Battle of Krasnik - third engagement

Last night Dale and I got together for a run of one of the new scenarios going into the Summer Harvest book and oh what a barn burner it was.

Pretty simple start with only one regiment each of Russians and Austrians on the field but both are re-enforced at varying times from the remainder of the division.

The Austrian 14th Division of V Corps had pushed a single regiment out to occupy hills 287 and 290 just south of Polichna Poland. The Russians XIV Corps pressed forward with 45th Infantry Division to wrestle the field from the Austrians.

The Austrians were dug in on the hill line that ran from the town of Dabrowa through hills 289 and 290 awaiting the remainder of the Division so they could attack Polichna itself.

The Russians, dissatisfied with awaiting the arrival of their entire division moved out with the 2nd Regiment, which arrived on turn 3.

The game was a good one and was a nasty one to try and impose any real control on for either side. But when the first Russian regiment broke in an assault it spelled the end. By turn 10 the Russians were below 50 percent total strength and the game was pretty much over.

A long view of the table. You can see the Village of Polichna in the distant left center of the table.

A view of the River with Polichna far off in the distance.

The Great forest to the south east of Polichna.

Polichna!

Austrian defenses on hills 289 and 290.

Russian infantry getting ready to move through Polichna to attack the Austrians.

Russians move in to attack the Austrians on the two hills!

Austrian reserve company pivots to prepare for a Russian assault.

Moving through the fields, Russian infantry on the move.

Austrian infantry repel the first assault causing heavy casualties to the Russian infantry.

Re-enforcements move to the east of Polichna.

Regimental Command HQ behind Polichna.

Austrian forces enter the field.

More Austrians enter the field.

Yet more Austrians as the three reserve regiments prepare to turn the tide.

Massed Austrian infantry sweep towards Polichna!

In a fierce fight the Austrians begin to put unrelenting pressure on the Russian forces.

Attacking up hill into a defended area, the Russian machine gunners had a tough time finding good targets.

Badly thinned out from the heavy volume of fire this Russian Regiment breaks under the pressure surrendering once and for all hills 287 and 290 to the Austrians.

Reserve regiments move through the battered 1st Regiment and finally take the fight to the Russians in a real way!

Unrelenting tide - the Austrians have won the day!

The Russians have lost huge amounts of men and equipment but fought doggedly throughout!

Victory is at hand, the Austrian 105 Regiment fires on the Russians adding insult to the already badly injured Russian division.

Final look at the sweeping Austrian movement and the lack of a Russian defender except at the extreme end of the table!