“Now, when the Red Army, developing the successes of the winter campaign, has inflicted a mighty blow on the German troops in the summer, it is possible to consider as finally dead and buried the fairy tale that the Red Army is incapable of conducting a successful offensive in summer. The past year has shown that the Red Army can advance in summer just as well as in winter.” Josef Stalin, 6th November 1943
On the 2nd of February 1943 91,000 German soldiers surrendered at Stalingrad. A few thousand others ignored their orders and fought on for a few days despite no hope of survival. On the 8th of February Kursk was liberated, followed by Kharkov just over a week later. Disaster followed disaster as Army Group South reeled back under Soviet blows. That the German Eagle still had its talons was proved at the end of February when General von Manstein launched a counter‐attack which culminated in the recapture of Kharkov in mid‐ March and the destruction of 52 Soviet Divisions before the offensive was ended by the Spring thaw.
Impressive as Manstein’s counter‐attack had been it was, in truth, to be the final successful German offensive in the East. Its success against an over‐extended Red Army was to provide Hitler with false hope that the loss of Stalingrad and the success of the Soviet forces over the winter was simply a repetition of their achievements in the winter of 1941. When summer came it would again present the Germans with fresh victories against the Soviets who, the Fuhrer reasoned, must be nearing the end of their manpower reserves.
Such optimism, wildly optimistic as it now appears, led to the planning for a new great battle of encirclement: the battle for the Kursk salient. In one final Blitzkrieg the Germans would cut off and annihilate the best Soviet forces before shifting to the defensive in the East and turning their attentions to the threat posed by the western Allies.
Launched on 5th of July 1943 Unternehmen Zitadelle, Operation Citadel, was doomed to failure from the outset. Delays in assembling the armoured forces needed had allowed the Soviets time to prepare their defences. What was more, the newly liberated areas had provided the Red Army with a fresh intake of conscripts who were now incorporated into the ranks of a force which had learnt some harsh lessons to become significantly more tactically competent than the Soviet forces met in 1941. To make matters worse Luftwaffe losses suffered in the Mediterranean meant that the Red Air Force now had numerical superiority if not absolute control of the skies.
Within a fortnight, it was clear that the German offensive had failed and the Soviets unleashed planned counter‐attacks to the north and south of the salient with significant success. Finally the initiative in the East had passed to the Soviets; it would remain with them until the end of the war. Kursk proved that the Germans, given the right equipment and manpower, could still do what the Germans did best. However, it highlighted their failure to do anything but conform to their rigid principles and the Soviet command’s increasing ability to read just how they would react.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 2 ©TooFatLardies 2013 From Kursk onwards the German High Command was constantly attempting to prop up the Eastern Front, utilising small, elite mobile forces to plug gaps and pinch off Soviet advances. Whilst local successes remained possible, the fact was they every major Soviet offensive would gain large swathes of territory, all of which yielded fresh male civilians who could be impressed into Red Army ranks.
Kharkov was liberated for the last time in August 1943, along with the industrial and highly fertile Donets Basin and Hitler determined to hold the line of the Dnieper River. However, even this proved impossible, as no defences had been prepared and Soviet forces established bridgeheads across the river almost immediately. In November Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine fell to the Red Army.
The year of 1944 opened with more Soviet advances and vicious fighting in the Baltic States, which was to continue throughout the summer with significant numbers of Baltic formations raised by the Germans fighting with their own independence agenda. In the south, further advances were made in the Ukraine, with Odessa and Sevastopol being liberated in April and May respectively, and with them the whole of the Crimea was brought back under Soviet control.
The most impressive and important Soviet offensive of 1944 was Operation Bagration. Soviet intelligence had identified that, expecting the next offensive to be in the South, Hitler had stripped Army Group Centre of much of its artillery and armour. Launched on the 22nd of July, 120 Soviet Divisions tore through the German positions and advanced into Latvia, Lithuania and Poland; one of the first successful examples of the application of the Soviet concept of Deep Battle. The breadth of their offensive left the Germans unable to identify the main objective of the operation and therefore at a loss how or where to respond. Indeed, the Germans were now suffering losses of large numbers of men taken prisoners, as their forces were encircled in the same fashion as Soviet forces had been three years earlier. Roughly a quarter of the German servicemen on the Eastern Front were killed or captured during Bagration. It was now the Soviets who were teaching the lessons.
As if to reinforce the hopelessness of Germany’s position, the end of Bagration coincided with the collapse in Normandy and the overthrow of the Romanian government in Bucharest. Finland had signed a peace treaty with the Soviet Union in September, after the fall of northern Estonia left Helsinki itself exposed to Soviet amphibious landings, and Bulgaria had left the Axis earlier in the month. By the end of the year Budapest was besieged, and already German civilians in East Prussia had experienced the horror and brutality that was to feature so prominently in the Russian advance into Germany in 1945.
Warsaw fell in January despite Stalin’s cynical delays. Budapest fell in February, by which time Russian forces were carving their way through northern Germany along the Baltic up to the Elbe River. Everywhere the Germans resisted fiercely, often inspired by the columns of civilian refugees who were attempting to flee westwards, but no coherent defensive front could be maintained. At numerous points, such as in Konigsberg and Kurland, German troops fought on, surrounded, their continued resistance serving to tie down Soviet forces.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 3 ©TooFatLardies 2013 On the 16th of April of 1945 the Red Army assaulted the Seelow heights and the Oder river, the final defensive lines before Berlin. For three days the battle raged, but ultimately the Soviet victory was unavoidable as one million men faced just over 100,000 Germans. Within days of their breakthrough the Soviets encircled Berlin itself and, over the period of three weeks, fought their way into the very heart of the Reich. The suicide of Hitler and the fall of Berlin to Stalin’s forces was the final death spasm of a Germany which had been dying by inches since the failure of Kursk in Summer 1943. Soviet losses of 6,000,000 men in combat and over 3,000,000 as Prisoners of War, combined with Axis losses of over 5,000,000 men and a further million in Soviet prison camps, testify to the bitterness of the fighting on the Eastern Front where two equally reprehensible totalitarian regimes fought to the bitter end.
This supplement is designed to allow you to refight the battles of 1943 to 1945 on the Eastern Front, from the fall of Stalingrad to the ruins of Berlin. The forces listed within present a far wider range of options than previous embodiments of the rules, with far more options for armoured forces than before. We have focussed on the main protagonists in the conflict; the Soviet Union, Germany, Finland, Romania and Hungary, but also looking at the irregular Partisan forces and their German and local opponents in Russia and Yugoslavia.
The lists have been compiled using a broad range of sources but, as with all such projects, can only represent a snap‐shot of some of the forces that were involved in the conflict. Organisational structures changed with use and with the development of new weapons and equipment, and they were also subject to more pragmatic modification within front‐line units. Undoubtedly the gamer will find variations on themes that differ from those presented here. We are very happy to see that happen. I Ain’t Been Shot Mum is a flexible enough system to allow you to field any variations that you wish in order to represent specific units in action. What is included here may be considered a starting point for your own research. If you find that a Regimental history suggests a differing structure for a battle you wish to refight then do use that rather than the general “official” variations here within.
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2 Introduction 59 Hungarian Forces 5 Contents 60 Puskás Század 6 Using this Handbook 62 Felderitö Század 63 Heygi Század 8 German Forces 64 Huszár Század 9 Grenadier Kompanie 65 Gépkocsizόlovesz Század 11 Volksgrenadier Kompanie 67 Harckocsi Század 13 Kavalerie Schwadron 68 Páncélos Felderitö Század 14 Panzer Kompanie 69 Rating Your Hungarian Forces 15 Panzergrenadier Gepanzerte 70 Hungarian Armoury Kompanie 71 Hungarian Weapon Rules 16 Panzer Grenadier Kompanie 73 17 Aufklarungs Kompanie Finnish Forces 18 Panzerspah Kompanie 74 Jalkaväkikomppania 19 Fielding German AFVs 76 Jääkärikomppania 20 Luftwaffe Jager Kompanie 77 RajaJääkärikomppania 21 Fallschirmjager Kompanie 78 Panssarikomppania 22 Volksturm Kompanie 79 Rynnäkkötykkikomppania 23 Gebirgsjager Kompanie 80 Rating Your Finnish Forces 25 Partisanenkrieg – Fighting Partisans 81 Finnish Armoury 82 Finnish Weapon Rules 28 Schuma Kompanie 29 Cossack Sotnia 84 Yugoslavian Forces 30 Rating Your German Forces 85 Partisan Detachment 32 German Armoury 86 Partisan – Fighting the Invader 35 German Weapon Rules 91 Rating Your Yugoslavian Forces 38 Kampfgruppe 91 Yugoslavian Armoury 91 Partisan Weapon Rules 39 Romanian Forces 40 Companie de Infanterie 1943 93 Soviet Forces 41 Companie Cercetasii 94 Strelkoviy Rota 1943‐44 42 Companie Vanatori de Munte 1943 95 Strelkoviy Rota 1944‐45 43 Companie Cavalerie Motorizata 96 Deploying Soviet Artillery 44 Companie Cavalerie 97 Strelkoviy Support 45 Companie de Infanterie 1944‐45 98 Armoured & Mechanised Forces 47 Companie de Parasutistii 1944 99 Tankovaya Rota 48 Fielding Romanian Armour 99 Motostrelkoviya Rota 50 Companie de Blindate 1944 100 Razvedki Rota 51 Companie de Blindate 1945 101 Mechanised & Tank Corps Support 52 Vanatori Blindate 102 Gardesiskii Tyazhelyi Tankov Polk 53 Vanatori Motorizat 103 Kazachiy Sotnia 54 Rating Your Romanian Force 104 Partisan Detachment 55 Romanian Armoury 105 Rating Your Soviet Forces 56 Romanian Weapon Rules 106 Soviet Armoury 108 Soviet Weapon Rules
110 Death From Above. War in the Air
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This section provides a brief introduction to the unit concerned
This darker shaded box is still a battalion
support option,
These boxes in a but its darker box light shading are tells is that it is the core of your likely to be company. A full located off‐table. company will field Next we have the all of these Regimental support platoons. These are less likely to be This darker shaded present than the box is either an battalion support information box, units, but they are like this one, or an still a possibility. off‐table support option. Finally we have the Divisional support Here you have platoons. Again, The battalion these are less likely support platoons. to be present
These are the most than the battalion likely supports to or Regimental be present for your support units. company. These ones are light in colour telling us that they are on‐table options. Now see top right to see the other green box.
I Ain’t Been Shot Mum is all about using our model soldiers and vehicles to refight actions based on historical events: this means that any of the support units shown can be called upon to support out basic force, be that in an infantry company, a tank squadron or a reconnaissance force. However, it is worth remembering that in general your force is much more likely to have support from Battalion than Regiment or Division. That said, for dice generated scenarios such as the ones offered in the main rules, there is no reason why you
cannot choose from any support listed for the force of your choice.
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So let’s look at a real example. Here I am going to use Scenario 5, Breakthrough, from the main rulebook. As the defender my force is listed as follows:
One Company HQ Two rifle platoons Two additional platoons of choice one of which may be armour.
I know from my briefing that I am expecting the enemy to attack “at any moment” and I must halt their advance, so my choice of forces will be based on that.
I am fielding a Fallschirmjäger Company so I select the HQ and two Zugs as my briefing tells me.
Next I need to choose my two other platoons. I know that I am on the defensive so I am looking to maximise my chances of holding the line. One of my choices could be armour, that could be the Assault Guns from Division, but I prefer something with a lower profile, so I select the anti‐tank gun Zug from Regiment.
I have a pretty shrewd idea that my opponent will be fielding a mixed force of infantry and armour, and I really want to break up his attack, so I am going for maximum firepower and am selecting the Machine Gun Zug as my second choice. I was thinking about off‐table mortars or artillery, but I am German and these have let me down far too often, so the Machine Gun Zug just feels like a more responsive option.
I must admit that I am not looking forward to the onslaught, but if I provide plenty of support for my AT guns I can keep them in action for as long as possible. I am then confident that even if some of the enemy break through my position I will do sufficient damage to stop them achieving their objective.
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By the start of 1943, the German Army was In the East the Germans would find themselves still close to at its high‐water mark of fighting a holding action, where, after their conquest. German arms ruled Europe from failure at Kursk to deliver a knock‐out blow the Volga to the English Channel, yet already against the Soviets, they were perpetually on the Germany’s hopes of winning the war were back foot, reliant to counter attacks to restore an looking remote. increasingly pressurised line
The tide of German victories was now turning With her Allies being seen as increasingly increasingly to a succession of defeats. The unreliable Germany found herself carrying the failure to defeat the British in North Africa burden, stretching her weakened forces ever had sapped resources from Russia and the more thinly. This situation was made worse by inability to relieve von Paulus in Stalingrad the increasingly aggressive and confident forces was an indication that the Soviets were now a of resistance, which in some areas of Byelorussia very different enemy to the one faced in and Yugoslavia were the de facto rulers of huge 1941. swathes of territory supposedly under German control.
Germany’s failure to convert its impressive Yet for all the failings in Berlin this was not a war industrial base to a wartime footing was now lost by a Hitler, but rather one won by a beginning to tell. Out‐produced by the reinvented Red Army which, from 1944 onwards western Allies and now by the Soviet Union, was conducted its own Blitzkrieg into the very the balance of quality against quantity was heart of the Reich. increasingly appearing a false hope.
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THE GRENADIERKOMPANIE The Grenadier Company was the fighting army of the Infantry Division, with all units now enjoying the Grenadier designation in recognition of their sacrifices over years of war. With an emphasis on the defensive the Grenadier Company is not a mobile force but is well equipped with sufficient firepower to blunt an enemy attack.
Kompanie Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level III or IV Only the German Company Headquarters will Two 8cm mortars with 5 crew each be on the radio net. All Regimental or OR Divisional Support units will be on the radio Two MG34 or 42 tripod mount with 5 net. crew each
BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS Zug One
One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Machine Gun Zug One Big Man Level III Zug Two Four MG42 MMGs with 5 crew each.
One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Mortar Zug One Big Man Level II or on‐table FOO Zug Three Four 12cm mortars with 5 crew each OR One Big Man Level II Four or Six 8cm mortars with 5 crew each. Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men
Platoon Anti‐Tank Weapons REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS What infantry anti‐tank weapons the Grenadier Company has will depend on the Anti‐Tank Zug date. One Big Man Level II or III Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 During 1943 the bulk of German forces 75mm AT guns with 5 crew each would be reliant on charges placed on the A wide range of tows were used. enemy tank, such as magnetic mines, compound charges or Teller mines. These Light Infantry Gun Zug forces will add one tank killer team of four One Big Man Level II men to the Kompanie HQ and may convert Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with five one other rifle Gruppe into two tank killer crew each. teams if the player wishes. Horse tows From August 1943 the Panzerfaust 30 began appearing at the front. In Italy provide each Heavy Infantry Gun Zug Zug with one of these and by D‐Day two One Big Man Level I should be available for each Zug. Two sIG 150mm infantry guns with five
The Panzerfaust 60 and 100 reached the crew front in September 1944 and should be Towed by the Sd Kfz 11. increasingly the norm in 1945.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 9 ©TooFatLardies 2013 DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS Assault Gun Platoon One Big Man Level II Light Artillery Battery Three StuG III or StuG IV assault guns. A German infantry Division would typically have three Light Battalions of artillery, each Leichter Flakzug with three batteries of four 10.5cm Four 2cm Flakvierling 38, five crew each howitzers. During a game the most likely Mounted on Sd. Ah. 52 trailer for transport unit available to support a tabletop force which allowed towing behind almost any would be the Battery of four guns, thus: vehicle or manhandling by troops on foot.
One Forward Observation Officer on‐table Fusiliers Bicycle Platoon linked to the battery by radio or telephone. One Big Man Level II or III Four 10.5cm Howitzers. Two SMG Gruppe of 8 men
Transport was provided by six horse drawn One rifle Gruppe of 8 men with a high limbers or the Sd Kfz 11 halftrack. proportion of SMGs All bicycle mounted. If deployed on the table the battery will have no Big Men. ATTACHED SUPPORT A Grenadier Company may find itself Medium Artillery Battery operating with other units, however its static One medium artillery Battalion would be defensive role means that these are more part of each Infantry Division, with three likely to be units allocated to support it in batteries each fielding four 15cm howitzers. this function.
During a game the most likely unit available The following units are most likely. to support a tabletop force would be the Battery of four guns, thus: Flakgeschützstaffel Four 8.8cm Flak 36 or 37 with eight crew One Forward Observation Officer on‐table each linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Four Sd.Kfz 8 halftracks Four 15cm Howitzers.
Transport was provided by the Sd Kfz 7 Panzer‐Jäger Zug Heavy halftrack. If deployed on the table the One Big Man Level II battery will have no Big Men. Four Marder, Hetzer or StuG IV
Pioneer Platoon Werfer Battery Zug One Six 21cm or 30cm Nebelwerfers with five crew each. One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men During a game this unit will most likely be Three 3 ton trucks located off‐table with a Forward Observation Within the Infantry Division the Pioneers Officer in contact with the battery via a radio were responsible for the laying out of link. defences and their implementation. They were not combat assault pioneers, however Transport was provided by the Sd Kfz 11/5 they could fight as infantry. halftrack. If deployed on the table the battery will have no Big Men.
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VOLKSGRENADIERKOMPANIE After the defeats in Normandy and the plot against Hitler the German Army sought to imbue a fresh sense of determination into its men. The Volks‐Grenadier Divisions were supposed to be an indication of a National Socialist determination to resist using new weapons within new structures. In truth this was an exercise in scraping the bottom of a near empty barrel.
Kompanie Headquarters Light Infantry Gun Zug One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II Two sniper teams Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with five crew each. SturmZug One Horse towed One Big Man Level II Two Assault rifle Gruppe of 8 men REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS One Assault rifle Gruppe of 8 men The following units are available within the with two LMGs Regiment and may be allocated to support Two Panzerfaust 60 or 100 the Volks‐Grenadier Company.
SturmZug Two Anti‐Tank Gruppe Two Assault rifle Gruppe of 8 men The Anti‐Tank Company within the One Assault rifle Gruppe of 8 men Regiment was made up of fifty‐four with two LMGs Panzershcrecks divided into three platoons, Two Panzerfaust 60 or 100 with each Gruppe having six weapons. We recommend a smaller organisation as Zug Three follows:
One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Three Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each Two Panzerfaust 60 or 100 Heavy Mortar Zug Radio Net Four 12cm mortars with 5 crew each. The Volks‐Grenadier Company has no radio Normally deployed off‐table. net. Forward Observer with radio net.
BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS
Machine Gun Zug Anti‐Tank Zug One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II Four MG34 or 42 MMGs with 5 crew Three Pak 40 75mm anti‐tank guns, each. 5 crew each A typical tow was a 3 ton Opel Blitz Mortar Zug Six 8cm mortars with 5 crew each. Panzer‐Jäger Zug Normally deployed off‐table. One Big Man Level II Forward Observer with radio net. Four Hetzer or StuG IV
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Howitzer Battery A German Volks‐Grenadier Division would typically have two Howitzer Battalions of artillery, each with two batteries of six 10.5cm howitzers. During a game the most likely unit available to support a tabletop force would be the Battery of six guns, thus:
One Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Six 10.5cm Howitzers.
Transport was provided by six horse drawn limbers or the Sd Kfz 11 halftrack.
If deployed on the table the battery will have no Big Men.
Medium Artillery Battery
One Medium Artillery Battalion would be part of each Infantry Division, with two batteries each fielding six 15cm howitzers.
During a game the most likely unit available to support a tabletop force would be the
Battery of six guns, thus:
One Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Six 15cm Howitzers.
Transport was provided by the Sd Kfz 7 Heavy halftrack. If deployed on the table the battery will have no Big Men.
ATTACHED SUPPORT A Volks‐Grenadier Company may use any of the attached support unit options that a Grenadier Company has. Again these were defensive formations so the Flak and Werfer units are the most likely support to be available.
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CAVALRY SQUADRON The steppes of Soviet Russia made the conflict in the East quite unlike that anywhere else, and the speed and self‐sufficiency of cavalry forces made them a key element in fighting in such vast expanses, be that operating as the eyes and ears of an infantry Corps or combating partisans.
By 1941 the German cavalry formations had been converted to armoured formations: however a rump remained within the reconnaissance formations of the Infantry Divisions. At the start of 1943 these were combined to form three independent Cavalry Regiments, Nord, Mitte and Süd, each attached to an Army Group. At the start of 1944, these were then expanded to form Cavalry Brigades, and in 1945 full cavalry Divisions, albeit with little increase in fighting capability or strength.
Schwadron Headquarters Pioneer Platoon (Nord only) One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men One Gruppe of 12 Reiter Four SdKfz 251/7
Zug One Aufklarungs Zug (Nord only) One Big Man Level II Two Big Men Level II Four Gruppe of 12 Reiter Four Gruppe of 8 men Three Kubelwagen or Schwimmwagen for Zug Two each Gruppe, each with MG42 mounted.
One Big Man Level II Four Gruppe of 12 Reiter Anti‐Tank Zug (Nord only) One Big Man Level II or III Zug Three Three Pak 97/38 7.5cm AT guns with 5 crew each. SdKfz 251 towed. One Big Man Level II Four Gruppe of 12 Reiter Artillery Battery (Nord only)
On‐table Forward Observer with radio. Radio Net Four 10.5cm Howitzers with RSO tracked tows. Only the Squadron Headquarters will be on the radio net. All Regimental Support units will be on the radio net. Panzer Zug (Mitte only) REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS One Big Man Level II Five T34 or Panzer IIJ tanks (1943) Machine Gun Zug Five T34 or Panzer IIIM tanks (1944) One Big Man Level II Four MG34 or 42 MMGs with 5 crew Armoured Car Zug (Mitte only) each. Horse transported. One Big Man Level II Two SdKfz 221 armoured cars Mortar Zug One Forward Observer with radio Recoilless Rifle Zug (Süd only) Four 8cm mortars with 5 crew each. One Big Man Level II or III Horse drawn cart transport. Four 10.2cm M42 recoilless rifle with 5 crew each. Horse drawn transport.
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THE PANZERKOMPANIE The German Panzerkompanie was the iron fist of the Panzer Division, the mobile reserves which were relied upon to defeat any enemy attacks and restore the front line that was held so doggedly by the Infantry Divisions. Fast moving, well equipped and motivated, the Panzer Division was a miniature army in its own right, a well balanced all‐arms force that will save the day time and again.
Kompanie Headquarters Schwerer Panzerzug One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level III Two Panzer IV or Panther tanks Four Tiger I or Tiger II
Zug One Panzerjägerzug One Big Man Level II The Panzer‐Jäger Platoon evolved between Five Panzer IV or Panther tanks 1943 and 1945 as new equipment became available. Due to production problems these Zug Two can only be a guide, and in many cases the One Big Man Level II StuG III was used to fill gaps. Five Panzer IV or Panther tanks 1943 Zug Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four Marder II or III Five Panzer IV or Panther tanks 1944 Radio Net One Big Man Level II Four Jagdpanzer IV All units in the Panzer Division are on the radio net. 1944‐45 One Big Man Level II DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS Four Jagdpanzer IV, Jagdpanther or Jagdtiger. The following units are available within the Panzer Division. Artillery Support A Panzer Division would have two Light Anti‐Tank Zug Battalions of artillery, each with three One Big Man Level II batteries of four 10.5cm howitzers or two Three Pak 40 75mm anti‐tank guns, 5 crew batteries of six guns. A Medium Battalion was each also present with three batteries of four 15cm SdKfz 251/6 TOWS guns, as was a self‐propelled battalion of 105mm guns with three four gun Zugs Flakgeschützstaffel Four 8.8cm Flak 36 or 37 with eight crew During a game all of these would be each represented by one Forward Observation Four Sd.Kfz 8 halftracks Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Leichter Flakzug Four 2cm Flakvierling 38, five crew each or
three SdKfz 7.1
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PANZERGRENADIERKOMPANIE (GEP) The Armoured Panzergrenadierkompanie provides the Panzer Divisions with the fast moving infantry support that their panzers need to consolidate and hold the ground they have won.
Kompanie Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level III or IV All Panzer Grenadier units are on a radio net. Two SdKfz 251/3 Three Panzershcreck teams, 2 men each One SdKfz 251/17 added in 1944 BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS Some variations in the official organisation Zug One tables occurred over the period 1943 to 1945, specifically the Light Infantry Gun Zug One Big Man Level II or III disappearing in 1944 and being replaced by One SdKfz 251/1 or 251/10 the 12cm mortar Zug. Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each
Three SdKfz 251/1 Anti‐Tank Zug Zug Two One Big Man Level II or III Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 75mm AT One Big Man Level II or III guns with 5 crew each One SdKfz 251/1 or 251/10 A wide range of tows were used. Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each
Three SdKfz 251/1 Light Infantry Gun Zug ‐ 1943 Zug Three One Big Man Level II Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with five crew One Big Man Level II or III each. One SdKfz 251/1 or 251/10 Towed by the Sd Kfz 10 Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each
Three SdKfz 251/1 Heavy Mortar Zug – 1944 to 1945 Schwerer Zug One Big Man Level II or on‐table FOO Four 12cm mortars with 5 crew each One Big Man Level II
One SdKfz 251/10 DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS Mortar Gruppe A Panzer grenadier Company may be Two SdKfz 251/2 supported by any of the options listed for the
MG Gruppe Panzer Company. Two MG 42 or 34 MMG teams, 5 crew each One SdKfz 251 or 251/17 in 1944
Cannon Gruppe Two SdKfz 251/9
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PANZERGRENADIERKOMPANIE The majority of the Panzergrenadiers were actually truck mounted, able to follow the panzers rapidly but dismounting in order to fight. Here we offer two options, one for 1943 and into 1944, the other for 1944 to 45. Battalion support for both of these options is the same as for the armoured Panzergrenadierkompanie above.
1943 to 1944 Kompanie 1944 to 1945 Kompanie
Kompanie Headquarters Kompanie Headquarters One Big Man Level III or IV One Big Man Level III or IV One Kübelwagen One Kübelwagen Three Panzershcreck teams, 2 men each Three Panzershcreck teams, 2 men each One 2 ton truck One 3 ton truck
Zug One Sturm Zug One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II One Kübelwagen One Kübelwagen Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each Three assault rifle Gruppe of 8 men Three 2 ton trucks Two 3 ton trucks
Zug Two Zug Two One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II One Kübelwagen One Kübelwagen Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men each with 2 LMGs Three 2 ton trucks Two 3 ton trucks
Zug Three Zug Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II One Kübelwagen One Kübelwagen Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, two LMGs each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men each with two Three 2 ton trucks LMGs Two 3 ton trucks Schwerer Zug One Big Man Level II Schwerer Zug One Kübelwagen One Big Man Level II One Kübelwagen Mortar Gruppe Two 8cm mortar teams, 5 crew each Mortar Gruppe Two 2 ton trucks Two 8cm mortar teams, 5 crew each Two 2 ton trucks MG Gruppe Two MG 42 or 34 MMG teams, 5 crew each MG Gruppe Two 2 ton trucks Two MG 42 or 34 MMG teams, 5 crew each Two 2 ton trucks
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THE AUFKLARUNGSKOMPANI E A Panzer Aufklärungsabteilung was the spear point of the armoured advance with a doctrine based on reconnaissance by combat; fighting their way through to find weak points in the enemy defence. It was formed as a complete battalion, fielding two Panzerspähkompanie (Armoured Car Companies), two Aufklärungskompanie (Light Armoured Rifle Companies) and a full array of support units. Numerous variations of the Aufklärungs Kompanie were employed due to equipment shortages, some being entirely mounted in Kübelwagen and even Kettenrad, but the one presented here is the preferred option.
Kompanie Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level IV All Panzer Grenadier units are on a radio net. Two SdKfz 250/3 Three Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS
Zug One Anti‐Tank Zug One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II or III One SdKfz 250/10 Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 75mm AT One SdKfz 250/1 guns with 5 crew each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men with two LMGs SdKfz 251/6 tows. Six SdKfz 250/1 Light Infantry Gun Zug Zug Two One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with five crew One SdKfz 250/10 each. One SdKfz 250/1 Sd Kfz 251/6 tows Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men with two LMGs Six SdKfz 250/1 Kannon Zug
Four SdKfz 251/9 or 250/8 Zug Three One Big Man Level II Pioneer Zug One SdKfz 250/10 One Big Man Level II One SdKfz 250/1 Two Pioneer Gruppe of 8 men Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men with two LMGs Six Sdkfz 251/7 Six SdKfz 250/1 One SdKfz 251/17 added in 1944
N.B. Whilst this unit was equipped with Schwerer Zug sufficient small arms to defend itself it was One Big Man Level II not a combat unit, rather being there to One SdKfz 250/1 clear a path of obstacles. Mortar Gruppe Two SdKfz 250/1 DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS Two SdKfz 250/7 In the Aufklärungsabteilung any company may be supported by any of the options MG Gruppe listed for the Panzer Company. One Big Man Level I
Two MG 42 or 34 MMG teams, 5 crew each
Five SdKfz 250/1
Vpered Na Berlin Page 17 ©TooFatLardies 2013 THE PANZERSPAHKOMPANIE Like the Aufklärungskompanie, the Panzerpähkompanie of the Aufklärungsabteilung could be configured in many different ways. Some fielded wheeled armoured cars, some light tanks now obsolete for use as a battle tank but still fast enough for reconnaissance duties, whilst others used exclusively light half‐tracks. Here we present three options, all of which were used throughout the period 1943 to 1945. All are on a radio net and all may call on the same Battalion and Divisional support as the Aufklärungs Kompanie.
THE ARMOURED CAR OPTION
Kompanie Headquarters Leichter Zug Two One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II One Kübelwagen Four SdKfz 222 Two SdKfz 232 Schwerer Zug One One Big Man Level II Leichter Zug Three Three SdKfz 231 One Big Man Level II Three SdKfz 232 Four SdKfz 222 In 1944 these may be upgraded to the SdKfz Two SdKfz 232 234/2 Puma although limited production numbers meant that often only the 232
would be replaced.
THE LIGHT TANK OPTION
Kompanie Headquarters Zug Three One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II or Panzer IIL One Panzer IIL/F/J or older Panzer IIF Seven Panzer IIL/F/J (reduced to six in 1944)
Zug One Zug Four One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Seven Panzer IIL/F/J (reduced to six in 1944) Seven Panzer IIL/F/J (reduced to six in 1944)
Zug Two N.B. The L “Luchs” was standard by this One Big Man Level II stage, however replacements due to combat Seven Panzer IIL/F/J (reduced to six in 1944) losses tended to be the older F or J models.
THE HALF‐TRACK OPTION
Kompanie Headquarters Zug Two One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II One SdKfz 250/5 Two SdKfz 250/5 Four SdKfz 250/9 Zug One One Big Man Level II Zug Three Two SdKfz 250/5 One Big Man Level II Four SdKfz 250/9 Two SdKfz 250/5 Four SdKfz 250/9
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German AFVs can be confusing, with a huge ARMOURED CARS variety of marks and letters used to describe The Sonderkraftfahrzeug, or Special Purpose all sorts of vehicles. So, here’s a quick guide. Vehicle, designation was applied to all German vehicles, but normally only transport and WHICH TANK? armoured cars were actually referred to by this A late war Panzer Division would field two designation. The following list gives a brief Panzer Battalions, one of Panzer IV tanks, guide to the AFVs more normally found the other of Panthers. operating in IABSM.
At the start of 1943, the Panzer IVG was the Light Armoured Cars most prevalent mark with the H mark SdKfz 221 LMG armed arriving at the front in May of 1943. The SdKfz 222 2cm L55 autocannon much simplified Panzer IVJ went into SdKfz 223 Radio car production in June of 1944 and was the SdKfz 247 Radio car final model. SdKfz 260 Radio car The Panther D began production in January SdKfz 261 Radio car
1943, with the mark A replacing it from Heavy Armoured Cars August 1943 to May 1944. The Panther G By this stage in the war all heavy armoured cars was the final production model which was had eight wheels as opposed to some early war built between March 1944 and the end of 6 wheeled vehicles with the same designation. the war. SdKfz 231 2cm L55 autocannon In addition to these some Mark III tanks SdKfz 232 2cm L55 autocannon struggled on although production ceased in SdKfz 233 Short L24 7.5cm gun 1943. On the Eastern Front the Mark IIIL SdKfz 234/1 2cm L55 autocannon and M with the 50mm gun had added SdKfz 234/2 “Puma” 5cm L60 gun armour applied, however the Mark IIIN with SdKfz 234/3 Short L24 7.5cm gun a shortened version of the 75mm gun used SdKfz 234/4 ‘Pakwagen’ 7.5cm Pak40 in the Panzer IV was increasingly more SdKfz 263 Radio car prevalent, with earlier marks being upgraded. By 1944 the Panzer III was Halftracks largely removed from front‐line duties, SdKfz 250/1 Standard light half‐track many being returned to the factories for SdKfz 250/3 or 5 Radio command track conversion to the StuG III. SdKfz 250/7 8cm mortar carrier SdKfz 250/8 Short L24 7.5cm gun PANZERJÄGER SdKfz 250/9 2cm cannon in turret mount In 1943 the standard tank hunter was the SdKfz 250/10 3.7cm Pak 35/36 SdKfz 250/11 2.8cm sPzB 41 AT rifle Marder II or III, but this was soon to be replaced with the Jagdpanzer IV entering SdKfz 251/1 Standard medium half‐track service in December 1943, the Jagdpanther SdKfz 251/2 8cm mortar carrier in April of 1944 and the Hetzer in May of SdKfz 251/3 Radio command track 1944 and finally the Jagdtiger in September SdKfz 251/6 Tow for medium guns 1944. The Hetzers tended to be restricted to SdKfz 251/7 Pioneer track the Infantry Divisions, with the Jagdpanzer SdKfz 251/9 Short L24 7.5cm gun IV, Jagdpanther and tiny numbers of the SdKfz 251/10 37mm Pak 35/36 Jagdtiger in the Panzer Divisions. The SdKfz 251/16 Twin flamethrowers Nashorn was rarer, but could be found on all SdKfz 251/17 20mm AA cannon fronts in Heavy Panzerjäger units. SdKfz 251/22 7.5cm Pak 40
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LUFTWAFFE JAGER
Manpower shortages within the Reich led to the Luftwaffe being called upon to divert any surplus personnel into infantry formations as early as 1942. Twenty‐one Divisions were formed in total with the majority serving on the Eastern Front. Short of manpower and equipment, and lacking training, these units struggled against better equipped opponents. In November 1943 they were incorporated into the Wehrmacht and reorganising into Jäger Divisions.
Kompanie Headquarters DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS One Big Man Level III One Panzerschreck team, 2 men Anti‐Tank Zug One Big Man Level II or III Zug One Three Pak 38 5cm or Pak 40 7.5cm AT guns One Big Man Level I or II with 5 crew each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Opel Blitz 3 ton truck tows
Zug Two Fusiliers Bicycle Platoon One Big Man Level I or II One Big Man Level II or III Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Two SMG Gruppe of 8 men One rifle Gruppe of 8 men with a high Zug Three proportion of SMGs One Big Man Level I or II All bicycle mounted. Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Flakgeschützstaffel Radio Net Four 8.8cm Flak 36 or 37 with eight crew Only the Company Headquarters will be on each the radio net. All Regimental or Divisional Four Sd.Kfz 8 halftracks Support units will be on the radio net.
Assault Gun Battery BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS One Big Man Level II Two to Five StuG III Machine Gun Zug One Big Man Level II Artillery Support Four MG42 MMGs with 5 crew each. Artillery support was at best patchy and there was no standard equipment. Guns Mortar Zug were almost always in batteries of four guns One Big Man Level I or on‐table Forward and could include the following types. Observer Three 8cm mortars with 5 crew each 7.5cm Geb K15 mountain Gun 7.62cm FK288(r) Leichter Flakzug 12.2cm FK396(r) Four 2cm Flakvierling 38, five crew each or 10cm Nebelwerfer 40 three SdKfz 7.1
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FALLSCHIRMJAGERKOMPANI E
Now serving as leg infantry, the Fallschirmjäger are an elite force, both well‐equipped and highly motivated. Reorganisation in 1943 saw their unit structures abandon the organisation based on the carrying capacity of a JU52 and focus more on ground operations.
Kompanie Headquarters Mortar Zug One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II or on‐table Big Man Level II or III Forward Observer. Three 8cm GrW42 parachute mortars with 5 Four 8cm mortars with 5 crew each crew each Three Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS
Zug One Anti‐Tank Zug One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II or III Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, each with two Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 75mm LMGs and a high proportion of SMGs AT guns with 5 crew each 3 ton Opel Blitz truck tow. Zug Two One Big Man Level III Anti‐Tank Gruppe Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, each with two The Anti‐Tank Kompanie within the Regiment LMGs and a high proportion of SMGs was made up of fifty‐four Panzershcrecks divided into three platoons, with each Zug Three Gruppe having six weapons. We recommend a smaller organisation as follows: One Big Man Level III Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men, each with two One Big Man Level II LMGs and a high proportion of SMGs Three Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each
Radio Net Heavy Mortar Zug Only the Company Headquarters will be on On‐table Forward Observer. the radio net. All Regimental or Divisional Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Support units will be on the radio net. DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS Assault Gun Zug Machine Gun Zug One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level III Four StuG III Four MG34 or 42 MMGs with 5 crew each. Flakgeschützstaffel Light Infantry Gun Zug Four 8.8cm Flak 36 or 37 with eight crew One Big Man Level II each Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns or Four Sd.Kfz 8 halftracks Leichtgeschutze 40 recoiless rifle with five Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with crew each. five crew each. Towed by the Sd Kfz 10
Vpered Na Berlin Page 21 ©TooFatLardies 2013 Leichter Flakzug Six 2cm Flakvierling 38, five crew each or three SdKfz 7.1
Artillery Support A Fallschirmjäger Division would have two Light Battalions of artillery, each with three batteries of four 10.5cm howitzers. A Heavy Battalion was also present with three batteries of four 15cm guns, as was a 12cm mortar Battalion with three 12 gun batteries split into four gun Zugs.
During a game all of these would be represented by one Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by
radio or telephone.
VOLKSTURM KOMPANI E The organisation of the Volksturm was slightly chaotic in that it was based on the cellular geographical structure of the N.S.D.A.P., with a Gruppe from every Block, a Zug from each Zelle, a Kompanie from each Ortsgruppe and a Battalion from each Kreis. Due to varying population densities, the number of Zug in each Kompanie could vary, as could the number of Kompanie in each battalion. The basic theoretical structure is as follows.
Kompanie Headquarters Schwerer Zug One Big Man Level II (Kompanieführer) One Big Man Level I (Zugführer) Five Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each Two MG34 MMG teams, five men each Two 8cm mortar teams, five men each Zug One N.B. This was an extremely optimistic inclusion One Big Man Level I (Zugführer) in the battalion structure and was rarely Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men each present.
Zug Two OTHER SUPPORT One Big Man Level I (Zugführer) The largest Volksturm unit was the battalion: Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men each no higher structure existed. However, in the maelstrom of late 1944 and 1945 Volksturm Zug Three units can be found serving along‐side any other units. They should also be amply supplied with One Big Man Level I (Zugführer) Panzerfausts, three per Gruppe being normal. Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men each
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GEBIRGSJAGERKOMPANI E Germany’s mountain troops gained a formidable reputation in the Great War and built upon this between 1939 and 1945. An elite, lightly equipped formation, they made a major contribution wherever they fought.
Kompanie Headquarters REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS One Big Man Level IV Big Man Level II or III Anti‐Tank Zug Two Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each One Big Man Level II or III Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 75mm AT Zug One guns with 5 crew each One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Anti‐Tank Gruppe The Anti‐Tank Kompanie within the Regiment Zug Two was made up of fifty‐four Panzershcrecks One Big Man Level II divided into three platoons, with each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Gruppe having six weapons. We recommend a smaller organisation as follows:
Zug Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three Panzerschreck teams, 2 men each Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Bicycle Reconnaissance Zug Schwerer Zug One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men Mortar Gruppe Bicycle mounted Three 8cm GrW42 parachute mortars with 5 crew each Heavy Mortar Zug On‐table Forward Observer. MG Gruppe Four 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Four MG 42 or 34 MMG teams, 5 crew each
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT UNITS Radio Net
Only the Company Headquarters will be on the radio net. All Regimental or Divisional Anti‐Tank Zug Support units will be on the radio net. One Big Man Level II or III Three Pak 38 50mm or Pak 40 75mm AT BATTALION SUPPORT PLATOONS guns with 5 crew each
Mortar Zug Machine Gun Zug One Big Man Level II or on‐table Forward One Big Man Level III Observer. Four MG34 or 42 MMGs with 5 crew each. Six 8cm mortars with 5 crew each
Heavy Mortar Zug On‐table Forward Observer. Four 12cm mortars with 5 crew each
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Light Infantry Gun Zug One Big Man Level II Two le.IG 75mm infantry guns with five crew each.
Panzerjägerzug
There was a significant variation in equipment here depending on the Division and where they were serving. Typically a
StuG III Company was provided with Zug of three or four vehicles, however other vehicles, such as the Semovente 75/18 of the StuH 42 were acquired when no alternative was available.
One Big Man Level II
Four StuG III or Semovente 75/18
Leichter Flakzug Six 2cm Flakvierling 38, five crew each
Artillery Support A Gebirgsjäger Division would have two Light Battalions of artillery, each with three batteries of four 7.5cm Geb 36 howitzers. A Heavy Battalion was also present with three batteries of four 10.5cm Geb.H 36 howitzers. Nebelwerfer batteries could also be attached.
During a game all of these would be represented by one Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or telephone.
Transport A Gebirgsjäger Division would typically rely on pack mules and horses where possible for most of their equipment, even the 10.5cm heavy howitzer could be transported by five mules or on specially designed trailers towed by Kettenrad.
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Hand in hand with the German military The brutality of the Einsatzgruppen which occupation of nearly all of central and Eastern followed the German Army forces into the Europe came the brutal and oppressive racial occupied areas did much to reinforce that policies of the National Socialist regime. In fear. It was only in 1942 that the first many countries, such as the Baltic States and resistance groups began to emerge. Buoyed the Ukraine, the Germans were welcomed as by Soviet success at Stalingrad, these liberators from Soviet oppression, and had emerged in 1943 as a serious threat to the the authorities applied the more pragmatic occupying forces, a threat to which they policies of the Kaiser’s occupying forces in responded with extreme aggression and 1918 they could have gained much economic violence. and military support for a co‐operative battle against Bolshevism. Needless to say they German anti‐partisan measures were divided missed that opportunity. into two area, the Passive, or defensive, and the Offensive. Defensive actions focussed on Germany’s racial policies need no the control of the main transport arteries, introduction here, indeed some would road, rail and waterways along with question the desire to game the vicious and administration centres and valuable hate filled conflict between Partisans and agricultural and industrial areas. Here German security forces in the East. We can Sicherungstruppen, security troops, were fully understand their objections. That said, initially provided by Sicherungs‐Divisionen to simply sweep the subject under the carpet comprised of one infantry regiment and one as it is politically unwholesome is to ignore Landesschutzen regiment of older or infirm and ultimately forget the efforts of the brave men unfit for front line service. individuals who fought on against an oppressive invader when so many of their The luxury of keeping the infantry regiment compatriots saw no hope of salvation. It is for such duties was short‐lived, and rapidly it our considered belief that such heroism became clear that alternative sources of should be remembered. manpower needed to be found. This was largely provided by recruitment amongst the Such was the margin of victory achieved by indigenous population and the formation of the Germans in the summer of 1941 that the the Schutzmannschaft, Protection conquered people of the East were Detachments, to assist the German personnel. undoubtedly cowed into submission. Initially the Schutzmannschaft, or Schuma as they were known, were organised into independent battalions organised with four
Vpered Na Berlin Page 25 ©TooFatLardies 2013 infantry companies, each comprising three In the former Yugoslavian territories the infantry platoons and one machine gun emphasis was somewhat different, with a platoon. In some areas where good number of puppet regimes established in relationships were established with the local Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia all of which German sponsored government, such as provided their own sovereign military forces Estonia, these were expanded to full and security militia, the latter often being Regimental strength. These Schuma were hyper‐nationalist in complexion, which used for much of the basic security duties undertook much of the Passive security within their own areas, thereby freeing up duties. German forces.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 26 ©TooFatLardies 2013 The Offensive operational measures such as Mountain Troops, Fallschirmjäger or undertaken against the partisans were the Cavalry as the circumstances dictated. combined, and divided, responsibility of the Additionally several formations were Army, the Police and the SS. These focussed transferred to anti‐partisan duties when it on using the local population for intelligence: was considered safer to remove them from identifying known partisan bodies and their own home environment. Several units of engaging them aggressively. Osttruppen and Cossacks fell into this category. A typical operation is displayed above. The Germans would mass their forces at a discrete If a significant target, such as a partisan assembly point some distance from the headquarters, was identified then the attack objective. A number of lightly equipped could well involve significantly heavier forces, columns would then advance by different with assault guns and tanks being used in the routes, timing their marches to arrive in their assault. appointed positions at the same time, rapidly forming a cordon around the partisans’ In areas where it was known that the position. This cordon would then be partisans regularly sought supplies, such as reinforced and in itself this would often be farmlands, the Germans would use aggressive sufficient to prompt a response from the patrols, often of mixed German and local partisans who would attempt to break‐out personnel dressed in civilian clothes or from the encirclement. captured partisan uniforms with a view to intercept an unsuspecting enemy. If no response was forthcoming, the Germans would hold the majority of the line, whilst at Forces for Anti‐Partisan Warfare one point, where the terrain best favoured a Games involving attacks by partisans on static coherent advance, they would put pressure defences along road, rail or canal lines should on the perimeter, reducing it, as shown in be met by largely Schuma forces with the Phase Two above. Ultimately this was possibility of a small nucleus of German Field designed to result in dividing the partisan Police. However the latter are most likely to force up into several smaller pockets which, in represent the Big Men present rather than Phase Three, could then be isolated while discrete units. Schuma units tended to they were assaulted and destroyed one at a operate in company sized units as smaller time. garrisons would be easily over‐run.
The forces used for such an action could range A German offensive operation against a from the Army, Navy, Luftwaffe or SS. They partisan position would use a large number of could be regular infantry or specialist forces local Schuma or collaborationist forces for the task of forming the cordon around the partisans’ known location. Any spearhead attacking into the position is more likely to involved German front line forces selected from their lists. This is especially the case when an attack is being made on a major position, such as the Fallschirmjäger attack as part of Operation Rösselsprung in May 1944.
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THE SCHUMA KOMPANIE The Schuma Company provided the bulk of the Sicherungs forces defending the main communications routes through the East. It also serves as a model for the national forces remaining in puppet regimes in Yugoslavia. It is short on heavy firepower but has the mobility needs to allow it to function in harsh terrain, be that the mountains of Yugoslavia or the marshes of Byelorussia.
Kompanie Headquarters Mortar Zug One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level I Four 8cm mortars with 5 crew each. Zug One One Big Man Level I Anti‐Tank Zug Three rifle Gruppe of 10 men One Big Man Level II Three Pak 36 37mm AT guns with 5 Zug Two crew each One Big Man Level I Horse drawn. Three rifle Gruppe of 10 men Armoured Car Zug Zug Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level I Three SdKfz 221 armoured cars or Three rifle Gruppe of 10 men similar captured vehicles.
Machine Gun Zug Supplementary Tank Platoon One Big Man Level III For a Schuma Kompanie taking part Two MG34 MMGs with 5 crew each. in a major attack in collaboration with German forces a tank platoon Radio Net comprising captured armour may be No Schuma troops are on the radio net. Major deployed. fixed positions of company size will have a telephone line to the local German command. One Big Man Level II Three captured tanks of obsolete French or Soviet design. Both the Somua and the Char B were used for SUPPORT PLATOONS anti‐partisan duties. Soviet light These are more likely to be in the form of tanks, such as the T60 and T70 were local German troops as opposed to other available in plentiful supplies, Schuma units. heavier models such as the T34 being impressed into front line units when German Infantry Zug captured. Obsolete models such as the T26 or BT5 were also used. One Big Man Level II
Three rifle Gruppe of 8 men
Cossack Czota One Big Man Level II Three Roy of 10 mounted men
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THE COSSACK SOTNIA With the German withdrawal from the Cossack homelands it was decided that these forces would be best deployed outside the Soviet Union. As a result, they were deployed largely to Yugoslavia, where they were employed in Partisan hunting. A lean organisation to start with they now relied entirely on German units to provide heavy support.
Sotnia Headquarters Czota Three One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II One or two MG35 MMGs with 5 Three Cossack Roys of 10 men crew each. Radio Net Czota One No Cossack troops are on the radio net. One Big Man Level II Three Cossack Roys of 10 men SUPPORT PLATOONS Czota Two These are drawn from local German formations depending on the operational demand. One Big Man Level II
Three Cossack Roys of 10 men
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Rating your German forces is done by using for the additional Big Man, although one may the cards in the Game Deck, but also by the be added to any of these if the main unit number of Big Men present and the unit transfers one of its own additional Big Men ratings. to that unit.
ADDING BIG MEN For example, a German Panzer Grenadier Zug The force guidelines above will show you the attached to an Panzer Kompanie will not dice basic number and level of Big Men you for any additional Big Men, however if the should have with any force. What you now Panzer Kompanie has successfully diced for need to do is see if any additional Big Men an extra Big Man he may be attached to the are present to add dynamism to the force. Panzer Grenadier Zug instead of to the For any German Company Headquarters roll Panzers. 1D6 on a 5 or 6 an additional Level II Big Man is present. RATING YOUR FORCE The speed with which a unit loses For any Platoon or troops in the main force effectiveness as losses mount can be an additional Level I Big Man is present on a controlled to show anything from gritty roll of 6. For an elite unit a Level I Big Man is determination in the last ditch to abject present on a roll of 5, a Level II Big Man on a cowardice. In between it can be interesting roll of 6. Schuma will never roll for additional to experiment with forces that appear to be Big Men but Cossacks will. tough and ready for action but whose confidence can collapse after a short time. For an elite force the maximum number of additional Big Men is four, for an average The ratings below are recommended in force three is the maximum and for a poor normal circumstances however you can force only one Big Man may be added. tweak this to reflect particular situations. The system is as flexible as you need it to be. Attached support weapon platoons don’t dice
INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Regular Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Veteran Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Poor Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elite Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Panzer Grenadier 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elite Panzergrenadier 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fallschirmjager 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cavalry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Osttruppen/Schuma 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cossacks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Vpered Na Berlin Page 30 ©TooFatLardies 2013 AFV MORALE Mortar Bonus card: Always present for any German tanks and AFVs will vary depending force fielding the 8cm mortar. on the phase of the war. Starting off at 4, it should fall to 3 one Bagration begins, and Poor Fire Discipline: This card may be even 2 after the Soviets cross the Oder, due included for Schuma or Luftwaffe Jäger. to the lack of training makeshift crews were then receiving. That said, some elite Rally card: This should always be present for formations will still have a sprinkling of high any units of regular quality or above. Some quality crews with the odd Ace present. elite units may have two Rally cards.
Vehicle Breakdown card: This should be STACKING THE DECK present for AFVs with mechanical problems, When creating the Game Deck for a game such as early Jagdpanthers or King Tigers. involving German forces, one card should be present for each Zug present, as well as any Tank Killers card: This should be present for Company Headquarters and attached Zug, most German forces during this period. and on or off‐table support units. One Axis Blinds card will always be present, as should Ammunition Shortage card: This can be one card for each of the German Big Men. present should the scenario demand.
Anti‐tank weapons, towed or self‐propelled, Dynamic Leader card: Used sparingly with should have one card in the deck for each regular formations but more often for forces weapon. Other cards that may be present such as the Panzer Grenadier or Aufklarungs are as follows: forces.
Armoured Bonus card: This should be Heroic Leader card: Always present with present for any Panzer Kompanie, armoured elite. Less often with regular units. Panzer Grenadier Kompanie, Aufklarungs Kompanies or other armored force of at least two Zug in strength.
Rapid Deployment card: This should be present for any Aufklarungs unit.
Recce Bonus card: This should be included for any reconnaissance force or a force including a recce element. In the latter case the bonus may only be used by the recce unit and not by any force it is attached to.
Hesitant Troops card: This card may be used for poor troops who either lack training, who have been in the line for too long or who simply don’t want to be there. Luftwaffe Jäger and Schuma are good examples.
Anti‐tank Bonus card: Always present when two or more AT guns or Panzerjägers are present.
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ARMOURED VEHICLES AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes Value Strike
TANKS
Panzer II Luchs 3 4 20mm Fast Panzer III J 4 7 50mm Average Panzer III L/M 5 7 50mm Average Panzer III N 5 6 75mm Average
Panzer III Flamm 6 Flame ‐ Average Panzer IV G 5 8 75mm Average Panzer IV H/J (late G) 5 9 75mm Average Panzer V Panther D/A/G 11 12 75mm Fast
Panzer VI Tiger I 11 12 88mm Slow Slow Turret, Heavy
Armour
Panzer VI Tiger II 14 16 88mm Slow Slow Turret, Heavy Armour PANZERJÄGER Marder II 3 9 76.2/75mm Average Open body
Marder III H/M 4 9 76.2/75mm Average Open body
Panzerjäger 38t ‘Hetzer’ 7 9 75mm Average Low Profile Jagdpanzer IV L43/L48 7 9 75mm Average Low Profile Jagdpanzer IV L70A 8 12 75mm Average Low Profile
Jagdpanzer IV L70V 9 12 75mm Average Low Profile
Hornisse/Nashorn 3 16 88mm Average Open body Elefant 14 16 88mm Slow Breakdown Card Jagdpanther 11 16 88mm Fast Breakdown card in Normandy
Jagdtiger 16 20 128mm Slow Heavy Gun, Heavy
Armour,
Breakdown Card
FLAKPANZER Flakpanzer 38t 2 4 20mm AA Average Open body Panzer IV Mobelwagen 4 5 37mm AA Average Open body Panzer IV Ostwind 4 5 37mm AA Average Open body
Panzer IV Wirbelwind 4 4 Quad 20mm Average Open body
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AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes
Value Strike
Assault Guns Wespe 3 5 105mm Average Open body Grille H 4 6 150mm Average Open body, Heavy Gun Grille M 2 6 150mm Average Open body, Heavy Gun
Hummel 3 6 150mm Average Open body, Heavy Gun StuG III F 5 8 75mm Average Low profile StuG III F8 6 9 75mm Average Low profile StuG III G 7 9 75mm Average Low profile
StuH 42 7 8 105mm Average Low profile
StuG IV 7 9 75mm Average Low profile Sturmpanzer Brumbar 8 6 150mm Average SturmTigerGEA 14 Anti‐position 380mm Slow Absurdly Heavy Gun, mortar Heavy Armour
ARMOURED CARS
SdKfz 221 2 MG ‐ Wheeled Open turret SdKfz 222/223 2 4 or MG 20mm/ Wheeled Open turret MG SdKfz 231/232 8 rad 3 4 20mm Wheeled Open turret
SdKfz 233 3 6 75mm Wheeled Open turret
SdKfz 234/1 4 3 20mm Wheeled SdKfz 234/2 Puma 4 7 50mm Wheeled SdKfz 234/3 4 6 75mm Wheeled Open body
SdKfz 234/4 4 9 75mm Wheeled Open body
SdKfz 247 2 None ‐ Wheeled Open turret SdKfz 260/61 2 None ‐ Wheeled Open turret TRANSPORT SdKfz 250 all variants 2 Various Fast Open body
SdKfz 251 all variants 2 Various Fast Open body CAPTURED FRENCH AFVS Pz 39H 735 f 4 3 37mm Average Pz 35R 731 f 4 3 37mm Slow
Pz FCM 737 f 4 3 37mm Slow Pz 35S 739 f 4 5 47mm Average Pz B1 740 f 6 Hull 3, 37mm Slow Turret 5 47mm Pz 17R 730 f 2 3 or MG 37mm/ Slow MG PzSph 204 f 2 6 50mm Wheeled
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ARMOURED VEHICLE CONTINUED
AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes
Value Strike
CAPTURED SOVIET VEHICLES PzSph BA‐64 (r) 2 MG ‐ Wheeled Tiny, open turret Pz T‐26 740 (r) 3 5 45mm Slow
Pz BT 742 (r) 2 5 45mm Fast
Pz T70 743 (r) 5 5 45mm Average Tiny turret Pz T28 746 (r) 3 5 76mm Average
Pz T34/76 747 (r) 6 7 76mm Fast
Pz T34/85 747 (r) 7 10 85mm Fast
Jagdpanzer SU‐85 (r) 5 10 85mm Fast Jagdpanzer SU‐100 (r) 7 12 100mm Fast StuG SU‐122 (r) 5 5 122mm Fast Sturmpanzer SU‐152 (r) 6 7 152mm Average Heavy Gun
ANTI-TANK WEAPONS
Weapon Weapon Strike
2.5cm Pak 113 f 4 4.7cm Pak 181/183 f 7 3.7cm Pak 36 5 (7 with stielgrenate)
5cm Pak 38 7
7.5cm Pak 40 9
8.8cm Pak 43 16
8.8cm Flak 18 L56 16 7.5 Leichtgeschütze 40 recoilless rifle 4
Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24” Panzerfaust 30/Faustpatrone 11 11 ‐ ‐ ‐
Panzerfast 60 11 11 11 ‐ ‐
Panzerfaust 100 11 11 11 11 ‐ Panzerschreck 13 13 13 13 ‐ Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
MMG 2 2 2 1 1
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SECTION ARMAMENT Minimum Range: The 5cm mortar has no Throughout the German unit options we minimum range. If the enemy are that close have assumed that the rifle Gruppe is armed then it is assumed that the crew can do an with the standard Mauser K98 bolt action equal amount of damage with their rifles. rifle and one MG 34 or 42 light machine gun, with one or two SMGs for NCOs. The Maximum Range: The 5cm mortar has a introduction of the K43 semi‐automatic rifle maximum range of 84”. was in such small numbers that we ignore its Aiming: In order to fire the 5cm mortar presence. Where Gruppe armament differs needs to be within 6” of a point from where a it is noted and we use Section 4.4 of the rules direct line of sight can be traced to the target to see what effect this has. In some or target area. This represents the ability of situations a Gruppe will be subject to two of the mortar to fire from cover while one of its the variants; for example a Fallschirmjager team moves forward to observe the fall of Gruppe with two LMGs and a high proportion shot. of SMGs will roll 1D6 more than the number of Actions for the two LMGs but also roll a The 5cm mortar was notoriously inaccurate, further 1D6 when firing at short range to despite having an overly‐complex ranging reflect the high proportion of SMGs. mechanism. To reflect this it will only hit a target on a roll of a 6, or 5 or 6 if the target is GERMAN MORTARS in direct line of sight and in the open. Any Germany fielded three standard mortar types hits will cause one point of Shock on the during the Second World War: the 5cm GrW target unit. The 5cm mortar may never use 36, the medium 8cm GrW 34 and the heavy rapid fire. 12cm GrW 42. All had differing characteristics and we use the following The 8cm GrW 34 Medium Mortar supplementary rules to represent this. The GrW 34 was an extremely flexible weapon which provided fire support at the The 5cm Light GrW 36 Mortar lowest possible level. By 1943 the light 5cm mortar was considerably out of favour among the troops Minimum Range: The 8cm mortar has a and had largely been dropped from use by all minimum range of 8”. If mortars are front line units: as such you will not find it deployed on‐table with the enemy at close listed above. It was, however, still used in by quarters they may form impromptu rifle some units such as Schuma and Osttruppen. sections with their crews divided up as the player wishes. They fire as a rifle section Ammunition: The 5cm mortar only fires HE, with no LMG. it has no smoke round. Roll a D6‐1 at the start of the game for each 5cm mortar Maximum Range: The 8cm mortar has a position. The resulting number is its EDNA maximum range of 384”, over thirty feet, so rating at the start of the game. Each time the it may hit anything on the table. mortar team fires any roll of 6 will reduce this rating. When a mortar falls to a rating of Firing: The 8cm mortar fires once in a turn as zero they are out of ammunition. covered in section 9 of the rules, either at pre‐registered points or opportunity fire. If the mortar platoon is on‐table then the Indirect Fire Support table is ignored and the mortars will begin firing on their next card
Vpered Na Berlin Page 35 ©TooFatLardies 2013 after the FOO has called in the fire. The 8cm single anti‐tank gun card. From that point on mortar may fire H.E. or Smoke rounds. all the guns or AFVs will be activated singly as the cards are dealt. A shortened version of this weapon, the Kz 8cm GrW 42 was issued to Fallschirmjäger Additionally, whilst in their initial position any and Gebirgsjäger troops which had a Panzerjäger may have a fourth Action which maximum range of only 180” but is otherwise can only be used to allow them to retire 1D6 identical in performance within the rules. in a “Shoot and Scoot” manoeuvre. If they move from that position they revert to three The 12cm GrW 42 Heavy Mortar Actions. The Germans were so impressed with the Soviet 120mm mortar that they rapidly developed their own model, providing a cost PANZERKNACKERS effective firepower alternative to artillery. The Germans spent the middle years of the war without any effective infantry anti‐tank Due its minimum range of 76” it will always defence, abandoning their anti‐tank rifle and be deployed off‐table. The 12cm mortar may relying on hand‐held weapons which needed fire H.E. or Smoke rounds. to be placed on enemy tanks. This extremely risky process was, nevertheless, effective STIELGRANATE 41 when enemy armour was separated from its By 1943 the 37mm Pak 36 was struggling to infantry support. deal with the current generation of armoured vehicles. In an attempt to extend its service German infantry units may therefore convert life a shaped charge was created which could up to one Gruppe into two Panzerknacker be loaded onto the muzzle of the gun and teams, including a Tank Killer Bonus card in fired with a blank charge. Whilst the charge the deck when they are present. itself was powerful the arrangement was inaccurate at over 300m and obliged the A Panzerknacker team has a “range” of 4”, crew to leave cover to load the next round representing the distance that an individual onto the gun muzzle, a slow process. man would be expected to sprint in order to place his charge. During a game a To reflect this, the Pak 36 with Stielgranate Panzerknacker team may twice place a ball of counts as a Heavy Gun for releoading and has smoke with a 3” diameter within 6” of its a maximum range of 48”. It fires as normal at position in order to cover its attack. up to 24” and with a ‐1 to hit between 24” and 48”. When making an attack with a magnetic charge they count as having an AT strike of PAKFRONT 12. When making an attack with a Teller mine they count as having an AT strike of 9. The German defensive tactic of forming a broad anti‐tank defence, be that with static guns or Panzerjäger, was particularly PANZERFAUSTS effective in ambushing enemy armour. To As alluded to in the unit organisation tables, reflect this an anti‐tank unit, or units, may Panzerfausts will always be present with deploy in a Pakfront with all of their guns or some units, whilst other units (where none panzerjäger in cover. One card is included in are listed) will have to dice to see what is the Game Deck for each gun, however on the available. Roll a D6 for your force at the start first time the Pakfront fires all the guns or of the game and consult the table below. AFVs that are part of this may fire on any
Vpered Na Berlin Page 36 ©TooFatLardies 2013 D6 Result normal. This reflects the fact that the attack 1 Six ‘fausts for the company is coming in piece‐meal due to the effect of 2,3 One ‘faust per Gruppe the pre‐game rocket bombardment in that 4,5,6 Two ‘fausts per Gruppe sector.
FLAME VEHICLES RECOILLESS RIFLES The Germans produced two purpose built Recoilless rifles fire in exactly the same way Flammenpanzer during the second half of the as any direct fire artillery piece of their war, the Flammpanzer III and the calibre, however they may not be fired from Flammpanzer 38t, both of which had their within a building due to the back‐blast. The main guns replaced by the heavy weapon fired HE and low quality AT shells for flamethrower. They also replaced the hull limited defence against armour. gun on the captured French Char B1 to create
the Flammpanzer B2. These are covered by ROCKET WEAPONS section 7.3 of the rules. They were deployed The Germans were quick to realise the in Zug of seven Flammpanzer. potential that rocket weapons had, both in terms of their physical and psychological The SdKfz 251/16 was developed to carry two effect and in their cost effectiveness in a heavy flamethrowers, one on each side of the nation where resources were scarce. fighting compartment. These may operate as two separate weapons, each with three The Nebelwerfer was the most well know Actions when activated. They must, weapon, represented in the rules by the however, lose one Action for each Action of rocket launcher section or battery in Section movement undertaken by the halftrack. 9, Indirect Fire Support. However, we can also add the Wufrahmen 40 “Stuka zu Fuss” TANK TURRET EMPLACEMENTS and the static 28cm Schwereswurfgerät, all of As the war neared its end the Germans used which could saturate an area of ground. tank turrets to construct emplacements,
especially in and around German cities. On These weapons are slow to load and the Eastern front these were typically inaccurate, however they make up in Panther turrets although Panzer III models quantity what they lack in finesse. These can be seen in photographs. These positions weapons may all be used as part of a pre‐ fire as the normal tank, but are harder to game stonk against an attacking enemy in spot, with a ‐2 on the spotting roll, and order to break up the attacking formation. harder to hit, with a ‐2 on the to hit roll.
When applying any damage effect only use In this role the attacking player places his the results from the turret, converting any hit Blinds on the table edge where they are due on the hull to a turret hit. to enter the table, but face down. The
German player may place one stonk along any 36” section of table edge for each rocket stonk. Any Blinds along that frontage may not be moved, nor may they be spotted nor fired on, until they have been activated. To activate a Blind the Allied player will roll a D6 each time the Allied Blinds card is dealt. On a 5 or 6 the Blind is turned the right way up and may then immediately operate as
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The assembling of a Kampfgruppe, or Battle‐ It was, as we have seen elsewhere, the Soviet group, in order to undertake a specific infantry and artillery which were given the military task is not a concept which is new to responsibility of making the initial military history. However, the Second World breakthrough against the enemy. Only then War saw is generally viewed as the conflict would the armoured and mechanised troops where, by design or sheer necessity, the be pushed through the gap created in order Germans developed the idea to the point to exploit the success achieved. where the combined arms force which often resulted provided a distinct advantage over Leading the exploitation troops would be a more traditionally structured units. Breakthrough combined‐arms force, or Forward Detachment, specifically selected Nowhere was the use of Kampfgruppe more from among the participating units to move prevalent than on the Eastern Front from though the successful infantry and engage 1944 onwards. As Soviet breakthroughs the enemy’s reaction forces as they came up occurred the Germans would assemble forces in an attempt to plug the gap in the line. This from whatever was available in order to combined arms force’s specific role was to counter‐attack or to simply block and first identify and then pin the German attempt to blunt the Russian advance. reaction forces, so that other Soviet armoured and mechanised forces could then In order to reflect this capability to manoeuvre to avoid contact with the enemy apparently throw a disparate force together and then push far into the German rear and then have them operate as a coherent areas. unit, the Germans, as mentioned elsewhere, can pretty much put any collection of units To recreate the Forward Detachment, the together from any of the lists in this Soviet player can select a maximum of two Handbook. When doing so they can roll for tank or motor infantry platoons, and then additional Big Men as if all the units are part select other support platoons from the of the same force, rather than some being available support units. As with the from supporting units. Germans, they may then roll for additional Big Men as thought they are part of the same Whilst it is important to recognise that the force. Germans were very successful with the concept of Kampfgruppe, it is also noteworthy that the Soviets followed a similar path when planning their breakthrough battles and the subsequent exploitation phase of the battle: the so called Deep Battle principles developed in the 1920s and 1930s but only now put into practice.
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Ever the reluctant ally of Germany, Romania the Traian line, were dug in an attempt to suffered for her geographical location and her present a strong front and also to improve heart‐felt allegiance with France which in Romania’s bargaining position with the Allies 1938 appeared so wise, but in 1940 cost her in order to escape from a war which was much land to both Hungary and the Soviet going disastrously wrong. Union under Hitler’s re‐drawing of the European map. Such hopes were short‐lived when, in August 1944, Soviet forces simply crashed through Bitter, determined to seek both revenge and the defences and into Bessarabia. This defeat the return of her lost territories, Romania prompted the King to remove the pro‐Nazi allied herself with Germany in a pragmatic leader, Antonescu, and to dramatically attempt to achieve her own goals. declare Romanian support for the Allies.
Severe losses of manpower and materiel in An uncomfortable peace was organised with the winter of 1942, especially around the Soviets who demanded, and received, Stalingrad, saw Romania’s armed forces unconditional surrender and complete control denuded of the modern equipment needed to of Romanian forces fighting alongside them. conduct modern warfare. Increasing This led to Romanian lives being treated more shortages of equipment, such as armoured than casually by their erstwhile foe, and also vehicles and anti‐tank guns, made them easy to a clear Soviet policy of attempting to prey for the Soviets. destroy the best Romanian units by attrition in preparation for a post‐war communist Despite efforts to put their own industry onto coup. a war footing, the Romanians were increasingly reliant on the Germans to supply Nevertheless, despite their subject status the what limited numbers of tanks and guns they Romanians fought enthusiastically against the could spare in order to allow their Divisions to Hungarians, their traditional avowed enemy, function in the face of the enemy. and played a significant role in capturing Budapest and then liberating Czechoslovakia.
In the aftermath of Stalingrad the Romanian main focus was on protecting her own borders, in particular the Bessarabian frontier of 1939. Here defensive positions, such as
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INFANTRY COMPANY
Puşcaşi, Infantry, and Vanatori, Rifle, formations in the Romanian Army were identical in their structures, with titles being honorific, both being organised according to the standard infantry organisation. The Romanian infantryman was supposed to make up for lack of materiel by their strength in numbers. Resources are thin on the ground and equipment was largely out of date and inadequate, yet despite this the Romanian infantryman fought on for his homeland.
Companie Headquarters REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Tank Killer team, 2 men Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Ploton One Three Schneider or Breda 47mm AT guns with One Big Man Level II 5 crew each. Horse drawn. Tank killer team One 60mm mortar team with three crew Heavy Mortar Ploton Four rifle Grupa of 10 men On‐table Forward Observer. Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Ploton Two One Big Man Level II Engineer Ploton Tank killer team One Big Man Level II One 60mm mortar team with three crew Five man‐portable flamethrower teams of Four rifle Grupa of 10 men two men each. Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each. Ploton Three One Big Man Level II Scout Ploton Tank killer team One Big Man Level III One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew Four Grupa of 12 mounted scouts Four rifle Grupa of 10 men DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Radio Net Only the Company commander is on the Anti‐Tank Ploton radio net. One Big Man Level II
BATTALION SUPPORT Three TAC 938 or TAC 40 anti‐tank guns with 5 crew each.
Motorised tows. Machine Gun Ploton Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. Anti Aircraft Ploton Six 25mm Hotchkiss Ant‐Aircraft guns, five Mortar Ploton crew each One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO Four 81.4mm mortars with five crew each
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Artillery Batteries A Romanian infantry Division at regulation strength would have two Regiments of artillery, each with three batteries of four pieces. During a game the most likely unit available to support a tabletop force would be the Battery of four guns, thus:
One Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Four 75mm Schneider M1897 Field guns or Skoda M1928. or Four 100mm Skoda M1934 Howitzers
Transport was provided by six horse
drawn limbers
SCOUT COMPANY
The Romanian Scout Companies attached to an Infantry Regiments were the elite cavalry units who served as the eyes and ears of the unit, and added some mobile capability to the force. The following structure shows their organisation. For support they will have precisely the same options as the infantry Company.
Companie Headquarters FIREPOWER One Big Man Level III Often operating at the spearhead of the Two 2 man tank killer teams infantry Regiment, the Scouts placed much emphasis on firepower. As such they Ploton One acquired two LMGs for each Grupa and brought a number of captured Soviet SMGs One Big Man Level II into service to beef up their firepower. One 60mm mortar team with three crew
Four rifle Grupa of 12 mounted men In 1943 ant‐tank capability was based on the
use of magnetic charges or captured Soviet Ploton Two anti‐tank rifles. From 1944 onwards One Big Man Level II Panzerfaust 30 and then 60 were issued to One 60mm mortar team with three crew the tank killer teams. Four rifle Grupa of 12 mounted men
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MOUNTAIN RIFLES
The Mountain Rifles were the elite of the Romanian Army. Having established their reputation in the 19th century and the Great War they impressed their German allies during
Barbarossa, especially during the attacks on Odessa. Their Battalion Structure was almost identical to the infantry, but their Division was a lighter, more mobile formation.
Companie Headquarters Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II Tank Killer team, 2 men Three Schneider or Breda 47mm AT guns with 5 crew each. Mule drawn. Ploton One One Big Man Level III REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Tank killer team, 2 men One 60mm mortar team with three crew Heavy Mortar Ploton Four rifle Grupa of 10 men On‐table Forward Observer. Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Ploton Two One Big Man Level III DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Tank killer team, 2 men One 60mm mortar team with three crew Engineer Ploton Four rifle Grupa of 10 men One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each. Ploton Three One Big Man Level II Anti‐Tank Ploton Tank killer team, 2 men One Big Man Level II One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew Three Schneider or Breda 47mm AT Four rifle Grupa of 10 men guns with 5 crew each. Mule drawn.
Radio Net Anti Aircraft Ploton Only the Company commander is on the Six 25mm Hotchkiss Ant‐Aircraft guns, five radio net. crew each
BATTALION SUPPORT Artillery Batteries One Forward Observation Officer on‐table Machine Gun Ploton linked to the battery by radio or Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. telephone. Four 75mm Schneider or Skoda mountain Mortar Ploton guns or Four 100mm Skoda mountain One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO howitzers
Four 81.4mm mortars with five crew Transport was provided by six horse each. drawn limbers
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MOTORISED CAVALRY Throughout the war the Romanians attempted to modernise their forces but were constantly thwarted by lack of equipment. Domestic production could not keep up with demand and the Germans, by 1943, were having problems meeting their own needs. The target originally set was to have one Regiment in each Cavalry Division motorised, a target which was only met in the 5th, 6th and 8th
Divisions.
Companie Headquarters Mortar Ploton One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II or on table FOO Tank Killer team, 2 men Four 81.4mm mortars with 5 crew One Opel Blitz or Ford truck each. Truck transport
Ploton One Anti Aircraft Ploton One Big Man Level II Six Anti‐Aircraft machine guns, truck Tank killer team, 2 men mounted, five crew each One 60mm mortar team with three crew Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Four Opel Blitz or Ford trucks Engineer Ploton Ploton Two One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level III Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each Tank killer team, 2 men One 60mm mortar team with three crew Anti‐Tank Ploton Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs One Big Man Level II Four Opel Blitz or Ford trucks Three TAC 938 AT guns with 5 crew each. Truck drawn Ploton Three One Big Man Level II Heavy Mortar Ploton Tank killer team, 2 men On‐table Forward Observer. One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Four Opel Blitz or Ford trucks Artillery Batteries Radio Net One Forward Observation Officer on‐table linked to the battery by radio or Only the Company commander is on the telephone. radio net. Four 75mm Schneider Field Guns REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Truck drawn
Machine Gun Ploton Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each.
Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Three 45mm TAC 37 ex‐Soviet AT guns with 5 crew each. One Tarta light tow.
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MOUNTED CAVALRY The horse mounted cavalry of the Romanian army fulfilled the traditional role as the eyes and ears of the Divisions, as well as providing a shock arm when exploiting a breakthrough on the vast spaces of the Eastern front. By 1943 such opportunities were a thing of the past and increasingly the cavalry were called upon to serve as infantry. The horses listed here can be abandoned for a more static role should the player wish.
Companie Headquarters Mortar Ploton One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II or on table FOO Four 81.4mm mortars with 5 crew Ploton One each. Truck transport
One Big Man Level II Four rifle Grupa of 12 mounted men DIVISIONAL SUPPORT
Ploton Two Anti Aircraft Ploton One Big Man Level II Six 20mm Oerlikon Anti‐Aircraft guns, truck Four rifle Grupa of 12 mounted men mounted, five crew each
Ploton Three Engineer Ploton One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four rifle Grupa of 12 mounted men Two man‐portable flamethrower teams of 2 men each. Mortar Section Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each One Big Man II Four 60mm mortars, 3 crew each Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Radio Net Three TAC 40 75mm AT guns with 5 crew Only the Company commander is on the each. Truck drawn radio net and then only when stationary
SQUADRON SUPPORT Heavy Mortar Ploton On‐table Forward Observer. Machine Gun Ploton Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. Horse carried Artillery Batteries One Forward Observation Officer on‐table REGIMENTAL SUPPORT linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Anti‐Tank Ploton Four 75mm Skoda Field Guns or four 100mm Skoda Howitzers One Big Man Level II Horse drawn Three 45mm TAC 37 ex‐Soviet AT guns or
50mm TAC 38 with 5 crew each. Truck tow
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INFANTRY COMPANY
The infantry Company essentially remained the same throughout the war: however, the structure of the Division and the support platoons available did alter with formal restructuring to spread manpower ever more thinly. The support platoons with a dark blue border are available in
1944 while allied to the Germans. Those with the red border are available from August 1944 onwards while allied to the Soviets.
Companie Headquarters REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Tank killer team, 2 men Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Ploton One Three TAC 38 50mm or 47mm One Big Man Level II Schneider AT guns with 5 crew each. Tank killer team, 2 men Truck drawn. One 60mm mortar team with three crew Four rifle Grupa of 10 men Heavy Mortar Ploton On‐table Forward Observer. Ploton Two Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each One Big Man Level II Tank killer team, 2 men Scout Ploton One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew One Big Man Level III Four rifle Grupa of 10 men Four Grupa of 12 mounted scouts
Ploton Three Engineer Ploton One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Tank killer team, 2 men Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each. One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew Four rifle Grupa of 10 men Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Radio Net Three 37mm Bofors or 47mm Only the Company commander is on the Schneider AT guns with 5 crew each. radio net. Truck drawn.
BATTALION SUPPORT DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Machine Gun Ploton Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Mortar Ploton Three TAC 40 or Resita 75mm Anti‐ One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO tank guns with 5 crew each. Four 81.4mm mortars with five crew Motorised tows. each. Anti Aircraft Ploton Six 20mm Oerlikon Anti‐Aircraft guns, truck mounted, five crew each
Vpered Na Berlin Page 45 ©TooFatLardies 2013 Engineer Ploton Romanian Anti‐Tank Weapons One Big Man Level II Five 2 man flamethrower teams It had been the critical shortage of anti‐tank Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each. weapons in the Romanian Army that had led to the collapse of their positions in late 1942, th Artillery Batteries thereby isolating the 6 Army at Stalingrad. A Romanian infantry Division at regulation strength would have two Regiments of The lack of anti‐tank guns, and the artillery, each with three batteries of four obsolescence of those they did have led to the pieces. During a game the most likely unit Romanian infantryman quickly developing available to support a tabletop force would their skills for dealing with tanks themselves. be the Battery of four guns, thus: Many captured Soviet anti‐tank rifles were One Forward Observation Officer on‐table used against their previous owners, and by linked to the battery by radio or telephone. 1942 the Romanians were copying the German Four 75mm Schneider M1897 Field guns or tactics of using hand‐held magnetic charges, 100mm Skoda M1928 or 105mm Skoda which were placed on the target vehicle while M40/43 howitzers. it was disorientated and blinded by the use of smoke. Transport was provided by six horse drawn limbers The first Panzerfausts were delivered to
Romania in late 1943, although numbers of Heavy Mortar Ploton these were limited as the Germans naturally On‐table Forward Observer. channelled production to their own front‐line Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each units.
Anti Aircraft Ploton As a result, a Romanian force in 1943 may arm Four 20mm Oerlikon Anti‐Aircraft guns, truck its tank‐killer teams with either the PTRS or mounted, five crew each PTRD anti‐tank rifle or with magnetic charges and smoke pots. ROMANIANS IN SOVIET SERVICE A number of former Romanian Prisoners of A Romanian force in 1944 may select a single War served in the Soviet organised and panzerfaust for a tank‐killer team, the team commanded Tudor Vladimirescu Division being removed from play once that has been which was raised in October 1943. This was used, or may elect to use the anti‐tank rifle or equipped exactly like a Soviet Rifle Division the magnetic charges. Each team will use one and may be fielded using the appropriate particular option during a game. Soviet Rifle Company list. If the Panzerfaust is selected it will be the The Soviet Union were very wary of the Panzerfaust 30 that is normally used as this Romanians, preferring to “liberate” and then was the only model supplied to the run countries themselves rather than deal with Romanians. an incumbent monarch. As a result they stripped the Romanian Army of much valuable A tiny handful of Panzershcrecks were supplied equipment while it served under their to the Romanian Army but there is no command, ensuring only an emasculated rump evidence for widespread use. would survive the end of the war.
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PARATROOP COMPANY Romania was one of the first nations in the world to begin training with parachutes, but did not establish its first Parasutistii unit until 1941. Despite the gradual expansion, ten companies in total being the peak, they did not experience combat until August 1944 when they were involved in fighting German troops around Bucharest. The Parachute forces were disbanded at the end of 1944 at the insistence of the Soviets who were wary of any elite formation which may have supported the monarchy after the end of the war. All Parasutistii have a high proportion of automatic weapons.
Engineer Ploton Companie Headquarters One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level III Five 2 man flamethrower teams Tank killer team, 2 men Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men
each Ploton One One Big Man Level II Anti‐Tank Ploton Tank killer team, 2 men One Big Man Level II Three rifle Grupa of 10 men Three 47mm Böhler AT guns with 5
crew each. Ploton Two One Big Man Level II Mortar Ploton Tank killer team, 2 men On‐table Forward Observer. Three rifle Grupa of 10 men Four 81.4mm mortars with 5 crew each
Ploton Three Scout Ploton One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Tank killer team, 2 men Three rifle Grupa of 10 men mounted on One 60mm mortar team with 3 crew Zundapp KS 600 motorcycles Three rifle Grupa of 10 men
Radio Net HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE Only the Company commander is on the radio The Romanian Paratroopers who clashed net. with the Germans in Bucharest in August 1944 may well have met with a non‐ BATTALION SUPPORT plussed enemy as they were dressed in standard German Fallschirmjager pattern Machine Gun Ploton uniforms and with a high number of Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. German weapons, such as the MP40.
Mortar Ploton An opportunity for an historical “blue on One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO blue” game with your existing German Four 60mm mortars with three crew forces? each.
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Fielding Romanian armour in a wargame ROMANIAN ARMOUR DESIGNATIONS forces is an interesting challenge as not Romania imported all of its armoured only did the Romanians tend to be vehicles, initially from France and equipped with out‐dated equipment, but Czechoslovakia and then from Germany or they also had no coherent organisational her client states. The designations used were structure as a result of the uncertainty of uniquely Romanian. supply.
FT Light Tank: The French FT‐17 was Early in the war the standard Romanian purchased in significant numbers as early as platoon was comprised of three tanks, but 1919 by the Romanians, with 48 being as the war progressed, erratic supply equipped with the 37mm Puteaux gun and 28 meant that this figure varied from three to with the Hotchkiss 8mm machine gun. Too five vehicles dependent on what was elderly for front line combat they were used available. During 1943 the Romanians had to equip security detachments in Romania’s only one battalion of armour at the front major cities. They saw action in August 1944 as they were desperately rebuilding the against the Germans. forces lost at Stalingrad.
R‐1 Light Tank: The R‐1 entered Romanian The Romanians made stringent efforts to service in 1936 with 35 being delivered from produce their own armoured vehicles, or Czechoslovakia where it was CKD AH‐4. at least to improve upon what they had. These were parcelled out to the cavalry However, despite this effort the nation reconnaissance squadrons but were lacked the industrial base to anything like withdrawn from active service after the self‐sufficient in armour production and it collapse at Stalingrad. was the T‐4, the German Panzer IV and the
TA, the StuG III which provided the R‐2 Light Tank: The Czech LT vz.35 tanks, Romanians with their only modern designated Panzer 35 (t) by the Germans and vehicles. R‐2 by the Romanians. Having given good
service in the early days of Barbarossa the By Spring 1944 the Romanians were able R‐2 was hopelessly under‐armoured and to field fresh armoured forces, but under‐gunned by 1943. Nevertheless the last organisational structures were still ad hoc two R‐2 were only destroyed in fighting north depending on circumstances at the front. of Vienna in April 1945. We have presented some options here which will act as guidelines, if vague ones.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 48 ©TooFatLardies 2013 R‐35 Light Tank: The French R‐35 was the the backbone of Romanian armoured forces most numerous tank in Romanian service in throughout 1944. 1941, with the 41 originally acquired from France supplemented by a further 34 Polish At Soviet insistence all T‐4 equipped units tanks which crossed into Romania in 1939 were disbanded by November 1944. The and were interned there. Desperately under‐ models delivered were primarily Panzer IVH gunned for the realities of 1943, the but some F2 and J marks were present. Romanians undertook a programme of upgrades, fitting captured Soviet 45mm guns TACAM T‐60: The Romanians use captured and resulting in the “Vanatorul de care R‐35”. Soviet T‐60 tanks married to captured These served to the end of the war, although 76.2mm F22 Field Guns and with an upper much reduced in numbers. crew compartment fabricated from armour plate from salvaged BT‐7 tanks to create an T‐38 Light Tank: In the early summer of 1943 effective tank‐hunter. Thirty‐eight were built the Germans supplied the Romanians with in 1943 and deployed to the front in February fifty Panzer 38(t) in order to bolster up their 1944. The Soviets seized all that remained in armoured forces. So worn were these tanks August 1944 when captured equipment was that it caused a major diplomatic row returned as part of the peace negotiations. between the two countries, but in truth the Romanians had little other hope of TACAM T‐2: The same process used for the replacements for the tanks lost the previous TACAM T‐60 was used with the T‐38 Light year. By August 1944 just nine remained, but Tank, twenty‐one being converted to self‐ these soldiered on until the end of the war propelled assault guns. These were deployed when the five remaining T‐38 were to the front in July 1944 and fought on to the confiscated by the Soviets. end of the war, by which time only one survived. T‐3 Medium Tank: Even before Stalingrad the Germans had identified the Romanian TA: The StuG III Ausf G was renamed the TA, weakness in armour and in October of 1942 the Tun de Asalt or Assault Gun in Romanian they had agreed to supply 22 Panzer IIIN service. One hundred and eight were tanks, Half of these were lost almost delivered between November 1943 and immediately when the Soviet offensive August 1944. These served with the struck, but the rest withdrew to Romania in Romanian Army throughout the remainder of 1943 to reform. By the start of 1944 only the war. two T‐3 tanks remained in service and these TB: Transportoare Blindate or TB was the were lost when the Soviets launched their Romanian designation for the SdKfz 251 major attacks into Romania in August 1944. which was supplied for their armoured T‐4 Medium Tank: The Romanians ordered a infantry, the Vanatori Motorizat. total of 150 Panzer II and Panzer IV tanks from Germany in early 1943, with the Panzer AB: The Auto Blindate or Armoured Car of IV being designated the T‐4 in their service. the Romanian Army in the second half of the Deliveries were slow, and the Germans took war was primarily the SdKfz 222 supplied by the opportunity to send the newly built tanks Germany. to their own Panzer Divisions, sending on worn out models to the Romanians. Less Some Soviet models had been used, but from than 100 were delivered before August 1944 1943 onwards German equipment but, nevertheless, these T‐4 tanks were to be dominated.
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ARMOURED COMPANY 1944 The following organisation was seen in mid‐1944 when the 1st Armoured Division was thrown into the line to face the Soviet invasion of Romanian territory. The structure of the individual platoons is supposition. Historically Romania had a history of organising her tanks into platoons of three AFVs, however the numbers theoretically involved by 1944 make it seem very likely that they now aspired to the German five tank platoon model, especially as they had been trained by the 23rd Panzer Division and equipped with their old tanks. That said, the lack of ability to replace losses would suggest that any formation was utterly ad hoc in nature in order to reflect the reality on the ground. Certainly Armoured formations saw a mix of any number of tank and assault gun types within the same Battalions and even companies.
Companie Headquarters Anti Aircraft Ploton One Big Man Level III Six 20mm Oerlikon Anti‐Aircraft guns, truck One T‐4 or TA mounted, five crew each
Ploton One Auto Blindate Ploton One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three, four or five T‐4 or five TAs Three AB
Ploton Two Tank Hunter Battery One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three, four or five T‐4 or five TAs Five TACAM T‐60
Ploton Three Artillery Batteries One Big Man Level II One Forward Observation Officer on‐table Three, four or five T‐4 or five TAs linked to the battery by radio or telephone.
Four 100mm Skoda M1928 or 105mm Radio Net Skoda M40/43 howitzers. All platoons are on the radio net. Truck drawn REGIMENTAL SUPPORT
Vanatori Ploton Limited numbers of TB armoured carriers meant that one small unit of Vanatori
Motorizat were attached permanently to the
Armoured Regiment to serve as a fast
reaction force. These can be selected from the Vanatori Blindate list.
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT
Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Six 75mm Resitsa AT guns with 5 crew each. Truck tow.
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ARMOURED COMPANY 1945 After the negotiated surrender of Romania in August 1944 and her switch of allegiances to fight for, not as one of, the Allies, the Soviets demanded major concessions from their former enemy. Any captured war materiel was to be returned but, more importantly, the Soviets were keen to see Romania’s teeth drawn. Even as they fought along‐side each other Stalin was planning for the day after the war when he would seize total power and oust the King and his royalist government. The Armoured Company of 1945 was a mere shadow of what had gone before.
Companie Headquarters Historical Note One Big Man Level III The force which this list is based upon was One T‐4 or TA operating as a two battalion Regiment. In March 1945 its 1st Battalion has three Ploton One companies operational, one of nine T‐4s and One Big Man Level II two of 7 TAs each. Three T‐4, TAs or T‐38 or The 2nd Battalion had one company with Four R35/45, R‐35 fourteen R‐35/45, another with fourteen R‐ 35 and a third with nine T‐38, two R‐2 and Ploton Two five TACAM 2. One Big Man Level II Three T‐4, TAs or T‐38 By that stage only five half‐tracks and eight or armoured cars remained in service. Four R35/45, R‐35 After the German surrender in May 1945 this Radio Net formation returned to Bucharest with just All platoons are on the radio net. one T‐4 and three half‐tracks.
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT
Vanatori Ploton
One single platoon of Vanatori Motorizat
were attached permanently to the Armoured
Regiment to serve as a fast reaction force.
These can be selected from the Vanatori
Blindate list.
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT
This force, the 2nd Armoured Regiment,
fought under Soviet control and supporting
Russian Rifle Divisions. It may be used as a
source of support for a Soviet Rifle Company
or may itself draw support from the Soviet
Rifle Company and its Division lists.
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ARMOURED RIFLE COMPANY To say the armoured Vanatori were thin on the ground is a huge understatement. Only a single company operated in this fashion, but it was an integral part of the 1st Armoured Division, providing the mobile armoured infantry which were part of the 1st Armoured Regiment.
Companie Headquarters Mortar Ploton One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II or on table FOO Tank Killer team, 2 men Two 81.4mm mortars with 5 crew One rifle Gruppa of 10 men with two LMGs each. One TB Halftrack. One TB half‐track DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Ploton One Divisional Support will be the same as for the One Big Man Level II 1944 Armoured Company. Additional Tank killer team, 2 men support may be provided from the list for the Three rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Vanatori Motorizat, the Motorised rifles who Four TB Halftracks were part of the same Division in far greater numbers. Ploton Two One Big Man Level III Tank killer team, 2 men Three rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Four TB halftracks
Ploton Three One Big Man Level II Tank killer team, 2 men Three rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Four TB halftracks
Radio Net All platoons are on the radio net.
COMPANY SUPPORT
Machine Gun Ploton Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. Two TB halftracks
Anti‐Tank Ploton One Big Man Level II Four 75mm Resitsa AT guns with 5 crew each.
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MOTORISED RIFLE COMPANY st rd th Providing the bulk of the infantry for the 1 Armoured Division were the 3 and 4 Motorised Vanatori Regiments. Their structure was based on the standard infantry company but they had greater firepower based on the Panzer‐Grenadier practice of adding additional LMGs at squad level. These troops fought well but were reduced by crippling losses in late 1944.
Companie Headquarters BATTALION SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Tank Killer team, 2 men Anti‐Tank Ploton One rifle Gruppa of 10 men with two LMGs Three 47mm Schneider AT gun, 5 crew One Ford or Opel Blitz truck Three motorised tows
Ploton One Mortar Ploton One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II or on table FOO Tank killer team, 2 men Two 81.4mm mortars with 5 crew One 60mm mortar team with three crew each. Two Ford or Opel Blitz Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Four Ford or Opel Blitz truck Anti Aircraft Ploton Four Anti‐Aircraft machine guns, truck Ploton Two mounted, five crew each One Big Man Level III Tank killer team, 2 men REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One 60mm mortar team with three crew Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Anti‐Tank Ploton Four Ford or Opel Blitz truck One Big Man Level II Six 50mm TAC 38 with 5 crew each. Truck Ploton Three tow One Big Man Level II Tank killer team, 2 men Heavy Mortar Ploton One 60mm mortar team with three crew On‐table Forward Observer. Four rifle Grupa of 10 men with two LMGs Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Four Ford or Opel Blitz truck Engineer Ploton Support Platoon One Big Man Level II Four ZB53 MMGs with five crew each. Three man‐portable flamethrower teams of 2 One 47mm Schneider AT gun, 5 crew men each. Three trucks Three Engineer Grupa of 10 men each.
Radio Net DIVISIONAL SUPPORT All platoons are on the radio net. Divisional Support will be the same as for the 1944 Armoured Company. Additional support may be provided from the list for the Vanatori Blindate, the Armoured rifles who were part of the same Division but in far smaller numbers.
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Rating your Romanian forces is done by using RATING YOUR FORCE the cards in the Game Deck but also by the The speed with which a unit loses number of Big Men present and the unit effectiveness as losses mount can be ratings. controlled to show anything from gritty determination in the last ditch to abject ADDING BIG MEN cowardice. In between it can be interesting The force guidelines above will show you the to experiment with forces that appear to be basic number and level of Big Men you tough and ready for action but whose should have with any force. What you now confidence can collapse after a short time. need to do is see if any additional Big Men are present to add dynamism to the force. The ratings below are recommended in For any Romanian Company Headquarters normal circumstances however you can roll 1D6 on a 6 an additional Level II Big Man tweak this to reflect particular situations. is present. The system is as flexible as you need it to be.
For an elite unit a Level I Big Man is present AFV MORALE on a roll of 5 or 6. Standard line platoons Romanian tanks and AFVs will vary never roll for additional Big Men. depending on the phase of the war. Starting
off at 3 it should fall to 2 in August 1944 but For an elite force the maximum number of rise to 3 again after the Romanians change additional Big Men is two; for an average sides. force only one Big Man may be added.
No attached support weapon platoons dice
for additional Big Men.
INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Line Infantry 1943 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Line Infantry 1944 v Soviets 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Line Infantry 1944 v Hungary 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Guard Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mountain Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Motorised Infantry or Cavalry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cavalry or Scouts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Armoured Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Paratroops 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Vpered Na Berlin Page 54 ©TooFatLardies 2013 STACKING THE DECK Anti‐tank Bonus card: Present for units When creating the Game Deck for a game armed with 75mm guns of whatever make. involving Romanian forces one card should Poor Fire Discipline: This card may be be present for each Ploton present, as well as included for any Romanian force but should any Company Headquarters and attached be likely for line infantry. Ploton and on or off‐table support units. One
Axis (later Allied) Blinds card will always be Vehicle Breakdown card: This should be present, as should one card for each of the present for any Romanian armoured or Romanian Big Men. motorised unit. Anti‐tank weapons, towed or self‐propelled, Tank Killers card: Always present for should have one card in the deck for each Romanian troops. weapon. Other cards that may be present are as follows: Ammunition Shortage card: This can be present should the scenario demand. Rapid Deployment card: This should be present for any motorised or cavalry force. Dynamic Leader card: Used sparingly with elite formations such as cavalry or mountain Recce Bonus card: This should be included troops. for any cavalry force or a force including a recce element. In the latter case the bonus Heroic Leader card: May be present with may only be used by the recce unit and not elite troops such as cavalry or mountain by any force it is attached to. troops. It may be present with motorised troops but will never be present for line Hesitant Troops card: This card should infantry units. always be used for line troops.
ARMOURED VEHICLES
AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes Value Strike FT 17 2 3 or MG 37mm Slow Tiny turret R ‐1 2 MG MG Fast
R‐2 3 5 37mm Average
R ‐35/45 3 6 45mm Average T ‐38 4 5 37mm Average T ‐3 5 7 50mm Average
T‐4 5 9 75mm Average
TACAM T‐60 3 7 76.2mm Average Low profile, open TACAM T‐2 3 7 76.2mm Average TA 5 8 75mm Average Low profile
AB 2 4 or MG 20mm Whelled Open turret
TRANSPORT TB half‐track 2 MG Fast Open body
Vpered Na Berlin Page 55 ©TooFatLardies 2013 ANTI-TANK WEAPONS
Weapon Weapon Strike 37mm Bofors 5
TAC 37 45mm 5
TAC 47mm Schneider 6 TAC 47mm Böhler 6 TAC 38 50mm 7
TAC 938 75mm 7
TAC 40 75mm 9 TAC Resitsa 75mm 9 Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24”
Panzerfaust 30/Faustpatrone 11 11 ‐ ‐ ‐
Panzerfaust 60 11 11 11 ‐ ‐ Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ MMG 2 2 2 1 1
PTRD 14.5mm AT rifle 3 3 3 3 3
ROMANIAN WEAP ON RULES
SECTION ARMAMENT Ammunition was chiefly high explosive, Throughout the German unit options we although illumination rounds were available. have assumed that the rifle Grupa is armed with the standard bolt action rifle and one Minimum Range: The M2 60mm mortar has light machine gun with one or two SMGs for a minimum range of 12”. NCOs. Where Grupa armament differs, such as the Armoured Rifle troops with two LMGs Maximum Range: The M1935 60mm mortar in each Grupa, it is noted and we use Section has a maximum range of 1985 yards meaning 4.4 of the rules to see what effect this has. that anything on any size table can be hit.
ROMANIAN MORTARS Aiming: To fire at a target the 60mm mortar Romania fielded three main mortar types needs to be within 6” of a point from where a during the Second World War; the 60mm direct line of sight can be traced to the target Brandt M1935, the medium 81.4mm Brandt or target area. This represents the ability of M1939 and the heavy 120mm Resita M1942. the mortar to fire from cover while one of its All had differing characteristics and we use team moves forward to observe the fall of the following supplementary rules to shot. represent this. For example, a 60mm mortar team may be 6” The 60mm Brandt Light Mortar behind the crest of a hill and fire at any Purchased from France the 60mm mortar target that may be seen from the crest of the was deployed at Company level and was the hill. In order to do this the target must have most readily available fire support. already been spotted.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 56 ©TooFatLardies 2013 Alternatively, where combined mortars are fire. If the mortar platoon is on‐table then fielded as part of a weapons Platoon or an the Indirect Fire Support table is ignored and impromptu battery, they may fire completely the mortars will begin firing on their next blind at a target which can be spotted by any card after the FOO has called in the fire. The Big Man on the table, so long as a Big Man is 81.4mm mortar may fire H.E. or Smoke attached to the mortar unit. rounds.
Fire Effect: The 60mm mortar has a 1” radius The 120mm Resitsa Heavy Mortar which increases with each additional mortar Like the Germans the Romanians were so firing, so two mortars have a 2” radius, three impressed with the Soviet 120mm mortar have a 3” radius and so on. They may fire that they rapidly developed their own model, with a normal rate of fire or may elect to fire providing a cost effective firepower rapid fire. alternative to artillery.
When firing normally they fire as per section Due its minimum range of 76” it will always 4.5.4 in the rules. When firing rapid fire they be deployed off‐table. The 12cm mortar may roll 3D6 per weapon. fire H.E. or Smoke rounds.
Ammunition Limits: It is assumed that TANK KILLERS 60mm mortar teams know how fast to fire The Romanians spent the middle years of the their weapons for best effect: only the crew war without any effective infantry anti‐tank will know precisely how many they are using. defence other than captured Soviet anti‐tank To reflect this we give each mortar team an rifles or relying on hand‐held weapons which EDNA rating of 4 at the start of the game. needed to be placed on enemy tanks. This Each time the mortar team fires, any roll of 6 extremely risky process was, nevertheless, will reduce this rating. When a mortar falls effective when enemy armour was separated to a rating of zero they are out of from its infantry support. ammunition. The standard Romanian Tank Killer team The 81.4mm M1939 Medium Mortar when using hand‐held charges was made up The 81.4mm medium mortar was an of just two men, smaller than the German extremely flexible weapon which provided model, one man with an SMG and smoke fire support at the lowest possible level. pots to blind the armour, the other with the
Minimum Range: The 8cm mortar has a charge. The team has a “range” of 4”, minimum range of 12”. If mortars are representing the distance that an individual deployed on‐table with the enemy at close man would be expected to sprint in order to quarters they may form impromptu rifle place his charge. During a game a Tank Killer sections with their crews divided up as the team may twice place a ball of smoke with a player wishes. They fire as a rifle section 3” diameter within 6” of its position in order with no LMG. to cover its attack.
Maximum Range: The 8cm mortar has a When making an attack with a magnetic maximum range of 180”, over fifteen foot, so charge they count as having an AT strike of it may hit anything on the table. 12. When making an attack with a Teller mine they count as having an AT strike of 9. Firing: The 81.4mm mortar fires once in a turn as covered in section 9 of the rules, either at pre‐registered points or opportunity
Vpered Na Berlin Page 57 ©TooFatLardies 2013 PANZERFAUSTS As alluded to in the unit organisation tables Panzerfausts will always be present with some units whilst other units where none are listed will have to dice to see what is available. Roll a D6 for your force at the start of the game and consult the table below.
D6 Result
1,2 Six ‘fausts for the company
3,4,5 One ‘faust per tank killer team 6 Two ‘fausts per tank killer team
Despite changing sides the Romanians had ample stocks of Panzerfausts, supplemented by those captured on an on‐going basis, to keep them supplied to the end of the war.
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In 1919, as part of the peace dictated by the The immediate effect of this was to see victorious Entente powers in the Treaty of Hungarian forces withdrawn from front‐line Trianon, Hungary was stripped of one third duties. It also prompted Admiral Horthy to of its historical lands; a settlement she was begin negotiations with the western Allies. powerless to stop but one seen as unfair and humiliating by the majority of her By March of 1944 word of Hungary’s population. negotiations reached Hitler. Nazi forces launched a successful coup which put Co‐operation with Nazi Germany brought Horthy under house arrest and the nation Hungary bloodless territorial gains in 1938 reduced to vassal status. and again in 1940, and in April 1941, when Hitler invaded Yugoslavia, Hungary Ultimately it was Hungary’s avowed enemy, deployed her armed forces in order to seize Romania, which brought the war to back lands lost in 1919. Hungary itself. The Carpathian Mountains on the north‐eastern border provided a When Barbarossa was launched in June defensible bastion against the Red Army’s 1941 Hungary was absent: however, Soviets advance. Romania’s surrender opened up air attacks on the Hungarian city of Kassa the southern border and within weeks saw the Hungarian Regent, Admiral Horthy, Romanian troops were supporting Soviet give in to the demands of the pro‐war party Army units driving into Hungarian lands. in his government and declare war. It was a decision he was to rue. Budapest was isolated just before Christmas and fell in February 1945 after an epic siege. The victories of 1941 and ’42 came to a Yet the remnants of the Hungarian Army dramatic end with the destruction of the fought on alongside their German allies, Second Hungarian Army in January 1943 falling back into Slovakia where they ended with the loss of 100,000 men. the war.
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RIFLE COMPANY
The Rifle Company was the basic building block of the Hungarian infantry Division.
Expanded rapidly from a relatively small standing army, the Hungarians were obliged to rebuild their forces again in 1943 after the disastrous Stalingrad campaign. Their forces are brave but will need to gain much needed experience in battle before they perform at their best.
Század Headquarters Anti‐Tank Szakzas One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II One rifle Raj of 8 men Four 40mm 40M AT guns with 5 crew each. Horse drawn. Szakasz One One Big Man Level II REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Three rifle Raj of 8 men Heavy Mortar Szakzas Szakasz Two On‐table Forward Observer. One Big Man Level II Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Three rifle Raj of 8 men Reconnaissance Szakzas Szakasz Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three Raj of 8 cycle mounted infantry Three rifle Raj of 8 men Pioneer Szakzas Szakasz Four One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Raj of 8 men each. Three rifle Raj of 8 men Anti‐Tank Szakzas Support Szakasz One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four 75mm Pak 97/38 or 40M (Pak 40) Two 20mm Anti‐Tank Rifles with 2 crew each AT guns with 5 crew each. Light truck Two 50mm mortars with 2 crew each drawn
Radio Net DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Only the Company commander is on the radio net. Anti Aircraft Szakzas BATTALION SUPPORT Three AAMGs with five crew each mounted on horse drawn carts Machine Gun Szakasz Three Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five Armoured Reconnaissance Szakzas crew each. One Big Man Level II Four Csaba Armoured Cars Mortar Szakasz One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO
Four 8cm 33/39M mortars with five crew each.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 60 ©TooFatLardies 2013 Assault Gun Battery RESERVE The Assault Gun Batteries were equipped with the Hungarian built Zríny 43M was the DIVISION primary vehicle supplied to the Assault RIFLE COMPANY batteries. However, in 1944 the Germans The Rifle Company in the Reserve Division supplied some fifty StuG IIIG and seventy‐ was almost identical to the one shown above, five Hetzers which also served in these only the two 20mm Solothurn anti‐tank rifles formations. were missing.
A battery was formed of two section of five If fielding such a formation the following
Assault guns each. support should be available.
BATTALION & REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Artillery Batteries Battalion support is identical to the Company A Hungarian infantry Division had three within the regular Infantry Division. artillery Battalions to support it, each one However, no Regimental support is present. comprised of two Light Batteries of four
100mm Skoda 14M howitzers and one DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Heavy battery of 149mm Skoda 14/39M howitzers. Reconnaissance Battalion For game purposes this would be Any Szakasz may be taken from the represented as either of the following Reconnaissance Battalion: see the options: Reconnaissance Company list.
One Forward Observation Officer on‐table Pioneer Szakzas linked to the battery by radio or telephone. One Big Man Level II Four 100mm Skoda guns Three Engineer Raj of 8 men each.
Or Anti Aircraft Szakzas Three AAMGs with five crew each, truck One Forward Observation Officer on‐table mounted linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Four 149mm Skoda guns Artillery Batteries Transport was provided by horse drawn These are precisely as the normal Infantry limbers Division, at left.
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RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY
The Cycle‐mounted infantryman was considered the elite light infantry of the Hungarian
Army. Fast and lightly equipped these troops would be tasked with mobile operations, often achieving by coup de main what sheer weight of numbers could not. Cycle mounted companies were present in most Hungarian formations, even the cavalry divisions. This list covers the Cavalry
Reconnaissance Battalion of 1944.
BATTALION SUPPORT Század Headquarters One Big Man Level III Mortar Szakasz One rifle Raj of 8 men on bicycles One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO Four 8cm 33/39M mortars with five Szakasz One crew each. One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men on bicycles Anti‐Tank Szakzas One Big Man Level II Szakasz Two Four 40mm 40M AT guns with 5 crew One Big Man Level II each. Light truck drawn Three rifle Raj of 8 men on bicycles Heavy Mortar Szakzas Szakasz Three On‐table Forward Observer. One Big Man Level II Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Three rifle Raj of 8 men on bicycles Armoured Reconnaissance Szakzas Szakasz Four One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four Csaba Armoured Cars Three rifle Raj of 8 men on bicycles Bicycle Pioneer Szakzas Support Szakasz One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Raj of 9 men each. Two 20mm Anti‐Tank Rifles with 2 crew each Two 50mm mortars with 2 crew each Cavalry Szakzas Bicycle mounted One Big Man Level II Three Raj of 8 men mounted on horses Radio Net Only the Company commander is on the radio net and then only when stationary.
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MOUNTAIN INFANTRY COMPANY The infantry of the Mountain Brigades was well equipped to defend the Carpathian mountains and face off the Soviet advances in the valleys and passes. Relatively lightly equipped due to their operational environment they still pack a punch.
Század Headquarters Anti‐Tank Szakzas One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II One rifle Raj of 8 men Four 40mm 40M AT guns with 5 crew each. Horse drawn. Szakasz One One Big Man Level II Heavy Mortar Szakzas Three rifle Raj of 8 men On‐table Forward Observer. Three 12cm mortars with 5 crew each Szakasz Two One Big Man Level II Pioneer Szakzas Three rifle Raj of 8 men One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Raj of 8 men each. Szakasz Three One Big Man Level II DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Three rifle Raj of 8 men Anti‐Tank Szakzas Szakasz Four One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four 75mm Pak 97/38 or 40M (Pak 40) AT Three rifle Raj of 8 men guns with 5 crew each. Light truck drawn
Machine Gun Szakasz Anti Aircraft Szakzas One Big Man Level II Three AAMGs with five crew each mounted Three Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five on horse drawn carts crew each. Scout Szakzas Radio Net One Big Man Level II Only the Company commander is on the Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted radio net.
Artillery Battery REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Forward Observation Officer on‐table Mortar Szakasz linked to the battery by radio or telephone. Four 75.5mm Skoda mountain guns or four One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO 149mm Skoda howitzers. Four 8cm 33/39M mortars with five
crew each.
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CAVALRY COMPANY The cavalry, once the elite of the Hungarian Army, were now often relegated to fulfil an infantry role as the fighting in the East became more defensive after the failures of 1942. The following force may elect to leave its horses off‐table and fight on foot.
Század Headquarters Mortar Szakasz One Big Man Level III One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO One rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted four 8cm 33/39M mortars with five crew each. Cart mounted Szakasz One One Big Man Level II Anti‐Tank Szakzas Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted One Big Man Level II Four 40mm 40M AT guns with 5 crew Szakasz Two each. Light truck tow One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted Pioneer Szakzas One Big Man Level II Szakasz Three Three Engineer Raj of 8 men each. One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted REGIMENTAL SUPPORT
Szakasz Four Tank Szakzas One Big Man Level II See Tank Company list Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted Armoured Reconnaissance Szakzas Support Szakasz See Armoured Reconnaissance list One Big Man Level II Two 20mm Anti‐Tank Rifles with 2 crew each Anti‐Tank Szakzas Two 50mm mortars with 2 crew each One Big Man Level II Two Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five crew Four 75mm Pak 97/38 or 40M (Pak 40) each. AT guns with 5 crew each. Light truck drawn Radio Net Only the Company commander is on the DIVISIONAL SUPPORT radio net.
BATTALION SUPPORT Artillery Support On‐table FOO Machine Gun Szakasz Four 76.5mm Field Guns, horse drawn limbers Four Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five crew or four 105mm howitzers each. Horse transported
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MOTORISED INFANTRY COMPANY The Motorised infantry were been rebuilt after the disaster of Stalingrad and now served as a mobile response force able to deploy to face any Soviet, or Romanian, advance. They co ‐operated with Hungarian armoured forces and represented the best that Hungary could muster.
Század Headquarters BATTALION SUPPORT One Big Man Level III One rifle Raj of 8 men Motorcycle or Bicycle Szakasz One 1.5 ton truck One Big Man Level II Four rifle Raj of 8 men, motorcycle or bicycle Szakasz One mounted One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men Mortar Szakasz Three 1.5 ton truck One Big Man level II or on‐table FOO four 8cm 33/39M mortars with five Szakasz Two crew each. Two 1.5 ton trucks
One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men Machine Gun Szakasz Three 1.5 ton truck One Big Man Level II Six Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five crew Szakasz Three each. Two 3 ton trucks
One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men Light Anti‐Tank Szakzas Three 1.5 tom truck One Big Man Level II Four 40mm 40M AT guns with 5 crew Szakasz Four each. Light truck tow
One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men, mounted Anti‐Tank Szakzas Three 1.5 ton truck One Big Man Level II Four 75mm Pak 97/38 or 40M (Pak 40) Support Szakasz AT guns with 5 crew each. Light truck drawn One Big Man Level II
Two 20mm Anti‐Tank Rifles with 2 crew each Six Schwarzlose 7/31 MMGs with five crew Pioneer Szakzas each. Three 3 ton trucks One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Raj of 8 men each Radio Net
All Szakasz are on the radio net.
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DIVISIONAL SUPPORT HUNGARIAN SOFT‐SKINS When listing Hungarian transport vehicles it Tank Szakzas is impossible to be prescriptive in detailing See Tank Company list exactly what vehicle to use. Throughout the war the Hungarian armed forces used a wide Armoured Reconnaissance Szakzas range of vehicles in all of their formation See Armoured Reconnaissance list with no apparent standardisation. Photographs of Hungarian vehicles in Huszar Szakzas column show a wide variety in use within individual formations. See Cavalry Company
By way of a guideline the following marks Heavy Anti‐Aircraft Battery were all present in the Hungarian Armed Big Man Level II Forces: Two 40M Nimrod
Or WM FIAT Two 80mm 29/38M Anti Aircraft guns Krupp 3 ton truck tows. Ford Mercedes-Benz Steyr Artillery Support Skoda On‐table FOO Volkswagen Four 76.5mm Field Guns, horse drawn limbers Botond Krupp Protze or four 105mm howitzers Rába Ford-Marmon MAVAG-Mercedes Artillery Batteries LO A Hungarian Armoured Division had three Klöckner-Deutz Magirus artillery Battalions to support it, two Light and ZIS one Heavy. Opel-Blitz Praga The Light Battalion is comprised of three Phänomen batteries, each of four 105mm 40M howitzers. Breda HSCS The Heavy battalion was made up of two MWG batteries of four 149mm howitzers. All are Hansa-Loyd towed by trucks. So, when assembling your Hungarian force For game purposes this would be represented you can take your pick of a wide range of by one Forward Observation officer linked to vehicles. the battery by radio or telephone.
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TANK COMPANY Hungarian Tank Battalions were made up of two main armoured companies, theoretically one Light and the other Heavy. The Light Company deployed three platoons, each of five tanks, whereas whilst the Heavy Company also had three platoons there were just three tanks in each of these.
What tanks were actually deployed was something of a moveable feast. By the start of 1944 the
Turán was supposedly supplied to both companies, but availability meant that the Toldi II was equipping the bulk of the Light Company with the Turáns being concentrated in the Heavy Company.
It was, however, clear to all concerned that whilst these Hungarian tanks had been adequate in the early and mid‐phases of the war they could no longer stand up to modern Soviet armour. Increasingly demands were made for Germany to supply modern tanks to equip at least the heavy companies.
Despite her own supply problems Germany responded with over 100 Panzer IV, seven Panthers and ten Tigers, all of which may be fielded as part of a Hungarian force. However, remember that you shouldn’t have two German marks serving in the same Division at any time.
LIGHT HEAVY Század Headquarters Század Headquarters One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level III Two Toldi II or Turán I tanks Two Turán I or II or one German tank
Szakasz One Szakasz One One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Five Toldi II or Turán I tanks Three Turán I or II or German tank
Szakasz Two Szakasz Two One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Five Toldi II or Turán I tanks Three Turán I or II or German tank
Szakasz Three Szakasz Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Five Toldi II or Turán I tanks Three Turán I or II or German tank
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Radio Net Any platoons may be selected from the All Hungarian platoons are on the radio net Gépkocsizόlovesz Század and Páncélos Felderitö Század list. Artillery support is the same as the Gépkocsizόlovesz Század list
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ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY The Armoured Reconnaissance Companies were equipped with the Csaba 39M armoured car. Various formations were equipped with the Csaba in platoon size formations, the one shown here is the company which formed part of an Armoured Division
Század Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level III All Szakasz are on the radio net. One Csaba 39M REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Szakasz One One Big Man Level II Bicycle Szakasz Three Csaba 39M One Big Man Level II Three rifle Raj of 8 men, bicycle mounted Szakasz Two One Big Man Level II DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Three Csaba 39M Any platoons may be selected from the Gépkocsizόlovesz Század and Harckocsi Szakasz Three Század list. Artillery support is the same as One Big Man Level II the Gépkocsizόlovesz Század list Three Csaba 39M
Szakasz Four One Big Man Level II Three Csaba 39M
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Rating your Hungarian forces is done by using The ratings below are recommended in the cards in the Game Deck but also by the normal circumstances: however, you can number of Big Men present and the unit tweak this to reflect particular situations. ratings. The system is as flexible as you need it to be.
ADDING BIG MEN AFV MORALE The force guidelines above will show you the Hungarian tanks and AFVs will vary basic number and level of Big Men you depending on the phase of the war. Starting should have with any force. What you now off at 3 it should fall to 2 in September 1944 need to do is see if any additional Big Men unless the tank is a German model in which are present to add dynamism to the force. case it remains at 3. After the fall of For any Hungarian Company Headquarters Budapest all Hungarian armour crews should roll 1D6 on a 6 an additional Level II Big Man be rated as 2 unless facing Romanian is present. opposition when it will still be 3.
For an elite unit a Level I Big Man is present STACKING THE DECK on a roll of 5 or 6. Standard line troops will When creating the Game Deck for a game never roll for additional Big Men at platoon involving Hungarian forces one card should level. be present for each Szakasz present as well
as any Company Headquarters and attached For an elite force the maximum number of Szakasz and on or off‐table support units. additional Big Men is three; for an average One Axis Blinds card will always be present, force only one Big Man may be added. No as should one card for each of the Hungarian attached support weapon platoons dice for Big Men. additional Big Men. Anti‐tank weapons, towed or self‐propelled, RATING YOUR FORCE should have one card in the deck for each The speed with which a unit loses weapon. Other cards that may be present effectiveness as losses mount can be are as follows: controlled to show anything from gritty Rapid Deployment card: This should be determination in the last ditch to abject present for any motorised, bicycle or cavalry cowardice. In between it can be interesting force. to experiment with forces that appear to be tough and ready for action but whose confidence can collapse after a short time. INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Line Infantry 1943 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Line Infantry 1944 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cycle Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mountain Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cavalry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Motorised Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Vpered Na Berlin Page 69 ©TooFatLardies 2013 Recce Bonus card: This should be included Tank Killers card: Always present for for any bicycle or cavalry force or a force Hungarian troops when anti‐tank teams are including a recce element. In the latter case present. the bonus may only be used by the recce unit and not by any force it is attached to. Ammunition Shortage card: This can be present should the scenario demand. Hesitant Troops card: This card should always be used for line troops. Dynamic Leader card: Used sparingly with elite formations such as cavalry or bicycle Anti‐tank Bonus card: Present for units troops. armed with 75mm guns of whatever make. Heroic Leader card: May be present with Poor Fire Discipline: This card may be elite troops such as cavalry or mountain included for any Hungarian force with poor troops. It may be present with any troops morale. during the battle for Budapest.
Vehicle Breakdown card: This should be present for any Hungarian armoured or motorised unit.
ARMOURED VEHICLES
AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes
Value Strike Csaba 39M 2 4 20mm Wheeled
Toldi II 2 4 20mm Fast
Toldi IIA 3 5 40mm Fast
Turan I 4 5 40mm Fast
Turan II 4 7 75mm Fast
Panzer III N 5 6 75mm Average
Panzer IV G 5 8 75mm Average Panzer IV H 5 9 75mm Average
Panzer V Panther 11 12 75mm Fast
Panzer VI Tiger I 5 7 50mm Average
StuG III G 7 9 75mm Average Low profile
Hetzer 7 9 75mm Average Low profile
43M Zrinyi 5 8 105mm Average Low profile
Nimrod 40M 3 5 40mm Fast Open top
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Weapon Weapon Strike 40mm 40M 5 50mm Pak 38 7
75mm Pak 40 9
Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24”
Solothurn 20mm 4 4 4 4 4
Panzerfaust 30/Faustpatrone 11 11 ‐ ‐ ‐
Panzerfast 60 11 11 11 ‐ ‐
Panzerfaust 100 11 11 11 11 ‐
Panzerschreck 13 13 13 13 ‐
Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
MMG 2 2 2 1 1
PTRD 14.5mm AT rifle 3 3 3 3 3
HUNGARIAN WEAPON RULES
SECTION ARMAMENT man‐portable. Roll a D6‐1 at the start of the Throughout the Hungarian unit options we game for each 5cm mortar position. The have assumed that the rifle Raj is armed with resulting number is its EDNA rating at the the standard bolt action rifle and one light start of the game. Each time the mortar machine gun, with one or two SMGs for team fires any roll of 6 will reduce this rating. NCOs. If you wish to amend that in order to When a mortar falls to a rating of zero they represent specific units then you can use are out of ammunition. Section 4.4 of the rules to see what effect this has. Minimum Range: The 5cm mortar has no
minimum range. If the enemy are that close HUNGARIAN MORTARS then it is assumed that the crew can do an The Hungarians fielded German pattern equal amount of damage with their rifles. mortars during this period and consequently the same rules apply. Maximum Range: The 5cm mortar has a maximum range of 84”.
The 5cm Light GrW 36 Mortar Aiming: In order to fire the 5cm mortar Not popular with the Germans but still in needs to be within 6” of a point from where a service with the Hungarians due to their lack direct line of sight can be traced to the target of equipment generally. or target area. This represents the ability of
Ammunition: The 5cm mortar only fires HE, the mortar to fire from cover while one of its it has no smoke round. As it is being used in team moves forward to observe the fall of static defences the number of rounds shot. available does not depend on them being
Vpered Na Berlin Page 71 ©TooFatLardies 2013 The 5cm mortar was notoriously inaccurate, TANK KILLERS despite having an overly‐complex ranging The Hungarians were always short on anti‐ mechanism. To reflect this it will only hit a tank weapons so the arrival of the target on a roll of a 6, or 5 or 6 if the target is Panzerfaust in late 1943 presented them with in direct line of sight and in the open. Any a low cost option which they used fully. hits will cause one point of Shock on the target unit. The 5cm mortar may never use Hungarian units may therefore convert up to rapid fire. one Raj into three Tank Killer teams,
The 8cm GrW 34 Medium Mortar including a Tank Killer Bonus card in the deck when they are present. The GrW 34 was an extremely flexible weapon which provided fire support at the Panzerfausts will always be present when lowest possible level. Tank Killer teams are fielded. Roll a D6 for Minimum Range: The 8cm mortar has a your force at the start of the game and minimum range of 8”. If mortars are consult the table below. deployed on‐table with the enemy at close quarters they may form impromptu rifle D6 Result sections with their crews divided up as the 1 One ‘faust per team player wishes. They fire as a rifle section 2,3,4 Two ‘fausts per team with no LMG. 5,6 Three ‘fausts per team
Maximum Range: The 8cm mortar has a maximum range of 384”, over thirty feet, so it may hit anything on the table.
Firing: The 8cm mortar fires once in a turn as covered in section 9 of the rules, either at pre‐registered points or opportunity fire. If the mortar platoon is on‐table then the Indirect Fire Support table is ignored and the mortars will begin firing on their next card after the FOO has called in the fire. The 8cm mortar may fire H.E. or Smoke rounds.
The 12cm GrW 42 Heavy Mortar The Germans were so impressed with the Soviet 120mm mortar that they rapidly developed their own model, providing a cost effective firepower alternative to artillery, particularly useful when supplying their Hungarian allies.
Due its minimum range of 76” it will always be deployed off‐table. The 12cm mortar may fire H.E. or Smoke rounds.
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The Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939 and alliance and very different objectives. the subsequent Winter War was to leave the Finnish people with both an overwhelming Throughout the “Continuation War” Finland’s sense of unfairness at the peace treaty and objective was to re‐occupy lands taken from the loss of territory and a sense of great pride them at the end of the Winter War. Indeed, that that, despite the might of the Soviet by the end of August 1941 the Finns had Union, the independent spirit of Finland in stopped advancing and were digging in to the face of totalitarian aggression had shone protect their borders like a beacon to the free world. Military activity was limited during 1942 and
Geographically Finland was unfortunate in 1943, with the Soviets besieged in Leningrad that she found herself isolated from the unable to threaten the Finns. By 1944 this democratic nations of Europe with whom she situation was changing. With the Germans in most identified. Trade agreements with retreat at all points the Finns were clear that Britain signed in 1940 were abandoned when should the Baltic states fall to the Soviets, the German invasion of Denmark made their Estonia in particular, Helsinki would be under continuation impractical. With an uneasy threat from operations launched from the peace maintained with the Soviet Union, Baltic islands. Indeed by June 1944 the Finland was obliged to look to Germany as Soviets were launching offensives which their most powerful close neighbour. were pushing the Finns back to the 1940 borders. By 1941 Finland was ready to co‐operate militarily with Germany in the invasion of the In August 1944 the Finns signed a peace Soviet Union. However, unlike Romania, treaty with the Soviets, part of which obliged Slovakia and Hungary, Finland was not to be them to eject the Germans from their soil. drawn into a formal alliance. Rather she For the rest of the war they fought an described her status as a co‐belligerent: unenthusiastic campaign in the snowy far being at war with a common foe, but with no north against their former co‐belligerents.
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INFANTRY COMPANY The Finnish Infantry Company made up the bulk of Finland’s forces facing the Soviets along their frontier. Inspired by the example of the Winter War veterans who they fight alongside, they are determined troops who once dug in take some shifting. Short on essential anti‐tank weapons, they make the best of what they have and are a tough opponent.
Company Headquarters REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Three AT teams of 3 men each Jäger Joukkue One Big Man Level III Joukkue One Four Jäger Ryhmä, 8 men, high proportion of One Big Man Level II SMGs Four rifle Ryhmä, 8 men each High proportion of SMGs Engineer Platoon Four rifle Ryhmä, 8 men each or three Ryhmä Joukkue Two of 8 men and two flamethrower teams, 2 One Big Man Level II crew each Four rifle Ryhmä, 8 men each High proportion of SMGs Heavy Mortar Joukkue One on‐table FOO Joukkue Three Two or three 120mm mortars, 5 crew each One Big Man Level II Four rifle Ryhmä, 8 men each Anti‐Tank Joukkue High proportion of SMGs Two anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each. Types may be the 45mm PstK 37, Radio Net 50mm PstK 38, the 75mm PstK 97/38 The Finns have no radio net. or 75mm PstK 40 A‐20 Komsomoletz tractors used as tows BATTALION SUPPORT DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Machine Gun Platoon One Big Man Level II Anti‐Aircraft Joukkue Four Maxim MMGs, five crew each Two ltK 39B 40mm Bofors, 5 crew each Anti Tank Platoon Four tank killer Ryhmä of 8 men. Up to two Artillery Support of these may be converted to AT teams, with Finnish artillery support was variable, each Ryhmä being exchanged for two three depending on which weapons were available. man teams. The rest are SMG armed A fair proportion of the ordnance was so antiquated as to be remnants of the Great Mortar Platoon War and really only suitable for a museum. As One on‐table FOO linked to three a result this section can only provide a guide 81mm mortars, 5 crew each rather than be a comprehensive and prescriptive list.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 74 ©TooFatLardies 2013 A Finnish Infantry Division was equipped with FINNISH WEAPONS one Field Artillery Regiment comprised of Throughout the war the Finns were quick to three battalions. Each of these battalions had improvise in order to provide them with three batteries of four guns each, totalling 36 materiel they needed to continue their fight. guns for the Division. All of these were horse drawn. The guns were primarily around Noted in the Infantry Company list, and the 75mm in calibre, with French 75mm Field lists that follow, are numerous anti‐tank guns being deployed initially until these were teams. Short on anti‐tank guns, the Finns shipped to Germany in order to provide took a particularly hands‐on approach to tank Finland with the PstK 97/38 anti‐tank guns she killing, aided by the close terrain of the needed. Other weapons were often captured Karelian Isthmus. Soviet pieces from the Winter War, such as the 76mm K/36 and K/02 Field Guns. By 1944 In 1943 these teams may select between the most Divisions had one battalion of the Field Soviet captured anti‐tank rifles or using artillery Regiment up‐gunned to the 149mm magnetic charges or satchel charges. From or 152mm howitzers. the start of 1944 onwards Panzerfaust 30 and Panzerschreck were issued to the tank killer A Heavy Field Artillery Battery was also teams. The player should choose which team present with each Infantry Division. Its three is armed with which weapons at the start of batteries of four guns fielded pieces from the game. 105mm to 155mm in calibre, with the 122mm and 149mm pieces being present in some The three man team was considered the best numbers. tank‐killing team in 1944, with the two man Panzerschreck team supported by a single As a result any batteries of the above calibres Panzerfaust to cover them as they reloaded. may be present with a Finnish Infantry Company. These will be represented as Due to a major shortage of radios, the only follows: units on the radio net are Finnish Armoured troops. In all other forces the company One on‐table FOO linked to a four gun battery commander will have a fixed line telephone in by static telephone line. a defensive position.
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LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY
The Jääkäri of Finland’s Jäger formations were the inheritors of a proud tradition going back to Finland’s fight for independence during the wider Russian Civil War. Trained to be mobile and hard hitting forces they attract the highest quality of recruit. So highly are they thought of, the
Finnish Armoured Division fields a Jääkäri Brigade to support their operations.
Company Headquarters DIVISIONAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level IV What support is available will depend on what Three AT teams of 3 men each Division the Company is attached to. The One 50mm mortar team, two crew support shown here is for an Infantry Division. If the Jääkäri force is attached to an Armoured Joukkue One Division then select the support from that One Big Man Level III available to a Tank Company. Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each High proportion of SMGs Engineer Platoon Four rifle Ryhmä, 8 men each or three Ryhmä Joukkue Two of 8 men and two flamethrower teams, 2 One Big Man Level III crew each Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each High proportion of SMGs Heavy Mortar Joukkue One on‐table FOO Joukkue Three Two or three 120mm mortars, 5 crew each One Big Man Level III Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each Anti‐Tank Joukkue High proportion of SMGs One Big Man Level II Two anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each. Radio Net Types may be the 45mm PstK 37, The Finns have no radio net. 50mm PstK 38, the 75mm PstK 97/38 or 75mm PstK 40 BATTALION SUPPORT A‐20 Komsomoletz tractors used as tows
Machine Gun Platoon Anti‐Aircraft Joukkue One Big Man Level II Two ltK 39B 40mm Bofors, 5 crew Four Maxim MMGs, five crew each each
Anti Tank Platoon Artillery Support Four tank killer Ryhmä of 8 men. Up to two One on‐table FOO linked to a four gun battery of these may be converted to AT teams, with by static telephone line.
each Ryhmä being exchanged for two three Select from the gun types relevant to the man teams Division.
Mortar Platoon One on‐table FOO linked to three 81mm mortars, 5 crew each
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BORDER LIGHT INFANTRY Finland’s extensive and wild borders stretched across hundreds of miles of wilderness and were policed by a well‐trained regular frontier force of independent companies. During the Winter War their high level of performance saw them given the title of Jäger. During the continuation war they were used as screening forces for large areas where permanent fortifications were impractical and as flank guards for larger units. By 1944 they had expanded to Battalion size formations as shown here.
Company Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level IV The Finns have no radio net.
Joukkue One BATTALION SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each Anti‐Tank Joukkue High proportion of SMGs One Big Man Level II Two PstK 37 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew Joukkue Two each. Horse drawn tows One Big Man Level III Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each Mortar Platoon High proportion of SMGs One on‐table FOO linked to three 81mm mortars, 5 crew each Joukkue Three One Big Man Level III Obstacle Detachment Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each See Finnish Weapons rules High proportion of SMGs
Anti‐Tank Platoon 1943 Four anti‐tank rifle teams with captured Soviet AT rifles, 3 crew each Two heavy AT rifle teams with 20mm Solothurn rifles, 3 crew each
Anti‐Tank Platoon 1944 One Close‐Range AT section of three teams with demolition charges and panzerfausts Two Heavy AT section, each with one Panzerschreck team of three men and two Solothurn AT rifle team of three men
Machine Gun Platoon One Big Man Level II Four Maxim MMGs, five crew each
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TANK COMPANY Finland’s main supplier of tanks during the second world war was the Soviet Union. In particular large amounts of Soviet tanks were captured during the Winter War and these were used to equip the single Armoured Division which was operating in 1944. With the bulk of the Finnish army deployed in static positions between 1942 and 1944 the Finns were able to train their armoured formations out of the line. The result was a well‐trained but badly under‐equipped force which faced the Soviet attacks of summer 1944.
Company Headquarters Radio Net One Big Man Level IV All platoons are on the radio net Two T‐26E One BA10 or BA6 Armoured car Artillery Support Finnish artillery support for the Armoured Joukkue One Division was provided by one Heavy Artillery One Big Man Level II Battalion. Five T‐26 tanks Made up of three batteries, each of four guns, Joukkue Two it fielded the 150mm H40 howitzer. These One Big Man Level III will be represented by one on‐table FOO Five T‐26 tanks linked to a four gun battery by static telephone line. Joukkue Three One Big Man Level III Finnish Tanks of the Continuation War Five T‐26 tanks The T‐26 was by far the most numerous AFV in Finnish service. To some extent this was DIVISIONAL SUPPORT helpful as the Finns had deployed the Vickers 6 ton tank before the war, the model upon JääkäriJoukkue which the T‐26 was based, so they were able One Big Man Level III to up‐gun those to 45mm main guns under Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each the designation T‐26E (the ‘E’ being for High proportion of SMGs “English”).
In the 1st and 2nd Tank Battalions it was only Anti‐Tank Joukkue the third companies which had other marks One Big Man Level II deployed. The 1st Battalion’s 3rd Company Two 75mm PstK 97/38 or 75mm had three T‐34 in its 1st Platoon, three T‐28 in PstK 40 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each. its 2nd Platoon and five T‐26 in the third A‐20 Komsomoletz tractors used as tows platoon.
AA Joukkue The 2nd Battalion’s 6th Company had two KV‐1 Two Landsverk Anti II in its first platoon, four T‐28 in the 2nd platoon and five T‐26 in the third platoon. So, we can Assault Gun Joukkue see that numbers of modern vehicles were One Big Man Level II very limited. Three Stu 40G
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ASSAULT GUN COMPANY One of the most effective units in the Finnish Army in 1944 was the Assault Gun Battalion of the Finnish Armoured Division. Originally supplied as an infantry support formation it was quickly identified that this was the only Finnish unit which could face modern Soviet armour in the field on a level playing field. As such the assault guns found themselves deployed largely as tank killers.
Company Headquarters Tank Joukkue One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II One Stu 40G Assault Gun Five T‐26 tanks
Joukkue One Artillery Support One Big Man Level II Finnish artillery support for the Armoured Three Stu 40G Assault Guns Division was provided by one Heavy Artillery Battalion. Joukkue Two One Big Man Level II Made up of three batteries, each of four guns, Three Stu 40G Assault Guns it fielded the 150mm H40 howitzer. These will be represented as follows: Joukkue Three (July 1944 onwards) One Big Man Level II One on‐table FOO linked to a four gun battery Three Stu 40G Assault Guns by static telephone line.
Radio Net
All platoons are on the radio net
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT
JääkäriJoukkue One Big Man Level III Four Jääkäri Ryhmä, 8 men each High proportion of SMGs
Anti‐Tank Joukkue One Big Man Level II Two 75mm PstK 97/38 or 75mm PstK 40 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each. A‐20 komsomoletz tractors used as tows
AA Joukkue Two Landsverk Anti II
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Rating your Finnish forces is done by using AFV MORALE the cards in the Game Deck but also by the Finnish tanks and AFVs were well trained and number of Big Men present and the unit consistently out‐performed their Soviet ratings. counter‐parts. Their morale level is generally
at 3 with all platoon commanders rated as 4. ADDING BIG MEN An occasional Ace should be included. The force guidelines above will show you the basic number and level of Big Men you should have with any force. What you now STACKING THE DECK need to do is see if any additional Big Men When creating the Game Deck for a game are present to add dynamism to the force. involving Finish forces one card should be For any Finnish Company Headquarters roll present for each Joukkue present as well as 1D6 on a 4, 5 or 6 an additional Level II Big any Company Headquarters and attached Man is present. Joukkue and on or off‐table support units. One Axis Blinds (or Allied Blinds later) card For any Finnish Joukkue a Level I Big Man is will always be present, as should one card for present on a roll of 5 or 6. Elite troops will each of the Finnish Big Men. add an additional Big Men at Joukkue level Anti‐tank weapons, towed or self‐propelled, on a 5 or 6. However, for an elite force the should have one card in the deck for each maximum number of additional Big Men is weapon. Other cards that may be present three; for an average force two Big Men may are as follows: be added. No attached support weapon platoons dice for additional Big Men. Armoured Movement Bonus: This should be present for any force which includes a tank RATING YOUR FORCE element. The speed with which a unit loses effectiveness as losses mount can be Rapid Deployment card: This should be controlled to show anything from gritty present for any Jäger or tank force. determination in the last ditch to abject Recce Bonus card: This should be included cowardice. In between it can be interesting for any Jäger or a force including a Jäger to experiment with forces that appear to be element. In the latter case the bonus may tough and ready for action but whose only be used by the Jäger unit and not by any confidence can collapse after a short time. force it is attached to.
The ratings below are recommended in Anti‐tank Bonus card: Present for all units normal circumstances however you can with anti‐tank guns of any calibre. This card tweak this to reflect particular situations. may be reserved until the anti‐tank gun’s The system is as flexible as you need it to be. own card is dealt and used to have a well‐
INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Regular Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jäger or Border Jäger 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Vpered Na Berlin Page 80 ©TooFatLardies 2013 aimed shot at a tank’s weak point. If this Tank Killers card: Always present for Finnish option is taken then the card should be troops when anti‐tank teams are present. placed with the relevant AT gun and when it fires it will do so with a +1 bonus to hit on the Dynamic Leader card: The Finns relied on strike dice rolled. This is limited to the first the quality of their leadership to make up for round of fire from the selected gun. many material shortfalls. This should always be present for any Finnish force.
Rally: Present for all Finnish forces. Two Heroic Leader card: May be present with present for Border Jäger. elite Jäger troops.
Vehicle Breakdown card: This should be present for any actions fought in sub‐zero temperatures.
ARMOURED VEHICLES
AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes
Value Strike
T‐26/T26E 3 5 45mm Slow
T‐28 3 5 76mm Average
T34/76 6 7 76mm Fast
T34/85 7 10 85mm Fast
KV‐1 8 7 76mm Slow Heavy armour BA‐10 2 4 45mm Wheeled
BA‐6 2 4 45mm Wheeled
Stu 40 G 7 9 75mm Average Heavy armour
from the side (not
rear)
Landesverk Anti 2 2 5 40mm Fast Open top
Vpered Na Berlin Page 81 ©TooFatLardies 2013 ANTI-TANK WEAPONS Weapon Weapon Strike
PstK 37 37mm 5
PstK 37 with Stielgranate 7 PstK 38 50mm 7 PstK 97/38 75mm 7
PstK 40 75mm 9
Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24” Solothurn 20mm 4 4 4 4 4 PTRD 14.5mm AT rifle 3 3 3 3 3
Panzerfaust 30/Faustpatrone 11 11 ‐ ‐ ‐
Panzerfast 60 11 11 11 ‐ ‐ Panzerschreck 13 13 13 13 ‐ Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
MMG 2 2 2 1 1
FINNISH WEAPON RULES
SECTION ARMAMENT STIELGRANATE 41 Throughout the Finnish unit options we have By 1943 the 37mm PstK 37 was struggling to assumed that the rifle Ryhmä is armed with deal with the current generation of armoured the standard bolt action rifle and one light vehicles. In an attempt to extend its service machine gun with one or two SMGs for life a shaped charge was created which could NCOs. Numerous Finnish units had a high be loaded onto the muzzle of the gun and proportion of SMGs, so if you wish to fired with a blank charge. Whilst the charge represent those units then you can use itself was powerful the arrangement was Section 4.4 of the rules to see what effect inaccurate at over 300m and obliged the this has. crew to leave cover to load the next round
onto the gun muzzle, a slow process. FINNISH MORTARS The Finns fielded a complete hotch‐potch of To reflect this, the PstK 37 with Stielgranate mortars during the Continuation War, yet counts as a Heavy Gun for releoading and has their designation was normally based solely a maximum range of 48”. It fires as normal at on calibre. As a result the Finns will field up to 24” and with a ‐1 to hit between 24” 50mm, 81mm and 120mm mortars of and 48”. German or Soviet origin and the rules for the weapons from those countries should be FINNISH PAKFRONT used. The German defensive tactic of forming a
broad anti‐tank defence was particularly
effective in ambushing enemy armour and
this was taken up by the well‐trained Stu 40G
crews. To reflect this, an Assault unit may
Vpered Na Berlin Page 82 ©TooFatLardies 2013 deploy in a Pakfront with all of their Stu 40G FINNISH ARTILLERY in cover. One card is included in the Game An antiquated forces in the Winter War, the Deck for each gun, however on the first time Finnish artillery underwent a process of the Pakfront fires all the guns or AFVs that modernisation during the Continuation War. are part of this may fire on any single anti‐ Under General Vilho Nenonen it had been tank gun card. From that point on all the made to utilize new innovations in artillery guns or AFVs will be activated singly as the calculations and tactics, some of which were cards are dealt. deemed too secret even to let Germans know about them, for example korjausmuunnin Additionally, whilst in their initial position any (correction converter). Stu 40G may have a fourth Action which can only be used to allow them to retire 1D6 in a Radios were starting to be present in such “Shoot and Scoot” manoeuvre. If they move numbers that radio‐ and telephone nets from that position they revert to three could be combined to give commanders a Actions. good situational awereness from the FOO's in the field and to effectively co‐ordinate TANK KILLERS artillery actions of multiple units together. The Finns found that judicious use of hand‐ held anti‐tank weapons, in particular the This had been achieved with good training Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck, made up for but also the long "peaceful" periods in the any shortages of armour in the close terrain Karelian Isthmus between the years 42‐44 of the Karelian Peninsular. when the whole area could be mapped accurately and defence networks could be The Finns used a three man team as established giving artillery everything it standard, two crewing the Panzerschreck and needed to strike fast and true. the third man with a Panzerfaust to cover them as they reloaded. As a result the Finns in 1944 use the “Britain & Empire” rating for Indirect Fire support To reflect this any Finnish tank killer team will have a Panzerschreck team and a single Panzerfaust to use.
OBSTACLE DETACHMENT The Finnish Border Jägers deployed an Obstacle Detachment which was ready to quickly sew mines in order to halt any Soviet advance.
To reflect this, the Finnish player fielding such a force may deploy two minefields 6” square on the table at any point of his choosing. These have been hurriedly put in place and are marked and can be seen by the enemy.
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In April 1941 Yugoslavia was invaded by seeking to replace the monarchy with a Soviet Germany and Italy with support from Hungary style republic. and Romania. The invasion immediately highlighted the schisms within the nation, In truth the war in Yugoslavia was a confused with many Slovenian and Croatian soldiers of civil war with the Germans providing the the Yugoslavian Royal Army simply refusing to admixture of men, ammunition and political fight. power to allow some of the worst excesses to come to the fore. From a German perspective Yugoslavia was an unfortunate side‐show. With her plans to By December 1941 Tito’s Partisans formed the invade the Soviet Union on hold she was keen 1st Proletarian Assault Brigade, a grandiose to declare the country defeated and to move title for what was actually a much smaller on to greater things. In truth this was unit. Increasingly the Chetniks saw the Red nowhere near the case. Partisans as the greatest threat to Yugoslavia and made compromises with the German Almost immediately opposition forces began occupiers which allowed them to prosecute a assembling. Initially these bands of men came war against these opponents of the King. from among the remains of Yugoslavia’s Serbian dominated officer corps; the Chetniks For many Yugoslavians this left Tito as the sole who took to the mountains to oppose the true opponent of the German occupiers. invaders. However, very rapidly other groups Indeed the Germans were also quick to share began to emerge. that view, with operations against them beginning in late 1941 and continuing right up In July 1941 the first Yugoslavian Communist to the end of the war. led resistance groups began to form, while elsewhere other forces, supporters of the new By a process of constantly putting pressure on puppet regimes in Croatia and Slovenia, began the occupiers, destroying outposts and hitting mustering to support their newly commercially and militarily important targets “independent” states and their German such as road and rail communications, Tito sponsors. was able to take control of large areas of Yugoslavia, limiting the occupying forces and Very rapidly the Chetniks found themselves in their collaborators to the major towns. a position where, as the rump of the forces of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, they found Throughout the war the German launched supplies coming from London where their numerous operations against Tito’s force King was in exile. including seven major offensives, all of which achieved some localised successes but, Thus supplied they attempted to strike at the equally, failed in their main objectives. By Germans, but this in turn placed them in 1945 Tito had effectively liberated Yugoslavia opposition to other groups inside what had without external assistance. As the Germans been Yugoslavia. Initially this was conflict withdrew, the rump of the collaborationist between them and the forces of Croatia and forces fought on, often to the death. Slovenia, but soon they also faced the Interestingly, Croatian Ustacha forces were emerging communists who were clearly still fighting pitched battles at the end of May in 1945, weeks after the formal end of hostilities.
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PARTISAN DETACHMENT Partisan detachments are, by their very nature, difficult to specify due to the state of flux in which they operate and the realities of recruitment without any system of draft. As a result numbers in units could and did vary widely.
In theory a Company was made op of 20 to 100 men, with a detachment having between 50 and 500 men. Squads of 5 to 10 men were organised into platoons of two to four squads, with two to four platoons making up a company. That said, units of just over 100 men were often declared to be Battalions or even Brigades.
Equipment within each detachment would depend on what came to hand. Supply levels took a major boost when Italy pulled out of the war and stockpiles of ammunition, uniforms and equipment could be seized and turned to good use.
Detachment Headquarters Mortar Platoon One Big Man Level III One Big Man Level II Four anti‐tank teams with “John Bull” 0.55” Two 45mm or 50mm light mortars of Italian, AT rifles and 2 man teams German or Soviet design
Platoon One Cavalry Scout Platoon One Big Man Level II Three mounted rifle squads of 8 men Three rifle Squads of 8 men
Radio Net Platoon Two This force has no radios One Big Man Level II
Three rifle Squads of 8 men
Platoon Three One Big Man Level II Three rifle Squads of 8 men
DETACHMENT SUPPORT
Machine Gun Platoon One Big Man Level II Four Schwarzlose MG05 with 5 crew each.
Light Infantry Gun Platoon One Big Man Level II Two German le.IG 75mm or Italian 65/17 65mm infantry guns wth five crew each. Horse towed
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The marker will be replaced by figures and the unit spotted if it fires again, or if it is spotted by German forces under the usual process. It Gaming with Partisan forces can be done with may, however, choose to move away before it almost no changes to the main rules, indeed is spotted, in which case it is replaced with a the size of the anti‐partisan actions were normal Blind. often conducted with multiple divisions of troops, so one can get involved in any number Partisans Returning to Blinds of scenario options for stand‐up fights. This card allows one unit of up to platoon size to return to Blinds after it has been spotted That said, we find that treating partisans OR for an existing Blind to disappear slightly differently can produce some fun completely. games which capture the nature of this type of warfare. When a unit’s card or the Blinds card is dealt, the player may select any of his units up to Rule Changes platoon size that is not in line of sight of The only rule change we use is to give the enemy forces. Having done that the platoon Partisans an advantage when operating on will be replaced by a Blind. To benefit from home turf. These are usually locals, so the this the platoon must be operating as a terrain will naturally favour them in that they coherent unit, so any squad or weapons team are familiar with the ground and can take that is further than 4” from any other part of advantage of that. the platoon will remain on the table and will have to use a subsequent turns of the unit’s We represent this with two simple rules. card if it also wishes to return to Blinds.
Partisans Firing from Cover A unit that is already on a Blind (whether it Partisans that open fire from having been has or has not been previously spotted does hidden in cover will not be immediately not matter) may use this option to remove deployed on the table. Their fire will be the Blind completely if it is taking up a calculated as normal, but a marker will be position in cover or, if preferred, it may split placed on the table, we use one base of into two separate Blinds, one real, one a figures, to represent their general position. dummy. This is a half‐way stage between being on a Blind and being deployed on the table. To do this it must declare its intentions when the Blinds card is dealt and then remain stationary until the Blinds card is next dealt in
Vpered Na Berlin Page 86 ©TooFatLardies 2013 a subsequent turn. At that point the Blind will PARTISAN FORCES be removed from the table, the unit Dice Column 1 Column 2 disappearing, or the additional Blind will be 1 Two platoons MG platoon placed on the table adjacent to the current 2 One platoon Mortar platoon one. If removed, the unit is now considered 3 One Platoon Mortar platoon to have taken a position in cover within 9” of 4 MG platoon Cavalry platoon where the blind was situated. 5 Trucks One tank
6 One platoon plus Light gun platoon When a unit returns to Blinds any Shock that MG platoon the squads or weapons teams have If trucks are fielded they may carry two accumulated will be reduced by 50% (round platoons of troops or weapons. They may down). Any Big Men with the unit will have also allow the Partisans to use the Ruse their cards removed from the deck (or option in certain scenarios. ignored) until they are again spotted or the units actions mean that it is deployed on the If a tank is fielded it should be of an obsolete table. If an umpire is present he may be type captured from the security forces. advised of their fresh position, if no umpire is available the player should mark this new position on a sketch map. Subsequent turns GERMAN FORCES of the Blinds card will allow Shock to be Dice Column 1 Column 2 removed at the rate of one point per squad 1 Platoon and MG platoon per turn. Allied platoon 2 Allied platoon Mortar platoon If the Blind is spotted in between the two 3 Allied platoon Cossack Czota cards being dealt the unit is deployed on the 4 Two allied Anti tank gun table as normal. platoons platoon 5 Allied Machine Armoured car Force Generator gun platoon platoon To add some variability and excitement to our 6 Machine gun tank platoon Partisan games we use a random force platoon generator for both sides. If the force fielded is German then Allied platoons will be collaborationist forces. If the Both sides start with a basic force of two force fielded is collaborationist Schuma then platoons of their troop type plus a Company the Allied platoons will be German. Headquarters. For Germans this will be all German units or all units from a collaborating The anti‐tank gun platoon should be Pak 36 force if that is what you are fielding. If one light weapons which can be used in an anti‐ side is fielding a core force of elite troops, and personnel role. If an armoured car platoon is this will probably be the Germans, then the present it will be three SdKfz 221 and 222 other side will have one additional platoon as vehicles or captured French or Italian vehicles. part of their core force. A tank platoon is present it will be three obsolete French or Italian tanks. For both Germans and Partisans roll 2D6 on the following tables. The player may select Now we know what forces we have available which dice is applied to which column, but we can move on to generate a scenario. must apply one D6 roll to each column. Select, or roll randomly to choose, one of the following scenarios.
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HIT & RUN The Partisan detachment is on the attack. Its target is an enemy garrison of platoon size in a camp or small village somewhere in the area shaded white on the table below. Place one German or collaborator platoon on Blinds in the target area.
The partisans enter the table anywhere on the table edge marked with the red arrow. If they have trucks they may use a Ruse to move them and any troops they carry to 12” away from the objective. Place Blinds to mark their starting location. They must wipe out the isolated platoon and then retire back off their entry edge to win the game.
As soon as the first partisan unit is spotted a call will be made to the local German headquarters and a relief force will be on the way. Roll a D6 each time the Tea Break card is dealt and keep a note of the total rolled. Once that total reaches 10 the
German reinforcements will begin arriving at the rate of one platoon each time the Blinds card is dealt. Dice to see where they will be arriving with the blue dice showing the possible entry points. All the German or Allied platoons will arrive at that point on subsequent turns.
The Partisans may deploy two dummy Blinds. The Germans will not use any dummies.
KESSELSCHLACHT
The Partisan detachment has been isolated and now the Germans and their collaborator allies are moving in for the kill. They have sealed off one table edge of their choice fully with forces deployed off‐ table. No partisans will escape in that direction. They may now advance from any points on any of the three other table edges. They must not allow the partisans to break out from the Kessel. All partisans must be destroyed or captured for a German win.
The partisans begin the game on hidden Blinds anywhere in the area shaded white. They may not be closer than 18” to any single able edge. If they move they will immediately be spotted, as such they do not use Blinds for this scenario. The Germans may field four dummy Blinds.
To win the Partisans need to break out and move as many of their forces off the table as possible. Any troops moves off the sealed off edge are automatically killed or captured.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 88 ©TooFatLardies 2013 A FIGHTING WITHDRAWAL The Partisan detachment has been tasked with destroying a bridge which is located in the white shaded area. Unfortunately the Germans and their allies have discovered this so the partisans have now deployed a screening force to buy them time. To win they must withdraw the screening force across the bridge and then blow it, rolling 2‐6 on a D6 to complete the demolition. A 1 sees the charge fail.
The partisans begin the game with a demolition team at the bridge setting their charges. Roll a D6 on each Tea Break card and note the running total. Once a total of 20 is reached the charges are set and ready to be blow.
The Germans arrive on the table at the start of turn one on Blinds on the edge marked with the blue arrow.
The German may deploy two dummy Blinds, the partisans screening force deploys in the area shaded yellow. They may deploy three dummy
Blinds.
EXODUS The Partisan detachment has been identified but has managed to break out of a German Kessel. Now they are moving in column as rapidly as possible in the hopes of evading their pursuers. However, the Germans and their friends are hot on their heels.
The partisans begin the game on Blinds in the white shaded area. Unfortunately the need to transport the wounded means their Blinds will only move with three Actions in a turn. The Germans will arrive one platoon at a time when their Blinds card is dealt. They are pursuing in a rather chaotic fashion, so will roll a D6 to see where each platoon arrives, as indicated by the blue dice.
The partisans begin the game with one dummy Blind. The German get one dummy Blind. The Germans may chose in which order their platoons or dummy Blind arrives once they have diced to see where it enters the table.
To win the game the partisans must exit the table by the far table edge with at least two platoons in good order. The Germans must destroy all of the partisans to win. Any other result is a draw.
Vpered Na Berlin Page 89 ©TooFatLardies 2013 A CLEAN SWEEP
The Partisan detachment has been identified and the Germans are about to attack. In an ideal world they would seek to escape, but they are accompanying a senior leader (no names, no pack drill!) who is badly wounded and cannot be moved. They must fight it out.
The partisans begin the game on Blinds anywhere on the table at least 12” from the German starting edge. They may make one additional roll on the force generation table and apply it to either column.
The Germans arrive on the table at the start of turn one on Blinds on the edge marked with the blue arrow. They have two dummy Blinds. To win the game they must be able to report a clean sweep, advancing from their entry edge to the opposite edge, destroying or capturing any enemy forces in their path.
The partisans have one dummy Blind. Their wounded leader is in a small stone pigsty at some point on the table. He may not move. If an umpire is present then this should be placed at the start of the game without the German player being aware of its significance.
If no umpire is present then the pigsty is only placed on the table when it is spotted. The Partisans may also place two similar buildings on the table during the course of the game. The Partisans win if the wounded leader remains un‐captured.
BESIEGED! The Partisan detachment has laid siege to a small German or collaborator in a strongpoint. They are loathe to storm the building as it is simply too strong, but they sitting it out and waiting until their water runs out. The objective, a strong stone built tower or building is placed in the white shaded area of the table. One German or allied platoon occupies it.
The partisans begin the game on Blinds anywhere on the table at least 12” from the German starting edge and the strongpoint.
The Germans arrive on the table at the start of turn one on Blinds on the edge marked with the blue arrow. They have two dummy Blinds. To win the game they must relieve the force in the strongpoint and either destroy all of the partisans or evacuate the garrison back off their own entry edge.
The partisans have one dummy Blind.
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Rating your Yugoslavian Partisan forces is STACKING THE DECK done by using the cards in the Game Deck When creating the Game Deck for a game but also by the number of Big Men present involving Partisan forces one card should be and the unit ratings. present for each Platoon present as well as
any Detachment Headquarters and attached ADDING BIG MEN Platoon and on or off‐table support units. The force guidelines above will show you the One Allied Blinds card will always be present, basic number and level of Big Men you as should one card for each of the Partisan should have with any force. What you now Big Men. need to do is see if any additional Big Men are present to add dynamism to the force. Where additional weapons such as anti‐tank For any Partisan detachment Headquarters weapons have been acquired these should roll 1D6 on a 5, 5 or 6 an additional Level II have one card in the deck for each weapon. Big Man is present. Other cards that may be present are as follows: For Partisan platoon sized elements a roll of 6 adds a further Big Man Level I. There is no Rapid Deployment card: This should be limit on additional Big Men in a Partisan present for any Partisan force where they detachment. know the locality.
RATING YOUR FORCE Recce Bonus card: This should be included The speed with which a unit loses for any Partisan force. effectiveness as losses mount can be controlled to show anything from gritty Machine Gun Bonus: Always present for a determination in the last ditch to abject partisan force in a defensive position. cowardice. In between it can be interesting to experiment with forces that appear to be Poor Fire Discipline: This card may be tough and ready for action but whose included for any Partisan force with poor confidence can collapse after a short time. morale.
The ratings below are recommended in Rally: This card will always be present normal circumstances however you can tweak this to reflect particular situations. Rally Vehicle Breakdown card: This should The system is as flexible as you need it to be. be present for any Hungarian armoured or motorised unit. AFV MORALE Partisan tanks and AFVs will always be Dynamic Leader: This should always be captured equipment and not present in large present in a Partisan force. numbers. As such partisan tank crews should be rated 4 Heroic Leader: This will usually be present
INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Poor Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elite Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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ANTI-TANK WEAPONS
Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24” “John Bull” Boys AT Rifle 3 3 3 3 3 Panzerfaust 30/Faustpatrone 11 11 ‐ ‐ ‐
Panzerfast 60 11 11 11 ‐ ‐
Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
MMG 2 2 2 1 1
PTRD 14.5mm AT rifle 3 3 3 3 3
PARTISAN WEAPON RULES
SECTION ARMAMENT When making an attack with such a charge By definition Partisan units will be supplied they must move to within 4” of the AFV and and equipped with whatever they can seize then count as having an AT strike of 9. or be supplied with. For much of the war the principal supplier of Yugoslavian Partisans was Britain although from 1943 onwards the
Soviet Union increasingly found itself able to provide weapons and training.
The withdrawal of Italy from the war in 1943 saw much of their equipment in the occupied coastal areas fall into Yugoslavian hands and captured German equipment, often taken from collaborationist forces, was always welcomed.
TANK KILLERS Operating away from the main theatres of the war the Partisans tended to come up against second rate equipment and the need for specialist weapons, such as anti‐tank guns, was very limited.
Partisans are generally well‐equipped with anti‐tank rifles but nothing heavier. They may utilise explosive charges as impromptu anti‐tank weapons by opting to supply one squad with one such charge.
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By 1943 the Soviet Army had been subjected proof that victory was possible, at least in to two years of merciless conflict which had winter and if the endless high casualty lists robbed it of much of European Russia and the could be stomached. industrial centres and agricultural land that contained. If 1943 began with a set‐back for the Soviets, with the third battle of Kharkov seeing the city Despite horrific losses in terms on manpower, fall into German hands once again, it was the despite a seemingly endless succession of battle of Kursk which was to provide the defeats the Red Army had continued to fight. Soviet high command with a chance to show Equally importantly Soviet industry had just how much they had learnt. rebuilt itself beyond the Urals and now production levels were at the point where the Anticipating the German attacks the Soviets Soviets could be certain of quantitative were able to construct defensive lines in a advantage. sophisticated fashion. This was no longer a army which relied on suicidal frontal assaults More importantly the succession of defeats to overcome an opponent, but one which had served as a training academy for the understood the concepts of defence in depth Soviet officer corps. A demoralised and and the timely intervention of mobile forces. inexperienced body in 1939, it had now been reanimated, with experienced commanders 1944 was the year when the Soviets proved coming to the fore and the less able weeded that they now could attack and win, breaking out. through Army Group Centre and into the heart of Hungary before crushing German The Red Army of 1943 was a very different resistance in 1945. beast to the one of 1941. Stalingrad stood as
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RIFLE COMPANY Part of the Rifle formations of the Red Army, this was the basic infantry unit which shouldered the burden of much of the fighting in the Great Patriotic War. Often short of manpower and lacking modern fire support the Soviet infantryman was obliged to use his newly found tactical skills and battalion direct fire weapons to overcome the enemy.
Rota Headquarters Anti Tank Vzvod One Big Man Level III Two 45mm L46 or L66 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew Two Maxim MMGs, five crew each each
Vzvod One REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level II Three rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Sub‐Machine Gun Vzvod Big Man Level III Vzvod Two Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each One Big Man Level II Three rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Engineer Vzvod One Big Man Level II Vzvod Three Three Engineer Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each. One Big Man Level II The player may elect to substitute up to two Three rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Otdyelyeniye for two flamethrower teams each. Two crew members per weapon BATTALION SUPPORT Heavy Mortar Vzvod Machine Gun Vzvod Six 120mm mortars, 5 crew each One Big Man Level II Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO Three Maxim MMGs, five crew each Infantry Gun Vzvod Machine Gun Vzvod One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four 76.2mm M1927 infantry guns, 5 crew Three Maxim MMGs, five crew each each
Mortar Vzvod Anti‐Tank Rota Three 82mm mortars, 5 crew each One BIg Man Level II Six 45mm L46 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO
Mortar Vzvod SMG COMPANY OPTION Three 82mm mortars, 5 crew each Each Infantry Regiment has a full Company of SMG armed troops attached. If the player Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO wishes he may use the same model as this to Anti‐Tank Rifle Otdyelyeniye field his core platoons equipped entirely with SMGs. If that option is taken the SMG Vzvod Three PTRD anti‐tank rifle teams, two men support option is replaced with a standard each. If a full Vzvod is deployed increase this Rifle Vzvod. to nine AT rifle teams.
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RIFLE COMPANY As the war progressed the Soviet Rifle formations were increasingly hard‐pressed to keep up their strength. Recruitment from the population of the liberated territories, whilst sweeping in its comprehensiveness, was not sufficient and formations were reduced in size to reflect what was actually available.
Rota Headquarters REGIMENTAL SUPPORT One Big Man Level III
Two Maxim MMGs, five crew each Sub‐Machine Gun Vzvod Vzvod One Big Man Level III Two SMG Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each One Big Man Level II
Two rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Engineer Vzvod Vzvod Two One Big Man Level II Two Engineer Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each. One Big Man Level II The player may elect to substitute one Two rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Otdyelyeniye for two flamethrower teams.
Two crew members per weapon Vzvod Three (often not present) One Big Man Level II Heavy Mortar Vzvod Two rifle Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Six 120mm mortars, 5 crew each
Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO Radio Net No radio net is present Infantry Gun Vzvod One Big Man Level II BATTALION SUPPORT Four 76.2mm M1927 infantry guns, 5 crew each Machine Gun Vzvod One Big Man Level II Anti‐Tank Rota Three Maxim MMGs, five crew each One Big Man Level II Six 45mm L46/L66 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each Mortar Vzvod Three 82mm mortars, 5 crew each SUPPORT OPTION Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO When fielding this force with one of the scenarios in the main rules the player should Anti‐Tank Rifle Otdyelyeniye be able to choose one additional support Three PTRD anti‐tank rifle teams, two men platoon over and above the number listed, each. If a full Vzvod is deployed increase this selecting from Battalion, Regiment or Army to six AT rifle teams. level.
Anti Tank Vzvod Two 45mm L46 or 37mm L45 anti‐tank guns, 5 crew each
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Throughout the entire war the Red Army Firstly a massive concentration of artillery struggled to provide adequate artillery would shatter the will of the enemy in their support for its front‐line infantry units, this defensive positions allowing the Red Army being despite a programme of modernisation Infantry to achieve a breakthrough. At that of its artillery in the 1930s. point armoured and mechanised formations would be pushed through the existing gap in During the early phases of the war the the enemy lines and exploit the breakthrough. German capture of the industrial centres in Once that was achieved the armoured and the west of Russia led to a shortage of shell mechanised formations would rely entirely on production. However, the most significant their own self‐propelled artillery guns to failure was the lack of provision of radio support them in the ensuing operation. communication between the formations and their allocated supporting guns. As a consequence Soviet artillery will be represented differently to that of other A typical Red Army Rifle Division in 1943 had nations in I Ain’t Been Shot Mum, being twelve 122mm M1938 howitzers and twenty limited to pre‐game operations such as 76.2mm Z1S‐3 Field Guns. For the most part Stonks. See the Soviet Weapon Rules for these were used to support formal infantry these. attacks using a pre‐formulated fire plan. Their ability to provide the type of day to day Close tactical support was normally provided support expected by other armed forces was by the mortars within the Rifle formations. almost zero. As such most formations The nine 82mm pieces in a theoretical mortar depended on their integral mortar units to company attached to each Battalion would provide close tactical support. combine into a nine piece battery. However, more normally these were actually acquired In late 1942 a further step was taken which by the Regimental commander who brought would create a further remove between them together into a larger body, in theory 27 Soviet artillery and their infantry formations. pieces in total which he could then command The creating of Artillery Breakthrough personally. Divisions was a tacit acceptance of the limitations of the Red Army’s capabilities. As the war progressed the manpower These formations, made up of 356 guns and demands in the Rifle companies meant that mortars divided into six Brigades, were tasked support platoons were stripped of men, so with supporting major offensives which the numbers of mortars dropped significantly conformed to the Soviet basic offensive although the principle remained. principles.
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Despite the lack of reliable on‐call artillery support, the Soviets did not abandon their Rifle formations entirely. Unlike most western armies who attempted to create well‐balanced all‐arms bodies at most levels above Brigade, the Soviets were more focussed on individual missions.
When the task demanded, the Soviets would deploy assets normally held at Army or even Front level in order to support their front line troops. Flamethrower tanks would be deployed to support an attack; heavy tank platoons would support assaults on specific strong‐points.
The Heavy Gun platoon shown here would not be part of an attacking force, but could be present in prepared defensive positions, such as at Kursk, or if the Germans had broken through Soviet l9nes and the guns were being pressed into service to combat armour.
Tankovy Vzvod Heavy Anti‐Tank Gun Vzvod One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three T34‐76, various models but usually Two 57mm ZiS‐2 or 76.2mm ZiS‐3 Field Guns, slightly older versions than provided for the 5 crew each armoured formation. Truck transport
Light Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod Guards Heavy Tanks One Big Man Level II See the list below. A platoon or even a Four SU‐76 Company of heavy tanks could be assigned to support an attack against a heavy defensive Medium Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod position. One Big Man Level II Four SU‐122 FIELDING A GUARDS RIFLE COMPANY A Guards rifle Company will have earned its Heavy Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod reputation by shedding its blood but will have One Big Man Level II been rewarded with additional support Four SU‐152 or SU 122 weapons at most levels in its organisation.
Anti Tank Vzvod As such, a Guards Company should generally use the 1944‐1945 table but may add an One Big Man Level II additional Machine Gun Vzvod and Mortar Four SU‐85 or SU‐100 from early 1945 Vzvod as a matter of course, often with the onwards modern 12.7mm MMG. They will also be
more likely to get support from the platoons Flame Tankovy Vzvod listed on this page. One Big Man Level II Three OT34‐76
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ARMOURED FORCES If the Rifle formations of the Red Army were, with massive artillery support, meant to create the breakthrough in enemy lines, it was the Armoured and Mechanised forces whose job it was to exploit the breakthrough to its maximum potential.
Many of the formations within the Tank and the Mechanised formations were organised in the same manner and shared the same Divisional and Corps support options, so it makes sense to present them here is a format which reflects that.
TANK MECHANISED
CORPS CORPS
A Tank Corps was made up of three tank A Mechanised Corps was made up of three Brigades and one Motorised Rifle Brigade. Mechanised Brigades and one Tank Brigade. Support was provided the following units: Support was provided by the following units:
A motorcycle Reconnaissance Battalion A motorcycle Reconnaissance Battalion An Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion A Katyusha Rocket Battalion A Katyusha Rocket Battalion An Engineer Battalion An Engineer Battalion Two Self‐Propelled Artillery Regiments Three Self‐Propelled Artillery Regiments A Mortar Regiment A Mortar Regiment An Anti‐Aircraft Regiment An Anti‐Aircraft Regiment An Anti‐Tank Regiment An Anti‐Tank Regiment From late 1944 onwards a Light Artillery Regiment was added
FIELDING SOVIET ARMOURED FORCES
To reflect both the Tank Corps and Mechanised Corps forces we use the following four main
Company options: Tank Company, Motor Rifles Company, Motorcycle Reconnaissance Company and
Armoured Reconnaissance Company. The latter was a Corps asset within a Tank Corps but a Brigade asset for the Motorised Rifle Brigades in the Mechanised Corps and may be fielded by both.
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TANK COMPANY This formation would be comprised of either light or medium tanks but never both in the same Rota.
Rota Headquarters Soviet light tanks of this period would be the One Big Man Level III T70, the lend‐lease British Valentine II. Some One tank Stuart M3 tanks were in service but were not popular. Vzvod One Medium tanks in 1943 were typically the T34 One Big Man Level II M1942 or M1943. The lend‐lease M3 Grant Three tanks was rapidly being replaced by the M4
Sherman. A very small number of Matilda II Vzvod Two tanks served on. One Big Man Level II Three tanks By mid 1944 the T34/85 was appearing in large numbers but the older 76mm gun Vzvod Three models still served on. The Sherman was One Big Man Level II now the most numerous lend‐lease tank with Three tanks other models being dropped.
MOTOR RIFLE COMPANY Working together as a team, the infantry of the Mechanised Brigades teamed up with the tank formations to provide close support. Their trucks abandoned, they rode on the tanks.
Rota Headquarters BATTALION SUPPORT One Big Man Level III Machine Gun Vzvod Vzvod One One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Three Maxim MMGs, five crew each Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Mortar Vzvod Vzvod Two Three 82mm mortars, 5 crew each One Big Man Level II Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each Anti Tank Vzvod Vzvod Three One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Two 45mm L46 or 37mm L45 anti‐tank guns, Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each 5 crew each
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RECCONAISSANCE COMPANY The eyes and ears of the Tank Corps or the Motorised Rifle Brigades, the Reconnaissance Battalion was a well balanced force with ample muscle. It combined fast moving motorcycle and carrier mounted infantry with a company of medium tanks, mortars and artillery for a fast but hard‐hitting unit. Here we have options for the motorcycle and armoured Companies.
MOTORCYCLE RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION SUPPORT COMPANY Tank Vzvod Rota Headquarters One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level III Three medium tanks One motorcycle N.B. A full Company of ten tanks was fielded, Vzvod One one serving as CHQ and three platoons of One Big Man Level II three tanks. Rather than field just one Two SMG Otdyelyeniye, 10 men each platoon of tanks the whole Company may be Ten motorcycles deployed.
Vzvod Two Gun Vzvod One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Two SMG Otdyelyeniye, 10 men each Four 76.2mm ZiS‐3 Field Guns, 5 crew each Ten motorcycles Truck transport
ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE Mortar Vzvod COMPANY Four 82mm mortars, 5 crew each No FOO. Direct fire only
Truck transport Rota Headquarters One Big Man Level III One M2 or M5 halftracks or M3A1 Scout car
Vzvod One One Big Man Level II Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 10 men each Three M2 or M5 halftracks or M3A1 Scout car
Vzvod Two One Big Man Level II Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 10 men each Three M2 or M5 halftracks or M3A1 Scout car
Vzvod Three One Big Man Level II Three SMG Otdyelyeniye, 10 men each Three M2 or M5 halftracks or M3A1 Scout car
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SUPPORT PLATOONS For the Armoured and Mechanised Company options listed above the following support units are available.
Light Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod Anti Tank Vzvod One Big Man Level II Two anti‐tank guns, 45mm L66, 57mm Zis‐2 Four SU‐76 or 76mm Zis‐3, 5 crew each
Medium Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod OTHER SUPPORT One Big Man Level II Support may be taken from other lists within Four SU‐122 or ISU 122 the same Corps. For example a Motor Rifle company may select support platoons from Heavy Self‐Propelled Gun Vzvod the motorcycle or armoured reconnaissance One Big Man Level II platoons as well as the platoons listed here. Four SU‐152 or ISU‐152 from early 1944 onwards
Anti Tank Vzvod
One Big Man Level II
Four SU‐85 or SU‐100 from mid‐1944
onwards
Armoured Car Platoon Big Man Level II One BA‐64B armoured car Two sections, each with three BA‐64B armoured cars and each commanded by a Big Man Level I
Engineer Vzvod One Big Man Level II Three Engineer Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each. The player may elect to substitute up to two Otdyelyeniye for two flamethrower teams each. Two crew members per weapon. Truck transport
Anti‐Aircraft Vzvod Six 37mm anti‐aircraft guns, 5 crews. Truck tows
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GUARDS HEAVY TANK REGIMENT The Guards Heavy Tank Regiments were originally designated Breakthrough Regiments as an indication of their purpose. As former Tsarist titles returned to use, the term Guards was used to identify an elite formation with special duties. Whilst equipped with the heaviest tanks available to the Red Army the formation is remarkably small to be called a Regiment and as a result we show it here in full. I have elected to use English here so the structure of the unit is clear.
Normally such a force would be an Army asset and would be attached to a Tank or Motorised Corps for a particular offensive
Regimental Headquarters Company Four One Big Man Level IV One Big Man Level II One heavy tank One heavy tank One BA64 Armoured car Platoon One
Two heavy tanks Company One One Big Man Level II Platoon two One heavy tank Two heavy tanks
Platoon One Company Five Two heavy tanks One Big Man Level II Platoon two One heavy tank Two heavy tanks Platoon One
Two heavy tanks Company Two One Big Man Level II Platoon two One heavy tank Two heavy tanks
Platoon One Two heavy tanks SOVIET HEAVY TANKS Platoon two The Soviet heavy tanks fielded would depend Two heavy tanks on year. In 1943 the KV1E, KV85 or Churchill Mark III or IV would be the choice. Company Three One Big Man Level II In 1944 the ISII first saw action around the One heavy tank Cherkassy Pocket and for the rest of the war this served as the main heavy tank Platoon One Two heavy tanks
Platoon two Radio Net Two heavy tanks The Soviet Guards Heavy Tank platoons are all on the radio net.
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COSSACK SQUADRON Despite its apparent anachronistic appearance the Soviet Cavalry forces was a well‐balanced combination of the old and new. Fast‐moving mounted cavalry were combined with armoured forces in order to provide a flexible force capable of not just exploitation battles but also of conducting wide‐ranging raids behind enemy lines.
Sotnia Headquarters Anti Tank Vzvod One Big Man Level III Two 45mm L46 or L66 L45 anti‐tank guns,
five crew each. Horse drawn Czota One One Big Man Level II Anti‐Aircraft Vzvod Three mounted SMG Roy of ten men each Big Man Level II Czota Two Six 14.5mm truck mounted AAMGs, five crew each One Big Man Level II
Three mounted SMG Roy of ten men each DIVISIONAL SUPPORT Czota Three One Big Man Level II Anti‐Aircraft Vzvod Three mounted SMG Roy of ten men each Six 37mm anti‐aircraft guns, 5 crews. Truck tows Anti‐Tank Czota Big Man Level II Heavy Mortar Vzvod Six PTRD anti‐tank rifle teams, two mounted Six 120mm mortars, 5 crew each men each Telephone link to Company HQ only. No FOO Motorised transport Radio Net No radio net is present CORPS SUPPORT
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT Engineer Vzvod One Big Man Level II Machine Gun Vzvod Three Engineer Otdyelyeniye, 8 men each. One Big Man Level II The player may elect to substitute up to two Four Maxim MMGs, five crew each, horse Otdyelyeniye for two flamethrower teams drawn transport each. Two crew members per weapon
Mortar Vzvod Tank Platoon Three 82mm mortars, 5 crew each Light or Medium tanks, as per Tank Direct fire only. Horse drawn transport Company list
Artillery Battery Anti‐Tank Vzvod One Big Man Level II One Big Man Level II Four 76.2mm ZiS‐3 Field Guns, 5 crew each Four SU‐85 Truck transport. No FOO
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PARTISAN DETACHMENT
Initially ad hoc formations, often formed by Soviet troops by‐passed by German advances, the partisan detachments soon came under the influence of the Party in Moscow. NKVD troops were trained to be inserted behind enemy lines in order to co‐ordinate Partisan groups and introduce some kind of structure. With Battalions from 75 to 150 men, the following detachment displays some of the key facets of a typical battalion.
Detachment Headquarters DIVERSIONARY TEAMS One Big Man Level III The Diversionary Teams tended to be small One NKVD SMG section units whose function was to hit unguarded Four anti‐tank teams with PTRD 14.5 AT rifle, targets such as communications or transport 2 man teams routes. This would serve to divert German troops, or their collaborators, who could in Platoon One turn be ambushed by the main partisan One Big Man Level II detachment. Three rifle Squads of 8 men To reflect this, a Diversionary Team may begin Platoon Two a game anywhere on the table irrespective of One Big Man Level II where other forces are deployed. They may Three rifle Squads of 8 men operate using the same rules identified for Yugoslavian partisans Platoon Three
One Big Man Level II
Three rifle Squads of 8 men
Weapons Platoon One Big Man Level II Two Maxim MMGs, 5 crew each
Diversionary Team One 8 man rifle squad
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Rating your Soviet forces is done by using the For example, a Soviet Motor Rifles Vzvod cards in the Game Deck but also by the attached to a Tank Company will not dice for number of Big Men present and the unit any additional Big Men, however if the Tank ratings. Company has successfully diced for an extra Big Man he may be attached to the Motor ADDING BIG MEN Rifles instead of to the tanks. The force guidelines above will show you the basic number and level of Big Men you RATING YOUR FORCE should have with any force. What you now The speed with which a unit loses need to do is see if any additional Big Men effectiveness as losses mount can be are present to add dynamism to the force. controlled to show anything from gritty For any Soviet Company Headquarters roll determination in the last ditch to abject 1D6 on a 5 or 6 an additional Level II Big Man cowardice. In between it can be interesting is present. to experiment with forces that appear to be tough and ready for action but whose For any Vzvod in the main force an additional confidence can collapse after a short time. Level I Big Man is present on a roll of 6. For an elite unit a Level I Big Man is present on a The ratings below are recommended in roll of 5, a Level II Big Man on a roll of 6. normal circumstances however you can tweak this to reflect particular situations. For an elite force the maximum number of The system is as flexible as you need it to be. additional Big Men is three; for an average force two is the maximum and for a poor AFV MORALE force only one Big Man may be added. Soviet tanks and AFVs will vary depending on the phase of the war. Starting off in 1943 at Attached support weapon platoons do not 2, it should rise to 3 after Kursk. Some elite dice for the additional Big Man, although one Guards Heavy Tank formations will have a may be added to any of these if the main unit sprinkling of high quality crews at 4 with the transfers one of its own additional Big Men odd Ace present. to that unit.
INFANTRY RATINGS
Troops/Actions 0 1 2 3 4 Rifle Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Guards Rifle Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Motor Rifles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Reconnaissance Infantry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Poor Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Elite Partisans 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cossacks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Vpered Na Berlin Page 105 ©TooFatLardies 2013 STACKING THE DECK Anti‐tank Bonus card: Always present when When creating the Game Deck for a game anti‐tank guns are dug into a defensive involving Soviet forces, one card should be position. present for each Vzvod present, as well as MortarBonus card: Always present for a any Company Headquarters and attached Soviet force. Vzvod, and on or off‐table support units.
One Allied Blinds card will always be present, Poor Fire Discipline: This card may be as should one card for each of the Soviet Big included for poorer quality units. Men.
Anti‐tank weapons, towed or self‐propelled, Rally card: This should always be present for should have one card in the deck for each any units of Guards quality. weapon. Other cards that may be present Vehicle Breakdown card: This should be are as follows: present for any force of Soviet AFVs. Armoured Bonus card: This should be Dynamic Leader card: This should always be present for any armoured force of at least possible in a Soviet force. two Vzvod in strength. Heroic Leader card: Always present with Rapid Deployment card: This should be Guards units. present for any armoured, cavalry or
reconnaissance force.
Recce Bonus card: This should be included for any reconnaissance force, mounted force or Partisan detachment. If a force deploys a recce element as a support platoon then the bonus may only be used by the recce unit and not by any force it is attached to.
ARMOURED VEHICLES
AFV Armour Weapon Calibre Speed Notes Value Strike SOVIET TANKS T70 5 5 45mm Average Tiny turret
T34 M1942 or M1943 6 7 76mm Fast
T34/85 M1943 7 10 85mm Fast
OT34/76 6 7 76mm/Flame Fast KV1E 8 7 76mm Slow Heavy armour
KV1S 8 7 76mm Slow Heavy armour
KV85 8 10 85mm Average
ISII 10 13 122mm Average Heavy gun
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Value Strike
LEND LEASE TANKS Valentine II 5 5 40mm Slow Valentine III 5 7 57mm Slow Matilda II 6 5 40mm Slow Heavy armour, no HE Churchill Mark III 8 7 57mm Slow Heavy armour
Churchill Mark IV 8 7 57mm Slow Heavy armour
M3 Grant 5 5/7 37mm/ Average 75mm
M4A2 Sherman 6 7 75mm Average Ronson, Fast turret
M4A2 76mm Sherman 6 10 76mm Average Fast Turret ARMOURED CARS & TRANSPORT BA64 2 MG MG Wheeled Universal Carrier 2 As weapon Fast Low profile
M3A1 Scout Car 2 As weapon Wheeled
M2 half‐track 2 As weapon Fast M5 half‐track 2 As weapon Fast SELF PROPELLED GUNS & TANK HUNTERS SU ‐76 3 7 76mm Average Open top SU ‐122 5 6 122mm Fast Low profile SU ‐152 6 8 152mm Average Heavy gun
ISU‐122 6 6 122mm Fast Low profile
ISU ‐152 7 10 152mm Average Heavy Gun SU ‐57 2 7 57mm Fast Open top SU ‐85 5 10 85mm Fast Low profile SU ‐100 7 12 100mm Fast Low profile
ANTI-TANK WEAPONS
Weapon Weapon Strike 37mm L37 5
45mm L46 5
45mm L66 6 57mm ZiS 2 9 76.2mm ZiS 3 7 76mm L52 7
85mm M1944 AA Gun 10
Infantry Anti‐Tank Weapons 0‐4” 4‐8” 8‐12” 12‐16” 16‐24” PTRD 14.5mm AT rifle 3 3 3 3 3 Infantry Close Quarter Weapons 4 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
MMG 2 2 2 1 1
HMG 3 3 3 3 2
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SOVIET WEAPON RULES
SECTION ARMAMENT direct line of sight can be traced to the target Throughout the Soviet unit options we have or target area. This represents the ability of assumed that the rifle Otdyelyeniye is armed the mortar to fire from cover while one of its with the standard bolt action rifle and one team moves forward to observe the fall of light machine gun with one or two SMGs for shot. NCOs. Where armament differs, such as the
SMG sections, it is noted and we use Section The 82mm 82‐PM‐37 Medium Mortar 4.4 of the rules to see what effect this has. The 82mm Soviet mortar is the battalion commander’s weapon of choice. See the SOVIET MORTARS Soviet Weapons rules. Soviet Russia fielded three standard mortar types during the Second World War; the Minimum Range: The 82mm mortar has a 50mm M38 or M39, the medium 82mm 82‐ minimum range of 12”. If mortars are PM‐37 or 41 and the heavy 120mm 120‐HM deployed on‐table with the enemy at close 38. All had differing characteristics and we quarters they may form impromptu rifle use the following supplementary rules to sections with their crews divided up as the represent this. player wishes. They fire as a rifle section with no LMG. The 50mm Light Mortar The infantryman’s own artillery battery, the Maximum Range: The 82mm mortar has a 50mm mortar provides close support which maximum range of 465”, nearly forty foot, so can be relied upon. it may hit anything on the table.
Ammunition: The 50mm mortar only fires Firing: The 82mm mortar fires once in a turn HE, it has no smoke round. As it is being used as covered in section 9 of the rules, either at in static defences the number of rounds pre‐registered points or opportunity fire. If available does not depend on them being the mortar platoon is on‐table then the man‐portable. Roll a D6‐1 at the start of the Indirect Fire Support table is ignored and the game for each 50mm mortar position. The mortars will begin firing on their next card resulting number is its EDNA rating at the after the FOO has called in the fire. The 8cm start of the game. Each time the mortar mortar may fire H.E. or Smoke rounds. team fires any roll of 6 will reduce this rating. When a mortar falls to a rating of zero they The 120mm HM 38 Heavy Mortar are out of ammunition. The Soviet 120mm mortar was the original and much copied model which provides fast Minimum Range: The 50mm mortar has no and accurate fire support. minimum range. If the enemy are that close Due its minimum range of 76” it will always then it is assumed that the crew can do an be deployed off‐table. The 120mm mortar equal amount of damage with their rifles. may fire H.E. or Smoke rounds. Maximum Range: The 50mm mortar has a maximum range of 120”. SOVIET PAKFRONT The German defensive tactic of forming a Aiming: In order to fire the 50mm mortar broad anti‐tank defence was particularly needs to be within 6” of a point from where a effective in ambushing enemy armour and
Vpered Na Berlin Page 108 ©TooFatLardies 2013 was a tactic which the Soviets were beginning available. Add +1 to the roll if the Soviets are to copy at Kursk in 1943. To reflect this an attacking in the scenario. anti‐tank unit, or units, may deploy in a Pakfront with all of their guns in cover. One D6 Result card is included in the Game Deck for each 1,2 Battery unavailable. gun: however, the first time the Pakfront 3,4 Battery available when the second fires all the guns that are part of this may fire Support card has been drawn on any single anti‐tank gun card. From that 5,6 Battery available on the next point on all the guns will be activated singly Support card as the cards are dealt. Self‐propelled tank‐ hunters may not use this option. The Soviet player must now declare the aiming point for the bombardment. This may PANZERFAUSTS not be changed. As the Soviets advanced they captured large stockpiles of Panzerfausts from the Germans The mortar battery will fire with a 9” kill zone and were able to equip their front‐line radius and a 3D6 deviation. It will fire for assault units with them for specific missions. three turns of the Support card. The Soviets were very keen on using Panzerfausts to take on bunker or blast a SUPER STONKS route through walls. Whilst the lack of artillery can be a hindrance
the Soviets will benefit in a game in which Panzerfausts may be issued to Soviet troops they are part of a major offensive when they when fighting in built up area or when can have a “Super‐Stonk”. This will only be attacking fortified German positions. fired in support of an infantry attack or an
attack conducted by a Forward Detachment Roll a D6 for your force at the start of the of an exploitation force. game and consult the table below.
A Super‐stonk operates precisely as the pre‐ D6 Result game stonk in section 9.7 of the rules but 1,2 Six ‘fausts for the company with each stonk covering a 24” square area of 3,4,5 One ‘faust per Vzvod the table. All squads and weapons teams 6 Two ‘fausts per Vzvod within that area will suffer one additional point of Shock, and any Big Men present will SOVIET ARTILLERY be diced for, being rendered out of action for The Soviet emphasis on artillery as a weapon the duration of the game on a roll of 6. for the pre‐planned offensive left the Soviet infantryman with a significant gap in his defensive arsenal. To remedy that the Soviets would often group their 82mm mortars in large batteries in order to provide supporting fire as it was required.
A Soviet player may elect to call for support from his battalion mortar battery. To do so he must contact his battalion commander by a fixed telephone line. Once he has made contact roll a D6 to see if the battery is
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The war in the air on the Eastern Front was committed by both sides to support ground essentially replicating events on the ground. operations, often with significant Largely destroyed in the first Soviet onslaught consequences. Pilots such as Hans‐Ulrich of 1941, the Soviets had worked hard to Rudel developed the concept of ground attack rebuild their air force and, more importantly, further than ever before with cannon armed to build a cadre of experienced pilots who aircraft specifically designed to take on Soviet could form the core of the new Red Air Force. armour. They were initially limited in their success, the superior quality of the combat experienced To check what support is available use the veterans of the Luftwaffe meant that losses following tables, each covering a specific were heavy on the Soviet side. However, phase of the war. There are three types of gradually the balance was tipped by the operation to select from. Major Offensives superior rates of production of the Soviet would be the German attack at Kursk or the factories. Soviets with Bagration. Minor Offensives would be follow‐up operations such as By Kursk in 1943 the Germans had found that Kutuzov or Polkovodets Rumyantsev in the their losses in the Mediterranean, over Malta aftermath of Kursk. A defensive mission is in particular, had diverted much needed where the player is defending in what is, or aircraft away from Russia. The Me109 was has been, a relatively static sector of the line. now looking an old design, whereas the Decide which criteria fits your game and then Soviets were able to field more modern roll a D6. Subtract ‐1 if in the month of aircraft. Whilst still able to achieve local air January. superiority the Germans were now only achieving this by denuding the front The Red Air Force elsewhere.
January 1943 to August 1943 By the time of Bagration in 1944 the Luftwaffe D6 Major Minor Defence was a shadow of its former self. Increasingly a - - - core of battle‐worn veterans were obliged to 1 play nurse‐maid to ever‐younger fresh 2 - - - recruits. What was more, the Soviets were 3 - - - now able to match them in terms of 4 ✓ ✓ - experienced and skilful pilots. The tide turned 5 ✓ ✓ - in the sky just as much as on the ground. 6 ✓ ✓ ✓
When considering air support in a game the September 1943 to May 1944 size and scale of I Ain’t Been Shot Mum we D6 Major Minor Defence need to consider the relationship between the 1 - - - troops on the ground and those in the air and the lack of communication between the two. 2 - - - Unlike the western Allies, no system of 3 ✓ - - Forward Air Control was developed by either 4 ✓ - - side in order to make their air forces a true 5 ✓ ✓ - tactical support wing. That said, aircraft were 6 ✓ ✓ ✓
Vpered Na Berlin Page 110 ©TooFatLardies 2013 June 1944 to December 1944 February 1945 to May 1945 D6 Major Minor Defence D6 Major Minor Defence 1 - - - 1 - - - 2 ✓ - - 2 - - - 3 ✓ ✓ - 3 - - - 4 ✓ ✓ - 4 - - - 5 ✓ ✓ ✓ 5 - - - 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 ✓ ✓ -
January 1945 to May 1945 What do the Results Mean? D6 Major Minor Defence A tick in the box means you may have air 1 - - - support in the game. Add one Support card to 2 ✓ - - the Game Deck. When dealt roll a D6: on a 3 ✓ ✓ - result of 6 an attack will be made. Roll to see the type of aircraft. 4 ✓ ✓ -
5 ✓ ✓ ✓ Dice Result 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ 1‐3 Anti‐infantry straffing ground attack
4, 5 Dive bomber
The Luftwaffe & Allies 6 Anti‐AFV attack
January 1943 to May 1943 Now select an enemy unit that you wish to D6 Major Minor Defence attack and roll a D6 to see the result. 1 - - - 2 - - - D6 Result 3 ✓ - - 1 Aircraft attacks a friendly unit of your 4 ✓ - - opponent’s choice 5 ✓ ✓ - 2 Aircraft fails to attack 6 ✓ ✓ ✓ 3‐4 Aircraft fails to attack but the target is pinned for the current turn May 1944 to January 1945 5‐6 The aircraft attacks the chosen unit D6 Major Minor Defence 1 - - - Remember to suit the planes available to the 2 - - - scenario and the relevant phase of the war. 3 - - - 4 - - -
5 ✓ ✓ -
6 ✓ ✓ ✓
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