Before I start a scenario, I like to have a look at the historic outcome of an action. It gives me something to set a goal by: I want to see if I can find a way to possibly change a little history. I read this time how on the day of battle, the freshly-formed SS battalion lacked cohesion as a fighting force.

I thought I’d try adding a little unity of command to see if I could slow down the Soviet attack. I put the German HMG in the northernmost area of the big woods on Map 6, with a halftrack in support. The rest of the SS forces were formed up in and behind the woods, to be used in a flying defense where needed. The INF would be the final reserve.

The Soviet set-up and tactics were a lot more basic: come in on the northeast corner of Map 6 and roll over anything that tried to stand in its way. Given their overwhelming numbers, this was already an easy task. Add in the fact that the Germans had no OBA and only three leaders (8-0-0, 7-0-0, and 6-0-0) and you had the makings of a German disaster from the git-go.

The first target for the Soviets was the HMG platoon. To their credit the German HMG’s stood up to preparatory Soviet OBA. As the Soviets crossed the road, they managed to demoralize a Soviet platoon. However, the Soviets INF, seeing an opportunity for vengeance, stood up to point blank HMG fire and got into assault positions. The HMG platoon soon ceased to exist, its members either killed or taken prisoner.

The Germans tried to form a line in the woods with what they had to slow down the Soviets, making the Soviets come to them and inflicting point-blank opfire on them. However at the same time, Soviet AT fire eliminated the far right German halftrack unit. This kicked the door open for Soviet INF and HMG’s to rapidly flank the woods and start working their way into the rear of the German defenses.

It was time for the SS to fall back. The two hapless Krad units bought time for their comrades, standing up to repeated Soviet assaults and tying up large numbers of Soviet INF. In the end, there was nothing left of either Krad unit to withdrawl. Special posthumous commendations go to both units.

The Soviets celebrated a major victory.

I see this as a good head-to-head action for a newbie as Soviets v a more experienced player as the SS. The difference in force size would be a challenge for the skill of the German player, and vice versa.