The scenario briefing:
The Corridor, Prokhorovka
July 12th 1943
Historical scenario
OPERATION CITADEL: DAY 8: The Kursk offensive, southern shoulder. Both sides have been fighting without stop for almost a week. But both sides sense a crushing blow is possible. The 12th July will be the decisive day.
A short, 15 hour scenario - featuring part of one of the largest clash of tanks in history. This is a smaller version of my larger Thunder at Prokhorovka and The Corridor scenarios, focusing on smaller areas of conflict within the whole.
This version is balanced for Axis play only. You command part of LAH covering the left flank of LAH's positions. You are very much outnumbered, as it turns out, but your men are the cream of the Axis armed forces, if - at this stage - a little weary.
Historically, the Axis planned, on this day, to break past the last soviet defences before the open run to Kursk.
But recon and intel during the night suggested very clearly that a major Soviet counter-attack was planned, so the Axis went onto the defensive at first light, with orders not to commence their attack until the soviet attack was spent. By around 11am the massive soviet attack had been stopped in smoke and wrecks and the Axis then started launching their own thrust. But just as heavy arty fires had mainly contributed to slowing the soviets, now the same happened with the Axis afternoon attacks, and they didn't get far.
Historically the LAH lost only 17 tanks and destroyed nearly 150 soviet tanks. The usual reason given is the limited situational awareness of soviet tank crews due to having a dual role gunner/commander who was invariably buttoned up and therefore could only see where the gun was pointing. The Axis had 5 man crews and greater SA. In this sector the LAH had about 60 tanks, and faced nearly 300.
The map is an accurate trace from a soviet map. I've experimented a little with map effects to try to give a proper indication of the different effects of various terrains on movement, cover and visibility.
The forces assembled are historically accurate, at least in terms of their names and the units involved. I have used Chris Maiorana's EF estab (many thanks!), which is the only EF estab we have in CO right now. I haven't tampered with composition and equipment, so the estab is as accurate as Chris could make it! I have no idea how to mess with estabs yet.....
We have no mount/dismount code just yet in CO, so to get around this I've made everything at least minimally passable to motorized transport.
Some units have been fighting all night and their fatigue reflects this. All units - as in reality - have had time to at least dig-in during the night hours, some have had longer or have used old soviet positions and are entrenched .
Remember, you cannot get more than a draw by staying put.
Note: There were no Panthers (except perhaps a few in HQ units) and very few Tigers involved. In reality LAH had only 4 functional Tigers. The famous Michael Wittman commanded them on the day.
There is a 2 hour grace period with no orders delay (plans have already been made etc).