These opening turns will cover three parts of the battle; The Town, Centre/North and The Farm in the South. This is where the action has been thickest.
The Farm:
Polish company under Mateusz was tasked to hold the farm and secure the Southern flank of the front. Panzers and Motorised Infantry lead by Prille pressed forwards to Polish position. At first shooting was sporadic and ineffective from the Polish defenders but as the German infantry disembarked from their vehicles they were met with concentrated MG and Mortar fire from the farm buildings. Three Panzer platoons moved forwards to offer support in the attack but were themselves checked by dedicated Polish anti-tank rifle fire. German losses mounted up for little gain. A platoon of Panzer II tanks, a Rifle platoon and MG platoon were all knocked out of the battle. At this point in the engagement, the Polish holding the farm have only lost one Anti-tank rifle Platoon.
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| German forces are pushed back from the farm perimeter as the Poles lay the fire on thick |
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| Despite attempting a flanking maneuver Polish MG, Mortar and AT rifles exact a heavy toll. |
Centre and North
The Centre has seen perhaps the heaviest fighting in the early stages of the battle. Rendulic's Kradschutzen Compnay and its supporting elements made a direct drive for the town. These units were promptly halted by Radoslaw's Infantry company in the woods. The exposed Kradschutzen motorcycle soldiers took heavy fire, loosing their recon platoon early in the fight. After a pause they managed to deploy their support field gun battery and return fire with MGs, rifles and light howitzers. After some time of trading fire at long range Rendulic's MG platoon were cut down, leaving Radoslaw's compnay holding a strong position.
Linermann's Panzer company were intended to support the Kradschutzen but were delayed (for almost an hour) and lost one Rifle platoon before they arrived on the field to mines. As the German tanks moved forwards they took hits from a concealed AT gun platoon from Radoslaw's position in the centre. Despite deploying their Infantry and MG platoons to counter the guns a whole platoon of Panzer IIIs were shot up and disabled. Lindermann then came under fire from Polish elements of Ryszard's Company in the north, with effective long range MG fire knocking out the German support infantry and the MG platoon.
During this time Von Bock made the most progress and pressed the attack against Ryszard's company in the north. The Tanks and Infantry combined well and inflicted heavy losses on them. At one point the German Panzer Company almost encircled the Polsih defenders. Causing the Polish forces to almost rout as their commander tried to leave the battle. But a communications error caused Von Bock to withdraw effectively giving up all of his gained ground. This allowed the battered Ryszard breathing room and to rally support for his comrades in the centre. Even with 50% losses the Poles gave fire with the already noted effects on Lindermann's forces.
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| Rendulic's Kradschutzen make progress |
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| Soon though, they are in a desperate battle, trading fire with Radoslaw's forces in the woods. |
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| Despite being killed by MG and Rifle fire, Radoslaw's AT guns held on long enough to knock out a German Tank platoon. |
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| Lindermann's bad start left him struggling in a deadly crossfire from Radoslaw and Ryszard's forces. His infantry support now gone and 1/3 of is tanks burning. |
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| Von Bock's Panzers inflict heavy loses on the Polish infantry in the woods. |
The Town
In the Town Schorner readied his Soldiers for a hard fight, the German Recon Battalion was short on fuel and sleep but occupied a good al-round defensive position they they would be loath to give up. In the distance Polish armoued forces could be herd but were not seen at any point in the fighting so far. The Polish Commanding Officer Worjcich ordered his Company forwards and his field guns deployed but delays to Zubic's armoured support had left him unwilling to commence any direct assualt on the town until he could mass tanks, infantry and artillery. On the east side of town limited exchanges between Polish and German infantry caused minor casualties.
In the South west, Rogalski's Cavalry battalion made no such hesitation, they advanced at pace to the town, covering the ground swiftly on horseback. Only when shooting from the town killed a leading cavalry platoon did they dismount and advance more cautiously. Seeing the Polish cavalry forces approaching the town the German Commanding Officer Fressner moved along the main road into the town and immediately assumed control of half of the weary defenders. His orders were at that point met with confusion and hesitation. Four platoons of riflemen left the town and attempted to attck the dismounting Polish force.
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| Rogalski's cavalry move up. |
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| Reach the edge of the town and dismount |
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| German forces press an ill timed attack from their positions. |
See you next time for the exciting conclusion!
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