A Rude Surprise*
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Date: July  1941*
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Battle Location: Dubysa River*
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Battle Type: Soviet advance vs Germany delay*
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Description: Advancing elements of the 6th Panzer Division have just seized a bridge that is vital to the divisions race to the Dvina.*
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The small force quickly digs in knowing that they must hold the bridge at all costs until the rest of the division arrives later in the day.  For now they are on their own and the only support they can expect is a group of flak guns to help protect their fragile bridgehead.  Earlier in the campaign they had learned how violently the Soviets reacted to the loss of an intact bridge so they dug more deeply than usual.*
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The Soviets were would to react violently and with the intent of blunting Army Group North's advance, the orders were sent to the XIV Tank Corps to recapture the bridge at once.  A mixed force of heavy and medium tanks headed towards the bridge with a platoon of cruiser tanks attached for reconnaissance.*
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Although the Germans had heard rumors about both the T-34 and KV-1 tanks, there would no more rumors after this.*
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Notes: If played against the AI the human player should take the German side.*
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Source: Loosely based on "A Regiment's Postion is Overrun by Superheavy Tanks" pg 34 in Erhard Raus's "Panzers on the Eastern Front".*
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Design by:  Steve Chase.**


