Author	treadasaurusrex (Germany)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Draw
Participants	OldPueblo
Play Date	2023-10-28
Language	English
Scenario	PaGr051

This was a 6-session, online, play-through that ended in a frustrating draw. I played the attacking German side, and Old Pueblo led the Soviet defenders in this 4-map, 28-game turn boxing match on the Berezina River. We used the FOW, consolidation, extended assault, smoke/illum, tank riders and excess initiative optional rules. We also allowed all foot & mechanized units to move at the rate of 1 MP per clear or town hex, instead of the stultifying 2/3 MP in the RAW.

This one was a, broad-front, foot race for the Germans to get into position to cross the major river on Map 3, at either the bridge, or by traditional river crossing. We drew middling sets of leaders, with the Huns selecting a slightly better random draw. Both sides have only single ENG units, and the one, very lucky Axis air strike was able to eliminate the Soviet engineer unit before it could blow the bridge. Without this good fortune, the Germans would likely have lost this scenario. Instead, by dint of very hard fighting against a clever & challenging opponent, they were able to get a fair number of units across the river, in spite of several Soviet counter attacks in built-up areas. German combined arms, adjacent-hex firefights and close assaults, made the difference once the two sides were in decisive engagement range. Casualties were vey heavy for both sides with 28 steps lost and 4 leaders for the Soviets; and 12 steps and 6 leaders lost for the German invaders. However, the ardent landsers failed to take all of the town hexes on Map 2, resulting in a hard-fought, draw.

We recommend this, decently-balanced, scenario for SHARED or SOLO play. I give it a rating of 3.