Background and Setup: This one pits the Norks against US Marines, which is bad enough for the NKPA but their victory conditions also require that they eliminate at least four US steps, so flanking and hiding is out of the question. The plan is for the troops to stick together and try to pick off some isolated units for the win. I keep the two T34s together, with the plan that a couple hits on the M26 will get the win for the North. The Marines have their customary great leaders and dig in astride the road in front of town, with open kill zones in front and on the flanks.

Recap: The NKPA crests the hill in front of town and heads for the south flank of the US line. They survive the rush and put in a couple assaults, and it looks like the plan might work. But then Marine firepower takes over—the M26 catches the T34s on the main road and wipes out one and takes out half of the other. Meanwhile the Marine infantry and HMGs cut the North troops to pieces. Having lost 3/4 of their tanks, a captain, the Kommissar, and the bulk of the ground troops, the remaining NKPA stagger back over the hill and call it a day. Oh, and the air strike completely missed the target hex.

Analysis: a short, quick fight that the Commies can win if they get a couple lucky shots. In my play through they did not and were shot off the board. Marines are like a cheat code in PG, and they lived up to their reputation in this one.