The Soviets invaded Poland on 17 September, and in most areas crushed the weak and dispersed Border Defense Force. Near Nizniow, the Russian 9th Cavalry Division blocked a key bridge over the Dniester River, supporting the Ukrainian Front’s plan to cut off any polish retreat into Romania. The Poles had established emergency tank companies based on old 7TPs, FT-17s, Vickers, TKS tanks and armored cars. One of these companies equipped with two 7TPs, four FT-17s, and two armored cars ran into the Russian defense of the bridgehead, resulting in a clash of armor.
Attacker: Polish (Reinforced elements Border Defence Force)
Defender: Russian (Reinforced elements 9th Cavalry Division)
6.5 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:18.0 D:12.0
AFVs: A:8
7TPdw x 2 wz.34-II x 2 FT-17K(f) x 2 FT-18C(f) x 2
AFVs: D:8
BT-5 M34 x 2 SU-12 GAZ-4M-AA BT-2A
Guns: A:0 D:0
Misc Rules:
Stream is Deep. Minimum vehicular road rate is 1 MP per hex. D: AFV crews Inexprienced
Tom has been looking forward to playing the Russians since we started this play through so he was very excited to get to the first one. Outgunned is pretty much a metaphor for the Polish in this entire suite of scenario. Sure you have a couple of good weapon systems, but the tactical restrictions like platoon movement, WW1 tanks, 2-man tankettes, 1-4 or worst leader to squads ratio, and virtually no LMG really make things difficult. In this fist Russian scenario things are much better. Here we're on the attack (again with 0 LMG) with a mixed bag of mostly 1st line squads and some Green squads. We have more than 2 leaders and 2 even have a negative modifier (that's rare believe me) attacking a cavalry screen.
I pushed my main attack down the right flank (you have to, that's where all the VC buildings are) but did send a supporting attack up the middle to threaten a crossing at that ford and two of the WW1 tanks to threaten the ford on the Polish left to keep Tom from concentrating his Turn 2 counter attack on my main effort. The main effort smashed into the initial screen on AC was immobilized but the other pushed through and exited for VC. The two vikers tanks followed up and mauled the infantry while my own infantry hurried to close up. Tom aggressively tried to take advantage of this rushing a squad and leader to try and take advantage of this separation, but it backfired and I would break and eventually capture them.
Tom was aggressive with his counter attack crossing at both fords to challenge my armor on the Polish left and center and taking up blocking positions to support the infantry on my right while his infantry occupied the victory building on their side of the stream. In the ensuing armor battle my antiquated WW1 tanks would take out three of 4 of his BT2's and the 4th would fall in CC. While his tanks would blast the two vickers, flaming one of them. This burning wreck would turn the adjacent grain field in to a conflagration allowing me to push aggressively up the the middle with no fear of enfilading fire and take two precious 5vp buildings. The Russian 76mm AA gun would also go down to one of the museum pieces and the AA 1/2 track to small arms fire from two squads who waded the river. But Tom's Russians still held final 5vp building.
All of a sudden, a scenario I didn't think I stood a chance in became a very good game. In the end my central attack supporting the right broke the squad occupying the final 5vp building allowing the right flank infantry to move up, brave fire from across the stream, and secure the building at which point Tom resigned.
Like so many of these scenarios I think this is more the Russians to loose than the Poles to win but I play against a very good player one much better than me. That said, they're all fun and with the exception of two we've played them all to last or next to the last turn.
2018-08-02
(A) Martí Cabré
vs
Ángel González
Polish win
I choose to attack on the right flank leaving a couple of AFV to hold the central axis, where there was a non-decisive tank battle lasting all the scenario. The Russians tried to move all the defenses to their left but the Poles advanced swiftly and broke the first defenders, getting to the stream. Then there was a firefight where most Russian infantry broke and their tanks were destroyed, allowing for the Poles to cross the stream without many casualties and take two buildings on the other side allowing for more than 70VP.