Today's mission is take a factory which, although ruined after the last shelling, remains an important strategic position

The Soviets, as they are playing at home, are the first to occupy the factory, aiming to defend it until the end.

The Germans are quick to start their assault

Both sides send in their armour, aiming to support their own infantry whilst annihilating the enemy's troops

Casualties are quick to occur

As the Germans hook around on the left, the Soviets begin to think that the battle is lost

Especially as the German infantry are advancing in support on the right

Whilst fighting is intense in the centre, with both sides taking heavy losses

Soviet self-propelled guns are starting to tip the balance in their favour...it's turning into a war of attrition

German Tigers reclaim the initiative

The Germans seem to be totally in control of the left flank

Smoke makes it hard to see who has the advantage in the centre

In the end, after many hours of combat,  the game is declared a draw:  the factory remains in the possession of the Russian infantry, but the flanks have been lost to the German armor, even if the loss of all their infantry will make it  difficult for them to eject the Soviet infantry from the factory.

Burt Minorrot