Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes
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Christmas Morning
Arctic Front #5
(Defender) Finland vs Soviet Union (Attacker)
Formations Involved
Finland 10th Infantry Division
Finland 30th Infantry Regiment
Finland Metsäpirtti Detachment
Soviet Union 4th Rifle Division
Display
Balance:



Overall balance chart for AFro005
Total
Side 1 2
Draw 0
Side 2 0
Overall Rating, 2 votes
5
4
3
2
1
3.5
Scenario Rank: --- of 940
Parent Game Arctic Front
Historicity Historical
Date 1939-12-25
Start Time 05:00
Turn Count 28
Visibility Day
Counters 63
Net Morale 1
Net Initiative 0
Maps 3: 1, 3, 4
Layout Dimensions 84 x 43 cm
33 x 17 in
Play Bounty 165
AAR Bounty 171
Total Plays 2
Total AARs 1
Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault
Conditions
Entrenchments
Off-board Artillery
Reinforcements
Severe Weather
Terrain Mods
Scenario Requirements & Playability
Arctic Front Base Game
Eastern Front Maps + Counters
Introduction

Despite massive casualties, the Soviets continued their assault on the Mannerheim Line. Near Lake Ladoga, on the eastern end of the line, the Soviets realized that the Finns had built fewer fortifications and manned them more lightly than elsewhere. The Finns depended on the broad Suvanta River to make up for these deficiencies. If the Soviets could surprise the Finns, they could get across the river and break the Finnish defenses.

Conclusion

Using the falling snow as cover, the Soviets managed to get across the ice and into the Finnish positions. After severe hand-to-hand fighting, they took many of them and drove the Finns back. Division command sent in the only available reserves, a collection of border guards and volunteers, who helped drive the Soviets back over the river.


Display Order of Battle

Finland Order of Battle
Army
Soviet Union Order of Battle
Army (RKKA)
  • Towed

Display Errata (4)

4 Errata Items
Scen 5

In the Finnish OOB, delete "1 x Tank Leader"

(rerathbun on 2012 Mar 03)
Scen 5

In the Soviet OOB, "2 x 81mm" should be "2 x 82mm"

(triangular_cube on 2021 May 18)
Overall balance chart for 951

The reduced direct fire value in Kursk: Burning Tigers is 4-4.

(plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
Overall balance chart for 993

Kommissars never get morale or combat modifiers. Ignore misprints.

(Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Arctic Front #5
Author triangular_cube
Method Solo
Victor Finland
Play Date 2021-05-18
Language English
Scenario AFro005

This scenario sees a large Soviet force attempting to push through a heavily fortified finish line and take 2 towns, one in the rear area and the other along the line. Finns get entrenchments whereever they set up for better or worse, so strategic placement is necessary. They are expected to displace from their original set up once the Soviet attack develops, so this can truly be a double edged sword.

Terrain is also key. This, like many scenarios in the module has basically every hex being forest of some kind. The frozen lake rules apply to the river here, which is widened to 3 hexes across the map. The soviets are looking at a possible similiar situation to scenario 4, so must cross the river as quickly as possible. The Finns are spread even thinner this time, so they are hoping to be able to find a crack in the line to cross at and then move on from there.

The Soviets deploy in depth in the East attempting to force through the river line and take the front town from behind while sending stragglers north. They are able to get some bodies across the river as this section of the line is only held by 2 INF platoons of Finns, who are dependent on the displacing other areas to help out. Soviets are able to get large fire groups in place to get 3 turns of fire onto the entrenchments at the 22 column but roll 7, 8, 7 to no effect. That really killed the attack as they withered away under Finn bombardment and adjacent fire on the frozen river.

The displacing Finns assault their way through the Soviet horde until there is nothing organized to oppose them.

I think the poor dice rolls prevented me from really getting a good read on the balance of this scenario. Normally a whole Soviet Regiment would be able to knock out 2 platoons of Finns, entrenched or not :)

It just didnt happen for them this time. I still feel the balance is off here in favor of the Finns. I suspect most scenarios in this module will end up that way, but we shall see as they roll by.

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