Dog Fight - Ostkreig Tournament Round 2

[Ricky B]

Soviet Turn 6.

There is some good news, and bad news, this turn. In the east, I have 3 cavalry regiments across the river, and after one of them recovers from disruption all 3 are in good order. I finally have flanking units across the river ready to lay down supporting fire, so I will be able to begin a breakout attempt this turn.

Also, my T34s that broke through the enemy lines are 5 km from the exit hex, but I will be waiting to see if I want to exit the unit, or send it to support the cavalry - at this point I will not exit it but more toward the center of the map instead.



On the other hand, Brian has committed 3 strong (XX sized) and 1 under 10 tank elite tank units from the 11. Panzer Division against my western forces, facing off against 2 of my T34 units trying to break through to the enemy rear. This will be tough to deal with. And finally, Brian has pushed along the river to the west of the central bridgehead, threatening to isolate the western village anchoring that flank. I will have to give up that village, compressing my bridgehead to a minimal space. There are no further good defensive positions along the river, forcing me to fight desperately to stop the enemy attacks there, or give up the bridgehead if any further ground is lost.

My plan is to wear down the tank units in the west, and try to break out with my cavalry in the east. In addition, facing the central bridgehead the enemy has a weak spot - right in the middle of the line facing me is a single infantry unit, while I have a couple of tank units ready to strike if I can disrupt it, opening a third hole in the dyke. First, however, to buy time I want to open up the retreat route from the western village, which will leave my defensive position in better shape and buy time to rebuild my damaged units on that flank of the central bridgehead.

Ultimately, the results of the turn are that my western forces pull back the T34 units in the face of the panzers, while the infantry and supporting T34 move up and keep the pressure on the German infantry, the central bridgehead opens up the retreat route as planned from the western town, and I don't have any success at all in the east with the cavarly. This was basically a setup turn, that didn't accomplish anything significant on its own but I hope kept enough pressure on Brian to prevent any positive action by him.



Rick