Steamrollers ETO (id:#57406)

Critical Hit (Aussie '98 Pack ID: PBP 26)   [next]   [previous]

North of Lake Balton, Hungary 1945-03-16 (3 others)

Overview:

Since New Year's Day, IV SS-Panzerkorps had been mounting assaults against the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts near Lake Balaton, in an effort to reach the besieged city of Budapest. With the arrival of the 6th SS-Panzer Armee, fresh from its beating in the Ardennes, Orders for a new attack were given. The Russians were aware of the German buildup and resolved to allow the enemy to exhaust themselves before launching their own counter-blow. The SS began Fruehlingserwachen (Awakening of Spring) on March 5th, across some of the muddiest ground they had ever fought over. After five days, they had gained a mere 35km, and by the 13th, the attack had ground to a complete halt in the face of mud and Russian resistance. Then on the afternoon of the 16th, the entire Soviet line went over to the offensive, and the Russian steamroller bore down on the exhausted Totenkopf and Wiking Divisions, ready to crush them into the mud.

Defender: German (SS) (Elements of 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf)  

Errata (source)