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The 1st SS Panzer is staged on the next table
ready to go into action. The tank companies are in the front
with the infantry companies in the back. Two companies of
armored Panzer grenadiers can be seen in the foreground loitering
behind their halftracks. Each company has its data card on the
table behind it. |
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This is another view of the confident
German SS troopers as they await the start signal. One company
of Tiger tanks that have been attached for this campaign can be seen
just above center right. |
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A close up view of the 1st Panzer
company as they prepare to move into action. |
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German scouts report Russian Infantry
dug in on the high hill to the left and at the front edge of the
town in the distance. The patch of woods to the right seems to
be bristling with activity as well. Scouts report no sign of
Russian armor yet but aerial reconnaissance says tanks are on the
way. |
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Three companies of Russian infantry
defend the hill with a fourth in reserve just visible behind the
trees at the crest. |
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Three more companies of Russians defend
the partially ruined village with a fourth company on the march on
the road to the far rear. |
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Another view of the town defenses.
The German attack will come from the left. |
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A view from the Russians on the hill as
they await the German onslaught. The commanding view of the
valley from this position makes this a prime target for the Germans. |
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A close-up of the Russian forward
position on the shoulder of the hill. This company looks a
little frazzled as German panzers appear in great strength on the
map. Another Russian company can be seen in the distance
holding a patch of woods.
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Close-up detail of the Russian
fortifications on the top of the hill. Sandbags and logs give
the Russians a solid position. |
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German tanks advance on each flank with
armored infantry trailing behind. Assault guns fire from the
woods to the right while Tigers control the center of the field.
A Panzer IV can be seen disabled in a minefield at the lower right.
Counterattacking Russian T-34's have appeared from behind the hill
and can be seen at its base (behind all the dice). |
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Russian T-34's enter from the back side of the hill, flanking the
German Stug's which have pushed to the base of the hill. After
some damage to the German assault, the Tigers in the center
destroyed them all. |
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Close up of a Panzer IV in action. In the upper right can be
seen a Tiger tank and its Pz III providing flank protection.
When Tigers were first deployed, they always had a Pz III shadowing
them. |
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The fight rages in the center of the
board. Little T-70's stand ready for action in the center of
the photo. |
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German Infantry has captured the forward shoulder of the hill but
have lost an assault gun to a hidden AT gun (just visible in the
center of the Russian postition). The Russian strength on the
hill has been severely reduced after a massive five card artillery
barrage and the hill appears ready to fall to the Germans.
Russian tanks in the valley to the right still pose a threat though. |
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The Russian view of the assault.
The German armored advance can be seen. Russian and German
tanks on fire highlight the fight on the right while SU-152's stand
ready to the left of the hill. |
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German Pz IV's and Russian T-34's clash at extreme close range.
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The German reserve tank company enters
the field in a tight column heading for the action on the right.
Many destroyed tanks can be seen far to their front. |
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A view down the main street of the town
as Russian defenders wait for the battle to come to them.
Damage to buildings caused by bombing can be seen. |
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Another view from the town as the battle
rages in the distance. |
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As time runs out, Russian
infantry still holds the crest of the hill as the battle continues
in the valley below. |
