AAR: Balkans N. Africa Leg

[Imp]

NF> Looks like the depresion is mine so squads are back in taxis to get to its edge.
The scouting party which is now headed by CF scout who is working his way along the lip of the depresion headout for it including 4 M3s. The 231s discovered the high grass offers good cover & move in to the depresion to hide behind a tiny outcrop.
This depresion is long & reaches naerly to central flags so plot 2 smoke drops 3/4 way down near a row of trees just in case, AA here moves up behind the grass to extend their cover for minimal risk.
The 2 Mtrs here that provided early support head for the depression moving up as they are at max range already.
CF> Scout risks moving to L1 near the squad & discovers he can see naff all, grass blocks LOS South towards the squad & his likely freinds so the best option is to go a bit further along the depresion as the grass is about 300m wide. 2 units & scout shoot at the squad & he vanishes.
There are woods in the depresion so sqd moves along but nothing & I need to know if its clear so another tries in the open drawing fire from another squad on the edge of the depresion. 233Fu & HTs fire at then squads unload & he retreats out of LOS. Sniper & squad join scout & find original squad again, he to runs till out of LOS but is nearly done for. AA her trusts these guys eyes & moves up
SF> Mk2+ Mk3 route everyone in the depresion then more Mk3s head down the depresion to get a LOS on units at L1, they manage to route another.
We have LOS to another squad on level 1 & route that then 4 tanks there move onto grass to fire at the rest. This is fairly safe as fire at can only come from one direction NE, in fact if we can get troops here to position CF is going for is about 3/4 kilo away so eyes will help & may well get some long rangefire from.
Tanks take quite a bit of fire from rifle grenades so look after M2 but only 2 squads are left in a fighting state so its time for the troops to do there bit.
The first unit to try takes fire from another 2 units so the last couple of vehicles try to engage none to succesfully as only manage to get a LOS on one & it was moving flat out to do it. Squads can engage at range by moving NE onto earth so do so then rest move up & engage closer, MMG catches a lift onto L1 to cover the area CF is going for.
This is my vehicle heavy force & its showing at turn end only 2 of 18 squads are not routed, 2 or 3 squads died several are unwell & we did not lose a man.
Also we are in a position to support CF, & are predominantly now heading for the road. The idea chase runners down the road through the woods then cut off through rather than chasing everyone through the woods as we are likely to run into the arms of thier friends.
AIT> Consistent we lose 2 men they lose about 4 times that & 3 squads vanish down the road which is straight for abot a Km before swerving round some trees& possibly a gun. One of those moments you wish you could get a message to your pilots NF guys spot a couple of units but spoters come in right on top of & promptly die, intel next go. No arty yet, Russian slow response time maybe?

[Imp]

NF> Spoters saw 2 37AA & 2 T-26 NW of N flags, further along that path & NE of depresion we are in 2 T-26 a platoon of infantry & a fairly nasty ATG were spied. 76obr pen 12 more than capable of saying goodbye to my armour. We are currently nearly a Km away in the South part of the depresion but it runs to within 500m before a bootleneck that then opens into about a 300m wide triangular depresion. From here the T-26s are 200m North & 1 AA gun is about 300m to the East & will be visible. It can probably see into the bottle neck. Sniper has a look & spots another AA closer to the bottle neck then climbs back into the depresion jumps on his bike & drives most of the way round to it. Taxis manage to get adjacent to N slope exiting with rest following befroe I have what one can only call a major error in judgement. Truck takes a shortcut as plane wreckage blocks LOS only to discover 500m ahead of seen units is a Maxim HMG, luck holds one man down its mobile & 2 squads at L1 spot it. Now 2 tanks have to engage it using plane for cover. Its sent running but the jigs up Ivan knows I am here now.
CF> Inc Scout party here as both going for same objective, Scout moves out down the depresion 231s drive 400m to the next outcrop recieving no fire. Thats as far as they can go without ending turn exposed. The rest here throw caution to the wind troops are on tanks & heading for 231s last position, an ATG & FOO just arrived there & a MMG is on the way.
Further South the scout gets on the high grass there is a platoon here s 233Fu does his thing supported by M3 & Ram, troops move up & finnish the job leaving 3 running squads. Everybody is going to make the 400m dash to the woods here chasing the soviets so vehicles start mounting the rise & picking up some passengers. If fires going to come it will be from the NE.
SF> One squad is hard to get at & a cock up with LOS means I lose 2 men getting to him, a scout & squad are chasing 4 units down the road, the rest are now in the woods though may be able to get a few where it rises, slowly reducing there numbers.
Having to relocate more mortars due to rapid advance, lots of arty this turn all single guns mortars but only one falls nearby. Stopping CB once his batts fires hes getting nothing to hit.

[Imp]

NF> The 2 squads on L1 act as pathfinders for tanks checking LOS, then the 2 tanks move to just out of range of ATG & destroy a T-26.
Infantry exits the depresion & take long range shots at squads. 2 more & a Maxim chip in so a MkII roles up & takes on the maxim routing before the sniper makes sure. Maxim is killed the other is not far off & 2 of 3 squads in range are running. A couple of squads are ready for a look East towards other T-26s AA guns, M3 & Ram ready to engage next go. Hope is can take on T-26 while copse of trees covers from AA but want infantry as eyes in case an ATG opens up.
CF> Everyone jumps forward a location a couple of squads making a double jump to 231 location. A lone M3 ends turn in view, smoke has come down so any fire will be from in the depresion.
The other force kill the 3 squads & run for the woods the scout will have a view into the depresion next turn, we are poised for an attack on C Flags shortly.
Rough picture of situation depresion is a slanting T
Each symbol is about 3 hexes
0=Depresion
X=woods - they extend into the depresion in the South. Also line of trees in just before splits off North
F= North & centre Flags
S= Both scouts lower one with force following
2+3= Scout force position of 231 & M3s

--------------------------F
---------------------0
--------------------000000
-------------------000
----------------0 0
0000S000000
--------3 2 000F
------------000XXX
-----------00XX
----------SXX

SF> Move as far along the the road as posssible without AAMG getting targets, nothing responds, a few units enter woods. Might miss a couple in woods but have a little killing spree 3 sqds & Maxim left.
AIT> As use force to depict my units will use Group G to depict what facing sometimes.
NG seem a bit hardier a maxim opens up at range then the rest gang up on 1 squad killing 5 before he runs. Group transiting to woods in centre got hit by arty.
Immobile M3 81mtr destroyed & MMG lose a man. I droped a bit on AAguns & ATG pinning all.

[Imp]

NF> Sniper routes nearest 2 squads then MMG loses 2 men attacking MaximHMG but its running & another squad is found. 2 troops near tanks discover crater seems to have blocked view to ATG, we are going to risk it & they saw another T-26.
2 M3s & M2 move forward spraying squads & killing T-26 they can see, all squads & HT crest the rise & push the Russians back further. Most are presently screened from the others by a woods hex & its max range to them.
2 squads, Ram & the other M3 move slightly East killing a T-26 & AAgun, the other loses 2 crew & sniper now covers it to just in case. The other AAgun is behind a row of trees though kinda expecting an unseen ATG to chirp up soon.
CF> well I am slightly stumped have a fairly good view of depresion excluding North part, will see all next turn. 3 Tanks & several troops now in the open.
231s ran across to get a diffrent viewpoint & still not a thing, thinking a FOO is a posibility but hes not likely to be on his tod. Any guns may be waiting I have noticed it does that on occasion, false sense of security saves fire till its turn so you can't move to safety.
SF> Bit reckless here its pretty open East of woods but 5 tanks & 231 bust out attacking AAMG, 3 more tanks & some troops in transport are in position to exit woods from the North into a depresion that runs to within about 600m of S flags. A few units charge headlong into woods & several cut across. 1 close call but he is pinned & fails to spot me. About 4 killed & remains of the same on the run.
AIT> Arty missed several 122 batts this time to. NF 45mmATG fired at M3 near AAgun, no real threat but another 76ATG further back but near the other got a halftrack so Ruskies claim there first vehicle & they were the first country to kill an arty piece.

T9
NF> We have hit a few snags here drifting smoke from destroyed T-26s is protecting the 3rd one & providing some cover for most of the force 7 squads & both 76ATG. Trying to move towards this another 5 squads & a maximHMG are discovered to our North obscured by 2 wood hexes.
Lost a couple of men finding this out & we need to neutralise them, but vehicles cannot attack without taking a big risk so trying to get troops there to see whats on the other side as its a line of trees that continues a bit further on. MMG & AAMG manage to get 76ATG in there sights route & damage one but lose 4 men in the process, have to place smoke to protect them. In fact out of respect for the Maxim end up placing a fair bit as some units have ended up in poor locations. Exchange of men was about equal this go & I was in a position to lose quite a few, most of my arty is targeting here so should be able to keep them unhappy
CF> Got a lucky break here ATG being moved East down the depresion was fired on by 76ATG it missed & I am fairly sure there is nothing in the depresion this side of the tree line. This line blocks sight to L1 north of flags & position it was in fire could only have come from a few hexes. Scout poped some smoke trying to get to tree line for a look especialy troops & we are exposed to any fire from woods to SE but did drop 2 tubes on last go. FOO has LOS so I can move them to guns likely position.
AA wagens have run for cover as threat seems unlikely.
The force that entered depresion from the South send a couple of squads out as eyes but rest are using cover to head for the woods. This could turn into a race against arty falling.
SF> Kill AAMG & everyone we can see in the woods then move NE into the depresion, we really need to regroup a bit but risking running with passengers continuing to a line of trees about 200m away. Only 1 squad is on the ground, risky but arty is chasing me down here.
Its all go suddenly.
I need to move up some mortars again but its to dangerous the way arty is falling & I would like to send planes in over centre flags but can't see a path without hitting a likely hostile enviroment, plot 2 coming in from the East with the hopes I will have a chance to cancel if required.
AIT> Only 2 mtrs fire this turn but despite placing smoke up north we lose the exchange, turns out though managed to fluke one of the few elite squads into being involved & he kept loses down by taking out a man with every shot.

[Imp]

Over confidence resulting in broken pinkie, dislocated shoulder landing on bounce tearing ligaments in neck means typing hurts, crap at it need to glance at keys. Short break

[Lt. Ketch]

I hope you get better soon! The AARs are always an interesting read.

[Imp]

Cheers back tomorrow I think, necks not so bad now

[Imp]

Pretty sure unless I can pull something out of the bag NF or CF is going to get slapped by arty soon.
NF> 2 vehicles with targets fire now I need to silence the maxim while avoiding the 76ATG. The T-26 is a problem as its gun is good enough at short range. 3 squads sniper M3 & Ram head down the depresion with the aim of getting the T-26 in sight & closing on the ATG.
On L1 M3 moves to engage troops to North they have RPGs so soaks up some fire, squad moves & lose a man so move M3 again as think can target maxim. this brings it by a tiny depresion & it dies to assault but crew survives. Now its hard despite the fact hes not healthy MMG & HT take on maxim routing & HT is recieving RPG fire. A few squads head East near T-26 now but most head NE but cant reach the depresion. 3 HTs & M2 brave things to route unit in depresion & as much fire as I can put down is placed on nearby squads.
Trucks are spreading out as best as possible.
CF> Nearly at tree line, ATG that got fired on crossing leaves transport exiting to L1 N of depresion, a MMG is going there to.
It will take them 2 turns to reach the tree line which extends to here running \, they will have a view to N flags 1km away.
A scout who has been running slighty further north at L1 can now see partly into the N part of the depresion a BT7 is bang in the middle of it.
Looking like I have got away with running into the dangerous stuff this game.
The FOO is on L1 just South as far as it goes & can see a T-26 slightly back from guns probable position.
The main part of this force further South is making its way through the woods, still 300m to go but there is a line of open we can check to see if can speed up next go.
The other ATGs MMG & scout are going down the depresion.
SF> Still a bit of a mess but working forward, 1 squad & FOO have headed down the road in hopes of usefull LOS to flags. Quite a bit of earth & grass in the area surrounding flags.
AIT> Just 2 mtrs fire I stop CB as its going nowhere & am letting planes run. Not much fight in them my crews safe & HT survived attack as squad could not assault.

T11
NF> M3 in the depresion engages reverse bringing T-26 into view its a terrible shot & pays the price, it & the Ram cannot exit towards Soviets as 45ATG will get rear shots so turn for it moving to depresions lip. Squads here fire letting sniper free, he reduces 76ATG crew badly & we are now free baring new targets.
Rest just close gap firing & truck moves near my crew to wisk him away, alls well to start then lose a man by T-26 as a squad was in same hex. Take a bit of ranged fire from new squad to NE then lose 2 or 3 men finding the squad that killed my tank has help.
Turns out not to bad & get most running as morale seems very poor meaning errors are recoverable from.
CF> Lined up ready behind tree line & group in woods check out the path through it so a HT begins its run, I am one lucky git BT-7 fires point blank hitting but its still mobile, pulls back. Rest make best attempt to move forward several squads within 100-150m but somehow none with AT weaponry. tanks are strugling to keep up.
SF> Made it to a position to exit the depresion, there is a group of 4 trees we can move into. Our MMg seems to have got detached & will take a while to catch up, FOO & its squad advancing more slowly now.
AIT> Little arty falls but I hit central area with most of mine 7 or 8 guns.
NG has little fight in it 76ATG did manage a shot at HT but missed.
Planes made run & survived fire mainly from North about 6 guns & they see 2 of them near flags & 2 squads just behind, fail to find ATG but attack 2 of 4 T-26s damaging one

T12
I am becoming fond of my snipers, MMG might put down more long range fire but snipers are great for that undetected shot.
NF>Sniper routes a squad then does same to 76ATG, its nearly dead.
MMG fires at 45ATG kills 2 & M3 climbs the slope to recieve fire from T-26 on the flags, the other one is in a depresion.
They have a little exchange then Ram joins & kills before geting another 45 crew, squad & HT join in its dead.
there are about 6 squads to the NE one new discovery & about 8 to the East 3 new, we lose a couple of men.
Get most running & 3 squads are loaded into trucks with hope of shutting range next go. They are entering woods but there is a path through it for the railway though will need to deal with the last AAgun first. Several vehicles are exposed to the area past flags now.
There are 3 BT-7s in the depresion near N flags & a 81mtr by them, this is roughly equidistant between the NF+CF
CF> Squad assaults BT-7 in woods, second has a go then M3 kills move to 100m of woods edge.
Squads in depresion move to treeline only new unit is a crew retreating, not where the 76ATG is, possibly from another or AA. Realise when tanks move into trees will be in LOS of BT-7s mentioned earlier, worried about arty but going to delay for 1 turn so units in woods are ready & as my arty is falling may as well let it.
SF> The depresion splits into a Y laid out -< with trees at junction the NE route being only 50m wide for 100m. Squads move into trees see a BT-7 600m East just in front of woods. Squad trying NE recieves fire losing 2 men, a second trys is unseen but spots a squad & Maxim quad AAMG 500m East just in front of flags, he will place smoke to cover but there is a BT-7 further North which 2 M3s kill first. The FOO & its squad are near the South end of the depresion & see an AAMG in it so dispatch a M3 to kill which finds a second. Another M3 & FOOs squad help kill both. We are in position to exit in reasonable force next go & plot arty on maxim quad in case tanks fail, calling in air to.
AIT> lots of arty came down aimed at NF, most behind but 2 on target, I lose contact with my batt but its ok. Little fire is forthcoming from Russians but near 45ATG squads did not do ther job as 2 more T-26s & another 45ATG open up. The ATG loses 2 men but the Ram & HT die, mounting a rescue for Ram crew is not really on with arty like it is as distinct possibility will move into it. So looks like we have to keep them occupied instead.
__________________________________________________ __
On accident keep saying giving up dirt bikes as I never learn, always start sensible get amazed at levels of grip dirt tires give then find it often in spectacular style. At least this time managed not to run myself over, getting to old for this things hurt that never used to & for way longer. Picture this old duffer attempting to walk across room with sore knees from standing on pegs all day. Knee twinges causing neck to stiffen resulting in pain reflex causing leg to throw forward landing hard. Knee twinges....... progress across the room like a rag doll with a cattle prod up its rear. Am I coming back with that drink I went to get, probably not wise.

[Imp]

NF> The 45ATG is close enough to be a threat to my M3 so troops have to make up for failing to see it 2 squads & my trusty sniper take it out. M3 takes on T-26 & despite a suppresion of 10 bags the nearest.
Vehicles & MMG fire at ready squads then move up trying to avoid ares arty is coming down. Find another squad to the North & 2 behind woods to the East but they give up easy. Units in trucks move up to capitalise on by closing range but last one recieves fire from 2 squads to NW killing a man. Squad near the truck had not moved so manages to protect them with smoke.
Trucks are vulnerable if they recover as about 200m away but needed to dash through arty. M2 is continuing to support troops but 2 M3s are trying to support the other heading for BT-7s
CF> Get to cocky here woods group sniper & 1 squad make it to treeline, I cannot find that ATG might have guessed wrong.
T-26s & 3 new squads can be seen by my squad, he decides its prudent not to fire.
Squads moving in woods take fire from T-26 but faail to see it, trying to find run into a BT-7 which M3 kills but lost a HT with squad in the process
Units in depresion see another AAgun & ATG fires at it first hit kill impresive, ATG at L1 decides to take on T-26 & another AAgun getting the tank.
Truck runs behind trees all the way to crest line dropping off its squad. 231s go one better & move to L1 behind trees.
This is the woods edge & 200m from T-26s but fire from at greater range is blocked by trees to North.
Troops crossing from tree line take fire from a maxim MMG lose a man but MMg kills it. As given away hoses down BT-7s to NE.
This was not in the plan but 4 M3s take on the BT-7s killing all 3
SF> Few squads move seeing another BT-7 to the North near CGs T-26s, in the unlikely situation of no guns here this would be the best way to kill them as can engage at range.
2 M3s take out both BT-7s then another routes Maxim Quad, troops move & 3 squads are found to the NE plus another Quad. M3 kills Quad my troops fire & so does a BT-7 in trees South of flags before M3 kills it, they are not seeing units in trees. Several tanks are fully exposed in the open so may as well go the whole hog & move others forward.
M3 heading NE in depresion recieves fire from anothe BT-7, M2 fires at but can't damage so last M3 helps out & its destroyed.
Conduct the rest of my fire leaving 4 squads one routed to the NE 500m from most units. 3 loaded Hts are at the far end of South end of the depresion ready for a move towards the woods & possible run to cut escape. MMGs have turned up & 2 flakwagens want to play next go to.
AIT> Arty is getting heavier hits N+S but no real damage. Lose more than a dozen men mainly in South as units are to busy firing at ATGs. Two show up in woods but before can cause any real damage one is hurt & other abandons to the onslaught of fire. Maxim HMG also makes an appearance but plane sends it running.
The units defending C+S flags are realy one force but North ones had gaps of 500m between so if remember will try shrinking width from 130 to 100 next game.
This will hopefully make for closer deployment & restrict my tactical choices, might regret this if KVs turn up as should increase chances of troops supporting in the area.

T14
NF> The main group are all running in a bunch as my battery landed on, 1 squad NE is at the woods another 2 or 3 made it & lost sight of. NW are 3 fresh squads maybe more.
First order of buisness bike picks up Rams crew & takes well away, check arty status to make sure have contact. M3 that has been pretty much single handadly taking on T-26s loses Los to so moves seeing 2 BT-2s further back so it kills one.
AAgun has a building to its NW partly hiding so furthest M3 moves first killing 1 man. squad nearer tries & finds it has a squad with it, turns out to be 3.
Manage to get HT in position to take on squad without exposing to AA, it routes it they are proving quite effective mobile weapon platforms.
Last M3 moves up sharing its love on squads & AA before squads move up to kill but unseen sniper at about 500m puts a damper on this. One makes it round the back of the building & does some more damage rest settle for pot shots or hold fire.
To the NW 2 squads enter a little dip heading towards ruskies & M2 moves over to lend support.
Lone squad is chasing units into woods but a couple are trying to move down railline to cut off.
CF> Units N of tree line, scout moves onto L1 this side are 2 T-26 2 AAguns & find 76ATG & a squad well back.
ATG routes an AAgun MMG routes the 76 before squad uses grass for cover & finnishes it. Next squad up loses a man sniper at 200m M3s move up & rout it then last squad enters & kills. Tanks are hidden from last AAgun & T-26s, flakwagens engage AAgun & route but recieve fire. 2 little AAgun further back only pen of 2 so last 2 tanks move up achieving little more than getting suppresed. I can move my Flaks to safety but decide to live dangerously due to range.
South of treeline squad finds T-26 in woods & kills then squad moves to L1 by sniper & sniper takes a look.
4 squads & T-26s together all pinned by arty exept 2 BT-26s, there is another squad on its own in the tree line. At this range sniper is not being courageous takes 1 shot & sends squad scurrying. Squad fires recieves including a maxim not seen & its sort of round the corner for the moment wont effect anyone else.
Squad in woods has another go a finds another squad in treeline, this ones ready & kills 2men then T-26 has a go & kills a 3rd. Sniper has to risk exposure as we need to pin this squad or tanks will definetly be seen. Sniper fires then another squad taking fire from 3 tanks but we have pinned it, tanks still have shots but gamble time to save men. 1 tank is slightly round the corner so 3 M3s & Ram move on other 3 as 2 are buttoned. First ignores fire at as his target is the furthest tank 2nd loses his main gun but we continue get into position killing all 3. 231s engage the other they are alternating fire but pen is to low so last M3 comes in from side, takes multiple hits but it dies with the last shot, spots maxim to.
SF> MMG & scouts attack ATG lose 2 men as BT-7 behind it fires, squad joins in then M3 moves & destroys BT.
Squads in Ht decide to make a run & finnish off ATG but it all becomes a bit tricky as another is seen, other units fire & squad unloads beside recieving fire from a Quad. Due to the grass most units can't see so smoke & kill but next HT dodges fire from another, heck most of my force is becoming involved in this but eventualy all 3 HTs make it & get a gun each.
The few remaning units head NE finding & killing another BT-7.
AIT> Arty falling mainly behind but gets a truck, my FOOs have lost LOS but concentrating mainly on middle
NF> Sniper kills one of my squads
CF> one of my flaks is damaged in the exchange but crews were persuaded to abandon there posts. Unseen 76ATG was persuaded to do the same but not before damaging a MKIII. There are 7 abandonned & one manned gun here!!
SF> Yet another 45ATG pipes up in the woods damaging a M3 then further back a 76 opens up & kills one. Lukily plane was targeting maxim quad & made a pass on both routing them & inflicting 2 hits.

[Imp]

NF> Trying to find that sniper 1 HT fires at squads near where AAgun was to allow some movement, another moves towards sniper as do sniper & scout, MMG moves into woods then squads move. He gets another 2 men before can find him & it turns out MMG can't see him, don't remember who killed but M3 sniper & HT all had a go then MMG fires at AAgun squads & we move that way (SE). There is a line of tres with 2 breaks just South of them & 2 squads that get close are in trouble as AAguns on the other side open up place smoke.
The lone tank & its support squad go to work they can't see one AA gun but kill 2 men in the other, while hes at it M3 polishes off BT-2 & a T-26. Really getting to like this lone ranger think hes got 6 tanks & a gun this game.
Send a squad into the woods a couple have made it past the rail line & he fires at them, anothers further down the line so send a HT down it.
Am thinking my forces are spread thin but want to kill while still running so HT turns the corner & a shell whistles past, 3 running squads the maxim & 200m away on the tracks a T-28e. Thats not good I have used all my movement, no choice squad bails out losing a man & pops smoke. I will just have to hope running squads don't recover & send whats left this way plus backtrack an M3 to the woods.
NW there are now 4 squads & the 2 that were going for pull back as trucks run for them. M2 heads towards T-28 stopping in a position to cover the trucks.
CF> I am having a real mare here, line of trees goes 5 hexes E>W then turns SE. The area north of the trees is high grass & plays total havoc with LOS to the area trees bend round to. I know there are 2 T-26s there & squads, should be quite a few as units on the other side of trees routed through them sqauds on the other side have confirmed that & fired at maxim which was the only unit but its on the other side to now.
Flaks try there luck & ATG routing only remaining gun & a squad, MMG moves up in a good position to see round I think.
Turns out no but over by NF T-26s sees another AAGun, fires at & kills it.
No choice scout & 3 squads move up, can see a few squads but there must be more, find location to attack tank from so M3 experiments trying to find another, it does so help moves up 2 against one. No its not the other tank has kicked in time for a bit of brain scratching ranges are 150+250m so a hit could kill. Realise there is a gap in trees & might be able to target one through, 231 finds the spot & 2 M3s move to & kill. Thats better now we fire & kill it to.
Take our first flag & scout discovers the other squads & dies.
Flak & ATGs are taking a hopefully safe route towards NF.
SF> MMG fires at Quad & tank moves then kills 76ATG, squad fires at 45ATG then squad moves into trees 100m from it & is fired on by another one, thats 6 & probably it. They are adjacent so flaks move to target first with hopes of pinning both, it works & squad finnishes one. Second squad moves to kill the other & recieves fire from 3 new squads. Have a lot of trouble targeting only managing to attack one but in the process find another squad kill a maxim, the quad & T-26. The 3rd squad near the woods now moves & kills last ATG.
Trying to get squads in front of armour & keep them out of trouble as expect another 76ATG somewhere.
AIT> Only 2 arty fall this turn but I manage to drop mtr fire on T-28e.
Exchange of fire is fairly light but NF lose men to a new maxim HMG.
I plotted 2 air to attack up North then overfly T28s area to see if they spot more, one of planes that went down South left smoking but they found the 76ATG so I am a happy bunny.
T16
NF>
Lone tank is trying to get a LOS on 2 remaining T-26s or the AAgun without giving a flank shot, gets T-26 in view but misses, M£ on the other side manages to get the other in view & kills then moves a hex & has AAgun & the other T-26 in its sights. There are 4 squads & maxim here but only 2 in good order, sniper takes one & squad at 100m sends others running. My 3 squads here cant go any further without crossing AAguns fire zone so just get in position, sniper & MMG do the same all can attack the AAgun with a 1 hex move.
2 squads & scout are chasing runners & can see arty smoke 600m away, the HT enters woods to catch them to avoid AAgun.
In view of the success we are having against tanks decide to risk going for T-28e, its buttoned & Russians are at there worst I think at the start of the war with exp of 60 or so. The ease with which they run seems to confirm this & watched shot accuracy from tanks.
Squad moves into trees 100m away it does not see him, fires at no return fire, the M3 will have to engage at 150m which is close so M2 moves to 250m through woods & recieves fire. Do not fire back as he will with better chance. M3 moves 100m shot misses at 26% so M2 fires a misses so does he, M3 fires at 41% & kills. Squads head off looking for more & chasing runners.
2 squads turn back to go after 4 squads to NW as planes coming, also flak ATGs & one MMG on the way to provide long range suppresion
CF+SF> This is really one big force now but generaly about 200m in front is a depresion then more L1 so need to be carefull as could be some guns in. Towards the South part further East I saw arty smoke but as trying to remember turns forget where exactly. Will do from S>N
4 squads here so tanks move & rout, they can do this because smoke from planes bombs blocks view of 76ATG. Squads near woods area move up so they can take it on next turn & scout catches a ride to within 100m of it. Move forward & force all the enemy to enter the depresion get 2 flags.
North squads move forward entering tree line, there is a bit more than a compny here all running plus crews most have made it past the small depresion here.
Reduce them to just under a company & 2 M3s kill another AAgun.
Little choice vehicles are exposed, due to the lie of the land think less so to the North as fire will be more distant, flags taken.
AIT> little fire but get a few runners obviosly, lone M3 bags the T-26 & a BT-2 is now in his sights, love this guy. Squads to NW are on the move we shoot at one then planes come in looks like there were 7 or 8 but both had bombs so its back to 4. They also see another T-28 who looks like he is moving to cover arty pieces going round the woods.