This was a great scenario to play with tension throughout.

The Germans planned to cross north of the Board 3 town (Ustyluh) under to cover of the early morning darkness with a supporting attack attempting to rush the bridge. Once the town was clear the panzers and Panzergrenadiers would rush to the Board 1 town (Trostyanka) for the win, killing Russians on the way.

The Soviets planned to delay at ustyluh as long as possible, deny the road to the Germans and through up a tank-infantry screen in front of the Pnazers as they approach Trostyanka)

The Russian plan worked. The Germans were delayed for a good deal of the early morning at Ustyluh and then realized they could not fight along the road and had to send the panzers and Panzergrenadiers around the woods to the north. The Russians through up the screen which delayed the Germans a bit more and left them about an hour to clear Trostyanka. It cam down to the Germans needing to clear just two more hexes of the town, but the Russians held on for the win.

Losses in steps:

Soviet: 9 tank, 25 infantry, 8 HMG, 6 artillery, 1 mortar, 1 ATG, 3 leaders, 3 wagons

German: 5 tank, 10 infantry, 2 HMG, 5 leaders.