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RE: The Struggle For A Commission: The Diary
Session 4 - Tank Battles Scenario "Hell's Fury III"
Saturday I had Wayne at the house as we pushed onto session 4 of this monster scenario.
When we left the game last time, the forward defended town of Nikonovo looked as if it would fall into Soviet hands this session. It still wasn't to be. By the end of 4 gruelling turns... (yes, just 4 turns played in 5h 53 mins of actual game time), Nikonovo still had 3 hexes of it 6 hex size being defended by the Wehrmacht. Not only were they still defending, they even counter-attacked a Soviet Guards DEM stack of an INF, HMG and T34, causing quite some damage. The Soviet assaults have been plagued by bad luck.
Also, at the start of the session, a group of 3 x PzIVE platoons were under some risk from Soviet T34's in a nearby wood. Over 3 turns, they lost 2 steps, but extricated themselves. This was probably due to the timely support of 2 x StGIIIG platoons that provided covering fire against the T34's causing some damage to them also.
The next town along, Maloe Kropatovo is now coming under some risk as a next wave of Soviets close in. This town is quite well defended, so the Soviet advance has been cautious. Elsewhere, German artillery has been deadly, cutting down swathes of Russian infantry, cavalry and leaders.
Its a very tough one for the Soviets, despite their numbers. Crossing the ground to get at the Germans is a deadly business as they face DF, AT and OBA. We did though, play 4 full turns where FOW would just not cut the turn down to a shorter period, so at least the Soviets are getting full value per turn. That said, I think Wayne is beginning to find the scenario a heavy burden through frustration ?
Casualties this session over 4 turns, the Germans lost (in steps), 3 FOOT, 2 AFV. The Soviets lost 14 FOOT, 1 CAV, 2 leaders, 6 AFV.
Total through 18 turns (over 22 hours of play !!) is.
German - (22 step equivalents) 14 FOOT, 2 Leaders, 4 AFV
Soviet - (About 90 step equivalents not properly totted up yet) 42 FOOT, 8 Leaders, 1 CAV, 2 ART, 19 AFV, 7 Trucks
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