In the sector of the Russian 1st and 3rd Guards Armies the Axis defensive lines on the Don and the Chir Rivers had been shattered. As Russian mobile formations poured through the line and into Axis rear areas, various formations were cut off. The Romanian 7th Infantry Division was one of these. Since the opening of the LITTLE SATURN offensive this division had been steadily driven back. As the front lines evaporated on December 19th, the 1st Guards Mechanized Brigade and 197th Rifle Division encircled the Romanian Division at the town of Kruzhilin. The next day the Russians launched concentric attacks on the surrounded Romanians.
We gave me as the Russians the balance here, but even then it looked a tough assignment, with lots of ground to cover in only six turns and five HIP Romanian guns. The Romanians also concentrated their forces around the village rather than trying to defend their perimeter. Things started badly too, with a 60mm mortar and the HMG seriously denting my attack from the north-west. Russian forces from the south fared better however; even so it took two full turns for my units to be in a position to begin their assault on the village. The dice then took a distinct turn in my favour though, with the Romanians - also hindered by limited range - unable to break the attacking Russians, even when I advanced across open ground. I lost one T34 but little else as units coming in from the north, south and east were able to encircle some of the Romanian defenders and buildings began to fall. The Romanians concealed during turn 5, at which point they had virtually nothing left to stop the Russian hordes. An enjoyable game, although it felt like the dice were on my side.
2020-08-23
(A) Rich Weiley
vs
Raphael Ferry
Russian win
Round Three of the 2020 Asia Pacific VASL tournament. Played with the Soviet balance (T34s were radio equipped) which definitely helped. Wrong footed Raphael's defence as he expected me to cross the stream at the bridges. As it is frozen and doesn't present much of an obstacle I attacked straight up the middle.
2019-04-16
(D) Ulric Schwela
vs
MC
Romanian win
Many interesting choices for both sides. Romanian receives 5 Guns and 3 MMG/HMG which can be set up in many different ways. Russian enters from two opposite sides of the map and can choose the terrain it wants to attack across. SAN of 3 for both sides keeps it fairly quiet.
In our game the Russian had the balance and used the radio-equipped T-34s a little too eagerly. One succumbed to MOL while another was unlucky to park adjacent to a hidden ATG. The KV-8 was superbly effective and sent scurrying anything its flamethrower could lick, only Xing out late in the game, and continued as a mobile nuisance after that. Romanians used MOL as often as possible, and one attack vs infantry set fire to a VC building, which proved a boon in denying that hex as a jumping off point for the next VC building. The 81* MTR was vicious until the KV-8 reached it, while all of the Russian MTRs hardly got a look in. The Russian first liners struggled, while the elite group seemed unstoppable. Losses were fairly low on both sides until the last two turns, when the Romanians still had about 8 GO squads in a line centred on the last VC building. Then every Russian attack met a wall of fire which they simply couldn't overcome, and the red tide ebbed away. Ultimately the Romanians managed enough low rolls with their weak FP troops, supported by interlocking MG fire lanes and supported by the ART Guns, that the final assault was stymied. Very intense.
2018-04-15
(D) Ron Garcia
vs
Darryl M.
Russian win
2018-03-03
(D) Tom Kearney
vs
Al Saltzman
Romanian win
2017-05-27
(A) Ian Morris
vs
Simon Staniforth
Russian win
2017-05-15
(D) Simon Staniforth
vs
Russian win
2016-10-06
(D) Andy Joy
vs
Chip Wertenberger
In progress
2015-09-03
(D) patrick palma
vs
Toze Santos
Romanian win
2015-07-24
(A) Chris Brackney
vs
Joss Attridge
Russian win
2014-11-28
(A) Russell Dewhurst
vs
Mark Moore
Romanian win
2014-11-08
(A) Keith Colins
vs
Jeff Taylor
Romanian win
2014-10-08
(A) Andy Beaton
vs
Mark Humphries
Russian win
ASLOK 2014
2013-10-09
(D) Gordon Jupp
vs
Andy Beaton
Romanian win
ASLOK 2013
2013-10-08
(A) Andy Beaton
vs
Gordon Jupp
Romanian win
ASLOK 2013 FtF
2012-07-04
(A) Damon Norko
vs
Jeff Wasserman
Romanian win
My Russians were able to overcome Jeff Wasserman's Romanians in AP45: Reaping Rewards. A fun scenario -- I attacked from all four corners which led to a series of mini-scenarios as the Russians compressed the pocket. The finale featured a snake-eyes from my FT tank of the last VC hex. Despite ROAR slant, this played very evenly. I had the balance but didn't affect much at all. Thanks to yet another gracious opponent.
2012-05-19
(A) Michael Rodgers
vs
Mike Suderman
Russian win
Russians had the balance. Romanian player was newish.