As I mentioned in my last post, Voss was gracious enough to offer me a rematch after my debacle the week before. We agreed to plat Scenario 5 - In Sight of the Volga. In this scenario, the Geramns are mounting one of their last attacks to take Stalingrad. They have a full regiment [25 squads] of 4-6-7 1st Line troops with a leader for almost every squad [OK, just 10 leaders, including a 10-2] and plenty of machine guns. The defending Russians have 20 squads - 14 of the 4-4-7 1st Line squads and 6 of the 5-2-7 variety, 5 leaders [topping out at 9-1], 4 machine guns and an infantry gun. The Russians also receive variable reinforcements [Guards squads] averaging about 3 squads a turn starting around turn 3 [based on a die roll] . Victory for the Germans is [essentially] controlling the factory along the west map edge.
The Russian setup is in the picture above. Since the southern[bottom] flank was clearly going to be a "cross street" affair, I set up my 5-2-7 squads there and in the woods along the map seam. The two MMGs were set up to form good lanes of fire and try to keep the Germans separated, especially as they approached the factory. The HIP units were set up in places where they would be a surprise in the mid-game, except for the squad in the woods in the center. I was certain the Germas would try to rush the 1P8 building and use it to work their was through the woods avoiding my MG fire. The HIP squad would delay them a turn, which hopefully would be all that was needed.
The German setup was weighted towards the North with two platoons and good leaders prepared to go down the far northern road - which was only really defended by one squad. Defense on that flank just about disappeared on Turn 1, as the 4-4-7 in the rowhouse was KIA'd and the far northern squad broken by the end of the turn. In the center, the Germans sent pretty effective fire across the gully and the HIP squad did delay a platoon for a turn. In the South, the Germans took the buildings that were given to them.
Turns two and three were much the same - aggressive pressure in the North which lessened as one went south. By Turn 3, the Germans and managed to get some squads into building 1H2, and I was seriously considering the defense of the line of rowhouses right next to the factory - for seven turns. Despite all that, including an adjacent German squad, the infantry gun kept firing. It wasn't very effective, but it was both a deterrent and a lightning rod for German fire as other units redeployed.
Turn 4, however, was when Voss' morale broke. First of all, the poor 4-4-7 that had been herded down the north map edge self-rallied in 1J1, preventing the Germans from racing off-map along the north edge. Then the first set of Russian reinforcements showed up - four Guards squads and a 9-1 leader. Then, to add insult to injury, the infantry gun scored a critical hit on one of the German kill stacks in a stone building. With much of the northern attack stalled, and no pressure elsewhere, Voss decided to concede instead of recording everything for the following week.
What Went Wrong, What Went Right
It's pretty clear I set up my defense starting from the bottom and working towards the top. By the time I got to the north end, I didn't have enough troops left to do it right. I almost paid dearly for that. Once we got started and I realized my setup error, however, I think I did a decent job getting troops over to the northern flank.
Again, the machine guns are set up too far back. Moving them up about three hexes [to, say 1K5 and 1L10] would have made them much more useful.
All in all, it was a good scenario against an opponent who is close to me [I think] in skill level. Plus it was my first win, which I will certainly take.
Next Up - Scenario 14 - Silence That Gun, which I will forever remember as "Like Cattle They Ran"
The Russian setup is in the picture above. Since the southern[bottom] flank was clearly going to be a "cross street" affair, I set up my 5-2-7 squads there and in the woods along the map seam. The two MMGs were set up to form good lanes of fire and try to keep the Germans separated, especially as they approached the factory. The HIP units were set up in places where they would be a surprise in the mid-game, except for the squad in the woods in the center. I was certain the Germas would try to rush the 1P8 building and use it to work their was through the woods avoiding my MG fire. The HIP squad would delay them a turn, which hopefully would be all that was needed.
The German setup was weighted towards the North with two platoons and good leaders prepared to go down the far northern road - which was only really defended by one squad. Defense on that flank just about disappeared on Turn 1, as the 4-4-7 in the rowhouse was KIA'd and the far northern squad broken by the end of the turn. In the center, the Germans sent pretty effective fire across the gully and the HIP squad did delay a platoon for a turn. In the South, the Germans took the buildings that were given to them.
Turns two and three were much the same - aggressive pressure in the North which lessened as one went south. By Turn 3, the Germans and managed to get some squads into building 1H2, and I was seriously considering the defense of the line of rowhouses right next to the factory - for seven turns. Despite all that, including an adjacent German squad, the infantry gun kept firing. It wasn't very effective, but it was both a deterrent and a lightning rod for German fire as other units redeployed.
Turn 4, however, was when Voss' morale broke. First of all, the poor 4-4-7 that had been herded down the north map edge self-rallied in 1J1, preventing the Germans from racing off-map along the north edge. Then the first set of Russian reinforcements showed up - four Guards squads and a 9-1 leader. Then, to add insult to injury, the infantry gun scored a critical hit on one of the German kill stacks in a stone building. With much of the northern attack stalled, and no pressure elsewhere, Voss decided to concede instead of recording everything for the following week.
What Went Wrong, What Went Right
It's pretty clear I set up my defense starting from the bottom and working towards the top. By the time I got to the north end, I didn't have enough troops left to do it right. I almost paid dearly for that. Once we got started and I realized my setup error, however, I think I did a decent job getting troops over to the northern flank.
Again, the machine guns are set up too far back. Moving them up about three hexes [to, say 1K5 and 1L10] would have made them much more useful.
All in all, it was a good scenario against an opponent who is close to me [I think] in skill level. Plus it was my first win, which I will certainly take.
Next Up - Scenario 14 - Silence That Gun, which I will forever remember as "Like Cattle They Ran"