WW2 Late War Eastern Front Test Game

Steve has been trialling some rules which have been fun, with card activation . We discussed the possibility to use them in a new scenario book he plans. 

So to facilitate this we needed something slightly cut down from the rules we have been playing but still with enough for players to get their teeth into and less card focused so these didnt need to be printed to allow gamers to play. Todays game left me feeling we are well on the way.

I was defending a built up area with two weak German battalions supported by off table artillery, an 88M fun, a Hetzer heavy tank and a PAK40 anti tank gun.

Meanwhile the Russians had 3 Guards infantry battalions supported by heavy mortars 2 ISU 152 heavy tanks and 3 lighter SU 76's with one battalion of the Guards initially off table.

My Pak40 is dug in on the edge of the village, a good spot but also vulnerable to return fire once its opened up.

The Hetzer shoots and scoots, unfortunately its long range and its  amiss.

The PAK 40 opens fire on the second ISU152 , a hit!

And the tanks is taken out.

My MG now opens fire on the advancing Russian infantry, they are however  a bit exposed to return mortar fire.

The 88mm opens fire on the IUS152.

A hit but the tank is not taken out, Steve decides discretion is the better part of valour and pulls the tanks back.

The Hetzer moves position to cover any advance from the the other tank.

On my left the Russian advance is hampered by mortar and MG fire but they press on.

The second ISU rounds the end building and straight into a cross fire with the newly redeployed Hetzer and PAK40, the second ISU is destroyed in turn.

The Russian infantry push on without support and are hammered by a cross fire from 2 MG's, mortar and off table artillery support. They continue to push through the heavy casualties as the German troops in the wood start to take casualties themselves from the Russian mortars.

On my left the Russian push forward and clear the wood with a company taking the village on my extreme left.

They now occupy the wood and are in a good position to assault the village next to it. Steve opens fire on the first module and clears it of German defenders then moves in. Steve then charges forward with his 3 SU76's.

Fortunately for me the 88 has reserve fire, it hits with its first shot and rolls high enough to enable a second shot which also hits, the first two are knocked out before they can fire. The return shot misses the Hetzer!

In my own turn I drop the 88 on the buildings Steve has just occupied, coupled with infantry fire the company holding this are wiped.

Steve then close Assaults my remaining house, two rounds of close assault and some poor dice and he is driven off with casualties for both sides.

The remaining SU76 has closed to short range to try take the Hetzer but my infantry fire their hand held anti tanks weapons and add two damage points.

The Hetzer fires, I dont need much but I definately need to hit.

A hit and the last armoured vehicle for the Russians is knocked out.

Great fun and played really well.

The Russian Armour being wiped out and the infantry taking a bit of a pasting meant they would not be able to take the objectives, so a hard fought German victory, A great run out for the rules which handled the forces really well and gave a good game.

Thanks for stopping by.