Main Event IV: M1A1 vs. Schwerpunkt

[Ratzki]

Within a short time M1A1 is able to bring the anti-tank gun under fire from multiple locations. The Sherman is still pumping out smoke shells to try to buy some time for the T-34. Anothyer German shell from the 50mm misses wide, the crew starts to reload as fast as they can. They go PINNED, but only for a short time. Quickly they finish reloading the gun, amidst a hail of machine gun bullets, the Shermans smoke shells start to deploy, there is only time for one more shot, careful aim, ... and fire. The T-34 stops moving, and lays still, a couple of seconds later and the crew bails out of the disabled tank.


Just ahead of M1A1's armor, Russian troops catch the sight of a large armored machine moving directly toward their position. M1 has to be thinking that this is one of the Pz IV's he assumes Mr. X has bought. The sighting is very short and then the tank turns into a contact marker and is not seen for the remainder of the turn.
The Germans are now making a serious move to take flag C on the Russian's extreme right flank. First one squad, then another followed by more squads dash across the open field towards the clump of scattered trees and surrounding brush. M1A1 has his Russian troops fire at will on the advancing Germans but his guns are at their long range and the fire does not seem to affect the running German platoon that is moving on the flag. Only after the Russians group their fire at only one target do they manage to force the squad down and PIN it. Overall, here at flags C and D, the Russains are moving forward but at a cost M1A1 might not be able to afford and with Mr. X looking like he is going to start making a move now, as well, things have the potential to get a whole lot worse for M1's troops before it gets better.


Over at flag A, M1A1 might restart moving his armor forward. The barrage from the 81mm FO stops half way through the turn and some of the Russian squads rally back to just being PINNED. A few Russian infantry have run the guantlet and made their way through the shelling, the others PIN but no more damage is caused. The Marder is still laying in wait of an opportunity to ambush any armor that hets into it's LOS. As long as M1 moves towards his right, he should be able to avoid the Marder. German infantry are still be ordered to take pot shots at Russian tank commanders, it is keeping the lead tanks buttoned up and moving with limited visibility.

The flag marked F has been vacated by M1 for the time being, and a couple of Russian squads take to trying to sneak and control flag B without being spotted. Mr. X has a couple of well placed HMGs that might catch a glimpse of them if not careful. The German Pz IV creeps forward, little by little, still out of sight of M1A1's men. Mr. X reports that he is checking to see if he can get a flank shot on one of M1's two tanks here, he says it might be a bad idea but figures the time is right to give it a try.