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[Trotsky]

Defending the swamp – north of Bobruisk, 24 June 1944.This action represents the Soviet 35th Rifle Corps afternoon assault on the German defensive line north of Bobruisk. German defenders of Infantry Division 134 were defending an area of swamp, woods and small streams. The Soviet morning offensive failed and in the afternoon the Soviets returned this time supported by 223rd tank regiment.The German defenders had a company of infantry, all sporting panzerfausts. Supported by a couple of panzershrek teams, MG42’s, 81mm mortars, and Pak38’s. All units started in OW. Sections of trenches and barbed wire were available for deployment, also any unit could occupy a foxhole. As no referee was available we used markers to indicate possible locations of German forces, half of the counters were dummies.The Soviets had two companies of infantry, some of which had light mortars. A platoon of SMG troops. Supported by 5 Valentine and 2 Sherman tanks. All troops were regular to denote the mix of seasoned soldiers and raw recruits that were available to both sides during operation Bagration.The Objective for the Soviets was to create a breakthrough in the German lines. The Soviet player would win if he cleared a path free of German troops 2’ wide running from East to West. The Germans would win by denying the Soviet victory conditions.Below is an overview of the battlefield looking from the East. The dark green areas are swamps and block line of sight. The streams offer soft cover and require AFV’s to undertake bog checks when crossing. Maximum visibility is restricted to 18” to reflect the lack of long LOS in this type of terrain.The main Soviet force, including all the tanks set up on the left of the board. A company of infantry were deployed in the middle of the board.

[Trotsky]

View along the Soviet line

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The Soviet infantry in the middle of the board began to move out.

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The main Soviet force spread out and moved towards the German lines

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View from the north German trench line.

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A transport tracker sheet was used to record the suspected German location counters.

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An MG 42 opens up from somewhere ahead, two casualties and the whole platoon was suppressed. Those MG 42 are awesome!

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Another platoon of infantry spot the MG. the quick moving Shermans moved forward and began to machinegun the German’s position.

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The slow moving Valentines and infantry continued their advance.

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The middle company of Soviet infantry fanned out and have not made any contact yet.

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The lone German MG42 become quickly suppressed by the Shermans multiple MGs

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The Valentines reached the first line of barbed wire and began to roll over it. A platoon of German infantry dropped their concealment and opened up with their panzerfausts! Two Valentines were destroyed.

[Trotsky]

Another view of the burning Valentines.

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The Shermans took out the MG42 and moved forward to engage the German’s facing the Valentines. A shrek team dropped cover and took out a Sherman. The second Sherman turned and quickly took out the brave shrek team.

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On the north flank the Germans dropped concealment and began to engage the advancing Soviets.

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Overview from the North. The German in the far woods were being hard pressed. In the foreground the Germans in the trench line were slowing down the Soviet advance.

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Top down view of the action on the south of the board, concerted Soviet fire was beginning to tell on the German defenders in the woods.

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A platoon of Soviets infantry attempted to infiltrate through the middle of the board. They were met with a mortar attack; they suspected the trench line in the foreground to be shielding the mortars.

[Trotsky]

The battle for the woods continued the armour being wary to close on the faust wielding Germans.

[Trotsky]

Soviet infantry stream forward to support the tanks.