Bolt Action - Game Report 36

The Invasion of Hungary Sep 1944

Introduction

After a surfeit of ADLG Paul and I decided to continue the momentum of learning the new Bolt Action V3 rules by having a game at Entoyment. It would also help us see how much we had learnt from the experience of the recent Bolt Action V3 event at which we had both played. We threw (not literally) some terrain on the table and started to roll the dice for the scenario and battle. We mutually decided that we wouldn’t play the Fog-Of-war option. In the event it was a simple meeting engagement deployed along the long table edge.

Situation

At the beginning of Sep the General Malinovsky’s 2nd Ukrainian Front’s supporting attacks in the southern Carpathian mountains to the 3rd Ukrainian Front’s offensive against Belgrade had failed to break through in to Hungary. Subsequently Stavka directed that Malinkovsy use his 46th Army to launch an attach from the Arad salient to encircle Debrecen.

As a prelude to this operation mobile columns were created to drive forward to seek intelligence through aggressive action seeking for weak points in the enemy defences. The Hungarians were skilled in preventing deep penetrations of their lines preventing the deep attack methods that had been successful previously against the Axis forces. The 476th Rifle Regiment of the 320th Rifle Division were given the honour of leading the mobile column from the 37th Rifle Corps.

The Commander of the 476th Rifle Regiment deployed a strong combat reconnaissance patrol to lead the advance guard and to find and fix the enemy to allow him to manoeuvre the Advance Guard to bypass any opposition that could then be dealt with by follow on forces from the rest of the Division.

Enemy Forces

Intelligence was limited. It was known that the Hungarian army had regrouped and reconstituted its forces after the debacle they had suffered after Operation Saturn in 1943. Additionally there motivation was high as they were now defending their own territory. Aerial reconnaissance had indicated that there was enemy armour on the line of advance but its strength and type was unknown.

Friendly Forces

Junior Lieutenant Feodor Asimov was given command of the combat recon patrol. He had under his command his own platoon of 3 rifle squads, and an additional SMG squad along with an anti tank rifle team and a sniper. He was accompanied by a Mortar section of two 82mm tubes, a Forward observer. Operating on his line of advance and in support was a recon patrol of a T70 and BA-10 from the 30th Cavalry Division.

Mission

The 476th Rifle Regiment’s Combat Patrol under Lt Azimov is to drive forward and engage and fix the enemy in place to allow the Regiment to manoeuvre and to penetrate the enemy’s first line of defences.

Post Mission Report

Without the benefit of being able to infiltrate the enemy’s position Lt Azimov deployed a wide formation keeping his three rifle sections in line abreast . The mortar section deployed in cover ready to provide supporting fire. The FOO managed to find a good location on the left flank to be able to provide supporting fire when he detected a suitable target.

Azimov decided to move around the left flank. The right of his three sections took fire and casualties but pressed on in support. The other two sections regrouped around the hill on the left to provide a base of fire against the enemy advancing through the woods to their front.

The enemy brough direct fire against the mortars and reduced the firepower available, but not before they were able to range in on their targets. The sniper moved into overwatch to the right of the mortars.

The timely arrival of the armoured recon managed to provide some essential fire support. Despite continuing to receive fire the mortar section continued to provide good fire support.

A counterattack by enemy armour manoeuvring around our right flank was countered by some excellent gunnery from Junior Sergeant Afanseeva commanding the BA-10 armoured car.

Junior Sergeant Afanseeva continued his advance using his machine guns to suppress the enemy infantry. 

The enemy had moved forward to occupy the village, in doing so they brought severe fire down on the right-hand rifle section. However, the enemy were spotted by the FOO who brought in a fire strike from the Divisional artillery regiment that destroyed the building and the occupants, along with supporting elements. The reserve SMG section was rushed forward to try and secure the ruins in the village.

A further counterattack by enemy armour this time against the left flank left the left section severely depleted. Despite the success they had had driving the enemy out of the wood to their front.

Brave and potentially foolish actions by the enemy rocket team brought the T70 under fire and destroyed it.

Outcome

Despite the initial success of the Soviet advance, and the effectiveness of the artillery in support, the Hungarians managed to recover much of their losses and forced a draw!

Honours and Awards

Junior Sergeant Afanseeva was awarded The Medal for Courage for his skilled gunnery and aggressive actions.

Artillery Lieutenant Oleg Frederovich was commended by the Divisional Commander Col. Yosif Zakarovich Burik for his skilful artillery direction and for saving the combat patrol from destruction.

Bolt Action - Game Report 35

OP Saturn Recrossing the Don – Jan 1943

Introduction

Onto the third game of the day, against Paul’s Germans. The scenario chosen for this was “Hold until relieved”, with the fog of war deployment option along the long edge. Paul managed to secure the better terrain selection, which went nicely with my ability to craft a scenario around it! However, the fog-of-war option means that any reinforcement could come on from any table edge.

Situation

After successfully encircling the German forces in Stalingrad and pursuing the Germans to the Chir River and then to the Donets River Stavka directed that the Don Front should cross the river Don across its entire length to the Sea of Azov. General Rokossovski directed 28th Army to secure crossing points on the Lower Don River by advancing Southwest to clear the left bank of the river Don and then advance North to cross the river.

General Rokossovski ordered General Gerasimenko’s 248th Rifle Division to pursue the retreating enemy forces and to secure bridgeheads across the River Don. He formed an advance guard from the 905th Rifle Regiment. Junior Lieutenant Kaminkov led the advance guard with his platoon.

Enemy Forces

The enemy was throwing small groups of troops into Battlegroups to delay and block our advance. Composition of these groups and likely opposition to the advance were unknown unto contact was made.

Friendly Forces

Lt Kaminkov’s platoon was supported by a Heavy Weapon Platoon of a mortar and a MMG. It was known that there was a Scout squad operating in the line of advance and It was anticipated that his artillery observer with on call artillery support would be able to link up with them. A tank platoon with a T34 and a T70, from the 565th Separate Tank Battalion was also operating in the area, and would be crossing independently.

Mission

Lieutenant Kaminkov is to secure a bridgehead over the River Don to allow the rest of the 905th Rifle Regiment to cross the river and continue the pursuit.

Post Mission Report

The Scout Squad were able to deploy are start to recon the bridgehead. Enemy heavy weapons were detected beyond the river line with enemy defensive barriers deployed around the river line.

The heavy weapons platoon crossed before the Germans were aware, however they were able to direct fire and suppress the Mortar before it could provide effective fire.

As the Scout Squad continued its stealthy advance it was ambushed by an enemy half-track and its dismounted section.

The welcome arrival of a T70 which had crossed the river upstream, supported by our anti tank rifle team, provided an effective supporting force to cause the enemy problems.

Meanwhile on the left flank the rest of Lt Kaminkov’s platoon arrived after crossing downstream of the crossing site. This fortuitously allowed them to advance and engage to destroy the enemy mortar and gun line.

Meanwhile the German forces had brought forward to a further half track and section that they dismounted to secure the crossing point. The welcome arrival of the T34 belonging to the Tank Platoon was able to finally overcome the enemy resistance in the rear by helping to destroy the mortars and nebelwerfers.

A further section from Lt Kaminkov’s platoon arrived in the rear of the enemy position and destroyed them by fire, to secure the hastily prepared defences.

Efreitor Rublikan led his inexperienced riflemen with great elan and entirely in disregard of any casualties to move in and help to destroy the enemy mortars.

Outcome

A game win to Paul’s Germans for securing the “objective”. However, the moral victory was surely mine with the destruction of 12 German units to only losing 6 in return. Perhaps the mission should be caveated by securing the objective and not losing so many troops!

Honours and Awards

The Medal for Courage was awarded to Efreitor Dmitry Rublikan commanding an inexperienced rifle squad for driving forward to engage the enemy with close range rifle fire to destroy a number of enemy mortars.

Bolt Action - Game Report 34

In Defence of the Motherland September 1949

Introduction

For the second round the scenario we were offered was “Top Secret – Meeting Engagement” deploying in the quarters. The enemies this time were Phil, from Tabletop Tommies’s, USMC force, and once again a desert setting. An opp force and terrain to give me an opportunity to stretch my imagination for a plausible post-battle narrative.

Situation

The Motherland exploded their first atomic device a week ago. Since then the US Imperialists have been launching waves of reconnaissance flights to capture data on the results of this test. One of these reconnaissance flights crash landed close to the north coast of the Black Sea near to Tuopse. Stavka has directed that the crash site is to be secured by the Tbilisi Military District Forces and valuable data recovered from the crash site. It is not clear whether the Imperialist Yankee forces will intervene.

Enemy Forces

The closest proximity US forces to the crash site is an embarked US Marine force on exercise of the north coast of Turkey.

Friendly Forces

1367th Rifle Regiment of the 414th Division has formed a task force from units conducting manoeuvres north of the Caucasus Mountains; this force will be commanded by Lt Pruskov. He has with him his Infantry Platoon and is supported by a Heavy Weapon Platoon of a mortar and a MMG, a tank platoon with a T34 and a T70, and an artillery observer with on call artillery support. A Scout squad has been flown forward from Tbilisi Military District HQ to provide on-site recon.

Mission

Lt Pruskov is to secure the crash site and secure the data stolen by the illegal Imperialist Yankee incursion into the Motherland. He is authorised to use all means at his disposal to secure the data.

Post Mission Report

The Scout Squad was able to deploy forward to provide overwatch, along with the FOO and the sniper team. However, there was strong evidence that the US Marines had landed and were trying to reach the objective.

Lt Pruskov advanced in force to the crash site with his platoon and the Heavy weapons in direct support.

The Scout Squad were immediately brought under fire by the US Marines who had landed with support from their own armour. The multiple barrels from their Air Defence halftrack forced the Scout Squad into cover. What was more of a concern was that the Scout Squad reported the sound of other armour approaching with the enemy infantry.

The enemy infantry were very aggressive and were determined to advance irrespective of the casualties we inflicted and the fire that Lt Pruskov’s platoon were able to bring to bear on them.

Fortunately, the Tank platoon arrived in support to destroy the enemy vehicles. However, it looked increasingly unlikely that the Scout Squad would survive long enough to benefit from their support.

The US Marines were trying to move around the buildings on both sides to try and reach the crash site. They were supported strongly by their mortars which zeroed in on the infantry squad moving forward to beat the Americans to the prize.

It was left to Lt Pruskov to lead the attack by himself and his aide. The rest of his infantry were increasingly pinned down by the enemy fire and unable to advance.

After the destruction of the Scout Squad it was left to the Tank Platoon to engage the enemy armour and to prevent them intervening in support of their infantry.

The Marines continued to press forward despite the casualties and the weight of fire being directed at them, but they still couldn’t reach the crash site.

Lt Pruskov perished in his attack, but the remains of his infantry platoon were able to prevent by fire the Americans from recovering their material from the crash site.

Outcome

Neither side were able to secure the crash site and we both suffered 3 units lost and hence a drawn game.

Honours and Awards

The death of Lt Pruskov prevented the NKVD from bringing charges of dereliction of duty against him for failing to destroy the Imperialist invaders and from securing the essential data from the crash site.

Bolt Action - Game Report 33

Defence of the Transcaucasian Front November 1942

Introduction

With the release of Bolt Action Version 3 the call went out from Michael to meet at Entoyment for a day’s gaming to explore the new rules. Everyone jumped at the chance to try out the new rules – me included. So, I, along with everyone, leapt into the new Rules to create an army of our own choice. I went for my Soviet Forces.

The new rules provide a much richer set of possible scenarios. The first game was A “Seek and Destroy – Meeting Engagement” mission using the long edges for deployment. My first battle was against H’s German force in a desert-ish scenario.

Situation

The Wehrmacht’s offensive Case Blue has been underway for the last 3 months, with deep penetrations into the Caucasus. The Red Army has deployed a stop line on the Terek River, while on the flanks the German’s are trying to widen and deepen the attack. To counter this the General Grechko’s 47th Army deployed on the south of the German penetration, with its back to the Black Sea, was ordered to launch spoiling attacks into the German’s flanks to protect the port of Tuapse.

Enemy Forces

Air recon was not available, and therefore available information was limited to a small number of stay behind parties communicating over the available telephone infrastructure. Reports indicated that the German forces were mobile but limited or no armour support.

Friendly Forces

1367th Rifle Regiment of the 414th Division formed a task force to launch spoiling attacks this was led by Lt Pruskov. He was given a Heavy Weapon Platoon of a mortar and a MMG to support him along with an artillery observer with on call artillery and a scout squad for deep attack. The 414th Divisional Commanders also obtained support a tank platoon from 47th Army with a T34 and a T70.

Mission

1367th Rifle Regiment is to attack NW to relieve pressure on Tuapse destroying all German forces within boundary.

Post Mission Report

Lt Pruskov decided to advance strongly on the right flank using the natural rough ground for cover. He deployed his more inexperienced rifle section on the left of his attack. Jun Lt Shuskiy deployed the heavy weapons in support behind the rough ground. The Scout section infiltrated as far forward as possible but immediately came under fire and was pinned down.

Lt Danikplov’s Tank Platoon arrived on the central line of the axis of attack to the left of Pruskov’s Platoon. They immediately moved forward using the firepower of their MGs to suppress the enemy infantry to support the infantry’s advance. At the same time the Germans are rushing troops forward to seize the vital ground they have identified in the centre of the battlefield.

The German rush to seize the ground resulted in the demise of two vehicles and a rifle team. This was being carried in the Kubelwagen and when the team bailed out they were assaulted by the remains of the inexperienced rifle squad and destroyed.

The Scout squad was pinned down in the palm trees and taking casulaties. The T34 moved forward in support.

The Scout squad suffered three hits, and I rolled for saves failing very badly, before the Germans tried to damage them and also failed!

The Germans boldly moved their Panzershrek operator forward by himself in a solo attempt to destroy the T34, only to be gunned down in the attempt.

On the right the supporting troops anchored themselves to the difficult going in order to protect themselves for the German fire.

Outcome

Lt Pruskov’s forces prevailed by 6 dice to 1.

Honours and Awards

The Battle Medal to the Scout Squad for retaining their cool in spite of the fire directed at them.

A posthumous Medal for Courage to Efreitor Misha Glodinov commanding the inexperienced rifle squad for the courage to close with, and destroy, the enemy with the bayonet.