This scenario is based upon the Dec 2, 1941 Soviet counterattack on the leading edge of the German drive towards Moscow.

The German 258 Infantry Division had punched through the Russian 222 Rifle Division and was only 27 miles west of the capital. At this point, with the weather down to -30C, the Russians launched an attack at the point of the German spear. Meanwhile tanks of the 136th and 140th Tank Battalions came in from the South East to cut off the Germans. This is the basis of this game.

Looking south from the German edge

View from the Southwest

The attacking Russians enter from the forest to the right (South). Their job is to capture the village of Petrovskoe. Bryan had a 7-tank company of Valentine MK IIs and a 5-tank unit of T-60s. Each tank unit had a platoon of tank-riding infantry from the 183rd Reserve Regiment (3 squads each). The entry of the T-60 unit was delayed for 3 turns.

The Blinds for the Valentines are seen on the right edge of the woods.

Petrovskoe

Not much to look at for sure The initial German forces on table are only two PaK 38s, two MMG teams and a 2cm AA position from the 1 battery, 258 Panzerjaeger Abteilung.

The infantry reinforcements have to rush back from the off table front line coming in from the road on the near edge They consisted of two 2-squad platoons . The three assault guns from 191 StuG Abteilung would arrive later from the same direction.

William took over the Germans from me early on.

Valentines meeting resistance

The early turns were mainly Blinds moving about. Spotting was difficult due to limited visibility caused by a hill, the woods that the Russians had to move through, and the spread out village that the Germans were coming through.

A PaK had caused some gun-sight damage to one of the Valentines and with green crews (only two weeks of training) they were easy to chase off.

Lots of craters from earlier Katyushkas salvos on the table.

German 37mm ATG

The 37 had even odds against the lend-lease tank's armour (5 strike vs 5 armour) but didn't manage any penetrations.

There is an MMG Blind next to to same house as the ATG.

Valentines renew their attack on the right

The 1st platoon and the tank riders went to the left and the rise. The company CO tank has joined this (2nd) platoon. Another Valentine has turret damage and with their 2 pdr guns lacking HE these tanks have to use their coaxial MG on the dug-in guns.

German infantry moving up

At this stage of the war, grenade bundles and AT mines were the only real hand held AT weapons for the Wehrmacht…and the PaK 38 fire seems to be bouncing off most times. Another PaK has acquired the Valentines from further in the village.

T-60s finally appear

The infantry drop off as soon as they take fire from the village.

View from the defenders

The MMG team is set up in the small orchard and has a good time picking off riders from the 183rd Regiment.

Action on the hill

Another platoon from the 183rd takes cover along a wooden fence near the crest of the hill. Fire from the other German platoon and a MMG and a 2cm flak are making it difficult for them to advance further. A Valentine is smoking from a flank shot from the second PaK.

Stand-off on the hill

T-60s charge in

The 37mm can't fire fast enough to stop them all, but the return fire from the tanks is ineffective

Meanwhile the firefight between the German and Russian infantry is going completely in favor of the defenders and the tank riders are pinned down in some ruins on the outskirts of the village.

Russian infantry stopped

Crushing a PaK

The T-60s have lost a couple of tanks to excessive shock and two have some damage. Running over the troublesome ATG seems a good choice, and it works.

StuGs arrive finally

The StuG III Bs of 191 Abteilung were sloooow coming on the table but were about to stymie the T-60s. There are two +1 Tank Aces in this battery.

The end of the T-60 charge

Russians move down hill

Their was a brief fight over the building but the Russian sent the Wehrmacht packing back down to their fence line. The Valentines head down to silence the AA and PaK.

StuGs looking for targets

German right flank

Their superior firepower keeps the Russian infantry from getting any closer, but the Valentines are heading for the PaK and AA gun.

T-60s are done

William moved a team in to successfully finish off a T-60 with some grenade bundles. The other vehicles have bailed due to excess Shock.

Russian high tide

Table overview shows that the Russians have barely gotten into Petrovskoe.

Lots of terrain to move around

Another PaK run over

But this time the Valentine gets tangled up on the gun carriage and hangs up the company commander's vehicle.

Russian infantry pinned down on the hill

Another view of the south side

German infantry pulling back

Three Valentines are still moving around and force the German infantry to scramble away to cover in buildings.

No Russians moving on this flank

The Red infantry riders have all gone silent too.

StuGs moving up

We decided to call it at this point. Bryan was out of infantry to support his three Valentines. With two +1 Tank Aces in the StuGs, they would probably take out those survivors.

However the German defenders were out of PaKs and there was another unit of Russian tanks coming: T-34s from the 140th Tank Battalion, so that would be interesting. At least the Germans would have a chance to get into some defensive positions and hope for reinforcements.

Final casualties were:

• All five T-60s KO'd and four of the Valentines were gone. Only a third of the Russian infantry was left and they were considered ineffective.

• The Germans lost only five infantry but also both PaK 38s and the 2cm AA.

This was small but fun game with some interesting kit.

Mark Luther