THE MAIN EVENT II! Lord Bane vs. Matteponk

[Der Kuenstler]

Picking up from our last picture: one of Lord Bane's remaining two vet tanks at the end of the street fires at the menacing vet Jpz IV, but it ricochets - the beast has an 80m curved superstructure and is very hard to hurt when hulldown. Next the Jpz IV fires - boom - it kills the T34 instantly. The third vet T34 has seen enough and backs away. Meanwhile Matteponk's regular platoon leader Jpz IV pulls up - the two hulldown German behemoths now have control of main street.



To the North: Bane's vet T34/85 platoon stumbles upon Matteponk's Northern tank column. Two shots are fired almost simultaneously, but Bane's lead tank misses, while Matteponk's green PzIV does not - another one shot, one kill! The minute ends with trailing tanks coming into view of each other.



To the South: Still not going right for Lord Bane. His lead T34/85s spot another of Matteponk's IV70s coming around the corner. The IV70 is on a fixed carriage and has to turn to face them. But the two green T34s blow their opportunity - they both fire once and miss - then begin cowering backwards wildy from the threat. A low ridge blocks the vet and crack T34s on the left from getting into the fray.



At town center, we see squads on both sides struggling to get to the church. The snow and cold is sapping the soldiers' strength - even a short run order to the church has them all tired. It looks like Lord Bane's guard platoon may get to the church first - if they don't get pinned by fire. Both commanders are pushing them to the limit - but they need to start managing their footsoldiers before they become exhausted. Out of armored targets, Matteponks Pz IV70 starts shelling the soldiers in the two story house.



More trouble for Bane - a green T34/85 bogs on the South road. And another one is bogged in the East -a platoon leader.



At the end of minute three Lord Bane has lost three T34/85s and bogged two more. Matteponk has lost only one green Pz IVJ. What was once a 21-14 advantage in armor is now a 16-13 advantage...