I was lucky to get 5 players for this game including 2 for the German side and 3 for the Russians with each player commanding a tank company.
The scenario takes place the summer of 1943 when the Russians are going over to the offensive after Kursk. A breakthrough has occurred in the German lines and the Russians are trying to exploit the breach. The Germans rush a couple of under strength panzer companies to try to restore the lines.
The German side had 2 mixed companies of Panzer IIIs and IVs, both somewhat under strength with 14 tanks each. The Russian force was a battalion size force of 3 companies of T-34s. Of the players, only one of the Germans had much experience with the game, another couple of Russian players had played before but not for a while, and the 2 remaining players, 1 Russian and 1 German, had never played Mein Panzer before.
The geographic objectives were a town in the north of the map, the hilltop in the center, and 2 bridges near the south end of the map. In addition to the geographic objectives, both sides scored varying points for knocking out or brewing up enemy tanks with higher points for brew-ups and even higher points for knocking out HQ tanks.
The game started with a German pre-game move to get their units on the map just ahead of the Russians. There was not time to really get into good defensive positions but at least time to get the companies on the table and ready for action.
The Russians arrived on the east side of the map starting on turn 1 but no real combat took place as the Russians were moving to get into position for the later turns. The Germans were trying to solidify their own positions to repel the Russian onslaught.
Turns 2-6 saw a lot of back and forth action as the Russians attempted to take all 3 geographic objectives but were unable to take any of them at the conclusion of turn 6. Both sides lost a lot of tanks with the Russians losing 20 out of 30 tanks in the end and the Germans losing 15 out of their 28 starting tanks with a couple of others immobilized.
Although the Germans got the victory in this one due to holding the geographic objectives, they were pretty beat up as well and probably unable to hold off the additional Russian forces that were inevitably coming.
It was a great game and I think everyone had a lot of fun.
Here are a few pictures from the game.
Here is the overall terrain layout.
Another view looking down from the north of the map.
A view from the south with one of the bridges.
The pre-game move. The Germans arrive.
The battle begins.
The Russians are coming and the Germans react.
In the center, the battle begins in earnest.
In the north, the Germans manage to keep the Russians out of the town.
The Germans in the center are increasingly hard pressed so some much needed reinforcements are sent to assist.
The climax of the battle in the center as the Russians battle for control of the hill.
The situation at the end of turn 6. Both sides are exhausted but the Germans have held. A great tank graveyard marks the scene of the hardest fighting.
