This battle was played ftf against Wayne Baumber in one sitting. Chosen by our random selection system, we transported to March 1945 across the muddy plains of Hungary. If both sides do nothing they can secure a draw each. Reading the scenario, its soon becomes apparent that the Germans have the onus of drawing out the Soviets.

1400 hours (Turns 1-5) The whole region had been battered with rain and the conditions for movement were nothing more than a mud mire. The Hohenstaufen units had two roads that they could choose to advance along. In the event, they all pushed along the western north-south road with the intent of clearing it. They pushed their foot units forward, initially using APC’s to get forward at speed along this road. Their array of Panthers, PzIV’s and assault guns followed behind. The Soviets for their part also placed most of their force along this road with a few assigned to the eastern road. These troops would have to spend their time crossing the expanse of boggy ground to assist their comrades.

Rather than push ahead, the Soviet force facing the Hohenstaufen thrust soon positioned themselves in the wooded areas next to the road and hidden from the distant German forces. Responding to this, the SS Division tried a tactic based on temptation. They placed their own armour in wooded locations at full but effective range from their enemy. They then sent forward some APC’s within range of the Soviet positions hoping for the Russians to fire at them and reveal their location. The ruse worked. The Soviets believed that taking these APC baits out would help lower the German initiative, but despite a triple salvo, they only destroyed one platoon. In response, the German Panthers unleashed their 75LL guns and caused 10 T34’s (5 steps) over 30 minutes to become casualties. As the Red Army hulks were taken out, the SS sent in their infantry toward the under fire Russian AFV’s. But the Soviet AFV’s that were still in position fearlessly held their line and blasted shell and MG fire into the attacking German infantrymen. This, combined with supporting OBA removed a whole enemy platoon and more (3 steps). The battle was certainly getting bloody around the woods on the western road.

1515 hours (Turn 6-) The Panthers, which were now supported by a company of PzIV’s wrought a fearsome carnage to the Soviet armour. Once the ranging was zeroed in, another 16 T34’s (8 steps) became nothing more than smoking pyres between 1515-1530 hours. The tank battle had swung absolutely and decisively in the Germans favour. But their infantry were still absorbing casualties, losing an HMG platoon as they tried to get themselves into the woods. But in they finally did get and here assaults began to spring up on the perimeter. Not only were the Germans winning most of the assaults, but this in turn allowed the areas they occurred in to become spotted and once more targets for the German tanks. Furthermore, the Soviet infantrymen were beginning to count their first casualties, losing the equivalent of 2 platoons between 1545-1615. These losses and the deteriorating position of the Soviets quickly forced the Soviet commander to miserably concede at 1615 (turn 10).

Final losses : GERMAN = 7 Foot, 1 Officer, 1 APC :. SOVIET = 4 Foot, 1 Officer, 14 AFV

I believe Wayne did not enjoy this game, but I will be honest and say I did. I found it stimulating and ultimately satisfying to draw out the enemy defenders and slowly unravel their position. It would be all too easy and also probably disasterous to simply advance forward and take the first salvo from the enemy. Therefore, this required the use of the infantry up front, backed with a bit of bait for a target to do the job. Although no way a '4' rating, it is for me going to get a steady '3'. I also think Wayne could have scrapped for the draw but had suffered personal demoralisation to force him to concede this one.