The map was fairly open with just one significant urban area, Stavropol, some areas of deep snow, frozen rivers and a couple of forest areas. To win the Soviets needed to hold 3 out of 5 objectives by nightfall:
Intelligence reports had a powerful Panzer KG holding the forward lines supported by forces allocated to the 23rd Panzer KG. I deployed my 7th Brigade on the right with the 8th and 9th Brigades and my artillery support in the centre. The plan was to capture the two nearest objectives while holding on to the town of Stavropol itself:
T34's from the 8th Brigade attack the centre objective:
Somewhat surprisingly the German's put up an initial resistance then fall back allowing the Russians to capture the objective:
On the right the 7th Brigade occupies their objective. So far so good, now all they have to do is hold on until nightfall:
The reason why the Germans gave up the objective so easily becomes clear, they have planned to use 'Gaps in their lines' to push a strong force of Panzers and Panzer Grenadiers past the Soviet line and into the Russian rear lines! The Soviets have fallen for the trap hook, line and sinker:
The breakthrough force attacks the Russian artillery, they have an especial dislike for the Katyusha rocket launchers and hope to wipe them out:
The brave Soviet crews of the Katyusha's manage to withdraw from danger though. Their colleagues in the foot artillery are not so fortunate and are wiped out though:
Determined to finish off the Katyusha's the Germans attack them again. This time some Soviet infantry rush to their defence and hold the Germans off:
Elsewhere in the centre though the Soviets have taken a battering from the better trained and equipped Panzers, losing the centre objective and having only a few elements left. Stavropol is still held strongly though but is now isolated:
With the imminent collapse of their position in the centre the Soviets try to push forward on the right where the German forces are thinly spread. Progress is slow though:
Hardly anything remains of the Soviet centre and the Germans prepare to assault Stavropol. The situation is looking increasingly desperate for the Russians:
Having learnt a lesson the Soviets use 'Gaps in their lines' themselves to capture the German supply line as part of their attack on the right. They are still a long way from the 3rd objective they need though and their remaining units have taken many losses:
The Soviet attack is petering out as the Germans collect their forces and hold on securely:
The Germans assault Stavropol and will soon capture it:
At this point I called it a day and retired leaving the Germans victorious. Andy used his powerful Panzers very well, the 'Gaps in their lines' ploy was very successful isolating many of my units and denying me the use of my artillery which the Russians really need to support their rather weak armour especially.
I dithered a lot about what to do with my forces on the right, initially planning to use them to support the centre but changing my mind as the centre collapsed and trying to attack on the right instead ending up with them not contributing much to either sector. I suspect this was a game where I tried to do the obvious thing and should perhaps have looked at other options which might have been more successful!
It was not part of my initial plan to defend by punching a hole though the Russian lines, but I always had in mind that I would like to take out the Katyushas if possible.
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