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[Sacha]

Recently we had the next battle in the series Race for Leningrad. Here the 8th Panzer Division was positioned to "Delay" a Soviet Counter Strike near Luga. This was similar to the 1st Panzer Division; however, they failed to advance. The battle, 2A, was a draw and the 1st Panzer Division is faced with prolonged fighting in Luga.Let's see if the 8th Panzer will do any better.

[Sacha]

The terrain had 2 nice points of interest, the local village and a farm commune. What the Germans don't know is that through some lucky rolls the Soviets secured Kv-Ie and T-34 tanks along with T-26 and BT-7. All Regulars.

[Sacha]

[Sacha]

Here come the KV-Ie tanks. While impressive while lumbering onto the field....they are almost a liability due to speed.

[Sacha]

Opposite the village, the T-26 tanks make their advance. However not wisely placed as these tanks also are slow, off road. As slow off road as the KV-Ie is fast on road.

[Sacha]

But wait....there's moreBt-7 Tanks on the move. The idea was to stage them entering to catch up with the KV-I about mid table. Maybe a bad idea.

[Sacha]

First casualty. German 81mm mortars rain rounds on top of the lead KV. Commanders exposed. Through a series of incredibly low rolls - like 1 and 2 - the KV was immobilzed and commander killed.....WTF!!!!!

[Sacha]

Now....some SiG 33 SPG appear from behind the hill laying down a smoke barrage along with the mortar crews......strange use of an assault gun.

[Sacha]

And here's the begining of mosquito season, Stuka style. Along with what we have found to be the longest streak of bad rolls. As Gregory put it..."ROLL TO MISS"but this is also why we began the threads on AA and overwatch due to this episode in the battle.

[Sacha]

Meanwhile, in the woods to the left of the Soviet column, Soviet Recon Cossacks find another surprise.

[Sacha]

A lite fire fight begins. But the Soviet recon troops are not alone.

[Sacha]

After a little bit of stagnation, the BT-7 tanks begin to move forward beyond the line of the KV-1 tanks.

[Sacha]

UH!! --- Not Again!After circling the table, the Stuka's line up for another run. Right through a hail of AA fire from the BT-7 tanks. Not a single roll was lower than a "15".Equally bad was the effect of the Stukas. Phew! [file name=Stukadivebomb.wav size=41198]https://www.odgw.com/components/com_simpleboard/uploaded/files/Stukadivebomb.wav[/file]

[Sacha]

Moving forward, the BT-7 tanks run into/ over a German ATG position.

[Sacha]

Another view of the action.

[Sacha]

Back to the woods, the Soviets receive help from a concealed armored threat.Q: Would you put your armor into the woods?

[Sacha]

A very bored Soviet Rifle Company moves out of the village.

[Sacha]

Just when they move out from the village, here's the anticipated German counter offensive we thought would happen.

[Sacha]

BT-7 Tanks move in to take up the flank of the German Threat.

[Sacha]

Holy mother of God!!!Another Stuka run lines up as they circled the table top.