Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Tank Battles #41 - Operation MARS #29: Luchesa River Valley Blues VII: Katov's Men Surround Kuzovleno

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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Operation MARS #29: Luchesa River Valley Blues VII: Katov's Men Surround Kuzovleno Tank Battles #41
(Attacker) Germany	vs	Soviet Union (Defender)

Formations Involved
Germany		Grossdeutschland Division
Soviet Union		39th Independent Tank Regiment
Soviet Union		64th Guards Tank Brigade

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 1 vote
5 4 3 2 1 1
Scenario Rank: --- of 940

Parent Game	Tank Battles
Historicity	Historical
Date	1942-12-02
Start Time	14:00
Turn Count	17
Visibility	Day
Counters	132
Net Morale	1
Net Initiative	1
Maps	2: 2, 6
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	176
AAR Bounty	171
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Breakout
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Severe Weather
Terrain Mods

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Eastern Front	Maps + Counters
Red Warriors	Counters
Tank Battles	Base Game

Introduction
Elements of the Grossdeutschland Division, surrounded by Katov's tanks in the village of Kuzovleno, had to fight their way out of encirclement.

Conclusion
Grossdeutschland broke through the encirclement in an attack led by Major Lorenza. The fighting again was especially bitter. It was becoming clear that the Soviets had bitten off more than they could chew.

Additional Notes
There is no T-40 tank in the Panzer Grenadier universe. The T-37 is nearly identical in design and function. Use a T-37 counter in place of the T-40. The German StuG IIIg originally had an AT value of 5-8 in the game system, later the AT value was changed to 6-8. The 5-8 AT value would better describe the StuG IIIf, a vehicle which never officially entered the PG universe. For players not using Heroes of the Soviet Union or Red Warriors counters, use 5-8 for the AT values.

Additional Notes

There is no T-40 tank in the Panzer Grenadier universe. The T-37 is nearly identical in design and function. Use a T-37 counter in place of the T-40.

The German StuG IIIg originally had an AT value of 5-8 in the game system, later the AT value was changed to 6-8. The 5-8 AT value would better describe the StuG IIIf, a vehicle which never officially entered the PG universe. For players not using Heroes of the Soviet Union or Red Warriors counters, use 5-8 for the AT values.

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 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). Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (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
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).
Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (SB)

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

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)
	The StuG IIb appearing in the original Panzer Grenadier game had an Anti tank value of 4-7. As of Eastern Front Deluxe (2005), continuing onward through the 3rd and 4th edition games, the anti-tank value has been 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2022 Jul 21)
	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)

Display AARs (1)

Tank Battles #41

Author	triangular_cube
Method	Solo
Victor	Soviet Union
Play Date	2023-02-05
Language	English
Scenario	TaBa041

This one has the same problem that many of the Shanaurin's drive scenarios had, in which the historical situation is one of APCs existing on the map with enemy tanks, and this doenst work in PZG. They just die immediately because the AT system is mostly based on penetration. That being said, it has another major flaw in that the Germans, who are breaking out from the Soviet siege, set up first. When they do so, the Soviets just drop their tanks as close to the APCs as possible and tear them up leaving the Germans with basically nothing on the table. Had it been reversed, the Soviets setting up first, the Germans would be trying to find a weak spot in the defense and overloading it, hopefully avoiding the tanks if possible.

As such, this one ends pretty much on turns 1-3 as the Soviets just clean through the German force without them even getting through the Soviet line, let alone off the table. Maybe there is a secret here I missed in my reading, but even if there was, the Soviets get to react to the German set up so they will probably just counter it anyway.

I'd stay away from this one and play one of the better Luchesa Valley scenarios.

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