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[Trotsky]

Krutik, Russia, 2nd April 1942.The Soviet Second Shock army attempted to break the siege of Leningrad by thrusting southward. Krutik sat on a key highway. An initial Soviet infantry assault failed but was attempted again this time supported by T34’s.The village was manned by elements of the Spanish Compania 8, Regimiento de Infantria 269. Just arriving as the attack began were elements of various companies that amounted to a couple of Flak 18, an infantry gun and a few Mk lll’s.The Soviets attacked with elements of the 2nd Shock army, including two companies of infantry and T34/76’s.German reinforcement will arrive (randomly) these consist of more Mk lll’s and a platoon of infantry mounted in SdfKz 7’s.Soviets are regular and the Germans are all veteranIn the photo below you can see the Spaniards in the Village, the just arrived Flak and tanks to the far right. In the foreground the Soviets can be seen, the infantry all together to the left and the T34’s split between left and right flanks.

[Trotsky]

A view of the Spanish in the village and the recently arrived units on the far hill.

[Trotsky]

The T34’s poised on the Soviet right flank at the start of the attack.

[Trotsky]

The main body of the soviet infantry supported by a company of T34/76’s.

[Trotsky]

A Flak 18 takes a long shot at an advancing T34 – and misses.

[Trotsky]

The Soviet infantry swarms forward – something tells me that Soviet intelligence is aware there is no German artillery available!

[Trotsky]

The Soviet tankers on the Soviet right attempt to infiltrate the Flak 18’s – German Mklll’s move to intercept – however the short 50’s are not proving very effective against the T34 armour from long range.

[Trotsky]

The one Pzlll with a 50L gun takes out a T34. However the Soviet strategy appears clear – he wishes to charge the hill to occupy it before the arrival of German reinforcements. Reinforcement entry is randomly determined each turn.

[Trotsky]

The main Soviet force continues its advance. The tanks make good use of cover to avoid the Flak 18’s.

[Trotsky]

Still they come.

[Trotsky]

The Soviet tanks supporting the infantry finally show themselves and score a very lucky kill on a Flak gun. In the background you can see some smoking remains of the German Mklll’s as they are being slowly worn down by the flanking T34’s.

[Trotsky]

Here are the flanking T34’s attacking the hill with the Flak guns and Mklll’s.

[Trotsky]

The main Soviet attack begins to suffer casualties and suppressions as it comes into range of the German infantry mortars and MMG’s. The T34’s move ahead and begins to machine-gun the mortar and MG crews.

[Trotsky]

The flanking T34’s have reached the Flak hill after taking out 2 Mklll’s. In the distance the German Mklll reinforcements have just entered the battlefield.

[Trotsky]

The German reinforcements rush to contest the Flak hill.

[Trotsky]

Show down on the Flak hill. All the Flak guns are now silent and a lone immobilised and shaken Mklll is all that remains of the original defence. The reinforcements are just in time to dispute ownership of this key terrain feature.

[Trotsky]

Soviet tanks charge the outer defences of Krutik.

[Trotsky]

The Soviet infantry swarm after the T34’s – casualties are heavy.

[Trotsky]

The battle for Flak hill intensifies – the Veteran Germans begin to gain the upper hand.

[Trotsky]

The Soviets break and flee – but it was a very close run thing!