Main Event IV: M1A1 vs. Schwerpunkt

[Ratzki]

This turn finds M1A1's tanks starting to move forward, he has not dealt with the Marder and it still sits, waiting for a chance to get a shot in. The Marder does not have to wait long as a T-34 slips into LOS. Mr. X has had a covered arc on the gun for some time now and when the T-34 is in LOS itis also well within effective range of the 76mm gun. At 309m, the chances for survival are low, and the Marder makes contact with one AP shell beofe the rest of M1's tank pack come into view. Knowing that this is now not a fair fight, the Marder reverses out of trouble. Mr. X now has another issue, that Marder is verry close to the edge of the map and there is a large swamp behind it as well. It is effectively trapped in a small pocket, and without a turret is going to be forced to expose itself to enemy fire without any means of defense if it wants to get out of here.


M1's hopes of sneaking in a little flag takeover is foiled by a German HMG team. Both players have made some half hearted attempts to take this flag but nothing too serious. They seem to be waiting for the game to braek open a little more. I think that caution is warrented as there is little cover once you get to the top of the hill.


The Battle still rages with each player now firing everything that they have onto each other's men. M1A1 is firing a battery of 122mm HE while Mr. X has 105mm HE landing on enemy positions. The big flag is flag C and the little one is E.
M1 now knows where the German armor is as he picks up confermation of two Pz IVs moving forward.


Mr. X's Marder did not knock out M1's T-34 but did manage to damage the gun. The Marder tries to make a run for it and get into a new position, but M1A1 has predicted the move and positioned most of his armor to take care of the threat. A couple shots miss but when one finds home, it is all but over for the Marder. A second shot confirms the kill as the crew bails out of the vehicle and sheads towards friendly lines.
This could spell trouble for Mr. X as he is now down to infantry AT weapons only. The other nasty suprise awaits, in that I am sure now that M1 is smelling blood and will get his KVs in there and start up the two tanks flame throwers. He still has to be careful as German squads can still take out a tank, if one get careless and too close.


Here is another overview of the field, will be interesting to see if Mr. X can shore up his failing right flank, or will M1A1 be able to roll up the defenders here and press into the German flank effectively putting the German side on the defensive.