DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

USSR vs. Poland

Mission: Meeting Engagement, Poland, 9/1939 - scattered objectives.

Enemy: Battalion Strength – 1 Armor Co, 2-3 Infantry Co, 1-2 Cavalry Trps, 1-2 Artillery Btry, plus ATG and AAA. Average force experience, ~65.

It is difficult to estimate the enemy force size as my core is only 1140 points and I have not used any support points.

Terrain: Map = 100x100. Moderately wooded terrain with 50% of the map having trees and the other 50% composed of clear area, fields and tall grass. The wooded terrain is clustered, so there are solid areas of woods and areas of clear ground. There are a few small level 20 hills between the deployment zones. Two roads are available for use, but only one has any tactical advantages. One road enters from the east edge of the map and angles northwest until exiting the north edge of the map near the middle. The second road also starts on the east edge of the map, about 750m further south. It angles west northwest until it reaches the enemy deployment line about 1500m south of the northern edge. At that point, it turns due west until it exits the western edge. Visibility = 40.

Troops: Battalion Strength – 1 Armor Co. (7xM26 1939, 5xM26 M1931), 3 Infantry Co., 1 Support Co (3xHMG sec., 2x45mm ATGs, 2x82mm Mort. sec., 2xBA6 ACs, 2xScouts w/trans., 1xEng. Plt, 1xAAMG sec. and 2xSupply Trucks) Average force experience, ~50.

Here is some background information on my force selection. It is intended to be a rifle battalion as part of a mechanized brigade. It is very difficult to find any information related to the TO&E of a 1939 Soviet battalion, mechanized or otherwise. Given it is 1939, I opted to go without transport for my infantry companies for now. Later, I’ll add trucks, making them motorized and when Lend Lease is in full swing, I’ll upgrade to half-tracks. The support company is composed of units that would be available as assets to the next higher command (brigade). The same can be said of the armor company. A mechanized brigade has one light and three medium tank companies as part of it’s TO&E. In my core, the theory is one platoon of light tanks and two platoons of medium tanks (plus HQ) have been attached to my battalion.

Time: 50 Turns

Analysis

The roads will be of significant importance in this game, because 15 of 21 victory locations are within 300m of one road or the other. Three of the six victory locations not near the roads are in my position. The remaining three are located in the southwest quadrant of the map so can be targeted as a group.

In between the deployment zones are two small to medium level 20 hills. The northern hill (Hill 1) is located between the two roads and west of two unclaimed objectives. West and northwest of this hill is a fair sized open area which gives the hill strategic importance. It can be used to cover the two objectives after they are claimed. The northern road (North Road) can be used for high speed access to this hill.

The southern road (South Road) is critical since almost half of the victory locations are close to it. This makes the road important to both sides. Running along the road on the north side is a large wooded area (North Woods). The south side of the road is fairly open except for a line of trees along considerable length. Aside from occasional gaps in these trees, the only way to control the road is to be on the road or just adjacent to it. The road passes about 250m north of the southern hill (Hill 2)

As with Hill 1, there is a relatively clear area to the northwest of Hill 2. Unfortunately, trees along the road to the north and a small wooded area due west, limits the uses of Hill 2 to me tactically. There is a clear area to the southwest of the hill as well. It might make a decent observation post, however.

The small woods (West Woods) to the west of Hill 2 intrigue me more. In these woods or within 250m of them are three of the victory locations controlled by the enemy or likely to be controlled by them. Whoever controls these woods, will control those three objectives.

A large wooded area (South Woods) with a field in the center inspires modest interest because it provides a covered path for the enemy to approach a victory location I already control. Being wooded, it would be difficult for me to see the enemy approaching but it would also be difficult for the enemy to see my forces defending the victory location. A small force could probably hold off a larger force for a significant period of time. From these woods, I can cover my left flank.

One other consideration related to force composition is my infantry has no reliable integrated AT capability. All I have are two 45mm ATGs and seven T26 M1939 tanks. Those will have to be parceled out to various forces to give them some sort of AT capability. I do have some .50 cals on my light tanks and my AAMGs. These can kill Polish armor, but not reliably.

A final thought related to my force experience. I think they would have trouble with a bunch of kindergarteners hopped up on sugar, so I need to be able to put as many guns on target as possible. My force is likely to lose localized fire fights with an equal sized force. It is hard to picture the Polish force being the most experience troops in the battle, but that is a fact in this case. I should have numbers on my side, so I need to make them count.

Plan

Generally speaking, named areas fit into my plan in one way or another. This is the case here. I’m going to break my core up into four forces. The main objectives will be to capture Hill 1, the West Woods and the South Road and hold South Woods. I am also going to try to get eyes on Hill 2. Not critical, but it would be nice. Below are the four forces and their objectives:

Force 1: Hill 1 – one Infantry Company with ATGs and one HMG section attached, plus one truck.
Force 2: West Woods – one Infantry Company with one HMG section attached plus one truck.
Force 3: South Road – one Infantry Company with one medium and one light tank platoon and both BA6 armored cars attached
Force 4: South Woods – one engineer platoon supported by one medium tank platoon, one HMG section, one AAMG section and both scout patrols w/transport.

Force 1 will advance up the North Road, take and control Hill 1. Additionally, recon the North Woods between Hill 1 and the South Road to prevent the enemy from sliding units through. One truck is being provided from the mortar transport to carry the HMG section. Otherwise, the group will move way too slowly.

Force 2 will advance, on foot, along the northern fringe of the South Woods, over Hill 2 and into the West Woods. This advance will be slow, so Force 3 advancing down the road will need to remain in supporting range. A truck has been provided here as well to carry the HMG section.

Force 3 will advance down the South Road, staying in supporting range of Force 2. Ideally, they will be moving in advance of Force 2 where they can hopefully engage any enemy forces seen before Force 2 blunders into them. One AC will recon down the road while the main force moves up. The other AC will move up to Hill 2 to get eyes up until a leg unit can replace them.

Force 4 will advance through the South Woods with the ultimate objective of setting up an ambush with the fire sack being the central field. The recon elements will advance through the woods to provide advance notice of approaching enemy forces.

The HQ group will move along through the North Woods, parallel and to the rear of Force 3.

I've attached a map with my basic plan outlined on it.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 0 (Prep Fire)

No prep fire by either side. I didn't really expect any enemy artillery given the low point value of my force. The AI typically prep fires with off-board stuff and right now it is too pricy.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.


Turn 1

All friendly forces advancing according to plan.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.


Turn 2

All friendly forces advancing according to plan.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 3

Truck mounted units of Force 1 on Hill 1. Sighted three enemy TKs of one type or another advancing down the South Road. Dismounted units from trucks. Since I can see the enemy, the enemy can see me and incoming artillery expected before long.

One enemy Vickers tank sighted in field northwest of Hill 2 by recon unit advancing down South Road. Captured one flag near road to try to draw enemy artillery in on an open field.

Other forces advancing as planned.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 4

More Force 1 units moving into position on and around Hill 1. One platoon held back in reserve.

Force 3 halted their advance down the South Road and took up positions to engage the advancing Polish TKs. I set the range of my tanks and AC to all fire at the same spot, which they did. Now, fast moving targets, targets that are small, my force experience of 50, yes, they all missed :(

Other AC on Hill 2 and nearly in position. Still only one Vickers tank in sight.

Forces 2 and 4 still moving to positions.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Zero.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 5

Positioning HMGs and ATGs on Hill 1. Set range to 1/2 on HMGs and 1/4 on ATGs. No sense firing with little chance to hit. Decided to position one infantry platoon in woods along North Road just north of Hill 1. Enemy mortars dropped smoke north of Hill 1, blinding the platoon that just positioned in the woods.
Another platoon moving up east slope of hill and not in position yet.

On South Road, Force 3 had better luck against the Polish tankettes this time. Scratch four. Moved my light tanks into the North Woods to clear the road for the infantry coming up from the rear. One medium tank is swinging around some trees south of the road to get a shot at the Vickers tank.

AC unit in position on Hill 2. HMGs in truck moving onto hill now. I'm going to temporarily position them covering the field southwest of the hill until the infantry arrives.

Force 4 MGs mostly in position. Set range to three to engage anyone who happens on too close, but don't want to trip the ambush too early. I used my tanks to help get them in position quicker. Dismounted leg scouts on the west side of South Woods. No enemy sited in this area.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: 3xTKS and 1xTKS.m tankettes destroyed.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 6

Incoming mail on and around Hill 1. Seemed like four 75mm tubes of the on-board varity. Some fell about 200m forward of my ATGs, so I'll probably pull them back until the firing stops. The rest fell in a field east of the hill. Nothing in danger there. Moving two of the trucks into the North woods to pick up my mortars. They are moving forward too slowly.

Popped another TKS on the South Road and a sixth just showed up. Moving one infantry platoon south of the road to move into some woods near my lone tank in the area. Both that tank and the AC on Hill 2 engaged the Vickers tank. During my firing round, they punched four new viewing ports in it without getting a kill. Durin op-fire, the armored car on the hill finished it off.

HMGs dismounted on Hill 2. They will deploy in the rough on the hill until the infantry comes up.

Force 4 MGs in position. Moving my tanks into a conceiled position just west of the field. The scouts are on foot now, poking around. The engineers are sweeping through the woods around the field. One squad is moving through the woods south of the field and two squads are moving through the woods to the north.

So far, I haven't spotted any enemy infantry or cavalry. That has me a bit puzzled and concerned.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: 1xTKS tankette and 1xVickers E Mk.A tank destroyed.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 7

More incoming mail on Hill 1, suppressing my ATGs, one HMG and the company HQ squad. No casualties, however. Still moving units into position, but the process has been slowed down. Confirmed artillery is on-board variety.

Punched a few holes in the TKS coming down the South Road. It just vanished, so I don't know if it retreated or moved out of sight. Three enemy infantry squads spotted in field north of Hill 2. They were engaged by lone tank, AC on Hill 2 and infantry platoon moving around woods. The enemy took some light casualties, but I need to get more fire power in the area. Sounds like a job for my light tanks.

Positioning my HMGs on Hill 2. Too bad they are on the wrong side of the hill to help against the enemy infantry. I might move them north if the enemy strength in that area increases. Force 2 is moving up to the east slope of Hill 2. They can help with the enemy infantry in the field.

Force 4 is pretty much in position. They were intended as a holding force, so I will just patrol around the area for a while. If nothing shows up, I will release the platoon of medium tanks for other duties.

At this point, I'm debating on whether or not to counter battery against the enemy 75mm guns or target the enemy infantry. I think I will go after the enemy guns since they are a stationary target.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: 1xTKS tankette damaged and estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 8

All quiet on Hill 1. Back to getting units into position.

Enemy in platoon strength in field north of Hill 2. Tucked my infantry behind the woods south of South Road and am moving my light tanks in. Engaged enemy with tanks and armored car, inflicting light casualties. The enemy is running none the less. Sighted three enemy tanks (FT-18 type) coming down road.

Turns out my HMGs on Hill 2 are perfectly positioned. Enemy in platoon strength sighted west of South Woods, heading east. Engaged with HMGs inflicting light casualties.

Enemy forces west of South Woods were sighted by one of my leg scouts. They were engaged by one of my little Kosmolets, inflicting light casualties. Moving my Force 4 medium tanks forward to engage.

Decide to counter battery fire against enemy 75mm guns. It will take a while for the rounds to start dropping.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 9

Enemy mortar fire fell west of Hill 1. Moving infantry to west slope of hill and still getting ATGs and HMGs in position.

Enemy appears to be present north and north west of Hill 2 in company strength. Pulled AC and lead tank back on road to position where they had infantry covering them north and south of road. Moved my infantry forward into the woods south of the road, drawing some fire from enemy units. One man down. Pushing another platoon forward north of the road. Calling in light mortar fire on enemy in field. Moved company HMG section into position where it could put fire into the field and continued moving light tanks into position. Engaged enemy with all units in position, inflicting light casualties again.

Still moving Force 2 infantry forward on Hill 2. Not in position to engage enemy yet. HMGs continued to fire on enemy west of South Woods. There is an unclaimed flag west of the South woods and about a platoon of enemy infantry is swining in that direct on the west side of the hill. They drew fire from my armored car on the hill and returned fire with integrated AT rifles. No damage.

Poked around a little more with my leg scouts. Enemy present in company strenth. Tanks moving forward. Moving additional Kosmolets forward as well. Putting as much fire on enemy as possible. In this area, all I need to do is hold the enemy.

Casualties

Friendly: One casualty.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 10

Enemy mortar fire stopped after one turn. Units are in position now. Moving reserve platoon towards the North Woods to patrol for infiltrating enemy units.

Most enemy infantry units are running. I really haven't inflicted that many casuaties on them and don't recall them breaking this quickly when fighting the Germans. Out of six squads in and around the field, four are routed or retreating. We traded shots early in the turn with each side suffering a few casualties. Continued moving my infantry forward on the north side of the South Road and stubled on my missing TKS. It tucked itself in the woods just north of the road and stayed there. I'm moving a tank and AC up to finish it off.

Still moving Force 2 infantry forward. I knew they would be slow being completely on foot and without a road. They should be able to engage the enemy in a turn or two. Their HMGs continued firing at the enemy to the southwest, inflicting a few more casualties.

Enemy to the west of the South Woods seems broken as well. Out of five squads in sight, four are routed. I will continue to engage while targets present themselves.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualty.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 11

Pretty quiet around Hill 1 right now. Reserve platoon still moving towards the North Woods. If you recall me mentioning some enemy FT-18 tanks a while ago and not saying much else about them, well it is because they haven't done much. They now seem to be moving towards the western edge of the North Woods at the speed of a glacier. I'm going to have to send a tank from Force 3 after them because Force 1 only has the ATGs on the hill. Hardly useful for running down tanks, even very slow ones.

Incoming mail on the road near two of my tanks. No damage, but time to move. Most enemy infantry out of the field now. They are either running or swinging south on the west side of Hill 2. I did making to destroy the damaged TKS found in the North Woods and inflict more casualties on the enemy infantry. I'm going to move my light tanks out and chase after some infantry.

One platoon from Force 2 popped through a tree line on the northwest side of Hill 2. All they had to shoot at was routed enemy infantry. An enemy AT rifle team showed up on the western slope of the hill and took a few shots at my AC. No damage. I'm going to move my infantry that way. The remaining infantry from Force 2 is going over Hill 2, heading to the West Woods. Enemy infantry is continuing to skirt the hill on the west side heading south. HMGs continued to rip into the enemy infantry west of the South Woods. They are all running now.

Engaged the enemy with my two Kosmolets, inflicting more casualties. Medium tanks are continuing to move up.

Counter battery fire started coming in on enemy 75mm guns. I adjusted fire and should FFE on turn 13.

Casualties

Friendly: No casualties.

Enemy: 1xTKS tankette destroyed, estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 12

One enemy squad sighted northwest of Hill 1. Engaged with HMGs and light weapons, with no damage. Enemy artillery also hit Hill 1, causing no damage, but suppressing my ATGs and the company HQ. Continuing to move reserve platoon to the woods. Hill 1 should be well defended without them.

More enemy artillery hitting the road, but I moved my tanks out. Two are hunting for the enemy FT-18s entering the woods and two more are south of the South Road. I sent the armored car south as well. My infantry is continuing to push forward north of the road and stumbled across an enemy AT rifle team and destroyed it. Another team was destroyed in the field south of the road by infantry as well. Tanks moving forward slowly to engage running enemy, but stopped once the AT rifle team was spotted. Three light tanks going over Hill 2 to engage enemy infantry on the west side.

Armored car engaged and destroyed yet a third enemy AT rifle team. Those things are everywhere now. Force 2 infantry pulled out of the tree line and are moving over the top of Hill 2. One squad moved into the line of sight of some enemy units, took casualties and turned tail. The enemy, in turn, moved into the LOS of one of my HMG sections on the hit, got hit and also turned tail.

Started moving my Force 4 medium tanks towards the west side of Hill 2. Those enemy units skirting the hill should start popping out of the woods soon. A couple of enemy squads showed up just north and west of the unclaimed flag southwest of Hill 2. They were engaged by the HMGs and tanks. One popped smoke and ran, while the other is pinned.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 13

No enemy artillery this turn, but it suppressed some units during the last turn. No damage however. Sent enemy squad running and another one showed up. Engaged with HMGs from Hill 1 and drew fire from an unseen AT rifle team in the North Woods. I should have gotten infantry in there patrolling long before now.

Force 3 pushing reserve platoon up South Road while other platoons hold flanks. Pushing platoon in the North Woods out looking for the AT rifle team. Moving two tanks slowly behind infantry since I know there is danger in the woods. Other tanks and infantry engaged a few distant and routed enemy infantry squads.

Continued to engage enemy infantry west of Hill 2 with armored car, light tanks and HMG team. Pushed the enemy off the western slopes of the hill. Also, engaged enemy infantry to the southwest with remaining HMGs.

More enemy infantry spotted approaching unclaimed flag. Engaged all enemy around flag with tanks and Kosmolets. Most have broken and are running.

Counter battery fire scored well. Destroyed one 75mm howitzer and pounded the other target location well. Time to move my mortars.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: 1x75mm howitzer destroyed, estimated 25 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 14

Enemy infantry all on the run. Engaged with HMGs inflicting some light casualties. Fired into the North Woods with an HMG team and zeroed in on the enemy AT rifle team. Can't see them, but know where they are. Plotted a 50mm mortar on the location in case I can't get infantry there to take care of them. Lost sight of enemy FT-18 tanks.

Pushing forward along South Road. All enemy units are running and not worth firing on. Incoming mortar fire just north of Hill 2, suppressing a few tanks and infantry.

Infantry moving over Hill 2 and some pushing west. Small fire fight broke out between one enemy squad and one of mine. I lost a couple men there.

Continued to engage enemy infantry west of South Woods. I'm the only one shooting right now. They are just running.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 15

All quiet around Hill 1 right now.

Continuing to push forward into North Woods and down South Road. Found an enemy infantry squad in the woods. Traded a few shots with them, costing me one casualty My infantry and tanks are pushing forward in the field south of the road as well. Drew more AT rifle team fire.

Starting to push into West Woods. Managed to destroy one enemy infantry squad with infantry and light tank fire. Also found the AT rifle team firing at Force 3 in the field and destroyed it.

Pushing west towards unclaimed flag. Maybe I'll save Force 2 the trouble of getting this one. The machine gun teams at the ambush site are getting bored.

Casualties

Friendly: One casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 16

I jinx the guys on Hill 1 every time I say it is quiet. Two more enemy squads showed up, but hit by HMGs and infantry. One has stalled and the other is running.

The western edge of the North Woods is crawling with Polish forces. Infantry in about company strength and those tanks I keep talking about. All platoons catching fire. Moved tanks up in the woods to engage. Both sides took casualties here.

A little resistence near the West Woods, but it broke quickly. Still moving my forces forward

Turned flag with my Kosmolets and moved my tanks up some. One active enemy squad showed up, but no damage.

Resupplying mortars right now. Going to plot them on the hornets nest in the North Woods.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 17

Sent enemy in field nortwest of Hill 1 running. One platoon moving forward in northern edge of North Woods.

Major fire fight going on with enemy in western edge of North Woods and along the road. They are on the attack, but I bloodied their nose. Light tanks moved up from Hill 2 and engaged with medium tanks and infantry. My 50mm mortar fire starting coming in and yep, they got me :( Dang things fell about 200m short. At least no casualties from that. Tanks took a few shots at an FT-18 spotted. No hits.

Continuing to push into West Woods. No resistence encountered.

Sent enemy squad running down south. No other enemy units in sight.

Plotted 82mm mortars on the enemy in the West Woods, but a little further away than with 50mm mortar plot.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 25 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 18

Watching enemy forces run from Hill 1, but nothing more.

Forming up to advance on enemy position in North Woods after mortar fire comes in. Adjusted fire on the 50mm. Engaged one exposed enemy squad just south of the road and sent it running. One FT-18 popped out and I took a few shots at it with no luck. Did destroy an AT rifle team that also came out of the woods.

Pushing Force 2 through the West Woods. Left HMGs on Hill 2 to cover flank.

Moving tanks and scouts forward west of South Woods. My plan is to take another flag as long as no enemy infantry shows up. If they do, I'll leave the chore to Force 2.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 19

Peppered part of the North Woods with area fire from one HMG. No response, so maybe that AT rifle team has moved on and maybe it is the one destroyed last turn. Enemy mortar fire fell about 250m west of Hill 1. They were way off target.

Still waiting for mortars to hit the West Woods, but slowly tighting up on the enemy. One squad found the other two FT-18 tanks, so all three are visible now. 50mm mortar fire came in and even after adjusting fire, it hit some of my units. It has a realitively short range and I was firing at almost the maximum. At max range, mortar rounds scatter pretty good. A couple of enemy squads tried to push forward, but we stopped. One FT-18 has a new window, but it still in action.

So far, the West Woods are clear. Continuing to push through.

Still moving towards enemy flag with Force 4. No contact. Men at ambush site decided to take a nap.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 20

All quiet around Hill 1.

Engaged and destroyed two FT-18s and damaged the last one. Now, two FT-17 tanks just showed up. Looks like someone raided the Warsaw Museum for equipment. 82mm mortar rounds started to fall. I'm going to shift the fire further southwest and start pushing forward from the north.

West Woods still quiet.

Enemy platoon showed up on small hill southwest of West Woods. They were engaged by Force 4 tanks.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: 2xFT-18 tanks destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 21

Looks like some of the enemy infantry to the west of Hill 1 are getting a second wind and moving forward again. Range is somewhat distant at the moment, but they are clearly coming back.

Engaged and destroyed two museum exhibits. Fired at some running enenmy infantry, but that was about it along the South Road.

Moving one platoon south to capture enemy flag, since Force 4 seems otherwise occupied.

Sent the enemy platoon running with fire from my tanks and Kosmolets. Again, this is infantry that got a second wind. They aren't fresh troops.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: 1xFT-18 and 1xFT-17 tanks destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 22

Opened up with HMGs at long range to discourage enemy infantry from advancing on Hill 1 again. This seems to have been effective.

Destroyed another FT-17 tank. Given that I've only destroyed two, my guess is there is a third somewhere. Mortar rounds pounded a section of the North Woods to the west. Time to move my infantry forward now to see if anyone is around. Shot up a couple of running enemy squads.

Force 2 platoon should be able to take enemy flag in a turn or two. The other two platoons are setting up overwatch on the third. My AC will move out and capture it.

The enemy southwest of the West Woods weren't running as much as I thought, but the are now. Hit them again with tanks and Kosmolets. My scouts are quietly sitting and watching, which is what they should be doing.

Counter battery fire plotted against enemy mortar.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: 1xFT-17 tank destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 23

Continued peppering enemy infantry from Hill 1. They are retreating again.

Pushing forward again. There are a few pinned enemy squads around, but most are routed. I'm swinging some tanks around to try to destroy these units. They are all clustered around two enemy controlled flags about 500m east of the bend in the South Road. I need to be careful since I'm near the enemy deployment zone. There may be some ATGs around.

Captured a flag with Force 2 platoon. Only one left in this area to get.

Pushing enemy infantry hard on hill southwest West Woods. They can't attack if they are running.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 24

Cease fire on Hill 1.

Captured both enemy controlled flags. Enemy infantry on South Road has been routed and is in full retreat. Pursuing with infantry and tanks.

Three enemy squads showed up just after I captured the flag along the southwest edge of the West Woods. Engaged with infantry and one tank. They aren't running yet, but I'll hit them harder next turn. Took another flag with an armored car. Pulling it back now into a covering position.

Force 4 pushing enemy infantry. Most are routed except the ones just to their north near the captured flag.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 25

All quiet on Hill 1

One unit along South Road stood for a bit and let me fire at it. The rest are running.

Enemy resistence in southwest corner of West Woods has stiffened a bit. They managed to knock out a machine gun on one of my tanks. I'm going to back my tanks off a bit. No need to lose one now chasing infantry I'm not likely to destroy. One enemy squad just showed up around the flag captured by the armored car. They drew fire from my overwatching infantry and took casualties.

My tanks are supporting Force 2 near the West Woods, leaving the Kosmolets to hold the small hill. No worries as the enemy isn't mounting an attack at the moment.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 26

All quiet on Hill 1

North Woods secure. Advancing down South Road picking up prisoners. Found the Polish HQ the hard way. It cost me two men, but it got hammered pretty good and is now running. Captured another couple of flags. Only one to go.

Pulling back around West Woods and consolidating my position. If the enemy wants to leave, I'll let them go here.

Kosmolets holding small hill and firing on any enemy in range.

Counter battery fire off target and needs adjusted.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 25 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 27

All quiet on Hill 1

Advancing down South Road with tanks and one platoon of infantry. The remaining two platoons are setting up defensive positions around recently captured flags. Only one flag is left, but it is near where the enemy 75mm guns were located. Those guns have been quiet for a while. One has been destroyed, but I don't know what the status is of the remaining three.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Pulled tanks back to north edge of small hill. Holding with Kosmolets.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 28

All quiet on Hill 1

One enemy squad advancing south west of North Woods. They took fire from HMGs and infantry setting up positions to cover flags. Incoming mortar fire caused one casualty. That won't happen again. Counter battery fire destroyed the mortar. Turns out there are two flags I still need to get and not one. It is close to the South Road and won't be a problem.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: One casualties.

Enemy: 1x81mm Mortar destroyed, estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 29

Fired on enemy squad to the west, inflicting a few casualties.

Consolidating positions around flags. Pealed off two light tanks to take flag I just noticed. Sent another one down the road to check out the enemy 75mm howitzers and got shot at by an enemy 7TP tank. Pulled back real quick and started deploying medium tanks to engage. I'll let my infantry push forward to the howitzers.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 30

All quiet on Hill 1

Two light tanks captured flag and drew the attention of some enemy ATGs. One has a hole in it now, but still active. I need to extract both of them from that situation while trying to keep them alive. Enemy 7TP heading east across a small hill. Not sure if it is the same one or not. Tanks rarely appear one at a time. One of my light tanks peppered it with MG fire, but the enemy ignored my tanks.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 31

All quiet on Hill 1

One of my light tanks quickly ducked behind a hill, but the other looks like swiss cheese. Full of holes, but still alive. That is more than I can say for another further up the road. Either the 7TP changed direction or another one showed up and scored a kill. My armored car fired a few shots at it without success.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: 1xT-26 1931 destroyed.

Enemy: Zero casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 32

Another enemy squad heading south off to the west. Engaged with HMG, inflicting a couple casualties. It was also engaged by a squad from Force 3, turned and ran.

Got my answer about the enemy tanks when two different tanks were sighted this turn. Both were destroyed, but they managed to inflicted a few infantry casualties before dying. I did managed to get my heavily damaged light tank off the hill and to cover. I'll be fine as long as the enemy doesn't take that flag back. If they do, it will be a job for infantry to take back. Just in case, I'm going to move a platoon forward now.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: 2x7TP wczesny tanks destroyed, estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 33

All quiet on Hill 1.

Two enemy squads pushing south to flag. I have one squad covering it, but he is going to need help. One squad is moving to help the other, I'm repositioning an HMG section to help and one platoon is moving forward to help cover the other flag.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Two casualties.

Enemy: Two casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 34

All quiet on Hill 1.

Only firing this turn was from a squad on squad fire fight. No casualties on either side. Another squad moving towards last flag. No sign of the 75mm howitzers other than the one destroyed earlier.

Holding in and around West Woods.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 35

All quiet on Hill 1.

The flag that was being guarded by my two light tanks, the tanks that were forced off the hill by ATGs, well the enemy took that flag back. Infantry is already moving that way, as are more tanks. My mortars are plotted to drop smoke to the northeast. I don't know where the enemy ATGS are, but they weren't that close to the flag. Since I can't easily kill them, I will block their line of sight. Approaching back flag with one squad, but help is moving towards him as well.

One enemy squad showed up near West Woods approaching another flag. These people just don't know when to give up. The covering forces inflicted a few casualties on him and he stopped.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Two casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 36

All quiet on Hill 1.

I chased off the enemy squad with a light tank and armored car and got the flag. A squad captured the other flag, so I have them all. My armored car unfortunately got nailed by an enemy AA gun somewhere to the northwest. The crew is alive still, so I want to see if I can keep them that way. Still moving up infantry to secure the flags I've captured. I moved up two light tanks to suppose the one squad holding another flag. There is one beat up enemy squad that keeps shooting at it. The odds have tilted against him now.

Enemy squad near West Woods is retreating.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: 1xBA-6 destroyed.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 37

All quiet on Hill 1.

They are persistent. I managed to inflict one more casualty on the enemy squad harrassing my squad. It popped smoke, withdrew one hex and was firing again on the enemy turn.

Two enemy squads moving forward near West Woods. They took fire from my covering force, but no casuaties.

Holding on small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: One casualty

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 38

All quiet on Hill 1.

Eliminated enemy squad that has been a pain. Another one turned up in its place, but I sent it running as well. My infantry is starting to move onto the hit abandoned by my light tanks. Smoke fell to the northeast.

Sent two enemy squads running. One MG on my armored car is out of ammo. Also out of HE for the main gun.

Enemy squad showed up at small hill now held only by one scout and my two Kosmolets. I pulled my three medium tanks off and am moving them up the the West Woods. I figure this battle isn't over yet so I need to get them where they will matter. The small hill has no real importance.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 39

All quiet on Hill 1.

Deploying infantry around captured objectives on the west end of the South Road. No enemy activity.

All quiet around West Woods.

Kosmolets destroyed enemy squad. No other enemy in sight.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 40

All quiet on Hill 1.

One enemy squad appeared from the smoke and was engaged by my infantry around the flag. No casualties.

All quiet around West Woods. Still moving tanks into position.

All quiet around small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 41

All quiet on Hill 1.

Clobbered enemy squad coming out of the smoke. Now one showed up out of the smoke of my burning armored car.

All quiet around West Woods.

All quiet around small hill.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Turn 42

Quiet at all locations.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.


Turn 43

Quiet at all locations.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.


Turn 43

Traded shots with another enemy squad approching the flag near the bend of the South Road on the north side. No casualties.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Zero casualties.


Turn 44

My light tanks opened up on the enemy squad and sent him running into the woods.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: One casualty.


Turn 45

Another squad approaching the West Woods. My covering infantry and armored car sent him running.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: One casualty.


Turn 46

Yet another squad approaching West Woods. He received the same treatment as the last one.

One enemy squad approaching small hill. Kosmolets opened up, without affect.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: One casualty.

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

Decisive Victory!!!!

Turn 47

I put everything I could into the only two squads I could see because I was getting tired of them running behind the trees, rallying and charging again.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Total Casualties

USSR

Men: 36
Artillery: 0
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 2
Air Transports/Helos: 0
Aircraft: 0

Poland

Men: 456
Artillery: 4
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 14
Air Transports/Helos: 0
Aircraft: 0

Score

USSR: 3679
Poland: 68

Final Comments

This battle went pretty much according to plan. There were a few areas that things didn't work out. The main one was the fire fight in the North Woods. If I had done what I said I would and had Force 1 patrol the woods, I might have been able to head of the fight that occurred. I even identified the possibility that the enemy would move infantry into those woods, but I was late getting my recon out there.

The ambush didn't work out, but it didn't really need to. Force 4's main objective was to cover the southern flank and my three medium tanks and two recon elements did that just fine. That left five machine guns and an engineer squad with very little to do, but better too little than more than they can handle.

If anything surprised me at all, it was how soft the more experienced Polish force seemed to be. Their 19-man squads ran after only taking two or three casualties. And then they would rally and come back again and again and again! I didn't bother pursuing them too much because I was trying to keep my infantry force intact. Somewhere in my future is the Winter War against Finland and I don't need to be diluting my experience with level 50 replacements.

One other thing that did surprise me was the lack of cavalry. Not one horse on the battlefield. That is very unlike the Polish military. Maybe they are more expensive and the limited points made them prohibitive.

My next battle is against Finland. Ughh!!! I was hoping to get one more against Poland before taking on the Finns :sick:

I've attached the save just before I ended my last turn. Enjoy!

Re: DAR: USSR vs Poland
 

I know this was a pretty old game, but just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your report :)