AAR: Balkans N. Africa Leg

[Imp]

Quite day so here you go.
Missed the location but meeting vis 51 turns 31
Map open ground is mainly high grass & a large level 2 hill in the middle.
A strip of woods runs over it from the bottom left to top right corner. It gets a bit sparse with a couple of small gaps my side of halfway point on the map.
1.5Km South at the base of the hill are more woods, this clearing as it heads East opens up to 2Km with a clump of trees in the middle like so ---O
So trees all round it & a clump in the middle.
Flags are on the clump & further forward in top & bottom row of trees.
The bit to the North is mainly open but probably will not come into play.
Map included.

Force
Decide if anything should downgrade make a few changes for no real reason
Swap 2 MkII for MkIVf1 as main roll is infantry.
Swap 1 231 for 251/10HT plan to swap all 3 & buy enough HT so 1 company is equiped with in next battle or 2
The Plan
Each company is heading for a set of flags.
ATGs most MMG & half of the armour is heading down the centre to crest the hill.
The group going for North flags should hopefully be screened by woods for a while & have a reasonable amount of armour with them.
Hope is they can move to get flank shots depending on what Soviets come at me with or act as a firefight force.
Start
No pre bombard so start the race for objectives.
By the end of turn 2 I can see half a dozen BT-7s heading for S flags & a mix of BT-7s & T-28s heading between central & S flags.
Have some units on the hill & grass does some funny things with LOS, move 1 hex & you are hidden the next back in view using speed of 231s to find hidy spots. Unload in a few places time to see if I have judged it right think range is to great for them to try firing.
T3 They don't fire & nor do I keep closing range for the turkey shoot. N & S made good speed trucks within 400m of flags, have to pop smoke in 2 places in South to protect taxis as could be in LOS when he moves. In the centre several troops unloaded but have found one area can stay loaded for a good distance.
Can see a lot of Soviet cruiser tanks heading for C & S flags details next go as can probably start picking off. They will start taking S flags this turn.
T4
The majority of tanks are BT-s 2 through 7, Also some T-28 & T-26 & 3 BA-10 armored cars some have left my sight.
NF> Squads & Pioneers are entering woods, tanks are still moving to position & 4 are going NE as lone squad on sentry duty there reports a dozen tanks heading down. Coming from the East mainly towards S & C flags are 40 plus tanks. 231s have ended up here & could end up engaging at about 500m when they move to level 1
CF> Move to position should be able to start engaging shortly range still generaly 1.5km
SF> They have taken some flags, can't see as in woods but 4 or 5 BTs, squads & Pioneers head in for ambush. 3 M3s Ram & 251/10 are here along with a MkII who kills a BT-7 at 500m
No arty plotted yet & AA is in position, taxis retreating but trying to guess arty fall.
AIT> Yeah gads there are a lot of them can now see 17 flanking to the North my view is not good here.
231 damaged a BT-8 but only expected a couple 6 made level 1.
They took central flag & from what I can see main push is between centre & South flags but I cannot see much to the North East as woods block
At S flag Pioneers have killed & forced abandonment of 2 BTs, bit of fire here to but it missed.
T5
SF> We move forward 100m as low exp seeing squads in woods moving 1 hex should be hard for tanks is my theory.
It holds 2 BT-7s die to a squad & 2 Pioneers then M3 & M2 both get a BA-6 trying to come round the left flank.
CF> Holding central hill majority of force is still on level 2 but a few have moved to level 1.
A BA-10 made it to level 1 & several tanks are just over 1km away so open up.
Kill a BA-10, 3 BTs, T-28 & immob another with a flank shot. T-28s have riders squad & maxim
I have 10 M3 here & 2ATGs one in position half the M3s move forward but have to be careful about flank shots from the North now.
NF> Squads take 2 flags & 231s kill a BT-8 & damage a BT-2, not sure its wise to leave them here they are having trouble penetrating at 500m
& tanks & ATG here are not quite in position.
FF> (Flank force far North) 3 tanks enter LOS hoping to tempt in my direction as we took flags.
AIT> Well luckily the fire improved a bit BA-10 took about 10 shots to hit but still mainly missing.
CF> got BA-10 eventualy plus 5 or 6 BTs & rider unloaded.
SF> only got 2 targets but missed
NF> 231s somehow survived & damaged 2 BTs, squads in wood slightly North of flags engaged cavalry & smoke dropped near 231s is blocking ATGs fire lane.
FF> Lots of smoke dropped here & they are charging on Westward

[Imp]

SF> M3 kills 2 BTs at 30m another is buttoned for some reason so 251/10 engages at 200m & kills, all but one M3 move forward.
There are 11 Bts on L1 1O of them near the 231s but recent smoke means they can only see one, some of the others will enter ATGs LOS at 200m range. 231s kill BT-8 but one is damaged so they head off to join FF
CF> manage to kill 3 tanks on L1 & damage another, 2 tanks move to achieve this.
ATG gets T-28 & a BT the other kills immobile T-28, M3s kill another 5 BTs & 3 tanks move up as does the infantry.
NF> take all flags & use quite a bit of Z fire moving forward there is a MkIV in woods with the squads & we route 4 cavalry.
FF> One M3 fires but only damages the others move SW to intercept, a scout & MMG are en route.
AIT> I plot some arty behind cavalry, AI fires a bit more smoke & some arty hits CF & SF 76s & Mtrs no batts.
Kill 9 BTs coming for the hill 2 make it 2 level 2, one destroyed the other runs. Pioneer in South gets another coming through the woods.
2 more cav are routed in woods, squad on the flank can see a cav unit 200m away.
Can now see a couple of squads at 500m between N & C flags
T7
FF> Destroy a BT but most are still moving to position, bit worried here trying to extract 2 platoons to assist one each from NF + CF, another MMG is on the way & 2 Northern ATGs are loading up. M4 heading there & hopefully free some M3s next turn. My fault considered a reserve & NF was going to be but decided to head straight into woods as intel was sketchy round here.
SF> Continue moving forward adj to flags now, find a BA10 & 251/10 kills. Squad checking for flank move finds 2 tanks & losses a man before placing smoke. Ram & M2 move to cover likely path of one & M3 destroys the other. The other 2 M3s are in position to move to woods edge.
CF> 10 tanks made it to level 1 again most at North end & SF has noticed a squad near level 1, Kill 5 then have to move to find targets, get another 3 for a total of 8 inc one T-28. The majority of tanks & all squads move partly to avoid arty but also working slightly NE
Tanks coming from the East look severly depleted now I can only see about 20, there are more but wrecks are blocking view esp in the North.
Can see GazAA trucks in the distance & arty tell tales several fairly near the map edge. decide to CB them poor morale should get them off the map.
NF> get a bit ambitious pushing forward lose 3 men as turns out a ready squad was among the pinned lot. they lost about 6 men & can see 6 runners & 1 ready
AIT> Right that was a lot of artillery aimed mainly at SF & south of CF, most infantry got hit, tanks moved so it missed the majority of them.
2 IL6s did a pass on SF as well & my AA is covering the others, lost a HT & 2nd immobile. Facing air for first time & sending armour out from my umbrella is probably not sensible so need to rethink SF as they were going to try & flank.
CF> only got 2-3 tanks here as most moved but only 4 end on L1, I think though this is because focus has shifted to the South.
SF> Mk2 hits for no effect Ram did not get a target. M3 on the flank engaged 4 tanks at 400m killing a T-28 so ex rider here, one has vanished.
NF> not sure think more cav squads turned up a scout definetly did. Repulsed attack causing reasonable damage but run out of shots in one area resulting in scout losing 2 men.
FF> B@#%£ I think they have turned back so all but one tank is out of position, 231 will check it out but lone tank is facing 5 at between 300-500m & only damaged one. They seem to be heading SE to cut through woods towards N flags, another cav sqd has turned up fire was exchanged but for no effect.
My squads in woods could have cavalry coming from North as well. Hmmm

[Imp]

FF> 231 moves for a look 7 tanks are still heading West & 5 more could go either way, they are to far away for him about 750m but both M3s & Ram move to engage resulting in a kill immob & damage results.
Realise lone tank is the same as in the last battle AQ1 & weigh up his odds, faces 5 at range that could hurt but Russian accuracy has been pitifull, think I have taken less than 5 hits so far. Also squad can smoke if it all goes pear shaped so we open up, they have very low rates of fire or something only 2 fire back & closest did not possibly he was buttoned. I love this guy 5 shots 4 kills & other 231 who has lost his MG damages the other.
MMG scout & squad attack cav routing & killing 9 men. Another MMG & sniper are in the area others still on the way. Have to unload back a bit or tanks will fire at trucks.
NF> We need to rescue the scout so one scout moves up undetected & routes clearing path for a sqaud to try as can't risk firing the wounded scout. He is detected but manages to route the squad. A few squads move forward as arty fell just ahead & we kill one & the rest are in a sorry state. 2 tanks are behind trees in a position to move on flags so both Pioners set up possible ambushes, Mk4 moves behind to exploit if don't kill. 2 M3s move to cover as best they can.
MMGs here were going to use rough on the ridge but LOS from now is very restricted. A scout is heading out looking for Soviet troops
CF> M3s kill 2 & ATG gets 3rd Platoon transfering here is on the way but all other squads are stuck. All armour moves forward 1 M3 leaves hill & kills another BT that I knew was routed behind some wrecks, another goes to exit & recieves fire from squad & T-26, T-26 is at range though & Pioneer LMG in SF routes the squad
SF> Russians definetly do not fire much Mk2 kills BT but it takes a few hits even at 150m, M3 on flank kills another 2 BT. They fired 2 shots between em all missed.
Now its tricky half my troops are pinned but I know 2 BTs are on the other side of woods in same hex & I want a look before CF moved up.
Units furthest South took least arty & have a brandenflash equiped squad by tanks. They are ready so its a risk but he moves into trees as has Pioneer for backup. Looks like arty hit a few of his forces theres a routed squad adj & a buttoned T-28 100m away. Assaults first tank immob &, loses a man to fire to the other before killing with W key then does the same to the other. Pioneer has moves up to T-28 it fires but misses as firer is paniced so flames it routing, he moves onto flag & losses a man to a squad, places smoke. Ram kills T-28 & 2 squads + Mk2 move to cover flank heading for the ex rider.
Scout & squad head out for a look taking another flag within 300m are squad maxim & 3 T-26s, further on we can see 2 more T-26, 2 T28 & a BT at 500-700m
These are hidden from CF & as its a meeting its only right I attack, one tank in CF can see 2 of these tanks & one did fire at him so MK3 moves into trees recieving 2 shots at 13% & seeing another BT fires & misses but is hit for no effect by BT as more tanks start firing. Other Mk3 moves up recieiving more fire at last all but T-28s who are furthest back are firing. Have to pick targets carefuly & 251/10 has to help as miss quite a bit. Destroy one & damage another T-26 3 times so hes running. Wreck now blocks view to all but running tank, as I said pick targets
Scout & squad route maxim, HTs are moving to flank in a vain attempt at AA defence while avoiding arty
AA is covering flank force & trying to get position to at least fire after the event down South, lots of arty though.
AIT> Arty seemed less that go mainly batteries firing about 4 76 & 2 122 only one soviet tank hit for no effect
FF> They seem to have mainly turned back all fire by group furthest West missed But AQ1 killed & damaged one while 231 here got another
NF> No cav came forward this turn & tanks avoided Pioneers but walked into the path of both M3s
CF+SF> All fire missed things look a bit er dodgy down South

T9
As arty died a bit AA makes a move to get closer, hope planes wont be back till next turn
FF> West party kill all 4 visible tanks strangely closest was the tough one taking 3 hits then 231 sticks a nose out sees 4 tanks heading SE & draws fire so nips back to break the lock before moving back & making it 3. They are now heading back but BTs are fast so we won't make it.
AQ1 & 231 get one a piece & both move 1 hex to try & get a better view round the woods. Due to wrecks 3 tanks I know about will not arrive this turn but stuff could be closer. Squad sniper & scout are heading for a look round the woods to. Other squads coming here have veered into woods as think cav & tanks are running through. Mk4 is close & ATG has deployed to assist AQ1
NF> Minor problem here 2 pinned cav in same hex bit of Z fire including the MK4, scout moves up routes one & still not seen, tries against other it fires back so squad comes to help. All move forward killing 4 cav Northern most find 3 squads pinned by my arty over 100m clearing, manage to route 2 without loss killing 6 in one squad. The other scout is being rushed to my rear to save him.
M3 near here kills only tank to make it to level one & 3 are heading for the woods, there is a 50m by 250m straight clearing just North of flags that units coming from FF will probably cross.
The forward scout moves & finds 2 squads nearby so withdraws to cover, moving to intecept pioneer finds another, man down but flamer deals with him.
CF> Arty let up means troops move forward pick up ATG as they seem magnets for the stuff.
Armour needs to help out SF but the avenue in the smoke seems to have shrunk, it may still be possible to bother a couple but the attempt fails.
PioneerLMG routes squad near tank then we are facing 3 BTs hard to get to as trees cover & 3 T-26s wrecks are a problem here.
Mk3 thats just come off the hill has 5 in sight range to BTs is passable & others will have to engage close up so it kills a T-26 getting hit once but ok, another immob a 2nd T-26 its running so low priority.
First tank to move on BTs takes loads of fire spot 6 more soviet squads 3 within 150m as my lead troops have a restricted view now. Mk3 is heavily suppressed so backs up to protect flank & manages to route a squad. Next Mk3 engages BT at 150m but it takes 3 hits to kill him that was not in the script.
Gets worse as realise LOS is blocked when next tank tries, had hoped these 3 tanks would destroy BTs as short moves but have only got one. Now 2 tanks that were going to try & support SF albeiet limitedly have to save this lot. They get one but have to engage T-26 as its their major threat, kill it but we end the turn in a vulnerable position tanks have no troop support & turning to engage could allow flanks not to mention assaults could be on the cards. Due to low exp they should not make it though as need to move first.
SF> 350m away are 3 T-26s & a BT, just behind are 3 T-28s, consider pulling back but decide not to.
Mk3 Fires at BT misses as does all fire at except a squad with mortar who hits so my squad routes him.
Other Mk3 fires T-26 down & he takes light damage, alternate fire if we can take down another T-26 may restrict view.
T-26 down one T-28 obscured, 251/10 kills another hiding 2nd T-28, It takes 3 hits by Mk3 to kill BT.
251 has very restricted view & is nearly out of APCR but moves & engages T-28 buttoning with 2 hits before moving to increase range & cover area behind wrecks. I know there are 2 tanks in there possibly more & both these & some CF tanks are targets.
Squads move & face a scout & 10 squads one routed, kill the scouts then get 3 squads running but mainly concentrate on squad in hex with T-28 buttoning further. 2 HTs fire at this squad to & while exposed are in position against air or to become targets. Ram breaks cover briefly scoring 2 hits on T-28 before seeking cover.
Squad on the flank moves to engage but finds another squad & T-28 within 100m, facing 3 targets with only Mk2 in range to support withdraw & units here set up a possible ambush inc flank Mk3
AIT> no arty at all but the battle has stepped up a gear as infantry engagement becomes more frantic, we probably killed 3 times as many but there were problems.
FF> nothing to report but cav has made it quite far through woods & is coming from more to the South than expected. caught my lone squad here napping killing 3 & destroying truck that dropped him off.
NF> lost a couple of men but killed a cav, more new squads than I would have liked we are outgunned quite badly.
CF> All squads are routed & all tanks on both sides survive unscathed including a T-26 that makes it to level 1, its routed though & BT does not look to happy
SF> Few problems here visibility changed & the 2 squads that were supposed to ambush became visible through trees, one was routed & the other lost a man managed to route Soviet squad. 2 other T-28s here turned towards units by the flags.
Flag force is all intact & killed buttoned T-28 & something else but it was a bit tense I think only inacuracy of fire saved the day. Big infantry firefight here as well but most of his tanks are probably gone now.

T10
FF> We have missed the boat here, scout moves out past the trees there are the remains of 2 cav but also 4 BT-7s heading for the trees. Mk3 here would have poor accuracy if moved to engage so stays put with ATG to engage 3 I know are on the way. As the BTs are pretty fast I could have problems getting into position before they arrive near flags & some could well be in the woods already. MMG can see 3 conscripts to NW, don't bother firing as nearly 1k away & will give position away to the tanks.
NF> facing some big problems here stuff coming from flank is arriving quicker than I had anticipated & in the woods I have 4 squads faced off against 9 ready ones whom originaly I was trying to flank but we just do not have enough men in the area.
Firstly slightly South kill T-26 then deal with 2 squads find a 3rd & get him running to. Scout confirms my fear by having alook round the smoke from a line of wrecks. He sees a conscript & there are bound to be more so I can only spare a few units here to go help in the woods. 3 tanks + a few squads enter & manage to get the ATG sort of in position. He needs to be in a place to take on armour but thats protected from cav, only time will tell if it was a wise choice.
2 squads take up position as well.
Time for the faceoff in the woods,
Scout moves up fires & routes then decide to move up Mk4 as it can engage 3 at 150m & manages to route one.
Squad fires managing to route another but a new squad is seen as it returns fire.
Switch to pioneer LMG & he gets off several shots before he is spotted routing 2 more.
A bit more fire is exchanged & a couple of my squads have to leave the safety of the trees to get targets so we are more vulnerable next time but at the end of it we only lost a man have 3 targets in sight one of whom is routed.
SF> there is no middle force now really they are one force Mk3 kills lone tank then another fires at T-28 coming from the flank but as I thought just out of range to damage, another moves up & kills it. This leaves the original 2 Mk3s facing 2 T-28s one of which dies instantly the other turns out to be a tough cookie taking 4 hits before dying. A few tanks have moved but on the whole I do not want to move them esp the couple of HT that are in position to interdict air threat, few that have targets fire at the dozen or so squads & I decide the Ram is in a place air is likely to go for so move it. Troops manage to move forward slightly take all flags & find more squads, there are few casulties on either side we lose 2 them maybe 5 or so. Units on the flank are not in a position to move forward but do manage to strip tanks of their escorting troops getting them running here.
AIT> My FOOs can't see a thing but have given up attacking on board arty as switching most to support NF in an attempt to stop them getting squeezed.
Only light arty hitting NF in area cav will appear from, looks like the AI had the same idea.
Planes did not come in so could have got better AA positions, the thing is now do I stay with a small chance of hitting planes or bug out as arty is a real posibility.
FF> He let me down all fire missed, scout can see 7 tanks running for the woods
NF> Managed to beat them off but at least half a dozen new squads piled in. Scout on North corner needs to withdraw as he reports they are flanking.
Cav scout appeared to near to my ATG but 2 sqauds that had just made it to the area killed him.
In the centre BT-8 & T-28 were routed.
SF> Stuff here mainly did not move but 2 new T-28s showed up ones now burning. Also think vision changed slightly as my mortar droped on a group of about 8 causing all but 2 of them to vanish, they could be using wrecks for cover though as now have 6 in a line.

[Imp]

T11
FF> ATG kills its only target then all vehicles move killing 4 tanks & causing light damage to another, MMGs then hose down both remaining tanks
NF> Units are still getting in position to recieve forces from the NW, they will also have to deal with anything that flanks from the East.
Woods force has no problems Mk4 routes 2 & squads get the other 2, nobody visible in the clearing so move forward slightly.
At the south edge of the woods 2 Pioneers sniper, scout & a supporting MK3 route 2 squads here & move forward to come round the corner of the woods & attack units piling into it, they spot 4 T-26s in the distance. This just leaves MMGs & a couple of MK3s that have just moved over to deal with what comes through the wreck line but think its mainly conscripts so they should be able to hold. Destroyed the tank here to.
SF> The major consideration is the expected air attack a Mk3 takes out the T-28 in the middle but I cannot attack other armour without moving.
Squad on flank moves into woods adj to buttoned T-28 he is unseen but a pinned squad can see him. Another squad tries to get into position against the squad but loses a man to the other T-28 here which there is no way to get position on. Squad decides to assault the first, its a kill & blocks LOS to the squad so unit under fire by T-28 places smoke to let others get in position. All infantry move forward a couple reaching the wreck line & some going towards the mentioned T-28, few shots fired but not many targets concentrating more on leaving the area. Mk3 moves & takes out T-28 but only a couple of others move, going to risk weathering any arty & see if we can get a plane several HTs are mixed in with tanks so hope it targets those & placed some smoke to make trucks easier targets. Yes I know its gamey having suicidal truck drivers but only use this way against air.
AIT> No arty was forthcoming & mine was a bit wayward. The air came in though to very heavy fire, the first made it through taking out a truck but the second was hit 3 times errupting into a ball of flame before it could carry out its run.
FF> Damaged tank did nothing & the other was taken out in a 3 vs 1 battle, sporadic fire at conscripts & regulars moving onto the hill.
NF> East attack was lighter this time with only 5 participants who were repulsed for the loss of a man only one not running.
3 BTs moved adj to the clearing further to the North than I had hoped for, ATG damages one & hit by some arty.
SF> Attack was not great & easily repulsed need some caution when move forward catching runners would be nice & 3 tanks are bolting for friendly lines but it might be prudent to let them go.

T12
FF> 231 kills damaged tank then it & a MK3 move off the hill to see if more units are there as seem to be coming from here, scout is on his way.
have 4 squads on the hill so MMG is given all clear engages routing 2 before units move out sending another packing.
NF> ATG kills only BT it can see others are only visible to a squad, the best option here would be for the whole force to move East but trying means I run into stiff opposition so squads here actually move NW towards expected troops with the aim of expanding our area & limiting arty effects. Scout finds a squad trying to flank & manages to surprise him so we at least have a little space to operate in now, M3 damages one of the BTs.
Next scout & 2 Mk3s coming round the wood have a look.
The units in the clearing have in close proximity 4 squads to NE & 8 or so directly East, further back are 3 Maxims & a few squads most of these are pinned. Slightly South where scout & pioneers are coming from are 7 runners
Further South heading towards wreck line several more ready squads are seen, scout drops smoke to block there line of fire after sniper & Mk3s have a go.
Route 2 maxims & a couple of squads then Pioneers & squads add there fire, its not enough really heavily outnumbered a HT & its passenger come to help.
In the clearing Mk4 routes only target & squad gets one to the NE running & takes up position to recieve the others.
The other 2 squads here go to move East into area thats been fired at but first is down 2 men & routed as turns out hex is more visible than I thought. The remaining squad & Mk4 take up position to recieve visitors as another 4 or 5 squads have come into view. This does not look good where we have been repulsing the attacks there are like 4 squads a hex we are going to run out of shots if most get past pinn status.
MMGs to South move forward & AAMG grabs a ride to try & give some cover over woods.
SF> On the flank getting a bead on the T-28 is not easy but troops find a place 150m away. Several squads move taking on Soviet infantry most is running so only 1 casualty. Take another as attack squad in tanks hex but we have moved forward about 100m, Mk2 moves to the attack hex & kills with first shot.
In the centre we stretch nearly to the central flags but are mainly concentrated just north of South flags.
Furthest North squad is realy a pair of eyes for 2 M3s here & routes a squad before moving up, squads at wreck line enter for a look & this prompts me to throw caution to the wind.
Squads & tanks head into the huge pile of wrecks with little problem, if squad recovers which is doubtfull with amount of wrecks in the area one tank is at risk.
What we can see is about 30 infantry units 4 tanks all running, at 600m or so there are 2 GazAA. the 4 tanks taht make it far enough to see kill 3 of the tanks & fire at Gazs but have no effect. AA sets off in pursuit while all transport here is moving to pick up units, seems a lot of it I suppose because its being mainly sitting things out rather than in use.
AIT> wanted to drop a bit of smoke in centre to cover advanvce against ATG but realise have nothing like enough arty to go round so concentrate on North.
Arty came down mostly at SF old location so no problems otherwise not much to report
FF + SF> some fire for little effect & running tank has vanished from view.
NF> turns out Mk3 could support the clearing group so they repulsed attacks again, think without loss. Nothing else appeared from NW, Mk3 fired at tank causing no damage but it did not return fire probably as was already buttoned, the damaged tank did nothing. T-26s here are still to distant to be worth engaging but need thinking about.

T13
FF> Scout moves out & finds a company coming our way just north of the hill. Also on the hill in the woods to the East can see a platoon of conscripts.
while moving to engage find a sniper & 223Fu kills him before heading for low ground. Of the 6 squads on the hill we route 5 of them.
NF> Mk3 Takes out both BTs they missed even at 100m, I have come to the conclusion not as much escaped the FF as I thought so send my squads into the woods finding nothing. Pushing forward in the centre is to dangerous as trees block view so decide to outflank AIs flankers & approach from both sides.
Leave 2 squads holding the clearing while others head North, scouts lose a man but route 2 squads & think we now outflank them in the woods.
In the open takes 2 Mk3s to route the maxim, sniper HT & Mk4 from clearing support sqauds as they recieve fire but move forward agresivly losing a couple of men in the process. Scout at South end has to place more smoke to cover fire from squads further South & a squad has a little look here as well, bringing up MMGs.
The situation is as follows
In woods I have 4 squads 3 tanks & a scout + 2 squads enroute vs about 20 squads.
Coming round from the South 2 each of Scout, Pioneer, Squad, Mk3 + sniper & HT facing about 12 squads 3 maxims & have to keep HT safe from T-26s that are inbound.
I also have 2 MMGs & Mk3s enroute but have discovered a mixed bag of 15 or more regulars & conscripts approaching from slightly South hence the reason I had to smoke them out of the current fight. A squad & M3 from the centre have moved to engage.
So including units 6 units enroute I have 26 vs 50, making a forcefull move to gain 100m was not that easy & pulling off encirclement is questionable.
SF> The situation here is not a lot better the one plus being nearly everyone is running but now they are getting distance from the carnage recovery is becoming more likely. This is when more arty would be handy to keep them running but that would just be boring.
On the flank chasing through the woods we have a bit over half a dozen units chasing more than twice that.
In the middle every move reveals more men & things like MMG are still trying to catch up & I need everything I can muster. So far 8 tanks & same number of infantry have made it through the mess along with a HT & ATG. concentrated on killing both Gazs & found & hurt that tank again along with killing a couple of squads. So all we seem to be facing is 50 or so infantry & thats the ones I have seen, sharing the love to keep this lot running is not going to be that easy even when the MMGs turn up. Its a good thing his armour is nearly gone all I have to do now is clean up 8 or 9 companies of infantry & I have just realised some of them will be leaving the reach of half my arty.
I want a battle against KVs & T-34s but if the next is an advance or assault I am going to load a city map, the sheer numbers should cause me problems & have not had one yet.
AIT> I will give you the highlights as it looks like a mad 10 minutes is on the cards.
More arty fell the new stuff is hitting my mortars, ones routed & 2 trucks are gone.
We won the exchange but not by much especialy in the North though losses on either side were not that high considering the amount of fire.
More units turned up virtualy everywhere exept the FF, NF has started engaging T-26s but missed.
The major fun was in the North as it turns out my outflank failed as conscripts are coming through the woods, engaging them point blank is not good some have Molotovs.
2 maybe 3 more tanks appeared from the NW one of my squads running but another getting a kill.
The MMGs & 2 Mk3s moving in support nearly got overwhelmed, have a FOO here to & he was using his SMG to hold them back.
Even so everyone ran out of shots & a conscript killed men in nearby scouts, close call anymore of them & I would have had no answer.
I need to figure out a way to encircle & kill off some pretty quick or this is going to become costly.

[Imp]

T14
This is a graphic representation of why you should keep a mobile reserve so you can sweep in & quickly eliminate areas. As it is sort of building in places & considered withdrawing FF completly for this purpose but what the heck charge I say heavy losses will upset them even more.
FF> tanks engage & a MMG is nearly in position, the 3 or 4 troops are trying to work there way a round in the woods with one of the tanks. This has to be more of a holding force than anything for the moment though
NF> 3 tanks & a squad move to area I expect Russian armour to appear the rest continue pushing forward trying to cut off Northern units, Mk3 kills a T-26
The group slightly to the South can I think be kiled pretty quick by MMGs & tanks that were going to help so they are working along the side to spring the trap.
SF> most of the transport is here all but 2 HTs so close the gap fast & MMGs are now in place, not quite in position to start the kill fest so just a couple of squads & the last tank here died. Troops firing at nearest units & vehicles spreading the love further back to keep them running. Flank guys are nearly all mounted & about to burst out of the woods, if that goes ok once they hit open ground they will race past & destroy the units here in quick order.
AIT> The SF is a lost cause for the Russians as they are mainly in open ground when one fires the hail of fire wipes the floor with him.
NF> was expecting the SF to have this problem not here Mk3 has lost its main gun to 76ATG at 1.5km, 2 more T-26 are dead. The tank in the woods did not go the way I expected but squad took out its tracks, squads are still piling out of the woods to our North & against the FF

T15
FF> Tanks have stopped any further advance in the open off the hill but working round in the woods is proving difficult with so few units, encoutered another 3 squads & a maxim
NF> thining out units to the North is going well & pushing further to try & stop any surprises reaching FF, destroy the tank in the woods.
South part place smoke & Mk3 moves to cover, MMGs make a real mess of tightly grouped squads ATG kills a Gaz that has turned up.
MMGs have to give up there killing spree though as loadup as does sniper heading for the 76, I think it has a restricted view when get closer so getting a bead might be a bit hard but troops are going to have to lead from now on to check LOS.
SF> the units on the flank drive into the open several overtaking squads, its all clear & they stay unloaded, by the time AI has its go most units here will be wiped out. Arty smoke is in the trees just ahead of them.
The fate of the Soviets caught in the open is horrific MMGs did their thing firing at groups probably killing over 20 men then squads moved forward. Our numbers probably equal theres now but we are in a lot better shape. Had to move all but one AA as arty was to close for comfort but vehicles are generally not moving as IL6 could be making his next pass. Also want infantry to give me a heads up on whats in the woods we are heading for, its hidden by grass & wrecks at the moment.
AIT> FOOs have good views again plot one 155 on 76 as they are the only things exept my batt that will reach.
Arty has stopped in places including arty park which is the only place it has had any effect, IL6 targeted a Mk3 but no problems & a reasonable amount of fire was sent its way but it left unscathed. Everywhere but FF we are chewing through ammo destroying units.
Bit worried about flank its been stationary for way to long & another 3 or so squads piled in to the fray
In the centre missed T-26 but 2 Mk3s have it locked & killed a Gaz that was running with it.
BT-7s are on the way to & have put a dampner on where units going for the 76 can move to.

T16
FF>As I think most units at ground level have had the stuffing knocked out of them units there move forward including MMG & ATG who catch a lift, not sensible closing range with these but suspect arty is on the way.
In the woods sniper routes several units to let others move forward but misses one & MMG here is 2 men down, have to watch as both snipers are nearly out of ammo. A Mk3 & squad have nearly arrived to lend a hand.
NF> in the woods have a bit of a moment when a squad runs across 2 maxims at 100m, major support effort & some smoke save the day. A Mk3 risks a move to a position that might get him a shot at incoming BTs, its not threatened by known 76 but is visible so 2 squads are tracking him to place smoke if required.
Have a few moments in the centre while moving up long range stuff (MMG ATGs) to woods so they can fire at anything spotted in distant woods. Come across a concealed T-26 & an AAMG so some evasive action is required, cant engage T-26 so try to get position
On the flank pay the price for using transport as a HT brews up killing all on board, another squad & Mk3 kill the offending ATG.
In the open we just roll forward with all guns blazing watching the body count rise, in one area FOO is leading SMG blazing & squads are picking them off as he gets them running. Sending a truck back to take central flags as I seem to have shot straight past them in the heat of the hunt.
AIT> Arty started on mine agian killing 5 crew & destroying 10cm Mtr, it also got a flakwagen.
FF> lost 4 men before they could silence a maxim but only a couple of new units turned up this time.
Squads assault failed on T-26 as did shots at it, one squad out of 4 with AT capability is not enough I feel as I can never get the right guy in place.
Despite having a half decent view in the middle the BT-7s have vanished

T17
Well I have got to get used to my units capabilities not used to having such huge numbers of enemy running but its not hard to keep them at it. Keep nearly everyone running apart from FF & even the guys there in the open seem to have broken. As said before the Soviets are very poor at this stage of the war & sneaking up on them seems easy. I would rate one of my squads as being worth 2 or more Soviets so being heavily outnumbered is only a problem in close quarters fighting. Tanks are getting good to found those BTs & 2 tanks moved 150m before destroying them at 500m with shots left.
FF> manage to get most running in woods will have no problems taking them down it will just take a while. have to be carefull tanks don't run into guns
NF> Chasing most have exited woods including tanks now I have eyes on the ground, find a couple of AAMG but kill without loss though MMG firing at 76 does not fair well losing 2 men. find Soviet HQ near the centre. Squad immob then kills T-26
SF> Front units on foot starting to get sight into woods most of the rest are loading up as falling behind, flank has killed everyone & now takes out a new ATG & attacks mortar. Full round up of forces next go.
AIT> placing smoke in front of FF & arty routes 76, flak dies to a 37AA at over 2k, if there is one unit I have trouble keeping alive its these guys as its hard to judge a position thats safe from enemy fire but not likely to be hit by arty.

[Imp]

T18
There are of course units I can't see but will give situation of enemy forces at end of my turn.
FF> Stuff in open does not move but guys in woods make rapid progress & are now alongside or past most Ruskies. They kill about 10 units this turn leaving 12 in the open & about half that in the woods.
SF> Aproaching the woods here though most armour is heading for the centre along with some squads, less than 20 of the 50 odd units here are left.
NF> inc centre about 10 Soviets remain & we are at wood edges or in the large clearing being lead by troops who find 2 more 76s killing & routing for 3 men.
Tanks then move up killing 2 crew in 37AA & another 2 BT-7s that have come into sight, missed the other. Have 2 flags left think arty is falling on but basicaly since I went Oh thats a lot to keep running have reduced them by well over half having got more running & mainly kept them at it.
AIT> arty is indeed coming down on last flags but want to end this so trucks going in anyway, its also started coming down on FF but smoke has fallen so moving. Most of my arty is avoiding it to & is out of range anyway as can't keep up. otherwise sporadic fire & BT disapeareed but others have come into view.
T19
Air might come in but not fused only concesion is all vehicles will end the turn empty.
FF> Pick up MMG & ATG wisking them away from the arty & reduce total forces here to 7 from 16 or so.
NF> gets distracted with 3 76ATGs, lose a few men but kill one & cut another in half. The 3rd caused more problems & may well recover next go in which case it has a choice of vehicles at close range who only managed to route it with there last shot. MMG & ATG killed the AAgun.
The rest carry on MMG bumping into a squad 3 men down, tanks move to engage a mix of T-26 T-28 & BTs killing & damaging one.
Squad & Mk3 kill a 45ATG & we are now well into Soviet setup zone
AIT> No plane & ATGs are forced to abandon but the squad kills my MMG. Tank battle is on I can see 6 & destroyed 2 more fore light damage on a Mk3
T20
Kill all tanks except T-28 then move finding 2 AAguns, kill one & pinn the other then close range anyway, running short of targets.
IL6 attacks & is hit twice for 6 damage before attacking a Mk3 with no effect. Now have 4 T-28s in sight with riders but still need to shut the range as shells are just bouncing off.
T21
Turns out to be 5 T-28s so far so roll forward killing 3 & damaging another, this provokes 4 AAguns which a couple of brave squads MMGs & ATGs kill along with the one already know about. In the North all runners are gone but have run into 5 AA guns here, 1 down so far.
Get another T-28 in its turn then destroy AAguns & some arty, move closer to last T-28 but it refuses to die so scare it with about 20 hits, more armour enters then game ends.

As you might have noticed bored Helena is away on a course.
Question please guys if know when do Ruskies get harder as currently morale exp very low I am not losing many units so force is becoming elite. Seriously considering selling off & rebuying so have normal exp levels as my forces just out class them. Another 50 battles & they will be near God like. Had more trouble with the Poles than this lot.
Forgot scores
Men 190 > 1833
AFV 1 > 49
Score 7975 > 294
Decisive

[Imp]

We are are tasked with delaying the Russians, terrain is mainly level 2 hills & everything is covered in grass or fields.
There approach contains lots of large settlements & a stream that I mainly can't see.
About 20 hexes from the North a E>W road runs to a village on my side.
Just in from the South is another road that runs to a fair sized town (ignore will play no part in) after passing through a village.
Accepted default flags which means I am just defending the hills in the middle, with the exception of 4 rough hexes there is no cover of any kind in the area I am to defend. Welcome to the expanses of Russia with lots of nothing at all.
Visibility came out at 65 & they have plenty of time with 47 turns.
Sorry forgot to save the map.

Force Changes
Could have changed tanks but its going easy enough so left it, don't think much diffrent anyway though if gave smoke dischargers back might have been handy didn't look.
We now have 13 halftracks so one company is fully equiped with them for its squads, because of this much as I will miss there speed 231s are gone as have 3 251/10s instead.
For support we have managed to get 3 57ATGs so will be using their own guns against them.
Setup
As its a delay so not dug in troops are on hilltops to see whats coming & vehicles are on reverse slopes just in case its something dangerous.
Our bottom flank is at present exposed with nothing more than the 3 57s covering it. With any luck if attack comes mainly in centre or better still the North we can crush it then mount up to move out for a bit of fun.

The start
Well looks like the order of the day is spread out & keep my batt on CB pre bombard was I think 2-6-1 / 76-122-155
Surprisingly all trucks are ok several are running but others did not fair so well. One of my ATGs is down 2 men, 2 mtrs have abandoned & are nearly dead & 2 Mk3s have taken damage, that smarted.
Heck turn 2 & I would like to review those numbers to 3-12-1 if you think my arty is firing think again thats a lot of firepower just siting still could prove fatal. Batt CB fired getting one 122, he had better keep it up me thinks. Lots of armour has been spotted including running for my weak flank more on next go but the major thing is T-34 spotted in the North the big guns have come out to play.
Its turn 3 his smoke has come down quite well blocking a lot of stuff from view, the other arty has stopped but no way it replotted thats more batts. Smoke means I am unsure where to go so staying put for the moment estimate is 60 armour in bound quite posibly more & the nasty stuff is up North. Fleeting glances of more T-34s & KV
Turn 4 & the AI is thinking, I have a couple of BTs coming down the North road but the next thing up is infantry.
Similar down South but the infantry is further back & I think more is in front of them just hidden, 4 tanks have broken cover to move & engage.
There is another bit of road up North I thought it would use but only followed part way then cut off heading for a hill which has caught me out a bit.
There is a 4th big group heading for a ford so in effect have 4 forces fairly equaly spaced heading for me & I am begining to think I could have deployed better.
AIT> All arty stops BTs are mainly 7s with some 8s otherwise all the usuall suspects & some T60s along with the nice toys.
Mk3 plugs the first 2 BTs through the North village & support ATG gets 2 on the road down South. Realise should have paid more attention on setup the road down South is out of sight to anyone on level O so it may try running along for a ways before turning.
Beds calling found out how to type quick, fast music shoulder still hurts at times though.