Grey Wolf Revised
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Grey Wolf was compiled from the following books: Stalin’s Onslaught, Hammer And Sickle, River Of Heroes, Stalin’s Europe...
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Grey Wolf was compiled from the following books: Stalin’s Onslaught, Hammer And Sickle, River Of Heroes, Stalin’s Europe and Fortress Europe. These books were originally produced by the Battlefront team and friends. Compiled and edited by: Wayne Turner New material written by: Heath Alexander, Steve Bernich, Scott Elaurant, Van Norton, Jyrki Saari, Ken Camel, Michael Haught, and Phil Yates. Many thanks to all of the playtesters and proofreaders who have made this compilation possible.

Editors: Peter Simunovich, John-Paul Brisigotti Graphic Design: Victor Pesch Terrain, Modelling and Photography: Battlefront Studio Painting: James Brown, Blake Coster, Casey Davies, Mike Haught, Jeremy Painter, Matt Parkes, Victor Pesch, Chris Townley, and Wayne Turner Cover Art: Vincent Wai Internal Art: Randy Elliott, Warren Mahy, Vincent Wai, and Ben Wooten Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Karl Cederman, and Seth Nash

CONTENTS Introduction....................................... 2 The Eastern Front............................... 8 German Forces on the Eastern Front......................... 10 Hungarian Forces on the Eastern Front.................................... 12 Finnish Forces on the Eastern Front......................... 13 Battle for the Narva Line.................. 16 Korsun Pocket.................................. 18 Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket............... 19 Warrior: Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke...........21 Kampfgruppe Bäke............................22 Grenadierkompanie............................26 Fallschirmjägerkompanie....................32 SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadierkompanie...................38 Operation Bagration......................... 46 Warrior: Feldwebel Dietrich Uthoff....51 Sturmkompanie.................................52 StuG Batterie.....................................58 Pionierkompanie................................60 Bagration Breakthrough................... 64 Warrior: Feldwebel Ludwig Windgruber..........68 Warrior: General der Panzertruppen Dietrich von Saucken.........................69 Schwere Panzerkompanie...................70

Panzerkompanie.................................72 Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie...................76 Panzergrenadierkompanie...................80 Gepanzerte Panzerpionierkompanie...86 Panzerpionierkompanie......................88 Panzerspähkompanie..........................90 Sperrverband......................................94 Ersatz Pionierkompanie......................98 Battle for Poland............................. 102 Warrior: Sturmbannführer Fritz Biermeyer.....106 Warrior: Panzer Kanonen...............................107 SS-Panzerkampfgruppe....................108 SS-Panzergrenadierkampfgruppe......110 Sicherungskompanie........................118 Armoured Trains..............................122 The Battles for Hungary................. 126 Feldhernnhalle Panzerkampfgruppe..130 Feldhernnhalle Panzergrenadierkompanie.................134 Panzerjägerkompanie........................138 SS-Kavallerieschwadron...................140 Fortifications.................................. 146 Field Fortifications...........................146 Street Fortifications..........................148 German Divisional Support, Special Rules and Arsenal........................... 152 Heer Divisional Support..................152 Luftwaffe Divisional Support...........162

SS Divisional Support......................164 German Special Rules.......................173 SS-Special Rules...............................174 German Arsenal...............................178 Hungarians on the Eastern Front.... 184 Warrior: Föhadnagy Ervin Tarczay...190 Harckocsizó Század..........................192 Gépkocsizó Lövész Század................196 Rohamágyús Üteg............................200 Puskás Század...................................202 Önkéntes Puskás Század...................206 Hungarian Divisional Support.........209 Hungarian Special Rules...................213 Hungarian Arsenal...........................214 The Finnish Army in 1944.............. 218 Warrior: Korpraali Toivo Ilomäki.....222 Warrior: Kapteeni Lauri Törni..........223 Panssarikomppania...........................224 Sturmikomppania............................226 Jääkärikomppania.............................228 Jalkaväkikomppania.........................232 Pioneerikomppania..........................236 Finnish Divisional Support..............238 Finnish Special Rules........................241 Finnish Arsenal................................242 Painting Guides.............................. 246 German Heer...................................246 German Waffen-SS...........................249 Hungarian........................................250 Finnish.............................................251

REVISED EDITION This is a supplement for Flames Of War, the World War II miniatures game. A copy of the rulebook for Flames Of War is necessary to fully use the contents of this book. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. © Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., 2013. ISBN: 978-0-9922555-5-8

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Introduction Flames of War In Flames Of War you take on the role of a company commander manoeuvring your troops across the battlefields of World War II. This classic period of warfare is brought to life in your own game room. Grey Wolf provides the core armies in the form of Intelligence Briefings. These Intelligence Briefings allow you to field the German, Hungarian and Finnish forces that clashed with the Soviet Red Army and its allies on the Eastern Front in 1944 and early 1945. To play Flames Of War you’ll also need the Flames Of War rulebook. The rulebook contains all the rules that you need to fight miniature World War II battles.

Why collect a force from Grey Wolf? Grey Wolf provides Flames Of War you with the German, Hungarian and Finnish forces needed to recreate the battles on the Eastern Front from January 1944 to February 1945. With your German force, start by holding back the Soviet assaults to pry Leningrad from your grasp, before staunchly holding off the red tide on the Narva line in Estonia. Fight the brutal winter battles of the Korsun and Kamenets-Podolsky Pockets, escaping each in turn through determined defence and powerful counterattacks. Fight to hold the Festerplatz fortified cities in Byelorussia as the Red Army throws all its power at your German forces during Operation Bagration. If they breach your line, delay them at every turn with your blocking forces before turning back their mobile forces with your panzers and Tiger tanks. Finally bring an end to the Soviet assault on the banks of the Vistula River with elite SS armoured forces. Hold them on the river and bring their massive offensive to a stop. Throw the red scourge back across the river with counterattacks from the armoured troops of 3. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Totenkopf ’ and 5. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Wiking’. Refight the battles to hold Romania and its precious oil from the Red Army. Fight with tough infantry forces or armoured forces as the red claw makes its grab for Romania. Defend Transylvania with Hungarian and German forces as the traitorous Romanians switch sides and make to seize Hungarian Transylvania. Fight the tank battles of the Hungarian plains in October and November 1944. Hold the crossings of the Tisza River, while German and Hungarian forces re-group to fight the gruelling battle for Budapest. In 100-days of bloody battle, fight through the streets of the Hungarian capital. Hold every street with barricades and other fortifications with mixed forces of Hungarians, dismounted SS-Cavalry and elite Feldherrnhalle Panzergrenadiers.

How this Book Works The Germans in this book are divided into sections based on battles or operations. Each section has a number of forces appropriate for the battles featured. These include intelligence briefings for tank, armoured infantry, or infantry companies and other unique variations on these themes. In addition to

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the German section there is also a Hungarian section and a Finnish section including intelligence briefings for tank, motorised infantry, or infantry companies. Each company has easy-to-use charts, highlighting available platoons which represent the fighting units of your company. Each platoon diagram visually displays what troops are included in the platoon. A detailed arsenal at the end of each national section contains the specific ratings for your units’ vehicles and the weapons they use. From tanks to infantry, this book contains everything you need to get started on your army! In addition to the technical information you’ll need to build your force, this book contains plenty of inspiring pictures and history to help you capture the flavour of your new Flames Of War force! All of the forces in this book are based on historical examples that fought on the Eastern Front from January 1944 to February 1945. To find out more, visit your local game store, or visit our informative website at www.FlamesOfWar.com. Flames Of War uses a point system when setting up and playing games. Typical games are around 1500 or 1750 points, but are certainly not limited to any value! Play any point value you and your opponent decide. You can play small 600 point games in an hour or you can play mammoth games using armies that are 3000 or 5000 points or more! In most Flames Of War games you will command a company with several platoons. 3. SS-PANZERDIVISION ‘TOTENKOPF’

SS-PANZERKAMPFGRUPPE HQ

A SS-Panzerkampfgruppe HQ 2 Panzer IV H

200 points

Combat Platoons B Biermeyer’s 3. SS-Panzer Platoon 5 Panzer IV H

C SS-Panzer Platoon 3 Panther A

325 points 640 points

D Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon 3 Panzergrenadier Squads

260 points

Weapons Platoons E Armoured SS-Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon 2 Armoured Sd Kfz 7/1 (Quad 2cm)

F Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon 2 8.8cm PaK43

Total: 1760 points

125 points 210 points

Company HQ The company headquarters platoon is required—you have no command without it! When you choose your force the first thing you must purchase with your points is your company headquarters platoon.

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe SS armoured BaTTlegroup

9

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe HQ

10

HeAdquArters

(Tank Company) HeAdquArters

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey. Your Company HQ, Combat, Weapons, and Support platoons must be all either from 3. SSPanzerdivision ‘Totenkopf’ (Marked ) or 5. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Wiking’ (Marked ), unless otherwise noted.

17 15

0

17 5 16 3

16

6

Luftwaffe Light Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

3

16

Heavy SS-Panzerspäh Platoon

Luftwaffe Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

16

11

SS-Panzerspäh Platoon

6

SS-Scout platoon

6

AircrAft

11 6 16

Armoured Heavy SSArtillery Battery

16

2

11

Armoured SS-Artillery Battery

Air Support

16

SS-Kampfgruppe Heavy Artillery Battery

7

SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery

11 7 9

SS-Armoured Flamethrower Platoon

6

11

6

9

108

flAme-tHroWer

11

Armoured SS-Cannon Platoon

1

7

5

11

SS-Scout Platoon Armour

0

17

16

7

16

5

Anti-AircrAft reconnAissAnce

Artillery

Support platoons are loaned to your company by the regiment, brigade, division, or corps. These platoons give you extra support in many forms ranging from tanks to artillery.

7

16

5

Support Platoons

reconnAissAnce

Anti-tAnk

Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon

Anti-tAnk

SS-Anti-tank Gun Platoon

SS-Vielfachwerfer Battery

2

SS-Self-propelled Infantry Gun Platoon

SS-Rocket Launcher Battery

Heavy SS-Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

11

Heer and Luftwaffe Platoons in your force are Allies and follow the Allies rules in the rulebook.

11

11

Gepanzerte SSPanzerpionier Platoon

1

11

SS-Panzergrenadier Pioneer Platoon

Artillery

Allied PlAtoons

Artillery

5

SS-Aufklarüngs Platoon

4

Armoured SS-Mortar Platoon

SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery

9

16

SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon

4

2

Gepanzerte SSPanzergrenadier Platoon

11

11

SS-Mortar Platoon

11

SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon

infAntry

1

Gepanzerte SSPanzergrenadier Platoon

9

10

SS-Tank-hunter Platoon

3

Armoured SS-Heavy Platoon Artillery

11

Weapons platoons come from your own battalion. They are not required, but can offer your company excellent support, such as machineguns, mortars, recon and anti-tank weapons.

11

Weapons Platoons

SS-Panzer Platoon

3

9

10

infAntry

11

SS-Heavy Platoon SS-Panzer Platoon

16

Armour

Heavy Assault Howitzer Platoon Armoured SS-Artillery Battery

2

Armour

mAcHine-Guns

17

4

Heavy SS-Tank Platoon

Artillery

16

Armoured SS-Antiaircraft Gun Platoon

Armour

2

6

10

Biermeyer’s 3. SSPanzer Platoon

Anti-AircrAft

11

SS-Panzer Platoon

9

Usually, at least two combat platoons are required. Whatever your battle plan requires, the Combat Platoons are the ones you rely upon to get the job done!

10

combAt PlAtoons

Combat Platoons

WeAPons PlAtoons

divisionAl suPPort PlAtoons Armour

GermAn

3. SS-PANZERDIVISION ‘TOTENKOPF’

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe SS Armoured Battlegroup E

F C

D B A

3

Using a Company Diagram Each force begins with the Company Diagram, which demonstrates the company organisation graphically in an easy-to-read format. This simple diagram will help you create your Flames Of War company and get you playing in no time at all!

Choosing your Company This first step is entirely up to you. There are a wide variety of companies, including infantry, reconnaissance, mechanised, and tank forces. Have a read through the backgrounds. Find a force that you find interesting and you’re off!

Instructions Once you have decided which company to build, have a look at the small box that contains the instructions you will need to build your force.

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe SS armoured BaTTlegroup

Artillery

15 3

6 16

Armoured Heavy SSArtillery Battery

16

2

11

Armoured SS-Artillery Battery

Air Support

16

11

SS-Kampfgruppe Heavy Artillery Battery

7

SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery

7 9

6 9

GermAn

Special Platoon Options Sometimes a platoon box in the company diagram will have special platoon options available to a specific variant. These are always marked with the variant’s symbol to the left of the platoon name. Only forces based on the same variant as the special option may take that platoon. ARTILLERY

Heavy Assault Howitzer Battery

9 7

11

SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery

16

Armoured SS-Artillery Battery

2

The example below (from the SS-Panzerkampfgruppe on page 108) demonstrates that while either variant may field an Armoured SS-Artillery Battery or SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery, the 3. SSPanzerdivision ( ) can also take a Heavy Assault Howitzer Battery.

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Some platoons available to your company are from a different nation or branch of armed services. These can be easily identified by special national or branch symbols found to the right of the platoon title in the company diagram. Allied platoons have to follow Allied rules found in the Flames Of War rulebook.

11

Allied Platoons

16

16

6

AircrAft

6

Each platoon box will have a page number. Use this to find the platoon and its points value.

Luftwaffe Light Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

3

16

Heavy SS-Panzerspäh Platoon

Luftwaffe Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

16

SS-Panzerspäh Platoon

6

SS-Scout platoon

11

Page Reference

SS-Armoured Flamethrower Platoon

5

Anti-AircrAft reconnAissAnce

11

5

11

The black boxes are the core of your force. When building your company, you must field one platoon from each box shaded black. The grey boxes are optional platoons. You may field one platoon from each box shaded grey.

6

108

flAme-tHroWer

11

Armoured SS-Cannon Platoon

0

17

7

5

SS-Scout Platoon

Building Your Company

1

16

7

16

5

Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon

Artillery

Armour

17

2

Heavy SS-Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

11

reconnAissAnce

SS-Vielfachwerfer Battery

0

Gepanzerte SSPanzerpionier Platoon

17

16

SS-Panzergrenadier Pioneer Platoon

SS-Rocket Launcher Battery

Anti-tAnk

Anti-tAnk

SS-Anti-tank Gun Platoon

7

11

SS-Aufklarüngs Platoon

4

SS-Self-propelled Infantry Gun Platoon

11

SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon

1

11

11

Armoured SS-Mortar Platoon Artillery

Heer and Luftwaffe Platoons in your force are Allies and follow the Allies rules in the rulebook.

5

Gepanzerte SSPanzergrenadier Platoon

4

2

11

11

SS-Mortar Platoon

9

16

3

11

SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon

Artillery

infAntry

1

Gepanzerte SSPanzergrenadier Platoon

SS-Kampfgruppe Artillery Battery

2

SS-Tank-hunter Platoon

9

10

11

Armoured SS-Heavy Platoon Artillery

Allied PlAtoons

When building a force that has several division variants, you must choose one of the variants and stick to it. Your Company HQ and all of your Combat, Weapons, and a few Support platoons must match the division you have chosen. To help, we have included divisional symbols to distinguish the variants. Simply use the same divisional symbol when calculating points or choosing platoon options.

SS-Panzer Platoon

3

9

10

infAntry

11

SS-Heavy Platoon SS-Panzer Platoon

Heavy Assault Howitzer Platoon Armoured SS-Artillery Battery

16

4

Armour

mAcHine-Guns

17

Heavy SS-Tank Platoon

16

Armoured SS-Antiaircraft Gun Platoon

Armour

2

WeAPons PlAtoons

Anti-AircrAft

11

6

10

Biermeyer’s 3. SSPanzer Platoon

9

SS-Panzer Platoon

10

combAt PlAtoons

Armour

Armour

Some companies are based on a single division, like the Grenadierkompanie. However, other companies have several variants based on specific divisions, such as the SS-Panzerkampfgruppe representing 3. SSPanzerdivision and 5. SS-Panzerdivision.

4

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey. Your Company HQ, Combat, Weapons, and Support platoons must be all either from 3. SSPanzerdivision ‘Totenkopf’ (Marked ) or 5. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Wiking’ (Marked ), unless otherwise noted. divisionAl suPPort PlAtoons

Variant Forces

You will notice that the Company Diagram consists of several black and grey boxes, each containing a silhouette of soldiers, guns, or vehicles. Each of these boxes are platoons available to your force.

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe HQ

9

It will also detail any divisional variants that the company might have. The example to the right demonstrates a list with two variants: 3. SSPanzerdivision and 5. SS-Panzerdivision. When building a force with variants, choose one variant and follow the instructions for variant forces below.

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HeAdquArters

(Tank Company) HeAdquArters

• Replace either or both Command SMG teams with Command Panzerfaust SMG teams for +10 points per team. • Add an Anti-tank Section with: 2 Panzerschreck teams 1 Panzerschreck team

+75 points +40 points

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzerschreck team

Company HQ

+65 points +35 points

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track Anti-tank Section

SS-Panzergrenadierkampgruppe HQ

A SS-Panzergrenadierkampfgruppe HQ may use the Mounted Assault special rule.

BUILDING A 3. SS-PANZERDIVISION SS-PANZERKAMPFGRUPPE I have chosen to field a SS-Panzerkampfgruppe (found on page 108) using the 3. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Totenkopf ’ ( ) variant. I chose a company from 3. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Totenkopf ’ because of their elite status. I chose 3. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Totenkopf ’ ( ) as my division variant, so all of my combat and weapons platoons should match that symbol or have no symbol.

9 10

Reading the instructions, I ARMOUR need to field at least a Company HQ and two Armour Combat Platoons in the black boxes. From there I’ll add some of SS-Panzer Platoon the optional platoons in grey Biermeyer’s 3. SSboxes. One of my compulPanzer Platoon sory Combat Platoon boxes contains two options. I can either take a SS-Panzer Platoon or Biermeyer’s 3. SS-Panzer Platoon, which comes with its own special rules. I decided to take Biermeyer and his platoon as one combat Platoon while my second Combat Platoon will be a standard SSPanzer Platoon.

6 10

gePanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier PlatOOn

UNTERSTURMFührer UNTERSTURMFührer

PlatOOn HQ Section with: 3 Panzergrenadier Squads 2 Panzergrenadier Squads

Command MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

HQ Section

260 points

200 points

190 points

145 points

UNTERSCHARFührer

MG team

MG team

OPtiOnS • Replace the Command MG team with Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. • Replace up to one MG team per squad with a Panzerfaust MG team for +10 points per squad.

UNTERSCHARFührer

MG team

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzergrenadier Squad

Panzergrenadier Squad

UNTERSCHARFührer

Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier Platoons may use the Mounted Assault special rule.

MG team

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzergrenadier Squad

Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier platoon

GeRman

111

When building my 3. SS-Panzerdivision force I use the points in the left column. I’ll need some anti-aircraft guns to protect my tanks from the Red Air Force, so I’ve selected an Armoured SS-Antiaircraft Gun Platoon (page 112). Again, there are two available variants, but I have to choose the 3. SS-Panzerdivision variant. Next, I would also like to take a Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon (page 165) to deal with enemy heavy tanks. This platoon is from the German Heer (army) and is an Allied Platoon. It has no divisional symbols, but since the company diagram allows it as an option, I can take it in my company (see the following example). Heavy anti-tank Gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon Command SMG team

HQ Section with: 4 8.8cm PaK43 3 8.8cm PaK43 2 8.8cm PaK43 1 8.8cm PaK43

420 315 210 105

points points points points

4 8.8cm PaK43/41 3 8.8cm PaK43/41 2 8.8cm PaK43/41 1 8.8cm PaK43/41

405 305 205 105

points points points points

Kfz 15 field car

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

8.8cm anti-tank gun

8.8cm anti-tank gun

Because the Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon has no divisional symbol it can be taken as an option for any oPtions • Add Kfz 15 field car and RSO tractors for +5 points SS-Panzerkampfgruppe. for the platoon. • Replace all RSO tractors with Sd Kfz 7 half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon. If you find yourself pitted against Soviet heavy armour then enlisting a few sections of 8.8cm PaK43 or PaK43/41 guns is exactly what the doctor ordered. They have the added punch needed to destroy those Soviet iron monsters.

RSO tractor

RSO tractor

Anti-tank Gun Section

Anti-tank Gun Section

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

8.8cm anti-tank gun

8.8cm anti-tank gun

RSO tractor

RSO tractor

Anti-tank Gun Section

Anti-tank Gun Section

ADDING WARRIORS TO YOUR FORCE

Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon

Leutnant anti-tank un Pjoin latoon There are many Warriors throughout this book. These are heroic soldiers who Gcan your force and help it to victory.

Platoon

Leutnant

HQ Section with: Warriors are available from the Flames Of War website www.FlamesOfWar.com and independent retailers as special order 4 7.5cm PaK40 205 points 7.5cmin PaK40 155 points items (GSO### or FSO###,), blister packs (GE### or HU###), 3 or boxes (GBX##). Use the table below to find the 2 7.5cm PaK40 105 points relevant product code for each Warrior. 4 7.62cm PaK36(r) 165 points Command SMG team

Kfz 15 field car

HQ Section

3 7.62cm PaK36(r) 2 7.62cm PaK36(r)

125 points 85 points

Pictured below is the Warrior Sturmbannführer Fritz Biermeyer in his Panzer IV H tank. oPtions

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Anti-tank gun

Anti-tank gun

3-ton truck

3-ton truck

• Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-ton trucks to the platoon

for +5 points for the platoon. Warrior name and page number Product code • Replace all 3-ton trucks with RSO tractors at no cost or with Sd Kfz 7 or 11 half-tracks for +5 points for Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke (Page 21) GE894 the platoon. Feldwebel Dietrich Uthoff (Page 51) GSO30 Anti-tank gun Platoon Feldwebel Ludwig Windgruber (Page 68) GBX28 German 165 Gereral der Panzertruppen Dietrich von Saucken (Page 69) GE888 Sturmbannführer Fritz Biermeyer (Page 106) GE889 Panzer Kanonen (Page 107) GBX32 Fohadnagy Ervin Tarczay (Page 204) HU880 Korpraali Toivo Ilomäki (Page 236) FI520 Kapteeni Lauri Törni (Page 237) FI703 Anti-tank gun

Anti-tank gun

3-ton truck

3-ton truck

Anti-tank gun Section

Anti-tank gun Section

5

Heer Divisional suPPort

For my optional Combat Platoon I would like to take a Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier Platoon (page 111). This means I need to use the points listed in the column marked ( ) to match my division variant. There are two available variants: 3. SS-Panzerdivision, and 5. SS-Panzerdivision. Since I have chosen 3. SS-Panzerdivision as my variant, I must use the column marked with my division symbol (see the following example).

Combat Platoons

Basing your army Battlefront Miniatures packages Flames Of War products to give you everything you need to assemble your force as quickly and accurately as possible. Our blisters and box sets are packaged to give you all of the options available to build your army.

How to base different types of units Every army organises its platoons differently, and the organisation diagrams reflect this. For example, a Panzergrenadier squad in a Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon is comprised of nine men split into two teams, one of four soldiers and one of five, yet a Panzergrenadier squad in a motorised Panzergrenadier Platoon has eight men split into two teams of four soldiers. Of course, units in combat rarely maintain their theoretical strength. We reflect this by allowing you to take fewer squads.

Infantry teams The fundamental building blocks of an infantry platoon are the various types of infantry teams. The most common ones are shown below with a brief description of their function and organisation. Command Teams

A Command team is made up of an officer, an NCO and a rifleman on a small base. There are often options to upgrade your Command team with a different weapon. To do so, simply replace the rifleman with the chosen upgrade. You can see an example of this on the following page.

Rifle teams

Rifle teams are the basic form of infantry. All the miniatures in a rifle team will normally be armed with rifles. Some squads may have a single machine-gun, but its effect is diluted by the number of rifles in the squad. Base your rifle teams on a medium base.

Rifle/MG teams

Rifle/MG teams are organised like rifle teams, except that every squad of two teams have a machine-gun. Base Rifle/MG teams on a medium base with the second base normally modelled with a crew-fed machine-gun.

MG teams

MG teams are better armed than Rifle/MG teams. Every MG team has a machine-gun. Base MG teams with a crew-fed machine-gun and two to three riflemen on a medium base.

SMG teams

Some nations equipped entire platoons with submachine-guns. SMG teams are made up of miniatures armed exclusively with submachineguns. Base SMG teams on a medium base.

Pioneer teams

A Pioneer team retains the normal characteristics and basing of its type, e.g. a Rifle team on a medium base, and gains combat engineering characteristics and abilities such as an increased anti-tank rating in assault and the ability to clear mines and demolish fortifications.

Light Mortar

Light Mortar teams are made up of a miniature armed with a light mortar and a loader on a small base.

Anti-tank Infantry teams

Anti-tank Infantry teams are infantry teams made up of two miniatures armed with a weapon like a Panzerschreck anti-tank rocket launcher and two loaders on a medium base.

teams

Gun teams Artillery batteries and machine-gun, anti-tank gun, infantry gun platoons combine command infantry teams with gun teams. Information on basing gun teams can be found in Basing Your Miniatures in the rulebook. Essentially, Man-packed gun teams are mounted like infantry teams on a medium base, anti-tank and infantry guns are mounted on a medium base facing the narrow end, and artillery is mounted on a large base facing the narrow end.

Platoon diagrams Each platoon diagram indicates the required squads and teams you must have to make that unit combat-worthy. Troops and vehicles in black are the core of the unit. Troops and vehicles in grey are options that you can add to give them more punch or mobility. Many platoons also include options allowing you to improve the equipment or capabilities of some of the teams. The platoon entry will also list the special rules that the platoon follows.

6

Each platoon entry in a Flames Of War book reflects the historical make-up of the platoon, and tells you how to base the blister or box set that represents that particular unit. The following example shows a platoon of Panzergrenadiers and how to assemble it using the contents of the GBX09 Panzergrenadier Platoon (Late) box.

THE PLATOON ENTRY FROM THE BOOK (PAGE 77) Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon

Leutnant or oberfeldwebel Leutnant or Oberfeldwebel

Platoon HQ Section with:

Command MG team Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

3 Panzergrenadier Squads 2 Panzergrenadier Squads

HQ Section

220 points 155 points

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Options • Replace the Command MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points or a Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. • Replace Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track in HQ Section with a Sd Kfz 251/10 (3.7cm) half-track at no cost.

MG team

MG team

MG team

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzergrenadier Squad

Panzergrenadier Squad

Unteroffizier

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoons may use the Mounted Assault special rule.

MG team

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzergrenadier Squad

Building the Platoon

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier platoon

Use the diagram below to base your platoon. By replacing the rifleman on the Command MG team with an Panzerknacker or Panzerfaust armed miniature, the team is upgraded to a Command Panzerknacker or Panzerfaust SMG team.

BUILDING THE PLATOON Leutnant or oberfeldwebel Leutnant or Oberfeldwebel

OR Command MG team

OR Command Panzerknacker SMG team

Command Panzerfaust SMG team

Sd Kfz 251/10 (3.7cm) half-track

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

MG team

MG team

MG team

MG team

MG team

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Sd Kfz 251/1 half-track

Panzergrenadier Squad

Panzergrenadier Squad

Panzergrenadier Squad

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier platoon

7

the Eastern Front The German defeat at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943 marked the beginning of the end for the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front. Both sides suffered huge losses in men and machines. However, they were losses the Soviets could make good, but from which the Germans would never fully recover. In August 1943 the Red Army began a series of massive counteroffensives that gathered in momentum, driving the invaders before them.

The Soviet counteroffensives Even while fighting continued at Kursk, the Red Army launched a series of counterattacks throughout the second half of 1943 that eventually led them to the Dnepr River. Generalfeldmarschall Manstein scrambled to plug the holes, pleading for reinforcements for his battered Army Group South. Reluctantly, Hitler released 48. Panzerkorps to reinforce the crumbling German lines. This allowed the beleaguered Germans to hold on until the autumn rains created a quagmire, halting Soviet attacks.

Counterattack at Zhitomir In December the bitter cold of the harsh Russian winter had frozen the mud solid. In a bold move that caught the Soviets by surprise, 4. Panzer­armee attacked north of Zhitomir. The Soviet forces reeled before the ferocity of the assault and Red Army reserves were rushed west to bolster the lines. Army Group South recaptured Korosten and bought itself a little time to regroup.

The Korsun-Cherkassy pocket On Christmas Eve Vatutin’s First Ukrainian Front attacked. Most of Army Group South fell back to the Panther-Wotan line, but by early January large numbers of German troops still remained in exposed positions. Manstein sought to pull the exposed troops back to safety but Hitler, reluctant to take another backward step, ordered them to hold fast. The Soviet First and Second Ukrainian Fronts quickly enveloped the Germans, trapping 56,000 men from six divisions in the Korsun-Cherkassy pocket. A relief force was hastily assembled to rescue the trapped divisions. Belatedly, Hitler authorised a withdrawal from the pocket. Soviet artillery shells and rockets pounded the retreating German columns mercilessly. The retreat became a rout and the troops abandoned almost all of their equipment.

Relieving Leningrad Even as Army Group South suffered defeat in the Ukraine, far to the north troops from the Soviet Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts attacked the fortified lines south of Lake Ladoga. The offensive surprised the German Eighteenth Army besieging Leningrad and they were steadily driven back from the approaches to the city by wave after wave of assaulting infantry. On 18 January Red Army troops finally broke the siege that had lasted nearly 900 days.

8

Disaster in the Crimea Back in the south the Red Army maintained its momentum as troops of the Third Ukrainian Front swept across the Southern Ukraine, reaching the borders of Romania by 12 May. The Soviet advance had cut off the German and Romanian troops under General Janecke in the Crimean peninsula. On 8 April Soviet troops attacked and quickly overwhelmed the Axis defences. On 9 May the German garrison in Sevastopol surrendered.

Operation bagration By May the Red Army had recaptured large areas of the motherland from the invaders. The Crimea and the Ukraine were back in Soviet hands and the Germans had been driven back from the approaches to Moscow and Leningrad, yet still large swathes of Byelorussia remained under German control. On 22 June the Soviets launched Operation Bagration with the First Baltic, Second and Third Byelorussian Fronts smashing into the German defences between the cities of Vitebsk and Bobruisk, centred on Orsha. The Germans took a heavy toll on the attacking Soviet forces, but the Red Army still had more to give. By 25 June German forces were retreating back to the fortified cities, before Soviet assaults drove the Germans first out of Vitebsk, then Orsha, while encircling Mogilov and Bobruisk. As German forces retreated towards Minsk, Berlin sent Generalfeld­marschall Model to stop the Soviet advance. Every available soldier was thrown into the battle in improvised blocking forces. Two panzer divisions and a heavy tank battalion were thrown against the Red Army’s spearheads, delaying the onslaught bravely. More infantry, cavalry and armour were sent against them, but eventually the weight of the red tide told. Minsk fell on 3 July and the Germans withdrew to prepare for the next assault.

On to the Vistula The initial Soviet spearheads of Operation Bagration had reached their objectives by mid July. They had retaken Byelorussia and now found themselves engulfing the Festerplatz (fortified) cities in eastern Poland. Soviet forces began to establish bridgeheads over the Vistula River. Clashing upon the banks of the Vistula the Soviets locked horns with German forces holding the river and the doorway to Germany and Berlin. The battles raged from Sandomierz in the south to the villages north of Warsaw. However, vigorous counterattacks by SS, Luftwaffe and Heer armoured forces finally halted the Red Army and Operation Bagration finally ended.

Assault on Romania When the Crimea fell to the Red Army in May 1944, only a handful of Romanians were left to be evacuated. In the

meantime the Romanians were rebuilding, only returning to the fight when the advancing Soviets reached Romanian territory. In June 1944, the Soviets pushed the Romanians and Germans back across the Bug River and entered Bessarabia. The Red Army was on the very doorstep of Romania.

to Hungary to deal with the threat and a massive clash of armoured forces delayed the Soviet offensive at Debrecen. However, the respite was temporary as the great red sledgehammer was soon ready to swing again. The Red Army drove on towards Budapest, the Hungarian capital.

The Germans and Romanians established a defensive line along the Bessarabian frontier. This held until the Soviets launched a massive offensive on 20 August 1944. Two Soviet thrusts were directed at the cities of Iasi and Chisinau. Powerful Soviet armoured forces smashed through the Romanian lines and the small Romanian and German armoured reserves couldn’t stem the tide.

German and Hungarian forces attempted to stop the encirclement of the city, and a mixed corps of German and Hungarian troops held the city from repeated assaults by Soviet and Romanian forces. This savage and bitter struggle lasted for 100 gruelling days, but the city was finally taken on 13 February 1945.

Shortly afterwards, to save Romania from total destruction, an agreement was reached with the Soviet Union for Romania to swap sides and join the Allies. Romanian troops were soon in action defending the Transylvanian border from Hungarians trying to capture the vital passes through the Carpathian Mountains.

Meanwhile the fight for Hungary continued as three German counter-offensives failed to break the siege. Eventually the assaults were called off on 27 January 1945 and the priority became the delay of the Soviet push on Austria.

FINLAND

The Invasion of Hungary

Vyborg

Leningrad

After the fall of Romania three massive Soviet armies turned on Hungary which was desperately defended by six German and Hungarian armies. Hitler rushed fresh armoured forces 0 Miles

100

Novgorod

3 October 194

400

0 Kilometres 200

500 Dv

ina

Riv er

Vitebsk Orsha

DENMARK

Minsk

Mogilov

Bobruisk

ne

la

Ri

ver

D

Vi stu

Warsaw

GERMANY Prague

Da

eR nub

Sandomierz

Slovakia

iver

Debrecen

Budapest

Austria ITALY

r Ap

pr

44 il 19

Ri

ve r

44

Berlin

ER 1 9 DECEMB

N

Narva

SOVIET UNION

HUNGARY

Belgrade

Cherkassy Korsun

Chisinau Iasi

ROMANIA Bucharest

9

German Forces Panzerjägerkompanie

ARMOURED FORCES

(Tank-hunter Company)

Kampfgruppe Bäke (Battle Group Bäke)

Pg. 22

In late 1943 a collection of units were flung together to form a kampfgruppe (battle group). The experienced Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke was placed in command and they were hurled into action. Kampfgruppe Bäke is a fully self-contained force and although primarily a panzer unit of Panther and Tiger tanks, it had its own supporting infantry and artillery.

StuG Batterie (Assault Gun Battery)

Pg. 58

Every well-equipped German infantry division had a battalion of assault guns, this is especially true of 78. Sturmdivision. The 189. Sturmgeschutzabteilung (189th Assault Gun Battalion) follows the sturm grenadiers’ assaults, taking out subborn Soviet resistance. Riding into battle with them are the Begliet (tank escorts), who fight from the StuG G assault guns with STG44 Assault Rifles, protecting the StuGs from enemy infantry.

Pg. 70

The heavy Tiger I E tanks of 502. Schwere Panzerabteilung and 505. Schwere Panzerabteilung provide the power to engage and destroy even the most tank heavy Soviet battalions. Hitler has also released the first battalion of fortyfive new Tiger II heavy tanks, which were delivered to 501. Schwere Panzerabteilung to defeat the Soviets at Sandomierz, Poland in August 1944.

Panzerkompanie (Tank Company)

Pg. 72

5. Panzerdivision and 12. Panzerdivision were rushed into the line to halt the Soviet breakthrough at the start of Operation Bagration. Other panzer divisions fought up and down the Eastern Front throughout 1944. The panzers of a Panzerkompanie have undergone a constant evolution throughout the war. They are heavier, better armed and more mobile than those of your enemies.

SS-Panzerkampfgruppe (SS Armoured Battle Group)

Pg. 108

SS tank forces provide ample striking power to decimate enemy units. Newly refurbished with fresh recruits, the Kanonen (Tank Aces) of the Panzer companies provide the leadership needed to strike a deadly blow to advancing Soviet tanks.

Feldhernnhalle Panzerkampfgruppe (Feldhernnhalle Armoured Battle Group) Pg. 130

The Panzerkampfgruppe is the powerful strike arm of the Panzerdivision. By assembling the panzers and armoured panzergrenadiers together the division had a potent weapon with which to blunt the enemy’s advance or overrun them.

10

MOTORISED FORCES SS-FreiwilligenPanzergrenadierkompanie (SS Volunteer Motorised Infantry Company) Pg. 38

While the Panzer divisions seize enemy held ground in sweeping counterattacks it is the role of Panzergrenadier divisions to quickly follow up and hold the new positions. However, on the Narva River the foreign volunteer SSPanzergrenadiers hold the line against vigorous Red Army assaults, before organising counterattacks to retake ground.

Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie

Schwere Panzerkompanie (Heavy Tank Company)

Pg. 138

In the latter half of 1944 the Hetzer tank-hunter became available in increasing numbers and these were used to equip both assault gun and tank-hunter units. Many of these newly formed or refitted units went into battle supporting infantry forces where the Hetzer tank-hunter performed well in its dual role as an assault gun and tank-hunter.

(Armoured Infantry Company)

Pg. 76

The Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie are the elite of the mechanised infantry. Instead of trucks they are equipped with armoured Sd Kfz 251 half-tracks giving them the mobility and armour to accompany the tanks into the fighting.

Panzergrenadierkompanie (Motorised Infantry Company)

Pg. 80

The Panzergrenadierkompanie uses trucks to bring its veteran sold­iers to the battlefield where they dismount and fight on foot. Well-supported by Panzers, assault guns and mobile artillery their usual role is to attack defences to create a breakthrough for the Panzers, or to hold the ground they take with the Panzers as a counterattack reserve.

Gepanzerte Panzerpionierkompanie (Armoured Engineer Company)

Pg. 86

A Panzer division’s armoured pioneers are heavily-armed assault specialists. Equipped with armoured half-tracks the Gepanzerte Panzerpionier Platoon’s combat engineers are well protected during the opening phase of close assaults.

Panzerpionierkompanie (Motorised Engineer Company)

Pg. 88

Most of the combat engineers of the Panzerdivision are motorised in trucks. The Panzerpionier troops are called forward when enemy fortified positions need to be cleared. In defence, they are equally good at creating barriers and obstacles around strategic positions. Well armed with rifles, machine-guns, mines and demolition carriers, these pioneers are able to take on anything that the Soviets can throw against them.

GERMAN

(SS Motorised Infantry Battle Group)

Sperrverband Pg. 110

(Blocking Force)

Pg. 94

The unique make up of the ‘Wiking’ division allows you to field either Danish or Flemish troops. The Totenkopf (Death’s Head) division has its own Tiger company, as well as Sturmtiger assault howitzers, in support to assist them in erasing Soviet tanks or assault groups from the battlefield.

In the desperate days of the Bagration breakthrough Sperrverband forces organised a core of veterans and supported them with the best troops available, allowing them time to dig in, prepare solid defences, and halt the Soviet tank hordes in their tracks.

Feldhernnhalle Panzergrenadierkompanie

Ersatz Pionierkompanie

(Feldhernnhalle Motorised Infantry Company)

If you see the need for more fortifications and engineering in your defence then try the Ersatz Pioniere (Reserve Pioneers). They provide the manpower and expertise you need to solidly hold the line until you can counterattack with your Panzers.

(Reserve Engineer Company) Pg. 134

The Feldhernnhalle Panzer division’s panzergrenadiers are excellent infantry provided with transport for fast deployment. In Budapest they mostly fight on foot from street fortifications. They are supported by weapons platoons from their own division as well as allied Hungarian platoons.

INFANTRY FORCES Grenadierkompanie (Infantry Company)

Pg. 26

A Grenadierkompanie is the finest infantry force you can command. The troops are all experienced veterans and they are backed by the best weapons that the German army can provide, from StuG assault guns to the feared Tiger, your Grenadierkompanie will never be out-gunned or out-classed.

Fallschirmjägerkompanie (Parachute Rifle Company)

Pg. 32

The Fallschirmjäger are Germany’s paratroopers. Like all paratroopers, they are tough, tenacious and independent fighters. Though no longer making air assaults, they are Germany’s finest light infantry, quite capable of holding their position in the most dire situations.

Sturmkompanie (Assault Company)

Pg. 98

Sicherungskompanie (Security Company)

Pg. 118

The Sicherungskompanie was primarily used to hunt down partisans. However, as the front lines in Byelorussia crumbled German security forces were thrust into the front lines. While fighting partisans, or guarding the rail and roadways behind the lines, swiftly advancing Soviet spearheads sometimes forced security forces to hold until support could arrive.

SS-Kavallerieschwadron (SS Cavalry Squadron)

Pg. 140

During the siege of Budapest the 8. SS-Kavalleriedivision ‘Florian Geyer’ and 22. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavalleriedivision ‘Maria Theresia’ cavalry divisions were trapped inside the city. They fought furiously against the red onslaught on foot alongside the Hungarians to save their glittering capital. Like all good modern cavalry they easily adapted to fighting on foot, making use of the good defensive positions.

RECONNAISSANCE FORCES Panzerspähkompanie

Pg. 52

The 78. Sturmdivision was organised in early 1943 as a specialised assault division. The concept of the Sturmkompanie went beyond the normal grenadier organisation by giving it a lot more heavy equipment, such as its own integral 7.5cm PaK40 anti-tank guns, a heavy platoon and the support from the divisions own StuG Batterie, which lends immediate armoured support whenever needed.

(Armoured Car Company)

Pg. 90

Armoured cars do not generally engage the enemy directly except when confronted by a weak enemy or at the point of attack. Armoured car patrols are the true reconnaissance troops of an Aufklärungsabteilung (reconnaissance battalion). While the rest of the battalion is beating a path through the enemy the armoured cars goal is to exploit the gap in the lines to get behind the enemy and scout out his positions.

Pionierkompanie (Engineer Company)

Pg. 60

The Pionierkompanie is composed of tough well-trained combat engineers ready to do two things: undertake dangerous engineering assignments while under fire, and storm enemy positions by close assault.

GERMAN

11

German Forces

SS-Panzergrenadierkampfgruppe

Hungarian Forces ARMOURED FORCES

INFANTRY FORCES Puskás Század

Harckocsizó Század (Tank Company)

Pg. 192

The armoured troops are highly motivated and well trained. They fight with a mix of Hungarian and German tanks and call on support from their infantry, anti-aircraft, and artillery. In addition they fight side-by-side with the Germans and are supported by German armour, artillery and aircraft.

Rohamágyús Üteg (Assault Gun Battery)

Pg. 200

The assault gun battalions are the elite mobile arm of the Hungarian artillery. They use their own native Zrínyi assault howitzer, or German StuG G or Hetzer assault guns. They are supported by the divisions they fight with, which includes Hungarian tanks, anti-tank, infantry, reconnaissance, anti-aircraft, artillery and aircraft, as well as German panzers, panzergrenadiers, and aircraft.

MOTORISED FORCES Gépkocsizó Lövesz Század (Motorised Infantry Company)

Pg. 196

The motorised infantry of 1 and 2 Armoured Division are commanded by veterans of the battles on the Don in 1942 to 1943. They are some of the best troops in the Hungarian armies. These skilled riflemen keep pace with the rapid movements of the tanks to provide support when it is needed, ready to take captured positions and hold them against counterattack. st

12

nd

(Rifle Company)

Pg. 202

The bulk of the Hungarian Army, or Honvéd (pronounced hon-veed), was made up of the infantry of the Puskás Század (Rifle Company). The Hungarians have built up their infantry forces rapidly as the threat of Soviet invasion loomed. Some divisions have been raised from reservists and new recruits, while other divisions call on the experience of previous battles. The Hungarians had also been reforming their organisation and arming their troops with more modern heavy weapons such as German 75mm anti-tank guns, 120mm mortars and German Panzerfaust and Panzershreck anti-tank weapons. They can even call on the support of their own assault guns in armoured support.

Önkéntes Puskás Század (Volunteer Rifle Company)

Pg. 206

The riflemen of the Budapest defence infantry come from a variety of sources, from highly motivated volunteers to professional police and regular soldiers. All the different forces trapped inside Budapest fought together and supported each other. In addition to the machine-guns of their weapons platoons, they are backed by mortars, assault guns, panzers, anti-tank, infantry, reconnaissance, heavy mortars, anti-aircraft, artillery and aircraft.

HUNGARIAN

ARMOURED FORCES

INFANTRY FORCES

Panssarikomppania (Tank Company)

Jääkärikomppania Pg. 224

(Light Infantry Company)

Pg. 228

Finnish Panssari (Tank or Armour) units are seasoned veterans, who have had up to two years training. They have learnt to survive operating obsolete Soviet light and medium tanks and are now full of confidence in heavier T-34 tanks. Some Panssari companies are a mixture of the captured Soviet medium tanks. However, most brave crews still soldier on in T-26 and T-28 tanks The T-26 tank remains the most numerous tank in the Finnish arsenal.

The Jääkäri (light infantry) remain the best of the Finnish infantry, and rigorous training and patrolling has kept them so during the quiet of 1943. Their tactics emphasize speed and mobility. A high proportion of their leaders are volunteers or former regular army officers and often the men are from rural areas with excellent fieldcraft skills. For them the best form of reconnaissance is attack.

Sturmikomppania

(Infantry Company)

(Assault Gun Company)

Pg. 226

With new German-supplied Sturmi (StuG III G) assault guns, the Panssari division now packs quite a punch. The Sturmi crews have been training hard, are led by selected officers picked from Jääkäri units, and are ready for battle against the toughest foes. Their 75mm guns, combined with the skill of their Finnish crews, have enabled them to achieve impressive kill ratios, even against Soviet heavy armour.

Jalkaväkikomppania Pg. 232

The Jalkaväki (infantry) are superbly trained and experienced, although some of the troops grow weary from five years of war. Jalkaväki regiments are balanced with infantry, light infantry (Jääkäri scouts), machine guns and mortars. Each regiment has an anti-tank unit. Divisional support is better than ever, with anti-aircraft, anti-tank and artillery support readily available and even modern assault guns – the Sturmi.

Pioneerikomppania (Engineer Company)

Pg. 236

The Pioneerikomppania (Engineer Company) provide the Finnish divisions with experts in field engineering and mine clearing. They also serve as excellent assault troops for taking our enemy’s fortifications. In attack their satchel charges, flame-throwers and pioneer skills are invaluable. In defence they can lay the minefields that have so effectively slowed the Soviet advance.

13

Hungarian and Finnish Forces

Finnish Forces

Tiger IE tanks of Kampfgruppe Bäke grind through the snow to relieve the trapped forces.

Grenadiers hold fast as Soviet Strelkovy put the squeeze on their positions.

14

Kampfgruppe Bäke Panther tanks had vital support from attached Gebirgsjäger infantry.

The armoured anti-aircraft half-tracks are the last line of defence against attack from the air.

15

Battle for the Narva Line

Germany’s Army Group North had been besieging Leningrad for over two years. In January 1944, the Red Army launched an offensive that threatened to encircle the besieging army. Through a series of skilful rear guard actions, the III SSPanzerkorps was able to withdraw to the natural defensive positions on the Narva River near the city of Narva. As they arrived, the German forces found that the defensive fortifications of the Panther Line existed only on paper. There were a few emplacements from the invasion in 1941, but generally these were in poor locations for the current battle. The ground was frozen making the preparation of new trench lines difficult. However, the terrain offered a choke point with Lake Peipus in the south and the Gulf of Finland to the north connected from south to north by the Narva River. The river represents the border between Russia and the Baltic nation of Estonia. If the Red Army could drive the Germans from Narva, they would remove them from the whole region. This would score both a strategic and political victory for Stalin’s armies. The river was icy and the bridges were the key to both the defence of Narva and the success of the Soviet attacks. The Red Army did not wait for the Germans to settle. On 2 February 1944 the Second Shock Army immediately attacked the German bridgehead on the east side of the Narva River. This bridgehead was a seven mile long line stretching from the village of Lilienback in the north to the village of Dolpaya Niva in the south.

16

Manning this position were troops from 4. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland and 11. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadierdivision Nordland. These units were unusual in that they consisted of volunteers from European countries other than Germany (Freiwilligen means volunteers). On 3 February the Soviet attack began with a thrust through the defences on the eastern side of the river. Soviet tanks broke through and threatened to establish their own bridgehead on the western side of the river. The Nordland SS-Divison’s Panzer Battalion, named Hermann von Salza, and the Tiger tanks of 502. Schwere Panzerabteilung (502nd Heavy Tank Battalion), which included Tiger ace Leutnant Otto Carius, joined the battle. They defeated the Soviet armour, and with their support, the Nordland infantry was able to recapture the position on the eastern side of the river. On 11 February the Soviet 43rd Rifle Corps attacked north of the city, but was met strongly by the 227. Grenadierdivision and the Nederland SS-Brigade. In the south, attacks by the Red Army’s 109th and 122nd Rifle Corps were somewhat more successful advancing 7½ miles before being stopped by Nordland SS-Division, 170. Grenadierdivision and the Panzergrenadierdivision Feldherrnhalle. Soviet assaults continued up and down the Narva line. In the north the Soviets established a bridgehead on the western side of the river near the village of Siivertsi. After nine days of heavy fighting the Soviets were again forced back to the east side of the river.

On 14 February the Soviet hight command (Stavka) issued new orders to General Govorov commanding the Red Army on the Narva front. A fresh Soviet assault south of Narva by the 30th Guard Rifle Corps broke through the defensive line and established a bridgehead. By 24 February the assault forces had swung in a wide arc around Narva, reaching the rail line supporting the city and threatening to encircle the defenders. It was stopped when Panzergrenadierdivision Feldherrnhalle and 502. Schwere Panzerabteilung counter attacked.

General Govorov attempted to revive the assault on 2 March by bringing fresh forces to bear against the Narva defences. These attacks also floundered. Rather than allow the Soviets to consolidate the few gains they had achieved, the German forces launched a series of vicious counterattacks between 4 and 6 March. These attacks recaptured the lost ground and returned the front to its February positions. In response, on the night of 6/7 March, the Red Air Force made a massive bombing raid on the city of Narva, reducing it to ruins. The surviving civilians fled west, but the defenders positions remained intact.

After a week of relative quiet, March saw a renewed offensive by the Soviets. At dawn on 1 March, the Red Army began a 20-minute artillery barrage against the German positions. This was followed by the advance of units from three rifle corps. The artillery barrage proved inadequate against the well dug in defenders and the advance halted after heavy casualties. Accurate and timely German artillery played a large part in breaking up the assault, as did the Luftwaffe even though the Soviets enjoyed a roughly 3 to 1 advantage in air power. The Soviet assault had gained little.

Narva-Jöesuu

The Soviets continued attacking up and down the Narva Line probing for weaknesses. One attack against Nederland’s 49. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier Regiment broke through towards the river. The Soviets committed their tank reserves to seize the bridges across the river into the city. The defenders counterattacked with Nordland’s Herman von Salza Panzer Abteilung. The panzers stopped the advancing tanks, but they were prevented from exploiting their advantage by heavy anti-tank fire from the eastern side of the river.

3 February

Gulf of Finland

2 February 1 March 2 February

Sillamäe

Lillienbach Siivertsi

8 March

Narva

19-23 April

Dolpaya Niva

26-31 March

Sirgala 6-8 April 7 February

Vyaska 2 February

11 February

Putki

Narv a

River

Krivasu

14 March

N

Gorodenka

Karoli 2 February

0 Lake Peipus

Miles

0 Kilometres

5

10 10

15

15 20

On 23 March Hilter ordered the creation of Festung Narwa (Fortress Narva) to be held at all costs. The Germans launched a series of counterattacks beginning on 26 March. These attacks were designed to eliminate the Soviet bridgehead gained by the 30th Guard Rifle Corps in February on the western side of the river. They drove the Red forces back to the river, but not across it. The attacks could not be sustained with the equipment and manpower available, but the threat was sufficient that General Govorov ordered the construction of extensive defensive works on the eastern side of the river to prevent a possible breakout. By the end of March, the Red Army was not able to defeat the Germans at Narva. The Germans had succeeded in rapidly reinforcing their position, while the Soviets were hampered in their attacks both by the terrain and a poor cooperation between the various units in the sector. The thaw in April and the rasputitsa (muddy season) forced a halt all major operations until late May.

17

Korsun Pocket The battle for the Korsun Pocket was a huge complex battle involving 400,000 men fighting over an area 100 square kilometres for three weeks. On 24 January 1944 the Soviet First and Second Ukrainian Fronts, having regrouped after their successful campaigns at the end of 1943, attacked south of Kiev hitting the positions of the German First Panzer Army near the town of KorsunShevchenkovskiy (100 miles southeast of Kiev). The aim was to trap the Germans in a pincer formed by the two fronts, taking advantage of the desire of the Germans to hold some part of the Dnepr River, rather than withdraw. The Soviet First Ukrainian Front attacks met serious resistance the following day and suffered heavy casualties from concentrated German artillery. The battle around Korsun raged through the following days and by 28 January 1944 the Soviets had encircled six German divisions from the XI and XLII Korps (Eighth Army). Hitler insisted that the surrounded positions on the Dnepr River be held and forbad any breakout attempt. In response Field Marshal von Manstein, commanding Army Group South, began to assemble an armoured force to break into the encirclement. By 4 February Von Manstein had massed four panzer divisions and an ad hoc heavy tank regiment under Dr. Franz Bäke (one battalion each of Tigers and Panthers) and began his counterattack to relieve forces trapped around Korsun. The force was denuded of the full strength 24. Panzerdivision at the last minute when Hitler personally intervened to send it south to help at Sixth Army at Nikopol. The German forces inside the pocket were designated Kampfgruppe Stemmermann (after the senior commander) on 5 February. The Soviets stepped-up attacks to reduce the pocket the same day. To compound difficulties for both sides, the temperature plummeted to well below zero throughout the battle area. By 7 February Kampfgruppe Stemmermann, while under continuous pressure from Soviet attacks, contracted its perimeter, abandoning Gorodische and Yanovka, and began to prepare for a breakout attack. Meanwhile, von Manstein’s break-in operation continued against very heavy resistance. On 8 February the Soviets offered Kampfgruppe Stemmermann the opportunity to surrender, but it refused. The Germans redoubled their efforts to fly supplies into the pocket and exit flights were able to evacuate some of the seriously wounded. Having finally assembled an effective force, III Panzerkorps began its relief attacks on 11 February. They get within 10 miles of the pocket, but Soviet resistance stiffened in the following days.

18

Dnepr River

Medvyn

Korsun-

Cherkassy

Shevchenkovskiy V’yazivok

Zvenyhorodkha Shpola Lebedyn

On 14 February Soviet forces captured KorsunShevchenkovskiy against the determined resistance of the SS Walloon Brigade, of 5. SS-Panzerdivision Wiking. As the perimeter of the pocket continued to shrink Hitler grudgingly gave permission to attempt a breakout on 15 February. The following day the III Panzerkorps was stopped 12 miles from the perimeter of the pocket. The relief forces were exhausted and it was concluded that any further action would be fruitless. Led by the remnants of 5. SS-Panzerdivision Wiking, Kampgruppe Stemmermann launched their attempt to break out on 17 February. In a blinding snowstorm they managed to find a seam in the Soviet defences. At dawn, the weather cleared and the Soviet cavalry and aircraft pounced on the columns of fleeing Germans. Having abandoned their heavy equipment, the breakout turned into a rout as desperate men fled from the carnage. General Stemmermann was killed along with many of his men. However, around 35,000 men escaped. They had little more than their personal weapons, if that. However, if Stalin had expected a battle of annihilation like at Stalingrad, he was mistaken. The Germans had effected their escape and the pocket was empty. The Korsun Pocket was a Soviet victory, though it came at a high price and the Germans could claim that most of their men escaped the trap. The intensity of the battles was born out in the casualty figures. In two months the Soviets lost 25,000 killed, 56,000 wounded (from 240,000) and half their 500 tanks. For the Germans claims vary, but as a minimum 20,000 Germans in the pocket were killed or captured, and another 11,000 escapees were wounded (from 55,000). In addition a similar number of killed and wounded were lost from the relieving forces, which also lost over 100 tanks (from 80,000 men and 300 tanks).

Kamenets-Podolsky (Hube’s) Pocket. On 4 March 1944 the Soviets began another offensive aimed at pushing Army Group South out of the Ukraine. Taking advantage of the weakening of the southern German positions by moving panzer troops northwards for the Korsun Pocket battles, the Soviets drove the First and Second Ukrainian Fronts to the north and south of the 1. Panzerarmee, eventually encircling them by 25 March. Leading the 1. Panzerarmee was Generaloberst Hans Valentin Hube, a standout general, known as ‘Der Mensch’ (‘The Man’) among the soldiers. Having experienced the encirclement of 6. Armee at Stalingrad he took steps to limit a potential disaster by ordering all administrative and non-combat personnel to the rear and reducing the number of non-combat vehicles in the area to save fuel. The Soviet encirclement was complete by 25 March with six Soviet armies applying pressure to Hube’s force. At the same time the external encirclement of another three Soviet armies, was designed to force the German 4. Panzerarmee and 8. Armee back and stop any rescue operation. With the 1. Panzerarmee still holding the bridge over the Dniester at Khotin, it seemed obvious to the Soviets that at some point Hube would attempt an offensive south. The two Soviet fronts began to shift forces southward to prepare for this break out. Manstein and Hube, seeing the strengthening of the Soviet southern forces, began to devise a counter plan. In spite of the strength of the forces to the north and west of the 1. Panzerarmee and the distance of 125 miles to the 4. Panzerarmee lines, Manstein wanted Hube to breakout west. This would force the 1. Panzerarmee to fight its way out of encirclement against some of the strongest forces surrounding it. On 25 March Hitler gave Hube authority to break out as well as giving Manstein command of II SS-Panzerkorps, consisting of 9. and 10. SS-Panzer divisions (Hohenstaufen and

Zbrucz River

e Seret Riv r Chortkov

Skala KamenetsPodolskiy

River

Front Lines German Forces Russian Forces

Hube repositioned his forces into three distinct kampfgruppen, the first and second being northern and southern attack groups. The kampfgruppen were to carry out the initial break out west while a rearguard group would fight aggressive withdrawing engagements. The North and South spearheads were led by Panzerkampfgruppe Bäke and his Panthers as well as the other panzer divisions. The Tiger companies of the 509. Schwere Panzerabteilung dominated the rearguard. Early afternoon radio reports of 28 March and reconnaissance indicated to the Soviets that the 1. Panzerarmee was making preparations to cross the bridgehead and break out south. Believing the break out was heading south the Soviets relaxed their other armies and focused all attention on the southern units. This played perfectly into Hube’s plan. On the night of 28/29 March, Panzerkampfgruppe Bäke broke west with 1. Panzer army’s entire force behind it. A blizzard began the night of 28 March blanketing everything in thick white snow, a mixed blessing that slowed movement, but also provided concealment. By 29 March, the first Panther battalions of 1. Panzerarmee had seized three separate bridgeheads across the Zbrucz River and were advancing against Soviet defenders in the valley between the Zbrucz and the Seret. It was at this point that the Soviet commanders realised they’d been tricked. The southern break out was simply deception. Immediately, intense attacks were launched against the 1. Panzer army’s rearguard. However, they held off the Soviet attacks, halting the assault by 31 March. The Soviets were masters of keeping their advance moving in the winter conditions, but the Germans were equal to the task. The Luftwaffe kept 1. Panzerarmee fuelled and supplied enough for the constant moving and fighting, both day and night, over the two week running battle. II SS-Panzerkorps slammed into the weakly held lines around Podgaitsy, smashing through on 4 April. The next day, advance elements of 1. Panzer army’s breakout force met elements of the II SS-Panzerkorps. Over the next few days, elements of 1. Panzerarmee pushed forward into 4. Panzer army’s lines at and around Buczacz on the Strypa River. The breakout had been secured, but fighting continued for another two weeks into April as all of 1. Panzer army’s divisions and men were successfully withdrawn.

Ternopol

Dniester

Frundsberg), 100. Jäger and 367. Infanterie divisions, which would fight their way from the 4. Panzerarmee lines to try and reach the encircled troops.

Khotin

The 1. Panzerarmee had escaped with most of its manpower and remained a viable fighting force. They re-established a new front line from the Dniester River up to the town of Brody. They suffered minimal casualties but lost most of their heavy equipment throughout the almost month long battle. Having saved the 1. Panzerarmee Generaloberst Hube, after receiving Diamonds for his Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, tragically died when his plane crashed in the Austrian Alps after leaving his medal ceremony.

19

Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke The year 1943 drew to a close in the cold of the Ukrainian winter, with German Army Group South in crisis. Retreating everywhere since the defeat at Kursk, a succession of Soviet offensives saw the liberation of Kharkov, Kiev and the crossing of the Dnieper River line. They were outnumbered everywhere, and knew that another Soviet strike would surely come in the new year. Faced with the reality that he could not possibly hold the line, Feldmarschall von Manstein realised that he needed mobile reserves. It was at this time that the German general staff’s genius for organisation and flexibility was demonstrated. Hurriedly independent units and portions of larger formations in reserve were flung together to form a kampfgruppe. An experienced commander, Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke, was placed in command and soon formed a unique group of forces into a cohesive regiment. Then they were hurled into action. Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke’s first battle was at the Balabonowka pocket in January 1944, where it immediately had to halt a Soviet offensive. On the boundary between First and Fourth Panzer Armies, five Soviet Tank Corps from 1st Tank Army had broken through and headed for Vinnitsa. On the open steppe between the Bug and Dneiper Bäke’s Tigers and Panthers met the Soviets. They destroyed over 250 Soviet tanks for the loss of just four. During this battle Bäke personally destroyed three Soviet tanks at close quarters with infantry weapons. Next Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke led attempts to relieve the Korsun Pocket. III Panzerkorps and XLVII Panzerkorps were rapidly launched in counter-offensives to break them out. Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke formed the spearhead of III Panzerkorps. Thrusting through two Soviet Infantry corps and 5th Guards Tank Corps (including units equipped with IS-2 heavy tanks), Regiment Bäke reached the Gniloy Tikich River, just ten kilometres from the pocket. Though falling short it held the southern flank open to allow thousands of the trapped men to escape. There was little time to recover after Korsun. In March Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was itself encircled in the Kaminets-Podolsky pocket, better known as Hube’s pocket. Here Zhukov and Konev launched another offensive with two huge pincers, this time cutting off the entire 1. Panzerarmee under General Hans Hube in a huge sack between the Bug and Dniester Rivers, further to the west of Korsun. By now von Manstein and Hube were not about to sit idly by waiting for orders. While his force was mobile he would get himself out. Rather than break through the bulk of the Soviet spearhead in front of him, von Manstein ordered Hube to thrust sideways, through the weaker Soviet flanking forces. Once again Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke formed part of the spearhead of Brieth’s III Korps. They were part of the force that cut through the Soviet infantry along the Zbruch River. Hube had ordered all non-fighting equipment to be ruthlessly discarded and both combat and support units moved with the panzers as transport. These desperate measures worked and led to the successful break-out. 1. Panzerarmee reached German lines on 5 April.

20

With both Soviet and German forces worn out on the southern front, there was finally time to regroup and for the Germans to stabilise the front. In May 1944 Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was split up and its components returned to their parent divisions.

Organisation of Schwere Panzer Regiment Bäke The German army had long practiced combining tactical sub-units into a Kampfgruppe for particular operations. As the war dragged on, and gradually turned against Germany, this virtue of flexibility became a necessity. By the Late War period many Kampfgruppen up to regimental or divisional size became semi-permanent, with internal logistics to sustain them. In the long term this practice was the unfortunate side effect of rendering many conventional divisions understrength due to various missing sub-units. Nevertheless, some of the Kampfgruppen were highly successful. Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was a fully self-contained force created by combining various independent units with others withdrawn from line divisions. Although primarily a panzer unit, it had supporting infantry and artillery.

Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke By 1944 Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke was one of the most capable and experienced front-line panzer commanders in the German Army. Born in 1898 in the town of Schwarzenfels, Bäke had served in World War One as an enlisted man. He fought in the infantry on the western front including the battle of Verdun, was wounded, awarded the Iron Cross Second Class and finished the war as a sergeant and officer candidate. Between the wars he studied dentistry, gained his doctorate, and established a successful professional career. Still a reservist, Bäke was called up in 1937, and was a Leutnant commanding a panzer platoon at the start of the war. Bäke’s platoon was part of the Panzerabteilung 65, 1. Jägerdivision, later reorganised as 6. Panzerdivision. Equipped with the Czech Panzer 35(t) tanks. Bäke’s unit took part in the invasion of Poland, where Bäke served well and was promoted to company commander. In France 1940, 6. Panzerdivision formed part of Guderian’s strike force through the Ardennes. Bäke’s Company captured a key bridge across the Meuse. Wounded twice in the campaign, Bäke was awarded the Gold Wound Badge and the Iron Cross, First Class. In 1941 6. Panzerdivision was transferred to East Prussia for Operation Barbarossa. Bäke’s role changed to a staff position in charge of recovery of damaged tanks. As regimental Ordinanz-Offizier he carried out tank recovery with his customary energy and intelligence. With Operation Typhoon reaching its climax he often led ad-hoc kampfgruppen forward on missions. After the winter of 1941/42 the worn-out 6. Panzerdivision was withdrawn to France for rebuilding. Bäke was promoted to commander of II Abteillung/11. Panzerregiment. By the

time the rebuilt division was ready for combat Stalingrad had been encircled. 6. Panzerdivision was transferred back east and thrown into the relief attempt. Unable to break through, it then helped encircle and destroy Soviet tanks thrusting towards Kharkov. For this action Bäke was awarded the Knights Cross in January 1943. At Kursk 6. Panzerdivision formed part of Hoth’s 4. Panzerarmee attacking from the south. Wounded again himself, Bäke continued and took over command of 11. Panzerregiment when its commander was severely wounded. Bäke led the unit through the defensive battles towards the Dneiper, receiving the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross in August 1943. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant der Reserve and ordered to form Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke in December 1943. Six months of intensive combat involving the Regiment proved Bäke’s ability to command larger formations. Bäke was awarded the Swords to the Knights Cross for his efforts to relieve the Korsun pocket in February 1944.

After further defensive battles Bäke’s unit was disbanded in May 1944. Bäke took command of Panzer Brigade 106 Feldherrnhalle, now forming in the west with Panthers and armoured infantry. By September these were fighting defensive battles against Patton’s Third US Army. At first successful against US tanks, Bäke suffered his first defeat when he attacked the US 90th Infantry Division, which took the Panzer attacks in its stride and counterattacked the Panzergrenadiers. The Feldherrnhalle panzer brigade fell back with heavy losses. In January 1945 Bäke completed a course in divisional command and in March led Panzerdivision Feldehernhalle 2 in the final offensive in Hungary. Bäke led them back to Czechoslovakia where he was promoted to General in April. In May he led them in a breakout through encircling Soviet forces to surrender to American forces at the Elbe. After the war Bäke was held as a POW until 1950, and then returned to his dentistry career until his death in a car accident in 1978.

OBERSTLEUTNANT

Dr Franz Bäke

CHARACTERISTICS Franz Bäke is a Warrior and Higher Command Team rated as Fearless Veteran. He may join a Kampfgruppe Bäke company (page 22) mounted in a Panther tank replacing the Company Command team for +60 points. Bäke’s combat career was characterised by his intelligence, determination and energy. Bäke gained his success not by fanaticism or bravado, but through his tactical skill. Bäke always has the following abilities:

Energetic Commander Bäke was an energetic commander who both led by example and pushed his men as hard as needed to achieve victory. Bäke and any platoon he has joined pass their Skill Test to make a Stormtroopers Move on a roll of 2+.

Master Tactician Bäke preferred to win his battles through manoeuvre and tactics rather than bludgeoning the enemy. If Bäke is present on the battlefield one Bäke Panther Platoon or Bäke Schwere Panzer Platoon may make a Reconnaissance Deployment move after deployment is completed but before the first turn begins.

Every Shot Counts Bäke is a veteran of tank combat and has personally served in almost every mark of tank used by the Panzer units. He knows how to stay cool under pressure and shoot accurately. Bäke’s Panther tank may re-roll any failed To Hit rolls when it shoots.

21

Kampfgruppe Bäke B G B attle

roup

äke

HEADQUARTERS

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey. Kampfgruppe Bäke HQ

23

HEADQUARTERS

(Tank Company)

16

9

15 0

Schwere Panzer Armoured Scout Platoon

AIRCRAFT

RECONNAISSANCE

2

Air Support

16

Half-tracked Panzerspäh Platoon

91

22

24

Bäke Schwere Panzer Platoon

Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery

23

Bäke Panther Platoon

24

Bäke Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

Rocket Launcher Battery

Panzerpionier Platoon

25

ARMOUR

Gepanzerte Panzerpionier Platoon

89

24

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

87

23

Bäke Schwere Panzer Platoon

Gebirgsjäger Platoon

25

Bäke Panther Platoon

Armoured Heavy Artillery Battery ARTILLERY

75

Panzer Scout Platoon

INFANTRY

Armoured Artillery Battery

8 15

RECONNAISSANCE

Gebirgsjäger Platoon

ARTILLERY

8 15

Panzer Pioneer Platoon

INFANTRY

25

ARMOUR

INFANTRY

74

Bäke Panther Platoon

WEAPONS PLATOONS

ARMOUR

23

COMBAT PLATOONS

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

The companies of Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke (Heavy Tank Regiment Bäke) are led by seasoned veterans of past battles. These men teach the new recruits the tricks of tank combat and weld them into an effective fighting force. Kampfgruppe Bäke is rated as Confident Veteran.

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

Kampfgruppe Bäke

Motivation and Skill

HEADQUARTERS Kampfgruppe Bäke HQ

Hauptmann Unteroffizier

Hauptmann

Headquarters Company HQ with: Panther A

190 points

Options • Add a second Panther A tank for +190 points. • Add a Bergepanther recovery vehicle for +15 points. Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was a fully self-contained force created by combining various independent units with others withdrawn from line divisions. Although primarily a panzer unit, it had supporting infantry and artillery. Often with German Panzer units during intense fighting the number of operational tanks could get quite low. Consequently, a Flames Of War on table company may represent all the tanks available at times during the various operations of Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke.

Company Command Panther

Bergepanther Recovery Section

2iC Command Panther Company HQ

Kampfgruppe Bäke HQ

If you form a Kampfgruppe under your 2iC Command Panther tank any Tiger I E tanks included still roll for Tiger Aces skills. However, any Tiger Ace Skill that normally effects the whole platoon will only be applied to the Tiger I E tanks in the Kampfgruppe.

COMBAT PLATOONS Bäke Panther Platoon

Leutnant LEUTNANT

Platoon 4 Panther A 3 Panther A

750 points 560 points Command Panther

The Panthers of Kampfgruppe Bäke are drawn from an experienced Panzer battalion, II Battalion, 23. Panzerregiment, 23. Panzerdivision. Their mobility enabled them to be used on wide outflanking manoeuvres while the Tigers engaged frontally. They act as the rapier while the Tigers form the shield.

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Panther

Panther

Panzer Section

Panzer Section

Unteroffizier

Panther Panzer Section

Bäke Panther Platoon

23

Bäke Schwere Panzer Platoon

Leutnant

Platoon

LEUTNANT

4 Tiger I E 3 Tiger I E 2 Tiger I E

860 points 645 points 430 points

Remember to roll for your Tiger Ace Skills before each game. The Tigers of Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke are from 503. Schwere Panzer Abteilung, one of the first Tiger units formed and with excellent quality crews. 509. Schwere Panzer Abteilung also joined and fought alongside Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke during March 1944. Though there were never enough to go around, the German Tiger battalions proved themselves a serious problem for the Soviets. Kill ratios of three or four to one were common for Tigers across the Eastern Front. Unleashing your Tigers upon the enemy will certainly cause their commander great concern. His armour losses will swiftly mount and his battle plan will suffer immediate reassessment. Whether counterattacking alone or in support of your other units, the Tigers can carry the battle to the enemy and reverse the fortunes of war.

Command Tiger I E HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Tiger I E

Tiger I E

HEAVY TANK Section

HEAVY TANK Section

Unteroffizier

Tiger I E HEAVY TANK Section

Bäke Schwere Panzer Platoon

WEAPONS PLATOONS Bäke Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon Platoon 3 Armoured Sd Kfz 7/1 (Quad 2cm) 2 Armoured Sd Kfz 7/1 (Quad 2cm)

150 points 100 points

3 Armoured Sd Kfz 10/5 (2cm) 2 Armoured Sd Kfz 10/5 (2cm)

120 points 80 points

1944 saw the air superiority that the panzers had relied on for so long finally pass to the Soviets, as the Luftwaffe withdrew more and more fighters to defend Germany. Mobile antiaircraft guns that could keep up with the panzers became essential. Both panzer battalions of the regiment have integral Anti-aircraft half-tracks, Sd Kfz 10/5 half-tracks with the panthers, and Sd Kfz 7/1 half-tracks with the Tigers.

24

Command Anti-aircraft tank

Anti-aircraft tank

Anti-aircraft tank

Bäke Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

Kampfgruppe Bäke

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS Gebirgsjäger Platoon

Leutnant

Platoon

Leutnant

HQ Section with: 3 Jäger Squads 2 Jäger Squads

Command Rifle/MG team

155 points 110 points

Option • Replace the Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points or a Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. The Gebirgsjäger drafted into Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke performed yeoman service. They were well trained and, although unaccustomed to fighting with tanks, soon learned the basics of infantry-armour cooperation.

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Jäger Squad

Jäger Squad

Unteroffizier

Gebirgsjäger Platoons are Mountaineers.

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Jäger Squad

Gebirgsjäger Platoon

Schwere Panzer Armoured Scout Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon Command MG team

HQ Section with: 6 Scout Squads 4 Scout Squads 2 Scout Squads

250 points 175 points 105 points

Option • Replace the Command MG team with a Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. Armoured Scout Platoons may use the Mounted Assault special rule. Armoured scouts will protect your Tigers, keep enemy infantry at bay, and allow you to exploit a hole in the enemy’s defence no matter the terrain. Use terrain cover to the advance but don’t get too far away from your Tigers just in case the enemy gets nasty.

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

HQ Section Unteroffizier

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

Unteroffizier

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

Scout Squad

Scout Squad

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

Scout Squad

Scout Squad

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

Scout Squad

MG team

Sd Kfz 251/1C half-track

Scout Squad

SChwere Panzer Armoured ScouT Platoon

25

Grenadierkompanie Infantry Company

HEADQUARTERS

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey. Grenadierkompanie HQ

27

HEADQUARTERS

(Infantry Company)

0 16

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

15 3

16 5

15

Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon

1

6

14

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

16

5

15

Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon Luftwaffe Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

INFANTRY

33

31

Fallschirmjäger Platoon

ANTI-TANK

3

Anti-tank Gun Platoon

1

15

Tank-hunter Platoon

2

Sturmpanzer Platoon

Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

16

59

StuG Platoon

31

28

WEAPONS PLATOONS

9 15

2 15

Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery

AIRCRAFT

ARTILLERY 28

INFANTRY

15

Armoured Train

2

Heavy Artillery Battery

12

6 6

28

Artillery Battery

15

61

Pionier Platoon

16

Air Support

ARTILLERY

ALLIED PLATOONS

2

Grenadier Mortar Platoon

Grenadier Scout Platoon

Grenadier Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

MACHINE-GUNS

Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon

71

30

Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon

MACHINE-GUNS

Field Fortifications

Rocket Launcher Battery

ARMOUR

RECONNAISSANCE

Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon

Radio-control Tank Platoon

Artillery Battery

ANTI-TANK

27

Grenadier Platoon

Grenadier Infantry Gun Platoon

Schwere Panzer Platoon

29

INFANTRY

ARTILLERY

Panzer Platoon

73

27

Grenadier Platoon

Looted Panzer Platoon

ARTILLERY

ARMOUR

29

INFANTRY

ARMOUR

6 15

Grenadier Platoon

REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

INFANTRY

27

COMBAT PLATOONS

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

Luftwaffe Platoons in your force are Allies and follow the Allies rules in the rulebook.

26

The Heer or German Army is well trained and has many victorious campaigns on the Eastern Front behind it. The soldiers are confident that victory lies in the near future. A Grenadierkompanie is rated as Confident Veteran.

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

Grenadierkompanie

Motivation and Skill

HEADQUARTERS Grenadierkompanie HQ

HAUPTmann HAUPTMANN

Headquarters Company HQ

45 points Company Command SMG team

Options • Replace either or both Command SMG teams with Command Panzerknacker SMG teams for +5 points per team or Command Panzerfaust SMG teams for +10 points per team. • Add an Anti-tank Section for +25 points. • Replace Panzerschreck team with a 8.8cm RW43 Püppchen rocket launcher at no cost. • Add Mortar Section for +55 points. • Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team.

2iC Command SMG team

Company HQ Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier 8cm GW43 mortar

Panzerschreck team Anti-tank Section

8cm GW43 mortar

Mortar Section

Grenadierkompanie HQ

COMBAT PLATOONS Grenadier Platoon

Leutnant

Platoon

Leutnant

HQ Section with: 3 Grenadier Squads 2 Grenadier Squads

Command Rifle/MG team

155 points 110 points

HQ Section

Option • Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points or Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. Attach machine-guns and anti-tank guns to Grenadier platoons forming strongpoints to anchor your defensive position. Keep other Grenadier platoons in reserve as a counterattack force to recover any strongpoints lost to the enemy.

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Grenadier Squad

Grenadier Squad

The Infanterieregiment has considerable engineering capabilities of its own and each battalion forms a pioneer platoon from its Grenadiers as needed. These infantry pioneers are called ‘white’ pioneers because they wear the white piping of infantry rather than the black piping of engineers.

Unteroffizier

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Grenadier Squad

Grenadier Platoon

If your Grenadierkompanie has three Grenadier Platoons, you may upgrade the smallest Grenadier Platoon to a Grenadier Pioneer Platoon for +15 points per squad. This converts the Command team and every Rifle/MG team into Pioneer teams with the same armament. The Grenadier Pioneer Platoon may have a horse-drawn Pioneer Supply Wagon for an additional +20 points.

GERMAN

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WEAPONS PLATOONS Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Machine-gun Sections 1 Machine-gun Section

Command SMG team

135 points 70 points

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

MG42 HMG

MG42 HMG

Option • Replace Command SMG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points. Grenadier Machine-gun Platoons may make Combat Attachments to Grenadier Platoons. The machine-gun platoons are essential in both attack and defence. When attacking they use their speed and initiative to find covered positions from which they can engage the

MG42 HMG

MG42 HMG

Machine-gun Section

Machine-gun Section

Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon

defences and pin them for the Grenadier attack. In defence they form the front line using their range and firepower to keep the enemy at bay.

Grenadier Mortar Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Mortar Sections 2 Mortar Sections 1 Mortar Section

180 points 125 points 65 points

Command SMG team HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Observer Rifle team

Observer Rifle team

Option • Replace all 8cm GW34 mortars with 12cm sGW43 mortars towed by a 3-ton truck or RSO tractor for +20 points per Mortar Section. You must upgrade the Grenadier Mortar Platoon to 12cm sGW43 mortars if you have 8cm GW34 mortars in the Company HQ. A Grenadier Mortar Platoon upgraded to 12cm sGW43 mortars may not have more than two Mortar Sections. Mortar platoons provide instant artillery support for breaking up enemy concentrations and pinning down their supporting weapons. As the heavy 12cm mortars became available,

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8cm GW34 mortar

8cm GW34 mortar

Mortar Section

8cm GW34 mortar

8cm GW34 mortar

Mortar Section

Unteroffizier

Observer Rifle team

8cm GW34 mortar

8cm GW34 mortar

Mortar Section

Grenadier Mortar Platoon

the lighter 8cm models were assigned out to the company headquarters for close support work.

Grenadierkompanie

REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS Looted Panzer Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon T-70 obr 1943 M4 (M4A2 Sherman) T-34 obr 1942 T-34/85 obr 1943

30 points 55 points 55 points 80 points

Command tank Captured tank

Looted Panzer Platoon

Option • Upgrade T-34 obr 1942 tank to have a cupola for +5 points. All captured tanks in a Looted Tank Platoon are rated as Confident Trained CONFIDENT TRAINED and are Unreliable.

In an effort to stem the tide of enemy troops, the German Grenadiers often resorted to using captured enemy tanks as a last ditch effort to plug any breaches in the line. A Beutepanzer like this was used until it broke down beyond repair or was destroyed.

Grenadier Infantry Gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon Command SMG team Observer Rifle team

HQ Section with: 2 7.5cm leIG18

65 points

2 15cm sIG33

145 points

HQ Section

Options • Add horse-drawn limbers for +5 points for the platoon. • Replace both horse-drawn limbers with 3‑ton trucks or RSO tractors at no cost. Infantry gun platoons provide the Grenadierkompanie with close-support artillery, taking out targets such as gun positions and bunkers with direct fire. The light 7.5cm guns are useful in the forward areas firing over open sights at enemy

Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Infantry gun

Infantry gun

Horse-drawn limber

Horse-drawn limber

gun section

gun section

Grenadier Infantry gun Platoon

machine gun nests. The heavy 15cm guns are more suited to sitting back and firing as heavy artillery.

GERMAN

29

Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 3 3.7cm PaK36 2 3.7cm PaK36

Command SMG team

80 points 55 points

• All 3.7cm PaK36 guns are equipped with Stiel­granate ammunition at no cost. 3 5cm PaK38 2 5cm PaK38

90 points 60 points

3 7.5cm PaK97/38 2 7.5cm PaK97/38

95 points 65 points

3 7.62cm PaK36(r) 2 7.62cm PaK36(r)

125 points 85 points

3 7.5cm PaK40 2 7.5cm PaK40

155 points 105 points

Kfz 15 field car

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

Anti-tank gun

Anti-tank gun

Kfz 70 truck

Kfz 70 truck

Anti-tank gun Section

Anti-tank gun Section Unteroffizier

Anti-tank gun

Kfz 70 truck

Anti-tank gun Section

Grenadier Anti-tank gun Platoon

Options • Add Kfz 15 field car and either Kfz 70 trucks in platoons equipped with 3.7cm PaK36, 5cm PaK38, or 7.5cm PaK97/38 guns or 3-ton trucks in platoons equipped with 7.62cm PaK36(r) or 7.5cm PaK40 guns for +5 points for the platoon. • Replace all trucks with RSO tractors at no cost. The Grenadiers’ regimental anti-tank guns are few and far between, but are often the only thing they have to keep enemy tanks at bay. Even the older models can provide good

30

service if carefully positioned so that they cannot be seen until the enemy is at point-blank range.

Grenadierkompanie

Grenadier Scout Platoon

Leutnant

Platoon

Leutnant

HQ Section with: 2 Scout Squads 1 Scout Squad

Command Rifle team

115 points 70 points

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Options • Replace Command Rifle team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +15 points. • Replace all Rifle teams with Assault Rifle teams for +15 points per team. • Replace Command Assault Rifle team with Command Panzerknacker Assault Rifle team for +5 points. The regimental scouts are the only reconnaissance troops left in the Infanteriedivision. Their main role is scouting the flanks of an advance to prevent the Grenadiers from being

Rifle team

Unteroffizier

Rifle team

Rifle team

Scout Squad

Rifle team

Scout Squad

Grenadier Scout Platoon

Grenadier Scout Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons. ambushed. They are also a useful combat reserve for lastditch counterattacks to regain lost positions.

Grenadier Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 3 2cm FlaK38

Command SMG team

75 points

Options • Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon. • Replace all trucks with RSO tractors at no cost. • Mount 2cm FlaK38 guns on 3-ton trucks as Portees at no cost. Unfortunately, the Grenadiers have very little in the way of anti-aircraft gun support, sporting just one company within the anti-tank battalion. However, these light anti-aircraft guns can move and hide from marauding aircraft along with the infantry they are supporting, much better than the tanks and half-tracks of the armoured divisions.

Kfz 15 field car

HQ Section Unteroffizier

Unteroffizier

2cm FlaK38 gun

2cm FlaK38 gun

3-ton truck

3-ton truck

Anti-aircraft Section

Anti-aircraft Section

Unteroffizier

2cm FlaK38 gun

3-ton truck

Anti-aircraft Section

Grenadier Anti-aircraft gun Platoon

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Fallschirmjägerkompanie P I C arachute nfantry

ompany

HEADQUARTERS

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey. Fallschirmjägerkompanie HQ

33

HEADQUARTERS

(Infantry Company)

ARTILLERY

7 9

5

0

16 6

Motorised Artillery Battery

15

5

15

15

Artillery Battery

15

Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery

7

INFANTRY INFANTRY

ANTI-AIRCRAFT 37

Fallschirmjäger Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

INFANTRY

Grenadier Platoon

1

Panzergrenadier Platoon

81 27

35

Fallschirmjäger Anti-tank Gun Platoon

16

Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

ANTI-TANK

37

Fallschirmjäger Heavy Mortar Platoon

Fallschirmpionier Platoon 35

REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

15

7

15

Heavy Anti-tank Gun Platoon

Rocket Launcher Battery

3

34

Fallschirmjäger Light Gun Platoon

15

Anti-tank Gun Platoon

59

34

Heer Platoons in your force are Allies and follow the Allies rules in the rulebook.

StuG Platoon Tank-hunter Platoon

ANTI-TANK

ALLIED PLATOONS

Motorised Heavy Artillery Battery ARTILLERY

33

Fallschirmjäger Platoon

Fallschirmjäger Mortar Platoon

Motorised Artillery Battery

15

INFANTRY

Heavy Artillery Battery

6 15

ARMOUR

ARTILLERY

Artillery Battery

6 15

Radio-control Tank Platoon

Fallschirmjäger Artillery Battery

36

Schwere Panzer Platoon

2 15

34

Panzer Platoon

71

MACHINE-GUNS

Fallschirmjäger Machine-gun Platoon

33

Fallschirmjäger Platoon

Fallschirmjäger Machine-gun Platoon

ARMOUR

73

INFANTRY

MACHINE-GUNS

34

Fallschirmjäger Platoon

WEAPONS PLATOONS

INFANTRY

33

COMBAT PLATOONS

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

3

16

Luftwaffe Heavy Antiaircraft Gun Platoon AIRCRAFT

2

32

16

Air Support

All Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) are volunteers. They are put through rigorous selection examinations and hard training before they win their wings. A Fallschirmjägerkompanie is rated as Fearless Veteran.

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

Fallschirmjägerkompanie

Motivation and Skill

HEADQUARTERS Fallschirmjägerkompanie HQ

HAUPTmann HAUPTMANN

Headquarters Company HQ

55 points Company Command SMG team

Options • Replace Command SMG teams with Command Panzerknacker SMG teams for +5 points per team or Command Panzerfaust SMG teams for +10 points per team. • Add an Anti-tank Section for +30 points. • Replace Panzerschreck team with 8.8cm RW43 (Püppchen) launcher at no cost. • Add a Mortar Section of up to three 8cm GW42 (Stummelwerfer) mortars for +25 points per mortar. • Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team. The Fallschirmjäger are Germany’s elite para­troops. They fall under the operational control of the army, but are part of the Luftwaffe or air force. As such they wear air force uniforms and rank insignia, and of course, consider themselves far better than the army!

2iC Command SMG team

Company HQ Oberjäger

Oberjäger 8cm GW42 mortar

Panzerschreck team

8cm GW42 mortar

Anti-tank Section 8cm GW42 mortar Mortar Section

Fallschirmjagerkompanie HQ

While most of the Fallschirmjäger are trained for parachute operations, they have not conducted large-scale parachute operations in three years. Instead they fight as elite light infantry wherever the army needs assistance.

COMBAT PLATOONS Fallschirmjäger Platoon

Leutnant or Oberfeldwebel Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Fallschirmjäger Squads 2 Fallschirmjäger Squads

Command Rifle/MG team

265 points 185 points

HQ Section

Option • Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points or with a Command Panzerfaust SMG team for +10 points. The Fallschirmjäger platoon provides the manpower to hold off the staunchest assaults. These platoons were made larger than normal rifle platoons to allow for expected parachuting casualties on landing. This added manpower gives them greater resilience in prolonged ground operations, helping them retain their reputation for holding at all costs.

Oberjäger

Oberjäger

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Fallschirmjäger Squad

Fallschirmjäger Squad

The esprit de corps of the Fallschirmjäger together with their extra team per squad makes them the toughest and most feared German light infantry, capable of truly heroic operations.

GERMAN

Oberjäger

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Fallschirmjäger Squad

Fallschirmjäger Platoon

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WEAPONS PLATOONS Fallschirmjäger Machine-gun Platoon

Leutnant Leutnant

Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Machine-gun Sections 1 Machine-gun Section
