It’s April 1946. Stalin has decided that this is the most opportune moment to unleash his forces against the Western Allies. The British and Americans have either transferred troops to the Far East or have started to de-mobilize their forces and he also has the Communist (Labour) British Government subverted.
He also knows, through his spies at Los Alamos, that the Americans will not have produced sufficient
Nuclear-Weapons to cause him a big problem. Who cares about the loss of a few cities. Fewer mouths to feed with the limited resources at his disposal.
Materiel will rapidly run out without the West’s Support. NO MORE SPAM. He must move fast and capture any supply dumps he can.
NOW IS THE TIME
Marshall Rokossovsky has been allocated the Northern Sector. He is pushing elements towards Wolfsburg. British and rapidly reconstituted German Forces are setting up choke points on as many crossroads as possible, in an attempt to slow him down. This action will be just one of many played out in the near future. These delaying actions are necessary to enable the US to turn those ships around, and the UK (if we can get Churchill back) to re-mobilise and deploy. Oh I forgot someone also has to wake up the French.
Troops are the key. The armour, munitions and food supplies are still in place from the end of WW2. Joe knows this as well.
The Game.
The game was set up so that the west was defending a crossroads. At their disposal they had two companies of British Infantry, a company of German Fallschirmjager, a PAK 40 75mm ATG, a 17Pdr ATG, two Panzer IV and in reserve, just shipped out from the UK, two Centurion MBT with 20Pdr Gun. They also had two rounds of off board artillery.
The Soviet forces arrayed against them were three companies of infantry, one SU100, four T34/85’s and IS2’s. In reserve the had a two Platoon company of infantry and two more IS2’s.
During the deployment phase the allies lost one platoon of infantry but were able to have two ambushes. The two ATG’s were allocated.
The game started in the usual way with Combat Patrols being arrayed by both sides. The Soviets pushed forward on both flanks. They immediately took the farm on the left and set up their FOO. Platoons were deployed from CP’s on their right and overran and shot away Allied CP’s.
The British deployed into the BUA’s and the soviets pushed forward to assault the British and so came the first of the Lawrence vs Paul Dice Outs. During this encounter Lawrence scored twenty-one hits but Paul saved eighteen and so the platoon was only suppressed.
Back on the Soviet Right a platoon of T34’s advanced in support of an infantry platoon against a wood containing a British Platoon. As they approached, they were ambushed by the PAK40. One T34 was destroyed in the action but fire from the infantry and HE from the remaining T34 forced the PAK40 to retire.
The British platoon in the BUA was forced to retire following intense MMG fire from the Farm and mortar fire. Lawrence then decided to do a three dice Rally. Unfortunately all three failed. This causes a retreat which is a three dice move. The platoon was 16 inches from board edge. Averages say about 12 inches, but a 6, 6 and 5 was thrown, 17. 3 points towards a FUBAR.
The Soviets bring on their reserves straight up the road. Two IS2’s advance supporting the short company.
On the Soviet right their forward infantry platoons encounter two PzIV’s and start receiving HE fire as well as mortar fire. More losses and the FUBAR’s are racking up on both sides.
Paul on the Soviet right tries a three dice Rally on a supressed platoon. Yes you guessed it retreat, but right off the Board edge.
Lawrence now brings on his reserves of two Centurion 20-pdrs to take on the IS 11 advancing on his side. He gives and takes casualties and shock. A three dice rally is attempted on the Centurion's. And here is where we got it wrong, sorry Lawrence. I only found out when we played the next game in our series. The Centurion's only have two Shock. The rules state that the retreat only applies to units who are Supressed.
The Western Allies now press their advantage on their left and inflict the rest of the required FUBARS. The game ends in an allied victory.
I enjoyed umpiring these guys. The two newbies, Paul and Lawrence, appeared to enjoy the game. Ian and Vince, I play with regularly and helped a lot.
This series of games will continue in due course. I hope you will keep a look out in the future.
Steve L
The figures and vehicles came from all over the place, I can’t remember where now. Building by Hovels and a company which is no longer in being. Trees, mainly from Buffers of Axminster and the walls and hedges from ebay. Roads by Fat Frank. The BUA’s I made from bits and bobs I had lying around. I made them generic so they can be used for other eras.
Excellent AAR!
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