This scenario was played over 4 Skype sessions with Tony Langston. Two of those sessions were hampered and slowed by a broken internet 'hub' of mine, but once fixed, we completed in usual time.

This battle sees 1944 Finns forced to attack a dug-in and town defence of the elite Soviet Guards. Both sides have a morale of 8, but there was a good number of excellent Finn leaders. The Guards though had plenty of morale boosting leaders of their own. The Soviets edge the Finns in good OBA and both sides have equal on-board bombardment resources. The Finns have 4 x German StG platoons, but these are subject to panic and exit with a test roll each time the Finnish initiative drops. The Guards have 3 x SU76 and 1 x strong T34/85 platoon.

The aim of this scenario is to gain points at 1 per enemy step eliminated and also to control as many of the 16 town hexes as possible for reward (SOV's 2VP's & FINNS 4VP's per town hex). Because the Finns enter the board, none are actually in their control at the start although there is a 3 hex town near the entry side of the board. The land is swathed in swamp, woods and fields, so both sides can hop from cover to cover if needed albeit there are open spaces to cross too.

Before the Finnish attack began, a scan of the Soviet line revealed an almost single line linear defence based around dug-in positions mainly in fields but with some in front of a town. Also, the use of the town for a defensive pivot could be seen as well. The town, with its central position housed much of the Soviet bombardment forces but also had no less than 4 x HMG platoons dug-in to its front. These were commanded by able officers that had morale mods and also fire-group skills. It was apparent that to attack here could well mean massacre and therefore the following was decided.

Aim to push and pressure the Soviets left flank by concentrating the main Finnish attack there. Provide them with the StGs to frighten off any thoughts the SU76's might have of applying their large direct-fire numbers. Once broken and pierced, it should follow that the whole dug-in line would have to evaporate in order to stop the Finns pushing towards the towns at the rear.

The game lasted for 23 of the 30 turns. The Finns did vigourously attack the Soviet left and forced the enemy there to either break or die. The SU76's surprisingly did show themselves but were made short work of by the StG's. For a good while after, the StG's were unable to do too much as that menacing T34 kept itself in limiting terrain waiting for the German AFV's to close the range as well as break cover. Soviet OBA seemed to take a terrible toll on Finnish units. Not that Suomi artillery was ineffective, but it never really seemed to reach the accuracy levels of the Soviets.

Despite this breaking of their left flank, the main Soviet line remained in position as it had enough enemy forces to its front that it could not simply retire. But the inertia began to cost the Guards dearly. One by one, working from the Soviet left towards the centre, the line of dug-in positions were grindingly eroded. Although the Finns lost some infantry numbers, the Guards were always losing more. Even on the Soviet right, their infantrymen there began to trickle away.

By turn 16, the Finns had succesfully managed to send a few platoons to the towns behind the main line. In one case, 5km behind the line ! This had the useful effect not only of capturing town hexes, but also of drawing a few more of the defenders from the main front-line battle. By turn 20, the Soviet line was extinct and Finns were now entering via assault into the forward town. This in itself was a cauldron as both sides brought powerful numbers to the street-to-street fighting. In the first exchanges, the Soviets lost 2 steps but held their morale, the Finns lost 1 step and an officer, but suffered a disruption. After that, both sides in the assault reinforced and hunkered down waiting for the other to attack.

Despite losing 2 initiative levels, the German tanks never panicked and they refused to exit. These were able to bring one 30col DF firepower whenever they activated. At turn 23, with all towns either partially captured or completely taken, and with a substantial loss deficit, the Soviets admitted defeat and conceded.

The points level at that stage was an impressive Finland 79pts, Soviet 27pts. Losses were high. Finland taking (in steps) 15 Foot, 3 Leaders and the Soviets 31 Foot, 7 Leaders, 6 AFV, 6 Ordnance. Town hexes controlled were Finland 9, Soviet 6 with 1 contested.

I rate this a '4'. I really enjoyed the systematic advance and then having to work out a way to chew through the Soviet line. It was hard work though !