Author	t1M0t8yk
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2021-03-08
Language	English
Scenario	EFDx005

I'd rate this a 3.5 with a finer scale. It's certainly the most interesting of the seven day 1 scenarios. It's not without problems; as usual, PG's lackluster scenario design fails to provide incentive for the Germans to attack, and this is the first day of Barbarossa! To mitigate this I used the requirement I found in a supplemental EFD scenario document available at BGG - the Germans must advance to the first full road hex of either of the eastern maps.

With more design care this could be a great scenario, although the Reds are a bit short on tanks. In contrast the Germans are actually a bit short on infantry. Consequently, I had the RKKA attack toward the bridge, especially before the German tank reinforcements showed up, to target the German infantry. Below is a record of a bulk of the turns.

1515 - Germans start inching across the river. Engineers set up an assist south of the bridge. RKKA sweep flanking platoons north of the bridge. Germans demoralize the only RKKA AT battery that isn't in cover.

1530 - RKKA close on the Germans near the bridge. German tanks withhold fire for now, preferring not to give the T-26s the jump they need to close range. Arc of RKKA is now set up to deliver superior firepower on the limited German infantry. Demoralized RKKA AT battery routs and is thus eliminated.

1545 - RKKA infantry opened fire to no effect. With the RKKA AT battery now set up for potential crossfire from the north the RKKA tanks advanced to target range on the German tanks.

1600 - German tanks stand their ground for the most part and start trading fire with the T-26s. One step on each side is lost. Other T-26s close ranks. Meanwhile, infantry trades fire to little effect.

1615 - Mostly tanks firing and a few of the Germans dropping back. Also German tank reinforcements arrived. Turn cut short by early FoW trigger, so no infantry activity.

1645 - RKKA started taking the worst of the tank exchanges, losing numerous steps compared to the Germans.

1700 - Panzers shifted fire to the AT battery in range.

1715 - Demoralized Germans on bridge rout. Panzers slowly advance on the bridge. Germans gain upper hand in assault hex just north of the bridge.

1745 - As RKKA losses accummulate Germans take opportunity now to start advancing on the bridge again.

1815 - German tanks start crossing the river in force. Only two RKKA tank steps remain. Step loss count is 12 German, 42 RKKA.

1915 - At this time I decided to pull the plug and award victory to the Germans. It was an easy task for them to keep the remaining RKKA at bay, and have at least one tank move north to the road hex required for victory.