Sunday 19 August 2018

Thursday's battle

This will be an Eastern Front battle - the Seige of Kholm (Feb 1942).

(This is for the attention of our wargaming group obviously!)

You will need to acquaint yourselves with the winter warfare house rules.  Rules - Spearhead.

The background
After the failed attempt to take Moscow and the strong Russian counter-offensive against exhausted and ill-prepared troops, Hitler ordered his forces to stand and fight in small 'hedgehogs' - especially around key settlements and communication centres.

One such settlement was Kholm - a small town in Southern Russia.

The battlefield
Kholm is in the middle of the table,  A road runs from top to bottom of the table and through the middle of the town.  A frozen river runs across the middle of the table.  Infantry and manhandled guns should cross the frozen river - vehicles can only safely cross the river by using the bridge in the middle of town.

Forests are found at the top and bottom of the table. 

The town will have a number of 'village' sectors providing the defenders with +1 cover - and the Germans can 'dig in' units if they choose providing an additional +1.

There is also on the outskirts of Kholm a 'reboubt' made up of broken down vehicles.  This acts like a village sector with +1 cover. 


The Germans
Under the command of Maj-General Thomas Scherer a motley collection of units is offering stubborn resistance to the 3rd Shock Army.

Soviet ski troops have cut Kholm's last link with XXXIX Corps and supply is only possible from Ju52's.  The small airstrip has since been captured so only parachute drops are available to keep the Germans in supply.

FOO's caught in the town can still call in artillery from two artillery battalions emplaced behind the main German lines. In addition, reinforcements and some anti-tank guns were airlifted in before the airfield was overrun.

The Germans have limited forces and face attacks from two sides.

Note that as winter rules apply, the Germans are NOT as good as they usually are!


The Russians
The battle will represent the Russian's most aggressive attempt to take the town.

The STAVKA have gathered together a significant force including a Naval Brigade, A Rifle Regiment, a ski battalion, artillery, tanks and air support.

But these forces are split and the town is a tough nut to crack.


Victory conditions  
The Russians must capture the town and / or rout or force the surrender of the defenders.


Who wants who?
Let m know which force you'd rather play and I'll give you the list of troops available to you.

4 comments:

Ian said...

I've played it before so I'm happy to go either side.

Russ said...

Russians please Phil

Broeders said...

OK 0 Ian take the Germans, Russ the Russians

mark said...

any side you like