Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Broken Axis #5 - Târgu Frumos: The First Battle Scenario 3: Mobile Defense

Panzer Grenadier Battles on October 24th:
Afrika 1944 #22 - PAKfront	Leyte '44 #12 - Flying Wedge
Fronte Russo #9 - Potemkin Village	Leyte '44 #13 - Failure at Buri Airfield
Red & White #28 - Bastion

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Târgu Frumos: The First Battle Scenario 3: Mobile Defense Broken Axis #5
(Defender) Germany (Defender) Romania	vs	Soviet Union (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Germany		24th Panzer Division
Romania		7th Infantry Division
Soviet Union		16th Tank Corps

	Total
Side 1	4
Draw	0
Side 2	2

Overall Rating, 7 votes
5 4 3 2 1 3.86
Scenario Rank: 188 of 1094

Parent Game	Broken Axis
Historicity	Historical
Date	1944-04-09
Start Time	11:00
Turn Count	20
Visibility	Day
Counters	90
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	2: 102, 104
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	152
AAR Bounty	168
Total Plays	6
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Delaying Action
Exit the Battle Area
Hill Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control

Conditions
Anti-infantry Wire
Off-board Artillery
Severe Weather
Joint Forces Battle

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Broken Axis	Base Game

Introduction
With Botoshany in their hands, the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front had a clear path down the excellent paved road to Târgu Frumos. With that town in their hands, the Soviets could outflank the German defenses of Jassy; prisoner interrogations had revealed that the Axis planned to make a stand there. Marshal Ivan Konev believed that if his troops struck quickly they could take the Germans from their northwestern flank and roll them up, destroying the 47th Panzer Corps and much of the German Eighth Army.

Introduction

With Botoshany in their hands, the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front had a clear path down the excellent paved road to Târgu Frumos. With that town in their hands, the Soviets could outflank the German defenses of Jassy; prisoner interrogations had revealed that the Axis planned to make a stand there. Marshal Ivan Konev believed that if his troops struck quickly they could take the Germans from their northwestern flank and roll them up, destroying the 47th Panzer Corps and much of the German Eighth Army.

Conclusion
Colonel General Otto Wöhler of the German Eighth Army knew that the Romanian 7th Infantry Division could not deal with the Soviets now assaulting it, so he quickly dispatched a small mixed-arms battle group from 24th Panzer Division to their aid. The Germans struck the attacking Soviets' open right flank, and after heavy fighting forced them back almost to Podu Iloaiei, nearly 15 kilometers. While not as good a result as Wöhler desired, this prevented the Soviets from reinforcing their infantry fighting at Târgu Frumos, buying the Germans another day to deal with the situation there.

Conclusion

Colonel General Otto Wöhler of the German Eighth Army knew that the Romanian 7th Infantry Division could not deal with the Soviets now assaulting it, so he quickly dispatched a small mixed-arms battle group from 24th Panzer Division to their aid. The Germans struck the attacking Soviets' open right flank, and after heavy fighting forced them back almost to Podu Iloaiei, nearly 15 kilometers. While not as good a result as Wöhler desired, this prevented the Soviets from reinforcing their infantry fighting at Târgu Frumos, buying the Germans another day to deal with the situation there.

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). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. 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 Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).

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).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
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
Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Romania Order of Battle

Armata Română
Foot Leader Towed

Armata Română

Foot

Leader

Towed

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Guards
Foot Leader Mechanized

Guards

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)
	All SS PzIVH tanks should have a movement of 8. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	All SPW 251s have an armor value of 0. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The reduced direct fire value in Kursk: Burning Tigers is 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)

Display AARs (1)

Broken Axis, scenario #3: Mobile Defense

Author	JayTownsend
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany, Romania
Play Date	2026-10-03
Language	English
Scenario	BrAx005

Broken Axis, scenario #3: Mobile Defense

This scenario looked good on paper and was good on the playing map. The Soviets have four objectives: hill control, road control, exiting 10 steps and eliminating 10 enemy steps. The Soviets have an interesting mix of RKKA & Guard units and an interesting mix of armor types and Infantry units. The Axis have a pretty solid Romanian Infantry and anti-tank gun group and more important a nice battlegroup of German Armor and halftrack mounted infantry and enter on turn one. Both sides have to some off map artillery support and both sides have to deal with the slower mud movement.

The Romanians setup dug-in using the terrain to their advantage. The Russians go headfirst into the Romanian lines as with mud and only 20 turns, there is not a lot of time to try and achieve their objectives. The Germans roll right in to back up their Romanian allies. In some bloody assaults and direct fire combat the Soviets were able to eliminate more than ten enemy steps, 14 in fact and 4 leaders but paid a price of losing 37 steps and 1 leader, as armor steps count double. The Russian were able to slip 12 steps of the south edge of the map as almost a last action as these T34s avoided combat. But Russian could not clear the road or control all the 40- & 60-meter hills as the Germans slipped in some of their Infantry once they saw the Romanians had been pushed off the hill.

So the Soviet only achieved 2 out 4 objectives giving the Romanian/Germans a minor Victory. With the mud, I am not sure the Russians can to much better unless the dice favor them better on some critical rolls but either way I enjoyed this scenario.

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