Winter Operations - Kharkov '43: Round 3

LordDeadwood · 01-11-2025, 06:49 AM,

(01-11-2025, 04:32 AM)ComradeP Wrote: Wow, with those Axis losses holding the line is an impressive feat. In our game, the Sturm battalion was lightly engaged, but both SS regiments took a beating. The northern SS PzG regiment had a strength of less than a battalion by the end of the game and that was with about 1100 losses less than in your game.

I think one of the things that made an impact in this game was that I triggered the release of the security division. I sent a couple of T-70 companies around the northern flank and ran into the flak battery at 13,0. Filip was then able to use the (fresh) security regiment to secure his left flank. Otherwise, I think I could have encircled or forced him to abandon the 250 VP at 15,6. And my allowing him to isolate three btl. in the south didn't help either!

It was an enjoyable game. In fact, I have enjoyed these small scenarios more than I thought I would. However, by the time this tournament is over, I will be ready to get out of the snow! Helmet Smile

Arkan · 01-11-2025, 10:31 AM,

We have completed our game - Dogsoldier (Soviet) vs Arkan (Axis) - Russian major defeat with 193 points.

HMCS Rosthern · 01-11-2025, 01:06 PM,

(01-11-2025, 06:49 AM)LordDeadwood Wrote:
(01-11-2025, 04:32 AM)ComradeP Wrote: Wow, with those Axis losses holding the line is an impressive feat. In our game, the Sturm battalion was lightly engaged, but both SS regiments took a beating. The northern SS PzG regiment had a strength of less than a battalion by the end of the game and that was with about 1100 losses less than in your game.
I think one of the things that made an impact in this game was that I triggered the release of the security division. I sent a couple of T-70 companies around the northern flank and ran into the flak battery at 13,0. Filip was then able to use the (fresh) security regiment to secure his left flank. Otherwise, I think I could have encircled or forced him to abandon the 250 VP at 15,6. And my allowing him to isolate three btl. in the south didn't help either!

It was an enjoyable game. In fact, I have enjoyed these small scenarios more than I thought I would. However, by the time this tournament is over, I will be ready to get out of the snow!

Stay tuned for Tournament No 4. It will be either western or the Mediterranean front, or maybe both. Tank6

Dog Soldier · 01-12-2025, 01:29 PM,

(01-11-2025, 10:31 AM)Arkan Wrote: We have completed our game - Dogsoldier (Soviet) vs Arkan (Axis) - Russian major defeat with 193 points.

Arkan played a flawless defense fully maximizing all of the German advantages in this scenario. I think he would agree he had to as I pounded the German units with whatever I could through out the game. If the scenario played out until darkness, my Soviets might have still tipped the balance.

The last three turns were very bloody for both sides as the SS had to make their stand after retreating slowly to take advantage of the slow Soviet infantry.

What is shown in Arkan's post is the top part of the stack in the northern 250 VP location.

Below is the bottom part of that SS garrison. There is some overlap in the units shown for clarity when comparing to Arkan's image in his post.
The gun units with their A morale saved the entire stack during the Soviet assaults. With the combination of 60% defense against direct fire, even the Soviet artillery was only scratching the infantry units and fatigue results against the guns. That A morale from the guns, transfers to all the infantry in an assault, while the Soviets assaults become weaker as units go from C to D and D to E morale thus having to be left out of an assault the next turn to keep the higher morale units from being penalized. Soviet assaults were dishing out XX casualties spread across all the German infantry units while losing XXX Soviet infantry and X number of tanks.
Meanwhile the SS stacks are dealing out 21 -25 casualties on any Soviet unit they direct fire upon in their turn.

Lots of burned out Soviet tanks accompanied by piles of dead infantry.

The same happened in the southern 250 VP location. Those are the only two hexes in the scenario that matter. Capturing them would make a huge swing in the VP results.

Dog Soldier

**Ricky B** · 01-19-2025, 03:21 PM,

Liebchen-Soviet and I finished the battle, It was a minor Soviet loss at 303 points. The southern section was holding up well but the northern front was beaten and battered. Plus I found quite a few T-70s probing around my rear but I had placed a garrison in all objectives just in case.