MAIN EVENT VII! Ratzki vs Joonny....

[Der Kuenstler]

whose living (?) commander was able to pick up the threat...

That's what was so unusual - the Panther's commader was dead too. Do Panther's get bonus built-in awareness? Or perhaps in such a close fight the resting Panther heard the approaching engine noise?

Now we are up to minute 27 - first a look at the northern flags by the sea. We can see the Russians have completely overrun the 300 point flag and have reached the 100 point flag, forcing the Panther that won the duel with the T34/85 last minute to hurriedly back away...



Over in the Southern flag area, Ratzki has recovered in the woods and, by doing a slick end around move with the remnants of his forces, has brought downa lot of firepower on Joonny's guarding SMG platoon. All the squads in this platoon are low on ammo and about all they can do is duck. Behind this platoon is one more SMG platoon guarding the church, but only one of the squads has ammo. Joonny ordered his AFVs out of the area, so this time his troops have no HE support.



Now for the Panther/IS-2 duel. The Panther turns on the IS-2, but the IS-2 turns on the Panther also. The Panther fires first and misses...



But the IS-2 doesn't miss - one shot, one kill...



Suddenly things don't look so bleak for Ratzki. But since this is a 30+ minute battle, he may have only three turns left. If he has time to get into the Southern church and also neutralize the central town flag, he may be able to pull off an upset or at least get a draw.