Late June 1944. Whilst a new front has been opened up in the west, Soviet forces have steamrollered their way towards the Baltic States, and Poland, driving the German forces back. A small force of Wehrmacht tanks has been ordered to launch a counterattack near the town of Viciebsk.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_00653fb959144855ab7295838e210344~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_860,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_00653fb959144855ab7295838e210344~mv2.png)
The German objectives are to the North and South of the village. Each protected by a dug-in unit of Soviet infantry. A platoon of Russian mortars sit mid-way between the objectives, and a Russian HMG platoon provides a blocking force by the railway embankment. The Russians have had time to lay a number of minefields.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_9dfced0163ac4b4789e8e54d30261c22~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_768,h_757,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_9dfced0163ac4b4789e8e54d30261c22~mv2.png)
The German tanks deploy on the right flank, with a platoon of infantry dug in on a nearby hill.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_b958456934984e0792a8646b152e369c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_859,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_b958456934984e0792a8646b152e369c~mv2.png)
Facing the German infantry on the left flank is a platoon of Russians. Dug in on the dirt road.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_4a8311b2d420404588d303c4efcf6cd2~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_754,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_4a8311b2d420404588d303c4efcf6cd2~mv2.png)
On the German right, a platoon of Russian infantry along with their artillery protects the objective.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_ff91cd30957e4bab9027900c083f2708~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_921,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_ff91cd30957e4bab9027900c083f2708~mv2.png)
The Germans begin their advance to the objective on the right flank.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_7864fccf301d496cbf6f6eb588a75743~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_938,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_7864fccf301d496cbf6f6eb588a75743~mv2.png)
View from the Panthers.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_9c424fdaee5143cda05f5729fbc983a3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_743,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_9c424fdaee5143cda05f5729fbc983a3~mv2.png)
On the left flank, the Germans have spotted unit of Russian Anti-Tank guns, they decide to play-it-safe and sit tight.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_38f907cc9f994ed7baf1a7e18f3dd7b9~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_527,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_38f907cc9f994ed7baf1a7e18f3dd7b9~mv2.png)
An ambush appears of Russian heavy anti-tank guns positioned around the objective on the right flank.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_0f89235120dd4c6ca98dcb8edc387480~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_635,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_0f89235120dd4c6ca98dcb8edc387480~mv2.png)
The first unit of Soviet reinforcements arrive. A platoon of tanks advance through the village.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_e7bc3c7a3a5c4ee48379518ead265b6b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_682,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_e7bc3c7a3a5c4ee48379518ead265b6b~mv2.png)
Seeing that the main threat is coming from the west, the light anti-tank gun platoon is ordered to move towards the other objective.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_c8b734e6efa54b03a1551d6d1b489c3c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_782,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_c8b734e6efa54b03a1551d6d1b489c3c~mv2.png)
An exchange of fire leaves a tank burning from each side.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_2df413aec905477f97722be1563f31fb~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_570,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_2df413aec905477f97722be1563f31fb~mv2.png)
Further accurate fire from the Panther platoon knocks out two more Soviet tanks.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_f9c5939b69f34f6382909cf1192db159~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_642,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_f9c5939b69f34f6382909cf1192db159~mv2.png)
Under direct orders from the Company Commander, the Panthers fan out on the plain.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_9e4b0ac63f7b40028845f6300a72e95c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_842,h_682,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_9e4b0ac63f7b40028845f6300a72e95c~mv2.png)
View from a Panther turret, looking towards the Soviet objective on the right flank.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_5a2f09edb31543b0a48bb39273488f32~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_844,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_5a2f09edb31543b0a48bb39273488f32~mv2.png)
More Russian reserves arrive and begin advancing towards the Germans. Two more German tanks are eliminated with shots to the flanks.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_cee9f1a0d67545f49b636a852df1b844~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_628,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_cee9f1a0d67545f49b636a852df1b844~mv2.png)
With pressure from the North and the East, the remaining German platoons attempt a flanking manoeuvre.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_2f66f9f4f04f40c2bb3e58e46d4919e8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_768,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_2f66f9f4f04f40c2bb3e58e46d4919e8~mv2.png)
The Russians advance quickly from the North.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_153776cc14f7459795227a5c57cfe16a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_922,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_153776cc14f7459795227a5c57cfe16a~mv2.png)
Two of the T34s are knocked out by accurate German fire.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_c97509f1cf984dfe9670fa680e160363~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_625,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_c97509f1cf984dfe9670fa680e160363~mv2.png)
The remaining T34s continue moving towards the Germans.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_82735a908edd4e7fa849bd430445acd6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_768,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_82735a908edd4e7fa849bd430445acd6~mv2.png)
Whilst attempting to skirt around both the minefield, a platoon of Soviet troops and cope with the railway embankment, two of the Panthers are knocked out.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_75106ba1db9e449bb2f685a5f0e145f7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_916,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_75106ba1db9e449bb2f685a5f0e145f7~mv2.png)
On the left flank the Germans beginning moving off the hill, and lay down some fire on the light anti-tank guns.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_cf3cd1ee605c4bb58da5db87029d1082~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_644,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_cf3cd1ee605c4bb58da5db87029d1082~mv2.png)
The two remaining Panthers slowly make their way down the railway. Knocking out one the heavy anti-tank guns on the way. The Russians alter their positions to take on the German tanks.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_3e0586bb28a7473c9556e9667ec1a569~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_944,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_3e0586bb28a7473c9556e9667ec1a569~mv2.png)
The German infantry platoon is caught in the open and takes heavy casualties.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_9e688b7b1602479aae8aae077bc1207c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_768,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_9e688b7b1602479aae8aae077bc1207c~mv2.png)
The Russian tanks move into the village to face off the Germans, whilst the light anti-tank guns keep moving.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_3adcbb52b217445c8be33ad02a15a59b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_876,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_3adcbb52b217445c8be33ad02a15a59b~mv2.png)
The Soviet heavy anti-tank guns are eliminated.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_c42838dcb2bb44f3a204ebb4f731ae86~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_956,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_c42838dcb2bb44f3a204ebb4f731ae86~mv2.png)
Seeing an opportunity, the German tanks assault the Russian infantry sitting on the objective.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_86c19fafc82344478b8d4a1bd3a1468b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_719,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_86c19fafc82344478b8d4a1bd3a1468b~mv2.png)
The infantry are driven off the objective and the Germans consolidate.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_dfccb0f7df83451088eccd7bb3f71fea~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_935,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_dfccb0f7df83451088eccd7bb3f71fea~mv2.png)
Two T34s flank one of the Panthers, but both shots miss.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_01e335a0bee348548a839503e070f86f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_539,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_01e335a0bee348548a839503e070f86f~mv2.png)
Meanwhile, to the North the Russian infantry begins advancing onto the Steppe.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_0bc82eba140149b6a9c7a4a7a7d9f03f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_0bc82eba140149b6a9c7a4a7a7d9f03f~mv2.png)
There is further pressure on the Germans as the Russian light anti-tank platoon takes up a position within the village.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_48437bbe287a49ab8195cc82768af9ad~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_915,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_48437bbe287a49ab8195cc82768af9ad~mv2.png)
The anti-tank guns pour fire down on the Panthers and manage to bail one.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_dd4052e990d64349ab1f49b1619440b6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_739,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_dd4052e990d64349ab1f49b1619440b6~mv2.png)
The anti-tank guns consolidate their positions in the village.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_342930ed1416416fa60a46a1c51ae87a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_755,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_342930ed1416416fa60a46a1c51ae87a~mv2.png)
Further fire knocks out one of the Panthers leaving just the Company Commander contesting the objective.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_bb23eb5320004d89a971483648f9551b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_684,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bd3d36_bb23eb5320004d89a971483648f9551b~mv2.png)
Two of the anti-tank guns are eliminated.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd3d36_bd44b84fac2d4d0e8fe771230e0a0104~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_785,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/bd3d36_bd44b84fac2d4d0e8fe771230e0a0104~mv2.png)
The remaining anti-tank guns manage to bail out the Company Commander, and he surrenders.
Soviet Win.
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