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16/05/06 Soviets Vs Jez Germans
game. I decided that we should make a concerted effort to play some sort of campaign set in my
favourite Barbarossa campaign of 1941.
Rob Avery's IABSM campaign supplement 'Vyazma or Bust' seemed a great starting point. For
those with any interest in the period this book is a must have (see Too Fat Lardies or Rob's IABSM
site Vis Lardica to purchase). Rob had kindly asked me to proof read it for him but I had still failed to
play any of the scenarios as yet.
Rob has worked out a multitude of IABSM scenarios which are linked dependent upon the victor.
Scenario 1 - Izdeshkovo was our starting point, though you can start wherever you wish, or fight
the scenarios as one-offs even.
Details of the exact scenario are to be found 'Vyazma or Bust' but below is the table set up at Wally
HQ;
clearing a section of road which their Division will use to advance to their assault. The Germans
were to enter on the southern table edge whilst the Soviets could deploy anywhere northwards of
the hill line.
I deployed two sections of my infantry Platoon in shellscrapes behind the central woods, the third
section was holed up in village along with my sole MMG and Mortar. The woods on the far side of
the stream hid two 45mm AT guns and a sniper. My two remaining 45mm AT guns were deployed
with one just off-road to the west in the light woods and another in reserve at the rear of the village.
The scenario called also for three T-26s but I decided to replace them with BT7's. These were kept
out of sight behind the village. Finally my KV-1 was deployed in the far north western corner of the
table, ready to roll eastwards along the road towards the village.
The Soviets can also call for three fire missions from four off-table 120mm Heavy Mortars. I decided
that these would be best represented as pre-registered on a target location - the house centrally
located. Using Rich Clarke's national characteristics for artillery, Soviet artillery arrives after three
turns with three D6 deviation.
was deployed in the south western corner of the table.
Right from the start of the game the Germans had the bit between their teeth. Jez is an extremely
aggressive player who believes in going the shortest possible route to victory (or death).
Sentiments which I have to say I agree with. True to form the German blinds raced forward to
dead ground cover of the East hill, one traversing the hill to the east close to the stream.
Disconcerting for me was that the Germans actually crossed the stream and began to get close
to my sniper (who wisely buggered off pronto) and my hidden AT guns.
Once my blinds chip came up I managed successfully to spot three enemy infantry-bearing
halftracks skirting the hill and a German Support Platoon deploying three HMGs, two mortars and
a flamethrower. Nasty!
closest halftrack brewed up; its engine catching fire. A second hit on the halftrack saw it blown
to smithereens taking four occupants with it. Another of the two remaining halftracks ground to a
halt as its track slewed off. The Soviet mortar, dug in near the village now fired, but the
excitement (or fear) of the crew caused them to miss wildly.
centre. I spotted one as being three trucks
off-loading their Platoon close to a building.
Luckily for me this was precisely where my
120mm mortars were ranged upon. However, I
would have to wait for some time for the runner to
get through with my orders.
The Germans now dismounted their halftrack
infantry and began to work his way forward as
covering fire from the remaining Hanomag raked
the AT guns.
The staccato rattle of a Maxim MG resounded as
half a German section fell for the Fatherland. The
AT guns roared into life again as the final
Hanomag also shed a track.
I had managed to halt the Germans initial
advance on the village but the second Platoon, in
the centre now made swift progress though the
East Woods trying to probe for a flank.
I was forced to manoeuvre my hidden AT gun
back through the West Woods, and revealed my
KV-1 as it headed eastwards along the road to a
more central position.
The German Support Platoon began to pour fire
into my AT guns. I was incredibly lucky that
despite the high scores I lost only a couple of
crew picking up several 'wounds' though.
However, a lucky 17 score on the Maxim wiped
out its crew and also accounted for the Big Man
accompanying it.
The Germans then surprised me by aggressively
assaulting my dug in mortar. This wasn't part of
my plan! The two remaining crewmen fought like
savages against a full enemy section, led by a Big
Man, eventually expiring after two drawn rounds
of combat. An adjacent building now revealed its
infantry section as they fired their reserved dice
on the victorious Germans.
Undeterred the Germans threw their armour into,
and advanced infantry further into, the East
Woods, also choosing to cross the road into the
West Woods in another attempt to probe and
outflank my position in the centre. An enemy
blind edging forward in the West Woods was
spotted but not before it had discovered that they
were empty of Soviet troops.
At last my 120mm mortars dropped their shells
onto their target - or rather they missed wildy, but
gave warning to the enemy who were unaware
that I had off-table artillery.
I revealed a section of Soviet infantry dug into
scrapes parallel to the road, behind the woods as
they fired into the enemy advancing towards
them. A further section supporting the KV-1 were
spotted when they fired upon the enemy
infiltrating the West Woods.
The German Support Platoon caused further
casualties upon the AT guns, albeit slowly, with
their MG fire, until the Flamethrower got close
enough to turn the crew into screaming
fire-engulfed demons.
I now revealed my BT-7s, so far hidden from view
behind the village. One advanced close to the
bridge with one die, its MG felled the
flamethrower with another as Jez threw a six for a
hit upon it! The next turn it subsequently ran out
of fuel blocking the road and access to the bridge
completely. A second BT-7 now fired and hit the
German Panzer III H command tank which
exploded into a fireball! The third BT-7 fired but
missed.
Suddenly a Stuka screamed out of a cloud
dropping its black egg straight onto a BT-7 which
disintegrated into large chunks of burning metal.
My remaining AT gun fired and hit another Panzer
jamming its turret.
A Panzer III managed to destroy my last mobile
BT-7 and then sprayed the building causing
significant casualties with its hull MG.
There was now a lull in the fighting lasting
several turns where the Tea Break chip came up
repeatedly early. This benefitted me greatly as it
prevented the Germans moving any forces but
proved savage as our forces at short range
blasted away at one another. The German
section which had assaulted the mortar were all
but wiped out and though I picked up many
'wounds' I had the best of the luck suffering few
kills.
The Soviet section in the building proved its
worth yet again as the brave defenders by threw
grenades disabling a Panzer III which had
strayed too close without infantry support.
My 120mm mortars also managed to land on
target blowing away the house in the centre,
along with four empty trucks, and hitting a blind
which had moved from the reserve.
The Stuka descended yet again and missing the
KV-1 managed to hit its supporting infantry
section causing several 'wounds'.
The short on ammo chip appearred though and
robbed my AT gun of any more shots other than
at short range. This had very little effect in reality
though as the crew were finally killed by the
German MMGs and mortars.
The lull ended when Jez threw two sections of
infantry into the woods around the flank of the
KV1 and then revealed his HQ section . This, he
discovered to his dismay, had already suffered
two kills and three wounds as a result of the
120mm's hitting its blind earlier.
The Germans withdrew their remaining Panzer III
as the crews all bailed out of the other damaged
Panzers and trudged to the rear.
My KV-1 hit and disabled this last Panzer but was
itself partially disabled by a shot from an AT rifle
firing ito its flank. It continued to do great
damage to the enemy infantry with its MGs as
they tried to flank it though.
A last ditch assault from the German HQ and led
by the Coy CO saw the enemy finally take a toe
hold in the village but effectively the game was
over.
casualties and all three Halftracks, the motorised Infantry Platoon had also lost all transports and
had suffered a third of its men lost. The Panzer Platoons four Panzers were all knocked out or
abandoned, but the Support Platoon had suffered very few losses.
I had prevented capture of the village and bridge and also still blocked the main highways use with
my KV-1. Thereby the game had resulted in a Soviet Victory. "Uhraieeeee, za Rodinu!"
But at what cost; the Soviets had suffered severe losses. Two AT guns and two BT-7's lost with
one out of fuel, albeit blocking the road. Out of a forty man strong Platoon only eleven survivors,
with mortar and Maxim crews lost in addition.
Jez had placed his Support Platoon in an ideal position but had lost his Armoured Infantry
halftracks to carefully located AT guns. The dismounted infantry had blundered into the Maxim
defending the village without spotting it first. His other Platoon had become bogged down in the
woods for most of the game - largely due to the Tea Break turning up at short intervals, granted. He
had tried to do the right thing by pinning my centre and trying to flank me but by then attrition had
taken its toll. The Panzers did great damage to my village garrison with their MGs but on the whole
were not used very well. Their poor armour ratings, my lucky hit scores and Jez's dreadful saving
rolls all contributed to their downfall.
I had decided to defend in essence the last 12" of my base edge and correctly assummed that Jez
would go straight for the village, ensuring it was defended by heavy weapons and infantry with
armour in reserve and flanked by AT guns. It could have been so very different though. Had the
Tea Breaks not come up so quickly in the middle of the game, robbing the germans of their chance
to manoeuvre, the village would almost certainly have fallen to them. It is still doubtful that they
would have controlled the highway.
Anyhow a fun game and a great scenario from Mr Avery. I cannot recommend this supplement too
highly.
Next week sees Scenario 2B with an very interesting action around Belyj....
"Back to ze drawving board gentlemen"
