20mm WWII: MTSENSK 6th October 1941

As it was Victory Day in Russia today – 9^th May - I set up a WWII Eastern Front  Rapidfire game at the SESWC.  I supplied the troops and the scenario, Colin Jack and the SESWC the scenery.

German centre armour vanguard under Mr Ray deploys on the highway

The game was a slight variant on the Kamenewo scenario in the Rapidfire Eastern Front scenario book.  I simplified the terrain by omitting the river in the original map – moving it of table and revised the German OB to agree with the models I had available.  Mr Ray Neal, Campbell Hardie and Steaurt Endicott commanded the Germans, Bart Zynda and Colin Jack the Soviets whilst I umpired.

German centre column engages T26

The Germans made an impressive start to the game sweeping onto the table and quickly knocking out the rearguards T26 which was dug in on the highway and wiping out most of the infantry beyond the ridge line.  The Germans PZIIs and PZIVs were making good going beyond the ridge when on turn 6 the soviet BT7s arrived and dealt with a PZII.  Next turn the T34s and KV1 appeared engaging the PZIIIs.  The game was all over in 2 more moves with the German players conceding at the of turn 9 by which time only 1 of their tanks was not knocked out or heavily damaged.  The T26 remained the only Soviet tank loss at the end of the game.  The BT7s proving remarkably effective and lucky not suffering a single hit whilst dealing with 4 German tanks.

The Hero BT7s surrounded by burning wrecks of their enemies

More full size photos and descriptions of the action on flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill26048/sets/72157633443600811/

Here is the OBs and briefings for the players.

Soviet Forces

Rearguard

HQ:  CO + 3 figures including 50mm Mtr, car
Rifle Coy:  8 figures
Rifle Coy:  8 figures
Rifle Coy:  8 figures
Supp Coy:  82mm Mtr, 45mm ATG, 6 figures, truck
Att Coy:  T26

Reinforcements

4^TH Tank Brigade HQ  - turn 6

T34/76 , T60

1^st Tank Battalion – turn 7

4 T34/76, KV1

2^nd Tank Battalion – turn 6

4 BT7

4^th Motor Rifle Btn: - turn 8

HQ:  CO + 3 figures including 50mm Mtr, car
Rifle Coy:  8 figures, truck
Rifle Coy:  8 figures, truck
Rifle Coy:  8 figures, truck
Supp Coy:  MMG, 82mm Mtr, 6 figures, truck

Support – turn 9

Gds Mortar Bty:  1 SP BM13 Katyusha, FO team, car   

Morale.  Test per battalion.  4^th Brigade tanks are ELITE!

Objective

The German objective is to cross the table and advance to Woin.  The Soviet objective is to stop the German advance and drive them back to within 2ft of the fascist entry side. Urraah!

Notes

The Soviet rearguard including the T26 can be dug in any point 2ft north of the south table edge.

Reinforcements enter anywhere along the north table edge.

Woods are impassable to tanks.

The Germans will enter along the road or on their wide left flank due to them crossing the river running along the south table edge.

German left flank armour under Steaurt now shattered by T34s and KV1

German Forces - elements of the 4^th Panzer Division

35th PANZER REGT

HQ: PZIII

1^st Coy: 2 PZIII
2^nd Coy:2 PZIII
3^rd Coy: 2 PZIV
4^th Coy: 2 PZ38T
5^th Coy: 2 PZII

34^th MC Battalion

HQ: CO + 5 Figs incl ATR, 50mm Mtr, car
1^st MC Coy:  9 Figs on 3 MC combinations
2^nd MC Coy: 9 Figs on 3 MC combinations
3^rd MC Coy:  9 Figs on 3 MC combinations
4^th MG Coy: 2 MMG, 81mm Mtr, 9 Figs, truck
5^th Hvy Coy:  50mm ATG, 75mm IG, 6 Figs, 2 trucks
Att
Armd Inf Coy: 10 Figs, Sd251

Support

AA Bty:  88mm AA, 5 crew, tow
103^rd PZ Art Regt:  2 105mm How, 8 crew, 2 tows Plus FO, Car

Morale – Regular.  Infantry test as 1 unit. 

Tanks are ELITE.  Tanks test per company.

Objective

The German objective is to cross the table and advance to Woin.  The Soviet objective is to stop the German advance and drive them back to within 2ft of their entry side.

Notes

The German units must enter in a 1 vehicle wide column along the road and in a 1 vehicle wide column on their left flank.  This simulates them crossing the river Lisiza along the south table edge.

The Panzer Regt must all be on table before any other German units can enter.

Woods are impassable to tanks.