Convoy to Kotelnikovo

 Ah, Schutzschalter 1-9, das hier ist die Gummi Ente. 

Horst du mich, Liebesmachine? 

Ah, 10-4, Schweinestall, sicher, sicher. 

Mein Gott, es ist sauber klar bis Kotelnikovo. 

Ja, wir fahren an die Spitze, alter Kumpel. 

Donnerwetter, sieht aus wie wir haben uns einen Konvoi ...

1940's German trucker slang was probably a lot different from 1970's US trucker slang and some of it got lost in translation but they both had to look out for Bear (If you don't get the reference look here: Convoy).

We played the first scenario of the Chain of Command Winter Storm scenario supplement. It actually covers a partisan assault on a German train, but it provides an option to replace the the train with a convoy of 4 trucks (lead truck: Gummi Ente, 2nd: Liebesmachine, 3rd: Spinne, 4th: Grosser Schurke). Due to a lack of train cars in my terrain collection we went with the trucks. Also the section on terrain in the Winter Storm supplement mentions the ground being covered with brown grass and patches of snow. We opted for compete snow coverage (no impediments to movement on foot), to better fit my terrain collection.

The partisans set up their roadblock in the middle of the table and deployed their squads in the forests.

Inconspicuous partisan jump-off point

Even before the German first turn the partisans opened fire with everything they had on Spinne (3rd truck). We decided to randomly determine the German element in that truck resulting in the MMG team being hit.

The devastating dice roll would have meant the end for Spinne. We forgot to apply the "multiple sixes" rule when firing at soft skin vehicles however, so the MMG team and Spinne survived the subsequent "to wound" roll.

To hit roll (stars are sixes)

The Germans now deploy from Spinne and Liebesmachine. Partisans in the woods take heavy fire from the German machine guns.

Partisan junior leader wounded!

Another German squad deploys. This time from Gummi Ente. The Partisans are now taking even more machine gun fire.

Another junior leader wounded

While shock is mounting at the German side, they hold it together with the assistance of their leutnant, who is removing shock where needed. By now we remembered to count the sixes when the partisans fired at the trucks but luck was on the German side and no trucks were lost. They did however lose the MMG team.

The last German squad deployed from Grosser Schurke. This proved too much for the partisan squad to the south of the road. They were wiped out by an incredible German dice roll.

Holding on by their fingernails

to wound roll (crosses are sixes of course)

With the partisans out of the way, half of the German squad from Grosser Schurke run towards the Soviet jump-off point in an attempt to crush partisan force morale.

The partisans manage to finally deploy their sniper and 50mm mortar but to no avail.

The Germans reach the jump-off point, reducing partisan force morale to near zero.

Before withdrawing the partisans succeed in destroying Grosser Schurke as a parting gift.

The convoy can put the hammer down and proceed to Kotelnikovo. Had we applied the "multiple sixes" rule earlier in the game however, the partisans would have won, their victory conditions requiring at least two trucks destroyed.

All in all a really enjoyable game.