Firestorm Turn 1 Games

Game 1: Bykhov to Gorki Kyran (Germans) versus Rob (British) Free-for-All, 4-3 British Minor Victory Report: The British reinforcements to the 2nd Byelorussian Front aimed to drive a wedge in between Orsha and Mogliev and cut them out of supply by assaulting the supply hub in Bykhov. The British tanks managed to push the Germans back with the help of some IS-2 heavy tanks. Before completely collapsing against British might, the Germans managed to harass the IS-2s enough to send them to the rear for repair!

Game 2: Bykhov to Zhlobin Tony (British) versus Rob (German) Free-for-All, 4-3 German Minor Victory Report: Another British force crashed into the German lines. This unit has recently arrived to support the 1st Byelorussian Front. A small company of Soviet T-34 medium tanks led it into battle. In the ensuing free-wheeling armoured fight east of Bobruisk, the German Panzers managed to turn the joint Soviet-British advance around into a very successful counter attack! One can perhaps blame the language barrier for the failure at Zhlobin...

Game 3: Karipilovka to Kalinkovichi Phil (Romanian) versus Chris (Soviet) Free-for-All, 5-2 Soviet Major Victory Report: In the far off backwaters of the lower marshes, Phil’s Romanian tanks spotted the huge dust cloud being kicked up by Chris’ T-34 battalion. A stunning fireworks display erupted along the front as Soviet tanks and Romanian T4’s faced off and pounded it out. The sturdy Romanian tanks took a lot of punishment but failed to destroy the Soviet onslaught. “If the Germans gave us decent equipment we’d win the war for them!” mutters the Romanian general...

Game 4: Berizina to Osipovichi Ken (German) versus Mike Haught (Soviet) No Retreat, 5-2 German Major Victory Report: Ken’s pioneers lashed out from Osipovichi to blunt the Soviet assault against Bobruisk. Mike countered with his heroic, yet flawed, heavy breakthrough battalion of IS-2 heavy tanks. Heavy artillery helped whittle down the IS-2s and strip off the tank riders. The pioneer versus IS-2 assault was quite epic, leaving behind a lot of burning tanks and shattered infantry. The cowardly pioneers stole two Brumbars from Bobruisk to throw at the IS-2s. These two vehicles somehow miraculously managed to clean out an IS-2 company. In the end the IS-2s retired, having learned important lessons and hating Brumbars all the more!

Game 5: Orsha to Gorki Andrew (German) versus Sam (Soviet) Free-for-All, 6-1 German Stunning Victory Report: Andrew sprang into action charging out of Orsha to assault Sam’s tankovy batalon. The surprise attack caught the Soviet tanks completely unprepared. In a single round of shooting, nine T-34 medium tanks were left in a burning ruin! The rest managed to withdraw hoping that the next battle would be in their favour!

Game 6: Gorki to Slavgorod Andrew (German) versus Sam (Soviet) REMATCH! Encounter, 6-1, German Stunning Victory Report: Andrew followed up his initial sweeping victory with a relentless chase of Sam’s tanks. No sooner had Sam’s forces reached the next line of defence than Andrew’s German counterattack pushed the Soviet tanks back again! Decisive shooting from Tigers and a mad dash by a few Puma vehicles quickly routed the Soviet force for a second time!

Game 7: Berezino to Bykhov Greg (German) versus Wayne (Soviet) Free-for-All, 6-1 German Stunning Victory Report: Wayne’s Soviets heroically charged into Greg’s pioneers only to be turned away by more cowardly Brumbars. (Where are all these Brumbars coming from anyway?!) The assault was stopped and pushed away, halting the Soviet advance toward Minsk!

Game 8: Tolochin to Lepel Kyran (German) versus Mike Haycock (British) Encounter, 4-3 British Minor Victory Report: In the north, the British Expeditionary broke through into Lepel placing the Soviet advance within striking distance of Minsk! The attack was bloody and hard-fought, leaving behind many burning hulks, broken artillery and bewildered troops. The Red Army is now poised to assault Minsk in mere days!

End of Operations: Turn 1

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