Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Fire and Sword #20

Panzer Grenadier Battles on March 31st:
An Army at Dawn #40 - Task Force Benson	Conquest of Ethiopia #27 - Salt Spring
An Army at Dawn 2nd Ed #39 - Restless Energy	Spearhead Division #19 - The Cats Return
Afrika Korps #8 - Ambush!	Spearhead Division #20 - Wewer

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Death of Heroes Fire and Sword #20
(Defender) Germany (Defender) Hungary	vs	Soviet Union (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Germany		71st Infantry Division
Soviet Union		53rd Motorcycle Regiment
Soviet Union		52nd Tank Regiment

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 1 vote
5 4 3 2 1 4
Scenario Rank: --- of 957

Parent Game	Fire and Sword
Historicity	Historical
Date	1944-11-27
Start Time	10:00
Turn Count	24
Visibility	Day
Counters	48
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	2
Maps	3: 50, 53, 54
Layout Dimensions	129 x 28 cm 51 x 11 in
Play Bounty	175
AAR Bounty	166
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Exit the Battle Area
Inflict Enemy Casualties

Conditions
Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Joint Forces Battle

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Fire and Sword	Base Game

Introduction
Strong Soviet forces, the 32nd Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade (its 52nd Tank Regiment had 24 T34/85 medium tanks and ten OT34 flamethrowers) and the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment with a total of 40 AFVs and practically no infantry, pushed forward during the morning via Németbóly to the main road leading to Pécs (Fünfkirchen in German). They took Szederkény and crossed the main line of resistance, facing weaker security positions in the Axis rear areas. One company from the 52nd Tank Regiment together with a motorized rifle company moved out in the direction of Pécs. Their mission was to break through the defenses in the course of the night and capture the town on the march. The German-Hungarian troops concentrated along the highway leading from Szederkény to Pécs, in the area of Point 208 (five kilometers southeast of Pécs).

Introduction

Strong Soviet forces, the 32nd Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade (its 52nd Tank Regiment had 24 T34/85 medium tanks and ten OT34 flamethrowers) and the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment with a total of 40 AFVs and practically no infantry, pushed forward during the morning via Németbóly to the main road leading to Pécs (Fünfkirchen in German). They took Szederkény and crossed the main line of resistance, facing weaker security positions in the Axis rear areas. One company from the 52nd Tank Regiment together with a motorized rifle company moved out in the direction of Pécs. Their mission was to break through the defenses in the course of the night and capture the town on the march. The German-Hungarian troops concentrated along the highway leading from Szederkény to Pécs, in the area of Point 208 (five kilometers southeast of Pécs).

Conclusion
The Soviet armored group pushed westwards until a Hungarian Gendarme knocked out a T34 (probably from the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment) approaching on the road from Szederkény. German 88mm anti-aircraft guns claimed the next twelve AFVs that followed, and left three more immobilized on or next to the road. German ground-attack aircraft also joined in against Soviet tanks southeast of Pécs making rapid progress towards the town. Soviet reports mention heroic acts by the tankers when their tanks, suffering from multiple hits and bursting in flames, went on to crush the German guns and their crews under their tracks. Finally, having overcome the improvised German defenses in front of Pécs, as well as by the weak Hungarian forces that sealed off the valleys of the Meksek Mountains, the tanks of the Soviet 32nd Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade and the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment reached the county seat at nightfall. The Soviet brigade had covered 40 kilometers in just three days. The Soviet High Command considered its “independent” armored units second-rate and expendable. They often operated refurbished, obsolete, or even captured machines. The battle for Pécs disproved that assumption.

Conclusion

The Soviet armored group pushed westwards until a Hungarian Gendarme knocked out a T34 (probably from the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment) approaching on the road from Szederkény. German 88mm anti-aircraft guns claimed the next twelve AFVs that followed, and left three more immobilized on or next to the road. German ground-attack aircraft also joined in against Soviet tanks southeast of Pécs making rapid progress towards the town.

Soviet reports mention heroic acts by the tankers when their tanks, suffering from multiple hits and bursting in flames, went on to crush the German guns and their crews under their tracks. Finally, having overcome the improvised German defenses in front of Pécs, as well as by the weak Hungarian forces that sealed off the valleys of the Meksek Mountains, the tanks of the Soviet 32nd Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade and the 53rd Motorcycle Regiment reached the county seat at nightfall. The Soviet brigade had covered 40 kilometers in just three days.

The Soviet High Command considered its “independent” armored units second-rate and expendable. They often operated refurbished, obsolete, or even captured machines. The battle for Pécs disproved that assumption.

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 Anti-Aircraft Weapon Carrier: apply a -1 modifier to an air attack if within three hexes of the targeted hex (15.14). 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). 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 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
Anti-Aircraft Weapon Carrier: apply a -1 modifier to an air attack if within three hexes of the targeted hex (15.14).
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).
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)

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Hungary Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader

Army

Foot

Leader

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Guards
Foot Leader Mechanized

Guards

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Display Errata (2)

2 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 Guards T-34/85 tanks should have AT fire values of 7-7. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Fire And Sword, scenario #20: Death of Heroes

Author	JayTownsend
Method	Solo
Victor	Soviet Union
Play Date	2025-03-03
Language	English
Scenario	FiSw020

Fire And Sword, scenario #20: Death of Heroes

An interesting scenario, where the Soviets have three victory objectives to try to achieve with three levels of victory or defeat and played over three maps lengthwise. The Germans and Hungarians have an odd mix of units to try and slow the Russians down but the AA Guns and Anti-Tanks Guns are the most important and air-support as well.

The Russians ended up fighting it out on map 50 and 54 first before their finally exit points on map 53 with even heavier fighting and that German 88mm anti-tank gun destroying my plans for one of the victory objectives of giving the Axis more casualties then they received. The German air force didn’t help as well. The casualties were even 17 to 17. But with that said, the Russians did get their other two victory objectives, exiting 25 steps off the west edges of map 53, but only after overcoming the dreaded 88mm gun and they eliminated both the German anti-aircraft guns for two out of three victory objectives for a minor Soviet Victory.

Fun scenario, as I had my doubts playing both sides if either would win. I can see a lot of different outcome.

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FiSw019

FiSw021

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