Pressed For Time

The first game in OHQ took place yesterday, a World War 2 game using Battlegroup rules inspired by the Minsk Highway scenario in the Rapid Fire Eastern Front scenario book but using a scenario from the Battlegroup Wacht Am Rhein scenario book.

The Germans are holding back a Soviet thrust during Operation Bagration the Soviet's must break through quickly, from turn five if the Germans are still holding they must draw a Battle Rating counter every turn and from turn ten two counters.

From the start Soviet orders are just not getting through (those pesky dice gods) it is a similar situation on the German side (but they have time on their side if not the dice gods)

First blood goes to the Germans with a cheeky long range shot from a Stug III taking out an advancing SU76.

The Soviet's support the advance with off table 120mm mortar fire.

The Soviet's have a flank force of a ISU152 battery due to arrive in turn four so seem content to sit back engage the Germans with mortar and  long range tank fire.

The Germans are happy to exchange fire from their Stug battery with the support of a solitary Panther to take on the the Soviet IS2.

Perhaps not, it breaks down and is immobilized before it can get in position it's line of site is blocked making it redundant!

German mortar fire takes down the Zis3.

The German PAK43 comes under intense fire, the crew abandon it and flee!

The BA64 is doing splendid work calling in the 120mm mortar fire.

The German platoon HQ is no more, so no more off table mortar support.

The ISU battery arrives on turn seven! The Germans brace themselves for the final assault.

The German panzerschrek team are pinned down by mortar fire, drat!

The remaining Stug is taken out in turn nine, the resulting Battle Rating counter draws take them over there BR of 29 and they must withdraw. If they could have lasted until the next turn, the Soviet's would have had to take two counters. With them only three from exceeding their BR they could easily have exceeded theirs. An enjoyable close run thing and Dave's first 2025 win..

TTFN & KBO