#0714_01 Tolstoye Woods_3 - Kursk Southern Front

Tolstoye Woods, west of Verhopenye. 14 July, 1943 (Scenario Size: Corps. German Human vs Russian AI or Head to Head.) After a hard day of combat on the 13th, the Germans were ready to complete the encirclement of Tolstoye Woods. If they were successful, they would capture the whole of the 10th Tank Corps and part of the 6th Tank Corps as well. But completing the encirclement would not be easy. Going around to the north would prove to be almost impossible as the Russian 219th Rifle Division had 727th Rifle Regiment dug in there. Going around to the west of the woods seemed easier, despite the fact that the Russian 6th Tank Corps had units spread out all over the area. Taking no chances, the Germans assembled a force consisting of elements of the 6th Panzer Regiment, the Gross Deutschland Panzer Regiment, the 39th Panzer Regiment with the new Panther tanks, the 394th Panzer Grenadier Regiment, and the 332nd Infantry Division. With this force the Germans felt confident of success. But the Russians were not idle during the night before. They improved their defenses, including laying out minefields surrounding the woods. By the time the attack started, the Russians were ready and waiting for them.