441029_01: Prelude - The Drive to Budapest - PzC 17 Budapest 45

Central Hungary, October 29th 1944: The first Russian attempt to capture Budapest by storm began in late October, when Stalin ordered the Commander of the 2nd Ukrainian Front, Malinovsky, to capture Budapest in five days. Malinovsky replied that he could do the job but needed five days to prepare. Stalin ordered him to proceed immediately! Thus, on the morning of October 29th, prior to all necessary preparations being completed, the attack began. Initially successful, once the outskirts of Budapest were reached, the attack bogged down, due to supply shortages and Axis counterattacks. Another way in, to capture Budapest, would have to be found. [Size: large] Designer Note: This scenario has been optimized for Soviet Human vs. Axis AI.