My first scenario from 'Eastern Front' attempting to command the Soviets versus Vince Hughes via skype. It was over in just 5 turns. The Soviets had just about every odd against them considering both superior German armour; all firepower and range; formidable OBA and the high possibility of one aircraft per turn. The Soviets have terrain with the choice of one small hill and/or fields to attempt to put up some sort of resistance to: eliminate 8 German steps and prevent 15 German steps from exiting the east edge of the map. The Germans just have to eliminate 10 Soviet steps and exit 15 steps in the course of 30 turns.

This battle was delayed by a month due to internet connection problems and I had a month to somehow try to figure out how to at least force a draw with odds stacked high against me from the onset. My only thought was to make as much use of the fields as possible within 3 turns and maybe attempt to dig-in some units; hoping to draw the Germans into close quarter fighting using limiting terrain. There was no way I could counter a German exit so I did my best to stay out of sight and only fire when there was a potential advantage. I did well enough with my foot units in the short time given to take postiions but with the tanks I blundered; actually attempting to dig-in within the fields instead of moving further out of sight with 3 platoons of PzIIIGs and a platoon of PzIVE's having my T-26's already in spotting range. Somehow, I thought I may get the intiative the next turn and get some AT shots out first but that didn't happen. The panzers are able to act first and the PzIVE platoon alone was able to eliminate 4 steps of T-26s on their own. Luckily all six shots from the PzIIIGs missed but now was out of 8 steps in an eyeblink. I did get lucky enough with opportunity fire to eliminate one approaching SPW251 but soon I took two INF step losses bringing my losses up to 10 steps. Before the conclusion of turn 5 it was a clear German victory as 16 steps of German armour easily passed off the east edge of the map. I gave a final parting AT shot with one of the surviving T-26s but with no success. I enjoyed my match against Vince and was kind of relieved it was over that quick. We both agreed that the only way the Soviets could hope to win or get a draw was if the scenario length was a lot shorter, maybe by half the amount of turns. I rated it a '2' however and only because it was still enjoyable as a shared play did I spare it a '1' rating. I also believe that this is the shortest play I have had ever where the victor was clear before 5 turns were up. The Soviets cannot make one mistake with their movements, especially with their slow moving and thin-skinned tanks. I gambled all on getting an initiative roll in my favor with being down by 2 to start. However, I think I am doing a little better with each shared play. Both of my online opponents are veterans of PG and have been playing for years. Even with a loss I gain something out of each match.