On the Launceston Gaming Club Expo Day, a big game of Flames of War was organised, pitting Russians against Germans. Would the frontal charge of the fearless Soviets crush the fascists, or would the German’s superior fire power manage to hold back the Red horde?

Points: 4,000 per side.

Date: 29^th June 1943.

Mission: Free for all.

Order of Battle

Commanders: Podpolkovnik Dead1 and Podpolkovnik Doug (2 T-34 obr 1942)

I Medium Tankovy Company (7 T-34 obr 1942)

II Medium Tankovy Company (7 T-34 obr 1942)

III Medium Tankovy Company (9 T-34 obr 1942)

IV Medium Tankovy Company (5 Matilda II)

Assault Gun Company (4 SU-85)

Heavy Assault Gun Company (2 SU-152)

Guards Heavy Tank Company (4 KV-85)

I Motostrelkovy Company (HQ with 2 Motor Rifle Platoons)

II Motostrelkovy Company (HQ with 2 Motor Rifle Platoons)

Commanders: Hauptmann Aggro and Hauptmann Cailus (Panzer IV G, Panzer IV H)

I Combat Platoon (3 Panzer IV F2)

II Combat Platoon (3 StuG G)

III Combat Platoon (2 Panzer IV H, 1 Panzer III N)

IV Combat Platoon (2 Panzer G, 1 Panzer III N), supported by 2iC 1 Panzer IV H)

Assault Gun Platoon (2 StuG G)

I Heavy Tank Platoon (Tiger 1e)

II Heavy Tank Platoon (Tiger 1e)

Panzergrenadiers (HQ with 3 Panzergrenadier Squads), supported by 2iC Panzer III

Priority Air Support (Bf 109e)

This was not the first advance into this particular farm stead near Lugovoye by the Germans. Only the day before a detachment of the Panzergrenadier division had mobilised across the area. The Panzergrenadier’s support include a very experimental siege tank.

The German were attacked by a large tank battalion and after sustaining many losses, pulled back. The experimental tank was immobilised in the action and its crew killed before they could destroy it.

The survivors of the Panzergrenadiers fell back and grouped with elements from the 6^th Panzer Division eleven kilometres away. The 6^th was instructed by high command to deviate their progress and reclaim Lugovoye. All effort would be made either to reclaim or destroy the experimental tank, Objective Sturm.

The Germans also had a secondary objective, a soviet fuel supply depot behind the farm stead.

As the German armour approached the farm stead, its advance was halted when the Soviets appeared opposite.

The Soviets would simply be tasked with the annihilation of the German armoured company. If they managed to reach the Lugovoye Hill south-east of Lugovoye or the small Village to the south-west, High Command surmised that these would be the optimal positions to encircle and destroy the German company entirely.

At dawn, two companies of T-34’s (II and III), supported by SU-85‘s, rumbled forward on the Germans left flank. Their 76mm guns were not in range to fire.

The Su-15’s entered the thin stretch of trees near Objective Sturm.

On the right flank, the Motostrelkovy men rode atop the T-34’s of I Medium Tankovy Company, the KV-85s and Matildas as they rushed through the high standing cropfields.

The Germans reacted by moving their left flank, consisting of one Tiger and all Combat Platoons , forwards to the hedge line. The Panzers and StuG G’s fired their long range 7.5cm cannons and were rewarded with a few T-34’s erupting in flames.

Meanwhile on the other flank a spectacular shot from the stationary Tiger (Heavy Tank Platoon II, concealed in the woods of the Lugovoye hill) disabled a Matilda tank. The Panzergrenadiers moved up to the ford in the stream and dismounted.

A squadron of Messerschmitts dropped bombs on the company of T-34’s hiding behind the homestead. Most of the bombs missed apart from one. Fortunately the T-34 was only severely shook though the crew bailed out just in case. The hull was scorched and they saw scraps of flesh littered about that only moments ago were ten soldiers riding on top.

The entire Soviet Battalion resumed their advance, although the infantry jumped off the tanks and walked.

The majority of T-34’s on the left flank slowed their pace in order to be able to fire effectively though apart from two glancing shots on the Panzer IV F2’s, the Germans were unharmed. The SU-85’s took opportunity shots at the Tiger (Heavy Tank Platoon I). A lucky shot from one Assault Gun penetrated the thick armour of the Tiger. The Tiger Ace, Hugo Ackman and the rest of the tank crew looked at the shell for a moment in disbelief before taking the opportunity to jump out of the tank and waited for the explosion.

Behind the SU-85’s, the SU-152’s made a move closer to the edge of the woods. One of the lumbering Assault Guns became bogged in the process.

Two of the KV-85’s started to move towards the left flank while the other two advanced towards the Tiger at the base of the Lugovoye hill. Their shooting failed to either hit or penetrate the thick hide of the Tiger.

The long barrelled T-34’s from I Medium Tankovy Company weaved around the Mansion, taking the opportunity to fire on the two StuG G’s. Unfortunately for the Russians their shots were either wide or rebounded of the armour. The remaining four T-34’s moved around the other side to assist the Motostrelkovy Company that was nearing the ford in the river currently held by the Panzergrendiers.

Seeing the Soviets advancing toward them, the Germans mostly came to a halt - those Panzer IV’s and StuG G’s on the left that were not directly behind the hedge line moved up beside their fellow tanks. Ackman, seeing that the Tiger was hadn’t blown up, ordered his crew bank into the tank and went straight back into action.

The German fire from the left flank devastated the Soviet line, destroying six T-34’s and three SU-85’s.

On the right flank the squads of Panzergrenadiers continued to hold the ford although the crops in front of them hid the advancing Soviet soldiers.

The two StuG’s remained stationary and blasted away at three long barrelled T-34’s and destroyed all of them.

The Tiger (Heavy Tank Platoon II) disabled another Matlida tank in the crop field.

The sound of a Messerschmitt was heard once more but only a single airplane flew across the battlefield this time. It let dropped its payload on the infantry in the open on the far right, killing or injuring three squads.

Careless of their losses, the Soviet attack on the left carried on although the remaining two T-34’s from II Medium Tankovy Company fled.

The lone SU-85 crippled a Panzer III N. The T-34’s from III Medium Tankovy Company also faired better this time and to the cheer of the soviet tankers, a StuG G and a Panzer IV F2 erupted in flames.

One SU-152 emerged out of the forest to get closer to Objective Sturm whilst its compatriot became stuck in the terrain.

The Soviets around the farmstead moved onwards, supported by the Matildas that had swung around to support the three remaining T-34’s from I Medium Tankovy Company. Sporadic fire from the Motostrelkovy caught a squad of Panzergrenadiers in the water and the bodies were dragged down stream.

The KV-85’s in the centre crops moved forward but failed to destroy the Tiger (Heavy Tank Platoon II).

The Tiger responded in turn but its shells could not penetrate the thick armour of the KV-85’s.

Meanwhile the Panzergrenadiers took a step back to allow for the two StuG G to reach the entrance of the ford. They reduced the four T-34’s down to three. Although one tank commander urged the StuG G’s to fall back into the cover provided by the massive boulders the platoon leader ordered otherwise, “What can these backwards Communists do? Their puny cannons are useless against us. Stand ground!”

One of the Hauptmanns, seeing the encroaching Soviet horde on the right, ordered IV Combat Platoon to move behind the nearby forest at full speed.

The rest of the force on the left flank concentrated their attack on the remaining T-34’s.

A single Panzer IV F2 was entangled on the hedge line but the remaining two panzers assault guns moved directly forward. As they advanced they opened fire and destroyed three more T-34’s. Ackman’s Tiger destroyed the remaining SU-85 threat.

This left only the Company Commander tank from III Medium Tankovy Company and one of the Podpolkovniks, along with the two SU-152’s.

The two remaining T-34’s on the left flank fell back behind the burning wrecks of their comrades. The SU-152 moved closer to Objective Sturm while the other SU-152 was still struggling to free itself out of the woods.

On the other side the one of the Motostrelkovy Company approached the two StugG’s guarding the ford. The other Motostrelkovy Company followed the KV-85’s they reached the stream. The infantry started shooting at the Panzergrenadiers, killing four men. The three surviving T-34’s from I Medium Tankovy Company blasted away at the two StuG’s in front of them. “Urrah!” the Russian infantry yelled as the shells smashed into the assault guns’ armour. The StuG G platoon commander’s arrogant smile was wiped away along with the rest of his body as the vehicle exploded. The remaining StuG G was also crippled beyond repair. Suddenly the right flank was very vulnerable.

The KV-85’s continued their slugfest with the Tiger at the base of the hill but again failed to do any damage.

Combat Platoons I, II and III on the left continued their advance towards Objective Sturm. The Panzer IV F2 bogged on the hedge lines freed itself and went to join the rest of his platoon.

The final T-34 from III Medium Tankovy Company was destroyed in the process of this thrust whilst another shot from a StuG G hit the Podpolkovnik’s T-34 and its crew bailed out.

Ackman’s Tiger had also left its position and moved around the hedge line, taking a long range shot at the KV-85’s in the process. The shot missed.

The Tiger on the right flank and concentrated fire on the KV-85’s but nothing could dent the armour of the heavy Soviet tanks. Tracer rounds flew from the Panzer IV’s that had just arrived to support the right flank and few Soviet soldiers were ripped to shreds.

The Hauptmann’s desperate plea for air support fell on deaf ears and the skies were clear.

The Soviets pushed on their assault, with the mass of infantry crossing the stream and the open ground between them and the Panzergrenadiers. The infantry, supported by the Matildas, fired at the Panzergrenadiers and destroyed two half tracks in the process. The Germans were pinned down.

The remnants of I Medium Tankovy Company answered the Podpolkovnik’s order for reinforcements and sped back towards the bridge. The Podpolkovnik himself fought a losing battle, unable to hit the veteran Panzer IV F2’s.

The bogged SU-152 was still not able to free itself whilst the other active heavy assault gun was unable to hit anything, struggling to see anything through the wrecks and the smoke.

The KV-85’s remained at the edge of the stream and fired continuously at the Tiger opposite them. A lucky shell smashed through a vision slit and the Tiger finally fell silent.

The infantry that had just crossed the ford charged into the Panzergrenadiers. The German’s defensive fire, including support from the Halftracks, managed to inflict a score of casualties but not enough to halt the charge. Germans fell underneath the bludgeoning blows of the Russians. The German’s platoon commander, a single squad and the half tracks managed to flee to a safe distance. They were bloodied but still able.

However for now the survivors were too weary and hid in the shadow of the hill. The half tracks moved around to support the 2iC’s Panzer III in an attempt to whittle down the Soviet infantry which was about to break their lines.

The Hauptmann leading the Panzer IV G’s managed to navigate around the trees on the other side of the hill, right behind the destroyed Tiger.

The German vehicles opened fire with their machine guns. Although another score of Russians fell, apart from keeping their heads down the fearless Russians would not fall back.

Combat Platoons I, II and III continued past the small village. The Podpolkovnik’s T-34 was finally crippled by the Panzer F2’s whilst the StuG G’s destroyed the SU-152. With no commissars in the vicinity, the crew of the other bogged SU-152 sabotaged their vehicle and fled.

Ackman’s Tiger remained in position and its turret slowly traversed around to target the KV-85’s across the stream. A kill shot saw a KV-85 explode.

The KV 85’s ignored Ackman’s Tiger and concentrated on the Panzer IV’s threatening the infantry. A side shot hit one of the Panzer IV H and easily disabled it. By then the other three Panzers had already disappeared into the safely of the woods.

One of the Motostrelkovy Company consolidated their positions towards their objective point whilst the other Company yelled and ran towards the Hauptmann and the Panzer IV G’s. The Panzers tried in vain to keep the charging infantry at bay. Russians managed to clamber over one of the Panzers and stuck the barrels of their rifles in the vision slits, firing madly.

The Hauptmann ordered a retreat but as his tank started to move backwards it smashed into a tree and became stuck. Although the remaining Panzer G retreated successfully the Hauptmann and his crew was captured by the Soviets.

On the left flank the three T-34’s crossed the bridge and following the river they reached the small village, Objective Sturm in their sight.

The StuG G’s reached Objective Sturm, turning around to face the approaching T-34’s. However the Soviet threat on this side was neutralised by Ackman’s Tiger and Combat Platoons I and III.

“I just received word from our Leutnant that our company is about the secure our objective,” the Oberfeldwebel said to the surviving Panzergrenadiers, “However they need more time. You all understand the risks as much as you know what must be done.” The bloodied soldiers nodded and they left their positions.

Up the hill they advanced and through the scrub and trees they suddenly saw the Soviet infantry. Gun fire erupted. The Soviets were caught in a cross fire between the Panzergrenadiers and the Leutnant, supported by the two halftracks. It was still not enough to panic the Russians.

Meanwhile on the other side the last Panzer G could not hear the gunfire. Their radio had been knocked out by a glancing shot only half an hour ago. The tank commander ordered a frontal charge.

The hull and coaxial machine guns fired continuously as the Panzer smashed through the trees. A squad of Russians was cut down as the tank broke into their lines. The rest of the Motostrelkovy Company feared not and counterattacked. After a few desperate attempts the panzer G was breached and the crew killed.

“Continue on! For the Motherland!” their Russian commissar screamed. Buoyed by the destruction of the Panzer, the Motostrelkovy Company turned around and rushed off towards the Panzergrenadiers.

The Germans opened fire and the assault of the depleted Motostrelkovy Company nearly faltered.

The last squad of the Panzergrenadiers was butchered and the Oberfeldwebel ran for his life.

The hill was finally clear of Germans.

In the aftermath it was difficult to say whether the Russians had secured much of a victory. They had achieved to take control of the point as set out by High Command and subsequently an observation tower was constructed, which was never used in the war.

The Germans did not have time to drag the experimental tank to safety and it was sabotaged to avoid it from reaching Russian hands.

The German company in this battle was ordered to rejoin the 6^th Panzer Division in time to prepare for Operation Citadel.

Credits

Battle Report & Miniature Photography: Cailus

Terrain: Doug's Stuff, Miniature World Maker, JR Miniatures, LGC Terrain

WW2 Photos ripped from www.2photo.mimerswell.com,  www.ww2incolor.com, en.wikipedia.org,