The Cauldron of Fire - The Matrix Games version of East Front II

Version 1.03 All units are fixed for turn one to allow each side to set op fire and initial artillery barrages. This scenario is the second in the Ninth Army series of the Kursk offensive and is designed for team play. The German XXXXI Panzer Corps has been ordered to attack in conjunction with XXXXVII Panzer Corps which is on the right flank (Olkhovatka scenario). The aim is to make a breakthrough to Kursk and link up with 4th Panzer Army, closing the Kursk salient and trapping a large number of Russians in the pocket. The Russian 13th Army is well prepared to meet the onslaught as they have been making defensive works for the past two months. This battle features the debut of the Ferdinand assault guns in addition to the Brumbars and Stugs in support of two infantry divisions. The Germans also reinforced the battle with the understrength 18th Panzer Division.The Russians countered this with a regiment of the new SU 152 assault guns and two Tank Brigades from the 3rd Tank Corps in support of two rifle divisions. Ponyri featured the largest concentration of artillery in any one sector by the Russians with a full artillery division being assigned this sector. The battle raged for 7 days and many considered it the Stalingrad of the Kursk battle. The German infantry moved steadily forward in spite of the intense artillery barrages.This battle also featured savage street and house to house fighting with sections of the town changing hands two or three times daily. On July 5,1943 the XXXXI Panzer Corps truly entered "The Cauldron of Fire" that was awaiting them at Ponyri.