Author	plloyd1010 (Germany)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Soviet Union
Participants	cjsiam (AAR)
Play Date	2021-10-21
Language	English
Scenario	FitS040

This scenario was played with my house rules and charts, with a couple of other negotiated conditions. Generally the scenario is well balanced. A major victory is quite unlikely for either side, but the minor victory for either side rests on a knife's edge.

I launched my attack on a double axis through board 6. The road was quickly cleared. The force going around the woods met little resistance until they were engaged by an infantry company from the woods on board 7. A brief spoiling attack on my northern flank was quickly broken up by concentrated mortar fire a small infantry force of my own.

The real problems began with an anti-tank gun on the far side of the river. While its supporting infantry performed moderately well, the AT battery wouldn't quit. While I reduced the position, it killed a transport with an infantry gun and to a step off of an assault gun platoon. The Soviet infantry support was effective enough to disorganize my infantry for a couple turns too.

My real mistake was the town on board 7. There was substantial Soviet presence there and I take the town, the time required for full control was an unnecessary waste. I did eventually take the town, but the garrison I had to leave behind was about the size I would have need covering force to contain the Soviets after hobbling them. The effective result was to prevent my attacking the next town with adequate force in a timely manner.

I did cross the river and clear my northern flank, but the assault on the second town came too late. Repeated artillery strikes and point-blank assault gun fire could not dislodge enough of the defenders. The Luftwaffe was no help at all.

In the end, the Soviets have lost 44 steps to my 21. The road is nearly, but not quite cleared, because of that town. I am 3 hexes short of a minor victory. Thus it goes to my opponent.