Reich On The Ropes

 For the second post lockdown game here at OHQ I decided on a WWII game using Battlegroup rules, the timely arrival of WSS114 would provide the basis for the scenario.

Steve Shann has provided a scenario for the Battle of Schonfliess, 16th April 1945, ostensibly for Rapid Fire rules but easily adapted to other rulesets and bath tubbing down. I modified it for a platoon level game using the Battlegroup Fall of the Reich supplement, as ever Dave would adopt the persona of General Bikkliski and command the Soviet forces, their objectives are circled in red below.

The initial Soviet force would consist of two batteries of SU76Ms and an infantry platoon with the support of a 76mm infantry gun and a 50mm mortar team, from turn three reinforcements would arrive at D6 units per turn these would consist of another infantry platoon supported by a Zis3 76mm divisional gun a two tube 82mm mortar battery, a Gaz truck mounting a multi barrelled maxim AA MG, a forward headquarters and a forward observation team to to instruct the off table gun batteries.

Defending Schonfliess would be a German Volksgrenadier platoon with a Panzerschrek, 82mm mortar and a tripod mounted MG42 in support, reinforcements arrival would be diced for, turn five, eek!, the worst possible result. These would comprise of a further infantry platoon with a PAK40 and two Tiger IIs, again these would arrive at the of D6 units per turn.

The Soviets pushed the SU76 batteries forward to pound the German positions ahead of the infantry, confusion rained amongst the inexperienced German platoon, the panzerschrek team falling victim by a Soviet battle counter draw.

Despite mounting casualties the platoon held on, they were not making the best of their cover failing many saving throws and were still able to strike back but not with sufficient force against a numerically superior enemy.

  An SU76 falling foul of a panzerfaust strike and the forward observer Bren carrier and crew being taken out by ambushing Germans before they could call down fire. With squads wiped out by combined HE and small arms fire the surviving Germans began to fall back with the arrival of two Tigers and supporting squads the morale increased, a battle rating counter draw giving them additional rating although some of this was negated for losing an objective to the advancing Soviets.

Seeing the Tigers, General Bikkliski sent all available SU76s forward to engage them, a frontal penetration would be impossible but if they could be pinned this would enable others to get on the flanks  and engage successfully. Despite a panzerschrek team taking out one of them and a Tiger a second one managed to an all important side hit and Kaboom. Meanwhile the Soviet infantry had been whittling away the German infantry who again were failing to take full advantage of the available cover the battle counters were rising again, seeing the battle was lost the Germans took one more counter to unpin, the gamble did not pay off and their rating was exceeded after an exciting twelve turns of play.

Below are pictures of the latest additions to the collection, a PAK40 with crew in winter attire and another building for Bikkelheim.

TTFN