DF, and coolly destroyed the Russian behemoth. Another German RE in turn 9 saw a 9-1 and 2 squads stacked with him become fanatic. Like they needed to. Finally the Russian got a long-awaited RE in turn 10. A convoy was coming in north of the chateau, entering my rear! (insert rude comment here) Alas for Ivan, it turned out to be a convoy of towed artillery and heavy MTRs. I turned it around and skedaddled it offbd as soon as it was released by spotting Germans (everywhere). It would have been slaughtered had it continued toward my board edge. Turn 9 had a mildly interesting bit where 2 disrupted conscripts, in adjacent hexes, both went berserk when DFd on (and the initial shot was a 2 -- 3 snakeeyes in 5 die rolls!). Bastards, I KNEW I shouldn't have fired on them, but leaders were near, trying to rally them. Sadly for the crazed peasants, though, I had time to arrange my troops into decent stacks to KIA them during their charge next turn. More bodies. Or pieces of, anyway. Turn 11 German RE had 2 PzKw38(t)As entering, but they never reached the action. By turn 11 I was getting bored with this 1-sided affair, and moved in a little too quickly on the last Russ units, a 4-2-6 entrenched in 6E6, and a 7-0 with LMG in 6D6. The 4-2-6 pinned the assault-moving fanatic 9-1, and broke both his fanatic squads (!); its subs. first-fire broke another squad moving adjacent; residual in the same hex broke a third. The 7-0 also got lucky and broke a squad moving into an adjacent orchard hex. Bastards. More success in those 3 little shots than in the entire previous 10 turns. Now I was pissed. They were lucky the game ended that turn. Only real casualty the Germans suffered the entire scenario was a successful sniper attack recalling a 251/1 on turn 4. No other units or equipment lost.
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ACHTUNG! For exemplary performance in securing a bridgehead for the Division over the Berezina River (the only unit in the Division to seriously move forward in such undertaking), Hauptmann Landgraff and his Independent Company D are hereby awarded a Unit Citation for outstanding performance. Following is Hauptmann Landgraff's report:
Secondary Mission: Bridgehead (Custom GSASL Mission)
Mission Date: July 3, 1941
FRIENDLY VP: 34 (Elim. AFVs: T-26S M37/39 + crew = 5, KV-1E = 5; fort.: W6 =12, 8V6 = 12), also no enemy units within 4-hex radius of bridgehead hex 8I10 as per MSR
ENEMY VP: 21 (Elim. units: 9-1, 2x467, 247, 127 = 9; fort.: 8W10 = 12)
Turns Played: 13
Result: Narrow German victory
REDS EVERYWHERE! We were lucky to pull this one out. I unwisely chose 8I10 for the bridgehead hex to be defended, because of the lack of initial S? in the area (only 2 S? set up on the south half of bd 8). I thought I could compensate for the area's general lack of defensive cover because the enemy would be coming over the bare hills of the adj. bd 9. While I did continuously sweep the hill, scattering Russians, I underestimated their numbers. A high number of REs, as follows:
Turn 1: Ger: 88L AA towed on by captured Russian truck 3: Russ: RE recalls a 251/1 4: Ger: 9-1 and his MMG 127 go fanatic Russ: Enemy attacks reduce friendly REs by 1 5: Russ:13 S? reinforcements enter EBE 6: Russ: 8 S? enter in flank attack (right on top of bridgehead) 5 more S? from turn 5 RE enter EBE 7: Russ: 8 more S? from turn 5 RE enter EBE 5 more S? from turn 6 RE enter flank attack edge
(this was Russian high point -- on board on turn 7, Russ had 50 S?, 11 ldrs, 25 sqds, 4 HS, 2 HMG, and a KV)
8: Ger: 81mm MTR enters FBE aboard Sdkfz 7 Russ: 7 more S? from turn 5 RE enter EBE 9: Ger: 100+ OBA supp. granted 13: Ger: 2 StuGIIIB's enter FBE Russ: Ger unit closest to EBE stumbles into 12 FP minefield (& breaks)
Things started smoothly, with the bulk of the company fanning out around the bridgehead hex after an unopposed crossing. 251/1s and lt mtrs provided fire support from friendly side of river. The 88 brought onbd turn 1 shelled the bd 8 chateau overlooking the river, getting a 2KIA CH on 2 sqds in a fort. hex. Later 88 was towed upriver to draw a bead on the bridgehead hex, from where it got a tricky LOS on the KV and elim'd it after 3 hits (1st hit shocked 'em). 9-1 took 2x467 and MMG 127 to occupy chateau, but got nasty surprise in approach road when they advanced into LOS of activating 9-2, 2x447, HMG. 127 created hero, but HMG ROF drove 9-1 berserk, and entire stack went berserk with him. In charge on chateau, only 1 squad of stack survived to reach bldg, where they shredded a lone commissar who'd rallied after surviving the 88's CH. That lone squad remained in area to claim both VP fort. hexes of chateau, but couldn't have held on much longer, as 12 enemy squads and a T-26 were within 4 hexes of him at game end. My hold on bridgehead hex was tenuous, as the Russians generated huge numbers of reinforcements. 22 S? set up onbd, 54 more S? entered EBE per MSR, and another 46 S? entered through REs -- 122 S? total, of which only about 10 in hold attitude on the north end of bd 8 were left at mission end. In all, I faced well over 50 Russian squads (and 3 AFVs). At mission end, Russians had 13 ldrs, 33 squads, 7 HS and crews, and 1 AFV on board. With these large numbers, most of whom were charging over bd 9 hills toward the bridgehead hex, the mood was tense and grim. I couldn't have survived without the luck of the REs, namely the 88 and the timely arrival of the 81mm MTR and 100+ OBA late in the game (and both with RE #s of only 3-4!). Before it ran out of ammo, the MTR scored a few key hits on units crossing the hill; the OBA saved my ass by landing one mission of harrassing fire right in front of the bridgehead hex when it looked like I didn't have enough inf. shots to stem the tide (the radio later broke, too, but had done its work). If the 88 hadn't gotten the KV from across river, I couldn't have stopped it. It was already close enough to the bridgehead to deny German victory when I nailed it on turn 12. Also, the last-turn-arriving StuGs got a T-26 that was threatening my lone squad in the chateau (as it turned out, I didn't need the VP,. but the kill was gratifying). Even with all that help, I barely got away with the win. A last-chance 8(+2) Gift From Above DR of 3 broke a 628 & 447 stack that was in position to deny German victory by advancing into the bridgehead 4-hex radius area. Russian sniper was doing the New Amphetamine Shriek, recalling a 251/1, stunning 2 others, breaking a lt mtr crew, immobilizing the truck that towed on the 88, pinning a 467, DMing a broken 467, and wounding my personal 9-1 at the bridgehead defense. Lost a 9-1 and 1.5 squads KIA & K/#. MMG captured by reds. Captured a 7-0 and 3.5 squads. Created an 8-0.
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Mission #3 - July 15, 1941
Co. A, 3rd Batt., 1st Reg. - Commander: Sean C. Mitchell - Primary Mission: Pursuit
FRIENDLY VP: 7
ENEMY VP: 44
Turns Played: 10
Result: Loss
Tough assignment of Pursuit on boards 38 and 32. There were 93 suspect counters and 3 VPO locations. Went in weak with my Co. CO laid up with wounds received in the last mission. At 1 VP per remaining suspect counter, an AC of 3, and a maximum potential of only 18 VP from VPO locations, I knew I would have to sweep the entire map. With only two leaders, command control in such an endeavor was going to be tough. I wasn't disappointed. SAN for both forces was a 3. Booby trap level B was rolled up, but never incurred. Friendly forces had an RE of 4/5 compared to Enemy 3/4. Weather was clear with Wet EC. Friendly ELR was 4, Enemy was 2.
Command control did prove to be the limiting factor. A good example is the 2-4-8 flanker HS that took three turns just to get on the board. Should have left him off as his first 'successful' action was to get ambushed and killed by a lone 7-0 Russian leader remaining in the VPO hex 38D7. Overall, I failed more than 1 out of every 3 Command Control checks. This significantly affected the mission.
On turn 2, the Enemy received an RE, but only rolled an overcast condition for weather. On turn 3, we rolled an RE that generated a 100+ OBA with scarce ammunition. This greatly facilitated taking the VPO location on 38BB2 even though the first chit draw for battery access was red. The overcast did affect play in that rain started a few times during the mission causing LV hindrance, and for a period of time was heavy enough to cause a +1 LV at 0-6 hex range.
High point of the mission was rolling snake eyes in CC with enemy that generated an 8-0 leader that I get to retain. Low point of the mission was when a guard unit broke and his prisoners killed him in CC. The prisoners were subsequently recaptured. Many Russians exited the board safely. Two German HS were killed in CC, thus being eliminated from my OB. Two Russian MMC and one SMC were captured and retained. Two captured MMC were killed by enemy fire during play. My HMG and one MTR malfunctioned and were subsequently broken during repair attempts. Thirty seven of 93 suspect counters remained on the board. Two of the three VPO locations were seized, but did not generate enough points to mollify the defeat.
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Mission #3 - July 15, 1941
Ind. Co. E - Commander: Hauptmann Pollock - Primary Mission: - SEARCH & DESTROY
Turns Played: 11.5
Result: FRIENDLY VICTORY (at a cost)
While the village proper was assaulted by half the company supported by the PSW 221, the remainder, loaded in the SPW 251/1s penetrated deep on the right flank to initiate a timely sweep of the rear areas.
Initial resistance in the village was heavy, being centred on two strong points each containing a 45L AT. This assault had the support of a lone ATR team and they were instrumental in carrying the day as it obliterated both guns with critical hits [both of which even required the subsequent dr]. The 9-2 took one in the shoulder early on as did the 8-1 that sprang from the self-rallying MTR team; both wounds were declared minor and non-debilitating at the field station.
The scariest moment for the company came part way into the mission [Turn 4b] when the motorised half of the company, embroiled in beseiging a strongpoint, were subjected to a regimental shoot [3 x 70+ mm OBA from RE32; only one stayed on target after error correction]. Considering the exposed position of those sections, we can count ourselves lucky that losses were limited to two burning SPW 251/1s. Another one was lost when it was taken out pointblank by an ATR team that was believed on the verge of surrender [rallied as part of RE 26 on turn 5b]. These crews are sorely missed as their bravery was instrumental in quickly terminating enemy resistance [the hts and AC helped immeasurably as they were usually the units that triggerred Activation dr and initiated ENCIRCLING fire and mandatory rout situations]. The men, and myself, remain in awe of the Lt. as, despite his wound, he showed conspicuous heroism under fire and maintained the assault on a church housing half a SMG company [wounded 9-2 turned into Heroic 10-2 under HoB]. The assault claimed both veteran squads, some to a booby trap. We'll all miss him dearly when his inevitable promotion to HQ comes through [I'l continue to roll for his removal at the end of every AAR].
No significant casualties were incurred from the sniper fire. [No AFV, leader or broken unit was ever subjected to a sniper attack; the 8-1 was generated by a MTR crew that was self-rallying after being popped by the sniper.] We never found the sniper but she must've cleared off after we secured the area.We captured our weight in prisoners.
Post Mission Results (excerpt):
...2. Heroic 10-2 battle hardens and is permitted to remain with his company ... for now. 8-0 promoted to 8-1...
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Mission #4 - July 24, 1941
THE ANNIHILATION OF Co. D, 1. Battalion, 2. Regiment, 29 Div. (Mot) - Commander: Mixo Weber
Turns Played: 9
Result: Company annihilated
A Soldier covered with dust salutes in front of you and gives you a bloodstained sheet of paper...
Our Company was ordered to withdraw, as we were in danger of being encircled in our exposed positon . Being lucky enough to have four competent leaders in my company I decided to split the regiment in four seperate groups. One of which received the MMGs and HMGs. Their orders were to give supporting fire and make a final stand if necessary. (side-note: I came up with my own SSHR - Special Secenario House Rule which stated that all German forces left onboard at scenario end were captured by the Russians. This was the first time I had a killer-stack not lead by my best (9-2) leader, as I didn't want him to get captured)
The first enemy encountered was a damn KV-2 which sat on a level 3 hill 783 hex and leisurely fired away at my units (I also have a house rule to handle tanks in a sensible manner - IMO the SASL-system can't really handle tanks). This KV-2 turned out to be a real pain in the ass. It KIAed 3.5 squads (one of which died in a CH-rubbled stone building), double-broke one and made a general mess out of my evacuation plans. Maybe I should have send a couple of men to CC the bastard. Those 152 are just to good a weapon - they area fire all the time, giving good to hit probabilities (even at long ranges) vs. infantry and still hit with 12 FP!
We came through sector 15 quite good, but then hell broke loose. The village in sector 3 wasn't enemy occupied, but the Russians started attacking from two sides now. Especially the pressure from the north was enormous - and always the danger of getting encircled. We had to leave a few good man behind to cover our retreat. Sgt. Wolkey and a squad got wounded by the KV-2 and the rest of his men broke and run - that is our fire support group with the MMGs and HMG out of action for a while. Just as if all this wasn't bad enough three T34 M40 (RE) turned up in our rear.
Suddenly and without a warning there were hundreds of Russian seemingly coming from nowhere charging our positions (side-note gotta 12 as move action with _a lot_ of S?s around me). Awful hand to hand combat was common place for quite a while - we lost another three squads, but our men fought well and heriocally. I want to suggest Unteroffizier Kindel for a medal posthumously, because he displayed great courage during those close combats (snake eyes on a CC DR) ... Situation is getting more and more desperate as the Russians are tightening their grip on our regiment. I fear the main bulk of our regiment gotta be left behind fighting for their lives, surrounded by Russian hordes in the village on board three and being shot to pieces by close-range T34 and long range KV2 fire....
German turn six saw a tough decision: Should I order the units which were already close to the German lines to fall back into the safety of their own line immediately or should I also risk them in a final attempt to gather around enough covering fire to support the main bulks retreat. I decide for the "say" option with the only exception of the mtr teams. This decision turned out to be a fatal mistake. The units trying to support the doomed, surrounded ones also got encircled and whiped out.
Of the [beginning company OOB] only 2 mtr teams came back, clutching to their mortars, fear in their eyes...
Player's side note: This has been the toughest SASL scenario I've ever played in my ASL-life. On top of the two surviving 1-2-7s, only a 9-2, 2.5 x 4-6-7s, a 2-4-8 and 2 x 1-2-7s were placed in the "Eliminated and Retained" box (and thus captured as per my house rule). All other units were eliminated by CC, failure to rout and especially KIAs. This result is mainly due to an unbelievable high number of low DRs by the Russians. I can highly recommend this scenario! The constant danger of gettting encircled is really thrilling.
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Mission Date: July 24, 1941 - Enemy Offensive
Co. A, 2nd Batt., 1st Reg., 29th Motorized Infantry Division - Commander: Jeff Kimmel
Turns Played: 8
Result: Friendly Victory
Mission Summary [T]otal S? at start: 61; All bridges were intact, stream was dry. VPO in 41O8, 10Z6, 10W8 EC: Dry Wind: none Weather: Clear
This was a wild scenario, featuring many tanks, SMOKE FFE's, CH's, and an ENEMY paradrop! The terrain really favored my company this time. I had two hills from which to set up my defense that overlooked a wide open space with just grainfields to cover the enemies approach. With only one VPO on board 41 I figured it would be worth alot of points. 1st platoon got the task of defending hill 520, with the help of the HMG an AA gun, 2 mortar teams and an ATR team. The blind wooded area was mined and the road south of the hill had AT mines on it. Entrenchments were dug across the hilltop for the defenders to counter any opposition. The central road was strung with barbed wire. 2nd platoon was given hill 513 to hold with the MMG, the other AA gun, one mortar team and an ATR team. They were spread from the hilltop to the road, which was strung with barbed wire. The area between 1st and 2nd platoons was heavily mined. 3rd platoon was the weakest with only 2 squads and the recon HS's. They setup between 1st and 2nd platoons well back from the wire but in a position where they could support either side. The opening Russian artillery barrage was wildly off target and ended up coming down as SMOKE missions. These did little to hinder my defenders LOS. One mission continued and corrected to 2nd platoons position, breaking a mortar team and squad before it ended. The low AC# meant alot of the S? went POOF when they were spotted but the first enemy unit to activate was a KV-2. Everyone in 1st platoon stayed hidden as this monster rolled by, heading up the mined road. It passed the mines with no problem and swung around behind the hill. The next Russian to activate was a KV-1 M39! This tank began making its way towards 2nd platoon and was joined by 2x T-28 M34 that came on by RE. A handful of Russian infantry led by a 10-0 commissar were also making their slow way west. The real fun began now, with the KV-2 shelling the hilltop and 3rd platoon trying to sneak up on it for CC. The AA gun with 1st platoon opened up on the T-28's and scored a CC on one of them. More Russians began moving up and several squads were broken when they entered minefields. The 10-0 commissar ran forward to rally some of them and was caught in the open by a mortar. 10 successive shots fell on that damned political officer, including one CH, setting off 1 enemy sniper, and two friendly snipers. The net result was one mortar team minus half its ammo and one smug looking Commissar standing in the open thumbing his nose at me. Never did get the bastard. The KV-2 sat in impunity shelling my troops as they cycled on the hilltop, trying to stay concealed. 2nd platoon squads tried CC once but failed and the KV-2 moved away and started firing at the hill again. The KV-1 came through the dry stream bed, setting off alot of mines but doing no damage before stopping to shell 520 also. The last T-28 stopped to fire at the AA gun but a run of 5 shots by the AA gun ended by burning the Russian tank. Then a 2nd platoon squad snuck up on the KV-1 and successfully killed it in CC. The other 2nd platoon squad and its leader tried to jump the KV-2 but were cut down by its MG's (snakes for the ENEMY CC roll). Things were not looking bad though as most of the Russian infantry that got forward were stuck on the minefields and couldn't make any headway. My troops were confident of victory when there came a low droning in the sky. Expecting to see Luftwaffe planes flying to our support, imagine our suprise when they turned out to be Russian transports! Three wings of paratroopers dropped into the field! Fortunately, due to the high altitude of the Russian planes, the sticks of paras were scattered badly, 2 going offboard. Three sticks fell to the southeast of 520, dropping right into the LOS of the HMG position. Three shots later there was only half a stick left. Other sticks fell very close to my troops and many of the paras were broken. Of the ones that came down safely, many were too far away from the VPO's to make a difference, though three sticks did drop near the FBE and one squad managed to get off. One stick dropped by the board 10 pond and half the squad ended up in the pond (KIA). The next excitement after the paras dropped was Russian infiltrators that snuck up on hill 520. 2 S? were right on top of my defences! One failed to activate but the other did and the Russian troops broke the mortar team it was next to, forcing them to lose the mortar. The scenario ended with a fair number of Russian troops around but my troops were safely holed up in their buildings and dugouts. No VPO were captured by the Russians. My losses were extremely light, just one squad and a 8-0 leader. The only prisoner taken was a badly shaken para HS that landed next to one of the defenders after being shot to peices on the way down. I'd like to recommend AA gun crew 8 (2 tank kills) and 2nd platoon squad BB (killed the KV-1 in CC) for the Iron Cross.
RE's Turn 2A Enemy: DR 4,2 -> 5,2 Battalion says we have to hold alone, Friendly RE drops to 2/3. 2A Friendly: Ignored due to BPV Penalty Turn 2B Enemy: DR 3,4 -> 4,4 Enemy tanks! 2x T-28 M34 Turn 5B Friendly: DR 3,4 -> 4,4 Battalion changes its mind, Friendly RE to 3/4 Turn 6A Enemy: DR 5,6 -> 6,6 Berserk! ENEMY squad Turn 6B Enemy: DR 3,6 -> 4,6 reroll DR 6,4 -> 7,4 What are those funny looking planes? Russian paratroopers? HERE!?! Turn 7B Enemy: DR 5,2 -> 6,2 Infiltrators, filthy sneaky Russians! Turn 8B Enemy: DR 3,4 -> 4,4 Battalion says the Russians are calling off the attack, ENEMY RE drops to 4/5.
Post Mission Results: The paradrop really caught me by surprise. I spent a good 10 minutes pouring over the paradop rules while figuring out what to do. The scatter mods for the Russians really helped as they were so widely spread out they couldn't mount any sort of effective attack in the turns they were onboard. They automatically activate as elite squads with SW and leaders, what a nasty surprise.
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Mission Date: 24th August 1941 - Pockets
301st Reserve Company - Commander: Adrian Stubbs
Turns Played: 9
Result: German Victory
Mission Summary: Sir, I wish to report the overwhelming defeat
of the Bolsheviks trapped in the Pocket which you ordered my Company against
early this morning. It seemed that a battlegroup was forming in the
thick woods to the South of our position, with a small flank guard in the
hills to its East. Despatching Sgt Becker and a third of my force
to deal with these, Lt Klaus led the remaining troops down the forest road
to engage the main body. In such dense terrain command proved difficult
& the enemy were not contacted before mid-morning (4 turns running
with leader bonus, road rate & alternate CX turns before battle commenced!).
Becker saw action first, the Conscript defenders gunning down an ATR crew,
before they were overrun and forced to surrender. He then began the
long slog over the hill to rejoin the main body who had run into a veritable
wall of reds. A gentle probing developed some weak spots and all
was going well until hordes of enemy poured out of nowhere (Enemy RE #63:
8 ? generated!). The fighting turned vicious, weapons of choice being
bayonets, knives and entrenching tools (the German HMG changing hands 4
times!). At this point Becker struck them in the flank and the attack
dissolved into a torrent of prisoners. Counterattacking saw my Company
hit a well dug in line of
foxhole protected defenders with machineguns and leaders to direct
them. Bounced the first time, the intensity of fire suddenly
slackened (Friendly RE #24: Ammunition Shortage). This opportunity
saw my men, led by a young NCO (Cpl Werth) rally & hit them hard with
grenades and steel until the remainder begged for mercy like the dogs they
are. I now await your further orders.
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301 (Division Reserve) Commander: Captain Licari
Primary Mission: Escape!
Mission Date: 20 December 1941
Turns Played: 9
Result: Draw
My company was lucky enough to force a draw with the Siberians. With the large Chateau and several other buildings ablaze in the middle of my assigned sectors, I figured this would naturally slow the enemy's advance. So my men split up to cover the edges of my area. This worked reasonably well. The enemy advance in the center was slowed by the flames and smoke, but they managed to get some forces off (in the form of 3 Suspect counters). The only major problem was that the edges of my sectors were nearly devoid of cover. Right away on the south side of sector 6 my troops ran into trouble. Rather, trouble ran into them in the form of a T34 (the first enemy activated was this monster!). Hounded by this tank and several Russian squads, my men on the south edge had a tough time. The men on the northern end (just one stack of the 9-2, and 3 x LMG/467) had it easier. Although fewer in numbers than my southern force, they still had quite a bit of firepower, and typically ripped any enemy squads that showed themselves. With no ATRs, they were certainly glad that the T34 was on the other side of the battlefield!
Never stopping to fire, my men moved as quickly as possible through the snow. The T34, a constant menace, chopped up a couple of squads. I saw some men that were veterans of the campaigns in Poland and France fall, leaving their less experienced comrades to struggle on their own (two squads ELRd to 2nd Line). One squad that also received machinegun fire from an enemy squad with a MMG figured it was time to "get it done"; with extraordinary battlefield experience and expert marksmanship, they laid waste to the MMG position with accurate LMG fire of their own (the squad had battle hardened to a 468 and also created a hero…the hero helped break the enemy squad).
But then things went from bad to worse on the southern end. A Russian GAZ-4M-AA appeared, and with guns blazing laid waste to a mortar crew struggling through the snow. As another mortar crew tried to reach the cover of a copse of trees, the AA truck got them too. In an instant I saw two teams die (the GAZ-4M-AA was able to take two 16FP-2 shots at my poor MTR teams). Although distasteful, we were unable to bring their bodies (or their weapons) with us…they had fallen in the open snowfields, covered by Russian fire. The T34, not to be outdone by the AA truck, began to blast away at a pair of squads hiding in the woods. I saw a shell land directly in their midst (a critical hit!) but lucky for them it failed to explode (a dud!). Things then got better for my men: the T34, trying to move forward to attack my troops, couldn't move: its poorly made transmission had conked out and the driver couldn't get his tank moving (boxcars on the mechanical reliability DR!). With the AA truck moving very slowly since it was off-road, it blundered a bit too close to my troops. Just about every weapon in range opened up on the truck. It was quickly riddled with holes and a shot from an ATR finished it off. My men in the south were "saved", and managed to effect the retreat without further instance.
The men in the north had an uneventful time, for the most part. An enemy squad, attacking across the open snowfields, was rendered ineffective (broken). As a Russian officer moved up to rally the men, he was shot and killed (KIA on an 8-0). A brief scare developed when 10 Siberians went berserk and charged my position. With expert fire direction (from the 9-2) and the fact that the charging enemy squad was moving in the wide open snowfield, they were easily cut down (a nice 20FP -4 attack resulting in a 2 KIA). The rest of the battle brought no further trials for the troops on the north edge and they were able to withdraw. We put up a tough fight, and managed to bloody the Russian's nose a bit, but not without a cost. Two teams of specially trained experts gave their lives and their weapons had to be left on the battlefield (the two mortar crews). Several other veteran infantrymen were casualties (the two first line squads suffering ELR).
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Company #201 Division Reserve
Division: 29th Motorized
Commander: Hauptmann Shelly Crawford
Primary Mission: Beseiged
Mission Date: Jan. 7 1942
Turns Played: 10
Result: German Victory
(Friendly)
Mission Summary
Generalleutnant Lubben:
Here is the post-action report for DivRes Company #201, submitted by Otto Von Kleghorn, Company Clerk.
While Hauptmann Crawford appreciated the offer of Anti-Tank and Artillery
assets, he felt that there were
others in the front lines that were more in need. He did, however,
agree to the wire that the Division's
Pioneers had left for us, and ordered the men to entrench overnight.
We also filled sandbags and
strengthened the Company HQ in the north, and the fallback position
in the south.
At approximately 1000 hours, the enemy began their preparatory
artillery strikes. Judging
from the blasts, we estimate that the guns were probably 122mm field
pieces. Little damage was done, though
some of the men, being new to the field, headed for better cover.
As the first rounds began to fall, we spotted
movement to the west. It soon became apparent that this was a
force of infantry about 80 men strong, and we
waited for them to get closer before opening fire. Unfortunately,
one of the new recruits in Lt. Reisch's
HMG team had not been performing the proper maintenance on his weapon,
and the piece failed to fire from the
start. When one of the Russian officers spotted the crew frantically
trying to clear the weapon, he became
visibly excited and shouted to his men (Intelligence Note: the
accent sounded vaguely Siberian to one of
our men who has spent time in the Orient.) who then charged the HMG
entrenchment. Lt. Reisch and his men could
not stop them, and he fell gallantly defending his post with bayonet
and pistol.
In the meantime, a force of approximately 60 men began to approach
from the east, accompanied by a T-34.
These began to make their way toward our positions, and the tank began
to shell the edge of the village.
Haputmann Crawford was beginning to regret the denial of AT assets,
but held to Prussian tradition and
did not flinch at the crack of rounds. We were still waiting
to see where the full weight of the assault
would fall.
This soon became apparent when another large force, of around
120 men, came from the east, trudging
through the snow. The younger men in the units to that side of
the village were visibly shaken by the
sight of a tall, fair Russian boldly marching in front of the wave
of men. His bearing was such that
he could have taken on our whole unit himself. Less impressed
was Feldwebel Gruber of Werfer Team #13,
who, after cursing and spitting in the way only an old lumberman from
the Black Forest can, proceeded
to unceremoniouly drop a 50mm round on the fair man's head. The
small red spot left in the snow cheered
the younger men, who gazed in awe at Gruber.
The assault to the west began to fall apart, and the MMG was
moved to the eastern stone house, where the
pressure of the attack was beginning to intensify. Another
line of ragged, brown forms appeared to the
east, along with two more of the enemy's T34 tanks. The Hauptmann
was beginning to consider withdrawal.
Fighting in the small, walled farmhouse in the east of our perimiter
was coming to close quarters.
Suddenly, a cheer erupted to our north, and 60 screaming Russians, linked
arm-to-arm, came running at
full bore towards our outpost up there, led by a large, swarthy officer
waving a Soviet flag. They came on
in the face of determined fire, and soon not many of them were left.
The Political Officer (as we could
determine from our binoculars), however, did reach other friendly units,
and encouraged them, under cover of
fire from one of the tanks, to assault the stone house serving as Company
headquarters. In the face of this
assault, one of the men, Pvt. Leyser, rose up and led the men in repelling
the Russians. The Russian Kommissar
came on like a man possessed, and though all the men he led had fled
or fallen, managed to make it into a small
house near the headquarters.
In the southeast, Sgt. Schultz was standing firm, ably assisted
by Gruber's mortars. The enemy was beginning
to pour in around him, but as they would expose themselves, Schultz
proficiently directed fire to put
them back in their place. However, the other two of the enemy
tanks worked their way in around and began to
put fire onto the two Werfer teams. A most comical incident occurred
when one of the tanks, apparently
trying to draw a bead on Gruber himself, jammed it's primary weapon.
Gruber slowly walked out of his firing
position and saluted the tank in a most vulgar way. He then turned
and walked back into his pit. Werfer team
#7, however, was not so lucky, as a shell fired by the other tank slammed
into their pit not 20m away, and
they were decimated. Our casualties were beginning to mount,
now standing at about 30-35 men.
It was at this point that the tank to the north got a shell into the
headquarters, forcing all of the men
there except Leyser to quit the post. Leyser, who was also heavily
wounded in the explosion, saw them
leaving and spat "Kowarten!" at them as he levered himself behind the
MMG and continued to put fire into
the advancing Soviets. We estimate that he, alone, put about
3000 rounds out of the gun in the space of
3 to 4 minutes. Although he was wounded twice more in the next
attack, he refused to leave the gun. The
barrel of the weapon was near molten when the action finally slowed
down, and the Russians withdrew from
the field. We are considering having the barrel sent to Leyser's
wife, along with a commemorative letter
of thanks from the men he saved. Hauptmann Crawford will be putting
in for a commendation for the Private,
who refused a promotion, preferring to return to his squad, who are
now among the proudest in our company.
At the end of the day, we retained full control of the village, at a
loss of 47 men. Divisional staff have
since sent replacements, and the company now stands at about 85%, including
weapons teams and officers.
The Hauptmann wishes the report that the unit is healthy, and full
of fight, waiting for another go at
the Red hordes. Also, that Sgt. Schultz accepts the promotion
to Senior Sergeant.
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From Reserve Co 203 Haupt J. Mann
Primary Mission - "Beseiged"
Mission Date : 7 Jan 42
Turns Played : 10
Result : Friendly Victory
Mission Summary:
The Defense was setup in a loose dug in(119 Fort.Pts) perimeter defense
with one squad in each VPO building. The HMG with Lt Brower, a 2-4-7
crew and a Squad was dug in on the north side; Sgt Jorgen with the MMG
and 2-4-7 and a squad was dug in on the south side. Sgt Thiesen with
two squads and two LMG formed a mobile reserve. The Battle started with
the initial platoon size probes coming from the northeast and southeast
corners, while one Russian 80mm Mortar barrage roamed the eastern reaches
of the defense. Mortar C scored first blood with a KIA result vs
a 4-2-6, then it promptly malfunctioned. Turn two
saw the Russians attacking from the south egde; while ATR C Panicked,then
broke in a FPF attack. Mortar A malf on its first shot in turn three, as
more Russians come from the north side. Turn Four saw still more russians
along the north egde as well as a ERE 35 of three T34 M40 from the northeast.
Lmg D perm Malfuctioned and Mtr C was repaired. Sqd G(who were carrying
LMG D) rolled a 12 during the Russian prep fire phase to become a broken
HS (Q). ATGun D began to score hits against the russian infantry.
Neither AT gun ever got a shot against a AFV, being dug in(trenchs) in
the western half of the perimeter. Turn Four/F saw two(of 10 friendly
and 7 enemy) sniper attacks , both breaking russian MMC. Mtr C gets
a 1KIA against 2 5-2-7. Turn Five, more russians from the north and three
more T34s (M41s, per Automatic RE) from the mid east edge. Sqd K w/LMG
panics ,breaks in FPF and pins 4-4-7. MMG and Mtr B malf.
T34 M41 A breaks Mtr A w/MG fire. T5F sees Mtr B perm Malf, R sniper breaks
ATR B and Mtr c broke by T34 M40 A. Turn Six, more russians from
the south; this is really bad news since all but one sqd( Sqd F) as pulled
out towards the main battle area in the NE. Also, Sqd F had
advanced 200m into the open to take a boken russian sqd prisoner, unfortunately
that boken 5-2-7 rolled a 2 rally attempt for a HOB berserk. Sqd F had
to KIA with TBPF/same Hex in the open. AT gun D malf. ATR C
crew broke by T34 M41C. Overall defense holding, enemy closing on eastern
VPO after being held up by wire east of woods. T6F saw Lt Brower
with the HMG break up/DM entire NW attack with three shots against russian
groups/stacks(including 10-2) within 100m of AT Gun D. ATR C crew
elim by T34 M41 C. Turn Seven has more russians along north egde and ERE
63 with 6 "S" from East. T34M40 B suffers MA malf repair roll six - MA
elim. Russian Movement command of 12 causes multiple Beserk russian units.
ATR A breaks/ELR russian 4-4-7 to DM 2-3-7. T34 M41B hits AT minefield
and becomes immobilized. Sqd F attacked by two beserk sqds, suffers 12
FPF, becomes DM HS V and routs into woods. AT gun D crew and Mtr
B crew repel Beserk 2-2-7. Mtr A breaks from TBPF, but survives interdiction
to rout away. ATR A crew and HS Q (from T4) both elim in CC. Turn
seven F sees AT gun D Elim by Malf. Sqd K self rallies and broken Mtr C
crew Elim by 12 roll. All units withdrawing towards VPOs, HS V and Mtr
A crew break again and are elim. Sgt Thiesen with mobile reserve
move into 24u6 defending east VPO. Turns 8 thru 10 see no more Russians
but there already enough to cause plenty of problems. Turn 8 starts
with ATR B rallying. Sgt Thiesen repels two attacking groups/Stacks and
elim DM 2-2-6 in DFph. Turn 8 F sees Sgt Jorgen and the 2-4-7 finally
figure out how to fix the MMG. PFPh sees Sgt "T" 4MC Russian group
of 9-2,5-2-7,4-4-7 - results in DM 9-1 and 2 x 4-2-6. T34 M40 A breaks
Sqd M in 24v3 with MA, then CMGs into HS E. HS E then K by CH by
T34 M40 C. Turn 9 sees Sgt "T" in 24v6 surrounded on four sides by
10 DMed russian units and T34 M40 B and C both BMG malf. Mtr B crew
broken. T9F sees T34 M40 C BMG elim. Sgt Jorgen and MMG in
24t6 breaks two seperate russian HS. Sgt "T" moves forward to DM
more broken russians then falls back into
24u6. T34 M41C MA malf. T34 M40 A MG attack vs Sgt "T"'s group
breaks Sqd k, pins Sqd H). T34 M41 B CMG malf - has no op MG. Turn
10 has the tanks moving up adjacent to VPO 24t6. Sgt Jorgen panics,
MMG and sqd break 2-3-7. If you've noticed a lack of referance to the HMG
and Lt Brower lately its because they are trapped in 24q3 with the
T34s on the east side and lots of russians just waiting for them to try
and move west. T10F starts with T34 M40 C has MA malf. Sqd
K rallies. Sgt Jorgen's Battlegroup breaks 4-4-7. AT gun F crew get a K
vs 2-3-7 while defending 24m6 w/Mtr crew. Sqd J breaks 4-4-7
in 24m3. Sgt "J" 's Group(except
MMG HS) in 24t6 level 2 broke by T34 M40 C MG attack. MMG HS broke
by T34M41 C BMG(only working weapon!). End of turn sees Russians
break off attack(Thank Goodness!) having decided objective was too tough.
One or two more turns would have seen them take both VPOs and probably
destroy the Company. They had forces adjacent to both VPOs and no
good escape routes or rally points for survivors. We have suffered
approx 40 casulties and lost two mortars and two ATR while repelling an
attack by a Russian force of 9 leaders, 31 squads, 3 MG, 1 ATR, and 6 Tanks.
Players Status: Awaiting Orders
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Hauptmann Zinselmeyer, 71/2/C, Convoy Escort February 20, 1942
The map coordinates were as follows, 18N/2S/33S, with a low concentration
of enemy units (AC# = 2). The column entered the western edge of
18N with the four SPW 251/1 leading the way loaded up with squads and LMG
in the first three, Sgt. Becker riding in the third half-track and an ATR
crew and HMG crew in the fourth. An infantry platoon under command
of Sgt. Pilsl with the MMG and LMG took up a flanking position.
The main obstacle on map 18N was the lone bridge crossing a
gully with woods and a building to provide a defensive position for the
Russians. This area was defended by a reinforced rifle platoon (5 squads,
MMG, 7-0, 6+1), but led only by a corporal (who would become our wounded
prisoner along with a HS remnant of his platoon). The lead half-track
barreled in (there wasn't any room on the board to do much else) survived
the First Fire, though the PRC squad broke and with the following half-tracks
laid out some very effective Bounding Fire (some at point blank range)
and with some favorable FPF we essentially overran the position.
But shortly after securing this area of the road, Sgt. Becker was wounded
by Sniper fire generated by ERE 53.
The next obstacle was the winding of the road between Hills
538 and 621 on map 2S. The earlier success the AC caught up with
the enemy and we did not meet any resistance until 2U5 were a S, HS result
sent a scare in me as I thought I had a ATG to deal with. Again this position
was attacked by the half-tracks and Pilsl's platoon and without any Russian
leadership in the area fell quickly. Near the exit of the road between
the two hills on map 2S towards map 33S a Russian 458 with HMG and 8-1
(GSASL 3.41 penalty ERE) was detected but fortunately they were alone (2
S?
failed AC). This position was again taken quickly with the only
slight casualties (ELR replacement of squad).
On map 33S, the enemy did not put up a fight until near the
group of buildings near the eastern edge. Here again the enemy was
poorly led and their resistance did not last long as Sgt. Schmidt led a
group into close combat to finish of the enemy. Near these buildings
is where we suffered Casualty Reduction (due to Casualty MC) on one of
the PRC squads. The enemy resistance was completely squashed and
the supply convoy was allowed to
proceed without further delay (though only one was able to exit the
board on Turn 12, the other two were right behind). A total of 2
squads and 2 leaders were taken POW.
The enemy received REs: 53 on turn 2, 45 on turn 5 (GSASL 3.41),
23 on turn 8, 53 on turn 10. Friendly side received RE 45 on
turn 8, Sgt. Pilsl becomes heroic and lost an RE on turn 4 due to GSASL
4.41 penalty.
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29/15/1/A Miller - Patrol - February 20, 1942
Our troops went out looking for Russians, since it was quiet on our part of the front. Well, we found them coming down the road and caught them by surprise (Germans first). With my HTs leading the way, I immediately took up semi-crossfire positions and began to mow down the exposed Russians! The pin-point fire took a heavy toll on the Russians (a lot of great rolls, better than average). After two turns with hardly any counter fire, the Russians fell back (many broken squads). I began move up into a blocking position across from a crossroads, with several buildings where the Russians were trying to regroup. At the same time, I received the first of my reinforcements (little did I know that Command was about to be generous!), Grenadiers (first RE: elite troops riding HTs).
I continued to keep the Russians a bay, bottled-up at the crossroads.
In fact, I began move up with support of the newly arrived Grenadiers and
a PzKw 38 (next RE). I was just rolling over the Russians, until
a T-34 showed up! It became the thorn for me. When it arrived
on the scene, it first took a shot at the PzKw 38, but missed. As
I was infiltrating the cross roads virtually abandoned by the enemy, I
close assaulted and immobilized it. But that wasn^t enough, as it
pinned down some of my troops. Unfortunately for the
Russians, they began to run out of bullets (RE low ammo) and had left the
tank unsupported, but it held its ground! The Russians managed to
pin a HT (only Russian RE) before leaving the T-34 on its own.
The PzKw 38 worked its way around for a point blank side shot.
A tank duel insued, the first round both misses. However the T-34^s
CMG tried to raked the exposed crew of the PzKw 38, but stirred a hornet^s
nest by creating an armor leader! But it was not to be, the PzKw
38 missed its penetration (even with APCR), and the T-34 scored a kill
the next time. So it was up the infantry to do the job, and next
turn another attempt, but no go! I lost a squadthis time.
By this time the Russian troops were routed, huddling in a few spots (I continually keep virtually all of the broken units DM^d). With that another set up support HT^s arrived, all toting guns of a sort (20 mm to 75 mm). They helped clean up the board of any straggling Russians, and went to work on that T-34! Unfortunately, the HT with 75mm snub-nose was taken-out by the T-34. But the HT carrying the 37L got into a rear shot position. Again it missed, I gave it to the infantry again, this time after a number of squads jumped the T-34 we got it!
I figure these Russians were poorly lead and equipped. They didn't know what hit them! Especially, with all those extra HTs for support (thanks to command) it turned into a "cake-walk", except for that damn T-34 would die until the end.
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29/15/2/D Schools - Beseiged - February 20, 1942
We had settled into a small vilage with single story stone huts.
I deployed in the perimeter huts trying to get as many fire lanes as I
could. In the
clearing to the east was a single wooden farm house. I emplaced
my best leader and my most experienced squads there. The treelines
were too close, so we mined the treelines that were facing the farm house.
Recon patrols placed enemy troop movements all around us. We settled
in for our long winter nap. Toward mid-day lookouts spotted infantry
units moving towards our positions. We waited and watched the russians
slowly move toward us through the deep smow.
Mines make excellent prowler alarms.
The mine fields funneled the russians through an opening between two large clumps of trees. The units in the farmhouse had no problem dealing with the russians as they struggled through the deep snow. Some russian units approached the village and were dealt with in short order. I watched with amazement a russian shoot down an entire squad trying to prompt them into action. These people are insane! After 40 minutes or so of exchanging gunfire with russian infantry, there was that sound that every german infantryman hears in his nightmares - diesel engines. I knew before I grabbed my glasses from the direction that it was coming from what it was. Another T34. It came around the woods and fire a single shot into the village and then turned toward the farmhouse and stopped about 100 meters from it and started shooting.
The units could not leave the house as the russian infantry were still present. The units in the farmhouse put concentrated fire on each russian unit until they were broken fleeing masses, all the while 76mm shells were turning the farmhouse into firewood. Amid all of the shouting, shooting and flying splinters arose a single infantryman. He rallied his fellows when his leader was trying to fix the plumbing under the kitchen sink. This fellow is now a NCO. I could use more like him. As this was going on the russians that were approaching the village were being dealt with a unit at a time. A russian unit got into one of the huts of the village and a small hand to hand battle was fought over the building. The russians won out, taking the artillery spotter, one squad and a gun crew with them. The russians died in that building also soon after.
The T34 was still where he stood shooting at the farm house. A corporal led his men across the street, grabbed a flamethrower abandoned by the russians across the street and ran his troops into the field toward the T34. He fired the flamethrower at the back of the T34. I guess God still watches over idiots even in Russia as the T34 moved away from him to try to overrun the farmhouse. The T34 made one pass failing to drive us from the farmhouse. He turned and fired one last shot and headed east. At least he is easier to spot as his winter cammo is now burnt off. The corporal wanted to keep the flame thrower but I reminded him that it was russian and liable to fail and take him with it. I can understand his feelings as we have but entrenching tools to deal with this russian armour.
-----------------
29/15HQ out
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