Battle of Rostov

The Battle of Rostov was a battle that took place on Rostov, Russia.

Overview
(Pasted from the Operation AAR)

The initial phases of combat against German scouts were good. However once the Shtraftbat enterred within city reach, they were slaughtered by combined MG fire and PaK guns surrounding the city. Battalion command sent in an IS-2 to support the Infantry, but was quickly destroyed by a PaK gun placed on the street.

The men slowly took town square, but with heavy casualties. Heavy fighting continued on the streets. Casualties for both the defenders and the attackers were mounting heavily. As the attack slowed considerably the Commissars called in for reinforcements. a T-34-85 from the 91st Tank Division and 2 squads of from the 500th Rifle Division arrived into the city.

Despite the help, the attack still slowed. The second half of the city was later bombarded by mortar fire, killing most of the defenders on the other side. This allowed the Shtraftbat to push into the bridge, which was being watched by a Tiger I.

Although a squad was slain by the Tiger, the T-34 was able to destroy it and support the infantry push into the city. They eventually capture the German HQ and kill Oberleutnant Walther.

The Germans mounted a counterattack after the city fell to the Soviet forces. Although their forces were quickly reduced to a few tanks. The only T-34-85 utilized by the Shtraftbat defending the town was destroyed by a single Panzer IV.

The battle-weary men nevertheless fought bravely and disabled the last Panzer IV in the area, killing the crew and taking the Panzer IV for themselves, fighting off the remaining German forces in the area.

Aftermath
With the counterattack repelled, and the men relieved by the 500th Rifle Division and the 91st Tank Division. Though it was a victory, it was a hard-earned with the blood of many Soviet soldiers.

This but a single battle that the Shtraftbat will have to partake in. Just one battle of the many battles they will have to partake to redeem themselves, in blood.