Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes
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Austrian Scenario # 2: Pyhrn Pass
Tank Battles #8
(Defender) Germany vs Austria (Attacker)
Formations Involved
Austria 9th "Feldmarschall Daun" Alpenjäger Regiment
Austria Heimwehr
Germany SA Steiermark Brigade
Display
Balance:



Overall balance chart for TaBa008
Total
Side 1 0
Draw 1
Side 2 2
Overall Rating, 3 votes
5
4
3
2
1
3.33
Scenario Rank: --- of 940
Parent Game Tank Battles
Historicity Historical
Date 1934-07-25
Start Time 10:00
Turn Count 25
Visibility Day
Counters 35
Net Morale 1
Net Initiative 0
Maps 2: 10, 9
Layout Dimensions 86 x 28 cm
34 x 11 in
Play Bounty 150
AAR Bounty 171
Total Plays 3
Total AARs 1
Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control
Rural Assault
Urban Assault
Scenario Requirements & Playability
Battle of the Bulge Maps
Edelweiss: Expanded Counters
Heroes of the Soviet Union Counters
Tank Battles Base Game
Introduction

With the Nazi revolt begun in Vienna, SA groups in the provinces took up arms and began to seize strategic locations. In Styria, these included the road leading through Pyhrn Pass. Local SA men, bolstered by German volunteers infiltrated into the area as workers in German-owned factories, staked out positions in the pass and swore to fight to the death. The Federal Army moved quickly to grant them their wish.

Conclusion

With the help of the local militia, the Federal Army troops outflanked and then routed the Nazis. As they would prove throughout the 12 years of the "Thousand Year Reich," Nazi toughs lost their lust for battle when confronted by determined armed resistance.

Additional Notes

Austrian Army counters are on the back of the Tank Battles book. I suggest using Hopeless, But Not Serious counters because I do not like to cut up my books. Making counters from a good color copy is also an option.

If Hopeless, But Not Serious counters are not available, Avalanche Press still hosts DYI Austrian leader counters for download.

Use SS Officers from Edelweiss or Edelweiss Expanded for the SA officers.


Display Order of Battle

Austria Order of Battle
Army
Heimwehr
  • Foot
Germany Order of Battle
Schutzstaffel

Display Errata (1)

1 Errata Item
Scen 8

Austrian army leaders may be downloaded at: http://www.avalanchepress.com/AustrianLeaders.php

(plloyd1010 on 2011 Apr 15)

Display AARs (1)

Tank Battles #8
Author triangular_cube
Method Solo
Victor Draw
Play Date 2022-03-13
Language English
Scenario TaBa008

These types of scenarios generally don't play well in the PZG system. Units that want to run away in the woods generally can, as the chasing infantry move at the same speed as those fleeing and can never shoot or pin the runners. Based on this, the Nazi/SA/German/w/e player, if intent on a draw, can force it by spreading out and running around in circles until the clock expires. There is enough space, and enough woods to do it. They just have to be sure to pop their heads out at the last turn to look at the road.

To make my time more interesting, and get a good faith play in I attempted to win with both sides instead of just playing for a draw, with the caveat that once a win was out of the realm of possiblity for the Germans they would then play for the best outcome, a draw which is ultimately what happened.

The Germans deploy in 2 main groups on board 9. GEBs split in half with half on the north hill in the woods, half on the south hill in the light woods. All the HMGs went with the north group in the tougher terrain. Goal was to split the Austrian force up on approach, lest they be able to break containment. Both forces also hoping to roll well and cause some losses as the Austrians approach down the road.

Austrians try not to take the bait to split up too much, and moves down the road to hit the northern group, sending the Heimwehr units to keep the Southern group entertained until they can circles back on them. As the Germans need to cause losses to win, they approach very cautiously flanking the HMGs and moving up the northeastern hill face.

The Germans in the north cause 1 step loss and some disruptions on the approach with some lucky rolls, but otherwise tend to avoid combat. They fall back with most of their forces to yield untenable positions as the Austrians get their firepower online, constantly displacing and trying to get the HMGs in position to get some good shots. The Austrians keep pressure on the line and match the dislacing, leading both sides to dance around in a counter clockwise circle, with he Austrians finall breaching the hill from the north. They try to force the Germans to displace backwards towards board 10, where the now recovered disrupted force are blocking the escape.

The Southern battle was a bit different, as the Heimwehr got into position and pulled back under fire a couple of times. Just keeping the GEBs busy and trying to not lose any steps. Eventually the GEBs get tired of this and make a dash onto board 10 to try to take out the Austrian mortars and then concentrate in the undefended town. Heimwehr dont try to chase, and instead take up the blocking position of the recovered scattered Austrians, while those Austrians move back to protect the mortars.

This left the town open and the GEBs took it. The northern force dissolved with time, but put up a decent fight. Trading space for time whenever possible they kept falling back until pinned and assualted, which required lucky initiative rolls from Austria to pull off. What little could be spared was sent to support the small Austrian force defending the mortars so they could hit the town.

Not enough time left, the break in containment in the south was enough to force the draw. Same result as if the Germans played the optimal strategy listed above, but more fun this way.

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