Asad took up my challenge to an ASL Ladder match with some apparent
glee. It didn't take us long to settle on a Tournament size scenario (one 
board, 8 turns or less, low counter density, plausible play-balance). Most 
of the "T" series scenarios from The GENERAL meet the criteria. My 
opponent drew the Germans for our first of three possible matches.

I usually like to play a scenario from both sides to rule out a poorly 
play-balanced selection. Points go to the winner of each play 
through.Asad used a strong forward setup for the Germans. All I saw 
on board at start was:

?+3 in 4T3
?+2 in 4T4
?+1 in 4U1
?+3 in 4W1
a dug in PZ IV CE'd in 4Y4

The Soviets have only two lines of advance. The first is along the road 
that traverses the south half of the map board. The second is across the 
more open terrain. Asad's setup suggested that an attack across the 
open terrain might work.

Game Turn 1:

The Soviets start cautiously assault moving infantry into the open terrain 
to maintain "?" while attempting to feel out the German defenses. 
Trenches start popping into view (in 4V3 and 4Y2). The Corporal of the 
lead squad calls back, "It's safe, Feodor. There's no Germans here."

RPM's on the Soviet T34's crank up and mallets are heard pounding the 
clutches home. The T34 section platoon moves onto the board with 
turrets slewed to potential threats. A cry is heard, "OK, Ivan, we are 
coming."

The PZ IV opens up with mg fire (Asad elects to fire both mg's... his only 
mistake in the game... and just my luck his bmg is the one to 
malfunction!). A half squad with a lmg opens from 4T4 and lays down a 
fire lane. Now the battle is on!. The fire lane claims its first victim. My 8-1 
leader and breaks his attending squad! My sniper activates and breaks 
the offending half squad.

The PZ IV sends a HE round my direction only to kick up a swirl of snow. 
No sooner than I had drawn my next breath, his 37L PAK reveals itself in 
4U8, its gun sargent calls for a APCR round, swivels the gun around, 
fires at PB range at the second T34 in line. The round misses but 
maintains ROF. The crew chief calls for an AP round. It too misses, but 
the lucky gun crew has just enough time to slam home a HEAT round 
which nails the T34, turning it into a BURNING WRECK!

I now find myself in the hole 7 Exit VP's. This will be no easy victory I can see!

My now alert squads rush the gun crew and mercilessly pummel them into 
submission, while my lead T34 takes aim on the PZ IV.

Asad's first player turn continues the bleeding of the Soviets. My 
Commissar shoots my broken squad for failing to rally making a half squad. 
 A second squad is being used for target practice by the mmg that just 
opened up in 4W1. While I now acquire the PZ IV, not much else 
occurs, except an ineffective hit by the panzer on my lead T34 which 
in turn malfunctions his MA. YEAH!

Game Turn 2:

Seeing I'm going to be delayed a turn taking out the PZ IV, my infantry try
advancing southwest and close with the Germans around 4T4. The lead T34 
takes a prep fire shot. Just nails the turret which penetrates and eliminates 
the armored threat. No crew survival! This is the last bright spot in the game. 

His mmg continues to have a field day with my now broken SQUADS along 
the north edge of the map board. My Commissar proves to be a spineless 
politico and can't rally even himself! Asad moves reinforcements into the tree
line and prepares for the third and decisive turn.

Game Turn 3:

Here I really start counting Exit VP's available, distance to travel, and 
possible threats. His mmg continues to dominate the center of the board. 
I've got just enough VP's available if I can mount two squads and a 
leader on the remaining T34's AND somehow exit an additional squad. 

It's sad to say, while I can mount the squads as riders (I do have the 
MP's) I realize that the scenario is set ONE day too early for that tactic. 
Ivan hasn't taught his troops how to ride an AFV. It must be they never 
got to see American Western's before they went to the front.

Recognizing that I'm badly out of position and dominated by Asad's mmg, 
I concede as gracefully as I can. It was a thrilling two turns though. Hell, 
they're only cardboard soldiers.

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