Panzer Grenadier Battles on March 28th:
Spearhead Division #15 - Dillenberg
The 75mm AT of DOOM!
Author J6A
Method Solo
Victor Germany
Play Date 2016-11-19
Language English
Scenario BrAx029

This was an interesting, mostly infantry based scenario. The Soviets, RKKA infantry with a few T-34Cs for support, need to accomplish 2 of 3 objectives to win. Those are to clear the Germans from the town, clear the north-south road, or eliminate at least 12 German steps.

I set up the Germans with a decent defense screen around the forward village, and a solid reserve in the main town. A 75mmIG was on a hill with a good view of the battlefield to restrict where demoralized units could hide. For the Soviets, I sent a big thrust towards the village on 102, with pincers flanking the village with the armor support to get to the town more quickly.

Early on, things were going well for the Soviets. Mostly by weight of numbers and some accurate OBA, they were able to brush aside most of the German front forces. The town fell fairly quickly, and units that routed were run down by Soviets before they could get far.

About 2/3 of the way through, the tide changed. The Soviets had to cross open ground to get to the town, and now it was the German's turn to take a toll with OBA. This scenario really pointed out the difference between 8/6 Guards and 7/6 RKKA. The latter rate to fail an M1 morale check, and with relatively poor Soviet leadership here, once these guys got demoralized, needing a 5 or less to recover became tough. Still, the Soviets had the numbers and the armor support. Until the 75mm AT gun the Germans stashed in the town got into the action. After missing a couple of shots, it rolls boxcars against at T-34 to take out a step. Being a 7/6, the other step decided to get demoralized. That's okay, here comes another platoon of T-34s. Again, boxcars and a step dies, although this time the tanks are only disrupted. Meanwhile the 3rd platoon is trying to help clear out the last German resistance that can threaten the road, when the Germans roll a snake eyes on a high odds shot that forces the T-34 to take a morale check, and it gets demoralized.

Back near the town, the disrupted T-34s recover. So, what does the 75mm do? You guessed it...boxcars to wipe out the unit completely. Other Soviets approaching the town were shot up by opportunity fire, and the Soviet artillery went cold while the Germans got hot. I called the game after 15 of the 18 turns. The Soviets had not yet reached the town (although 1 unit got adjacent) and the Germans in teh town (about 6 platoons including the 75mm) were all in good shape and well led, the the tank support had disappeared.

With a little different die rolling, this could have been much closer. The Soviets did achieve one objective, the Germans were about 16 casualties when I caused it, and they just didn't have enough momentum to win. However, I think this is definitely a winnable scenario for the Rooskies.

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