My third Panzer Lion scenario.

I find my ability to assault towns defended by higher morale troops to be severely lacking; not only do I have trouble creating weak points in the defensive lines, I have difficulty identifying the moment when I should commit my reserves.

But I am learning and (I hope) improving, and I am enjoying the journey.

The Soviets went for a frontal assault the first time I attempted this scenario and the Germans had no trouble reinforcing the town and repulsing the attack. I gave that one up midway through turn 8 as it was clear this was the wrong Soviet strategy. I sent a few Soviet units to delay the German reinforcements but not enough and the Germans were able to seal them off without taking much casualties. I also gave up on that attempt on turn 8.

This was my third attempt at this scenario.

I used the same German setup I used for the previous two attempts. One GRE dug in 0709 on map 25 to deny the Soviet armor from reaching the town too quickly, and another GRE dug in farther south on map 25 for the same purpose. The mortars set up on top of the western hill with a 75mm IG and a GRE screen in front, and the remaining units in or next to the town.

The Soviets enter in 4 groups. The RKKA T-34s with SMG riders start on the road and their job is to bypass the German roadblocks. Their primary objective is to set a screen to prevent the German reinforcements from easily reinforcing the town but I also detached a few units to start applying pressure in the north east sector of the town. The Guard JS-II with SMG riders are to eliminate the German roadblocks and then help in stopping the German armor from reaching town. The third group (6xINF, 3xSMG, all guards) enters east of the road and rushes towards the town, ready to put pressure on the north, east, or south depending on developments. The remaining group – infantry, mortars, and AT guns - are to move along the road and assault the town.

10:15. The JS-IIs and SMGs eliminate the first German roadblock on turn 2 when the GRE failed a morale check and is shot down trying to leave the assault hex. The main Soviet force can march down the road at full movement allowance. Germans have lost 2 steps, Soviets 0 (2-0).

10:45. Germans failed their first reinforcement roll. Germans OBA reduces a SMG riding a T-34s and the mortars eliminate it. The riderless T-34C takes a pot shot at the Germans and scores a lucky hit, reducing a HMG platoon and eliminating their leader. Two T-34s unload their passengers and all move into assault position next to the weakened hex. The other five T-34s continue on towards the south of town. (3-2)

11:00 Germans failed their reinforcement roll again. The five T-34s and the SMG continue their journey south and three are already in position to take a shot as the transport units should the Germans decide to try to ride to town. The Soviets assault the weakened hex and eliminates the 75mm AT gun. (4-2)

11:15. German failed their reinforcement roll again and the five T-34s and SMGs form a defensive barrier to the south of the town to make it impossible for the German reinforcements to make it to town without encountering serious resistance. The town assault continues with both sides losing a step (5-3).

11:30. The Germans receive their armor reinforcements but not their foot reinforcements. The panzers move into position to battle it out with the T-34s and lose a step in the process. The Soviets lose a step in an assault in town (7-4).

My thinking at this point was the German panzers would need to punch a hole through the Soviet armor if they were to keep contesting the town. The Russian main force was nearing town and this meant the Soviets would soon have a large advantage in numbers in assaults.

11:45. The Germans made their infantry reinforcement roll. German reinforcements enter the board and will try to encircle the German screening force from the south east. A couple of panzers move towards the infantry to support them while two panzers shot at, and reduce and demoralize a T-34. The Soviets win an assault and eliminate the last half platoon defending the hex; first town hex under Soviet control. Not much happening this turn as fog of war happened after both sides had three activations. (8-6).

12:00-12:15. Two more short turns – only 4 activations for each side on turns 9 and 10. The Soviet main force joins in the town assault while the German reinforcements are trying to punch through the Soviet defensive arc. (10-10)

Looking back at turns 8, 9, and 10, I doubt I prioritized my activations correctly. It’s possible I played too much ASL in my teens/twenties and I am too focused on preparation fire early in the turn. I will consider it as just another aspect of my game with lots of room for improvement.

12:30. Assaults everywhere resulting in disruption and demoralization, especially on the Soviet side. The Germans are putting the pressure on the T-34s. The T-34 move back out of assault range and a few INF platoons from the main force now act as the first line of defenders. (11-10)

12:45. A good turn for the Germans as they eliminate four steps of Soviet infantry while losing only 1 of their own. It looks like the breakthrough is imminent and the issue will be decided in town (12-14).

13:00. A very bloody turn that could have gone better for the Germans had they rolled better than “1s” and “2s” in their assaults and failing every morale check. Germans lose eleven steps (including two steps of armor) and two leaders. Soviets lose 7 steps including an over-aggressive T-34. The Soviets gain control of a second town hex. (23-21).

Disaster for the Germans! I thought they had a good chance at getting a draw or a minor victory after turn 12 but so many infantry disrupted and demoralized this turn, it looks like it will befall on the armor alone to contest the town hexes under Soviet control.

13:15. The Germans need to be aggressive to draw and move their armor towards the town. The Soviet tankers said thank you and eliminate three steps. Soviets try to finish off the demoralized infantry and did well, eliminating 7 steps. The only problem is eliminating the German exposes them to the OBA and the just recovered German troops and they lose 5 steps, including 1 T-34 step. (36-27)

As the Germans have armor which can contest the town hexes and with the possibility of a few lucky rolls, I decide to continue and see if the Germans can achieve a draw.

13:30. The Germans won the initiative and contest one town hex. The panzer platoon is reduced and demoralized. The Soviets use their first activation for the JS-II and eliminate two steps of German armor. The Germans use their second activation to contest another town. The Soviets counter-attack the first contested town hex and eliminate the panzer.

With the Germans having lost 44 steps to the Soviet 27, and the Soviets controlling 1 town hex, I decided to end the scenario here as the Germans had no strength left to score another 5 points and change the victory level.

Soviet Major Victory.

I rate this scenario a strong “4” and I believe this one plays well both solo and face-to-face.