#0311_03_Last Stand for 69th Army - The Bogodukhov Bastion - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Last Stand for 69th Army - The Bogodukhov Bastion - Mar 11th to Mar 12th, 1943. Gross Deutschland Panzer Grenadier Division had pushed over 60 km into Soviet territory in 3 days - their objective - Bogodukhov. Bogodukhov was a key rail and road centre that had to be held if contact with 3rd Tank Army was to be maintained. Korp Raus understood the importance of the town and wanted to breakthrough on the seam of the two Soviet armies. On March 10th, 69th Army launched a counterattack with 4 Rifle Divisions that were so debilitated that their assault went unnoticed. This further weakened the defence ahead of the German push on March 11th. (Size, Medium) This scenario can be played with either side against the AI or HTH. The Soviet player is again in the position of making every objective as difficult or bloody as possible for the Germans to capture it. With only two tank brigades, the Soviet infantry will be at a disadvantage against the tank heavy Gross Deutschland. Find good terrain and dig in. For the German, this is about clearing Bogodukhov as quickly as possible and then pushing onto the objectives beyond. There is potential to pocket the Soviets who have pushed south of the Merchik.