Author	t1M0t8yk
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2022-09-01
Language	English
Scenario	EFDx020

This is a very solid scenario, among the best in EFD so far. I didn't expect that since it appeared it would be a shoot-em-up for the Germans, but after time pondering different approaches I changed my tune.

RKKA set up with a bulk behind the town, including the more fragile tanks. Heftier tanks were in the open ground away from the town. Their plan was to approach the Germans, soften them up, then look for opportunities to rush to the exit side of the map.

The Germans set up spread across the boards closest to the Soviet exit side. They conceded the town to the Soviets. They were spaced to be sure to have adjacent shots at any infiltraing Reds. Mortars and StuGs set up in the middle for flexibility.

The first two turns the Soviets advanced, including a bulk of their weaker tanks in the town, as well as mortars and AT batteries. The Germans dug in. At around turn 4 a lucky shot from two BT7 platoons in the town took out one of the German 37 mm AT batteries on top of the big hill. By turn 5 the Reds set up flanking shots on the StuGs, which were now dug in between the copse of trees and the larger hill. The StuGs opted to take one shot at the T-34 platoon, since it was unlikely the Reds would get any flanking shots in the next turn before the StuGs could pull back.

Two significant things happened on turn 5. First, the Reds got the initiative with two activations. This enabled a flank shot on the StuGs, and one step was eliminated! Then Soviet OBA disrupted one platoon of three deployed on the German west flank. Consequently, a large formation of seven RKKA platoons who had up to then been biding their time outside of German direct fire range started moving in on that flank.

On turn 6 the Reds rushed the left flank with mixed results, also setting up overruns by the KV1s and T34s to support. On the east flank they also set up a couple of overruns. The Germans shifted a few platoons to support the threats to the flanks.

However, as things evolved over the next half dozen turns, the Soviet's fortunes declined. They started absorbing a disproportionate amount of step losses without meaningful progress. I pulled the plug in the German's favor after turn 12.

It was interesting enough I gave it another try. This time their strategy would be to focus on the StuGs and AT guns first, then the HMGs. Meanwhile the infantry would hole up in the town to avoid German arty until an opportune time to make a run for the exit edge.

This wasn't working effectively enough, but since the Germans ceded the large town to the Soviets, with about six turns to go I had the Reds advance en masse. It was very bloody, and they were making it close, but with about three turns left I called it in favor of the Germans.