This was an ambitious IABSM game played at Gigabites in Marietta in July 2010 representing the 184 Infantry Regiment (of the 86 Infantry Division) attack on hill 253 east of Ponyri during the Kursk battle 7-7-1943. Two Pz IIIL and two StuGF with BIV demo carriers are also available. The promised support was to be three Ferdinands of the 653 Panzerjaeger Abteilung and two Sturm PzIVs from the 216 Sturmpanzer Abteilung. They failed to show up until the Grenadiers had already gotten into the Soviet lines. Infantry-wise, the Germans had two weak infantry companies, four MMGs, four 82mm mortars, a weak pioneer comp and several pre-game stonks.

The Russians had two infantry companies, (1019th Rifle Regiment), with eight 45mm anti-tank guns, five 76mm anti-tank guns, eight anti-tank rifles, and eight MMGs attached. Six more MMGs were in bunkers that covered approach routes. Five SU122s of the 1442nd Self-Propelled Regiment, and off-board 82mm and 120mm mortars were also available. All Soviet units were dug in. There was also barbed wire and mines across the front.

Air activity was also heavy, with the chance of both German Stukas and Soviet IL2s showing up.

Rick E, Doug A and Rob T were the Germans; and Tom Thomas and Joe E were the Soviets. I had originally intended to handle the Russkies by myself since they were immobile and basically just targets, but with an abundance of players, they got to roll some dice.

Unfortunately only a few pictures because I was busy running the game!

Mark Luther

Germans planning their attack

Doug & Rick planning their attack across the mines and wire. They opted to hit the lower area to the east of the main hill. Rick's pioneers would work on clearing the mines using the covering fire of mortars and MMGs, while Doug would use the BIV to blast a hole.

Eastern part of the defense

Tom Thomas had a company of infantry in the foxholes and entrenchments along with three MMGs, two 45mm ATG, three or four ATR and a couple of 76mm ATG s at the start. The pre-game stonks took out a 45 and some infantry.

On the hill

Another infantry company, three 76mm ATGs, five 45mm ATGs, five MMGs, four ATRs, and several MMG pillboxes sited to fire on any covered approaches. The SU122s are dug in to cover the centre (off to the right).

Grenadiers assemble

Using the cover of the scrub and trees along the road. One of the StuGs is shown at the bottom of the pic. It was one of the contol units for the BIV demolition tank.

Pioneers to the wire

The engineers from the 184 Infantry Regiment take fire as they move to the barbed wire in front of the mines. Smoke is coming down in front of the closest Soviet trenches.

General assault

Later in the game. One of the StuGs is burning. A large gap has been blown in the wire and minefield by the BIV, which Rob is trying to use to move his troops through. German mortars are laying smoke and Soviet mortars are firing at the troops going through a gap the pioneers created. Stukas have made a couple of inconsequential strikes. The SU122 are alternating firing at the StuGs and infantry.

Germans gain a toehold

A risky close assault on the far entrenchment system was a complete victory for the Grenadiers: on 17 dice, the Soviets failed to get a single '6' and the Germans rolled at least five '6's. However another attempt failed and sent another group of Grenadiers back through the cleared mines. At this point we declared it a German victory. The three Ferdinand and two Sturm Pz IVs had just shown up (very late) and with the Germans up on the ridge they could move down the line unless counterattacked by Soviets reinforcements...which was not part of this game.

AAR 1943 Eastern Front: Hill 253 East of Ponyri by Mark Luther