Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: First Axis: Slovakia at War, 1939-1945

Panzer Grenadier Battles on May 22nd:
Heraklion #5 - Siege of Candia	Parachutes Over Crete #20 - Captain Forrester
Parachutes Over Crete #7 - A Sad Tale	Parachutes Over Crete #35 - Pressed Olives
Parachutes Over Crete #8 - Mountain Men Attack	Road to Dunkirk #18 - Into Trouble

AP Series	Panzer Grenadier
Designers	Bennighof, McNair
Game Type	Expansion
Format	Book
Release Date	2008-06
Availability	Out of Print
Scenarios	30
Counters	88
Counter Type	Die-cut
Maps	0

Overall Rating, 119 votes
5 4 3 2 1 3.28
Expansion Rank: 81 of 120

Popularity: Ownership & Activity
Status	Owned by 21%	Played by 8%	AAR'd by 8%	Medaled by 1%
Rank	24th of 173	33rd of 163	26th of 160	98th of 98

Expansion Game Requirements & Playability
30/30	First Axis
28/30	Road to Berlin
22/30	Eastern Front
8/30	Sinister Forces
2/30	Battle of the Bulge
1/30	Airborne - IE
1/30	Edelweiss: Expanded
1/30	Fronte Russo
1/30	White Eagles

	Total
Side 1	49
Draw	13
Side 2	63

	Total
Side 1	46
Draw	12
Side 2	62

	Total
Side 1	3
Draw	1
Side 2	1

	In March 1939, the small nation of Slovakia declared its independence from Czechoslovakia and immediately became a satellite of Nazi Germany. Slovak troops became the first Axis forces to fight alongside the Germans, joining in the invasion of Poland in September 1939. They also marched into the Soviet Union in 1941. After five years as the most minor of allies, the Slovaks turned against the fascists and fought with the victorious allies in the last year of the war. First Axis is a supplement for the Panzer Grenadier series adding the Slovak army to the game series. There are 30 new scenarios, or game situations, covering fighting ranging from the 1939 border war with Hungary and invasion of Poland through fighting in the Soviet Union and finally the Slovak National Uprising of 1944. There are 88 new die-cut and mounted playing pieces representing Slovak tanks, troops and leaders. Re-implemented in Slovakia's War.

Scenario	Plays	AARs	Rating
01. Confused Alarms	18	7	3.3
02. Clash by Night	14	7	3.1
03. Ignorant Armies	17	8	3.5
04. Struggle and Flight	8	3	3.8
05. On a Darkling Plain	9	5	4.1
06. Slavik Brotherhood	7	2	4.1
07. First Battle	2	1	2.5
08. Mopping up	2	1	2
09. Slovakia's Battle: Phase One	3	1	3.7
10. Slovakia's Battle: Phase Two	3	1	3.7
11. Holding the River	1	1	3
12. Christmas Day	2	3	2.7
13. Collective Farm	1	1	4
14. High Water Mark	1	1	4
15. Crimean Gateway	1	1	2
16. Isthmus Guard	3	2	3
17. Capturing Lojev	5	3	2.2
18. Defending Lojev	2	1	3
19. Korbela's Tank	1	1	2
20. End Game in Italy	8	6	3.1
21. Fighting French	3	2	2.7
22. Fighting Slovaks	2	2	4
23. Depot Guard	3	1	3.3
24. Fighting Germans	1	1	2
25. Slovak Revival	1	1	2
26. Slovak Surprise	1	1	3
27. Retreat from Turiec	1	1	5
28. Raksa Valley	1	1	2
29. Brown Battalions	1	1	4
30. Uniformed Criminals	3	2	2.7

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Schutzstaffel
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Schutzstaffel

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Hungary Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader Mechanized

Army

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Italy Order of Battle

Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale
Foot

Regio Esercito
Leader

Poland Order of Battle

Wojska Lądowe
Foot Leader Towed

Wojska Lądowe

Foot

Leader

Towed

Slovak Republic Order of Battle

Slovenská Armáda
Foot Leader Mechanized Misc Motorized Towed

Slovenská Armáda

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Misc

Motorized

Towed

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized Misc Towed

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Misc

Towed

Guards
Foot Leader Towed

Guards

Foot

Leader

Towed

NKVD
Foot Leader Towed

NKVD

Foot

Leader

Towed

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Game'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). Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier. Prime Movers: Transports which only transport towed units and/or leaders (May not carry personnel units). May or may not be armored (armored models are open-top). All are mechanized. (SB)

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Game'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).
Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.
Prime Movers: Transports which only transport towed units and/or leaders (May not carry personnel units). May or may not be armored (armored models are open-top). All are mechanized. (SB)

20 Errata Items
	Scenario 1 - The sides are reversed in the historical commentary. (Grognard Gunny on 2023 Jul 02)
Scen 5	Germany is not actually involved in the scenario, but German counters are required for the Hungarian side. (plloyd1010 on 2013 Mar 11)
Scen 22	Loan the Slovaks 3 Soviet wagons, as all their wagons are used for the Prava trucks (reverse side). (campsawyer on 2010 Sep 02)
	Two 105mms (ID#s 1204, 1205) have "16-31" fire values in black (direct fire), when they should be in white (indirect fire). (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	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)
	Liberation 1944's Tiger movement and armor ratings are backwards. They should be Armor 7 and Movement 5. (petermc on 2014 Feb 14)
	There are alternate versions of the Tiger, available for download from Avalanche Press. Players might find it interesting to experiment on their effect on play. (plloyd1010 on 2024 Dec 19)
	The movement allowance on the counters in Airborne is misprinted. It should be "3." (rerathbun on 2012 Jan 30)
	All SS 75mm IG guns are direct fire weapons (black), not indirect (white). (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The reduced direct fire value of the SS HMG is 5-5 in Beyond Normandy and Road to Berlin. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	The Units in Beyond Normandy were misprinted with a movement factor of 5. The movement factor should be 8. (rerathbun on 2012 Mar 21)
	Liberation 1944's counters are mislabeled 'PzIVF2.' The counter's ratings are correct (Armor 5, Move 8, DF 11-6, AT 6-8). (rerathbun on 2014 Feb 14)
	The reduced direct fire value in Kursk: Burning Tigers is 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	Kommissars never get morale or combat modifiers. Ignore misprints. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	Strongpoints are single step units and can be eliminated with X results like any other single step unit. (rerathbun on 2014 Apr 08)
	Strongpoints are affected by the terrain in their hex just like any other unit. Even though they can't move, they can attack using Assault Combat if an enemy unit moves into their hex. They may not dig in or benefit from entrenchments. (rerathbun on 2014 Apr 21)
	These units should have a Direct Fire rating of 2-3, just like the RKKA and NKVD counterparts. (danradz on 2011 May 04)
	Kommissars never get morale or combat modifiers. Ignore misprints. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Nations at War - Scenario Appearance Percentages
Slovak Republic	100%	Slovak Republic
Soviet Union	47%	Soviet Union
Germany	43%	Germany
Hungary	17%	Hungary
Poland	3%	Poland
Italy	3%	Italy

Battle Types - Scenario Appearance Percentages
Urban Assault	60%	Urban Assault
Rural Assault	27%	Rural Assault
Road Control	23%	Road Control
Exit the Battle Area	17%	Exit the Battle Area
Hill Control	13%	Hill Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties	13%	Inflict Enemy Casualties
Surprise Attack	7%	Surprise Attack
Bridge Control	7%	Bridge Control
River Crossing	7%	River Crossing
Meeting Engagement	3%	Meeting Engagement
Rear Guard	3%	Rear Guard

Conditions - Scenario Appearance Percentages
Off-board Artillery	73%	Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft	57%	Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Terrain Mods	23%	Terrain Mods
Reinforcements	17%	Reinforcements
Hidden Units	13%	Hidden Units
Joint Forces Battle	13%	Joint Forces Battle
Entrenchments	7%	Entrenchments
Minefields	3%	Minefields