With my opponent [Steve] now 4 points off the pace, he has the pressure to make up VP’s as the Soviets in this game.

It has been fantastic to see the swings in this game and to see how each side is constantly feeling like they are losing.

Just so its not too easy for me, I mistake a ZOC bond and allow the Soviets across the river!

The balance of Turn 15 and 16 see little change. Steve stays 4 VP behind, he picks up a point or two but the VP track keeps marching along also.. I realize late turn 17 that I could have moved a Panzer unit up North behind the river line and then threatened is rear like a Godzilla monster. Even out of Supply, they can take un protected VP hexes. SUPER gamey! But…for the win baby!! LOL…

The Germans are still struggling here to get any breaks on dice, on his attacks or weather. We need General Mud!

While contained…we are thin everywhere!

I use desperate defence more and more!

Start of turn 18. RAIN!

Now its desperate time for the soviets so the go into over drive.

Dnepr-ville is a focal point of effort!

Russian attacks at rough odds force us back.

This pocket is gunna explode without some help!

Now he is slowed down, and this forces a lot of 1:1 attacks by him. Some go well [Exchanges], others not so much. In the North Kiev is secured by reinforcement and the Germans break the isolation there.

The breach on the northern section pf the river is mostly contained via lotsa shuffling. They try to get take the Eastern most corners and begin to build up in the South, but are way out of supply. After two turns of 1:1 attacks and A1 results the punch in the Soviet army is diminishing, and he cant get enough odds without air & 2 arty per attack.

Though in turn 19 the persistent grind on German armor starts to show results, as the river breach widens and the German defenses thin. They cross down stream – another ZOC Bond error made by me…sigh.

If we get Rain in turn 20 its game over we agree.

What a slugfest. The Soviets concede that they cannot acquire the requisite 4 VPs or even enough to reduce the auto victory condition for the Germans. But its is a hallow, shallow victory paid in blood and panzer shells. The Germans would need to let this line go and find a new shorter area to protect or receive significant reinforcement. So a win historically, but a technical win for the Germans. Great play by Steve.

I think if he had been more aggressive and attacked to cross the Dnper in another location it might have gone the other way.