Tank Graveyard at Minsk-AAR

[Cole]

Comrades,

I take time from the glorious battle to liberate Minsk to counter vile Fascist propaganda and provide an account of the heroic 25th and 32nd Tank Brigades.

I have made my headquarters on Hill 290 in the village of Vyshkovo. My orders are to push towards Zaslavly controlling the main road that passes through Slovoda. Our intelligence section has intercepted German transmissions and we are sure that the enemy is concentrated around Slovoda and will contest ownership of this road.

During Turn 4 we engaged enemy panzers that were attempting to climb the north-west slope of Hill 290. Our assault caught them by surprise and as we had the height advantage we were able to score some kills. Unfortunately the enemy was able to quickly react and withdraw in a fast and orderly manner, scoring a couple of kills during their retreat. Additional enemy panzers arrived in support of the retreat providing covering fire that disrupted the tempo of our attack before disappearing in the smoke and mist.

Just to the south of this action there is a dirt road passing down the west slope through a small village. Some T-34's were posted here to guard the approach and were heavily engaged by advancing panzers, to include some Tigers. The German withdrawal was orderly and during the engagement we lost contact. The choice was either to wait for reinforcements or pursue the fleeing enemy.

Major Morkunas still shaken by the carnage around him (7 SPs of T-34s destroyed in his hex) had the presence of mind to remain in position in order to try and determine the direction of the German withdrawal. Unfortunately due to the haste of the German withdrawal, smoke, mist, and the nuisance of panzer fire directed at his vehicle he was only able to determine the direction of the 3 PZ-V's retreat (blue question mark on the map). He ordered his T-34's forward and three platoons traveled down the north west slope without incident. The platoons fanned out but could only locate the 3 PZ-V panzers in retreat towards the safety of an orchard. This information was radioed in and more T-34's engaged the panzers from the slops killing one and disrupting their retreat. Since the remaining enemy still was not located and obviously had left the immediate area a platoon was tasked to enter the village next to the orchard in hopes of cutting off the fleeing panzers or determine if any enemy were located inside. Almost immediately after starting up again towards the village the T-34 platoon was engaged from the rear by PZ-IVs located at the foot of the west slope.

A T-34 platoon from second company was sent down the west slope in order to engage the PZ-IV's that had just fired but they soon came under under heavy fire from a platoon of Tigers, losing a tank. The Germans had concentrated here and were determined to engage any pursuers. A second platoon arrived but the heavy fire continued and they were not able to return accurate fire. So far two Tiger platoons and two PZ-IV platoons were spotted. More T-34s followed and took revenge killing one Tiger and a PZ-IV. The SU-122 platoon was ordered to fall back but the tankers were filled with a righteous desire to avenge their comrades in the burning T-34s and were able to engage and destroy two retreating Tigers from the ridge line. Half the enemy forces were in obvious disorder and recon was ordered forward in order to try and cut off any retreat and help support a close assault. Before the assault could take place another Tiger and PZ-IV platoon were discovered. They were also engaged from above by more T-34's and the recon unit was again ordered to help another close assault but they soon discovered a platoon of German infantry protecting the north side of the road.

We have bloodied the enemy and have again caused a lot of confusion and disruption. I now expect heavy casualties as the Germans are able to recover quickly and there is still at least a Tiger platoon that was not engaged.