Bolt Action - Game Report 29

Operation Suvorov - Spas-Demensk offensive August 1943

Introduction

Kevin and I felt the need to get some more Bolt Action gaming in, as an alternative and refreshing change to ADLG. I decided to field some new units that I had added to my Soviet forces, while Kevin agreed to field his Germans. Additionally I wanted to bring my scratch-built Russian Dachas and other village buildings to the table.

Situation

After the Kursk operation the Soviet forces went over to the offensive culminating in Operation Suvorov the drive to straighten the Russian line and to continue to push the Germans back. Captain Paniflov’s Company in the 1075th Rifle Regiment has been transferred to the 10th Army in time for the Spas Demensk offensive.

Enemy Forces

Enemy forces from battlefield reconnaissance were estimated as weak Panzer Grenadiers with some armour support.

Friendly Forces

Captain Paniflov assigned Lt Postlikovich’s 1st Platoon the task of leading the advance guard for the Company. He was provided with additional support to his platoon of a BA-10 for reconnaissance, a SU-76 for fire support, a combat engineer team with a flamethrower, a sniper detachment with two snipers, and a Scout Squad would be conducting a deep attack in support.

Mission

1st Platoon is to secure the village of Nitsche.

Post Mission Report

Lt Postlikovich deployed the sniper detachment to protect the left flank.

The main body of his force moved along the main road into the village. The BA-10 provided covering fire to infantry as they moved forward to clear the buildings on either side of the road. At this stage the combat engineers were determined to stay out of the line of fire.

The attached forward artillery observer exposed himself to fire unnecessarily and was pinned, but nevertheless called in fire which was not especially effective at suppressing the Germans. More armour support arrived with the SU-76. Forward of this an infantry section is regrouping in the first line of buildings.

The BA-10 successfully engaged the German half track. This allowed a section to advance forward to the church, but they suffered significant casualties and were pinned down.

On the right flank the advance had been stalled by aggressive fire from a German infantry section and an officer. However, the timely arrival of the Scout squad from the flank eliminated this threat.

There was an aggressive response from the Germans. They sent forward a truck with reinforcements. However the truck was taken out by the sniper detachment, and the occupants were forced to dismount.

The SU-76 moved forward in support to provide direct fire support for the attack deep into the village. The combat engineers inched they way forward from cover to cover.

The combat engineers have moved forward behind the church walls to engage the enemy stronghold in the burnt out building. However, they lacked the range to engage initially.

On the left flank the German counterattack has been halted through aggressive fire by the sniper detachment and a tank hunter team that had arrived in support.

Finally the combat engineers are in position to flame the building and with direct fire support from the SU-76 they secured the building.

Outcome

A minor victory for 1st Platoon. However, the limited success achieved could not be exploited and the overall offensive stalled.