Alushta Valley, Poland: 15 July, 1944 [Best played against Human opponent. Recommend the use of optional armor facing rule.] The once mighty Wehrmacht was in full retreat from Russia. While the German high command scrambled to save its depleted panzer divisions and form a defensive line along the Vistula River in Poland, the Red Armies faced their own troubles as they began to outrun their supply lines. A critical area that had been overlooked and left undefended during the Axis withdrawal was the Alushta Valley, which provided a direct route into the rear of the German delaying positions. On July 15th, SS Colonel Bucker's Kampfgruppe was ordered to correct the oversight and seize the valley as quickly as possible. At the same time the Russians realized the opportunity that had been left open for them and directed Colonel Kalenichenko to drive through the Alushta Valley with the 29th Guards Tank Brigade and open the way for the 50th Army into the enemies rear. Before the day was over the quiet valley would be covered in burning hulks and forever known by a new name: "Thunder Valley!"