Question: Soviet infantry bt vs. infantry/tanks

[Griefbringer]

If you feel challenged on the AT weapons, keep in mind that your force is already better stocked than an actual historical Red Army rifle battalion. The best AT armament in such battalion was a platoon of two AT guns (usually 45 mm), though in 1942 this was supplemented with a platoon of around 9 AT rifles. The rifle companies had to content themselves with Molotov cocktails and other close range weapons if they wanted to repel the Fascist panzers.

The main focus of armament was on anti-infantry weapons: SMGs, rifles, DP LMGs, Maxim MGs and mortars (50 and 82 mm varieties).

Granted, there was more (and heavier) anti-tank weapons higher up the command chain. At the regimental level, anti-tank gun battery and anti-tank rifle company could be found, while at the divisional level there would be a mixed anti-tank battalion. Plus the 76.2 mm guns of the divisional artillery could be used for anti-tank work in a pinch. Not to mention that there were also independent anti-tank formations available at even higher level.

[Revenant]

I went throught the Winter war with good results. At the end I tried three experimental KV1 tanks and did well, because I met there three captured T35 tanks against me

My successes were mainly because of two things: good use of artillery and combination of infantry and light tanks on one hex in contact with the enemy.

So, war with Germany finally. Two battles so far. First one was surprisingly an assault which was easy, but then defense...

Oh my crap, I created defensive line protected by minefield and the slaughter was immense. There were at least 45 enemy tanks and APCs destroyed, maybe even more ! The wast majority was destroyed in minefields and a few destroyed by my KV1 tanks. 45 mm guns were able to kill only APCS and Pz I, certainly not waves of those Pz III E+F !

Now I am going to change all my towed guns to 57 mm, to be able to fight tanks.

Two questions:

1) Any suggestions how to fight big number of infantry in defend scenarios? I remember playing similar campaign some time ago and I was surprised by waves of german infantry in Stalingrad battle. I was not able to stop them. Mines look like good solution how to stop tanks, but what about infantry? And whats your opinion on points in assault/defense scenarios generally? By using force I met in previous battle, human player would mop the floor with me, as computer was not able to go around the minefield and went straight into it.

2) Artillery. So far I am using mortars and heavy mortars because they are cheap and I get big coverage of hexes in a small package and offboard artillery for counterfire. Any suggestions how to use 76 mm infantry guns or something even bigger?