The Pz IV and the KV 1 roll around two small hills. The panzer spots the KV and bounces a round straight off the center of the Russian's hull. The KV crew is completely shocked by this sudden clang. The commander of the KV screams for return fire, but nothing happens. The round was a dud. Still yelling at the crew, the commander orders the driver to full reverse around the hill. This gives the crew in the turret an opportunity to un-jam and reload.

The German sees this cowardly action and gives his orders. The Pz IV lurches forward at full throttle and fires a round as the KV comes into view. The round goes wide. The KV crew has had a chance to get their wits together and returns fire on the "Hun". The round sails harmlessly over the Pz IV. Without any hesitation the German gunner fires on the KV, bouncing a round off the driver's vision port. The KV fires and misses again. Fearing the worst, the crew backs up further around the hill.

The Panzer IV maintains Line of Sight and fires on the KV. The round sails off into the nearby countryside. The KV crew gets the initiative, and the order to fire is given. Once again, nothing happens. Another dud round! The Pz IV sees no activity from the KV, rolls up and fires. This round misses, wildly.

The Soviet commander is livid at this point. He orders a full retreat around the hill, while they deal with the loading challenges of the KV. The German commander swings around to cut off and flank the KV. The KV crew, in a rush of patriotism, charges around the hill to get a flanking shot. The commander of the Pz IV spots their bold maneuver and swings his tank around to face the KV. The order to fire is given. The round is a perfect hit (natural 1) and finds a weak spot in the armor (natural 1, again). The Pz IV speeds away to continue its advance toward Moscow, as the screams of the burning Russian crew become one of many memories.

Now I would not have given an account of this one-on-one tank battle under normal circumstances. This was a demo of the armor rules to a young player. The PzKw IV (H) was given to this new player, while I was the KV-1 commander. I want all of you to know that the Russians really did try to win this engagement, it's just that my 8-year-old daughter (Nicole) out played me. Even the Sgt. Major knows when its time to put away the tanks and say, "How about we play Barbie?"