Ponyri Station Water Tower: An Eastern Front Crossfire Game

Ken came over and we played a small, Company sized battle using CROSSFIRE, some of my favorite Company level rules.

This battle was loosely based on the action around the northern portion of Ponyri Station, specifically in and around the water tower area.

Ken is attacking with a full strength German company of 3 platoons, along with a weapons platoon of 2 HMG sections and an 81mm Mortar section.

I am fielding a "Guards" Rifle Company (-) with only 2 platoons, however an 82mm mortar battery in support, as well as an HMG.  Their "Guards" distinction made them "Regulars" in Crossfire speak, so they weren't as worthless as traditional Soviet conscripts in Crossfire.

The map looking from the south.  Water tower is plainly visible.  Ken opted to let the Soviets start with hidden placement!  Germans are coming from your right.

 The Germans placed an MG42 section with 2 platoons and used the mortar in support.

The German approach to the water tower

Ken moved up pretty quick and found out where my HMG was (right at the base of the the objective!  in protective cover, of course!

I placed a rifle platoon along the northern approach - Ken's infantry are about to find them!

 Ken suppressed my rifle squads in the northern tree line and launched an all-out assault with the first platoon!  The "veteran" status, along with the presence of the platoon leader and more squads supporting the fight wipes my Soviets out and steamrolls through the position.

Nice shooting from some organized "crossfires" and "firegroups" enables ken to roll up next to the objective

It's about this time that Ivan realizes he's  in trouble!  Counterattacking the objective is going to be out of the question now that the Germans are keeping us pinned from the front!  

 Ken keeps my occupied with an infantry platoon to my front while his left flanking platoon does all the heavy work slicing through the Soviet positions!  I have a small reserve that is brought up to counter the "blitzkrieg" but it's too little, too late.  I also start finally using that 82mm mortar of mine.

Germans earning their pay.  Right now they're keeping the Russians to their front distracted while their 1st platoon flanks the objective

Ken's plan coming together nicely!  He hasn't met my AT Gun yet!  (which actually never fired throughout the entire game...)

 Ken assaulted the hilltop behind the objective where my reserve was being kept.  My platoon leader was in an isolated position on his own to maintain command/control over everyone.  The Germans mowed him and his radio operator down using an entire platoon Crossfire!  So part of my reserve rifle squad became the Platoon Leader and, just as soon as the new Lieutenant was promoted, he was instantly over run by Germans and dispatched....

Ken didn't hesitate and assaulted the water tower next.  We broke out a red die to track friendly initiatives (rules say hold for 5 friendly initiatives).

The Soviets tried to organize a local counterattack and were pinned in place by heavy machine gun and rifle fire!  They trade shots with the Germans at the water tower but it's too little, too late as a German squad is knocked out, it's still not going to reset the initiative clock!  Gerry's gonna win this one!

mortars and rifle fire thin out the Germans but not enough to drive them off.  A counter attack is beaten back!

German company commander and radio operator spotting for the mortar ALERT HEADQUARTERS - THE WATER TOWER IS OURS.  SEND IN THE PANZERS!

So that was it.  I learned a few lessons.  It's been awhile since I played Crossfire with another human being!  I should have kept the defense more together making it a tougher nut to crack for the Germans.  The 2 rifle squads were isolated and chopped up before their comrades could move in to assist.

Also, it's good to pay attention to other parts of the battlefield as they can impact your sector.  Ken's other platoon effectively held (pinned) my troops in place while his main effort swung around my right and came in practically from behind.

also include your fire support plan into your thoughts.  I didn't use the 82mm mortars until it was much too late!

A great game and I'm thrilled that Tropical Storm Hermine didn't ruin all of my weekend plans....

Some future gaming endeavors coming up?  Well I think October will be a good time to finally re-play Freeman's Farm (Battle of Saratoga).  More Battlegroup: Kursk coming as my GrossDeutschland platoon moves further into the lion's den on D+1 of Kursk,  I'd also like to play Command Colors Napoleonics again sometime soon, in addition to "Hail of Fire" with more of the Ponyri Station scenario.

And of course more CROSSFIRE!