This scenario played against Wayne Baumber in a ftf scenario. There was some debate between us about map orientation because the board numbers were in the wrong place on the scenario instructions. In the end we went with keeping the numbers at the ends they are shown on picture. This was the system we have used before. Once again, a scenario chosen by random dice rolling. The game is playable in one sitting and our one came straight after finishing a half done game and thus we got two game results in a days play

Midday. Its snowing, its horribly deep and its January. The Germans are not liking it and only feel comfortable in the environs of town cover. Worse still, against them are arrayed Siberians from the 925th Rifle Regiment. Very fleet of foot troops in these conditions and of very decent morale. On this day too, they happened to have a relative flood of good officers. Today, the German 189th infantry regiment are ordered to advance to and hold Okhvat, an important railway junction.

The march there, though hindered by conditions, is easy enough for the Germans as they have more than a head start on the Siberians. Just outside Okhvat, they deploy their 105mm batteries. With the cold, there is a distinct lack of radios that work and the artillery need to spot for themselves today. Meanwhile, the infantry push on just outside the edge of the town and begin digging in some woods as well on the flanks of the guns. Their HMG's set up, concentrated in the town's perimeter with a sweeping view of all before them. As they do this, the Soviet force push on up the main road and begin to receive the first salvoes from the German artillery. The bombardments begin to cause some disruption in the Soviet ranks as well as some demoralisation too.

By 1300 hours, the toll of the guns has accounted for 25 Siberians or so. The German HMG's also cut down the same number and now, the Siberians face a hard push forwards under such opposition. Added to this, the German mortar platoon begin to plunk in rounds against them just as Mauser fire starts to hit home. Its a horrendous advance. Despite this, skilled Siberian officers implore their troops forward, though one such fellow is felled by the MG fire. Slowly, they close on their prey and the town.

Its now 1400 hours, and the Siberians have suffered an hours worth of incoming fire. Mercifully, their own mortars zero in on the German 105's, and with a direct hit, half the guns are destroyed and the other half abandoned by the gunners who find such accurate shelling not withsandable themselves. The Soviets begin an attempt to flank round the German right. Here, they close with a couple of 37mm AT batteries, and a violent struggle ensues. On the left flank, Siberian infantry get in amongst two enemy platoons that have situated themselves in the woods. This attack appears more successful as they force half their enemy away in a demoralised state. However, yet another 100 casualties were sustained by the Siberians as they closed to contact, but worse still, their respected captain was captured in the assault on the German left flank. Command and control is difficult to filter to the men and the attack becomes staccatoed.

To counter the Soviet attack on their right, some of the Germans in the front line file back to the town to cover its approaches and keep out any attackers. Just as the Siberians were about to hit the town, the attack runs out of steam. With far too many casualties, loss of officers, a murderous HMG nest bullet sweeping everywhere to its front, comrades drifting backwards and a difficult defensive lay-out to negotiate, the Siberians called off the attack and conceded defeat on this one at 1445 hours. Casualty count amounted to 2 x German batteries of 105's (2 steps) and probably just a handful of infantry. The Soviets counted 202 men lost (8 steps).

Opinions were split on this game. I rate it a 3, despite Wayne's protestations of imbalance. He of course does not know how I was feeling during his attack, and I can confirm that my line felt stretched and tested and could have been breached had things gone wrong. He intimated that it seemed too easy for me (it wasn't). However, like another opponent, he took the risk of placing important officers out on their own. One got gunned down, and the other, the highest ranking was snatched by a platoon of mine when it jumped out of an assault and pounced on the lone Captain. If the enemy are going to put them up, then the oppotunity has to be taken. For a 1 session afternoon game, I found this stimulating. Plenty of action in a short space of time, and I think, on another occassion the Soviets may well win.