This was an action of "shoulds." I should have named this report "So Near the Volga." Instead I wound up naming it after an old gambler's term for rolling a "12" when shooting dice.

The Germans should have won. They had the resources, including armor, air, and some potentially devastating artillery support. They had formed into two groups: A northern group to hammer its way to the gates of the city and a southern group to take the small village, swing northeast and attack the city from a second direction. The Soviets waited behind a crescent of minefields running in an arc from the woods to the north to the village on the south, too thinly spread out to be truly effective. Their troops were equally spread out, hoping to hold out until reinforcements came. The depleted forces in the small village hoped to go down fighting and perhaps slow down the enemy's southern attack force. The troops in the city covered its perimeter as best they could and held the barest of reserves.

However, this engagement from the outset clearly showed the amazing difference between what should have happened and reality. High dice rolls started against the Germans early and never stopped:

1) Soviet artillery was incredibly effectual. Within three turns of being spotted, the Germans had lost five steps from it by outright kills or failed second morale checks.

2) The Soviet reinforcements came fast and furious. In the first three turns they received an additional six platoons and three LTs. (Actually, two LTs and a hastily cross-trained 8-0-0 Kommissar. The Red Army had for the moment ran out of LTs.) Later that afternoon, three full HMG platoons entered the fray in three turns.

3)The fog of war was distressingly thick. It shut down many of the turns, often very early. It left units lagging behind and delayed badly needed morale checks. It left the Germans with much to do and less time to do it in.

4) Morale was low on both sides that day. Both needed more time to rally. This hurt the German agenda far more than the Soviets'.

In the end, a depleted and demoralized German attack force made a half-hearted effort to take the city. It barely made it to the outskirts. Seeing their chance, Soviet forces made a heroic assault on the enemy as they approached. The casualties they inflicted on the Germans were enough to satisfy the Soviet VC.

Someday I'd like to replay this scenario, just to see if the Germans could do better. Maybe I should bring a pair of loaded dice.