Re: Long Generated Campaign US v Communist
Northern units are almost to the back-side of the big hill, and will soon turn south to approach the objective area. No enemy units have been detected in this area at all. The quietness is a little disturbing, and it's gotten everyone on edge. We're wondering if an ambush is waiting around the corner. It's so nerve-wracking that the onscene commander sent two tank sections and a platoon of infantry in their M-75 APC's back northward to cover the road where the T-34's appeared from over a small rise a short time ago. The infantry dismounted and searched down the road past the burning hulks and adjacent woodland, but haven't seen any more approaching units. The support units heading south for the pincer move have just come into range of some of the enemy positions, and have started harassing fire just to lower the enemy morale.
In the center, we had some heroic action by the crew of one of the M103 heavy tanks. We had allowed the smoke to clear around the enemy IS-2m, and one of our heavy tanks deliberately maneuvered out into the open to get a shot at it. Although probably supressed somewhat by our recent artillery rounds, it still posed a real threat with its 122mm main gun. And it was singlehandedly blocking the southern arm of the pincer, and we didn't want to pass it by in case it decided to come at us from the rear. It got a shot off first, which impacted the M103 and left a huge divot in the glacis. The impact was so loud, it must have stunned the driver, since the grinding of gears could be heard and our tank slowed to a stop. The gunner was apparently not so severely affected, and he got his shot off from about 450 meters. He also hit on the first round, and it penetrated the side of the enemy tank with a "Cccrumpp!" A couple of the enemy crew bailed out, and hunkered down in the pit with their burning vehicle.
Other center units continued climbing the hill, and are just about to enter the woods surrounding the objective area. The enemy 76mm AT gun was made ineffective when one of our light attack helos made a few passes and tore up the exposed crew.
In the south, there was more heroism, as a 1/2 track from division ran a high-speed crossing movement about 500 meters from the remaining IS-2m guarding the southern objective. The enemy tank fired and missed with its main gun, although the 1/2 track's engine was shot up and it was immobilized by the large AA machine gun on the tank. We're mystified how the AAMG was able to function after the pounding that tank took from our artillery. Nevertheless, perhaps that's the reason the tank missed with its main gun, as the commander was busy working the MG rather than spotting main-gun fire. A nearby Patton took the opportunity to approach from the other side, and before the Chinese gunner could get his turret swiveled around, the Patton hit it with a flank shot from about 300 meters away, which despite its thick armor was enough to knock it out with one shot. That 1/2 track crew is going to be recommended for the Silver Star! With the main threat removed, our tanks and APCs followed dismounted infantry to within 100 meters of the objective area, approaching slowly due to both the heavily cratered ground, and the fear of mines. Those fears were realized when one of the infantry teams located an errant minefield with a Mark 1, Mod 5 Big Toe. "Stretcher!"
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