MAIN EVENT VII! Ratzki vs Joonny....

[Der Kuenstler]

This is one of those minutes where the whole battle can change within a few fateful seconds. In this first shot we can see Ratzki is charging one of Joonny's vet Panthers in town with one of his Pioneer squads. The squad has two satchel charges which would be deadly if thrown at the buttoned Panther. A rifle platoon is already in the building nearby with grenades to throw.



But disaster happens for the Russians. The Panther fires the dread of every school spelling bee contestant, the nahverteidigungswaffe, and backs away from the threatening infantry. The pioneers never got close enough and the rifle squad in the church just sat there without throwing a grenade. The Panther backs into the LOS of Ratzki's two T34/85s to the North...



Shells are exchanged and the lead T34 is knocked out....



The Russian beasts bounced three shells off of the Panther's frontal armour before the rear T34 tries to back away, and he ALMOST makes it -but no...



Over near the Southern flag, we can see what a difference elevation makes. Despite being back in about 70 meters of Summer woods, the Russians are still taking fire from the Germans up in the seacliffs. There is just no place for this maxim crew to hide from the onslaught...



Ratzki is now down to two T34/85s and one IS-2. All three have had their commanders killed and so are permanently buttoned up. Facing them are 11 healthy German AFV's, three of which are Panthers.

Vasilov runs back to the phone...



Joonny appears delighted with this - he writes:

"Yes my Panthers are fighting like panthers again!"

Ratzki deadpans: "That could have gone better."