Author	triangular_cube
Method	Solo
Victor	Soviet Union
Play Date	2021-05-21
Language	English
Scenario	AFro007

This is similar to the last scenario in that a battalion of Sisu must cross the map and essentially wipe a cardboard Soviet defense off the map. In this case the Soviets however have more men, are more dense, and have a large amount of Artillery support. This will be more challenging, but the Sisu will have reinforcements that will get into action for the final few turns.

The Soviets deploy in 3 main defensive lines, all on board 1. The first line contains all of the full strength HMGs, paired with an INF platoon each. The second line is the mostly useless 45mms, paired with INF (DF value 0 in the first edition, I play as published), the third line is the scraps. Artillery deploys in the town in 2 groups of 3s, and the mortars are south of the defensive lines a bit out of the way. The object here is to maximize column values and hope to roll some Xs to slow the Finns down.

The Finns advance down the road, sending 2/3 of the Sisus against the first defensive line, and a third down to the mortars, then sweeping up into the flanks of the 2nd and 3rd lines. The first line holds up for a few turns, the second for far less and the third falls back to a dense set up guarding the objective hexes. The mortars roll well and take a while to get off the board. The Finns reinforcements march down the road and into the 2nd line of defense, crumbling it.

As the clock ticks down the Finns move on the 3rd line and engage it. Soviets win with 4 reduced INF, 1 reduced HMG (dem), 6 arty pieces, and one Captain on the board. Only the 4 red INF are denying the Finn objective. One more turn would have changed the win.

Final step losses 9 to 81 (Tx2 Wx1 for my records).

This is another scenario that depends on chain assaults to keep the Finns out of artillery fire, as that is the most lethal thing the Soviets have on the board. (6 76s on the board, 5 off). As visibility is 1 hex just about everywhere, Soviets will willingly soak up friendly fire in order to generate losses. The rest of their bodies are just dead men walking anyhow, all that matters is fighting the clock.

Setting up the arty in the town, which is far aware from the objective seemed to be wise, it kept them firing every turn of the game.

This really was a close run thing, that rewarded tight play. I enjoyed my second play (first in Lions of Finland) far more than the first, likely due to a better Soviet strategy.