Winter Hell

Northwest of Moscow, Saturday, December 6, 1941: The winter, the attrition 
of long months of war and finally the dramatic resistance of the Russians 
have stopped the German offensive on Moscow. Between the River Sestra and 
the Moscow Lake, five battalions of the German 36th Motorized Division are 
scattered among several villages and groups of houses. At 0600 Hours, on 
the coldest day of the winter (-40 Deg Celius), the Russian counteroffensive 
is launched all along the front. In an nondescript hamlet, one German infantry 
company supported by an ad hoc AT detachment is assaulted.

Game Length: 8.5 turns

For the Russians to win they must capture the stone buildings and exit troops westward
For the Germans to win they must stop the Russian offensive through the village

Russians: squads, MMG, LMG's, ATR, AFV's
Germans: squads, HMG, MMG's, LMG, AT Gun's, AFV

Boards: #16, #17

Aftermath: At top speed, four tanks mounted by 10 to 20 men stormed the village, 
ejected the first company from the houses and tried to overrun the AT guns. Three 
of the tanks were soon destroyed in close fights but the Russian infantry now 
attacked from the woods following the artillery barrage. Despite heavy cassualties, 
the Germans were able to contain the assault with small arms and MG fire. Suddenly,  
two more tanks appeared from the south in search for the remaining AT guns. Having 
destroyed one of those tanks a 50mm AT gun malfunctioned at the moment of being 
overrun. The last Russian tank crushed the piece three times before being destroyed 
by the last AT gun. Too meager reinforcements and fires blazing everywhere in the 
village imposed a German withdrawal. The Russians' constant attacks made this retreat 
a nightmare and the 36th Motorized Division was nearly destroyed in the progress. 
"Rencontres ASL 88", Belgium

Source: On All Fronts, Winter Hell, "Rencontres ASL 88", January 1989

