Back on May 2nd, I ran a Mein Panzer game at Sand Wars in Chandler, AZ.
This was another go of "Stemming the Tide". This scenario is set on the Russian Front in August 1943 after Kursk when the Russians are going over to the offensive.
For this game, I had 5 players with Rick and Mark commanding 2 reduced German Panzer Companies of 14 Panzer III's and IV's. The Russians had a T-34 Battalion of 3 full strength Companies of 10 tanks each. The T-34 Companies were under the command of Tom, Rob, and Bill.
There were points given for knocking out enemy tanks as well as 4 geographical objectives including 2 bridges on the south of the map, a hilltop in the center, and a village on the north end of the map.
Of the players, Rick had previous experience with the Mein Panzer rules and scenario and had played recently. Tom and Rob who commanded two of the Russian T-34 Companies had some experience but not for a while while Mark and Bill were new to the game.
After getting all the players up to speed on the rules and scenario instructions, we started the game with a German pre-game move to get them on the board.
On turn 1, the Russians had the initiative and got the first impulse. The T-34's are fast, well armored, and have a decent main gun which makes them superior to the Panzer III and about equal to the Panzer IV. To compensate for the equipment and slight Russian numerical superiority, I made the Germans as Veterans and the Russians as Regulars plus gave the Panzer IIIL/M tanks 1 round of APCR to use when really needed. I gave the Panzer IIIN tanks unlimited HEAT ammo for the game.
The game ran a full 6 turns in about 3 hours of playing time. At first, I thought the Russians might run away with this one as things seemed to be going in their favor but luck seemed to turn later in the game more toward the Germans.
At the end of 6 turns I called the game. It was a very bloody and sometimes very close range fight. In the end, the Germans had 15 tanks left and 3 immobilized while the Russians had 10 tanks left. Based on geographic objectives which the Germans held, they won the scenario on points but in the real world this would have been a very costly victory and one which they could not afford.
I ran this scenario several times and this was the best game so far. All the players kept things moving along and everyone had a great time.
Here are a few pictures.
The set-up before the game.
Another view of the game map.
A view near one of the bridges.
The Germans arrive.
The action commences.
The Russians are pushing hard in the center.
The Germans defend the hilltop.
The Germans sending reinforcements over to the hill.
A close range battle near the village.
Carnage on the hill.
The great tank graveyard at the end.
