ASL J106 - Marders Not Martyrs - Advance of the Reich

Original Design by Ken Dunn, published in ASL Journal 7 ISCHERSKAJA, RUSSIA, 14 SEPTEMBER 1942: German Anti-tank units had been recently finding that their ability to destroy Soviet armor had been compromised by a sudden increase in the numbers of tanks that were impervious to their anti-tank guns. Too many recent examples of martyred German soldiers trying to stand their ground against the upgraded Soviet tanks had convinced German authorities to make changes. In late June the 13th Panzer Division finally got an opportunity to refit their mobile Anti-Tank Battalion with the new Marder tank destroyer. This would allow them to finally stand up to the newer versions of the Soviet AFVs with which they were begining to have to contend. And not a moment too soon; OKW had tasked Army Group A with the capture and exploitation of the vast oilfields near Grozny. Aftermath: After three weeks of hard travel through the steppes of European Russia, Army Group A arrived at the front door of Asian Russia. Only the Terek River stood as the last natural barrier to the oil fields. So far the lack of fuel had been the most serious problem faced by the advancing units. However, as the units of the 111th Infantry Division forced a crossing, the Russians reacted by sending armored forces, including some of the newer AFVs, to stem the tide. While the new German weapons fared well when defending against massed attacks, events in Stalingrad would divert the supplies and air support needed to continue the attack. This would be the furthest Advance of the Reich.