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Difficulty
Reorganization Prestige: 724 Prototype: Pz IVD (surprise!) Upgrade: overstrength available units Purchace: PSW231, 15 sFH 18 (track) Core 6th D: 1 PzIIIE, 1 PzIVD, 1 PSW231, 1 10.5 leFH 18, 1 15 sFH 18, 1 Infantry, 1 Pioneer 2nd D: 1 PzIIIE, 1 PzIVD, 1 PSW231, 1 15 sFH 18, 1 15 sFH 18 (tracked), 1 Infantry Luftflotte: 1 Ju-87B, 1 Bf-109E Strategy The northen objective of Piispajarvi should be fairly easy so I expect to recuperate the forces deployed here for Raate. I placed then a group of the 2nd D comprised of the tracked 15 sFH 18, one PSW213, a experienced PzIIIE, and a infantry. This group was assisted by two Finnish units. The rest of the forces was deployed south of Suomissalmi, with artillery up front. Turn 1 Northern group advanced toward Piispajarvi. Artillery moved into postion after barrage on Russina infantry on the bridgehead. I used my airforce as recon units, it was snowing most of the time. Turn 2 Northern group approached Piispajarvi from west and south after destroying a BA10. Russian artillery around Suomussalmi suppressed while a Finnish unit established a first bridgehead facing the city. Turn 3 Piispajarvi surrounded on three sides by infantry with artillery in range. Panzers and PSW231 were sent south. Finish troops cut the Russina off west of Suomussalmi after artillery barrage. Turn 4 Panzers of the 6th D and Finnish infantry caught and destroyed a Russian T-26S leader which was trying a outflank manoeuver by crossing the lake south of Suomussalmi. The town itself was captured by infantry of the 6th D. Piispajarvi was easily taken by the Finns. 2nd D rushed south. Turn 5 A big traffic jam occured while infantry was trying to clear the eastern sector of Suomussalmi, but tough Russian infantry resisted stubbornly assisted by artillery, which was itself blocking the road to Raate. Elements of the 2nd continued to rush south. Turn 6 Suomussalmi cleared. Infantry advanced on the road followed by artillery. Panzers bypassed the road block to the north and advanced toward Raate, led by PSW231s. Turn 7 Stuka and artillery helped the Finnish infantry to clear the road. All forces converged toward Raate. Turn 8-9 Panzers, helped by two artillery, tried to kill a Russian infantry leader but in vain. Some artillery had to be rearmed and the infantry could not follow up due to lack fuel. Turn 10 Forces took up position west of Raate with 4 artillery in range. The Russian leader still blocking the approach in front but was reduced to a strength 1. Turn 11 (Brillant Victory) The Russina infantry leader retreated. But AI also bought a big KV-1! Discouraged but this, and seeing that half of the artillery were at their last round, I decide to take Raate, ignoring the objective of the airfield. Artillery and PzIVDs crushed the Russina infantry guarding the city and a PSW231 took it by sneaking around the KV-1. |
