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The Germans enter anywhere along the whole north side. The idea being that the infantry have been able to approach the position via dead ground under cover of darkness, and their first move actions can be from the table edge to whatever feature or position. Meanwhile, noisy vehicles could not have approached stealthily without exacting some kind of reaction, so represent their off table approach, a vehicle is placed at the edge of the table and then reactive fire is conducted. If the vehicle is missed or unaffected by reactive fire shots, it may then perform its first move action.

Soviets are placed anywhere on the table, south of the north portion of the wooded area.

It should be noted that neither side has any idea of what the other's forces are other than what they are given in the "Situation - enemy" section of their orders; all of our games (including all of the games listed in wwii battle reports) are run this way and refereed by an umpire who sometimes adds in extras as with this game.

From a Crossfire perspective, the wooded area to the east is full of woods features. The rest of the table is fairly open, with a few depressions not shown to allow for longer range armour action using my Crossfire house rules, Officer Commanding.

The game uses hidden deployment for the Soviets and the 15 minute reconnaissance phase of the game may reveal some positions. Neither side is aware of the force composition of their opponent except for what is revealed in the orders, below.

Game time is set at three hours, with a 15 minute reconnaissance phase - see the bottom of the German orders.

German Orders (Joe & "Burn dem Stugs" ChrisE) Situation The offensive reached this area late yesterday evening. Tanks from your division’s Panzer battalions were engaged by this Pak front, another very strong one far off to your western flank, and supporting Soviet armour. The tank battalion suffered some casualties before drawing back when darkness fell. To make its Operation Citadel objective, for which it is a day behind schedule, Division has decided that today’s operations will concentrate on this eastern flank and bypass the Pak front to the west. Situation – Enemy The Pak front in this area has been identified as being relatively small, 2 76.2mm ZIS-3 guns have been located and as heavy artillery soaked this wooded area before the divisional thrust here yesterday, these may be all that is there. No infantry were engaged, but intelligence from division and other units suggests up to a company may be in support. The Soviet 48th Army’s 45th Tank Regiment is known to be operating in the area and is likely set up to reinforce defenses here and it is assumed that it is from this unit that the T-34s encountered last evening came. These were supported by mortar fire, the location of which was not pinpointed but known to be somewhere in the woods of this Pak front. To the west flank, 2 kilometers away, is a very powerful Pak front which is known to have several 85mm anti-aircraft/tank which have line of sight to the edges of this area of operations. The east of the Pak front in your area is very heavily mined and the woods are very thick. Situation – Friendly You are commanding a reinforced panzer grenadier (infantry) battalion that has been tasked with clearing this area. The division main body will advance through your positions once the woods are cleared and the ridge secured. A battery of 150mm guns is harassing the 85mm Pak front off to the western flank to keep them as busy as possible. Your third company is tasked to be part of the main body, but you have two platoons from the Hanomag battalion attached to your two remaining companies. Mission The battalion will clear the Pak front and secure the main ridge. Forces All dismounted elements, including the reserve company, have advanced under cover of darkness to dead ground just short of the woods. Therefore, dismounted stands can enter from the German side from east side of the table to four feet from the east side at any time; move actions begin at the table’s edge. Vehicles, including Hanomag mounted infantry, can enter anywhere along the whole of the German side. However there is either no dead ground for them or the dead ground the dismounted infantry are in is not deep enough to cover their movement. Therefore, the first move action of any vehicle into the game will be to place it within 4” of the edge. This will be considered a move action and reactive fire can take place. All Germans are considered veterans. Elements of Sturmgeschutz Battalion (7 Stugs - all can do FG/CF with inf as per oc11.1.1) 1 Stug IIIG Sturmhaubitze (105mm), +2 CC, 2 smoke shoots 1st Sturmgeschutz Battery (platoon) - 3 Stug IIIG (75mm), includes +1 PC, 1 smoke shoot each 2nd Sturmgeschutz Battery (platoon) - 3 Stug IIIG (75mm), includes +1 PC, 1 smoke shoot each Elements of AT Battalion Marder Platoon: 3 Marder III, includes +1 PC Reconnaissance A patrol of 2 SDKFZ 250/9, both of which may act independently. +1 RBF = 5,6 for squads, 4-6 for AFVs medium to large guns /li> Artillery An off board battery of 150mm guns in support and a forward observer in a SDKFZ 250 (light half track) who can at any time dismount and accompany the infantry or ride the Stugs. 4 Smoke shoots, 10 area/concentrated barrages. The first barrage of the game can be considered “planned” and be placed anywhere without the FO. Barrages/smoke that follow the first planned, as long as they are in the same place as the first can be placed automatically – the battery continuing the barrage/smoke. Both recce patrol 250s are also considered FO for the same battery. CCs may act as non-FO. 1st Infantry Company 1 +2 company commander 1st Platoon: +1 PC, 1 MG, 3 rifle squads 2nd Platoon: +1 PC, 1 MG, 3 rifle squads 3rd Platoon: +1 PC, 3 rifle squads Attached Platoon from Hanomag Company +1 PC in SDKFZ 250 w/37mm (APCR ammo) 3 Squads in Hanomags 2nd Infantry Company 1 +2 company commander 1st Platoon: +1 PC, 1 MG, 3 rifle squads 2nd Platoon: +1 PC, 1 MG, 3 rifle squads 3rd Platoon: +1 PC, 3 rifle squads Attached Platoon from Hanomag Company +1 PC in SDKFZ 250 w/37mm (APCR ammo) 3 Squads in Hanomags Reconnaissance Phase – 15 minutes; any time left over can be added to the 3 hour main battle. Recce is conducted in a similar fashion as per the first CF competition. Two squads, additional to the above, will be used for recce. +1 RBF = 5,6 for squads, 4-6 for AFVs medium to large guns

Soviet Orders ("Let's just move this gun up for the hell of it" John & Dave) Situation The German offensive reached this area late yesterday evening. There was a sharp engagement and the Fascists fled. This area has high ground (the ridge) that is important for armour positions supporting attacks going towards the Germans or against the Soviets. Situation – Enemy It appears that there is a full strength panzer division operating in the area. Panzer IVs with long guns were exclusively encountered last night. There is some dead ground in front of this position and forward listening posts heard activity there overnight – it appears a sizeable infantry force, perhaps a battalion’s worth, moved in there overnight, so a major infantry assault is expected. No activity was observed or heard to the heavily mined area to the right. Situation – Friendly You are commanding a Pak front that is reinforced by an under strength infantry company and the infantry battalion’s mortars. To the left, 2 kilometres away, is another Pak front with 85mm guns that, if not under attack itself, can reach targets at the extreme edge of this area (these guns will be umpire controlled, though you will roll for shot effects when they are allowed). To the right, the areas are heavily mined and it is not expected the Germans will attempt to force that flank. In support is the 45th Tank Regiment, though last night it was T-34s from 13th Army that sortied out last night to counter attack the fascists. 45 TR from our 48th Army have been re-assigned to this area and you are in contact with that regiment’s operational headquarters and can request support if the situation becomes dire – the ridge is reached by German armour or otherwise overrun or if your own Pak front loses potency by loss of guns (3/5 guns out of action). Mission Prevent the enemy from advancing to take the ridge. Forces All your forces are considered veteran. Support (if any) that comes from 45th Tank Regiment will be regular. ZiS-3 Battery +1 PC (battery commander) 3 ZIS-3 76.2mm guns, crews entrenched, HE rounds available, 1 smoke shoot each ZiS-2 Battery +1 PC (battery commander) 2 ZIS-2 57mm guns, crews entrenched, HE rounds available, no smoke Mortar Platoon Two mortar stands and a headquarters are available and will be connected to bunkers and each gun position via land line No radio communications. Infantry CC can call opportunity fore from land line positions as FO. Gun and infantry PCs, can call opportunity fore from land line positions as non-FO. Any support that arrives from 45th Tank Regiment cannot call mortars. Ammunition is laid in for 10 area/concentrated barrages and 2 smoke shoots. 4 pre-registered targets are permitted. Infantry Company 1 +1 company commander 1 BA-10 Armoured car 1st Platoon: +1 PC (close combat only), 3 rifle squads each with PTRD ATR 2nd Platoon: +1 PC (close combat only), 3 rifle squads each with PTRD ATR 3rd Platoon: +1 PC (close combat only), 3 rifle squads each with PTRD ATR 3 Machine guns – can be attached to platoons 2 bunkers, 1 concrete pill box Tank wrecks from last evening's fighting. Squads/MGs can be placed beside these to represent them being dug in under the shelter of the wreck - cover counts as earth bunker. After the Soviet player sets up and maps all his miniature positions, the referee informs the Soivet player that two 76.2mm Zis-3 guns must be exposed, due to detection by the Germans in the previous evening's fighting. Elements of 45th Tank Regiment -> These will become available once three guns are destroyed or the Germans reach the base of the hill. It is assumed a position with land lines will call. SU-76 Platoon 2 SU-76 (includes PC) Su-76 Platoon 2 SU-76 (includes PC) Lee/Grant Platoon 3 Lend Lease Lee/Grants (includes PC)