Your forces are in confused retreat towards Minsk. Many trapped elements are making their way to cross the three bridges you hold. Your mission is to hold all three bridges for a major victory and prevent a Soviet bridgehead for a minor one. Each bridge is prepared for demolition and can be destroyed if necessary.

 

Forces available

1	CO (CV9)
2	HQ (CV8)
1	FAO (CV7)
3	Infantry Unit
3	Support Unit (MG)
9	Engineer Unit (Combat Engineers)
4	SPAT Unit (Marder)
1	Artillery Unit (RL, Nebelwerfer)
4	Transport Unit (Sdkfz 251)

 

 

 

 

Following successful breakthroughs the Corps has been tasked with finding a bridgehead. Elements to the south have been delayed and your mission is to force a crossing which should open the way to Minsk. A major victory will be gained if all three bridges fall in to Siviet hands and a minor one if one is taken.

 

Forces available

1	CO (CV9)
4	HQ (CV8)
1	FAO (CV6)
8	Infantry Unit
4	SMG Unit
2	Support Unit (Mortar)
16	Medium Tank Unit (T-34/76 late)
1	Light SPA Unit (SU-76)
2	Artillery Unit (120mm Mortar)
1	Artillery Unit (RL, Katyusha)
2	Transport Unit (Trucks)

 

 

 

The game. 

 

Turn 1 saw the Germans set up with minefields blocking approaches to the outer bridges covered by combat engineers. The central bridge is held by Combat engineers in depth with Marders in supporting AT positions.

 

 

 

Soviet forces advance with 1 tank Battalion to pin the southern bridge, Two Battalions with Tank desants to force the middle bridge with a final battalion with the SMG troops as reserve to exploit any bridgehead. Several failed command rolls mean these forces advance as separate units.

 

 

 

With Katyushas Scheduled for turns three and four the Soviets held short of the central bridge which gave time for their units with poor command rolls to catch up. The Germans remained silent intending to open fire with Marders and Panzerfausts when the Soviets came within range.  Realising the overwhelming mass of armour was a threat the German commander was aiming for a knockout blow using all available assets. Attempts to disrupt the advance early with Nebelwerfer proved impossible with failed artillery command rolls.

 

 

 

The German commander was now struggling to muster forces to stop the Soviets crossing the bridge. Successful command rolls saw the Soviet reserve Battalion storm across the bridge and dismount its SMG troops.

 

 

 

 

 

In desperation on turn 8 the German commander risked a rocket strike on the crossing units. This was successful suppressing the bulk of the Soviet troops and allowing a desperate assault by combat engineers on the bridgehead. This proved half hearted with units being killed or stopping short after fire from the supporting Soviet armour in overwatch.

 

 

Turn 9 saw the Soviet commander successfully storm his armour across the bridge. Setting up all round defence he was able to destroy any attempt by remaining German forces to stop the advance.

 

 

 

 

 

Turn 10 saw the German forces lose four units over their breakpoint and withdrawing leaving the Soviets in control of the bridgehead with a minor victory.

 

 

 

A good game played to conclusion in three hours with the Soviets losing three tanks and four infantry units.

 

Perhaps the Germans would have been more successful holding both sides of the bridge rather than allowing the Soviets to approach close enough to storm across in significant numbers before they could be successfully engaged.