DAR: USSR vs Finland II

[RERomine]

Turn 25

Another couple of fresh squads showed up on Hill 1, but they are coming in too slowly to change the outcome. The enemy attack on the hill has definitely stalled. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot of shooting going on. It just means they aren't making any progress moving forward. There are still too many shooting enemy units for me to try to push forward, but I can easily hold my ground. My flank platoon will take up a position on the reverse slope just in case fortunes of war turn and I have to back up some.

The enemy around Hill 2 are still moving forward to some extent, but appearances are deceptive. I've noticed units that are running seem to be heading south, possibly toward the road 750m away. It makes it look like they are making more progress than they really are. My troops are holding just fine. The enemy seems to have a single minded fixation on one squad in some rough surrounded by tanks. They take a shot at him and all the tanks return fire, as do a couple of other infantry units. My mortar fire has really disrupted this attack. They might not be killing many, but the suppression is just as good right now. I decided to take a risk and bring my armored cars and two light tanks over from the southern slope of Hill 1. They are skirting the western edge of a lake, which puts them close to some trees. I'm worried there might be some tank hunters around, but I decided to take the chance. One more tanks from the south has also arrived. Enemy mortars dropped some smoke on the hill, but only masked one tank.

Charlie Company is starting to move out. I found the answer to why their "sniper" ripped up one squad earlier. There are two snipers. I haven't found them, but they are somewhere between the two lakes in this area. One of my squads had five men go down. There are two accepted ways to deal with snipers: Artillery and tanks. It is too risky to send tanks out and my mortars are busy. I guess I just have to deal with the incoming sniping.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

Have to work in the morning, so I'll put out updated screen prints of the two areas where the action is taking place.

[RERomine]

Turn 26

Enemy forces on Hill 1 are starting to crumble. A fresh squad or two come up once in an while, but more of the enemy are running away than moving forward. The enemy took a number of casualties in this area, but didn't inflict any on my forces. They did shoot back, but missed.

On Hill 2, the enemy is of a mixed mind. A few squads are pushing forward, while other are running or being completely destroyed. The snipers are still active and the only enemy units scoring hits. I have five more down this turn because of them. One of the snipers is located with the flag west of the hill. Three enemy squads came up the western slope of the hill into a cross fire from seven tanks and two armored cars. They will be running before the next turn ends. My tanks are starting to move slowly forward. Enemy artillery is lighter now, but my mortars continue to pound the ground to the west. I'm shifting one to the flag where the sniper is so maybe I can put him and his buddy out of action.

Charlie still on the move. It will take time to get up to the enemy flank. Sniper fire still coming in, so smoke popped to screen the move.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 27

More enemy troops coming across northern peak of Hill 1, but I honestly can't tell if they are fresh or just rallied men that ran earlier. In the middle of a fire fight, it really doesn't matter. It seems like a shooting gallery. The enemy pops up and moves forward, gets shot and drops back. Their line keeps moving forward and back. One squad I'm sure is new is north of the hill. Too far away to draw fire at the moment. I shifted one of my tanks to the saddle between the two peaks because some enemy troops are showing up there as well.

All the enemy forces that were on Hill 2 got pushed back, just to be replaced by a few more. One enemy tank hunter got to one of my tanks. Two men dead in the tank, but it is still intact. The tank hunter is destroyed. Lines are now only about 100m apart, but that is more because I'm pushing forward than the enemy.

Charlie still on the move.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 28

Enemy not getting any closer than 200m on Hill 1. They are in total disarray up there. Some are shooting, some are just standing and others are running. My forces are holding their ground, which is all I'm looking for here. There is a lot of shooting. My forces are doing most of it.

Enemy artillery dropping smoke and HE on western side of Hill 2. They are trying to push infantry up. Some are showing up in the trees near my armored cars and light tanks, drawing some fire from southern peak of Hill 1. I'm going to have to pull my tanks back out of the smoke. They can't stay there without being under the protective eyes of my infantry. One big score this turn was the destruction of two enemy snipers. I fixed the position of both, even though I couldn't see them, so I pushed a squad forward. They fired and were both spotted. I opened up with everything I could and got both of them.

One platoon of Charlie taking mortar fire. The last action of two snipers.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 29

Slowly, the presure is building on the right flank of my line. Enemy forces that turn and run go to the northwest. When they come back, they head east. The result is the pressure is slowly shifting up the line. Still, it isn't that much pressure. The main enemy line is now 250m away. No real threat on Hill 1.

Smoke stopped falling, but artillery is still coming in. My platoon in the buildings is getting rattled. Enemy infantry is still trying to push up in this section, but fire from my armor is holding them back. I pulled my southern group back a little out of the smoke. One enemy tank hunter team slipped through the smoke, but didn't last long. Mortar fire still dropping on the enemy. Tubes are starting to get hot and the 50mm mortars are out. Pulling them back.

Mortar fire still hitting Charlie platoon. Others are still moving forward.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 30

I shifted one tank to the right and am moving another that way. Most enemy troops are gone from the northern peak and are either on the north slope or north of the hill. Even then, there aren't that many. One enemy squad popped out of the woods on the southern peak, but was turned quickly by the platoon I have up there. Things have been fairly quiet there.

Pushed one squad out and turned the "free" flag west of Hill 2. He quickly ran into trouble and was turned. I'll push another one out there soon, but I still have the flag. The northwest sector of the hill is a raging war zone. Enemy forces are hiding just over the edge of the hill and some push up on the hill every turn. Seems like four or five squads each turn. I force them off and more come up next turn. One hex seems like it has fragments of six enemy squads. That area is just a death zone. Making it worse for the enemy, my mortars keep adding to the carnage.

Enemy artillery lifted off Charlie. They are pushing forward without resistance.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 31

Enemy resistance is starting to break down at all points. Almost all enemy units are retreating on Hill 1. There was some incoming mail, but no damage.

A few enemy squad fragments are still trying to get onto Hill 2, but they are all getting chopped up and sent running. They are just about done in the northwestern edge of the hill. West of the flag I turned, a few enemy squads are trying to push forward. They are starting to draw fire from the lead elements of Charlie coming up from the south. Mortars are still hammering the enemy near the hill, but the number of casualties are starting to drop. There just aren't as many enemy units to kill anymore.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.