Ponyri Payback

Steiner took a long drag on the cheap Russian cigarette and exhaled, filling the room with smoke, making Oberst Griffenfald cough as he did so.
'So what do I have, to defend Ponyri, I mean.'
Griffenfald stiffened, cleared his throat, and started to speak, the catch in his voice betraying his nervousness.
'You have the remnants of some companies of infantry, plus your own, dare I say, accomplished Pioneers, Oberst Steiner.'
Steiner paused, before taking another long drag on the rapidly disintegrating cigarette.
'And what exactly, Griffenfald, do you expect me to do?'
The Captain ;)   He breathed in the stale smoke this time, before answering gruffly.
'I expect you, to do your duty Steiner. Can you do that?'

And so we come to Ponyri. With some finality, we here at the bunker will be sorry to see the end of this campaign, and yet, even Steve's great organisation and campaign must ultimately, come to an end.
This was it, little Stalingrad, organised overnight - to the extent that both players could actually feel the tension in the air, long before the battle started.

Soviet airborne infantry moving toward Ponyri STOP
Armoured support spotted STOP
Defend with all expediency STOP
Defend to the last man STOP

Steiner closed his eyes and threw the cigarette away as it burned his fingers. Maybe this was it. Maybe this was the end.

Soviet Force
Three elite infantry battalions
Su77 and SU122 support

German Defenders
Two remnant infantry companies (converged battalion)
One Pioneer company (under Oberst Steiner)
The odd recce vehicle ...

We used Rapid Fire due to (1) familiarity, (2) level of game and (3) it gives some nice exciting city-fights.

 Fires still burn in Ponyri as dawn breaks

The railway station - it seems quiet now.

 We 'named' the sectors so that we could argue over them later - this is 'factory'. (these bear no relation to actual Ponyri sectors however...we just needed points of reference).

 'Church'

'Railway Station'

'Housing'

 'Collective'

 Ponyri from the east, as the sun rises. Soviet vehicles already on the road.

yes...yes...Steiner's 'boyz' pose for pictures.

Early morning recon overflight. Black poker chips are hidden units; some dummy, some actuals. We find this works well, but is absolute hell for the attacker.

There may be some Red Air.

 Soviet convoy heads toward battle.

 German 50mm. Gave a good account of itself.

 ...at least making the Soviet armour think, as opposed to 'charging'...

 Laying smoke for the assault.

 German ATG displaces to position #2.

German mortars make a mess of the Soviet attack across the open. 'Where's that smoke?'

 MGs open up from the outskirts of Ponyri.

 SU76 support for the attack on the factory.

 Germans defend the factory ...is it just a grand feint?

 Soviet support elements give good cover in the centre for the run-in.

 'Can you see them Hans?'

 View from the Church Tower.

 The reserve has been committed early, rather than allowing German MG teams to take the initiative on the Soviet flank.

 German mortars and artillery help to make things a little more even, as the reserve rushes the factory.

 Soviet 1st battalion takes three buildings on the outskirts, in sight of the railway station.

 SU122, having now taken out the 50mm position, moves into the town centre with infantry support.

 The Sdkfz 222 'where the hell did that come from?' takes a shot at the SU122's ass, and misses.

 The German Pioneers' Flammenwerfer...does not!

 Phuttt...Phuttt...Phuttt...Phuttt....

 It's ok...not a disaster for the Soviets...they expected to lose some armour in the town sector.

 Soviets enter the factory in force.

 'Los! Los ! Los!'

The MGs displace, leaving a token resistance to fend off Soviet onslaught.

 Soviets take control of the factory.

 On the Soviet right, elements are popping up in defensive positions. This will delay the flank attack.

 Attacks on German left and right as the factory and collective are slowly being taken. The centre already secured.

 Red Air literally destroys the target building over two sorties. That's the end of the flamethrower...

 Soviet artillery takes its toll on the Railway Station.

 I'm reminded of Squad Leader, as Soviet units attack across the open road, buoyed up by their taking of the factory, only to take heavy casualties in the crossfire. 'It's a Trap!!!'

 The 222 moves to reinforce the Station.

 Red Air opts to take out the flank instead of the 222. (This would be a pivotal decision).

'We're done! Where is the damned Luftwaffe?'

 'Go, Go, Go!'

 SU76s in support - as the Soviets take the Post office in the 'Financial' district. (Yes...we know..there is no financial district in Ponyri...in fact it flies in the face of communist doctrine - we just needed a name!).

 Post Office captured, but reserve battalion have taken HEAVY casualties.

 On the Soviet right, the successful assault stalls in the face of continued German hidden units resistance.

 ...though in the centre, the Soviets have good numbers still in the First Battalion...

 ...and opt to assault the Station.

 'Steinahhhhh   !'

 ...though the attack stalls on the Soviet right.

 ...while in the centre, at the station. German units move to reinforce Steiner.

 ...though Red Air may have something to say about that decision.

 The Station assault will now dictate the entire battle. It's hold, or fall!

 'Fire Support!'

 Incredibly! The Soviets - after the second assault at the station, have to make a morale roll...and roll a 'one'!

 The largest battalion remaining begins to withdraw...routed.

 At the post office, the reserve battalion is in poor shape to assault.

 ...and on the Soviet right, the 2nd battalion is also pulling back, pinned.

 The Station, and Ponyri, has held!

 An absolutely incredible game; and testament to the solidity of Rapid Fire. I have slagged this game off repeatedly through the years, but it works! It's simple; it's traditional; but honestly, with minimum tables, fuss, and (if you get the morale trays right) results, it works.

 'We did it Stobart! We actually did it.'

 'You still have mud on your face Herr Oberst.'

Germans hold Ponyri!!!!

Thanks again to Steve Whitesell, for arranging all of this chaos. We salute you sir!