Somewhere in Poland, 1944

Rules:

Ground Scale:

Troop Scale:

Figures and Models:

Unit Bases:

Scenario:

We were playtesting a homeground ruleset called Hail of Lead.

One inch = 50 yards.

1 figure = 15 to 20 men, 1 model = 4 or 5 vehicles or towed guns.

Nominally 20mm--a mixture of 1/87 (HO-scale), 1/76, and 1/72 scales.

Each Unit Base (rectangular tray that holds figures and models) represents an individual command ranging from a German company up to a Soviet battalion. Recon vehicles move independently of, and separately from, Unit Bases.

Elements of a Soviet Tank Corps are driving deep into enemy-held territory, and it is the task of a variety of scattered German units to stop the Red Army from capturing both villages. German units arrive on the board at the rate of 0 to 2 Unit Bases per turn, and the type and composition of these reinforcements are unknown to the German players until they actually show up. The Soviets have no idea what they will be facing.

The battlefield. The Soviets attack from the forested board edge on the left; the Germans invest the territory around the towns.

The initial phase of the Soviet attack, at top. Note the four German Unit Bases in and around the towns. (Two are dummy bases.)

A Soviet mechanized force in full gear. Tank brigade HQ sets up behind the T-34/85's of the brigade.

Another view of the same subject. Note dismounted motor infantry battalion at center; it's just about to plow into German Unit Base.

Soviet recon platoon races into enemy territory.

A Soviet heavy armored car assists the attack of the tank brigade.

Suddenly, on the Soviet right: ISU-152's grind forward.

A German towed Panzerjäger unit deploys on a road beside a town, and is promptly flanked by an enemy armored car.

The tank brigade HQ unit moves forward as the motor infantry crash into the town in the background.

Soviet recon platoons under cover from enemy assault gun fire coming from the German left flank.

Motor battalion with trucks in the first town.

Soviet armored car comes under fire from a determined group of Falshirmjäger with a 75mm infantry gun.

A T-34/85 battalion assisted by a couple of platoons of desant SMG troops.

Terror in the air! IL-2m Sturmovik strafes and rockets the withdrawing towed Panzerjäger unit.

Panther G hiding in a patch of woods is quickly identified by some very brave Soviet recon troops.

The green wave of the Red Army sweeps through the first town.

Soviet motor infantry battalion mounted in their trucks.

German StuG III G's on the German left flank attempt to hold off the ISU-152's. Fire from the T-34/85's added to the misery of the assault guns.

Another German unit pops up: a reinforced foot company. Note the MG stand and the PAK 40 antitank gun.

This unit used to field a battery of 88 Flak/AT guns--then Soviet firepower intervened. The 20mm AA battery fights on alone.

A surprise on the Soviet left flank: Tiger I's in cover. A deadly hail of fire tears into the Soviet tanks.

A Soviet armored car attempts to browbeat the Falschirmjäger company in the rear town.

Soviet armor heads for the second town.

Fire from both sides begins to tell.

And another German unit--this time a reinforced armored Panzergrenadier company--pops out of a treeline. The lucky Soviet infantry cannot be seen.

The final outcome of the armor duel: two T-34 battalions thrown back with heavy losses, most of the Tiger I's knocked out.

A cowering Puma armored car listens to the heavy assault guns grind past the rear town. The Soviet armor comes under German artillery fire, but shrugs it off. The rear town is about to be surrounded.

The guinea pigs--er, Generals--at the end of hostilities. Uncle War thanks you all for lending your playtesting expertise!