1st Panzer Long Campaign - Battle 11

[FNG]

My already depleted kampfgruppe has been tasked to defend a rail junction against a Soviet assault. Assets available at the outset are:

2 x Pz-IIIg (HQ)
1 x Panzergrenadier squad
1 x Sdkfz 251
3 x Pz-IVe

My Pz-III platoon and the promised 105mm artillery are nowhere to be seen....

The enemy are already in sight - at least one platoon of T-26s to the NW and a few sighted to the NE. Panzers all engage to the NW with devastating effect, and survive the Soviet Katyusha and 82mm mortar barrage.

[FNG]

With the NW left to the HQ unit, the Mark IVs turn their guns NE.

[FNG]

The grenadiers and the Sdkfz 251 rush NW behind our main line of resistance to get some 'boots on the ground' at the objectives. All panzers head NE towards the advancing Soviets, primarily to widen fields of fire, but also to get out from under the barrage. The Soviets are sending infantry house to house along the highway.

[FNG]

A lone T-60 had scouted the road and was destroyed. I then observed some sneaky moves by a BT-7 that gave it a very good firing position against my Pz-IVs, who had their turrets pointed elsewhere.

[FNG]

Fortunately, they traversed in the nick of time and took out the BT. On the left flank, the HQ Pz-III suffered mobility damage from a 45mm AT gun, but the crew stayed at their stations and kept the Soviet hordes at bay.

[FNG]

Another interesting sight was Soviet tank riders. The BT-7 in front is dead but has the 'live commander' bug.

[FNG]

Interestingly, a front hull hit killed the Tankodesants.

[FNG]

And then the BT-7 got what was coming.... With the destruction of the last of the Soviet armour, the assault lost momentum and the infantry were picked-off piecemeal. At the end of turn 8, it was all over with another legendary victory - the bonus was that the HQ Pz-III was recovered from the field.