The tanks of the 1st Tank Regiment of the Soviet Army idled in Schlafendbauer.

Virov knew they had a challenge ahead of them. The town of Bergengipfel lay a short distance from the bridges of Eisenbach. Scouting reports had identified troops waiting for their advance.

Virov called in an artillery barrage to keep their heads down while his T-72s closed the gap and could get into a solid kill range. Arty took out the ITV sitting in the open he observed as a flash then smoke filled his nocs.

As the first platoon rolled out from the outskirts of town, reports of enemy fire came in.

“Captain, there are 4 Abrams sitting in the wide open behind the hill we are taking fire” . Came over the radio. What the hell was American doing in the open? Virov thought to himself. Using the hill for cover the T-72’s closed range.

The Abrams 105mm cannons make short work of the T72’s that first passed around the hilltop.

(not sure why that stack looks so hi!?)

Virov teams hid behind each of the hills short of town. He called in more HE to keep the Infantry suppressed. As 2 platoons take on the Abrams the rest of his units storm the town.

“Captain, Captain….we are firing at them and nothing is happening. I can see the hits.” Kabooom. …. silence on the air. The 105mm equipped Abrams break apart 3 tanks like an over cooked boiled egg.

Virovs immediate tanks fire on the Abrams… “Those friggen guys are so cocky. “ Virov says into the mic. “Lets take Bergengipfel and find some dam cover.
The T-72’s storm the city, the first platoon is repulsed by the infantry!

Another platoon wades in and pushes them out of town. Bloodied but not beaten the American soldiers make for the higher ground. But only after suppressing several tanks on the hill south of town.

The lone US tank platoon in the open, reverses from the onslaught towards Eisenbach but is not overly concerned by the noise of the Soviet shells ricocheting off of the chobam armor.

Virov now has 4 platoons, somewhat reduced north of Eisenbach and he has control of Bergenipfel……Eisenbach looks like a long way from where he views the battle from the edge of Bergengipfel across open ground. He orders in more HE.

Then calling in smoke right on top of the 2 US tank platoons in town, Virov gives the order to advance all at once.

The American M113 limps into town with out a payload. The US tanks fire fiercely spreading their shots across the platoons, damaging some, suppressing others. Looking dangerously low on ammo.

The smoke was having little effect.

The Russians grit their teeth and urge their aging T-72s forward attempting to close with the Americans.

3 more tanks perish attempting to lock in close quarters with the Eisenbach units, where the MII3, fends off the weakened assault from the North.
Virov is having trouble keeping his men moving, “move move, get into”….. his own tank is hit, he and his team bail out only to be caught by 50cal rounds tearing the ground up around them.

South of town the T-72’s waver. They see the killing field in front of them, the plumes of smoke from their comrades tanks fill them with dread.

Thru the thinning smoke the American survey the scene. The first round held the Soviets. Their doctrine let them down. With good knowledge of the land and selfless fighting the Americans out shot and out fought the brave but hopeless Soviets.

The war had begun in earnest.

Post script:
Playing on vassal I am having a bit of time remembering two things:
1. concealment bonus
2. Arty