The Steeple ETO (id:#63024)

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Kelkolovo, Russia 1942-08-28 (1 other)

No balance information available

Overview:

As the Siege of Leningrad dragged on into the summer of 1942, the Germans found themselves increasingly having to respond to Soviet counter-attacks trying to reach the river Neva. After another of these incursions, the Germans responded with a general effort to throw the Russians back and stabilize the line east of the River Neva. As the German attack began, elements of the 28th Jaeger Division found themselves moving on the road to Siniavino. In the vanguard of the 28th Jaeger Division was a company led by Hauptmann Johan Kruger. Kruger and his men were tasked with securing the church in Kelkolovo and establishing a forward observation point to direct artillery at any advancing Soviet units. It was a routine assignment and Kelkolovo was unoccupied by Soviet forces according to German intelligence. Upon reaching the outskirts of Kelkolovo, Kruger, an experienced veteran, had his men dismount from their trucks and enter the town on foot. Suddenly a shot disturbed the hot, still afternoon. One of Kruger’s veteran NCO’s fell dead. A fusillade of German fire was directed at the location of the shot. Receiving no return fire, Kruger believed the lone Russian sniper had beat a hasty retreat. He motioned his men forward and to pick up the pace. The church was just a few meters away. The sudden hammering of Soviet machine guns concluded that this time...Hauptmann Kruger was wrong.

Defender: Russian (191st Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)