Turn 1-So the Stavka chit came in the middle of the draw. Bill was able to retreat his Pz Div early on which I know now set me up for trouble in the future. I was never able to "Bear Hug" the Germans and keep him off those river defenses. The Soviets were able to make deep penetrations in the North Middle of the Map, but Bill skillfully retreated his Pz Div around Tatsinskala and I stupidly chased Rumanians down South.
Turn 2-Not much really happened this turn. Which I now know was my fault. Bill continued to retreat west. Stopping at river lines to gain the x2 defense. Again, STAVKA came up in the middle, but I didn't really push my breakthru in the center of the map, and I missed a real opportunity. By not pushing forward I gave Bill a chance to stabilize his lines. Also, I can see know I was leadin with my Tank Brigades which put them in real danger from massed Pz Div counter attack. Since Soviet Inf Div are worthless for VPs they should lead whenever possible.
Turn 3 and 4-Now all my chits were coming first. I was stalled on the Don-Donets River line in the South. Bill was thin in the North. But since he was going last each turn, he was able to run up attack, kill or reduce some Soviet Tk Brigades and then pull back since he kept two German HQs close to the weakest point in his line. Great thinking on his part. Then the Manstein chit became available, and again since Bill was going last he could hit my leading units then fall back and protect his line before I could do anything in response. I also wasn't very good at placing my HQs.
Turn 5-This turn saw the Germans stabilize the southern portion of the map. There was no way I was crossing the Don now. In the center, I made some good progress, but again going first meant Bill could hit me and them pull back a stabilize a line. But things looked better. 3 TkA and Popov were in the breach and the German Pzs were trying to redeploy. Turn 6 would see everything fall apart.
Turn 6-Turn 6 started with me getting a step loss on one of Bill's Pz Divs for the first time. I really smelled blood. Hah was I wrong. 3 activations in a row in the center of the map allowed Bill to eliminate 4 of my Tk Brigades, bust a 5 hex hole in my line and expoit his way all the way into my backfield. The game was over with 31 VPs for Bill. Auto victory on Turn 6. Looking back I stuck my neck out and Bill chopped it off. Great game Bill. Well earned victory.