Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Fire and Sword #31

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

PG-HQ Library - Panzer Grenadier Hall > Scenarios > FiSw031

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White Castle Fire and Sword #31
(Attacker) Germany	vs	Soviet Union (Defender)

Formations Involved
Germany		23rd Panzer Division
Soviet Union		252nd Rifle Division

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	0

Overall Rating, 0 votes
5 4 3 2 1 0
Scenario Rank: --- of 957

Parent Game	Fire and Sword
Historicity	Historical
Date	1944-12-22
Start Time	11:00
Turn Count	12
Visibility	Day
Counters	82
Net Morale	1
Net Initiative	1
Maps	1: 53
Layout Dimensions	43 x 28 cm 17 x 11 in
Play Bounty	220
AAR Bounty	222
Total Plays	0
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Hill Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Terrain Mods

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Fire and Sword	Base Game

Introduction
The weak panzer grenadier battalions guarding the western side of Székesfehérvár faced constant attacks while other Soviet units bypassed their strongpoints and forced the German units to retreat even further. By noon on the 21st the Soviet tanks and infantry had reached the railway line at Sárpentele, crossed it and entered Székesfehérvár’s industrial area on the northwest side of the city. The defenders’ situation became increasingly precarious as an improvised battle group tried to prevent the Soviets from reaching the city’s western perimeter. Now scratching the very bottom of the barrel, the group included two command tanks, two radio and two engineer half-tracks, and two Wespe self-propelled howitzers – all vehicles never intended for front-line combat – supported by the 23rd Panzer Division’s palace guard company. This ramshackle formation engaged the Soviets in the area of the Danuvia Works.

Introduction

The weak panzer grenadier battalions guarding the western side of Székesfehérvár faced constant attacks while other Soviet units bypassed their strongpoints and forced the German units to retreat even further. By noon on the 21st the Soviet tanks and infantry had reached the railway line at Sárpentele, crossed it and entered Székesfehérvár’s industrial area on the northwest side of the city. The defenders’ situation became increasingly precarious as an improvised battle group tried to prevent the Soviets from reaching the city’s western perimeter. Now scratching the very bottom of the barrel, the group included two command tanks, two radio and two engineer half-tracks, and two Wespe self-propelled howitzers – all vehicles never intended for front-line combat – supported by the 23rd Panzer Division’s palace guard company. This ramshackle formation engaged the Soviets in the area of the Danuvia Works.

Conclusion
After vicious close combat, the Germans with the help of a few German fighter-bombers drove the Soviets back to the southern part of the city. The Soviets suffered heavy casualties and lost 42 prisoners. When a halftrack-mounted battalion from Group Weymann of the 3rd Panzer Division forced the Soviets back to within one kilometer of the railway line, the roads leading north and northwest out of Székesfehérvár had been secured for a few more hours. Shortly after midnight on 22 December, the remnants of 23rd Panzer Division left the city. The Soviets successfully entered Székesfehérvár during the following night after still more savage urban combat.

Conclusion

After vicious close combat, the Germans with the help of a few German fighter-bombers drove the Soviets back to the southern part of the city. The Soviets suffered heavy casualties and lost 42 prisoners. When a halftrack-mounted battalion from Group Weymann of the 3rd Panzer Division forced the Soviets back to within one kilometer of the railway line, the roads leading north and northwest out of Székesfehérvár had been secured for a few more hours. Shortly after midnight on 22 December, the remnants of 23rd Panzer Division left the city. The Soviets successfully entered Székesfehérvár during the following night after still more savage urban combat.

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 Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) 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
Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
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

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized Towed

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Towed

Display Errata (6)

6 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)
	All SPW 251s have an armor value of 0. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	One Wespe (ID# 1201) should have an armor value of 1 on the front and back of the counter. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	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)

FiSw030

FiSw032

PG-HQ Library - Panzer Grenadier Hall > Scenarios > FiSw031

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