Operation Damp Patch - The Battle of Kakstadt, 1979 - part 1

It's May 1979 and the forces of the Evil Empire have just trundled across the Inner German Border.  For those of you who missed it first time round, I offer this recreation  - played as part of the testing and development of Little Cold Wars at an undisclosed location 'somewhere in Southern England...'
In our sector an East German Motor Rifle Regiment has to cross a canal and secure the approaches to the small town of Alte Kakstadt.
The toys in use were 1/32ish plastic figures, the vehicles were a mix of die-casts and plastic tat in 1/50 to 1/43 scales.

 The main canal crossings - both road and rail.

Before battle commenced the Commies flew an air recce sortie.  Here is the initial film in the shape of a panoramic photo taken on my iPhone.

 After analysis the photo appeared to show parked AFVs...

...in the shape of French APCs.

 The western side of the canal had been mined.  Turns out that mines look a bit like golf tees.

 Spenatz units in Kakstadt were soon engaged by a couple of French infantry platoons...

 ...who saw off the nasties.

 The DDR forces comprised a Motor Rifle battalion...

 ...supporting a Recce company of PT-76...

 ...with traffic police and an AT battery.

 The French Mech Company in town was supported by a tank destroyer platoon in AMX-13/90.

As the Germans closed on the town we were overtaken by poor light and the impending readiness of food.  Phase 2 of the battle will follow shortly!
Added 12/05/14: my co-author and I see LCW as having 'depth' rather than 'frontage'.  That is, rather than trying to field a divisional assault, we'd rather focus - as in the game above - on a battalion to brigade sized battlegroup and see it through several stages of a battle.  This first game, for example, lasted about 90 minutes and dealt with recce,  an obstacle crossing and probing enemy defensive positions.  Having located the enemy, the next game deals with the assault on the town.