Race to the Wesser- First Battle

On the Fistful of Tows Yahoogroup I found a set of rules for a campaign called "Race to the Wesser."  It's author is someone named Bry B and it's a simple campaign set in a hypothetical war in 1985.  The campaign is about the Soviet 3rd Shock Army's drive to the Wesser River in Germany. The Soviet objective is to make it to, and over, that river, and the Nato forces (West German and British) are trying to stop them. There are only 6 campaign turns representing 3 days, so it's something relatively manageable.

The Soviets are advancing along two axes, north and south, with 2 divisions on each axis moving forward in 2 columns.  The forces available and support available depend on the type of battle being fought (e.g. Hasty Attack, Prepared Attack, Meeting Engagement, Counterattack). The Nato forces are randomized.

The campaigns starts with Soviets making Hasty Attacks on both axes, in their two columns, so four Hasty Attack battles on the first Campaign turn.

This report is about the attack of the 55th Gd. Tank Rgt. of the 7th Gds. Tank Division on the Northern Axis.    There are 3 battalions of T-80B and one battalion of infantry in BMP-2.  There is one battalion of 2S3 152mm Self-Propelled Guns and Nine (!) airstrikes in support (.  On the first two campaign turns the Soviets get 2D6 of airstrikes per battle.).   The regiment's quality is Fair.  (the Soviet forces are random quality.  You roll for each regiment before its first battle).

Facing them are 2 battalions of Germans. One Panzer battalion with 9 Leopard II's, rated Average and one Mixed Battalion --5 Leopard II's and 3 Infantry in Marders, rated Excellent.   The Germans have a battalion of M109A 155mm SP guns in support.

Victory points are scored for capturing the geographical objective (placed by defenders), controlling 2x2 table sections and, for the Soviets, exiting formations off the Nato table edge.

The Soviet plan was to make its push on the right flank with 2 Tank Bns. and the BMP-2 bn.  There was more open ground and the objective was on this side, in the town.  Plus, reconnaissance said the Germans had no infantry in that area and so the infantry should be able to hold the town from the German armor with relative ease.

On the left the Soviets would try to sneak the other Tank Bn. off the table into the German rear.

The battlefield:

View from behind the German left flank.  Objective is in the town in the foreground

View from behind the German right flank.

Germans deployed in defense:

Panzer Battalion hull down on the left flank

View of Panzer Bn. from the Russian table edge

Mixed Panzer/Inf Bn. on German right

Roland SAM's deployed in German Center

The Battle:

Soviets advance.  Two Tank Bn.'s on the right, on the left side of photo the BMP-2 Bn moving quickly up the road toward the town

On the Soviet left a Tank Bn. hurry's up the autobahn, hoping to advance off the battlefield before the Germans can react.  One platoon destroyed by overwatch fire from the Leopard II's.

On the Soviet right the BMP-2 bn rushes up the highway in an attempt get into the town and seize the objective. Several platoons destroyed by overwatch fire from the German Panzer bn. in hull down position on the ridge. 

German infantry on German right flank (on the right in photo) move up to seize the town and block the advance of the Soviet Tank Bn. 

Panzer Bn. fires on the Soviet advance on the left. 

The results of the German fire.

The Soviets bring artillery down on the Panzer Division, suppressing a number of platoons and knocking one out.  The Soviets also called in air support, two flights of SU-25's.  Both strikes were driven off/shot down by the German SAM's. 

On the Soviet left the Tank battalion, seeing the German infantry entering the town, decides to divert around it.  This battalion comes under fire from the Leopard II's of the mixed battalion with disastrous results.  The T-80 battalion is reduced to 1/3 strength.  Miraculously, it passed its Quality Check (needing a 6 ) and continues to fight.  It will likely need to withdraw to stay in the fight and keep the Germans on the right flank pinned down and incapable of reinforcing the German right. 

 This is where things stood at the end of Soviet 2nd turn.  The battalion on the left is in serious trouble and will likely have to withdraw to keep alive so as to  pin  the German mixed battalion and keep it from reinforcing Panzer battalion trying to hold off the WP advance on the right.

To be continued.