Ponyri 1943

So today I managed to fit a game, I mentioned in the previous post that I would be using Rapid Fire rules with a modified version of the scenario in the third supplement of Eastern Front scenarios.
I played the game on a 5 x 4 table lengthways.
I will run through the game using captioned pictures that will hopefully give you an idea of how it went.

The set up.

A company armed with SMGs is tasked with holding the station

While the hills are occupied by the rest of the battalions

The German attack on the left gets under way and almost immediately come under artillery fire, but luckily only one company is supressed by it.

Meanwhile the attack gets underway on the right supported by a Ferdinand.

As soon as it leaves the cover of the wood it is destroyed by a Zis3, an early set back for the Germans.

German off table artillery is called in taking out the second battalion HQ

While 120mm mortar fire hits the trenches on the opposite hill

Over on the right the first company reach the anti-tank obstacles.

Under overwhelming fire the attack on the left has stalled.

Covered by smoke put down by the 120mm mortar the other two German companies on the right leave the cover of the wood.

Back on the German left the morale is shaken and they head for the shelter of the nearby wood.

Smoke and artillery fire keep the Soviets heads down on the right helping the attack there to develop.

The other two companies reach the anti-tank obstacles.

Back on the left the German morale rallies and they resume the attack.

The attack however is short lived, further casualties see the battalion rout.

The advance on the right continues with the Germans heading towards the station, the Soviets on the hill are taking a pounding from artillery and small arms fire.

With the threat on the Soviet right gone they move companies across towards Ponyri.

Turn twelve, end of the game with the Germans just short of their objective, a Soviet victory.

Another enjoyable game, a tough ask for the Germans but they nearly got their despite the failure of the left flank attack and early loss of the Ferdinand.

I have kept the scenery out as I may play the scenario again using Battlegroup rules.

Till next time keep safe, stay alert and KBO