Attack on Modellbaudorf - Part VI : German Reinforcements

The German observers survey the battlefield and relay their findings to the command post. 

Everywhere they are under extreme pressure, but the fact that neither side is taking prisoners somehow makes the Germans fight harder.

The German commanders confer. They have three squads in reserve which had been securing the rear and guarding the command post. They decide to commit them to the battle. 

One squad moves out in the direction of the old town buildings.

 Some of the men show little motivation. They were quite content taking a back seat to the action.

The other two smaller squads head towards the buildings at the western edge of the square, where the initial assault took place.  They are all armed with sub-machineguns which helps offset the difference in manpower.

Distributing men along the two sectors of the front is aided by the fact that an alley runs along most of the length of the industrial sector, behind the homes facing the square and also adjacent to the buildings facing the old part of town where the second Soviet thrust is taking place.  

This back channel also allows them to shift men across the battlefield. Not that men can be spared at any sector, but sometimes it has to be done.

Suddenly, another squad materializes. They are coming up the main street into town, on the left flank of the fighting. These are men which were gathered and cobbled together at the train junction a couple kms down the road.

They are led by a mounted artillery lieutenant. He no longer has an artillery unit to command, but he still has his horse. He earned his commission not long ago and is eager to prove himself before the war is over. 

The rest of the squad follows. Their rapid pace does not reflect their actual level of enthusiasm. They are simply trying to keep up with their mounted leader. 

This squad will be able to help at the barricade at the edge of the square or use the alley to reinforce the other two sectors. 

The situation has been stabilized for now, but the Germans are scraping the bottom of the barrel. They no longer have any reserves. The Soviets on the other hand, have plenty of men and materiel to backfill their loses. Their challenge is finding the best way to pour them into the battle. A battle of attrition certainly works in their favor.

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