Both sides set up in a central position on their respective set up boards. On the first turn both sides move foward. Soviet mortars miss activation and cannot fire. During the next two turns the forces came together between the western village & the east woods. The Axis lost two steps in the approach. One to mortar fire and one to a lucky snake eyes on the seven column. The soviet train fell back after one ineffective shot. In an exchange of fire over the next several turns the Soviets could do no wrong. The axis quickly lost 6 steps. Two assaults with armor and Infantry that looked good in planning bogged down occupying half the Axis armored force, and cost steps to boot. The two platoons of PzIIIs never could activate after the first turn becoming spectators. The Soviets did loose three steps in exchange but the Axis were still reeling. The Soviets passed most of their morale checks and when they didn't they recovered in short order. The Soviet mortars stacked together in the east wood dug in under a 9-0-0 leader was a major factor all game long. The Axis should have stacked their mobile forces together in one flanking group. With the other group driving right down the rail line. This did occur to the Axis player during set up but he considered it too much of a risk because he then could be defeated in detail. So he decided to stick together and try to power by the Soviets, which turned into a "step" bath. Thank God these are only little cardboard counters and not men.