Tank Graveyard at Minsk-AAR

[Cole]

Russian Turn 6

The advance down the west slope of Hill 290 was temporarily halted by a platoon of Panzergrenadiers in a vicious counter attack. The German infantry (along with some mortar half tracks) were able to take advantage of strong covering fire remaining unmolested until they were in the midst of the advancing T-34's. Three tanks were destroyed and I cannot raise my Regimental commander on the radio.

The German infantry was brave but were quickly overwhelmed. Their sacrifice was not in vain and bought time allowing many German panzers to escape. A T-34 platoon gave chase south towards Sukovichi but was engaged by a PZ-IV platoon about 1 1/2 kilometers away. One T-34 was destroyed and the platoon commander halted his tanks to radio in a report stating that he believed the PZ-IV platoon was not part of the fleeing force but warning of more German forces in the area.

Major Olfukhov's tanks were assigned to guard the south slope of 290. He immediately gave the order to advance towards Sukovichi in order to cut off the German retreat. Before being able to reach the crossroads the lead platoon was engaged by a Tiger platoon stationed in a hamlet 2km to the south. The following platoon was then engaged by a PZ-V platoon located in woods 1/2 k south of the Tiger. The enemy fire slowed movement across the exposed open areas but the third platoon was not engaged and is racing to engage the Tiger at close quarters. This would seem like a suicidal assault but help arrived from the east in the form of a T-34 company, resulting in one destroyed Tiger bursting into flames after an opportune rear shot presented.

Major Morkunas has entered Dinarevichi but only three PZ-IV's were discovered and destroyed. The T-34's that were sent north did discover a PZ-II platoon covering the retreat of what we believe to be the PZ-V's. Three separate platoons engaged the small German tanks but neither damage the smaller tanks or proceed further into the woods.

The German's are now in an excellent position to counterattack using the roads to quickly fire and then disappear in the woods. We will suffer more casualties but our determination to rid the Motherland of the Fascist cancer is such that we are prepared to pay any cost to bring destruction and doom to the enemy.