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[Trotsky]

This AAR is the second in a series testing out revised infantry firepower stats. A German infantry company with a MMG in support faced a larger Soviet infantry company (had extra platoon) supported by a couple of 50mm mortars. The battlefield was a 2ftx2ft factory complex – the objective was to control the large central factory in the middle of the board. The game used the playtest Morale and Command rules, as well as the playtest squad level stands.The internal factories were deemed to give linear cover to all units inside to represent machinery, fallen girders etc. Both sides set up in the row of buildings opposite the objective factory.This game was played outside on the hottest day of the year so far and consequently some of the terrain tiles began to curl up under the heat of the day

[Trotsky]

For those of you following my recent battles, my opponent was called Dutch. Dutch took the Germans and I had the Soviets. Soviet intelligence reported that Dutch’s last commands to his troops were to fetch as many sticks as possible; I suspected some form of fire attack is being plotted. Intelligence also reported that Dutch instructed, ‘chase any cat you see,’ not sure what this meant, perhaps they were expecting a Tiger or Panther and he was recommending they follow it closely? Here he was considering his plan of attack

[Trotsky]

The German’s set up across their front with the MMG on the right.

[Trotsky]

The Soviets set out spread across their front.

[Trotsky]

The Soviets packed the middle of the battlefield and hoped to gain force superiority.

[Trotsky]

The Soviet mortars set up on the right of the Soviet front facing the large breach in the objective factory.

[Trotsky]

Opening moves – both sides attempted to rush the objective factory. A Soviet platoon on the right of the picture moved around the factory, trying to flank the Germans. The Germans are forced to send a platoon to meet this threat. The German MMG moved forward to cover the factory interior.

[Trotsky]

The Soviet mortars moved forward and wanted to climb these silos – not having a prepared ruling on this – we gave them a 50% of finding a way of getting to the top. The mortar crews were successful and we decided they would take an entire activation to get up there.

[Trotsky]

These troops were attempting to flank the Germans. This would have the following effects, distract some of the German troops who would otherwise assault the factory and give flanking penalties to German morale.

[Trotsky]

The Germans moved a platoon to face the flanking Soviets – for a turn or two they watched each other both hoping the battle in the factory would be decisive and they would not have to commit.

[Trotsky]

The Soviets and Germans entered the objective factory. The Soviets entered the far section of the factory with two platoons. Initially they faced only one German platoon. The Germans rushed another over and tried to hold the other side of the factory with the MMG. Accurate massed Soviet fire on the MMG caused it to become suppressed – this was a deciding result on the outcome of the battle.

[Trotsky]

Here the Soviet mortars were setting up their mortars.

[Trotsky]

The Soviets rushed into close combat – previously suppressed German squads fell to poor dice rolls. There was a fair bit of mutual elimination, which favoured the more numerous Soviets.

[Trotsky]

The battle for the factory rages. In the left of the factory superior Soviet numbers have almost taken this section. Morale checks abound. On the right of the factory the Soviets have swarmed across the factory floor trying to get to the suppressed MMG.

[Trotsky]

On the right of the board, the German MMG and supporting infantry were slowly being squeezes by the advancing Soviets.

[Trotsky]

Iven assisted Dutch in moving his troops.

[Trotsky]

The flanking Soviets were causing a major headache for the Germans.

[Trotsky]

The German MMG finally shook off adverse morale and suppressions to finally fire at the advancing Soviets. Its fire was devastating; two Soviet squads were reduced and suppressed. A low morale check roll when these Soviets were activated allowed the third squad to close with the MMG for close combat.

[Trotsky]

The Germans continue to take casualties. The remaining squad in the leftmost platoon broke and fled the factory. The central German platoon pulled back out of the factory and the Germans on the right were caught in the open and were slowly being eliminated.

[Trotsky]

View from the Soviet side.