Defending Maciejow 1944

This week's game was a return to the Eastern Front, I adapted the excellent scenario for Rapid Fire by Richard Marsh the latest issue of WSS for a game using Battlegroup rules for the Bagration operation. The one vehicle equals ten ratio provided by Richard was ideal to suit the vehicles I have in my collection. With one vehicle equaling ten I did not use the ammo load outs from Battlegroup with the exception of the IS2 which was limited to five shots as per the scenario. The resulting Battle Ratings worked out at 39 for the Soviets and 32 for the Germans. To win the game the Soviets have to reach the far end of the table within twelve turns with an AFV and an infantry squad of at least six figures, just an AFV and it would be a draw and of course they would win if the Germans exceeded their Battle Rating.

German Panthers, PAK40 and a squad of Panzer Grenadiers lie in weight. In reality they were heavily camouflaged and the Soviets were taken by surprise. To replicate this without making it a game killer I made it harder for them to be spotted if they hadn't fired.

A 251/9 lurks awaiting any Soviet advance on the left.

Taking cover in the village is a vehicle mounted quad 20mm on ambush orders awaiting any VVS intrusion.

The Soviets begin their advance, T34/85s, truck mounted infantry and a Zis2 57mm ATG mount a diversionary attack on the German right flank.

The tank platoon commander urges them on Ura! Ura!

The PAK40 aims to give them a warm welcome.

After several glancing hits the first T34 falls victim to it.

Soviet infantry move up in support, fire from the T34 is having no impact on the PK40.

The infantry come to rescue and add their fire

The Soviet main thrust reaches the road but the lead vehicle is quickly despatched by the awaiting Panthers.

It's not all one way traffic a Panther is taken down.

While the crew of another is rattled by the 85mm shells bouncing off it and abandon their vehicle.

The VVS arrive, a timed airstrike but it only manages to knock out an empty 250/1 transport. The resulting chit draw is a special 'Low Ammo' which is immediately played on an advancing Soviet infantry squad and it appears someone neglected to load the truck up with the ammunition boxes.

Meanwhile on the other flank the Panzer Grenadier squad is killed or surrenders.

A replacement squad is motored up and promptly despatches another T34 with its Panzerfaust.

The Zis2 in action.

The Soviet 82mm mortar battery proves a nuisance, but by turn 7 the Soviets call off the attack. With only one T34 in action and the IS2 advancing slowly and with two Panthers remaining the odds were against a Soviet win. Neither side were approaching near to exceeding their Battle Rating and finishing time looming we called it.

Also in turn seven the Germans had drawn an Air Attack chit so we diced to see if one appeared at the beginning of turn eight and low and behold a Stuka 87G with two 37mm auto cannons would come roaring in adding to Soviet woes. So history had repeated itself. A cracking scenario that needed more time to play really. Both parties enjoyed it and that's what matters.

Until next time.........................KBO

Hanging Out The Washing

 A cracking World War Two game today here in OHQ, Dave took command of an American armoured infantry force in an attempt on the German West Wall.

The early turns saw a steady advance by the Americans, hindered by several stonks from a German Nebelwerfer battery. The German reinforcements were obviously delayed by a rear area bombardment or had lost their way so the defenders were unable to take advantage of the hindrance.

Turn ten ended with the Americans Battle Rating being four away from being exceeded and the Germans just one! Could the Germans hold on until their half of the turn and force a chit draw to break the American morale. Alas no, scratch one Stug III and the resulting chit draw of a one breaking the Germans will to continue.

A timed P47 air strike is driven off by anti-aircraft fire.

One of several Nebelwerfer strikes holds up the American advance.

A Sherman hits a mine and is immobilised.

The American M12 with it’s deadly 155mm racks up damage on the German anti-tank gun bunker

The German sniper team takes out the American platoon commander their one and only success, eye tests please.

The Americans move up for the kill.

A Stug too far, the Germans pull out.

Looking forward now to next week’s game at GHQ in Pendawar, standby for some Black Powder action then.

Until next time ………KBO

Blitzkrieg Or?

Sitzkreig? Gaming action returned to OHQ yesterday a 1940 game using Battlegroup rules. The British (Dave) were tasked with holding up the German advance to buy time for their withdrawing comrades. To do this they had to keep the Germans at bay for nine turns.

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The advance, well sort of🙄 Timidity struck me again this week, despite no lack of orders my attack was somewhat lack lustre. No Rommel moment here.

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The British position a 2Pdr anti-tank gun in the rubble of Petite Rawnslie.

They also send forward an infantry section to meet the awaited enemy head on.

Where they fall back from overwhelming enemy forces approaching them. Did the Germans press on, no they skulked behind the woods opposite, 😔 

The German gruppe in the centre are made of sterner stuff and advance to the hedge line.

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Over on the British right another section is thrust forward, no passive defence here!

The Germans bring forward their infantry gun to counter the attack, but where are our panzers they wonder.

Meanwhile the British Matilda II advances through the village to take up position in the road to counter any German advance.

Over on the German right the Panzer IV comes under 2pdr and anti-tank fire. The crew are rattled and abandon the vehicle!

With combined fire from the infantry and the plucky Matilda the infantry gun crew are wiped out. At last a 38T arrives but is quickly despatched.

Another 38T bursts through the hedge takes aim at the Matilda, misses! It is if course taken out in return.

The remaining 38T takes up position using the burning 38T as cover. However the British A9 tank squadron who have been advancing through a wood that was denser than thought now appear at the edge, fire and pin it down. Forgot to take a picture of them.

A lucky chit draw for the Germans as the lead A9 leaves the wood it hits a mine!

The advance over on the German right however as stalled, again in the heat of the action I forgot to take any photos on this flank.

By luck, another chit draw bought the chance of an aircraft and a German Stuka appeared on turn seven but cannot do enough to whittle down the plucky Brits. The game is called next turn, there is no way the Germans can break the British morale by the end of this and turn nine.

A mighty and aggressive defence by Dave and another lack lustre from yours truly gives the allies more time to evacuate troops from Dunkirk.

Until next time ....... KBO

Pushing On

After evicting the Germans from Kleine Bikkelheim, see HERE the advance is being continued by an armoured infantry platoon supported by a M7 Priest, M16 half-track and a Sherman tank platoon. Their first mission is to clear out the Rahnstadt metal works which is currently being held by the local Volksturm. These have been joined by the 251 anti-aircraft half-track and the crew of the abandoned Panzerjeager IV who escaped from Kleine Bikkelheim. Reinforcements are being sent to bolster the defence, a 251/9 has been sent ahead following up will be a a Hetzer battery and a squad from the local W-SS training school.

Covering the left flank of the metal works is a lone antiquated Soviet 76mm field gun while over on the right a dug in Panther hopes to halt the advance there.

The defence of the metal works itself is in the hands of the Volksturm platoon supported by the recently arrived 250/9.

The Volksturm on the left survive a barrage from American 155mm howitzers, they have been taught to dig in well or are WWI veterans.

The 250/9 is not so lucky.

Neither is the Pantherturm, both taken out before firing a shot. The American firepower is certainly taking its toll.

Will the Volksturm weather the storm until reinforcements arrive?

They arrive and even the score brewing up the Sherman tank platoon commanders Sherman.

The subsequent counter draw is a special and immobilizes one of the Hetzers!

The squad from the training school move up to support the beleaguered Volksturm.

The mobile Hetzers come under American artillery fire destroying one.

The remaining Sherman's move up trying but not succeeding to destroy the remaining mobile Hetzer only managing glancing hits. The steadfast Hetzer commander holds his ground and returns fire but is unable destroy any of his assailants.

Although the Volksturm are inflicting severe casualties on the advancing American infantry they are unable to break them.

With mounting casualties and the mobile Hetzer out of ammunition the Germans surrender the metal works to the Americans.

A most enjoyable game with the Germans holding out until turn eight when their Battle Rating was exceeded the Americans being eleven away from exceeding theirs.

Until next KBO