DAR - The Cauldron Of Fire

[Cole]

Turn 26
Here's a screen shot of the Russian counterattacks in the State Farm area. A lone platoon was able to rush in right after an artillery barrage and clear the trench lines in the hex just to the NE of the VP hex. These past few turns the Germans have been trying to gain the heights overlooking the valley and the Russians have been successful in denying them this but now there are a few German spotters off to the NW that can call in artillery into the valley.
Another platoon has cleared the fields on the west side of the steam and the hope was to be able to locate German panzers for the T-34s to engage. A German engineer platoon has stopped any further advance and the German panzers remain unmolested.

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Turn 27
German infantry rushes forward in force everywhere. Dismayed to see quite a few platoons still at full strength. The Germans have re-taken the State Farm 500 VP hex and the 500 VP hex and surrounding bunkers in North Ponyri.

The Russian tankers fleeing with Sasha have survived but a horde of German infantry will probably soon overrun the 500 vp hex out there.

Screen shot of the renewed advance on Hill 253.5 displays the general flavor of this turn and the deteriorating Russian situation. HQ does note that it is probably good news that the Germans are reduced to sending their MG platoons in the assault wave. Still it is a formidable sight to behold to the Russian defenders: