1st Ukraine Front - Insiders look at a Play Test

[Strela]

Soviet Turn

It is now 16:00. Progress overall has been acceptable, particularly in the 27th Army operation. It appears that 5th MC and 5th GTC are sufficient for the 40th Army sector so the 233rd Independant Tank Brigade is ordered to reinforce the sucess in the north. The 233rd is part of 6th GTA's reserve and if it can successfuly breakthrough it can push on to Lysanka. this would also put it in 198th Infantry Divisions rear and could compromise its positions.





337th Rifle Division probes towards Baran'ye Pole with SU support but are halted at the outskirts of the village. 88th Infantry defenses look tougher here. Pushing towards Zakutintsy there is a bubble in the German line. It looks like the STuG battalion is the only force between here and Baran'ye Pole. The 233rd will be in the battle line during the dusk turn - is this the direction it should go? It is an extremely powerful force with 60 odd armored vehicles and a full strength tank rider battalion.







40th Army is now seeing the benefit of 5th MC and 5th GTC supporting its infantry. 5th GTC shoots the 339th Rifle division into another bunker just north of Motylevka. Tank riders dismount and follow the Rifle infantry into the bunker complex. The German AT guns and infantry continue to stubbornly hold out at the cross roads just south of Motylevka. They manage to disrupt a flamethrower bn and a KV-1 bn.

Significantly, 5th MC manages to disrupt the German force defending Pavlovka. A quick assault by 133 Rifle Division manages to push the defenders out and further compromise the German defensive line. 2 Bn's of 45 Mech Bde push through and manage to disrupt another German company. The 5th MC is starting to look like it could breakthrough.




German Turn 6

The situaton has stabilised slightly in the north. The major issue this turn is the Russian success at Pavlovka. If the Russians continue to hold it, they will flank the whole of 34th Infantry's bunker line.





34th Division realise the danger that a Soviet held Pavlovka presents. German artillery is called in with heavy fire and it is amazing that the town is not rubbled. Both Russian bn's of the 521st Infantry Regt are disrupted and II/GR107 assaults the town. Very bloody for the attackers, but significantly they take the town and don't disrupt. The line looks a little more secure...






The recovery of Pavlovka is significant. A small Marder company moves up to support the infantry company south of the Russian Mech forces. This group will have to hold until next turn when the Feld Ersatz Bn can replace them.

The Germans decide not to abandon a bunker north west of Pavlovka as it would shorten the Russian line and expose the AT force on the Motylevka road. Anything to delay the Russians...





In the 88th / 198th Infantry sector it has become apparent that the Russians could roll up the 198th Infantry bunker line. The 198th is now beginning to pull back to the south east. Ultimately, it will have to cross the G'niloy Tikich so the crossing will become of supreme importance. The divisional boundary is between Zakutintsy and Baran'ye Pole and is extremely lightly held. This will only be strengthened by the 198th Infantry retiring back.






Both sides continue to pay the piper....


Turn 7 to follow.