This scenario takes place on the south bulge of the Kursk battle on July 12, 1943.

It was part of the counter offensive by the 18th Tank Corps of the 5th Guards Tank Army. The LSSAH's SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 'T Eicke' and the 3/SS StuG Abteilung along with a pair of Tigers from the 13/ SS Panzer Regiment are holding the hill and village of Andreevka

Lend lease Churchills from the 39th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, infantry of the 32 Motor Rifle Brigade and the 181 Tank Brigade are tasked with taking the position.

Looking west from the church down towards southern stretch of Andreevka

The slope up to Andreevka

The village also has a finger of houses to the right (north)

The German players could deploy as far up to the row of buildings. They can see the Russians moving up the slope below them. We didn't even bother with Soviet Blinds since they would be easily spotted.

William had the Grenadiers and support, which consisted of three platoons with eight sections total; two MMG teams; a PaK 38 and a PaK 40 (both +1 Aces); and two 75mm Infantry Guns. There was also a 4-tube section of 8cm mortars on call. All could be dug in.

Sebastian had the armor of six StuG IIIs and two Tiger Is. There were three +1 tank Aces among the StuGs, and a +2 and +1 Ace in the Tigers.

West side of Andreevka

I put a few T34 wrecks on the table since a previous probe was driven off. The rest of the T34s in the 181 were needed though.

T70s move up the slope If only they were T34s

I had a company of eight T70s. The other company of the 181 Tank Brigade had T34s. Unfortunately we were short a player and that company was a no-show.

The Churchills race up the road

Sean had a company of eight Churchill Mk IVs. They had a company of riders from the 32 Motor Rifle Brigade which dismounted as they came up to the village. John commanded the infantry They had three Maxim MG teams and four ATR teams in support.

I wanted to get the newly finished Churchill models on the table and this game was the ticket.

T70s push through the village

No one seemed home William had placed a platoon in town but pulled them back after seeing what was coming his way.

Russian Infantry and armor getting sorted out

No shots fired or Germans spotted yet.

Where are the rest of the Russkies?

Consolidated 2nd and 3rd Churchill platoon

Passing the victims of an earlier attack, they moved along the main east west road.

The infantry fan out

T70s look up the slope

No doubt about to take fire from the top of the hill and hoping the other company from the 181st come soon.

John's 2nd platoon moves to the right

Moving into the village

John's 1st platoon was on the left

Tigers open up

StuGs are a bit further back.

At this range the Tank Aces couldn't miss from their hull down spots.

StuGs from the 1st Battery

They can cover the road from this position.

Second Churchill hit!

And a third takes damage from a StuG.

StuGs from 3/Abt.

One is a +1 tank Ace.

German strong point

William had a MMG team and the 1st platoon in the farm house. The MG team was upstairs and had a good view to the east.

T70s coming under fire from ATGs

The light tanks become easy meat for the PaKs further up the hill

Another battery of StuGs

To make it even harder for the T70s to take on the PaKs, a 4-gun battery of StuGs shows up to their right.

Mortars also open up on the Russians in Andreevka

Some of the Churchills and infantry move through the village only to be targeted

Churchills halted on main road

A pair of StuGs advance overwatched by commander

Sebastian ran a pair of StuGs out to the center but encountered advancing Russian infantry

More burning T70s

The StuGs and PaKs are stopping the light tank company

Advancing StuG in trouble

It took a couple of hits and found itself stalled out too far in front. Russian infantry was working their way around it through the scrubby fields.

Second StuG manages to pull back

Russian infantry pinned down

Another Grenadier platoon and a MMG opens fire from a copse. We were surprised at how heavy the German presense was on their left.

Infantry guns and Grenadiers pulling back

The German units in the two storey building are forced out and then take hits as they retreat past the 7.5cm infantry guns.

Burning T70s

A fifth light tank is destroyed. It looked like the Russians were stymied without reinforcements at this time so we called the game.

German firing line

Two PaKs and three StuGs stop the advance up the slope

Another T70 explodes

The company CO is knocked out along with three other tanks

Left side of the German line

One of the Tigers move to get better line on the Churchills while the grenadiers keep up the fire on the pinned Russian infantry

Solid defense

Not going back

Russian infantry in the center but still no T34s

John got some troops halfway across the table but needed more fire support. This is the stage that another wave of Soviet tanks and infantry would make a big difference.

I did have those units ready to appear but alas we were short players. So a lopsided affair of a game.

Five of the eight T70s were knocked out. Five of the Churchills were also destroyed and two had turret and gun damage. The Russian infantry had only 17 casualties at this point (out of 64 troopers) so was in decent shape, but one platoon was pinned down on the right and would have to retreat soon.

The Grenadiers lost one MMG team and seven other men. The only damage to the German armor was a StuG out in the center.

The game was designed to have at least one more company of T34s. There was another company of infantry available also. The Germans were lucky to be on the receiving end of an uncoordinated attack.

Mark Lutherr