My second scenario, Dawn Crossing, was a complete disaster for the Soviets. The first scenario was a near run, and the last throw of the dice was a thrilling encounter. The second was over by turn three. Turn one, I thought the Soviets would do well despite being outgunned 2:1. 60% of German boats were destroyed. Turn two saw tremendous luck, where basically every German artillery unit that could hit did hit. Destroying or pinning essentially every Soviet Unit.

I didn’t particularly like this scenario. The openness on the Soviet side of the board meant there was very little maneuver, and it was just sit and shoot, in this case, get shot. I thought there was a little more depth that could have been added as far as reinforcements.

Final score, six Soviet Units were Destroyed, and 3 Units on the bank for 9 VPs for the Germans. The Soviets had 3 VP.

The Rules Basics

On a 4×4 table, the Germans are attempting to cross a 9″ river. Every unit on the Soviet side of the river gains 1 VP; additionally, every destroyed earns them 1 VP. The Germans get twice as many points as the Soviets. The Soviets should have between 500 and 700. The Soviets could begin the battle dug in and in heavy cover. Germans may start with a preparatory bombardment.

Army Lists

Germans	1275	13 Order Dice
Leutnant	50
Heer Veteran Infantry	98	1 Soldier, 1 LMG
Heer Infantry	100	3 Soldiers, 1 LMG
Artillery Forward Observer	100
Heer Pioneer Squad	106	Vets, 2 Soldiers, 5 SMGs
Panzergrenadier Squad	159	Regulars, 5 Soldiers, 3 SMGs, 2 LMGs
Heer Pioneer	65	Veterans
MMG	50
MMG	50
Heavy Mortar	75
Sniper	50
Medium Artillery, Howitzer	85
Panzer IV B,C,D,E,F	175
Sturmboot 39’s (2)	52 (26 Each)	Regular
Schlauchboot 3m (3)	60 (20 Each)	Regular

Soviets	637	11 Order Dice
Free Rifle Squad	0	11+Banner
2nd Lieutenant	42	1 Attendant Inexperienced
Light Machine Gun Squad	50	Regular
Veteran Squad	146	2 Soldiers, NCO SMG, 2 LMGs, 1 Panzerfaust, Tough Fighters
MMG	50
HMG	70
Anti Tank Rifle	30
Medium Mortar	35
Zis 3 Divisional Gun	80

My Strategy

The Germans deployed first. I wanted all my units to hit the river immediately and force the Soviets to divide their fire. I did use the preparatory bombardment to try and pin some of their Veteran. I wanted to use the mortar, howitzer, and tank to soften their center.

For the Soviets I placed machine guns covering the most dangerous rafts, I used my veteran unit with two LMGs to cover a third boat. I put my two regular units farther back to cover where the Germans might penetrate. I wanted my militia squad to hold their side well. I placed the AT gun where it could cover the opposing tank as it hit the wooded area.

Turn One

The prep bombardment didn’t go well. All the German artillery strikes were misses. The veterans and two machine guns were able to destroy both boats and a raft, leaving only two rafts left. This stranded the German MMGs on the opposing bank. The Soviets inflicted solid casualties.

Turn Two

How quickly a game can turn on a few dice rolls. The German artillery observer did work on the center. The Mortar Hit, the tank approached the tree line, giving the Germans four machine guns to inflict damage and pin markers on the Soviets. Both Veterans could land on the Soviet side of the bank and survive. The other units provided cover fire, pinning most of the Soviets, who took heavy casualties. The reserves tried to move forward and were quickly gunned down as they couldn’t make it to heavy cover.

Turn Three

At this point, the game was basically over. The Germans were inflicting tons of casualties and taking very few. Most Soviet units were hopelessly pinned down. The raft returned to the German side to attempt another pick-up. (It was probably against the rules.) A German Sniper killed the Lieutenant.

Turn Four

More Soviet casualties as they lay in their foxholes. The AT Gun was able to put the German panzer on Fire. More Germans land on the bank.

Turn 5.

I did call the game here. Exactly one unit was able to complete an action, the AT Gun. As a side note, this was the only turn in which the Sniper did not kill anyone.