Interesting first scenario to The Deluge has Polish Cavalry against their German counter parts, with the Germans making a forced river crossing against the Polish defenders. The Germans have the numbers and artillery support against the superior Polish Cavalry supported by two tankette platoons and a Taczanka. Both sides have four victory conditions that earn them VP’s with the side having the higher difference winning either a minor or major victory.

The Germans sent two engineer platoons supported by a weapons company and two cavalry troops to the town just north of the river were they spotted Polish units guarding the bridge. After concentrated OBA and mortar fire the Polish defenders fled to the woods demoralized, seeing the Polish forces guarding the bridge flee the engineers advanced towards the bridge with the HMG’s close behind.

While this was going on the German Cavalry come onto the board near the east map edge heading south planning on crossing the river to get as many steps across the river as possible (1 VP per step). The plan was to turn west to assist the engineers in securing the bridge, denying the VP to the Pols, but there were no Polish defenders insight, so the cavalry continued heading south with the new goal of capturing the town in the center of map 21 (3 VP per town hex).

Two squadrons of the Polish Cavalry were deployed on the south edge of the woods on map 3 waiting to counterattack any potential breakthrough, once the enemy cavalry was committed they moved out to intercept. Surprisingly this first clash of cavalry went to the Germans who got the better of the Polish forces, with a lot of help from the 3 batteries of 105mm OBA which allowed the Germans to take control of the town. The Polish forces withdrew to regroup while they waited on the Tankettes before they renewed their assault. Once reinforced they attacked again with artillery support from their French 75’s and this time got the better of the German cavalry while retaking most of the town.

This scenario was a close win for the Polish forces, they eliminated 11 more steps then the Germans and controlled 7 town hexes out of 8 but the Germans were able to get 23 steps south of the river, only 2 VP’s separated this battle from a draw.

At first I thought that the Poles had a better shot at keeping this one in the ball park... but the lack of morale told on them very early in the game. The Polish Commander had three options, 1) He could start his defense at the creek. 2) He could start it between the woods and the hill just South of the creek.3) He could "bail" and try to defend both Southern towns and hope for a small win there. He chose option #2 but his fall back position was two moves away. (Perhaps the creek defense would have been better. Next time.) At any rate by the time the Poles got into a position for defense of the towns, he had been reduced to a one town defense and a half-hearted effort on the South West town. It was all over by two hours to go on the clock. Good maneuverable battle scenario.