Flickr Image - Start Position
This is a solitare session of Squad Leader after a long hiatus on a long and quiet night.
As Russians set up second and move first, Berki is almost certain to start in G4 leading the Guards attack. The German set-up has fixed I7 and M9. Kelso's force can potentially get hit in F5, G6 and H5 with 36(+3) and 18(+1) attacks; not the most healthy place to be. So most of the force is left in F6 to try hold the building, and only one squad starts in G6 to give Berki something to shoot at. Hopefully this will distract Berki from J4 which is the main force covering Kelso's position.
Most of Pollack's force is taskeded to provide covering fire for Kelso. One squad stays in K4 for dissuade any hasty Russian dashes across the street. Pollack himself is placed alone in K5 where he will not needlessly break any squads should he fail a morale check.
The bulk of Hamblen's force covers the important L1-L5 street. Notice that it is his force in L6 that prevents the 4-4-7 squads from swarming Pollack's position.
The choice of setting up the Guards lie in where to site Berki. Obviously, he leads the attack from G4, where he has first shot at J4. Once that position is suppressed, the Guards can start swarming across the street. On the right (east), two squads of Russians start in each of M5 and N5. Their mission is to wear down Hamblen's force, and stop them reinforcing Pollack.
The first crack of rifles are heard as the Russian attack begins.
The Russian opening is average. Prep fire broke Hamblen and one of his two squads. More importantly, Berki broke one of Pollack's squads at long range. I was contemplating sending the squad from N2 across the street to Dubovich, but decided against it. An additional squad there will put tremendous pressure on Pollack. But 8(-2) is still bad odds to weather, and most likely the squad will break. He will go south to reinforce the Commisar Cohenov. Defensive fire by the Wetzelberge broke a whole platoon of Guardsmen attempting to spread out to pile pressure on Pollack. Berki moves in during advance phase to attempt to salvage the situation. I forgot to move one squad of Guardsmen from [E4] to [D4]. This is the locatin where he can harrass Kelso as he rallies any broken troops. Will have to rectify it next turn. |
Russian Turn 1
R1 - Rally
No action
R1 - Prep Fire:
[G4]{10-2, 3x 6-2-8} vs [J4], IFT 9+1; 4-6-7 breaks (DM)
[F3]{3x 6-2-8} vs [G6], IFT 9+3; NE
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} vs [J4], IFT 8+2; NE
[M2]{3x 4-4-7} vs [K4], IFT 12+3; NE
[M5]{2x 4-4-7}+[N5]{2x 4-4-7} vs [L6], IFT 16+3;
8-1 and 4-6-7 breaks (DM)
R1 - Movement:
[G3]{3x 6-2-8} to [H3]
[E4]{6-2-8} to [G3]
[N2]{4-4-7} to [N4]
R1 - Defensive Fire:
[I7]{9-2, 3x 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [H3], IFT 16;
3x 6-2-8 break (DM)
[J4]{4-6-7, 2xLMG}+[K4]{4-6-7} vs [G4], IFT 12+3; NE
[G6]{4-6-7} vs [E3], IFT 4+3; NE
[L6]{4-6-7, MMG}+[M7]{4-6-7} vs [M5], IFT 12+3;
4-4-7 break (DM)
R1 - Advancing Fire
Nil
R1 - Rout
Russian
[M5]{4-4-7(B)} to [N4]
German
[J4]{4-6-7(B)} to [K5]
[L6]{8-1(B) 4-6-7(B)} to [L7]
R1 - Advance
[N4]{4-4-7} to [M5]
[G4]{10-2} to [H3]
R1 - Close Combat
No action
|
| Hamblen fails to self-rally. There is no choice but to send Heiken in to shore up the right flank. German fire this turn is largely ineffectual. Berki actually manages to whip up some of the men sulking in the wooden building on his left flank and sent accurate small-arms fire that breaks another of Pollack's squads. No wonder he is a Hero of the Soviet Union! Massed fire from his men break another of Kelso's squads. Wetzelberge sends one squad with LMG to support Kelso. The squad will fire point blank at any Russians. But I overlooked the effect of stone building, which will make this ineffectual. Either Wetzelberge himself with two squads need to do this, or preferably, the Germans should think of withdrawing Kelso before it is too late. This is a mistake which the Germans will pay for dearly in the coming turns. |
German Turn 1
G1 - Rally:
German
[K5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
[L7]{8-1(B-DM), 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
Russian
[H3]{10-2, 3x6-2-8(B-DM)}; 1x 6-2-8 rally
[N4]{8-0, 4-4-7(B-DM)}; NE
G1 - Prep Fire:
[J4]{4-6-7, 2xLMG}+[K4]{4-6-7} vs [G4], IFT 12+3; NE
[L6]{4-6-7, MMG}+[M7]{4-6-7} vs [M5], IFT 12+3; NE
[G6]{4-6-7} vs [H3], IFT 4+3; 2x 6-2-8(B) to DM
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [M5], IFT 12+1; NE
[I7]{4-6-7, LMG} vs [J2], IFT 6+3; NE
G1 - Movement
[M9]{8-1, 4-6-7, HMG} to [M7]
G1 - Defensive Fire
[H3]{10-2, 6-2-8} vs J4, IFT 6+1; 4-6-7 breaks (DM)
[G4]{3x 6-2-8}+[F3]{3x 6-2-8} vs [G5], IFT 27+3;
4-6-7 breaks (DM)
[M2]{3x 4-4-7} vs [K4], IFT 12+3; NE
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} vs [K4], IFT 8+2; NE
[M5]{2x 4-4-7}+[N5]{2x 4-4-7} vs [M7], IFT 16+3; NE
G1 - Advancing Fire
[M7]{8-1, 4-6-7} vs [N5], IFT2+2; NE
G1 - Rout
German
[G6]{4-6-7(B-DM)} to [F6]
[J4]{4-6-7(B-DM)} to [K5]
Russian
Nil
G1 - Advance
[F6]{4-6-7} to [G6]
[I7]{4-6-7, LMG} to [H6]
G1 - Close Combat
Nil
|
Under the blistering oaths from Berki, another squad of Russian Guardsmen rally. Commisar Cohenov also rallies the rifle squad. The Germans also do well as Hemblen rallies himself and his broken squad. Pollack finally gets a squad back into the firing line. Massed firepower from the Guardsmen break the German squad in [J4]. The Guardsmen are deadly if they can get a clear shot at normal range. Two full stacks at normal range fire at the maximum 36FP. Germans must position themselves to avoid that, or break the firing line before the sledgehammer falls (very difficult). Russians rectify their earlier error by moving a squad from [E4] to [D4]. From here, it will harrass Kelso with long range small arms fire to prevent his troops rallying. Berki leads his troops across the street in anticipation of hand-to-hand combat with Kelso's platoon. Return fire from the Germans break a number of Russian squads, including Dubovich himself. In fact, it was the sight of Dubovich cowering in fear that caused his men to to lose heart. (Note: Leaders breaking cause squads they are with to undergo an additional normal morale check. This is the reason why zero modifier leaders should as far as possible never be stacked with units that can be fired upon. They add nothing to the defence, but are a liability if they break.) Berki, leading a platoon of Guardsmen, advances into an empty corner of Kelso's building, where he stumbles upon the squad sent by Wetzelberge. |
Russian Turn 2
R2 - Rally
Russian
[H3]{10-2, 2x6-2-8(B-DM)}; 6-2-8 rallies
[N4]{8-0, 4-4-7(B)}; 4-4-7 rallies
German
[L7]{8-1(B), 4-6-7(B)}; both rally
[K5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B), 4-6-7(B-DM)}; 4-6-7 rallies
[F6]{9-1, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
R2 - Prep Fire
[M5]{2x 4-4-7}+[N5]{2x 4-4-7} vs [M7], IFT 16+3; NE
[F3]{3x 6-2-8}+[G4]{3x 6-2-8} vs [J4], IFT 27+3;
4-6-7 breaks (DM)
[M2]{3x 4-4-7} vs [K4], IFT 12+3; NE
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} vs [K4], IFT 8+2; NE
R2 - Movement
[H3]{10-2, 2x6-2-8} to [G5]
[G3]{6-2-8} to [G5]
[E4]{6-2-8} to [D4]
[N4]{4-4-7} to [M4]
R2 - Defensive Fire
[J4]{9-1 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [D4], IFT 8+1; NE
[L6]{4-6-7, MMG}+[M7]{8-1, 2x4-6-7, HMG, LMG} vs [M5],
IFT 24+2; 2x 4-4-7 breaks (DM)
[K4]{4-6-7}+[K5]{4-6-7} vs [M4], IFT 8+3; NE
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [J2], IFT 12+1; 9-1,
4-4-7 breaks (DM)
R2 - Advancing Fire
[G5]{10-2, 3x 6-2-8} vs [G6], IFT 18+1; 4-6-7 Elim
[D4]{6-2-8} vs [F6], IFT 1+3; 4-6-7(B) to DM
[M4]{4-4-7} vs [K5], IFT 2+3; 4-6-7(B) to DM
R2 - Rout
Russian
[M5]{2x 4-4-7(B-DM)} to [N4]
German
[K5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B-DM)} to [J5]
R2 - Advance
[G5]{10-2, 3x 6-2-8} to [H5]
[G4]{3x 6-2-8} to [G5]
[F3]{3x 6-2-8} to [F4]
[M2]{4-4-7} to [M3]
R2 - Close Combat
Nil
|
No Germans rally this turn. But Dubovich redeems himself by making a surprising recovery. Unfortunately, his squad was less than impressed by his earlier performance, and refused to heed his exhortations to attack. The newly arrived Heiken makes his presence felt immediate, directing murderous HMG fire into the Russian infantrymen to his north, shattering them completely. Unfortunately, none of the other German units could match his performance. Wetzelberge watches in horror as the squad he sent ahead to ambush Berki gets cut down in the open after firing ineffectually at Berki's men. Seeing Heiken's successful MG fire, Hemblen, senses glory and rushes after the fleeing Russians. (Note: Especially in solitare games, one should remember victory conditions. The Germans only need to defend what they have. There is no need to take unnecessary chances. Hemblen is better employed stiffening Pollack's building.) |
German Turn 2
G2 - Rally
German
[F6]{9-1, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
[J5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
Russian
[J2]{9-1(B-DM), 4-4-7(B-DM)}; 9-1 rallies
[N4]{8-0, 2x 4-4-7(B-DM)}; 4-4-7 elim
G2 - Prep Fire
[H6]{4-6-7, LMG} vs [H5], IFT 12+3; NE
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7, 2x LMG} vs [H5], IFT 12+1; NE
[K4]{4-6-7}+[K5]{4-6-7} vs [M3], IFT 8+1; NE
[M7]{8-1, 2x4-6-7, HMG, LMG} vs [N5], IFT 16+2;
2x 4-4-7 breaks (DM)
[F6]{9-1, 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs D4, IFT 8+1; NE
G2 - Movement
[L6]{4-6-7, MMG} to M6
[L7]{8-1, 4-6-7} to M6
G2 - Defensive Fire
[D4]{6-2-8} vs [F6], IFT 3+3; 4-6-7(B) to DM
[H5]{10-2, 2x 6-2-8} vs [H6], IFT 24-2; 4-6-7 elim
[H5]{6-2-8} vs [J5], IFT 6+3; 4-6-7(B) to DM
[J2]{9-1, MMG} vs [K4], IFT 2+2; NE
[M2]{2x 4-4-7}+[M3]{4-4-7}+[M4]{4-4-7} vs [K4], IFT 16+3; NE
G2 - Advancing Fire
[M6]{8-1, 2x 4-6-7} vs [N5], IFT 8+2; NE
G2 - Rout
German
Nil
Russian
[N5]{2x 4-4-7(B-DM)} to [N3]
[N4]{8-0, 4-4-7(B)} to [N3]
G2 - Advance
[M6]{8-1, 2x 4-6-7, MMG} to [M5]
[M7]{8-1, 2x4-6-7, HMG, LMG} to L6
[K4]{4-6-7} to [J4]
[K5]{4-6-7} to [J4]
G2 - Close Combat
Nil
|
Dubovich and Cohenov each rally a squad, and sends them into action. None of the Russian Prep Fire does any damage, although the squad at [D4] continues to harrass Kelso, hindering his rallying efforts. With Pollack's men to the east subdued, Guardsmen began swarming across the street into Kelso's position where they were met with a hail of bullets from the waiting Germans. Many were eliminated when they had no place to retreat to. However, there were too many Russians, and eventually a platoon of the hardy Guardsmen managed to advance into Kelso's position. Kelso and his defenders died in the ensuing close combat, taking a squad of Russian guardsmen with them. To the east, Hemblen found himself with a host of targets, and fired at all of them. (Mistake: First rule of warfare is "concentration". It is better to have one confirmed kill than two misses.) The enraged Russians charged into close combat. Bells toll in Berlin as news reaches it that a stray bullet from Heiken's MG fire kills the Col Berki (rolls double sixes). Hitler himself was said to be preparing an Iron Cross to reward Heiken for the excellent shot. General Chuikov is left to rue the frailty of human life and how a simple morale check could take out his best commander. |
Russian Turn 3
R3 - Rally
Russian
[N3]{8-0, 4-4-7(B), 2x 4-4-7(B-DM)}; 4-4-7(B) rallies
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7(B)}; 4-4-7(B) rallies
German
[J5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
[F6]{9-1, 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
R3 - Prep Fire
[N3]{4-4-7}+[M4]{4-4-7} vs M5, IFT 12+3; NE
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} vs [J4], IFT 8+2; NE
[H5]{10-2, 3x 6-2-8} vs [I7], IFT 18+1; NE
[D4]{6-2-8} vs [F6], IFT 3+3; 4-6-7(B) to DM
R3 - Movement
[N3]{8-0} to [N2]
[G5]{3x 6-2-8} to [G6]
[F4]{3x 6-2-8} to [F5]
[E4]{6-2-8} to [E6]
[M3]{4-4-7} to [N4]
[M2]{2x 4-4-7} to [M4]
R3 - Defensive Fire
[M5]{8-1, 4-6-7, MMG(pen)} vs [M4], IFT 16+2; NE
[M5]{MMG} vs [N3], IFT 4+3; 2x 4-4-7 to DM
[M5]{4-6-7} vs [N4], IFT 8+3; NE
[L6]{8-1, 2x 4-6-7, HMG, LMG} vs [H5], IFT 16+2;
10-2 (KIA!), 6-2-8(B-DM)
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7, 2x LMG} vs [G6]; IFT 12+1; 6-2-8(B-DM)
[J4]{2x 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [E5]; IFT 12-2; NE
[F6]{9-1, 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [F5]; IFT 16+2; NE
R3 - Advancing Fire
[M4]{2x 4-4-7}+[N4]{4-4-7} vs [M5], IFT 12+3; NE
[E6]{6-2-8}+[F5]{2x 6-2-8}+[G6]{6-2-8} vs
[F6], IFT 24+3; NE(!)
R3 - Rout
Russian
[F5]{6-2-8(B-DM)} elim
[G6]{2x 6-2-8(B-DM)} elim
[H5]{6-2-8(B-DM)} elim
[N3]{2x 4-4-7(B-DM)} to N2
German
[F6]{4-6-7(B-DM)} elim
R3 - Advance
[E6]{6-2-8} to [F6]
[F5]{2x 6-2-8} to [F6]
[H5]{6-2-8} to [G5]
[M4]{2x 4-4-7} to [M5]
[N4]{4-4-7} to [M5]
[M3]{4-4-7} to [M4]
[N3]{4-4-7} to [N4]
R3 - Close Combat
[F6]CC losses: {German: 9-1, 4-6-7} {Russian: 6-2-8}
[M5]CC losses: {German: 4-6-7} {Russian: 4-4-7}
|
| MG fire from Heiken continues to take a toll on the remnants of Berki's platoon milling at the location of his demise. Wetzelberge's two squads make no impact on the Guardsmen. The resulting counterfire breaks both Wetzelberge's squads through sheer bad luck. What a turn of fortunes from fifteen minutes ago! Wetzelberge retreated to the building at [K8] with his men, leaving behind two LMGs. |
German Turn 3
G3 - Rally
German
[J5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B)}; NE
Russian
[N2]{8-0, 2x4-4-7(B-DM)}; NE
G3 - Prep Fire
[J4]{2x 4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [J2] IFT 12+3; NE
[L6]{8-1, 2x 4-6-7, HMG, LMG} vs [G6], IFT 16+2; 6-2-8(B-DM)
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7, 2x LMG} vs [F6]; IFT 12+1; NE
G3 - Movement
Nil
G3 - Defensive Fire
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} vs [J4], IFT 8+2; 4-6-7 breaks (DM)
[F6]{2x 6-2-8, 2xLMG(cap)}+[G6]{6-2-8}+[H5]{6-2-8} vs [I7],
IFT 22+3; 2x 4-6-7 break (DM)
G3 - Advancing Fire
Nil
G3 - Rout
German
[I7]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7(B-DM)} to [K8]
[J4]{4-6-7(B-DM)} to [J5]
Russian
[G6]{6-2-8(B-DM)} to [F5]
G3 - Advance
[J4]{4-6-7, 2xLMG} to [J5]
G3 - Close Combat
[M5]CC losses: {German: 8-1, 4-6-7} {Russian: 4-4-7}
|
| Pollack failes to rally any of his men while Cohenov succeeds with both! Wetzelberge manages to get one of his squads up, but it is a case of too little too late. The Russians swarm Pollack's position and puts pressure on both Heiken's eastern position and Wetzelberg's west flank. Pollack goes down with a bayonet in his chest, and part of Heiken's force retreats, while a handful of stalwarts stand to engage the onrushing Russians in hand-to-hand combat. With a collapsing perimeter, Wetzelberge decides he has had enough. He gave orders to his remaining troops to disengage to fight another day. |
Russian Turn 4
R4 - Rally
Russian
[N2]{8-0, 2x 4-4-7(B-DM)}; 2x 4-4-7 rally
German
[J5]{8-0, 4-6-7(B), 4-6-7(B-DM)}; NE
[K8]{9-2, 2x 4-6-7(B-DM)}; 4-6-7 rally
R4 - Prep Fire
Nil
R4 - Movement
[N2]{8-0, 2x4-4-7} to [N5]
[N3]{4-4-7} to [M7]
[M4]{4-4-7} to [K5]
[J2]{9-1, 4-4-7, MMG} to [J4]
[D4]{6-2-8} to [H5]
[F6]{6-2-8} to [H5]
R4 - Defensive Fire
[L6]{8-1, 2x 4-6-7, HMG, LMG} vs [N5], IFT 16+2; 8-0,
4-4-7 break (DM)
[J5]{4-6-7, 2xLMG} vs [J4], IFT 16+3; 2xLMG break
R4 - Advancing Fire
[M7]{4-4-7} vs [L6], IFT 4+3; NE
[N5]{4-4-7} vs [L6], IFT 2+3; NE
[M5]{4-4-7, MMG} vs [L6], IFT 8+3; 8-1, 4-6-7 break(DM)
[K5]{4-4-7} vs [J5], IFT 4+3; NE
[J4]{4-4-7, MMG} vs [J5], IFT 8+2; NE
[H5]{3x 6-2-8} vs [J5], IFT 12+3; NE
R4 - Rout
Russian
[N5]{8-0(B-DM), 4-4-7(B-DM)} to [N4]
German
[L6]{8-1(B-DM)} to K7
[L6]{4-6-7(B-DM)} to K8
[J5]{2x4-6-7(B)} elim
R4 - Advance
[M7]{4-4-7} to [L6]
[K5]{4-4-7} to [J5]
[J4]{9-1, 4-4-7} to [J5]
[H5]{6-2-8} to [H6]
[G6]{6-2-8} to [H6]
[F6]{6-2-8, 2xLMG} to [G7]
R4 - Close Combat
[L6]CC losses: {None}
[J5]CC losses: {German: 8-0, 4-6-7}
{German player concedes.}
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