I try to run a Kursk IABSM game every July and this year was no exception. This one was going to be an all armor one based on the action of Kampfgruppe Stachwitz on the southern front of Operation Citadel on July 10, 1943.

Panzer Division Grossdeutschland was working its way north towards Oboyan but had to dispatch a strong unit of panzers (KG Stachwitz) to the SW to deal with units holding up the 3rd Panzer Division.

William would command the panzers, while Simeon, Jon and I took the Soviets of the 22nd Tank Brigade, 6th Tank Corps.

The Russian tank hordes are coming in from the near, SE corner while KG Stachwitz begins from the opposite NW edge.

The Russians had three companies of ten T34s each and a battalion CO vehicle.

KG Stachwitz had a unit of four Panther Ds (subject to the breakdown card), ten Panzer IVG/Hs and some off-board Tiger Is. The Tigers could cover the left flank and would roll a D4 to see how many could fire at 18" plus range.

Russian crews had two activations (three for the company COs) while the Germans had four activations. So it was Soviet numbers and speed vs German training and firepower.

So I didn't get any pics of the very end of the game, but this is pretty is the wrap. The T34s that made the dash around the Panthers were all knocked out or forced to bail out.

Of the 10 PzIVs, 2 were KO'ed, 1 was immobilized and 1 had engine damage. All 4 Panthers had some damage-3 were immobilized and 1 had their gun inoperable.

Of the 30 T34s only Jon had 1 vehicle escape intact. The Bttn CO in the back was also untouched. He will be tasked with leading the next wave from he front.

Very enjoyable game that had loads of movement and action that was a closer affair than the final results would indicate

Mark Luther