DAR - The Cauldron Of Fire

[Cole]

Turn 17 evening

The company commander of the T-70's rushed into the valley had an unpleasant surprise when an unseen platoon of assault guns started to engage his smaller tanks.

A general retreat was sounded and the Russian tanks fled from the armor shooting widely at German infantry that stood between them and the safety of the ridge line to the south.

The Germans commander is determined to take the ridge. The enemy infantry still lurks on the opposite slope and when some T-34's moved forward they were welcomed by a barrage of small caliber AT gun fire. At least 3 T-34's and 1 SU-152 were destroyed, a waste since the remaining Russian armor could not lodge the enemy from their positions.

Sasha Lenartovich's forces are now overshadowed by the giant Ferdinands that have occupied the hill tops on the eastern side of the ridge. More Ferdinands are moving into the open east of the ridge line and have set their op fire to engage anything moving in the open.

The defenders of Hill 253.5 are doing well. Russian small arms fire is effective and combined with the heavy artillery missions assigned to this sector the German infantry is having a rough time.

Both the Luftwaffe and Red Air Force have been overhead battling for air supremacy and targeting the other side's armor.