Senno July 1941

At the latest NWS Games Day we tried out another scenario from Hexes and Miniatures. Senno 1941 was based on a counterattack by the Soviets early in Hitler's Special Military Operation in Belorus.  It pits the Soviet 7th Mechanised Corps against the 7th Panzer Division.  It would be a clash of armour: T34, KV1, T26 and BT7 against PzII, PzIV and Pz 38t.

I adapted the squares to hexes as I much prefer playing Rommel with hexes. 

Simon took command of the 7th Pz Division (which included some of his models - the tanks in the darkest grey).  Stephen had command of a Soviet Tank Division (the 14th) which was on the left hand side in the above map, while I took command of the remaining Soviet forces (18th Tank and 1st Motor Rifle).  The terrain was supplied by Simon except for the building which is the clubs.

We have played a number of Rommel scenarios and were delighted how different and challenging this one was.  We also correctly applied the Soviet heavy artillery rule as well as the leading tank concept in armour battles and the use of recon units.

It is tricky to photograph these games, but I did take a lot, mainly of each combat.  The challenge will be to weave a narrative around the resulting images.  Here goes:

The battlefield as seen from the 7th Panzer's side.

Tanks of the 18th Tank Division immediately attack the Germans armour outside Senno

It goes badly and the Germans launch a devastating counterattack.

On the extreme right the Germans seize an important location (Victory Hex C12)

Here the Soviets wisely withdrew, knowing that reinforcements were coming.

Soviet 18th Tank switches the focus of its attack (Victory Hex D8)

Again the Germans launch a devastating counterattack

Now it is the turn of the 14th Tank Division to try its hand.

(Victory Hex E2)

Soviet reinforcements have arrived and cut off some Germans units around VH C12

14th Tank attack again.  

This combat also included the armoured car recon units deployed by each side,

effectively neutralising the advantage of these units.

The Germans try cut through the Soviet forces surrounding their encircled troops at VH C12.

The Germans start to get aggressive, attacking the Soviet armour they had mauled earlier in the day.

The fighting around the isolated pocket at VH C12.

The fighting around VH E2

The Germans have been able to bring up reinforcements in the form of an AT gun unit.

Desperate times in the centre.

The Soviets have to hold VH D8

The fighting has been ferocious around VH C12

and most units are down to their last few ounces of strength.

Another attack by the Germans to reach their isolated troops at VH C12,

but it is too late, the pocket has collapsed.

The Germans, now their infantry has caught up,

are able to launch a serious attack in the centre

The Germans try (and fail) to retake VH C12.

They have more success against the Soviet in the centre,

who are starting to melt away.

The fighting for VH D8

The only fresh troops the Soviets have try and attack towards VH E11

The central fighting is quiet fluid

But a push by the Germans toward VH C4 will clinch victory.

The final situation.

While there were still a few turns to go, 

it was a clear German victory.

Excellent game, even if I was on the losing side.