The Russians set up with the AT firepower in the town and the HMG's on the flank. They keep one INF platoon in the rear as support. The Germans enter along the western side of the lower board edge intending to flank the right side of the Russian defense. Iniatilly, the advance of the Germans is low because of the snow and the concern with the Russian AT guns. The Germans continue to advance and slowly circle around the Russian right flank. Russian fire is effective in disrupting the German advance, and the Germans bog down in trying to suppress the defenders. The Germans finally close to assault range on the right end of the Russian line, but the left end is leaving its dug in positions to attack the German right flank. Russian fire remains steady and keeps the Germans from mounting an effective attack. The Germans finally clear out the right flank guard of the Russians, but time is ticking away in the game. The Germans then clear the next hex, but Russian fire keeps the attackers from concentrating their fire, and the game ends with the Russians still in control of most of the twon. Soviet victory!

This scenario has the Germans attacking through heavy snow. Visibility will be to the Germans advantage to get close to the town, but they must overcome the snow movement. The Soviets have a good mix of AT and Guns to keep the lone PzIVF2 from driving right up to the town. But moving up just the INF's will be a problem too as there are plenty of Soviet HMG and INF's to stop them. The Germans did not have a chance as the Soviets just need to setup in the town and OP fire at the Germans as the visibility increases. 10 German steps were destroyed and the Germans had to fall back to the woods to recover.

This scenario needs something to force the Soviets to move out of their town defenses. Without this the Germans are sitting ducks for the Soviet fire.

An undermanned German battalion with some armor support is tasked with attacking a slightly larger Soviet Guards force, in a town, and must take the town from the Soviets. In reality, the battalion was thrown back with significant losses and the tanks were all destroyed. In a not very surprising result my play closely resembled reality with the exception that I still had some tanks left.

My Germans attempted to work their way around the western edge of town to try to gain one hex of control in order to reach a draw. Unfortunately, opportunity fire and direct fire were sufficient to decimate the infantry coming along with the tanks and cause seven step losses by turn 7 (of 12), thus removing the possibility of a draw. Importantly, the short time frame (12 turns) and the heavy snow require the German player to comes to grips quickly so maneuvering through the woods which could provide a little more protection, really doesn't permit the German to reach town with enough time to accomplish anything. If you play for the draw this might be a good choice.

On the other hand, if Kaeter had decided to get the men up an hour earlier the approach to the town could have been made under cover of darkness which would permit the Germans to close without significant losses from Op Fire and Direct Fire which were the causes of the German loss in this scenario. Attacking at dawn so that the approach to the town occurs in daylight is basically suicidal.

I once mentioned that the lessons that these scenarios teach are often useful ones even when the scenario play is not all that exciting. This is one that proves the point. There really isn't much for either player to do that requires much thought but thinking about the situation and what the German could do to improve their chances brings to mind the need to move under cover of darkness if one is attacking a larger and well positioned force. The fact that Kaeter had to learn this lesson in real combat is the pity.

Not one of the more exciting scenarios you can play but one which can provoke a thoughtful response. I give it a 2.