Late War in Germany. I was trying to hold back the Red hordes the other night – we had a great time and feel like the rules are running more smoothly now we've played a few times.

It was a very close game, but it didn't look like it was going to be: the Germans were on the wire with only three regular platoons and one of Volksturm, four tank hunting team, two HMGs, and two PaK 40s…much of which disappeared in the initial bombardment (damn those Katyushas!) or was avoided by the positioning of the Russian advance and didn't get into play.

Meanwhile, the Ruskies were fielding three tank platoons, three infantry units (one of SMGs) and had two bombardments and a Katyusha strike (so able to cover all the main deployment areas). Note to Self: Don't deploy forward into combat areas at first if you have even the vaguest idea the Russians might have artillery...

Remarkably, I as the Germans managed to squeak a narrow victory by holding the buildings at the last :)

More info in the pic comments...

The field of battle at around turn two

Soviet forces are spilling of their blinds all across the front. Their objective is the village and factory, centre (where two very mangled infantry units lie post-artillery bombardment) .

On the left flank the red hordes start to advance but ther German infantry are making them pay dear

Meanwhile on the right flank, Russian tank teams and riders suddenly appear – a 'brown trousers' moment for the German infantry

My best-placed PaK 40 covering the centre bridge disappears under the pre-game bombardment without firing a shot.

Meanwhile in the centre, the Russians force the bridge! And with my AT gun lost, what's to stop them? The other ones is too far away and has no transport.

Cue a T34/85 platoon which sits on a hill on the right fnlank and starts sniping at everything: it's looking tough for the Germans

The Russians centre advances on the objective: the village and factory.

At least my dice worked on this throw ;)

Those Russians keep coming!

The Soviet tanks push onward towards the objective on all sides.

A lone Panzerschreck team, catches the first Russian tank by surprise.

Another tank hunting team scores a hit.