The road to Majorksi

The fourth scenario in our Chain of Command Winter storm campaign. Previously, the Soviets were stopped from taking Pohklebin (read all about it here). Some Soviet elements pushed past Pohklebin however, and attacked towards Majorski. 

 The table setup for this scenario required level (slightly undulating) ground with a pronounced depression on the Soviet side. I thought of several ways on how to achieve this. In the end I chose to build a slope out of high density polystyrene and elevate two boards (I mostly use a table divided in 3 boards for easy storage) with some books.

side view of the boards

View from the Soviet side

This time I didn't forget to take a picture of the Patrol Phase and jump off point set-up.

The Soviets activated first and deployed a Maxim MMG and a squad in overwatch. Immediately a Panzer 4 appeared on the road and a German squad deployed in the scrub, just outside the firing angle of the Maxim, but within view of the Soviet squad.

At that point events started unfolding rapidly. The Germans must have been on Pervetin because they had several runs of sequential phases (double 6's), giving the Soviets not much chances to react.

The Panzer 4 showered the Maxim with HE, while the full German platoon deployed rapidly and unleashed volleys of fire towards the Soviets, using their MG's to full effect.

Feuer frei!

The Soviet AT gun failed to make a dent in the Panzer 4. Unrelenting fire from the Germans caused  shock and casualties among the Soviet Maxim and AT crews, breaking their will to continue the fight.

The Soviet Leytenant deployed and rallied the Maxim crew.

Forward comrades, for the motherland!

At the same time the last Soviet squad deployed to protect the Soviet jump off point abondoned by the Maxim crew. They managed to wound the German junior leader.

The situation was not looking good for the Soviets with the remainder of the AT gun crew about to rout and the German force morale still high.

Then disaster strikes for the Soviets. The Leytenant is wounded and driven off table together with the Maxim crew, where he will undoubtedly be subjected to some harsh punishment by a Commissar for leaving his post. With Soviet force morale at 1 and German force moral at a comfortable 10(!) the game was effectively over.

For the Soviets it felt like being hit with a sledgehammer. Their Maxim and T34/76 never fired a shot. The Soviet AT gun fired a single shot before its crew was scattered. The Germans suffered only light casualties.

So far the campaign is going well for the Germans. The Soviets have been unable to stop their advance, but it is still a long way to Stalingrad and it is by no means certain that they can break through.