Attack on Hill 207.5 opens

I'm going to split up the rest of the game report into several parts, to make it easier for me to write and for you to read.

On the German left the initial armoured surge is led by a repainted T-34, we imagine that the crew are very nervous and are more likely to be killed by friendly fire than anything else!



On the German right, a scouting Puma pokes it nose out from behind a copse of trees, the local Soviet commanders begin to suspect that it's calling in some heavy bombardments on the defensive lines



At the outer limits of the Russian defences a small squad of Razvedchiki are lying up in the central wooded area calling in mortars and everything else they can connect with! The German response is fierce (some one say an inappropriate reaction!) and a battery of 150mm guns is called down on their heads



This tiny Panzer rides the coat-tails of its larger cousin



A Soviet Il-2 Sturmovik arrives on the scene and tries to knock out a Tiger with its 23mm cannon, but just suppressing the crew



It seems like its going to be a field day for ground attack aircraft on both sides when a Stuka swoops in to pick on a parked SU-152, but the efficient Soviet anti-air guns in this area of the battlefield drive the Stuka away



On the German left the mass infantry begin what must be a daunting long-range advance on foot, they can't be relishing the machine gun nests or heavy mortars lined up against them



A well-timed pre-planned Sturmovik attack picks out some German scouts, including an artillery observer team, but is driven off by the anti-air guns nearby



On the other flank, some heavy mortar fire (called in by the PO-2 droning overhead) hits two halftracks, knocking them out and causing serious casualties amongst the Panzer Grenadiers aboard



A heavy bombardment of Katyushas hits the massed German infantry, suppressing the guts of two platoons in one feel swoop - thankfully for the Germans the medic isn't overworked by the casualties



The first of several 150mm bombardments hits the Russian defences on the German right flank, but the reinforced earthworks protect their charges from harm



This refitted T-70 with a 20mm cannon is doing sterling work on the German left flank to ward off air attacks



The German communications team are hard at work - ensuring that the Kamfgruppe commanders are able to call on Corps-level artillery (several successful requests are made on the heaviest of Nebelwerfers behind the front)



As the heavy Tigers and Ferdinands advance along the rail line on the German left flank, several Soviet tank killers lurk in the village



The emplaced Zis-3 on the hilltop anchoring the Russian left-flank spots the oncoming armour come over the hill off the road, but holds its fire for now



More heavy artillery targets the guns - the Soviet local commander has had enough of this messing around...



Calling the Sturmovik in from harassing the heavy tanks, it picks on the armoured car (possibly) holding the artillery spotter



The strike has an instant effect on the frequency of artillery strikes in this area of the battlefield



Tigers pass the new Train Station, little do they know they've entered a well-prepared zone of Soviet defence (with generous dashings of Maskirovka!)



Previously unseen Borgwards are given their marching orders, these infernal machines give the Soviet officers pause for thought



These Marders, still bearing the early war grey of the campaign in France advance behind some Panzer IVs and infantry



The advance on the German left is developing well, though it seems like the Germans will be attempting to cross the anti-tank ditch anchoring the Russian's right flank...



As yet, the two armies have been only fencing with each other, relying on artillery and long-range pot-shots. Soviet resolve has been maintained, but can they retain their discipline while spotting any opportunity for an attack?

Planning the Defence of Hill 207.5

Given the honour of commanding the defence of Hill 207.5 against the onslaught of the fascist viper, I quickly put my initial thoughts together and consulted with my local commanders, drawing on the technical advice of Colonel Glantz.

With very little idea of what was going to hit us, our air recon has shown large numbers of German artillery deploying to your front and heavy concentrations of enemy armour.

Putting huge efforts in preparing defensive works, our stalwart Soviet soldiers dug trenches, gun pits and anti-tank ditches. Laying minefields and barbed wire to funnel the enemy advance into the sights of our artillery. We zero'ed in some likely avenues of advance, as well as two of the outlying towns.



On our right flank was an enormous concentration of defences - a large anti-tank ditch, with a large minefiel surrounding it and backed up with two machine-gun bunkers extended to the large wood alongside the main road. At that bend in the road lay another small minefield and a registered target point for artillery.



Out intention was to deny any meaningful advance through those open fields to our right and funnel the attacking German armour into this killing zone - hopefully our artillery would be able to hammer them in the traffic jam!



We would utilise those classic Russian virtues: be stoic and patient behind our defensive positions. Using well-timed counterattacks once the time was right, or if they looked like breaking through. No reckless charges would be allowed (bitter experience has taught us those lessons).
On our right, we placed all three of our armoured formations, along with some of our infantry holding the defensive line.



On the other side of the river, we essentially refused the flank. Both remaining infantry groups held a strong defensive line, backed up with emplaced heavy guns and some tanks in reserve.



As German scouts entered the board their worry grew apparent, clearly the Soviet dispositions had disconcerted them - despite the fact that their air reconnaisance would have shown them our defensive works.



On our left flank, serious amounts of heavy armour trundled into view - Ferdinands and Tigers led the charge, though at this range no one would be opening fire for some time - though the presence of a PO-2 scout aircraft (seeming for now like a mere nuisance) would cause them plenty of trouble as they advanced.



On the Soviet far left lay a small outlying pocket of resistance. A lone Zis-3 on the hill, backed up by some infantry and our secret weapon: two tank killers lurked behind the village, a SU-122 and a SU-152 would give the German armour some pause



In the rear-most line lay that flank's HQ and the heavy mortars which would aim to exact a heavy toll on the advancing forces of fascism!



With both sides resolved the victory would surely go to the steadfast Soviets!

Clash at Kursk

An enemy offensive is imminent! The Fascist Viper is coiling to strike at the Motherland!

I'm heading down to Kildare to play a big game of BattleGroup Kursk. I've pre-ordered the game, but this will be my first chance to play it. A good few of the guys based around Kildare will be playing, but there will be some special visitors from the UK and The Netherlands...

Here's a quick sample of what you might see when I get back on Sunday:

Piers: World War 20mm

Piers created this fortified hill for the Germans to take (I think he's feeling sheepish with this sterling work now, given he's on the German side!).
In fact, if you visit Piers' site now, you'll see the table is set up already...

Warwick: Move to Contact 

Warwick's been showing off some of his work recently and I just love these motorised infantry 

Johan: 20mm and then some

Johan's been shamelessly putting T-34s to work for the wrong side! I think you'll agree that they do look rather splendid and it'll be a shame to destroy them!

For some reason yours truly has been nominated the overall Soviet commander, so no doubt I'll be back (hungover and rather worse for wear) with a handful of excuses for a dismal performance!