Chain Of Command 2: Winter War.

This year, there is a distinct focus on World War II. However, this time we are featuring a topic I haven’t featured on my blog in about 14 years: the Winter War. Mike has a collection of figures for this conflict in 20mm scale, and we decided to use them for our games. Additionally, we chose to test the second edition of the Chain of Command rules without the Cold War modifications, as they were originally intended.

SCENARIO: Mike Evans
UMPIRING: Mike Evans

SCENERY: Mike Evans, Bartek Żynda

FIGURES & MODELS: Mike Evans

1. Forces.

FINNS

(Mike)

Infantry Platoon

1 x AT Gun

1 x AT Rifle Team

2 x AT 'Molotov Cocktail' Team

1 x Sniper

Trenches

SOVIETS

(Bartek)

Infantry Platoon

NKVD Officer

Tank Platoon 

1 x T-28

2 x T-26

Brown bases: Soviets, white: Finns.

2. The game.

A classic battle during the war involved a Soviet infantry platoon advancing in a single file toward Finnish positions, supported by tanks. This tactic typically resulted in heavy casualties among Soviet soldiers; however, these losses were not sufficient to halt the Red Army's advance. Following the principle of "we have plenty of men," the strategy was that sheer numbers would eventually overcome fortifications and resistance. Ultimately, this approach proved effective, and Finland was compelled to negotiate.

Ahead of the Soviet soldiers was a firewall that effectively prevented the Finns from using their jump-off points. To overcome this barrier, the unit needed to roll a 4 or higher, which proved to be quite a challenge for Mike, and he likely never succeeded. However, once the Soviet infantry was within 12 inches, the Finns could use this position without any restrictions. As the situation unfolded, the Soviets encountered two strongpoints: one located in the central forest and the other to their left. They decided to attack both positions, beginning with a hand-to-hand combat engagement at one of them.

The assault on the Finnish trenches resulted in heavy losses for the Soviets, but they were ultimately repulsed. Hand-to-hand combat remains very risky for attackers, and even having a numerical advantage does not guarantee victory against a well-entrenched enemy. As a result, the Soviets decided to utilise their firepower and tank support to eliminate Finnish pockets of resistance, and this tactic proved effective. The Finns struggled to pose a threat to the Soviet tanks, which caused significant damage to their defensive lines. Eventually, the Finns were compelled to abandon their positions, a situation the Soviets seized upon to make substantial advances. The retreating Finns found themselves in an open field, where the tanks' guns and machine guns inflicted further destruction. Ultimately, the Finns were forced to retreat.

After the game, I felt that Mike had made some fundamental mistakes in the Finnish defence. We agreed to play again in two weeks. This time, I'll play as the Finns, and Mike will take on the Soviets. We'll see if my observations were accurate.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720332017710

Battlegroup: Somewhere near the Kursk.

We played another game using the Battlegroup rules, focusing on the Kursk expansion and the Soviet-German battle for the village. This time, we played the Flanking Attack scenario with both forces at 500 points each.

SCENARIO: Flanking Attack
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

SOVIETS

(Mike, Tim)

Soviet Rifle Division Battlegroup

HQ (Gaz Jeep)

Rifle Platoon

AT Grenades update

Maxim MMG team

Light Mortar team

45mm ATG + Truck

75mmIG + horse tow

T-34 Platoon (3 x T-34/76)

2 x Kv-1S tank

Cavalry Squadron (Scout)

37mmATG + truck

Repair Vehicle

Counter bombardment

3 Officers

32 BR

GERMANS

(Bartek, Jimmy)

German Panzer Division Battlegroup

Pz.Kpfw. III (HQ)

PzGrenadier Platoon

AT Grenades upgrade

MG42 upgrade

3 Trucks

Light Mortar team

Medium Mortar team

MG42 Tripod team

PaK40 ATG + Truck

StuG Platoon (3 x StuG III)

Sd.Kfz.222 (Scout)

88mm AA/ATG – Kfz.7 tow

Panzer Ace upgrade

Timed 105mm barrage

3 Officers

32 BR

2. The game.

We started with a weather roll, and Jimmy rolled a 5, which meant that air support was available. Next, we placed the objectives, consisting of four key locations: the central church as objective number one; the village entrance from the Soviet triangle, where the main force would enter; a house on the German side; and a forest on the Soviet reconnaissance force’s side. After selecting the deployment triangles, the Germans deployed three units, while the Soviets deployed six. Finally, the reconnaissance forces took their positions.

The initial bombardment by the Soviets was ineffective, and no German units were successfully pinned down. However, due to inadequate reconnaissance, the Germans found themselves within the firing range of one of the KV tanks, which led to their destruction. As a result, the Germans began to experience significant losses.

Both sides then began to occupy their respective objectives. The Soviets captured the church and the entrance on their side, while the Germans took control of the house and the forest. From that point on, a brutal battle for the village erupted, with the objectives frequently changing hands as the fighting intensified and moved into very close quarters.

German artillery support was highly effective, successfully taking out a Soviet anti-tank gun. One of the StuGs struck a mine, which left it immobilised. The remaining StuGs then joined the battle, supported by PaK 40 and 88mm guns, which proved deadly for the Soviet tanks. They managed to destroy two T-34 tanks that had advanced into the village, as well as one KV tank. However, the German infantry was beginning to suffer heavy losses, prompting Jimmy to come up with a new idea.

Despite my warnings, he relocated his Pz. III tank, which was our senior officer, was to support the infantry in the forest. This move left him vulnerable to fire from a Soviet 75mm infantry gun. The likelihood of destroying the tank was low, but Mike decided to take the risk and succeeded! Unfortunately, we lost a senior officer.

Both sides attempted to deploy air support tokens, but neither was able to summon them. In the end, the Germans captured the church, while the Soviets secured the forest, leading to an ongoing battle with neither side reaching its morale limit. When the game concluded, we tallied the points for both sides: the Soviets lost 20 points, while the Germans lost 26 points. As a result, Stalin's Lions won the battle.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720331921528

Cruel Seas: Mine Fields Everywhere!

In our next game, we used the Cruel Seas rules. This time, the Kriegsmarine was assigned to clear the minefields the Royal Navy had laid overnight, which had blocked the harbour entrance.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Ben, Gordon, Tim)

2 x Fairmile D

3 x Vosper I 

2 x Vosper II

KRIEGSMARINE

(Alasdair, Bartek, Jimmy)

3 x S-38 type 

3 x S-100 type 

2 x R-23 type 

8

2. The Game.

A port located in occupied Europe. During the night, the Royal Navy successfully laid three of the four designated minefields. The Kriegsmarine had two boat groups stationed in the port: one, which I commanded, consisted of minesweepers, while the other, commanded by Alasdair, included torpedo boats for cover. Additionally, another group of boats, led by Jimmy, was set to be deployed. In the port's roadstead, a group of British boats under Gordon's command was stationed. Two support groups were moving toward the port: one, consisting of Vosper boats, was under Ben's command, while the stronger group, composed of Fairmile boats, was under Tim's command.

It all started with a minor disturbance in the harbour. With a minesweeper commanded by a less experienced crew in the lead, I decided to shift the positions of both boats. However, this manoeuvre made it difficult for Alasdair's boats to leave the harbour. Due to my unclear instructions, he was only able to get two of his three boats out while the third was blocked by my vessels. Alasdair's manoeuvre, however, successfully drove away Gordon's boats, which had sought cover behind the incoming Royal Navy reinforcements. Jimmy's vessels then moved to confront them, but without support amid the chaos in the harbour, they had to face the advancing British boats alone. Isolated and outnumbered, he began the fight bravely, though ultimately ineffectively.

Jimmy bravely fought against the overwhelming force of British guns and machine guns, but his efforts were largely ineffective as they began to decimate his units. Soon, the first of his boats was destroyed, and the subsequent vessels suffered significant damage from British shellfire. 

After consulting with me, Jimmy decided to ram the enemy ships, which led to chaos in Gordon's squadron. Two of his boats collided and sank as a result of this manoeuvre. Unfortunately, this tactic also cost Jimmy his last remaining ships. 

It was only after this that Alasdair left port, and I took my minesweepers to the first minefield. I successfully cleared the area, but due to time constraints, the game had to come to an end. The Germans managed to create one safe route into port for the incoming convoy, destroying two British boats in the process, but at the cost of three torpedo boats. This resulted in a poor exchange for them and limited success overall. The game will, of course, continue in the future.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720331791473/