DAR - The Cauldron Of Fire

[Cole]

Turn 33 last throw of the dice

In Ponyri German artillery was able to clear all infantry from the two hexes guarding the approach to the VP hex. An easy overrun of the panzers guarding the highway and a brave T-34, commanded by our friend Sasha volunteered to enter the smoke and reconnoiter the VP hex. Instead of staying in the Shirokoe Bilota area all the Russian tanks that had recently been repulsed in the west had rushed back south to the highway in order to join the final battle in Ponyri.
The VP hex was stacked with units but besides at least one Ferdinand (that fortunately didn't spot the T-34 in the smoke) the only undistrupted infantry unit was an Engineer.

Figuring that the engineer and Ferdinand might be depleted in strength points the Russians sent in all the armor possible...



After days of enduring heavy Russian artillery and a hard fought battle in Ponyri the Germans fled before the Russian tanks.

I couldn't help myself and with the other remaining tanks tried to kill as many Ferdinands as possible but after the close assault above the game was tied.

Great game by Larry. I do think he picked the best German strategy to win this game and that is to try and rush forward as fast as possible. As will be seen below I think a mistake on the German side was over garrisoning the German right flank. My counter attack with the Russian tanks might have helped draw in German reserves desperately needed elsewhere. The counter attack was not a total loss as a lot of Russian armor escaped and using their mobility (especially the T-34's) were able to rush back and play a role in the final battle.

I am almost done interviewing Earl and the next post will be a Q & A session with him.

Screen shot below of the final disposition of forces on the Russian left. There's a 500 VP hex under the text box Ponyri I. The German units in the far west side of the map are guarding a VP hex off screen in the NW corner.



Ponyri below. In the end it was strong German forces from the State Farm clashing with Russian forces being reinforced from the west. I think if the Germans had 5 more turns they would of taken Hill 253.5 with no problem and might of had a chance to take the N. Ponyri vp hex. There just isn't enough Russian infantry left on the hill to last much longer. Ponryi might be won by the Russians due to the artillery. As it was German high command has called off the assault and Ponyri has lived up to it's historical reputation as the "Stalingrad Of Kursk" The VP hex changed hands 9 times during this game.