This was an interesting, mostly infantry based scenario. The Soviets, RKKA infantry with a few T-34Cs for support, need to accomplish 2 of 3 objectives to win. Those are to clear the Germans from the town, clear the north-south road, or eliminate at least 12 German steps.

I set up the Germans with a decent defense screen around the forward village, and a solid reserve in the main town. A 75mmIG was on a hill with a good view of the battlefield to restrict where demoralized units could hide. For the Soviets, I sent a big thrust towards the village on 102, with pincers flanking the village with the armor support to get to the town more quickly.

Early on, things were going well for the Soviets. Mostly by weight of numbers and some accurate OBA, they were able to brush aside most of the German front forces. The town fell fairly quickly, and units that routed were run down by Soviets before they could get far.

About 2/3 of the way through, the tide changed. The Soviets had to cross open ground to get to the town, and now it was the German's turn to take a toll with OBA. This scenario really pointed out the difference between 8/6 Guards and 7/6 RKKA. The latter rate to fail an M1 morale check, and with relatively poor Soviet leadership here, once these guys got demoralized, needing a 5 or less to recover became tough. Still, the Soviets had the numbers and the armor support. Until the 75mm AT gun the Germans stashed in the town got into the action. After missing a couple of shots, it rolls boxcars against at T-34 to take out a step. Being a 7/6, the other step decided to get demoralized. That's okay, here comes another platoon of T-34s. Again, boxcars and a step dies, although this time the tanks are only disrupted. Meanwhile the 3rd platoon is trying to help clear out the last German resistance that can threaten the road, when the Germans roll a snake eyes on a high odds shot that forces the T-34 to take a morale check, and it gets demoralized.

Back near the town, the disrupted T-34s recover. So, what does the 75mm do? You guessed it...boxcars to wipe out the unit completely. Other Soviets approaching the town were shot up by opportunity fire, and the Soviet artillery went cold while the Germans got hot. I called the game after 15 of the 18 turns. The Soviets had not yet reached the town (although 1 unit got adjacent) and the Germans in teh town (about 6 platoons including the 75mm) were all in good shape and well led, the the tank support had disappeared.

With a little different die rolling, this could have been much closer. The Soviets did achieve one objective, the Germans were about 16 casualties when I caused it, and they just didn't have enough momentum to win. However, I think this is definitely a winnable scenario for the Rooskies.

Author	TFGA73
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2020-12-11
Language	English
Scenario	BrAx029

Broken Axis Scenario 3-3: Easing the Pressure

This is a pretty basic scenario, with dug in Germans backed up with some artillery and AT guns defending against a Soviet combined arms attack. The Russians have to clear the road, take the town, and take out Germans to win.

The German setup is pretty standard, stretched in a line in front of the town, one AT gun on each flank, and a small reserve force in town. They also have some wire and mines which they place on and near the road, blocking the direct path. I put a single platoon and leader in the village out front, solely for observation. In hindsight I think this decision made the difference.

The Soviets come on quick in two groups, one on each flank. They score an early coup with artillery taking out the 75mm, the Germans best AT gun in the game, and the attack on the German left surges forward. The attack starts to progress, but fog of war and terrain slow the Soviets down, and the Germans fight a tough retreat into the town. The Russian attack on the German right bogs down at first, but starts to progress as the Germans are forced to move troops to patch holes in other areas.

At the end the Soviets have cleared the main road, securing one objective, but two town hexes remain contested, so it comes down to the third victory condition. The Soviet goal was to eliminate 12 German steps, and they got: 11. Minor German victory!

Analysis: This was a very close and balanced battle, with Soviet advantages in armor and numbers offset by terrain and German morale. That 7/6 morale for the Russians is a killer, as it caused numerous advances to stall as they stopped to recover stragglers. Also, conceding the village on the north board helped the Germans as this kept them from overstretching and getting caught in the open fighting a rear-guard action. As part of a larger battle I would say the Soviets won as they were on the way to clearing the town (another couple turns would have done it), but going by the rule book this one goes to the Krauts.