Firestorm: Red Thunder

5th Armored Corps (America) vs 8th Tank Army (Soviets)

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100pts Armored battle

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"My dearest Natasha, I am writing this sitting on a tractor like the ones on the Kolkhoz back home, they are not so different from us; these Europeans." - Col. Vladimir Orlovsky

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Night has settled but we must push forward to the Ramstein Airbase. We cannot afford to lose our offensive momentum.

Able Company moves all four Abrams into ambush locations

Bravo Company takes up positions behind a train car wreck.

Charlie Company moves in behind the residential area to ambush the T-72 rush.

Ida group pushes forward onto a hill for clear line of sights of the T-72s.

Eagle-Six, Abrams HQ moves to secure objectives.

Sokol-1 joins Boris Company, the T-72s make a dash for speed but protection and split into two groups of five whilst remaining in radio contact.

"Reconnaissance reports hostiles right of our position. Company, charge over the hill! Vasily, get this tank moving. Gunner APDS. Vasily, hard right, BYSTRO! Gunner enemy tanks 12 o'clock! Open fire!" - Captain Malashenko

Anna Company takes the fight to the Americans by switching the hunter to the hunted. The T-72s catch the Americans completely by surprise and destroy the two right flanking Abrams. Soviets push hard and take first blood.

Able Company stands firm, and in coordination with Bravo Company they push forward to unleash a volley on the now clearly visible T-72s. The T-72s make evasive maneuvers like clockwork dodging most of the incoming fire.

However one round ignites a T-72 on the hill.

"Do not let our comrades die in vain! Press the attack!" shouted Malashenko.

The colonel clicked the mic. "Captain Borodin, move and take up positions in and between the houses to support Malashenko's attack." Orlovsky said.

Boris Company pressed hard on the offensive taking advantage of the Americans shocked state. Cannon volleys from Boris Company shook the air with such authority it would bring mighty Thor to his knees. Both Abrams stood little chance in the face of such might.

To the left, isolated fireballs flashed from between houses, sparks and impact shots to the second group of Abrams seemed to be in operation status, one however showed no responsiveness.

Eagle-six and Charlie Company both swoop around the objectives. Just out of reach to unleash wrath but they get close enough to not invite premature retaliation.

Charlie Company jumps the gun and presses for a flank on the Soviets. Cresting the hill and lay into the Commies with everything they have. Their optics being damaged from a previous engagement are showing its effects with one T-72 broiling up and another two trying to flee their tanks.

Bravo Company's two Abrams move to give themselves breathing space from the steel beasts pursuing them. One tank of Bravo Company is unresponsive; the previous Soviet volley must have knocked the crew unconscious.

Ida platoon stand idle trying to adjust sights to work in the abyssal night.

The night lingers allowing shapes and shadows to continue brawling.

"Captain! The Americans have found us, we've been out--" the comms cut to chilling static.

"Company form up and push the Americans on our flanks, Malashenko can take care of himself." Borodin said.

Anna Company pushed right for a quick retaliation into Charlie Company managing to knock out an Abrams.

Boris Squadron continues to push forward with speed while remaining able to engage targets.

The sky has a sunlight haze to it but daylight has not yet broken out.

Bravo Company retreats behind a trailer using the night to their advantage.

Ida platoon launches missiles at the approaching T-72s with no luck.

Charlie Company raises the stakes and goes all in, joined by Eagle-Six in the attack. The speed of the Abrams is put to good use and Charlie Company gets in too close to fail. Two of the T-72s are caught by surprise and explode instantly. Two others start to panic (bailed).

The sun pierces the horizon showing the Earth and all of her majesty, mankind however has bloodied her fields with bodies and burning metal coffins. Nature drowned out by the cacophony of thunderous roars of cannons and the eerie silence of the destructive wake left behind by the Soviet advance.

"Gunner get that turret moving! Fire at will!" shouted a anxious tank commander.

The Soviets returned blow for blow to the Americans, Anna Company dealt with the flanking Abrams with extreme prejudice. Bailing out two of the Abrams to the rear of their formation and getting a lucky shot on Eagle-Six making a bonfire out of the enemy CO.

Boris Company continues to press forward and with daylight revealing the M901, two T-72s unleash their wrath scoring a lucky hit on one of the Hammerheads.

With no HQ for orders, Charlie Company flees along with the M901. Bravo Company refuses to give up and flanks Anna Company

"Gunner. T-72s. 12 o'clock. AP" cycling targets. "Up." - Loader. "On the way!" –Gunner

"Fire at will!" - "Up!" - "On the way!"

Three T-72s explode down the line.

Anna Company bypasses the destroyed T-72s without a second thought and quickly dispatches with the opposing Abrams. One set aflame and the other bails.

None can stand against the might of the Soviet Union!

Stunning Victory for the Soviets!

0:39 on the video and you'll see it.