As the Russian, I was unable to stop the Germans at all. I foolishly tried a point-blank defense, waiting for the Germans to get up close to the town, but I didn't have the firepower to stop them. I should have somehow disrupted his formation as they approached, but I guess I was too afraid of losing troops out in the open. Instead I consigned them to die in the town.

My reinforcements were squandered in defending against an attack that never materialized. I had sent most of them to the field to stop the Germans from getting off the board. All those Germans just changed direction and headed for the town.

What I did gain from this complete and utter rout was a reconsideration of how I usually map out "missions" for groups of units. I have made the mistake of sticking to these "missions" even when the circumstances of the game have been radically altered. It's easy to say that as a commander one has to be receptive to the opportunities and necessities caused by the fluidity of battle; it's much more difficult to recognize when and how to apply this little bit of advice.