Cold War Commanders Battle for Hannover - 2nd day action

In the better light of Sunday morning, I was able to capture the tables as we finished on Saturday evening.  Starting on NATO's right flank, here are Ian's and Dennis' troops advancing on the river line held by W Germans and Belgians.  Nick's and my British armour occupy the table corner in the distance and both are pressing on Dennis' flank.

Another view.

 

Waves of Dennis' armour closing with the minefields bordering the river line.

Ian's BMP battalion closing on the W German held bridge.

Upper right my first Challenger Sqdn is closing with the hedge-lined road beyond the distant town, while more Challenger and Chieftain Sqdns race to reinforce them as well as take up firing positions on the nearby ridgeline.

In the centre of the table, Steve's British armour continue to whittle down the VDV and Spetsnaz.

On Steve's left, Andy H's US armour hold the line against Mike.

Next to Andy, Richard's Dutch push forward towards the river.

On the NATO far left, the Dutch have crossed the river, taking the fight to the Soviets, while the East Germans appear unable to significantly reinforce their bridgehead on the NATO river bank, but at least they have troops across the river.

The table held by Richard and Mark's Dutch in all its glory.

The Dutch river crossing.

Swimming M113s and snorkelling Leopards - fantastic attention to detail.

A Dutch ECM vehicle, not the infamous Winkelwagen.

The first major action of the day involved Richard C's De Groote's Fire Brigade attempting a heliborne landing behind the VDV paratroopers, deep in the Soviet rear areas.  Unfortunately, the insertion was plagued by blunders and command failures, which pretty much sealed their fate.

More shots of my armour deploying.

A Challenger Sqdn has occupied the road with troops turning along the road to take Dennis' armour in the flanks.  Several rounds of fire have KO'd or suppressed almost all of the units in the nearest Soviet battalion (green dice).  The ridgeline is now densely occupied with FV438s, Chieftains, Scimitars from my and Nick's forces and various FAOs and FACs.

Another view of the Challengers motoring towards the Soviet table edge.  One squadron has swung left to secure their flank by occupying the woods.

Another view of the British, who have the T-72s on the road between a rock and a hard place as if they turn and face the Challengers on the road, they expose their flanks to the FV438s and Chieftains on the ridge.  At the very bottom of the photo, Nick's bridging units have reached the river with the intent on crossing and allowing them to push obliquely into Dennis' troops.  He just needs to clear the town of the last remnants of Soviet MR infantry (lots of green suppression dice).

Dennis' troops, with a BMP battalion beginning to occupy the woods top left and a tank battalion rushing through the gap between the ridge line and the woods, to try and secure their flanks.  Long range ATGM fire from the road top right is about to suppress some of my Challengers. 

The mass of Ian's and Dennis' troops squaring up to the W Germans and Belgians at the river.

Major General Dennis (left) and Lieutenant General Ian carefully watch their W German and Belgian opponents.  This is the last known picture of the Soviet force commander, who, it is believed, has been forced to retire by Makarov, due to the failure of his battle plan by the end of day 2.

Mike's Soviets begin to try and force their way over the river bridge on the Dutch right indicated by the giant finger.

Soviets wading the river on the Dutch right.  The E German bridgehead is swathed in smoke in the far distance.

Andy H's US armour and Mike's Soviets showing each other a healthy respect.

Gordon's VDV fast approaching breakpoint under pressure from Steve's British armour.

Close of play.  The table groans under the weight of Ian's Soviet armour, but the bridge layers are still a long way from the river.

Dennis' troops.  The tank battalion and BMP battalion on his flank in the woods on the right have just been stonked by 105mm Abbotts, which have played merry hell with the dismounts, while his armour has been picked off by long range fire from FV438s, Challies and Chieftains.

My armour on the right.  Nicks armour has AVLB bridged the river and his armour is ready to push into the town across the river and on into Dennis' flank where he is closing with the river.

More of Nick's superb bridging units.  I'm going to have to try and get one deploying like that - maybe for my Turks next year.

Belgian and W German armour lining the river, backed up by a second line behind hedgerows along the road paralleling the river.

A group shot (photo courtesy of Ben, who is not pictured and lifted from Richard Phillips web page).  Dennis is on the far right and yours truly is standing next to him in the fetching shorts.

All in all, great fun.  Next year NATO's southern flank, the Aegean and southern Balkans.  Can't wait!  Go on JustJack, plenty of room for your USMC operating off the Coral Sea battle group.  It's only a 9 hour flight from Houston to Amsterdam and another hour to Manchester.

Thanks for looking.