Kastenwald Crucible

Crucible [noun] : a container in which metals can be heated to very high temperatures...

 Turn 6 of the epic Kursk Ponyri campaign and both German and Soviet forces are positioning themselves to make enemy positions untenable.

 

(All of a sudden, I feel better about combining Panzer 'yellow' and Panzer 'grey' units...)

Orders for the Bunker were for Heinz von Gobin and Georgi Fitzov to face off in an epic tank duel as reserves from 18th Panzer heading east into the Kastenwald region rolled straight into a massive Soviet armoured force, moving from the newly re-taken Shirokoye Bulotev (which has changed hands multiple times).

The Kastenwald Crucible was on!

I had so wanted to use Alex's 'Up the Blue' rules, but to be honest I want to do a more combined arms fight with them, and ensure that we not only do them justice, but that we are fully up to speed with their new mechanics. With a (mainly) tank duel in mind therefore, we used 'Iron Cross' - which is bloody and quick...(and easily manipulated by devious players heheh).

A very nice Iron Cross QRS here :  https://sites.google.com/site/borderreiverswargamessociety/Home/files    

This is what table clearance after previous games looks like - clear one half at a time before laying down new terrain...

Laying the table: note the large open area in the middle; note the random ridge-lines anf folds in the ground, for adding character to the area; note how these become critical in tank-battles - especially so where 'interrupt' reactions come into play; I think you can see where this is going...

 Elements of 18th Pz moving from east. Getting some disturbing calls from Recon elements...
  Pz IVs moving on the German left.

 Pz IIIs moving on the right; now watch what these do. Positioning of the ridgelines, though randomised, turns out to be critical to thorough and advantageous use of the less effective armour.

Soviet T34s speed west, in numbers.

Vast expanses of open ground, punctuated by Panzerbusch viable ridgelines; good tank hunting country.

German forces sieze inititive in first two turns, making lunges for available blocking positions and small, though effective, folds in the ground/ridgelines.

Some long range PAK fire takes first blood (you were right about this Steve...).

 ...but the Soviet onslaught rolls on. Now, Soviets make decision here to use as much of their command tokens to get as much armour moving and on board. This proves decisive to the battle, as German accuracy is very good today.

Heavy Soviet thrust on the German left, hoping to turn the flank.

 ...with medium armour surge in the centre.

Pz IVs emerge to draw fire.

Pz IIIs, so far hidden emerge to take shots during German initiative. Where possible, they melt back into cover again.

German forces, in anticipation of being outnumbered in a meeting engagement, have formed a defensive formation, with preference given to drawing the Soviet formations into enfilading and/or reactive fire. It's working too! German units emerge from terrain, then win initiative, and retreat out of harm's way, with ineffective Russian reactive fire...so far.

 ...though heavy Russian armour begins to make a difference as it closes.

Pz IVs form a defensive line, only a few IIIs in reserve now.

 ..though even the IIIs become outnumbered and overwhelmed on the German left...which is now open.

 ...though as the meat-grinder continues for both sides, it is evident that the Soviets are coming perilously close to their break point, due to losses early on.

 ...so much so, that a German counterattack, against the flank, in the centre of the action - is risky - but worth it.

 The Russian break point is reached. The Germans hold and take the Kastenwald, driving back Russian armour, against the odds.

 Russians stream back through the wreckage of their once glorious formation.

Not a good day for Soviet armour formations - losses 60-70%
German losses 30%.

The struggle continues...