After a week-off for well deserved R&R our war reporter ventured East last night to witness an armoured clash in Western Ukraine.
The scene; a sleepy hamlet in the Ukraine May 1944. As the mists cleared the silence was shattered by the sound of tank engines. Chris’ T34/76 charged across the table to find cover in a wood. His SU85 was more circumspect and advanced cautiously, shielded by a farmhouse. To their North Tony was also uncharacteristically cautious . His mighty T34/85 took up position in a wood covering the village crossroads, leaving his T34/76 to advance slowly along the Northern edge of the table.
For the Germans, Malcolm’s Stug advanced to face Chris’ T34.
The Panther and a MkIV advanced cautiously along the Northern edge of the table, with another MkIV shielding their flank. The Stug fired three times at the T34. All misses. Less than impressive gunnery. However, feeling very exposed the T34 retired , only to find itself in the gunsight of the Panther. Result, one dead T34.
To the North Tony decided to put his “fast” attribute to good use and try to outflank the Germans . It worked in part but the Germans turned the tables and the Panther and MKIV hunted him down. A flank shot from the MK IV put paid to another T34/76.
The Su85 took damage and was soon reduced to two dice and reduced speed. Ouch! He was also being stalked by the Stug and a MKIV. Things were looking decidedly “sticky” for the Red Army.
However Tony’s T34/85 finally scored a Russian “kill” when it planed a shell into the rear of a MKIV. “Boom”. One very dead tank.
Chris fared less well. His SU tried to escape but fell to another rear shot, this time from Malcolm’s Stug.
Tony valiantly fought on. He damaged the other MKIV which wisely retired from the fray, but was unable to stop Rob’s Panther again going “fast” to close to short range. Result, one dead T35/85.
A fairly fast and furious game . Lesson learnt. Flank shots are good, rear shots are excellent!
Next week a return to the deserts of Mesopotamia for a TTS game featuring Sassanids and Palmyrans.
Simon
The scene; a sleepy hamlet in the Ukraine May 1944. As the mists cleared the silence was shattered by the sound of tank engines. Chris’ T34/76 charged across the table to find cover in a wood. His SU85 was more circumspect and advanced cautiously, shielded by a farmhouse. To their North Tony was also uncharacteristically cautious . His mighty T34/85 took up position in a wood covering the village crossroads, leaving his T34/76 to advance slowly along the Northern edge of the table.
For the Germans, Malcolm’s Stug advanced to face Chris’ T34.
The Panther and a MkIV advanced cautiously along the Northern edge of the table, with another MkIV shielding their flank. The Stug fired three times at the T34. All misses. Less than impressive gunnery. However, feeling very exposed the T34 retired , only to find itself in the gunsight of the Panther. Result, one dead T34.
To the North Tony decided to put his “fast” attribute to good use and try to outflank the Germans . It worked in part but the Germans turned the tables and the Panther and MKIV hunted him down. A flank shot from the MK IV put paid to another T34/76.
The Su85 took damage and was soon reduced to two dice and reduced speed. Ouch! He was also being stalked by the Stug and a MKIV. Things were looking decidedly “sticky” for the Red Army.
However Tony’s T34/85 finally scored a Russian “kill” when it planed a shell into the rear of a MKIV. “Boom”. One very dead tank.
Chris fared less well. His SU tried to escape but fell to another rear shot, this time from Malcolm’s Stug.
Tony valiantly fought on. He damaged the other MKIV which wisely retired from the fray, but was unable to stop Rob’s Panther again going “fast” to close to short range. Result, one dead T35/85.
A fairly fast and furious game . Lesson learnt. Flank shots are good, rear shots are excellent!
Next week a return to the deserts of Mesopotamia for a TTS game featuring Sassanids and Palmyrans.
Simon
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