Scenario B "Hill 253.5"
Scott B
HILL 253.5
SCENARIO B, CROSS OF IRON
AFTER ACTION REPORT
Links to Kursk map and Ponyri map.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
At Kursk the Germans delayed and the Russians dug in. The German offensive lasted less than a week, with Model advancing only six miles. They fought until exhausted at Ponyri and Hill 253.5. Then the Russians started their counterattack and drove the Germans back up to forty miles over the next month. The Germans never again held the strategic initiative.
RESOURCES
“Hill 253.5”. CROSS OF IRON. Baltimore, MD: The Avalon Hill Game Company, 1980.
https://storage.googleapis.com/archivesqlt/BAT0000BA.pdf
“The Battle of Kursk”. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kursk#Ponyri_and_Olkhovatka
“Timeline for Ponyri Station and Hill 253.5”. Steven’s Balagan.
https://balagan.info/timeline-for-ponyri-station-and-hill-253-5
Glantz, David M. Colonel (1986) "Soviet Defensive Tactics at Kursk, July 1943". US Army Command and General Staff College.
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/glantz2.pdf#page=52
VICTORY CONDITIONS
The Germans must solely occupy, with unbroken squad or functioning AFV’s, four of the level 3 hexes of Hill 621 and there are no Russian unbroken squads or functioning AFV’s on the remaining level 3 hexes.
INITIAL PLACEMENT
Axis Comments (Pete P)
This scenario falls into that category where both sides feel like their array of forces is not sufficient for the task at hand. For me, this may be skewed by my poor luck with artillery and air support so I discount their impact on the battle. For the German setup, I realize that I am confined by a narrow front. This allows me to concentrate my fire, but also focuses the Russian defensive positions. I wanted to provide a balanced attack setup so that I would not have to shift many forces if one side proves extremely difficult to exploit.
Allied Comments (Monty J)
I have never been totally satisfied with the Russian setup in this scenario. It always feels like there are not enough forces to go around. In the picture above you can see the leaders are positioned on the flanks to support the hill. I tried to put units in the woods for fear of the stukas, but in this case the ATG and radio operator are not. This was done in a late change to the set up that I would come to regret. The Germans have set up in the woods to the west. Too late, I realize that they are going to make a play for the road on that side of the hill. They go first.....
In most of my previous plays of this scenario, the Russians have been saved by air support. We will see.....
GAME TURNS ONE TO THREE
Axis Comments
I prayed for the air support to be delayed until the Russian tanks arrive and hope that my FO is adept with his radio and spotting rounds so that I can fully utilize my 4 rounds of OBA (a lucky roll). Instead, the Stukas arrive on turn 1 and my FO looks like a 1st year cadet playing with his new toy. The Stukas took out the only 2 targets of opportunity, the ATG and concealed units in a building. My captain scored a crucial hit on his entrenched troops in the west, preventing his best weapon and leader from causing any mischief. Taking advantage of the successes in the west, I start pouring units to that gap while still keeping pressure on the east. One HT, played scout and ran for the hilltop. He briefly enjoyed being king of the hill, only to be flamed by the Russian FT. Fortunately, that was the only FT shot for the game.
Allied Comments
The situation has gotten very bad for the Russians. The Germans received air support on Turn 1. One stuka took out the 8-0 leader and radio. The second stuka took out the ATG and it's crew. Additionally, the opening ground fire shot was a KIA on the 9-2 leader, 447 and HMG. To make matters worse, fire on the eastern flank broke the remaining leader and his squad. The Germans have moved forward and eliminated the first strongpoint. The only bright spot for the Russians was that one squad encountered a 4 FF minefield and was destroyed. The Russians need reinforcements and air support badly. Without artillery or leadership, they are likely doomed.
GAME TURNS FOUR TO SIX
Axis Comments
Realizing that my infantry was far ahead of my armor and knowing that his armor was soon to arrive, I pulled my armor out from the trees and advanced into position to keep his armor away from the hill. One of my halftracks choked the road traffic for his reinforcements. This forced Monty to decide between swarming my HT or swinging further east of the hill. Either option kept him from making much progress onto the hill. He swarmed my HT and my defensive fire removed 2 of his 3 SMG squads from reaching the hill. Also, his tanks now concentrating their efforts on my hapless HT allowed me to challenge the KVs with a Panther and “Ellie” the Elefant. Both KVs lost their gun duels. The results worked, but my remaining Panther fell prey to his Sturmoviks. Having just Ellie to take the hill will just have to do.
Allied Comments
The Russian air support was rolled on Turn 5. It was not as effective as hoped. The two sturmoviks were only able to destroy one panther. Earlier, the other panther had moved into a 36 mine factor attack and was destroyed as well. The Russian Reinforcements were delayed and then destroyed by German armor as they came on to the board. With their final positions being reduced the Russians are hanging on to their one slim hope.
GAME TURNS SEVEN TO EIGHT
Axis Comments
I closed in on his remaining forces by pressure from the west. Poised to cresting the ridge, my entire Kampfgruppe held their collective breath for the FO to finally do his job and drop smoke on the hilltop. Everything worked just right and the Russians were gagging on German smoke. My troops used that cover to finish off any further support. His last true opportunity came from his last leader going berserk. However, this proved to be too little, too late and his remaining forces all were removed from the hill.
Allied Comments
The story of the final turns are that the Germans finally got radio contact with their OBA. They then dropped a perfect smoke pattern on top of the hill to mask their final assault. They overran the final positions with infantry and remaining armor. There were no defenders left to contest the victory.
AFTERMATH
Axis Comments
Though I was unaware of the Russian setup errors, I quickly found out by good luck that his leaders were off of the hill and I was able to nullify their influence in the fight. I was probably too meak with my armor support, fearing the Sturmoviks too much. Fortunately, my infantry were able to reduce the strongpoints on the west face and start making their way to the ridge. This scenario has so many variables that can influence the battle, both sides with air and artillery support can certainly sway the battle. Monty fought hard throughout the battle even though he received painful losses from turn 1. His valiant defense forced the play to the end and if my FO had not come through on the last turn to drop smoke on the hilltop, I bet Monty would be enjoying his victory. Monty, thank you for a hard fought battle. I always enjoy playing with you. I definitely don't recall laughing so much from the rolls that we had.
Allied Comments
The Russian setup had some flaws that were exploited very well. Placing the 9-2 leader on the west flank positioned him for an early elimination. Placing the OBA observer and his radio in a wooden building allowed the stukas to eliminate OBA support that the Russians were desperately going to need. Placing all the mine factors on the east road allowed the Germans to bottle up the Russian Turn 4 reinforcements once they discovered that the western road was open. Good luck for the Germans on the opening moved allowed them to take a wide early lead. They worked very hard to maintain that lead throughout the rest of the game.
Pete played a great game and I learned a lot from him. It was great fun. Thanks.
Neutral Comments
This was Game C of the ‘2023 Squad Leader Academy Tournament’ and voted best AAR by the players. Pete and Monty are both experienced players and their report provides a look at the scenario in play and the approach of two veteran players. We hope you enjoyed it.
You can find the tournament page here, with the full rankings and more After Action Reports.