Sherman Marches West

Krupki, Byelorussia, June 28, 1944: Operation Bagration, launched by the Soviets on June 23rd, 
was turning out to be highly successful, German reports noted that the Russians no longer 
attacked as in the early days with masses of infantry across a broad front but instead employed 
concentrated groups of infantry supported by well controlled fire from heavy weapons with follow 
up forces available once favorable forward positions were established. In addition, the German 
high command did not believe that this was the major portion of the Russian summer offensive and 
refused to send strategic reserves immediately. Finally, however, the situation on the ground 
proved threatening enough that the 5th Panzer Division with Tiger tanks of the attached 505th 
Heavy Tank Battalion was sent to resist.

Game Length: 7.5 turns

For the Russians to win they must capture the buildings of the train station
For the Germans to win they must defend the station against the Russian onslaught

Russians: Squads, LMG's, AFV's
Germans: Squads, HMG, MMG, LMG's, PSK's, FT, AT Gun, AFV's

Boards: #T, #V

Aftermath: As the Tigers arrived they advanced to contact with the 3rd Byelorussian Front near Krupki 
Railroad Station. The Russians with their lend-lease Shermans had marched west in an effort to surround 
the demoralized and retreating elements of Army Group Center at Borisov. A sharp engagement occurred 
and while the experienced Tigers inflicted heavy cassualties, they could not stop the capture of the 
station. Ultimately, the 505th destroyed 128 tanks of the 3rd Byelorussian Front over the following 
few weeks, but lost all 29 of its own Tigers in the process. The heavy loses to the Russians caused 
the relief of Marshal Pavel Rotmistrov, but not before the elimination of some 350,000 German soldiers, 
almost all of Army Group Center.

Source: ASL Scenario S24, Sherman Marches West by Ken Dunn
  