ASL T4 - Shklov's Labors Lost

Posted April, 1998

German Side: Ted "The Terrible" Bleck

American Side: David W. Harrison

Mode: VASL

BATTLE PLANS:

SOVIET PLAN: The Soviet defense appears to be a strong forward defense with a light reserve to the rear. It looks like he wants to go toe-to-toe with the German Elites A good plan for an early turn victory, IF he can withstand the initial German fire.

GERMAN PLAN: The Stug's are positioned to assist in reducing the Soviet defense in building N5. The infantry will use building F5 as a jumpoff point. Initial objectives will be to break and scatter the defenders in M7 and N5, clearing those buildings by turn 3. The remaining time will be used to press the attack home. If I can get him off balance, I will try to keep him off balance.

ACTION REPORT:

Turn 1 - The ioening salvos from the Stug's proved ineffective. I decided against Smoke since the opject is to break units not obstrcut their fire. However, fire from K5 to M5 breaks a squad and compells the second to withdraw and seek more comfortanble surroundings. Fire from K4 to M7 breaks the 10-3 and a squad. Things are looksing good so far for the Germans.

During movement a 468 attempts to lay Smoke between J5 and K7, but winds up pinned int J6 by fire from the Soviet half squad. The 8-1 leaderand one 468 jump into K8, while the two 468's Dash into K7. One breaks from Subsequent First Fire from the half squad. The surviving 468 Advances into Close Combat and subdues the hapless Soviet half squad. Building M7 is ripe for the plucking as it's defenders fall back to O8 and P7.

During the Soviet player turn, fire from the front line is ineffective. German defensive fire pins the one unit and rattle the defender in N5. The Stug's again prove ineffective but gain -2 acquisitions on N5 and retain a -1 acquisition on M5.

Turn 2 -

With the Soviet defense off balance, It's time to press the attack. Buildings N5 and M7 are vulnerable a full turn earlier than I anticipated. The Stug in H6 breaks it'starget in N5. Fire from K4 breaks the remaining squad in M7 opening the way for the 10-3 and squads to advance.

The Stug in K3 cranks up and moves to O6. The 10-3 and a lmg toting squad push to M4 and attempt an infantry overron on the 10-0 Commissar in N4. The 10-3 fails in his attempt so both the leader and squad end their movement. the MMG toting squad advances to N3 to seal off the northern side of the building. Putting more pressure on N5 the squad in L6 moves to O6, while another squad advances to M8. Attempting to keep the 10-3 and revitalized squad in P8 occupied,a squad moves from K8 to M9 only to get shot up for it efforts.The 8-1 and a squad musgh into L7.

The Soviets take heavy losses with a squad and the Commissar falling - the squad for failure to rout and the leader to close combat. The Soviets can mount little in the way of a counter attack. Their best chance is toteh south as the 10-3 continues to revive the broken squads under his command. Building P8 will be a touch nut to crack and the pivitol location for the scdnario.

Turn 3 -

The onslaught continues as the German troops swarm the Russian defenses. Fire from N3 breaks the squad in O2. The unit in P5 has skulked back to Q5. In movement phase, the 9-2 leadersends a squad to N1 and P2 surrounding the broken squad in O2.To help this movement a squad jumps into the street from N5 to O6 drawing fire from Q3.2. The Germans try to advance on P8 but get bounced back by fire from the 10-3 directed squad. Schattered and broken the rout back to M9. The second Stug in H6 now cranks up and moves to the defense of the remnants in M9. The Stug in O6 reeves up and moves to R6 putting more pressure on the beleagured 10-3 and squads.

Things are looking extremely good fo the Germans. The only serious defensive threat exists to the south in building P7/P8. What remains in Q3 is either broken or will soon incur upper level encirclement penalties.

During the Soviet portion of turn 3 the 10-3 rallies the remaining broken units in P8. The broken unit in Q3 remains in disorder. A break for the Germans as the wounded 9-1 in M9 rallies both the hs and the 468. The 468 battle hardens and creates a hero. The only good news for the Soviets is that the wouonded 9-1 is wounded again and that both die in a K/3 check.

Choices for the Soviet player are few. Aside from the fire effects from P8 little else is accomplished. Defensive fire pins the squad in Q3.2 and does little else.

Turn 4 -

Well ahead of the battle paln, I've got to regroup for the final assault on P8. Building Q3 should fall this turn.

Prep fire from the Stugs once again proves ineffective. Fire from O2 pinns the ATR wielding squad in Q3.2, Now is the time to take the building. The hero in P5 rushes to Q4.2 to draw fire and survives. The 9-2, HMG(r) 338 in M7 crosses to N6 while the 468 with a MMG in P5 also converges on N6. Finally, the 468 with the LMG in P6 assaults into P7. The reduction of P8 is set as their defensive fire fails to inflict any damage.

It all over but the shouting.Prep Fire suceeds in breaking the 468 in P7 and nothing else. Defensive fire has a Stug breaking the 10-3 and nailing a 458. Fire from the now "killer stack" in N6 breaks the rest and retains ROF. The leader dies from the second burst from the MG's. A 458 casualty reduces and the rest break. The LLMC adds a finishing touch with only two broken half squads left in P8. During routh phase they leave the building fo the Germans to occupy.

With two turns to go and no leaders left to rally the broken Soviet troops, Dave concedes. I still have plenty of time to mop up each building to insure a victory.

Game played between March 14, 1998 and March 21, 1998 on VASL.

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