Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Fire in the Steppe #15

Panzer Grenadier Battles on April 27th:
Arctic Front Deluxe #40 - Children's Crusade	Broken Axis #14 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 3: Sledge Hammer of the Proletariat
Army Group South Ukraine #6 - Consternation	Road to Berlin #73 - She-Wolves of the SS

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Heavy Tank Attack Fire in the Steppe #15
(Defender) Germany	vs	Soviet Union (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Germany		57th Infantry Division
Soviet Union		34th Tank Division

	Total
Side 1	2
Draw	0
Side 2	0

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	0

Overall Rating, 2 votes
5 4 3 2 1 3
Scenario Rank: --- of 913

Parent Game	Fire in the Steppe
Historicity	Historical
Date	1941-06-26
Start Time	09:00
Turn Count	30
Visibility	Day
Counters	66
Net Morale	1
Net Initiative	0
Maps	2: 4, 5
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	158
AAR Bounty	227
Total Plays	2
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control
Urban Assault

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Smoke

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Fire in the Steppe	Base Game

Introduction
On the right flank of VIII Mechanized Corps, 34th Tank Division lumbered forward with the huge T-35 "land battleships" displayed before the war in the Red Army's military parades in Moscow. A showpiece unit, the 34th Tank Division therefore had a much greater proportion of experienced tank crews than other Red Army formations, but the T-35 had never been mechanically reliable and age had not improved its service rate. Most of the big tanks had been left behind as they broke down; the survivors now finally went into action.

Introduction

On the right flank of VIII Mechanized Corps, 34th Tank Division lumbered forward with the huge T-35 "land battleships" displayed before the war in the Red Army's military parades in Moscow. A showpiece unit, the 34th Tank Division therefore had a much greater proportion of experienced tank crews than other Red Army formations, but the T-35 had never been mechanically reliable and age had not improved its service rate. Most of the big tanks had been left behind as they broke down; the survivors now finally went into action.

Conclusion
The German sources relied on by Western authors until the late 1990's make few references to the huge T-35 in combat, but the Soviet records show them in action in these battles. Or at least attempting to get into action. Many of the huge tanks broke down along the way, and of those that made it, more of them fell victim to German anti-tank guns. The 34th Tank Division made considerably less progress than its sister 12th Tank Division, but it also suffered considerably fewer casualties in the process.

Conclusion

The German sources relied on by Western authors until the late 1990's make few references to the huge T-35 in combat, but the Soviet records show them in action in these battles. Or at least attempting to get into action. Many of the huge tanks broke down along the way, and of those that made it, more of them fell victim to German anti-tank guns. The 34th Tank Division made considerably less progress than its sister 12th Tank Division, but it also suffered considerably fewer casualties in the process.

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable Assault Gun: if closed-top, provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
Assault Gun: if closed-top, provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Towed

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Display Errata (5)

5 Errata Items
	The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The StuG IIb appearing in the original Panzer Grenadier game had an Anti tank value of 4-7. As of Eastern Front Deluxe (2005), continuing onward through the 3rd and 4th edition games, the anti-tank value has been 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2022 Jul 21)
	The movement allowance on the counters in Airborne is misprinted. It should be "3." (rerathbun on 2012 Jan 30)
	The reduced direct fire value in Kursk: Burning Tigers is 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)

FitS014

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