** Arctic Front: Across River Vuoksi 2x2 - The Matrix Games version of East Front II

UPDATED TO MCS 2.00. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO USE THIS LATEST VERSION

4 July, 1944

[Vuosalmi, 45 km E of Viborg, Karelian Isthmus Finland] [H2H] [HIS] [CSL]

Marshal Govoror, Commander of Red Army's Leningrad Front, was running out of time. Despite some early success, his Vyborg Offensive in Karelian Isthmus is now in danger of grounding to a halt. After just four days into offensive, on June 14 1944, his 21st Army had decisively broken through the main Finnish defensive line at Kuuterselkä (See: ** Bitter Kuuterselka). Then, took the major city of Vyborg on June 20 (See: ** Fury at Viborg Bay). The offensive was proceeding exactly as planned.

However, the Finns were now fast recovering from the initial shock, and the hard battles during the next two weeks had denied him the ability to continue towards Southern Finland. Instead, due to heavy losses, by beginning of July the 21st Army was forced to deploy into defensive positions. Simultaneously, the 59th Army was denied their ambitious landing into Finnish mainland over Viborg Bay, forcing them to discontinue their advance as well.

To keep the pressure on, Govorov now ordered the available 23rd Army to break the Finnish defense around the towns of Äyräpää and Vuosalmi, an area that both sides knew intimately from thei battles of Winter War (See: ** Higher Ground). To do that, they would need to negotiate the obstacle that was the grand river of Vuoksi.

On July 4, the 98th Army Corps were ordered to first secure the vital high ground south of the river, and then to force an initial bridgehead over the river Vuoksi. The 115th Army Corps would then join in and swing West towards the Finnish Gulf, creating a huge pocket from the remaining Finnish forces in the area.

Elements of the Finnish 2nd Division knew the situation well. Given the commanding view which the southern heights provided, a retreat to the relative safety of the northern shore was out of the question. Vuosalmi needs to hold on long enough for the reinforcements to arrive! Participating in the battle were the German Stukas and FW-190s of the Flight Detachment Kuhlmey, and elements of the 303rd Sturmgeschutz Bde.

(Player note: please make sure you are familiar with bridging engineers (building medium bridges), construction engineers(trenches), and loading and unloading crewed boats and ferries.)

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(Scenario picture: Finnish assault boats crossing a river)

[Can be played as 2x2 team game.]

[Scandinavian Terrain Mod recommended to be enabled when playing this scenario]

[ALL : N AF: N VV] [2.0]