J. R. Tracy
Elder Member
Despite my early stumble, I was still in good shape in the main event and next faced Bill Cirillo for what amounted to a semifinal for the coveted WO title. We decided to try something new to both of us, with combined arms on both sides, and this SP title fit the bill.
Opponent
Bill Cirillo, my Germans vs his Soviets
Situation
A strong Soviet force of ten elite squads, a 57LL ATG, and four KVs defends the outskirts of Kharkov (half each of boards 49 and 71) against attacking SS with 13 548s, three early Tigers, and three PzIIINs; the Reds win by having unbroken infantry in either a stone building adjacent to the railroad (overlay) or in 49D8 building, a factory by SSR.
Cautious approach
Plan
There was better cover on my left, so I went heavy there and in center, with an SPW loaded with a 548 sweeping wide right, supported by a couple halfsquads. I planned to keep armor a little back and hulldown until the ATG was identified. I would sweep toward 49D8 from the left after clearing the Soviets from the 71G3 area, using the SPW crew and squad to cut routs from the backside.
Early Going
Bill was strong in the center 49K9 building, but I blew straight through it and cleared the approaches on the left as well. One IIIN suffered immobilization from the ATR but it was in a good spot to support the center. My SPW unloaded my passengers without an issue, and I was nicely established at the railroad line.
I'm not bitter
Uh-Oh!
Two of my Tigers broke their MAs on their very first shots. I then rolled them up as machinegun platforms to contest the defenses around 71G3, though sadly both were immobilized by KVs.
Big Moment
One Tiger repaired its MA, making the fight for the 71G3 building interesting, but it dudded the only hit it scored against the 71F2 KV. That KV stymied everything I threw at it until my flamethrower team ran upstairs, leaned out a window, and squirted flaming gel into an open hatch from two hexes away.
Prepping the objective
Endgame
I surrounded the factory after blanketing the front in smoke. Bill dropped back into the interior, down to just a couple squads and two KVs. My mobile Tiger came around and killed one KV with its first shot of the game before breaking its MA on its second. I stormed in with a 3:2(-1) CC versus a fanatic 628 but rolled boxcars! The 628 exfiltrated to join the leader and heavy MG, dealing death to its tormenters with snake eyes in the last Soviet Prep Fire phase. After all that, I still managed to get into close combat with the remaining infantry – I won the first, and had a 2:1(+1) against the second, but alas it was not to be. I rolled an eight, and Bill wins it.
Lessons Learned
Rolling a six on a repair roll on an immobilized tank forces abandonment, and the crew can’t reenter the vehicle!
Still anyone's game
Things I’d Do Differently
After deploying a couple extra squads I lost track of them and misused them in a couple spots – also, I blew the placement of my FT in the final factory attack, missing a chance to use it in the last Soviet player turn
Scenario Impressions
This is a neat scenario, with chunky forces but not a lot of time. It’s a killer SS order of battle but they face very tough VCs. I love the inclusion of the KV-1S – it has weaker armor than a T-34 but with a fast turret and the ability to fire CE, it is much more effective deployed in buildings.
I had a blast playing Bill, with big luck swings each way and plenty of drama. He went on to win the final for a well-deserved title and the continuation of a Pleva-esque string of victories. Great event as always - thanks again to MMP for another fun weekend!
Opponent
Bill Cirillo, my Germans vs his Soviets
Situation
A strong Soviet force of ten elite squads, a 57LL ATG, and four KVs defends the outskirts of Kharkov (half each of boards 49 and 71) against attacking SS with 13 548s, three early Tigers, and three PzIIINs; the Reds win by having unbroken infantry in either a stone building adjacent to the railroad (overlay) or in 49D8 building, a factory by SSR.
Cautious approach
Plan
There was better cover on my left, so I went heavy there and in center, with an SPW loaded with a 548 sweeping wide right, supported by a couple halfsquads. I planned to keep armor a little back and hulldown until the ATG was identified. I would sweep toward 49D8 from the left after clearing the Soviets from the 71G3 area, using the SPW crew and squad to cut routs from the backside.
Early Going
Bill was strong in the center 49K9 building, but I blew straight through it and cleared the approaches on the left as well. One IIIN suffered immobilization from the ATR but it was in a good spot to support the center. My SPW unloaded my passengers without an issue, and I was nicely established at the railroad line.
I'm not bitter
Uh-Oh!
Two of my Tigers broke their MAs on their very first shots. I then rolled them up as machinegun platforms to contest the defenses around 71G3, though sadly both were immobilized by KVs.
Big Moment
One Tiger repaired its MA, making the fight for the 71G3 building interesting, but it dudded the only hit it scored against the 71F2 KV. That KV stymied everything I threw at it until my flamethrower team ran upstairs, leaned out a window, and squirted flaming gel into an open hatch from two hexes away.
Prepping the objective
Endgame
I surrounded the factory after blanketing the front in smoke. Bill dropped back into the interior, down to just a couple squads and two KVs. My mobile Tiger came around and killed one KV with its first shot of the game before breaking its MA on its second. I stormed in with a 3:2(-1) CC versus a fanatic 628 but rolled boxcars! The 628 exfiltrated to join the leader and heavy MG, dealing death to its tormenters with snake eyes in the last Soviet Prep Fire phase. After all that, I still managed to get into close combat with the remaining infantry – I won the first, and had a 2:1(+1) against the second, but alas it was not to be. I rolled an eight, and Bill wins it.
Lessons Learned
Rolling a six on a repair roll on an immobilized tank forces abandonment, and the crew can’t reenter the vehicle!
Still anyone's game
Things I’d Do Differently
After deploying a couple extra squads I lost track of them and misused them in a couple spots – also, I blew the placement of my FT in the final factory attack, missing a chance to use it in the last Soviet player turn
Scenario Impressions
This is a neat scenario, with chunky forces but not a lot of time. It’s a killer SS order of battle but they face very tough VCs. I love the inclusion of the KV-1S – it has weaker armor than a T-34 but with a fast turret and the ability to fire CE, it is much more effective deployed in buildings.
I had a blast playing Bill, with big luck swings each way and plenty of drama. He went on to win the final for a well-deserved title and the continuation of a Pleva-esque string of victories. Great event as always - thanks again to MMP for another fun weekend!
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