DAR: USSR vs. Germany - Near Vyazma

[RERomine]

Turn 4

Charlie has a handful to deal with. There are nine enemy tanks advancing east north of the paved road and another nine on the road. The number was higher, but they destroyed a couple of the light tanks. My guess is they ones north of the road will eventually turn toward the objectives, so I set the range on my ATGs in the flank guard to 250m. I don't want them giving up their position firing at front armor. Enemy artillery pounded the flank village, but missed my troops there. I've got two platoons of infantry moving into the village near the flags and one holding back in reserve. All the flags have been captured.

Bravo tanks destroyed the last enemy armored car. Otherwise, they held their position to let the infantry start moving into town. Enemy tanks approaching town from northwest are gone, so they must be in town. I can't see because of the smoking wreckage from the armored cars.

Three enemy tanks destroyed in town by Alpha tanks. Two more showed up, but won't last long. I sent four tanks out to the east bank of the stream to over-watch the south objective group while my infantry is moving into town. Two enemy tank destroyers seen moving toward town from the southwest.

Left flank guard sees five enemy light tanks moving up. I moved my ATGs out onto the road, one behind the other and set their ranges so they both will engage the same location at the same time. Scouts with satchel charges pulled back into the village and should get any tanks that try to push through. Artillery and rockets went after my transports again, but did nothing but make toothpicks. I have counter battery plotted on the rockets, but they might be out of ammo before it comes in.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: 1xSdKfz 231(6) armored car, 3xPzKw IIc tanks and 2xPzKw IIf tanks destroyed.

[RERomine]

Turn 5

A lot of wasted steel in Charlie's sector. I managed to destroy two enemy tanks, but most shots missed and of the few that hit, they didn't penetrate. My tanks here are the T-34/76A, so they don't have the newer gun. Destroying two would be nice if seven more tanks hadn't showed up. The enemy has 23 live, functional tanks in Charlie's area. Enemy artillery is continuing to hit the flank guard village. Also, as expected, they started hitting the objective, this time with rockets. It seemed like 5-6 sections. Next turn will really rock. I made sure no one stayed on or around the flags, but I do have some units a little close considering the enemy is using rockets. Those things scatter quite a bit. Enemy artillery also hit Charlie's two tank flank guard. I think I will swing them around to the west side of the village where they can flank the enemy tanks on the road.

Shifted a few Bravo tanks to the right to help Charlie. No enemy seen in the north half of town at the moment. My infantry is pushing in.

Alpha had a field day killing armor. They started with the two enemy tanks on the south town road. Next, the over-watch tanks opened up on the south dirt road, destroying four and immobilizing one enemy tank heading toward the flank guard. Finally, the same tanks opened up on one tank destroyed southwest of town, destroying it.

Left flank guard still holding position quietly. While Alpha stopped five enemy tanks, four more are there. They also are carrying infantry. I'm going to bring back my tracks as soon as the artillery stops and the tanks are put out of action. I need those machine guns. I am calling in my heavy artillery on the road and it should start coming in soon.

Moving two KV-I tanks to help Charlie. Reserve force holding until situation develops further.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero.

Enemy: 4xPzKw 38b(t), 2xPzKw IIc, 2xPzKw IIIh tanks and 1xJPz I tank destroyer destroyed. Casualties of tank riders unknown.

[RERomine]

Turn 6

Charlie is seeing all sorts of action. Aside from tanks, infantry and rockets, two Stukas just came in. I don't think one will be coming back. My AA guns followed Bravo and Alpha up and deployed east of town. A light hit was put on one of the Stukas. The other managed to drop bombs on my two flank tanks, immobilizing one. The crew is rattled and may bail out. Three more enemy tanks put out of action. As expected, most of the enemy tanks north of the paved road headed south down the diagonal road. Most of the enemy tanks are closing in on the paved road intersection north of town. I've got them in something of a cross fire with tanks to their east and south and ATGs to their northeast. Time for those guns to open up. The enemy is supported by a platoon of infantry at the moment. I can't tell how many of the other tanks have infantry draped all over them. You would think I should be able to tell at 250m.

Enemy tanks in town trading shots with Bravo. There are seven of them, Mk IIIh and Mk IIIj varieties. One of my tanks was immobilized by enemy fire. Enemy infantry pushing up through the center of town and catching lots of small arms fire.

Alpha shot up some more enemy armor. Scratch another tank destroyer and two more tanks. The third tank destroyer was damaged and seems to have hauled tracks to Berlin. Infantry from Alpha also fired at enemy infantry. They were going up the center road, which is the boundry between Alpha and Bravo. It stands to reason the enemy is going to catch it from both groups.

The left flank guard could have problems. At least a platoon of upset enemy soldiers is heading their way. That artillery should be coming in next turn. Enemy artillery lifted, so my tracks are rushing back to try to keep the enemy out of the village.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 2xPzKw 38b(t), 1xPzKw IIIh and 2xPzKw IIf tanks and 1xJPz I tank destroyer destroyed. Estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 7

Both sides scored in Charlie's sector, but the enemy took the worst end of it. I opened up with my ATGs and destroyed one tank and immobilized another. The enemy caught fire from two other directions, leaving seven other tanks in flames. Two more are immobilized. They didn't go without answering something. I lost two tanks as well, plus one with out a gun and another one undamaged, but running. My tank that routed was in the impact hex of 105mm artillery. On top of the tank immobilized earlier, Charlie is down to half strength in armor. Infantry on both sides also traded fire, but it was more of a side show to the main event played out by the tanks. I think it is time to send in my armor reserve. The diagonal paved road goes directly at the enemy. I'm going to send two companies up and hold one back in reserve, just in case.

Bravo was slinging steel into their sector, plus up into Charlie's sector. Three enemy tanks were destroyed in town and the enemy turned one flag. Seven flags and two building and the enemy captures one flag by plowing a tank into a building. Infantry got one of the enemy tanks. Since I saw seven tanks last turn, got three and see four, I don't think there are any other ones lurking in town. Bravo infantry is still engaged with enemy trying to move up the center road.

Alpha was busy putting fire on the south road, but didn't really do any meaningful damage. One enemy tank was holed about four times, but keep moving forward. I would have thought it would have run for home after that damage. Tank machine guns also fired at the enemy infantry to try to help the left flank guard.

On the south road, two Komsomolets came up and fired at enemy infantry moving east. After inflicting a couple of casualties, they seemed to stall the enemy advance. Their two remaining mobile tanks tried to move in, but my ATGs opened up taking one out. The third is out of LOS. Artillery and AA guns also engaged the enemy infantry, helping to slow them down.

One other note, two ME-109s came in and targeted an AA gun, destroying it.

Casualties

Friendly: 2xT-34/76A tanks destroyed. Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 1xPzKw 38b(t), 8xPzKw IIIh, 1xPzKw IIIj and 1xPzKw IIf tanks destroyed. Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 8

Charlie is still holding and has support coming from Bravo, so I held back my reserves. They lost one more tank, but three more enemy tanks are destroyed. Two were taken out by Charlie tanks and one by an ATG. The enemy has 12 tanks left in the area, but of those, six are light and two of their medium tanks are immobilized. Charlie has four functional tanks remaining in the area, two heavy tanks coming up and Bravo is sending five more. On top of that, my ATGs should be able to rack up a few more since half of the enemy armor is light. My fleeing tank is recovering its nerve, so it should be back in the area in a turn or two. I also pulled back my tanks north of the paved road. They are in a gully just south of the road near the objectives. The tank crew of my immobilized tank did bail out. Hopefully, I can track them down and get them out of the middle of the battlefield. Four enemy light tanks are moving on the objectives, but will find a surprise with my two tanks in the gully. On top of that, they will meet my KV-Is this turn. Two enemy light tanks came out of a gully northwest of the village. I've got an ATG there that should be able to deal with them. Infantry is trading fire with the enemy coming off worse there, also. All I see are two enemy squads at the moment, but there is a lot of wreckage and smoke. The enemy might be hiding in there.

The last four known tanks in Bravo's sector have been destroyed. My tanks covering the center objective took out three of them and I rushed the fourth when I saw it was retreating. This is why Bravo can send help to Charlie. The enemy is still trying to push infantry down the center road, but they are catching fire from infantry and tanks in town from both Bravo and Alpha. They aren't making it east of the railroad tracks.

Aside from firing at enemy infantry trying to push up in the middle of town, all Alpha has to do is fire at the south road. The only targets there are leg units. Caulk up a few casualties, but that is about it. Enemy artillery did hit just east of town, plinking a couple of my tanks.

The left flank guard is holding fast. No real targets for the ATGs. There was one enemy squad in sight from their position and my tracks sent him running. Heavy artillery came in damaging the immobilized tank and undoubtably rattling the enemy infantry more.

Casualties

Friendly: 1xT-34/76A tank destroyed. Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 4xPzKw IIIh and 2xPzKw IIIj tanks destroyed. Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 9

Things are a bit more quiet in Charlie's area, but it is all relative. Four more enemy tanks were destroyed, but one of my tanks in the gully near the northern objectives got holed. It was poor marksmanship than anything. Time for that crew to go back to the gunnery range. ATGs destroyed two enemy light tanks, but one is under pressure. It took a casualty and their building is on fire. Bravo tanks destroyed two more. My heavies punched a hole in one light tanks. Aside from that, the rest was dominated by a squad on squad fire fight. I still have my building and the enemy is still 250m away. My damaged tank circled back and picked up my wayward crew and headed off to the southeast and safety.

The rest of Bravo is pushing west in town. Aside from the center road, no contact. I turned five flags with a tank, but unlike the enemy, I'm not going to plow into buildings for them. There is infantry nearby for that task.

Alpha pushing west, but encountering a few more enemy units than Bravo. There was a squad along the south road that fired, taking a few men down until my tanks sent him packing. The enemy is sliding south to get to that objective group. It isn't necessary at the moment. A ghost is turning them. Five so far, but I don't see a thing, meaning scout, sniper or AT team. Alpha tanks sent a lot of steel at one enemy tank, but all missed.

Left flank guard moving up a bit. There are a couple of enemy squads, two tank destroyers and the tank Alpha can't hit. I think the enemy is done trying to push through here. Heavy artillery plastered the area again.

Counter battery fire has accounted for one nebelwerfer destroyed and one howitzer and one nebelwerfer abandoned.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 2xPzKw IIIh, 1xPzKw 38b(t) and 1xPzKw IIf tanks destroyed. Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 10

The enemy on Charlie's front has just about had it. Scratch three more tanks. Two were destroyed near the gully and another destroyed moving south toward town. There is still a light tank near the village and three medium tanks near the paved crossroads. One of those is immobilized. There was a fifth tank, but it just fled the area. I managed to rally my ATG in the burning building and decided to save the gun by pulling back rather than trying to take out the light tank. It has no chance against the tanks Charlie has. My infantry is holding their position in the village west of the objectives and I'm moving my reserves up into the gully. Enemy infantry seen coming down the diagonal road. I'm sending transports back up to the village to pull my flank guard out. They've done their job and I want them out before the enemy levels the town with artillery. One last thing. I took the crew back to the tank they abandoned and they recrewed it.

Two Bravo tanks are still supporting Charlie in dealing with the infantry, but the other three tanks shifted west. Two enemy flak trucks have been spotted. Infantry pushing west in town, supported by tanks. Most enemy infantry is on or south of the central road. Enemy rockets dropped on the east edge of town and a Stuka and mortar targeted my immobilized tank.

I figured out what my ghost is; there is a sniper up there. He opened up on one squad in town and destroyed a truck that brought up some machine guns. I've got infantry and tanks moving to get him. Alpha also has to deal with an enemy platoon in their sector and one enemy tank coming up from the south. The did destroy two tank destroyers and a tank down near the south road.

I'm bringing up the trucks for my left flank guard. Like the right, they can move back now. If the enemy happens to come through on that side and try to get into my rear area, they will find a tank battalion that is bored The enemy is being kepted occupied with heavy artillery.

Counter battery still hitting enemy firing positions.

Casualties

Friendly: 1xZis Truck destroyed, Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: 1xPzKw IIIh, 3xPzKw 38b(t) tanks and 2xJPz I tank destroyers destroyed. Estimated 15 casualties.