Games and Reports

Period: WW2

Rules: Battlegroup (Stalingrad supplement)

Having a large collection of WW2 20mm Soviet forces matched by an even larger collection of 20mm German forces pulled together over the years by my mate Paul. A few weeks ago I suggested that I pull together a Stalingrad scenario using the Battlegroup rules. Over the years we have used a number of WW2 rules but recently returned to Rapid Fire, however these do “not scratch that itch” as far fighting in urban areas like Stalingrad.

What I didn’t expect was that Paul (the Terrain-Meister) to go into overdrive to provide the table setup below, with several new buildings produced (including the Tractor Factory) in the space of 9 days. A joy to fight over.

The Russians had 3 infantry platoons made up of Workers Militia, Reserve Infantry and a “remnant” Infantry platoon (these have already taken casualties and start understrength) supported by armour and artillery. The Germans only had 2 infantry platoons made up of a standard platoon and a “Sturm” platoon again supported by armour and artillery.

Five objective points were placed on the board, the Russians placed 3 all in their left flank quarter in the Workers district (where the flats are at the top of the board), while the Germans placed two on both of their flanks.

The Russians deployed most of their starting forces defending the Workers Quarter and the objectives they had placed. With a section of the Workers militia dug-in at the crossroads.

The Germans deployed one of their platoons in the Workers Housing while the Sturm Platoon was held in reserve with the armour. The opening moves for the Germans was to advance with the armour and Sturm platoon and assault the Tractor Factory.

After a couple of failed shots at the Russian armour the Pzkw IV F2 advanced on the Tractor Factory to try and get a decent shot at the Russian Armour (cursing the frontal armour of the KV’s).

In the meantime, the MG34’s were being used in harassing fire on the Russian defenders.

On the German right flank the infantry were in a firefight with the Workers militia for control of the Workers Quarters.

On the Russian left flank their 45mm Anti-tank gun was forlornly looking for a target (blue marker represents reserved fire order). Also I know the “anti tank obstacles” are not entirely accurate but we didn’t have anything to represent the anti-tank ditch that had been selected as a defence.

In the centre the Workers Militia were also on “reserved fire” as was the T34. The militia soon quit the battlefield after being “pinned” by enemy fire and then subsequently failing a morale test.

Also before anyone points it out I know the T34 is actually a T34/43 but its the only dug-in T34 available (I still need to complete this model with camo netting).

In the Tractor Factory the Russians had deployed a KV1 and KV85 supported by a platoon of Naval Infantry to stop the German advance. The KV85 had been pinned after failing a morale test from a hit from the Pzkw IV. While it didn’t penetrate it distracted the crew.

After a number of failed attempts to penetrate the frontal armour of the KV’s the Pzkw IV F2 decided it would go “toe-to-toe” with the KV but missed.

But this is where “Broken Dice’s” luck showed again, after inflicting a loss on the Germans they had to draw a chit for morale loss. However they drew a “mine strike” marker instead and as the only Russian tank that had moved was the KV 1 it took the hit. A 6 was rolled and the KV 1 was no more.

But German celebrations were short lived as a T34 that had “tipped toed” under cover of the Tractor Factory popped its nose out around the corner and fired at the side armour of the F2 and we had an ex German tank.

The rest of the German armour continued to advance on the factory complex.

But time had beaten us and time was called but there will be a part two coming soon as the game continues in a weeks time.