Ponyri (Kursk) 1943 - part 2

We join the action again as the panzers surge forward on the German right.  Soon some T34s were smouldering nicely.

The Germans in Ponyri soon got pushed out by (vast quantities of) Russians who appeared from the left.  What a rotten trick!

A close up of the burning T34s.  A pleasing sight from the turret of my Tiger.

Soon a carefully hoarded run of cards allowed the German Panzer attack to fully develop - with a breach being made in the minefield (right) and Tigers running amok (well trundling amok) in the Sov defence line.  

With the Soviet armour all eliminated and Ponyri back in German hands it was Iron Crosses all round and a hero's welcome back in the Fatherland. 

Ponyri (Kursk) 1943 - part 1

This was a Memoir 44 game run by Martin using his 15mm toys.  He ran the Bolshevist host while I applied my inspired leadership to the business of defending European civilization.  At least I think that's what my briefing said.

Above:  The table setup viewed from the German side.  From here there seemed to be lots of Russians.  Lots and lots of them.  Waaay too many of them.

Having no idea how to deploy armour, the Sovs had dug in their tanks.  Clearly they hadn't read Guderian's book.

The game was set on the northern flank of Kursk (in 1943) and revolved around the village of Ponyri.  The Sovs began in occupation and showed no sign of leaving.

My forces included some tank units - and this (badly photographed) Brummbar.

Most of the German armour was on the right.  I sent this Tiger unit forward quite early.  The round counters mark the location of the Soviet minefield.  Bugger.

The early German infantry assault on Ponyri went quite well - these are my chaps nearest the camera and some dying Sovs in the middle.

 

So - everything hangs in the balance - what will happen next?

 

More coming soon.