Author	Schoenwulf
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2022-01-17
Language	English
Scenario	GrDa002

In this scenario, VP’s are awarded for control of town hexes, elimination of enemy units, and German exit from the north edge of the playing area. The Germans entered from the south across a broad front with emphasis on their west flank approaching the first (southwestern) town. The Soviets set up with strength in both larger towns with a staggered line of entrenchments & minefields between the two. Since they did not have any OBA, they grouped their mortars and a couple of 76.2mm platoons to aid in bombardment of the advancing Germans. Other AT units were entrenched to try and set up crossfires in as many potential tank lanes as possible. The Pz42t option was used, so six Pz42t’s replaced the ten PzIIIJ’s called for in the German OOB. The German advance began with an infantry screen and motorcycle units to reconnoiter Soviet positions. APC transports and other vulnerable vehicles were held back until some of the risk of AT fire was assessed. However, the first couple of turns did not go the German’s way as there were quick FOW rolls, and one of the two aircraft rolls was an IL-2 for the Soviets. After that, full turns ensued and the southwest town was under assault by Turn 4, accompanied by a strong combined arms advance in the center. Early FOW rolls on four of the first seven turns continued to limit the German advance, and the FOW option that is generally used in these playthroughs may not be a fair adjunct in scenarios that award a large number of exit points.

By Turn 11, the southwest town was completely under German control, and they had made progress toward the junction between the north and south maps, but FOW continued to limit their movement. On Turn 14, the Germans finally advanced far enough to encounter Soviet resistance on the west flank. They then began to push forward with the Tiger and Pz.42t platoons, and within two turns had Soviet units in range. One Tiger platoon was on the west central hill with the other in the center, while all six Pz.42t platoons moved up the east flank. Fire from the Tigers was deadly to the Soviet armor and kept them at bay, while the Pz.42t’s moved on the east town and had their share of armor strikes as well. It was difficult for the Soviets to gain crossfire shots due to the German consistent initiative and first strike opportunities. By game end, there were still a number of German units that didn’t really get into the fray, but there were still enough Germans to create a strong offensive capable of victory. The Soviets had lost 94 steps while controlling 10 town hexes, and the Germans lost 31 steps. Taking the Soviet 30-point bonus for the lack of German exit into account, the Germans had 106 VP’s to 91 for the Soviets, a 15-point differential for the Minor Victory. While it might be best for the Soviet tanks to hide out rather than take hits from the Tigers and Pz.42t’s, that would be both inconsistent with Stalin’s Order #227 and very gamey, so the scenario was played with “not one step back” in mind. As with many PG scenarios, it seemed that the Germans didn’t have a chance at the halfway point, but once the armored platoons got into position, the Soviets were in trouble.