Firestorm: Red Thunder

To: General Commanding, 10th Guards Tank Ural Volunteer Division
From: Colonel Anton Nikolayevich Sokolov

After the initial breakthrough on the inner German border, my pursuit forces moving toward Hanover contacted and ultimately pushed through a hasty defense conducted by elements of what we believe to be the Bundeswehr's 1st Panzer Division. The formation was roughly company sized consisting mainly of Leopard 2s supported by dismounted infantry, their Marder transports, a recon section, and elements of the Luftwaffe.

Major Yegorov's battalion made contact shortly after 0500 hours on August 15. Earlier loses had reduced his 3 T-64 companies to half strength and depleted the Motor Rifle company attached, the AA section was at full strength. BRDM mounted scouts were operating ahead of the formation.

After receiving scout reports, Major Yegorov began to deploy his tanks into a line of battle. His BMP-2 mounted infantry moved along the left flank in preparation for a hilltop assault. Bundeswehr forces had taken position in the woods and on the backside of the hills. Infantry were dug in on the left flank, protecting a vital section of highway.

Initially the battalion advanced rapidly, eschewing firing at the concealed Germans in favor of navigating the minefields they had laid. The BMPs advanced boldly in preparation to disgorge their infantry. The lead tank company moved just to the other side of the hill. The remaining two moved into position to pour fire on the German Leopards as they crept out of the wood line.

Eager to scout further the BRDMs drove reckless down the road, and would ultimately become the first deaths in the battle.

The BMP-2 mounted infantry debused and began a rapid advance on the enemy positions. They moved around the mines and began opened fire on the German recon and infantry. The advancing tanks added their own fire, but beyond the fury nothing was accomplished. Three enemy Leopards revealed themselves shortly afterward.

The Bundeswehr forces poured fire into our brave tankers and nearly wiped out a company. Some of the Motor Rifleman also fell to the fire from German Infantry, Marders, and Luchs. When the initiative returned to our favor, Yegorov's third company shifted right and engaged the Leopards, taking out one. The lone survivor of the 2nd company found his courage, remounted his T-64 and charged forward into the enemy. His actions saw the death of a second Leopard, a brave comrade and pride of the battalion!

Our return fire from the hill and the BMPs saw the deaths of the Leopards on the left flank, though they claimed more of the first tank company. The Rifleman moved forward and overran first the German infantry and then their Marders, many gave their life in this endeavor. The enemy Luchs were proving to be especially troublesome, eventually forcing Major Yegorov to deal with them personally.

At this point enemy helicopters and Tornadoes had arrived, both were dispatched by the Shilkas without much damage to our men. More troublesome was the arrival of Gepard AA units.

By this stage we had secured the objective, though infantry were still dying to concentrated fire from the Gepards and German commander. Major Yegorov began to redeploy his tanks after dealing with the Luchs and was preparing for a counterattack by the remaining Germans.

The German commander foolishly charged our position in one last desperate gamble to stall our advance. Major Yegorov and the remaining tanks of the first company, positioned themselves to defend the objective. The third company swept around to the rear of the German Leopard and destroyed the last tank, though we believe the German officer managed to slip away. Our AA then turned their fury on their German counterparts, finishing the last German defenders in a stream of bullets.

Most of the BMPs and Shilkas survived the attack, but the Rifleman are no longer a viable force. Only two members of the company remain unwounded, refusing to surrender ground so many of their Comrades had bled over. Major Yegorov tells me seven tanks remain fit for action, I have dispatched a recovery team to see to the possibility of returning any of our damaged vehicles to action. The wounded have been sent to the rear.

I have ordered Major Yegorov to continue forward with his remaining troops to act as a screen for my second battalion, which I have now committed as the primary echelon should further enemy forces be encountered.

See you in Hanover Comrades.

Details:
Scenario: Hanover Rear Guard

Soviet Forces:
T-64 Tank Battalion
2x T-64 Tank Company (5 Tanks) - 1 Company had ATGMs
1x T-64 Tank Company (4 Tanks) - Formation Commander joined this unit
1x Shilka unit (4 AA)
1x BMP-2 Motor Rifle Company (Middle sized unit, no attachments)
1x BRDM Unit (2 vehicles)

Germans:
1x Leo 2 Company
1x Leo 2 Zug (2 Tanks) - CO Joined
1x Leo 2 Zug (3 Tanks)
1x Gepard Zug (4 AA) - 4 Fliegerfaust units as well
1x PzGr Zug (full size)
1x PAH Flight (2 Helicopters)
1x Tornado Flight (2 planes)

Both of us tried some new things this battle, it was my first with T-64s and BRDMs. It was his first with Tornadoes.