Finishing up the last of the Misfire series for Kursk, this has Soviet RKKA troops following up an attack from Misfire I. In looking at it I had some doubts about the Soviets chances and they were confirmed with the game, but I get ahead of myself. First a note about the game, I just this as a test for experimental aircraft mods, but they did not make any difference in the game. If you are interested they are posted on the forum under the "Aircraft" thread.

As for the scenario, the Germans have good advantages in setup and forces. Morale is good and a good leader draw will give the Germans a very though hand in the game. For the Soviets, they have low morale RKKA units, that have a staggered attack on the Germans. They will need to have good leaders to have any chance in the game. There are some Guard units but they are too few and will become targets for the German gunners. I was a bit worried that this might be a "reverse" Kursk scenario where the Germans have good defenses and the Soviets get slaughtered. I was to proven correct a bit later.

In my play the Germans positioned mainly on board 38 and 37, to cover the major towns. Outposts and AT guns setup on board 36 with the German commanding Standarntenfurher on the hill on the upper edge of board 39 with an 88, NW41 and mortars.

Looking at the German defense the Soviets looked to get the rather weak initial force on the board and possibly push the German outposts off of board 36 rather than assault the fortified town on board 38. But these outposts proved more that the RKKA units could handle. In the initial four turns seven RKKA steps were destroyed by artillery and 88 fire. Direct fire from the units resulted in three of the steps of the seven. Many others were disrupted or demoralized. Soviet leaders were power less to help as there were only two leaders with morale mod's. With more reinforcements coming on the board they eventually moved close to an 50mm AT and was able to destroy it an the covering SCH. But this was small consolation to the heavy HMG fire coming from a dug in group on the road on board 36.

This HMG group's will get the Iron Cross for there stand against the Soviets. They were able to weather repeated attacks by 3 companies of RKKA units as well as 1 Guard company. Between calling in support fire and select DF the Soviets we able to close but not kill the HMG group. Not until turn 14 would the HMG fall, but it have done the work for the Germans, holding up the attack down the road on board 36. It was so key that many of the Soviet tank losses can be accredited to it requiring the tanks to fire or attack it. The AT's could then get good shots on them to reduce them.

The game slowly became one sided and them was pushed over the edge when the bulk of the Guard SMG's suffered a bad assault and lost not only units but there last leader. It was all the RKKA could do to keep the retreating demoralized units from breaking again. German armor arrived and advanced to attack the few tanks that broke through as well as the remaining AT guns.

The Soviet reinforcements became slow in coming with the 169th Tank Brigade on not until turn 15 and the 2nd Tank Corp not appearing until turn 24. All to late to have much effect on the broken initial forces. It was a major German victory.

A good scenario that could go either way. There is much randomness to the Soviet entry, which will make it hard managing the battle, while the comfortable dug in Germans can fire away at the advancing troops. With good rolls, they can win the day. For the Soviets, more will be needed.