WC2003 Rd.2 Birdgunner (CA) vs. Scharfschütze (SO)

[Birdgunner]

I got a BT-7M with a Churchill I? Cool!:)

Still bouncing rounds from the Ram IIs off of those T-38s though. Looks like the two armoured forces will have to clash in the fury of close quarter combat.

My 8 inch arty is having some effect with 2 KV-1Es retreating.

[Scharfschütze]

All along the front, but especially in the south the Canadians are rushing forward. We meet them with steel... and fire! Our OT-34 flame tanks make a push towards the canadian front elements, and torch a Ram. All around, AP flies, smashing a Ram II, damaging others. The enemy might be gaining ground, but we extract a high toll. We´ll see when their formations break and flee...

In our backyard, infiltrators are spotted, and taken under fire. We are preared for such a situation, and will quickly deal with this threat...

[Birdgunner]

Those brave Ram crews throw some AP at the communists damaging thier shiny new paintjobs.

While the Infantry sets up a surprise for those overconfident Soviets.

[Scharfschütze]

A brief lull in the terrible bombarment by the canadian 8" batteries provides us with an opportunity to counterattack, whcih results in the destruction of at least two Ram IIs and damage to several others and a Churchill. Canadina infantry in the northern forest finds their given task of fighting soviet armour while under mortar fire a bit too much and turns to flee after a few encouraging bursts of MG fire...:p

In our backyard, we destroy a Commando squad and chase another over an open field, nearby truck drivers pulling up to the fleeing infiltrators and firing their pistols at the enemy:eek:

[Birdgunner]

My Rams start to go up almost as fast as M4's. While the Churchills are finally making to the front and joining in!:)

The infantry in the north is encountering some resistance and will have to regroup, reform and retaliate.

My infiltrators are seend well to easily and get wasted before they can make a difference. Doesn't hurt to have some limited intel though.

[Scharfschütze]

Thankfully I´m getting the hang on how to destroy the canadian tanks. The Churchills are well-armed and well-armoured, but nothing can stop my concerted actions...or at least the burning vodka bottles my Cavalry smashes on the enemy tanks!

Two Churchills aflame, several Rams destroyed or heavily damaged, I am getting optimistic about my chances. In the distance, we see armoured reinforcements coming. When these reach the front, they´ll have to advance past the burning wreckage of the first wave, always an encouraging sight:D

In the north, we continue to pick away at the infantry. A dozen men lie dead, many more flee.:p

[Birdgunner]

Seems that Canadian Infantry still had lots to learn in '42 as the Russian horde keeps pushing it back:(

As for that Canadian armour, most of the Rams are coming back from near death and those Churchills are starting to make a difference. Time can only tell.:rolleyes:

Tha Canadian 8" Howitzers are finally coming in on the Soviet rear echelon. Hopefully this will hurt those Ivans.

[Scharfschütze]

Seems we messed up the turn numbers, and jumped over number 11. ..

Anyway, fierce fighting all along the line, a few more shot-up tincans and routed infantry. The enemy 8" guns are back into play, and kill some troops all around. Three batteries are bound to do that, but we will endure and prevail!

[Birdgunner]

Seems that the 8" Batteries are doing dom damage as a hill with Soviet armour are in full retreat.

Take that Ivan!:mad:

[Scharfschütze]

Despite the canadian posturing, their attack in the south has been defeated. Numerous tanks are burning, the infantry scattered. Those Ram IIs might be tough, but we will continue to shoot off guns and tracks if we can´t penetrate their hides.

And the 8" have been firing for a long time now. Already the enemy is conserving ammo by shooting only single barrels. Too bad a lowly 25Pdr got lucky and popped a flametank:mad:

Hah! Faith is stronger than steel, and we shall endure!:rolleyes:

[Birdgunner]

Front line troops rejoice as news of a successful Commando raid on the Soviet HQ spreads through the ranks.

With thier moral up the Canadians are ready to press on!;)

[Scharfschütze]

I think there are a lot of canadian soldiers who had no time to rejoice at any news right then. The sorry remnants of the enemy advance in the south are shot up, the remaining tanks are all badly damaged and mostly without main guns and tracks. The only resistance offered are the 8", which got lucky again and smashed a KV-1(C):mad:

A loss we can afford, while the enemy is in no position to get at all those VHs I hold (please try...pleeeeaase!:p)

[Birdgunner]

The Soviet advance seems to be slowing down since the loss of thier HQ and the punishment of the Canadian Artillery.

As this goes on the remainder of the of the King's loyal troops try to regroup and keep the Russian Bear at bay.

[Scharfschütze]

The canadians are desperate, and it is showing. Our troops know what to do when the enemy is sighted: KILL KILL KILL:mad:

Two more tanks are knocked out in the south, another is so heavily damaged that it won´t be a threat anymore. Our cavalry is busy mowing down the fleeing crews. Seems we will capture a number of Ram II´s to put on display in Gorki Park after all :p

Enemy is still pounding away, but we know it will be in vain. The canadians cannot hope to reach any of the VHs before this ends! (And I hope their ammo is running out anytime soon. Noone can keep up such a barrage indefinetely, even with a full btn)

[Birdgunner]

With most of the armour gone in the south the Canadian Infantry will have a hard go at it. Nothing that they are not used to anyway.

Only 4 turns left and there is still hope amongst the troops that some good may come out of the battle.

[Scharfschütze]

The enemy has laid down smoke to cover his infantry trapped in the open in the southern sector, while the North sees limited advances by enemy armoured reinforcements. 8" pound away in support, while our own 120mm mortars send shells crashing into the enemy´s ready zones. Since we can concentrate our artillery to stop the enemy troops, we don´t expect them to come anywhere near the objectives, which are some 10 hexes away from the canadian forward elements. Plus, we have retained most of our tanks

[Birdgunner]

My Infantry in the south sets up in an attempt to hold the line and prevent total humiliation.

While plans are being made elsewhere!;)

[Scharfschütze]

The south sees the demise of a few tank crews running around dazed. The focus of the action is shifting to the north, where the enemy is trying a desperate last attack in the woods. But the Ram II´s must be advancing with all openings shut, at least that would explain why they missed that T-34 lurking just 100m to their flank.

A T-34 that has not seen combat.
With APCR rounds ready.
And another nearby.

Scrap two Rams! :p

[Scharfschütze]

The enemy is close to the braking point. In the north, we are able to meet a platoon-sized charge with a reinforced company in the counterattack.

If this would last beyond Turn 20, it would be a massacre...

(Okay, Im getting a little sure of myself here )

[Scharfschütze]

Along the whole front, our tanks advance and smash fleeing canadian troops.

Glorious victory is near!:p :p