1st Ukraine Front - Insiders look at a Play Test

[Strela]

Onward and upward!

The Soviets are keen to press their advantage in Turn 2.






With a disrupted battalion in front of the 359th Rifle Division, the 1194th Infantry regiment launches an immediate assault. Though successful the price is high. 1194th will have to stop and regroup for at least the next turn...






In the North the bad just got worse for the Germans. The initial assault by the 337th Rifle Division pushed the disrupted company out of the forward bunker. Advancing forward, artillery spotters called in fire and managed to disrupt both companies holding the support bunkers in the 2nd line. Assaults by both the 180th Rifle Division and 713th SU Regt quickly cleared these fortifications. It was not without cost, 2 SU's were lost in their unsupported attack. But it was worth the cost. The Germans had been cleared completely out of the bunker line, 4 companys were disrupted and their was an inviting gap in the line. Artillery did not manage to disrupt any other Germans in bunkers this turn, but with the 5th Mech Corp being released next turn, the armor will be an additional tool...


German Turn 2

The 88th Infantry is bordering on catastrophe - to lose the bunker line within 2 turns is unprecedented. Fortunately German mettle comes to the fore and all four disrupted German companys rally. The I/I/GR308 battalion of the 198th Infantry continues to be in disarray - after losing 1 man....:rolleyes:







There is a yawning gap just west of Baran'ye Pole. With the bunkers gone, the trench line is the next fall back. The 88th will slide its left flank back and abandon a bunker. The recovered companies will then take one step back so that the Soviets have to move forward to engage. The problem is that there is not even an entrenchment further back - something will have to be done.







Luck though swings the Germany's way. An artillery strike from 150mm Heavy Infantry Gun disrupts the forward SU76 Regt. Siezing the moment the recombined I/GR248 charges forward retaking the bunker and destroying an SU to boot. With  the bunker reoccupied things look slightly less dramatic.







German final protective fire is working. The 359th Rifle Division has come to a standstill after its initial success and the 170th Rifle Division is struggling to get to the crossroads before Motylevka.







Casualties begin to mount for both sides and the adventurous use of the SU's is becoming apparent.

Turn 3 to follow.