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Camera angles and the message log tells this story best. And quite the story it is too.

Good Hunting.

MR

As expected the charge results in little action as the T-34's moving out catch the Germans by surprise.

The covering force continues to fire on the Elephants to keep them buttoned and we advance an entire 80 seconds losing only a single T-34. In the mean time we continue to get hits on the big assault guns!

Over and over our guns hit...all to no effect....but wait...they are starting to take damage!! Now it can only be a matter of time!

The Germans got only 4 hits while we hit them 7 times! And the whole time the range is closing!

When will be close enough?

Who will kill an Elephant???

Are we inside the turning radius of the assault guns yet?

Will we even live to collect our medals and hear them sing the ballads of our heroic deeds from this day?!

YES!!!! FOR MOTHER RUSSIA!!!!!!!



Good Hunting.

MR

As the charge is starting the battalion is in reasonably good shape considering our opponents.

Good Hunting.

MR

1st Tank Company is trying to deal with two of the Elephants. This is the "fix" unit. They are trading shots with 2 of the big assault guns and are trying to move in even closer.

Good Hunting.

MR

2nd Tank Company is swinging out to the far right to come in to the rear of the German hedgehog position.

Good Hunting.

MR

3rd Tank Company is trying to charge past the nearest Elephant on both sides. At least one T-34 should end up at point blank range!

Good Hunting.

MR

Here are the charge lane orders. The blue lines show where our T-34's are to converge on the German hedgehog position.

Good Hunting.

MR

Maybe give those infantry a ride?

Not if I'm the infantry. I don't want anywhere near a tank during a tank fight.

But, we'll see if I can get a tank to stop long enough to climb on board. Probably not.

Good Hunting.

MR

Which of the assault guns has damage?  I see the flag has turned blue on the western crossroads.

I say just keep going for a couple of turns.  Keep away from the covered arc of the possibly immobilized Ferdinands and have the infantry rush them.  Send a squad of infantry to 'red' the flag that is yellow.

Turn 13 is really intense, so I will try to take the action in sequence of each tank company. It's taken me awhile to determine which screen shots to show representative of the action and to replay the turns to get the shots I wanted. Hopefully the results will justify the delay in reporting.

Good Hunting.

MR

1st Tank Companies orders are to engage and hold with those already firing at German assault guns and for the remainder to rush forward and close the range.

Good Hunting.

MR

1st Tank Company commander begins to move out from the woods. The view in front of him is not comforting.

Good Hunting.

MR

The lead tank charges forward.

The red lines are Soviet targeting lines.
The blue lines are Soviet movement lines.
The yellow lines are German targeting lines.

This is a tank melee!

This is the only way we can possibly beat the German hedgehog. Even so, there are T-34's burning in the sun. As the smoke rises from our fallen comrades, the tanks jump forward in answer to their drivers and commanders wishes. No matter what happens the bad feeling just won't leave the pits of our stomachs...

Good Hunting.

MR

Immediately two opponents square off!

Oh but Nickolai, not from the front!

They two gunners trade shots...we hold our breath....and then....

Good Hunting.

MR

The Fascist Dog MISSES!

But wait, what is Nickolai doing? Why is he just sitting there?

The big assault gun fires again!

Good Hunting.

MR

The message log tells the tale.

Good Hunting.

MR

But what now? The German just sits there.

He has taken hail fire and has been hit 6 times himself. The vehicle has been hit from all angles. Still nothing has penetrated!

The German crew also sits in their vehicle as the battle swirls around and tries to fire one last time to destroy Nickolai and his crew.

WE MUST GET CLOSER!

Good Hunting.

MR

1st Tank Company continues to defy death. How long can 1st Tank Company occupy two of the monstrous assault guns at such close range.

Speed is our best defense.

But the tank slams to a stop and targets the rear of one of the German vehicles and fires!

Good Hunting.

MR

Stopping to fire will only get you hit.

Good Hunting.

MR