Grab at Gribovo

Gribovo, Russia, January 3, 1942: In late December, while the battles for Moscow were still boiling cauldrons,
STAVKA ordered four Soviet armies to attack and destroy the German 4th Army. To assist in the action, a
tactical airdrop by Soviet paratroopers was planned to desrupt German command, communications and logistical
systems deep in the rear. The 1st Battalion of the 201st Airborne Brigade was directed to take and hold as 
possible the villages of Gribovo and Maslova astride the main road. They were also to blow up bridges over 
the river Shayna in order to prevent German supplies and reinforcements from arriving at the front. Making 
the airdrop at night, captain Surzhik led part of his command directly in its fall on the village of Gribovo.

Game Length: 8 turns

For the Russians to win they must capture the entire town og Gribovo
For the Germans to win they must prevent the Russians from taking the town

Russians: Squads, MMG's, LMG's, MTR, DC's
Germans: Squads, MMG, LMG's, MTR

Boards: #4, #12, #18

Aftermath: After assembling as many men as possible, Captain Surzhik led his force in driving the surprised 
German troops out of the village in a sharp firefight. Deploying about half of his men around the village, 
Surzhik sent another group out to destroy the nearby bridge over the Shanya. During the next few hours, the
Soviet paratroopers repulsed several attempts by the Germans to reoccupy the village. As dawn came, stronger 
counterattacks were mounted by the Germans, but the Desantniki kept the road closed between Medyn and Gribovo 
for several days. At last, running low on ammunition, the paratroopers began a fighting withdrawal toward the 
advancing Soviet 43rd Army. On January 11, after some costly skirmishing, the cold but cheerful paratroopers 
linked up with friendly forces near Kremenskoye.

Source: General Magazine, Vol 26, Number 2: ASL Scenario G10, Grab at Gribovo
 