The Citadel: Breakthrough-Reconnaissance Pull (Game 1)

Last week myself and Graham got together to play Part 2 of the Citadel campaign. Historically, this campaign chronicles the Battle of Kursk in 1943. In the first part of the this campaign the Germans have overran the first Soviet line of defence. 

PanzerGrenadier Division Grossdeutschland now are advancing to the second line of the Soviet defences at Lukhanino River. Defending are the 3rd Mechanised Corps with the 1st Tank Army. The campaign consists of 6 scenarios all during 4 days in July, 1943.

As the Germans scored a Major Victory in Part 1 of the Citadel Campaign, they get a +1 roll on their FM for the first 2 games as well as subtracting 2 from the number of turns required for Victory. The Soviets suffer a -1 on their FM roll for the first game.

As we have done in Part 1, where possible we are using v2 Chain of Command ruleset rather than v1 for which the campaign was written. We do use the OB from the campaign but do add non specific supports like Replen Points. We also where possible use the v2 scenario support and victory conditions as we have done here in the Probe Scenario. In the later scenarios in the campaign we will have to depend more on the original scenarios.

Forces

Germans (FM 11)

1942 Panzergrenadier Platoon #1

Supports  7

SL

2 Cars

1 Sniper

Soviets (FM 10 )

1942 Soviet Rifle Platoon #1

Supports 2

2 Entrenchments

The Game

Patrol Markers and JOPs

We had quite a hard time figuring out the terrain instructions, we treated this as a dry Balka but it should have been a stream. It made for somewhat of a confusing game

This was a tough game for the Germans, I just could not get across the Balkas, I was able to get one section off the table by running them up the road, but the second victory condition capture a JOP was stymied when the Final Countdown was initiated and then was suddenly terminated with Graham rolling a double 6 thus ending the game. I had considered withdrawing because I had lost one full section, but fate prevented me from having to make this decision.

Summing Up

We are having game 2 tomorrow, I think we have the terrain sorted so hopefully a smoother game.