Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Grossdeutschland 1946 #2

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Dawn Strike Grossdeutschland 1946 #2
(Attacker) Germany	vs	Soviet Union (Defender)

Formations Involved
Germany		Grossdeutschland Division
Soviet Union		6th Guards Tank Division

	Total
Side 1	1
Draw	0
Side 2	0

Overall Rating, 1 vote
5 4 3 2 1 3
Scenario Rank: --- of 964

Parent Game	Grossdeutschland 1946
Historicity	Alt-History
Date	1946-06-01
Start Time	04:30
Turn Count	24
Visibility	Day
Counters	177
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	6: 17, 19, 21, 4, 6, 8
Layout Dimensions	86 x 84 cm 34 x 33 in
Play Bounty	211
AAR Bounty	167
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault

Conditions
Off-board Artillery

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Eastern Front	Maps + Counters
Grossdeutschland 1946	Base Game
Iron Curtain	Counters
Road to Berlin	Maps + Counters

Introduction
Skoda Works failed to win new tank contracts after production ceased on the pre-war LT38 (PzKpfw 38t), but did produce large numbers of tank destroyers on the same chassis. When the German Army asked for designs for a full-tracked armored personnel carrier to replace its halftracks, Skoda offered the Kätzchen, also based on the LT38 frame. Only prototypes had been completed when the war ended, but it would have first appeared in elite formations like Grossdeutschland had it actually been issued to the troops.

Introduction

Skoda Works failed to win new tank contracts after production ceased on the pre-war LT38 (PzKpfw 38t), but did produce large numbers of tank destroyers on the same chassis. When the German Army asked for designs for a full-tracked armored personnel carrier to replace its halftracks, Skoda offered the Kätzchen, also based on the LT38 frame. Only prototypes had been completed when the war ended, but it would have first appeared in elite formations like Grossdeutschland had it actually been issued to the troops.

Conclusion
By 1945 the mechanized battlefield had become extremely lethal for soft-skinned vehicles, and this danger only grew as the Cold War took hold. Fully-tracked armored personnel carriers appeared in the war's last years, converted from damaged or obsolete tanks (like the Canadian Kangaroo). Within a few years purpose-built carriers would become the norm in the world's armies.

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 Tank Destroyer: 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).

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
Tank Destroyer: 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).

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Grossdeutschland Division
Foot Mechanized

Grossdeutschland Division

Foot

Mechanized

Heer
Leader

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Motorized

Guards
Foot Leader Mechanized

Guards

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Display Errata (2)

2 Errata Items
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	Kommissars never get morale or combat modifiers. Ignore misprints. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Soviet Guards attempt to hold back a mass of advanced German technology.

Author	GeneSteeler
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2012-03-01
Language	English
Scenario	Gr46002

Introduction

June, 1946 - Hypothetical

The main objectives:

German 1. Inflict Casualties 2. Capture Towns

Soviet 1. Inflict Casualties 2. Hold Towns

Time = 6 hours (24 turns)

BATTLE SUMMARY

Soviet Guards occupy the towns and are faced with a mass of High tech German armour accompanied by heavily armoured troops transports carrying “advanced” infantry.

Opening thoughts

Soviet Guards – yeah! At least they have armour efficiency. But still, compared to the German Tiger IIIs and Panther IIs the Germans just appear too deadly.
German infantry is better with much better leaders. The Katzchen will make the Germans deadly in assault and protect versus bombardment on their approach. They are only susceptible to AT-Fire, but at long range (150% printed value), they actually have a decent chance of surviving Soviet attacks.
Soviets would guard the towns as the Germans attack. They intend on making the Germans pay dearly for any town hex they lose.
Soviets have 27 trucks. I decided not to put these on the map. I would assume each Soviet (full strength) foot unit would have access to a truck should they want to use one. Seemed silly to litter the map with 27 trucks when the Soviets were unlikely to use them!
Both sides have very strong OBA (Off-board Artillery). Infantry should stay indoors and keep their windows closed.

The Battle

The battle begins at the crack of dawn with visibility of 200m (1 hex). The Germans enter from the west and move toward the Soviets. As they near their targets the infantry dismounts and gets ready to charge. (The Germans did this to avoid losing whole platoons to AT Fire)

As dawn breaks the Germans slowly come into sight (at 7-8 hexes). If the Soviet armour fires they will become “spotted”

This created a very interesting choice for the defenders. Should they fire (and get spotted markers) or stay hidden. If they fire, should they test their luck against the Panthers or just pick off the (empty) APCs?

Well, the Soviets decided to fire in the north and stay concealed in the south. It would be interesting to see which strategy fared better.

In the north the Soviets decided to knock off the APCs and 10 Katzchen were eliminated. But they were spotted and fell under heavy fire from the Panthers and Tigers (AT Fire +2/+3) which quickly blew the Soviet armour away taking out 4 full strength units (8 steps). Viscious.

In the south the Katzchen retreat as the infantry moves through the marsh on foot. fire. (10-16) = (German losses – Soviet losses)

Artillery fire then eliminates the German Colonel (decapitation!) (13-16)

Germans enter the north town as Panthers eliminate another JS3. (14-20) T-44s open fire and a Panther is hit! But the T-44s are quickly overrun. (20-25)

German Tigers and Panthers advance against north town which is quickly being taken.

In the south the Germans charge and the Soviet armour withdraws not wanting to come under German AT Fire! (20-29)

Over the next half hour the Tigers lead the Panthers into battle. The Soviets try to cause some damage but the very scary Tigers quickly turn them into burning husks. The firepower of those tanks is unbelievable. (22-40)

At the halfway mark and both north town and south town are almost completely captured as the Panthers eliminate every spotted Soviet tank. Score is about 53-24 now, but I’ve began to lose track so I’ll now count at the end.

This looks like it will be an easy German victory.

Over the next hour the German tanks begin their advance eastward once more. In the southeast town the Panthers tempt the Soviet armour to take a shot at them. But knowing wisdom is the better part of valour the red tanks withdraw.

In the north a cheeky T-44 hits a Panther! But is quickly eliminated.

The German tanks charge the final towns in the east as their infantry comes under heavy artillery fire. The Tigers in the south are ambushed by JS3s and T-44s which eliminate one and reduce another! But they are spotted by some Panthers. A tank battle ensues with both sides losing some tanks. Although eventually trounced, this felt like a moral victory for the Soviets.

With an hour and a half to go, the Soviets still hold the 3 eastern towns, but they have taken way too many armour losses to have a chance at victory.

Soviet OBA continues to rain down on the German foot troops but tanks and APCs move to the village edge putting the Soviets under devastating direct fire! (a couple brutal 45 direct fire attacks are made). Germans are a good 40 steps ahead in casualties inflicted.

The last 45 minutes sees the Germans, led by their Tigers, overrun the majority of the SE town. (at the siren they are 1 turn away from capturing the whole town). In the north almost all the German Katzchen and infantry has been lost. (only 1.5 foot platoons have survived!)

Time to tally the score:

Soviets 50 (casualties) + 8 town (x2) = 66 points German 113 (casualties) + 15 town (x3) = 158 points

GERMAN MAJOR VICTORY

Aftermath

Another fun battle but the Germans were just too powerful for the Soviets. Also I believe that the VP apportioned for the towns should be reversed. x2 for the Germans and x3 for the Soviets. Another possible “balancing” would be for German armour to count quadruple (x4) instead of double.

As it stands, this one is too easy for the Germans. Alternatively, perhaps halving their armour received would give a more balanced result.

Scenario Rating: 3/5 – Fun scenario, but very hard for the Soviets.

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