Tank Graveyard at Minsk-AAR

[Oberst]

Turn 3:
A lot of motorized sounds coming from the Soviet side. West of the Soviet obj one of my AC's had a short skirmish with a patrolling Soviet AC. A few shots where fired but the Soviets managed to retreat with no losses. My AC unit decided to pursue, thinking that they maybe able to score a quick kill but unfortunately a T34 plt awaited them and 2 units where toasted. The remaining unit fell back but pulled off the rode to observe if any Soviet units would push forward. No other action this turn.

Turn 4:
Sure enough my opponent decided to check out the area and a lone T34 plt slowly moved forward just N of my AC unit. It moved forward to the edge of the plateau where 1 of my Panther plts was lying in ambush. The loud crack of its 75 mm gun meant the destruction of 2
units from that coy. But to my dismay several more T34's pushed forward and returned fire. The Panther plt was forced to retreat but still in LOS and with its rear in full view of the Soviets. Several more T34's quickly moved forward and this time 1 Panther unit was destroyed. Thinking to get a closer shot another T34 advanced forward but ran into 2 PZIV plts which had no remaining opp fire. Like vultures a coy of T34's opened fire at one of the plts. One unit was destroyed and the remaining 3 PZ's retreated. Several more T34's moved up and fired and 2 more PZ's were brewed up. Another T23 fired at the other PZ plt, destoying one unit. Just E of my AC 2 T34\85 plts along with a SU122 plt stopped just short of the edge of the plateau. One Panther unit, along with 4 PZIV's destroyed. Not a good start. But all was not lost. My AC unit had visual LOS to all of the Soviet units lying along the edge or just beyond the edge of the plateau. My wounded Panther plt along with the 1 remaining PZIV unit blasted back and took out 1 Soviet T34 unit which retreated to the N and then fell back out of LOS. A Tiger plt advanced a few meters to get a good view and once the smoke from its 88 had cleared, a destoyed T34 was revealed. Another PZIV opened fire and a another Soviet T34 was blazing. The other remaining PZIVH also got in a shot and another T34 was gone. Just W below the plateau, W of my AC unit, another Panther plt engaged gears and climbed up the ridge road. A shot from the SU122 bounced harmlessly off of its armor. A single shot and a T34/84 unit was burning. A Tiger plt also moved up. shaking off a shot from one of the T34/85 plts, the gunner set his sights and the 88 claimed another T34/85 unit. The Tiger then fell back as did the Panther plt. Two more PZIVH plts remained in the area and one by one they moved forward. One destroyed the remaining T34 unit engaged earlier by my units to the N. A Soviet commander remained by itself amid the debris of his destroyed coy. The other PZIV, had a tough choice, fire at the Soviet units engaged by the Tiger & Panther or try for the Soviet commander. I opted for the commander but today he was lucky as the shot missed. Both units along with my AC unit then pulled back out of LOS. But what awaited them? Would the Soviet commander decide to push forward and revenge their fallen comrades?
Losses:
Axis: 1 Panther unit, 1 PZIVH coy, 2 AC units
Allies: 7 T34 units, 2 T34/85 units.

More to follow.

Gil ( Oberst )