Author	tlangston28
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2020-05-27
Language	English
Scenario	PGUM003

Germans begin this one hidden if deployed in limiting terrain with the Soviets entering either on East or West sides. To have a little fun with this as I was playing solo, I came up with a simple process to place the hidden units as the Russians moved onto the board. I won't detail it here but basically, I came up with a chart and marked the map with "likely deployment" hexes and then grouped the German units into 6 groups (separating the 2 PzIIIH units). As the Russians moved on, I would roll a check on the closest "likely deployment" hex and if the roll was made, I would roll for the group to deploy. It was an experimental process but seemed to work ok for what I tried to do.

Using this, The Germans ended up with the 50mm gun with leaders and a truck in the fields (0807 board 5) to the East with 2 INF and a LT in 1007. the 37mm gun deployed in the fields to the south in 0804 with a truck and leader along with the Captain, INF and HMG in 1106. The PzIIIh units deployed in 0710 and 1012 (in woods) on board 4. The Russians approached with the BT-7s from the east and the T-34s from the West.

BTs moved first and after triggering the 50mm deployment, suffered an OP fire shot that reduced it and forced demoralzation. the other BT7s moved for the hills at 0811. The T-34s entered from the West through the northwest fields and were able to get to the eastern edge of the fields. the 2 PzIIIh units moved up towards the hills near the BT-7s where they hoped to inflict maximum damage. The remaining infantry and HMGs followed those tanks to provide support should the other armor close.

As the units moved into position, AT shots began to fly, with the 50mm and German Armor Efficiency providing the necessary firepower to reduce and demoralize all the BT-7s (including eliminating 1 whole unit). The T-34s came roaring out of the fields and were able to get adjacent to one of the PzIIIh units and ultimately destroyed that unit while the other PzIIIh moved off towards the fleeing BT-7s to stay out of range of the deadly T-34s. Final score was Germans 9, Soviets 4.

I did play this kind of aggressively for both sides as I wanted to get some shots in. The T-34s are the best units on the field here as they can achieve positive die-roll modifiers. At normal range +1, adjacent +2 and if cross-firing, +4! My hidden unit placement process didn't work out too bad either but it was built specifically for this scenario. Still, not a bad little battle for a solo tank fest.