Speed Bumps, Scenario 2 from World At War: Death of 1st Panzer

 

Elements of West Germany’s 1/172 PzG attempts to delay elements of the attacking Soviet 33rd MRD.

 

8 Turns, to win Soviets must control both towns of Wittburg and Talen by end of game or NATO wins.

 

Due to massive Soviet electronic jamming, only one of 1/172 PzG’s formation marker is used for the first couple of turns, limiting their ability to engage. Also, Soviets get an automatic move at the start of the game, possibly permitting a second activation in Turn 1.

 

The West German defense had PzG platoons with Milan ATGM’s in both towns. Centrally located was the Leo II HQ and Leo II platoon in a wooded area. The Soviets entered the east edge of the map, using the terrain to mask themselves as they approached the high ground before Wittburg. The plan was to overwhelm Wittburg, before turning on Talen.

 

As activations turned played out early on, the 33rd MRB was able to consolidate just east of the high ground with minimum enemy contact before launching their assault into Wittburg.

 

Once the BMP’s climbed onto the high ground they entered the engagement area of the panzer grenadiers and their Milans hunkered down on the eastern edge of Wittburg. The grenadiers gave out as good as they received, even repulsing the first dismounted assault into the town, before succumbing to repeated suppressive fire attacks and dismounted assaults.

 

It was at this point as the Soviet platoon leaders rallied their men back onto their BMP’s for the attack on Talen that disaster struck. The slow movement of the unit’s T-62’s ensured they played no part in Wittburg, but in trying to get the HQ into position to bring supporting arms to bare, the Leo II’s opened up crushing the Soviet tanks over the course of two back to back activations.

 

Unsupported, the BMP’s rushed into a kill zone of 120mm main gun rounds and Milan ATGM’s just short of Talen.

 

12 to 116 for a final score of -104 = a NATO Tactical Victory.

 

 

Questions and Comments:

Special Scenario Rule #3 mentions “either HQ”, but there is only one WG Leo II HQ in the scenario.

 

Is Marder included as a unit capable of “Moving Fire”?

 

The Leo II HQ-Leo II platoon combination was the “death star” equivalent in this scenario. 1.3.3.2 HQ Combat indicates that a co-located HQ can add its leadership to the fire power, or assault, of any one attacking unit in its hex. Rolling 9 Firepower die with a 4 “To Hit” made short work of any unit in its LOS.

 

Must get artillery support into action. This play through it was problematic getting the HQ into position in order to spot.

 

An enjoyable scenario. I was able to get dismounted infantry in the attack, taking Wittburg after an initial repulse. I need to work on using the numbers of Soviets to get multiple, in this case, Saggers on line in order to at least disrupt the “death star Leo II’s in order to allow the attack on Talen to at least continue until the riflemen can assault.

Thanks for keeping us grounded Pete

Thanks for keeping us grounded Pete

 

No problem..., hey, someone has to.