Tactical Combat Series: Black Wednesday

The Gamers, Inc.

A Complete Copy ofBlack Wednesday Includes:1x Box1x TCS Series Rulebook (v3.1)2x TCS v3.1 Charts & Tables Booklets1x Game Specific Rulebook2x Dice (one red, one white)2x 22x 34” Maps3x 280-counter countersheets(Sheets 1, 2, & 3)1x 140-counter countersheet (Sheet 4)1x 60-counter countersheet (Sheet 5)1x Registration Card1x Current Price ListAssorted Advertising Flyers (which our collaters love to hate...)

If you are missing something, contact us. If you havesomething extra, Merry Christmas!

Dedication (by D. Friedrichs)1. To my wife Laura, who let me pursue the

hobby all these years and was so supportive during thisproject.

2. To the University of Wisconsin WargameClub for countless hours of pleasure, frustration andcomradeship.

IntroductionThe Battle of Krasni Bor was the key

battle of the Second Lake Ladoga Offensive.Although the siege of Leningrad had beenbroken, the city was far from secure. Thisbattle was intended to guarantee theLeningrad’s safety. The game depictsFebruary 10, 1943, a day which wouldcome to be known to the Spanish as “BlackWednesday.”

The battle is a microcosm of Sovietoffensive operations in World War II.Massive bombardment, wave assaults,desperate hedgehog defenses and even moredesperate counter-attacks are features ofthis battle pitting the might of the Sovietarmy against the brave (but woefullyoutnumbered) Spanish Blue Division.

Enhanced TCSGame Counters

Black Wednesday is the first TCSgame which uses our new “enhanced TCScounters.” We hope you enjoy them andtake the time to give us feedback (seecomment section of the Reply Card). Thelayout is mildly different from earlier TCSgames (so as to more efficiently utilize theavailable space), but most of theconventions used in Hunters from theSky still apply. See the diagrams on thispage for an illustration.

1.0 GeneralSpecial Rules1.1 Terrain Notes

1.1a “Partial” Features. All terrainfeatures are whole-hex items (as per seriesrule 9.3a)—e.g. a hex containing part of a

Black Wednesday: The Battle of KrasniBor

Tactical Combat SeriesGame Number 2-07

Game Design: David A. FriedrichsSeries Design: Dean N. EssigGraphics Design & Game Development:Dean N. EssigProduction: Sara EssigPlaytesting & Proofing: Perry Andrus,Jerry Axel, Dan Bartlett, Dave “CommaCommisar” Demko, Dean Essig, LeeForester, Don Gilbertson, Wig Graves, DonNesbitt, Jonathan Perry, Dave Powell, RodSchmisseur, Brian Walton

TCS EnhancedCounters

26

Inf Plt

4

1-I-2624

08

88mm

5

III Flak5

04

37mm

1

1-AT Bn1

24

Cav Co

6

Rec

6

14

76mm

4

Inf G-26904

21

Inf Plt

6

SMG 1-2696

34

FO Sec

1

FO-2691

34

Inf Plt

4

1-1-2704

58

MG Co

6

MG

-3-146

20 5

82mm

12

Mtr-3-1412

Regular SovietInfantry

RegularSpanishInfantry

Mortar

Machine Gun

ForwardObserver(Mortar Type)

Special SovietInfantry—SMG, Engineer

Infantry Gun

Soviet Cavalry

AT Gun—General

AT Gun—88mm Special

Table of ContentsPage Item1 Introduction

1.0 General Special Rules4 2.0 Soviet Special Rules7 3.0 Axis Special Rules8 4.0 Minor Variants10 5.0 Victory Conditions

Scenario 111 Scenario 2

Scenario 312-25 Op Sheets26-29 Prep Barrage Program Logs30 Scenario 431 Scenario 5

Scenario 632 Scenario 733 Scenario 834 Counter Manifest35 Player’s Notes36 Designer’s Notes

Historical Notes40 Annotated Bibliography

Tactical Combat Series:

Black Wednesday©1995. The Gamers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Black Wednesday TCS #7

Trench or Weapons Pit is a Trench hex (donot count the “dirt spread” as part of theTrench feature). A hex with at least one fulltree in it (with or without leaves) is a ForestHex. As usual, LOS blockages only existwhere the symbols are actually printed

1.1b Craters, Background Tones, andRubble. Craters and the Background Tones(the coloring in back of City and Buildinghexes) have no effect on play. Rubble ispart of the City hex symbol. Rubble has noeffect on Movement.

Design Note: Some might ask why rubblehas no effect on movement. Remember theareas with rubble were fought over monthsbefore and the Spanish (and Germansbefore them) had occupied this position forsome time. During that period, the smoothfunctioning of the defending units wouldrequire that the most obstructive rubble bepushed aside so military vehicles couldtraverse the area easily.

1.1c City vs. Building Hexes. City andBuilding hexes have different types, shapes,and colors of building symbols in them.Building hexes have tin and thatched roofbuildings, whereas City hexes have flat-roofed industrial buildings. Furthermore,many City hexes (and no Building hexes)have rubble in them.

1.1d The FW-190 Crash Site. HexA46.20 has one of the oddest terrain featuresyou are likely to find—a downed FW-190.While the crash hex has no effect onmovement or combat, it was used by bothsides as a point of reference for orders andmovement. Use it in your Op Sheet planningas a positional reference. It can also be usedby the Axis player as a “Faux TRP,” see3.2d.

1.1e The Hospital. The structure in hexB53.12 is a very large city building. Novehicle movement is allowed into this hex.Tow Only units can enter this hex by usingthe following special rule: Move the unit inquestion to any hex adjacent to B53.12 andhave it change to Fire Mode. In the nextfriendly Action Phase, announce that theunit is being “Man-Handled” into B53.12and move the unit into that hex while still inFire Mode. Man-Handling does not drawOverwatch fires, and any number of unitscan execute this maneuver in a single turn.Units which are Man-Handled cannot fireSFAs in the same phase. These units canleave B53.12 by applying the inverseprocedure.

The Hospital is a large, low, building—so it cannot act as a better vantage point forobservation.

1.1f The Mill. The City building in hex

A25.23 is surrounded by a thick 10-foothigh wall. Vehicles can only enter this hexby using the road which enters A25.23from A26.23. With the exception of fires inAssault Combat, no direct fires into (or outof) this hex are allowed (Overwatch orregular). Indirect fire weapons (Mortars,Artillery, and Air Sorties) can fire into (orout of) this hex. Units can see out of the hexfor spotting purposes—likewise unitsoutside the hex can see into it for the samepurpose.

1.1g The Peat Bog. This large featureon map B is a peat moss cutting field(essentially a swamp) which is not frozenover due to the warm chemical reactionsoccurring inside it. The Peat Bog is not anLOS obstacle—even though it is PartlyProtective terrain for combat purposes, itaffects Spotting Ranges as Open Terrainwould.

1.2 RR EmbankmentA unit in a RR Embankment hex is

automatically atop the RR Embankmentand the following apply—even if it is inFire Mode.

1.2a The hex containing a raisedrailroad symbol is at elevation 80 metersand blocks LOS accordingly.

1.2b Vehicle targets on embankmentsare always using road movement (even ifnot in Move Mode).

1.2c Tanks (never Trucks) can expendtheir entire movement allowance to enteror leave a RR Embankment hex to or froma hex which does not follow the railroad.Tanks and Trucks can freely enter and exitRR Embankment hexes when followingthe path of the railroad at no additionalcost.

1.2d There is a maximum stacking of2 vehicle units in such a hex. Non-vehicleunits are not further restricted.

1.3 Trench HexesThe Spanish were protected by an

extensive series of trenches. Trenches affectboth players identically when their unitsoccupy such hexes. Trench hexes do notaffect the roads which in some locationsrun through them.

1.3a Non-vehicle units in Trenchhexes are in Protective terrain. Such unitsreceive an additional -2 modifier on theArea & Point Fire Table. In Assaultcombats, this additional modifier ONLYapplies to the defender. These benefits arein addition to those from being Dug In asper TCS rule 6.16.

1.3b Vehicle units in Trench hexesare considered to be in Open terrain for

regular fire purposes, but in Protectiveterrain for AT Rolls.

1.3c Non-vehicle units moving fromone Trench hex to another only triggerOverwatch fires from enemy units theymove adjacent to—in other words, non-vehicle units moving between Trench hexeshave a spotting range of “Adjacent Only.”

Design Note: Movement between Trenchhexes does not require “following thetrench’s grain” or the like—the twotrenches on the map are connected withmultiple connecting trenches which allowprotected movement between them.

1.3d Units in Trench hexes can convertany SYR Morale result inflicted upon theminto a Paralyzed result if the owning playerdesires.

1.4 Wire HexesThe Wire hexes represent the extensive

concertina wire entanglements, abatis, tanktraps and other obstacles in front of theSpanish lines. These hexes are treated asother terrain in the hex except for the specialrules below.

1.4a Units (of both sides) can ONLYenter Fully Breached Wire Hexes, exceptwhen fulfilling the breaching steps in 1.4b.Fully Breached Wire Hexes are regularopen terrain. Breaches (Full or Partial) arenot directional and can be used from anyadjoining hex.

1.4b Breaching a Wire Hex.Only Infantry and Cavalryunits can breach Wire Hexes.These units do so using thefollowing procedure:

A) The unit attemptingto make a breach must begin the SovietAction Phase adjacent to a Wire Hex. Thisunit can be in either Mode.

B) During the Action Phase, the Sovietplayer must announce the attempt to breachthe hex. Move the unit into the Wire Hexusing all of its MA (or remaining MA aftera Mode change) and execute any Overwatchfires triggered by this movement.

C) If the unit is still in the hex and inMove Mode, place a “Partially Breached”Marker in the hex and retreat the unit intothe hex from which it came. If desired, theSoviet player can then flip the unit into FireMode after the retreat, but the retreat itselfis required (and does not trigger Overwatchfires).

D) In the next turn or later, the same ordifferent units can attempt to convert thePartial Breach into a Full Breach byrepeating steps A) through C) and flip thePartially Breached Marker into a Fully

Wire

Breach

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Breached Marker. When the hex becomesFully Breached, the unit remains in the hex(instead of retreating back out) and otherunits can move through the hex in the samephase. Treat the Fully Breached hex ascompletely open terrain.

1.4c Fully or Partially Breached Wirehexes can never become “un-breached” or“rewired” or whatever.

1.4d Roads do not negate the Wireeffects.

1.4e Artillery fires never breach Wirehexes.

1.5 The Anti-Tank (AT)Ditch

The AT Ditch was a remnant of the1941 defense of Leningrad. It was inconsiderable disrepair and not much of animpediment to vehicle movement. The ATDitch is a hexside feature and is consideredto run along the hexsides of the hex it isclosest to—generally, those on the sameside of the hex’s center dot as the AT Ditchsymbol.

1.6 El BastionHexes B32.06 and B33.07 are a series

of interconnected bunkers and redoubts.This was a very formidable position. TheBastion hexes are Trench hexes except thatnon-vehicle units in these hexes (in eitherMode) receive an additional -4 modifershift instead of the -2 called for in 1.3aabove (as above this modifier—in additionto the terrain type of the Trench hex, and inAssault combats, ONLY applies to thedefender. ).

1.7 MinefieldsThere are no minefields available to

either player during this game. If the variant(4.5) is used, only the Wire hexes aremined and no additional minefields can beplaced.

1.8 WeatherDuring the Command Phase of each

hour turn , the Axis player rolls two diceon the Map A’s Weather Table. Weatherhas three effects: A) Snow modifies thenext hour’s Weather Table roll, B) air sortiescan only occur during Clear turns, and C)the current Weather limits visibility. TheWeather Record Track on Map A liststhese effects. Use the lesser of the WeatherTrack’s or Turn Record Track’s visibilitylimits as the turn’s visibiltiy limit.

All scenarios begin with Clear Weatherbefore the first Weather Table check of thegame.

1.9 Air PowerEach Day turn (not

Night or Twilight) that theweather is Clear, the Soviet

player rolls two dice (as an 11..66 roll) onthe Air Sortie Table (Map A). Do this at thebeginning of the Aircraft Fire Phase. Placethe number of air sorties specified by the

roll into the appropriate SortieHolding Box. Sorties must beused immediately and cannotbe saved.

1.10 Set Up &Handling Notes

In addition to TCS set up notes on pg.2, use the following:

1.10a All units of a given organizationare set up when that organization is calledfor, unless specifically excluded.

1.10b The Soviet player sets up firstand must fill out his Preparatory BarrageLog (Scenarios 1, 2, and 3 only) before theAxis player sets up.

1.10c Losses are specified in numberof steps for the affected units. Players canselect the units in a formation to take lossesfreely. Losses listed with a Battalion orRegimental set up are in addition to those

given to the subordinate units and can betaken out of any subordinate unit.

1.10d Initial Battalion Morale level(if any) is given in the set up; otherwise theunit’s Battalion Morale is 0.

1.10e In each scenario, the Set Upgives the Soviet player Battalion andRegimental set up areas. All non-mortarunits from a Battalion must set up in theirBattalion area. Mortars and Regimentalguns can set up in their Regimental and/orany of their associated Battalion Set Upareas. Divisional units can set up in anyarea belonging to a subordinate unit of thatdivision.

1.10f In each scenario, the Set Upgives the Axis player Company andBattalion Set Up Areas (using the word“company” loosely to also include theartillery Battery units). Companies can setup in either their Company Area or theirBattalion Area; Battalion Weapons unitscan set up in the Battalion Area or anyCompany Area affiliated with theirbattalion. Each unit can be freely placedinto any of the set up areas available to it—units can be split up or grouped as desired.When the center of a Set Up area is in atrench hex, all trench hexes adjacent to thewire in the Set Up area must be eitheroccupied or adjacent to a Spanish unit. NoAxis unit may set up north of the wire lineor the Peat Bog.

1.10g All Soviet reinforcements enterfrom the north map edge, east of theLeningrad-Moscow Highway.

1.10h All Spanish reinforcementsenter from areas A through D. All non-Spanish Axis reinforcements enter fromareas E through H. If the Soviets exit an“intact” (meaning 80% or more of originalsteps remaining) Battalion off any of theseareas, that particular area cannot be used bythe Axis player for reinforcements.

1.10i The following abbreviations areused in Set Ups:

MG—Machine GunAT (#)—Anti-tank Gun (size)Inf Gun (#)—Infantry Gun (size)Wgt Turns—Weighted turns (for op

sheets)1.10j The historical orders given in

the scenarios are for reference only—theplayer can substitute the implemented OpSheets of his choice for them as he desires.If a unit is listed as having “No Orders,”that unit is unassigned, must follow the“No Orders” provisions of TCS 6.3, andcannot be included on any at-startimplemented Op Sheet. If the unit has anyaccumulated Weighted turns, these will belisted in the Set Up.

1T

1T

IL-2

Stuk

a


1.10k Either player can draw up anynon-implemented Op Sheets he wantsbefore play begins (in addition to theimplemented ones with which he starts thegame), AND these sheets have 15accumulated Weighted turns (unless thescenario specifies a different number ofweighted turns).

1.11 Transportation1.11a Gun Transportation. The AT

guns, infantry guns, on-map artillery andheavy mortars of both sides are alltransported by combinations of trucks andwagons while in Move Mode. These unitsmove with 8 MPs which are Foot MPs forterrain purposes.

1.11b Tanks as Carriers. The Sovietscannot use tanks as carriers (TCS Rule25.1e). Axis units are free to do so.

1.11c Commander’s Tanks. Both sideshave tanks as part of their armored unitswhich are the company and battalioncommander’s vehicles. These have nospecialized functions, but players shouldnot be confused by their lack of platoonnumber.

1.12 Assault BenefitsCertain units are better equipped and

trained to handle assault-style combats.These are all Engineer, SMG, Ski, Cavalry,and MR (the Spanish Mobile ReserveBattalion) units.

When these units participate inAssault-style combat (as attacker ordefender), their fires receive a +1 shift onthe Area Fire Table and (if they are the unitchecking morale for their side in the combat)do not double their morale value for theMorale Table—use the regular value.

2.0 SovietSpecial Rules2.1 Command andControlDesigner’s Note: Soviet command andcontrol methods were exceptionally rigiddue to a severe lack of well-trained NCOsand officers. The rigid system, althoughdenying the opportunity to take advantageof battlefield situations, did allow them tocontrol the mass of men and material withminimal effort.

2.1a Soviet Commander’s Intent. TheSoviet intent is to destroy the defensivepositions in front of Krasni Bor, drivedown the Leningrad-Moscow Highway toSablino (south of the game map) and then

to capture Mga. This operation is intendedto encircle and destroy the German forceson the Sinyavino Heights.

2.1b OP Sheet Limits—Divisions. Allunits of a Soviet Division must be on onlyone implemented Op Sheet. The player canput more than one division on a single OpSheet, but he cannot split up a divisionamong multiple Op Sheets. Furthermore,TCS 6.7b would then limit the Soviet playerto a maximum of 6 divisional Op Sheets atany one time (3 implemented and 3 non-implemented OR 6 non-implemented)—ifthe player uses separate Op Sheets for eachDivision. (See also the extra Op Sheets

available for Soviet Armor, 2.1c.)2.1c OP Sheet Limits—Soviet Armor.

The two Soviet Armored units (1Independent Tank Battalion and 1 RedBanner Tank Brigade) can be included onany of the divisional Op Sheets OR on theirown Op Sheet (bringing the Soviet OpSheet total up to 8—the six divisional sheetsPLUS one implemented and one non-implemented Armor sheet).

2.1d Command Prep Rating. TheCommand Prep Rating for the 63 GuardDivision is 5; for all other divisions (or amixed sheet which also includes 63 Guardas well as other units) it is 7. Ignore the

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“Size” and “Staff” Modifiers for Soviet OpSheets (they are integrated into theCommand Prep Ratings and the limitednumber of Op Sheets available), but see2.1e.

2.1e Uncoordinated Implementation.To all Soviet Op Sheets that attempt toimplement during the course of play (thisrule has no effect on Op Sheets that beginthe game implemented), apply thefollowing: Check for Implementation onthe Command Prep Table normally. If theresult from the table is implementation,then ONE BATTALION from the OpSheet must begin the Op Sheet’sinstructions (ignore series rule 6.10b—thisbattalion must attack, it cannot drag itsfeet). In other words, it implements theorder by itself. The Soviet player can freelychoose the battalion from among those onthe Op Sheet. Continue to accrue WeightedTurns and make a Command Prep Tableroll each turn for the Op Sheet. Each timethe Op Sheet implements, the Soviet Playeragain releases one battalion to begin its jobfrom the Op Sheet. Continue this processuntil all battalions from the Op Sheet havebegun the operation (at that time the OpSheet is finally, fully implemented).

All Regimental and Divisional unitsof the Op Sheet’s division are committedwith the first Battalion of the Op Sheet toimplement.

Designer’s Note: The Soviets are preparedfor exactly one major operation at thisbattle: the initial one to break through thetrenches. When that bogs down due tolooting (2.1f), the Red Army shows its“form” by clumsily attempting furtheroperations. When these actions do goforward, they do so in a completelypiecemeal and uncoordinated manner. TheAxis player will be able to run commandcircles around the Red horde hung up onthe trenches—he will need to, in order tosurvive!

2.1f Looting. No Op Sheetimplemented before play begins inScenarios 1, 2 or 3, can have any movementor attack objectives further than 5 hexessouth of the second line of Trench hexes.This Op Sheet limitation also applies to anyReserves which might be on these initialOp Sheets. At the beginning of Scenarios 4,5 or 6, some units begin the game underthese looting restrictions. These units cannothave op sheet objectives beyond therestriction noted above nor can they set upbeyond those limits. Non-Implemented OpSheets the units might have as the gamebegins are not restricted by looting and canhave objectives deeper into the Spanishlines.

Designer’s Note: Although theencirclement of Leningrad had been broken,the front line soldiers were still severelylimited in the amount and quality of foodthey received. When they entered theSpanish positions they found what to themwas a fortune in luxuries (chocolate, coffee,wines, and cheeses were abundant). Eventhe best trained soldiers could not resistthese temptations, and these were not thebest trained soldiers. It took the Sovietcommanders several hours to regain controlof their troops.

2.2 Specialized Soviet“Techniques”

2.2a The Encouragement ofCommisars. The Soviet player can ignoreany Suppression Morale result (even inAssault Combats) against a hex by inflictingone additional step loss on a unit in the hex(the Soviet player picks the unit in the hexto absorb the “example” losses). Paralyzed,SYR, and Surrender results cannot be“downgraded” in this way. This rule cannotbe invoked to speed the recovery ofParayzed units. The Soviet player is free toaccept the Suppressed result if he wants(and avoid the extra step loss)—the choiceis his.

Important: A given unit can only“benefit” from one application of this rulein a single phase.

2.2b Bunching. All units of each Sovietcompany must move during their ActionPhase so as to attempt to keep bunched up(all units at or within a 3 hex radius). Movethe leading platoon of the company withoutreference to the locations of the rest of thecompany; then attempt to move the rest ofthe company to fulfill this rule. Ignore unitswhich fall out of the company “area” due tomorale results (have them catch up whenthey can...).

Designer’s Note: Bunching is meant to bea guideline, not a hard and fast “do this orsuffer” rule. It reflects the follow-the-leadertactics of the Russian infantry. If you findthat you are already looking for ways tocircumvent it—save yourself the troubleand play without it.

2.2c Consolidation. During any CleanUp Phase, the Soviet player can consolidatethe losses of any of his platoons that arestacked with or adjacent to each other.These platoons must be the “same” (sametype of unit, same strength, same morale)and not be Suppressed or Paralyzed. Theunits must be from the same battalion.Consolidation does not generate Overwatch

fires. The Soviet player is never requiredto consolidate. For example, the Sovietplayer sees two identical adjacent Infantryplatoons each of which has lost 3 stepsduring the Clean Up Phase. He chooses toconsolidate them and ends up with oneplatoon with only one step destroyed—theother platoon is consigned to the dead pile.

Designer’s Note: Consolidation servesthree functions. First, it reflects thegrouping characteristics of Soviet infantry(more men is good, fewer men is bad...) byforming full-strength units (which have atougher morale due to fewer losses) fromshattered ones. Second, it allows players topolice their map to cut down on stackingand counter density. Players are to beforewarned that having one unit with inactmorale is generally much better than twoshot up ones—even though the one unit willgenerate less firepower. Third, it cuts downon the number of counters in play, theirdensity, and the number of markers neededto reflect losses on the map.

2.2d Mortars. Soviet 82mm Mortarsmust self-spot—no unit, not even FOs, canspot for them. See 2.3d for the ability ofsome FOs to spot for Soviet 120mmMortars.

2.3 Soviet Artillery:General Rules

The Soviet artillery is grouped into12-gun battalions. Individual batteriescannot fire separately. Scenarioammunition allotments are inBATTALION (not Battery) Fires (see 2.3f).The table below lists the number ofbattalions available.

Battalion Gun Size1-289 AT Rgt. 76mm2-289 AT Rgt. 76mm3-289 AT Rgt. 76mm1-162-43 Art. 76mm2-162-43 Art. 76mm

(No longer in play as of 0500 Feb 11)3-162-43 Art. 122mm

(No longer in play as of 0500 Feb 11)1-343-63 Gd Art. 76mm2-343-63 Gd Art. 76mm3-343-63 Gd Art. 122mm1-9-72 Art. 76mm2-9-72 Art. 76mm3-9-72 Art. 122mm

The Battalions involved in thePreparatory Barrage Program (as perthe Prep Log) are only available for thatProgram and its fires. Once the Program


is finished, these units depart the battle areaand can no longer be used.

2.3a Restrictions. Fires from theDivisional Artillery Battalions can bespotted for only by Forward Observers oftheir own division. The 289 AT Regimentcan be used by only one division and itmust have its division assigned before thegame begins—assignment cannot bechanged after play begins.

2.3b Unit Availability and Ammunition.Each scenario specifies the ArtilleryBattalions available at start and the startingammunition pool. All Soviet artillery unitsare off-map guns.

2.3c Ammunition Reinforcements. At0500 Feb 11, increase the Soviet artilleryammunition pool as follows:

76mm: 50 HE, 20 Smoke, 0 Illum122mm: 20 HE, 5 Smoke, 0 Illum

2.3d Spotters. Spotters forSoviet Divisional Artilleryfires must be one of thatdivision’s Forward Observer(FO) units. Each regiment hastwo FO units. One (markedwith the Mortar symbol) canonly spot for that regiment’s120mm Mortar company’sfires. The other (not marked

with the Mortar symbol) can be used to spotfor its divisional artillery (plus the 289 ATRegiment if assigned to their division).Ignore FO units for stacking purposes.

➟ ➟ Soviet FOs are exempt from theMode restrictions listed in TCS rule 17.2b.

Designer’s Note: The Mode exemption forSoviet FOs is more important than it looks.This little rule allows the Soviet player toadvance his FOs to avoid the effects ofenemy smoke—so the FOs cannot beblinded by surgically placed smoke.

2.3e Death to ALL FOs. FOs can neveractually be killed as a result of the Area FireTable. If no other units exist in the FO’s hexwhich can take an Area Fire Table resultstep loss, ignore the step loss. Inflict Moraleresults (including Surrender anddisintegration during SYRs) normally.Furthermore (since the Soviet player isnow thinking of devious ways to use hisindestructible FO units...), FOs can neverattack in any sort of Assault-style combat.

Designer’s Note: The Soviet Army wasvery short of radios and depended almostexclusively on phone lines and messengersfor battlefield communications. The Mortarspotter assigned to each regiment literally

represents the regiment’s Mortar Companycommander calling the fires of his owncompany. The other spotter with eachregiment (the artillery guy) represents oneof the divisional artillery regiment’sbattalion commanders. Purists (and thosewho want to see the Russians morehamstrung!) can insist that each FO onlybe able to direct the fires of one battalionfrom the divisional guns. I feel that wouldbe too restrictive, but feel free to apply therestriction if your tastes, reading, and thewhining Spanish player agree!

2.3f Smoke Missions. Even thoughSoviet artillery fires as battalions, eachsmoke mission still only generates oneLevel 2 Smoke marker.

2.4 Soviet Artillery:Preparatory BarrageProgram—The ‘Prep’

Before the Axis player sets up inScenarios 1, 2, or 3, the Soviet player mustfill out his Preparatory Barrage Program(Prep) Log sheet. Fill out each Prep Logbox in the columns applicable to the desiredscenario with each mission’s target hex.The hex numbers already printed on thePrep Log are for the historical barrage—use them if you like. The Katyusha entriescan only be for the turns given; each GunBattalion fires every turn of the Prep. Onceprepared, the Prep Log cannot be changedin any way. No mission may be canceled.The Prep Log must be followed as the rigidartillery plan it represents.

2.4a Any hex can be targeted for aPrep Log fire mission. Non-Katyusha PrepLog missions always fire with DOUBLEthe firepower given to them as per theArtillery Barrage Fire Values Chart.(Effectively, each battalion fire representsa two firing battalion group.) Katyushafires are fired at the strength given in 2.4g.

2.4b Ammo is not a concern for thePrep Fires as it has been allocated to italready and cannot be saved for otherpurposes. All Prep fire missions are HE.

2.4c Once the Preparatory BarrageProgram is finished, the Soviet player canno longer fire the Battalions from theHowitzer Brigades or the KatyushaRegiment (i.e. all the units listed on theLog).

2.4d Prep fire missions need no spotter,cannot be Fast Fire missions (they firewith double strength as per 2.4a—no x4 isallowed!), and do not use the regularAdjustment Table. Instead, roll one die perfire mission. On a 1-3, it is a Bad Shoot, ona 4-6 it is a Good Shoot. Regardless of the

roll, the mission lands on the plotted hex.2.4e Execute Prep Log fire missions

(if any) for the turn in individual successionas the first activity in each Soviet ActionPhase after removing any Barrage Markersfrom the previous turn. Place the BarrageMarkers for these missions normally.

2.4f Divisional Artillery units canconduct regular fire missions during thePrep Program period.

2.4g Katyushas. The Soviet playerhas a Katyusha (rocket artillery) Regimentavailable. The Attack Zone has a radius of5 hexes (11 hex diameter) with a fire strengthof 6 (yes, these are the small Katyusharockets...). The Katyushas can only fire asrecorded on the Prep Log and cannot befired at any other time. The firing turnsavailable are only those specified on thePrep Log. Unlike regular prep artilleryfires (which can never scatter), Katyushafires scatter normally. See TCS rule 17.7afor the handling of Rocket Artillery.

2.5 Company-SizedUnits

There are several company countersin the Soviet OB. These are Infantry andMG units marked with “Co” instead of“Plt” on the counter, and ALL Soviet Mortarunits. These units have several specialcharacteristics.

2.5a Company-sized units function asregular 5-step platoons. Importantly, MortarCompanies are not affected by TCS 10.0buntil they have lost their third step.

2.5b Company unit activities are notcontrolled directly by Op Sheet graphics. Ifa division is constrained by 2.1f, so are thedivision’s companies.

2.6 CavalryThe 63 Gd and 72 RifleDivisions each have oneCavalry unit. Whenever these

units are in Move Mode, they are usingMounted Movement (use the FootMovement terrain costs). Any enemy Areafires against a hex containing one or moreMounted Cavalry units are modified by anadditional +1 column. Units using MountedMovement can only assault using Overrun(never Assault or Combined Assault).

2.7 Soviet VariableReinforcements

During each Command Phase afterthe entire Spanish I-263 Battalion hasentered play, the Soviet player checks forthe release of the 14 Rifle Regiment (72Rifle Division). Roll two dice. If the result

34

FO Sec

1

FO-2691

34

FO Sec

1

FO-2691

24

Cav Co

6

Rec

6

The Gamers, Inc.

of the die roll is 11 or 12, release the 14Rifle Regiment. Draw on the 72 RifleDivision’s Op Sheet a mission for the 14Rifle. The regiment enters as reinforcementsthat same turn and can immediately beginto follow the Op Sheet instructions (noadditional delays) assuming the 72 Riflehad an implemented Op Sheet. Otherwise,the regiment must move to be with the restof the 72 Division and awaitimplementation.

2.8 Soviet SmokeLimitations

Soviet Mortar units cannot fire smoke.

3.0 Axis SpecialRules3.1 Axis Command andControlDesigner’s Note: The Spanish militarytradition was heavily dependent on thequality of its line officers (much in the samevein as the German’s heavy dependence onthe their NCOs). Because of this, theoperational command tended to exerciselittle control over the battle once it wasstarted and allowed line commanders agreat deal of latitude in the conduct of thebattle.

3.1c Command Prep Rating. TheSpanish Command Prep rating is 3. TheGerman Command Prep Rating is 2. Applythe “Size” (TCS 6.9c) or “Staff” (TCS6.9d) modifiers to Axis Op Sheets andimplement them normally.

3.1d Dug In Reserves. All units inScenarios 1, 2, or 3 indicated as Reservescan (in an exception to TCS 6.14b) be DugIn while in Reserve even though they areunassigned.

3.2 Axis ArtilleryMuch of the Spanish artillery was

pressed into anti-tank roles during thisbattle. However, it is still available forartillery support (see TCS 25.5).

Unlike the Soviets, Axis artillery canfire as Batteries as well as Battalions—though not, of course, on the same turn.

The artillery units available to theAxis are listed on the table above (all areoff-map except as indicated).

Designer’s Note: Much of the Germanartillery was engaged in counter-batteryand harassing fire on Leningrad. However,had the Germans been willing, a largenumber of guns would have been availablefor battle.

3.2a Adjustment. Both the Spanishand the Germans use the German line onthe Adjustment Table.

3.2b Unit Availability and Ammunition.Each scenario specifies the Batteriesavailable at start and starting ammunitionpool. Spanish ammunition must besegregated from the German pool—Spanishunits can only fire Spanish ammunitionand vice versa.

3.1a Axis Commander’s Intents. TheSpanish intent is to survive and maintaintheir reputation as quality soldiers. TheGerman commander’s intent is unclear. Itappears to have been simply to contain andthrow back the Soviet attack. The GermanArmy and Corp commands reacted quicklyto the threat at Krasni Bor. However, OberstHeckel (regimental CO of the nearestGerman reserves) proved to be less thaneager to send his troops into the carnage ofthis battle.

3.1b Cooperation. Spanish andGerman units cannot be on the same OpSheet. The 2 SS Brigade AT unit can be oneither German or Spanish Op Sheets.

Axis Artillery UnitsSpanish Artillery:Battalion Gun Size Available BatteriesI-250 105mm 1, 2, 3 (all on map)III-250 105mm 7, 8, 9 (7 & 8 on map)IV-250 150mm 10, 11, 12

German Artillery :Battalion Gun Size Available BatteriesI-215 Bn 105mm 1, 2, 3III-215 Bn 150mm 9850 Bn 150mm 1, 2, 3

Artillery Available in each scenario is listed in that scenario.


3.2c Ammunition Reinforcements. At0500 Feb. 11, the Axis artillery ammunitionpool is increased as follows:

Spanish:105mm: 20 HE, 20 Smoke, 0 Illum150mm: 50 HE, 20 Smoke, 0 Illum

German:105mm: 100 HE, 20 Smoke, 0 Illum150mm: 120 HE, 15 Smoke, 0 Illum

3.2d Faux Target Reference Points.The Axis player can substitute any one ofthe following for the spotting unit whendetermining the distance between thespotter and the target hex for the AdjustmentTable. Missions using this technique stillneed a regular spotter with a UnblockedLOS to both the target hex and the FauxTRP being used. Pre registration merelymakes the mission more likely to be a GoodShoot.

Possible Spotter Substitution Hexes (fordistance calculation):• Building Hexes• City Hexes• Road Junctions (two or more roads connectin the hex)• Trench Hexes (includes El Bastion)• Wire Barrier Hexes• The FW-190 Crash Hex

3.3 Spanish VariableReinforcementsDesigner’s Note: The 250 Infantry divisionwas stretched to its limits. At the beginningof February it held a front of over 30 km. Inaddition to this burden, one of its battalionswas detached in late January to stop thefirst part of the Second Lake Logodaoffensive. Despite this, the division wasable to mass a good number of troops tosupport the 262 Regiment.

3.3a The divisional reserve consistsof the entire I-263 battalion and twocompanies (5, 8) of the II-269 battalion.Divisional reserves arrive through EntryAreas A, B, C, and/or D when released.After the first Soviet unit enters a Trenchhex, make a check for the release of theseunits each Command Phase using theSpanish Variable Reinforcement Table onMap A.

3.3b When released, draw theproposed use of these units onto an OpSheet. These units automatically implementit and begin to function according to thatOp Sheet in the next Axis Action Phase.This “instant order” cannot assign theseunits a Prepared Defense.

3.4 The ReturnBattalion

At 2200 February 10, the Spanishplayer can replace 15 steps of infantry (notMG, mortar, or gun) for units that havetaken losses. If the Spanish have lost fewerthan 15 steps, the excess is wasted.

Designer’s Note: If the Spanish have lostfewer than 15 steps of infantry by 2200 Feb10, the Soviet player should resign.

3.5 German VariableReinforcementsDesigner’s Note: Some of the Germantroops available for this battle were inSablino (10 km to the south). Historically,these units arrived at a painfully slow rate.

After the first Soviet unit enters aTrench hex, roll at the beginning of eachCommand Phase to determine ifreinforcements arrive using the GermanVariable Reinforcement Table on Map A.All German units not set up at the beginningof the scenario enter via the results of thistable. The results give the followingreinforcements:

• Type A, Release either one company ofinfantry OR one battery of artillery.• Type B, Release one of the following: one

company of armor, KG III Flak, twocompanies of infantry OR two batteries ofartillery.

NOTE: All batteries of I-215 must becommitted before the 9-III-215 or any 850Bn batteries are committed.

3.5a Whenever an artillery battery isreleased, 20 HE, 4 Smoke, and 1 Illum (ofthe appropriate caliber) are also added tothe German Artillery Ammunition Pool.

3.5b When non-artillery units arereleased, they enter the map via Entry AreasE, F, G and/or H. Released artillery isadded to the available Axis artillery units.

3.5c When released, draw the proposeduse of these units onto an Op Sheet. Theseunits automatically implement it and beginto function according to that Op Sheet inthe next Axis Action Phase. This “instantorder” cannot assign these units a PreparedDefense.

4.0 MinorVariants

All of these can be used in two-mapscenarios, only those without victory costcan be applied to one-map scenarios. Thereis no victory adjustment to these (a shiftwould be too great of a cost). Use any or allyou desire to add spice or adjust the game

The Gamers, Inc.

to compensate for players with differingexperience levels—or use them like we doto explore historical what-ifs. Enjoy!

4.1 GermanCooperation

4.1a Modify the Command restrictionsin sections 3.1 as follows: German andSpanish units can be on the same op sheets.

4.1b The German variablereinforcement roll is modified by +2 (inaddition to the modifier already on thetable for rolls made on or after 0100 Feb11).

4.1c The number of German sortiesrolled on the Air Sortie Table is doubled(2x Stuka would become 4x Stuka). Thenumber of Soviet sorties rolled is halved.

4.1d The German and Spanish artillerypools are not segregated.

Designer’s Note: The German performanceat Krasni Bor was dismal. Oberst Heckel’sadvance to Krasni Bor from his assemblypoint at Sablino took most of 10 Feb eventhough the distance covered was fewerthan 10 kilometers. Once on the field, theadvance continued to be painfully cautious.Had the local German commander madeeven the slightest effort to assist the Spanish,the battle for Krasni Bor would have had amuch different ending.

4.2 Spanish Panic4.2a Each time a Spanish unit is

overrun by armor, roll one die the instantthe attack is announced (before it actuallybegins) for each unit in the overrun targethex. If that unit has a morale rating greaterthan or equal to the roll, then it is reducedby one step and becomes Paralyzed. Do notapply any modifications to the unit’s moralerating (such as Bn Morale, or step losses)—use the unit’s printed morale.

Designer’s Note: In the week precedingthe battle, many new recruits wereincorporated into the Blue Division.Although this brought the division up to fullstrength (a true oddity for a division on theEast Front), it did put doubt into manyminds (at least the German command) as towhether the new recruits would hold upunder fire. During the battle, there werefew indications of panic under fire.However, the danger was present.

4.3 Purely HistoricalOption

In Scenarios 1, 2 or 3, this option canbe used to make events conform to theactual battle more closely.

Use the Historical Soviet PreparatoryBarrage Log hex entries. Assign boundariesbetween the Soviet Divisions before playbegins. These boundaries cannot bechanged after play begins. No Soviet unitcan ever cross its divisional boundary—destroy units forced to do so. Soviet unitscannot fire across its divisional boundaryinto another division’s sector. Units canenter the hexes containing their divisionalboundary.

Use the normal Variable SpanishReinforcements (3.3), but do not use theGerman Variable Reinforcements (3.5)—use the following schedule instead:

4.6 Grandes inCommand

Change the Spanish Command PrepRating to 2.

Designer’s Note: Shortly before the battleof Krasni Bor, the original division CO,Muñoz Grandes—see painting of him onthe box—was recalled to Spain. Hispersonal ability and leadership were sorelymissed by the division as a whole. HadGrandes not been recalled, the division’sperformance at Krasni Bor would havebeen even better.

4.7 Gustav the Great—“Dora”

When this option is used, apply thefollowing: Dora can only fire on hour turnsstarting with 0700 Feb 10. Each of Dora’sfires must have its target hex plotted on thehour turn before it is to fire (0600 for 0700,etc.). Once plotted, the mission cannot becanceled or changed in any way. Do notapply the regular artillery fire procedurewhen firing Dora. Instead, scatter the targethex automatically (one die minus one fordistance of scatter) and attack whateverhex the mission lands on with one 151Firepower attack. After the attack, place asingle regular Smoke Marker in the hex.There are no “adjacent to the Attack Zone”attacks here.

Designer’s Note: Around Leningrad isevery giant piece of German artillery inexistence—huge mortars, railway guns andthe like. The largest railroad gun everbuilt, the 800mm Gustav Gun (affectionatelycalled Dora) was sent to Germany forrefitting after shelling Sevastepol. Whilewe are assuming things, why not go all theway. Not only is the gun assumed to havecome to shell Leningrad, but it also comesto the aid of the Spanish—in a manner ofspeaking anyway. The chances ofconvincing the German High Command(to include Hitler himself) to use “The

Set up the Spanish normally, exceptthat the Engineer and Recon Companiesmust set up at or within 5 hexes of thehospital.

4.4 Axis Free Set UpOption

In Scenarios 1, 2, or 3, allow the Axisplayer to set up his forces as desiredprovided they are within the area in playand south of the Trench line (inclusive).However, every Trench hex must eithercontain an Axis unit or be adjacent to one.

4.5 Improved SpanishDefenses

Allow the Spanish Wire Barrier hexesto also be laced with mines. When a Sovietunit attempts to breach a Wire hex, they arealso making a Breaching attempt (with theresulting attack resolution as per the seriesrules). The unit must successfully breachthe Wire Barrier hex (as per 1.4b); if so themines are also cleared.

Designer’s Note: Both sides, butparticularly the Spanish, were woefullyshort of mines for their defenses. The weekbefore the battle, the German corpscommander, after visiting the front at KrasniBor, ordered the immediate delivery of15,000 mines. Few arrived before the battle,and those that did arrive had no detonators.

Time & Day Unit1500 Feb 10 635 Ost Battalion1700 Feb 10 9-III-215 Artillery Battery2100 Feb 10 I-390 Infantry Battalion2300 Feb 10 1-I-215 Artillery Battery0100 Feb 11 II-390 Infantry Battalion0300 Feb 11 2-I-215 Artillery Battery0500 Feb 11 III-390 Infantry Battalion0700 Feb 11 3-I-215 Artillery Battery0720 Feb 11 KG III Flak

No other German units are available in this scenario.


Gun” and its 4,000 man (!) crew in atactical role are pretty slim (obviously, thegun would contribute so much more to theGerman war effort lobbing shells at thestolid citizens of Leningrad—that wassarcasm for those who didn’t recognizeit...). Here we give the gun a chance toshow up in a tactical setting—just for thefun of it! This is chrome plated chrome, justfor those who always wanted a chance tofire this gun in a tactical game...

5.0 VictoryConditions

Determine victory using acombination of key terrain features, exitingunits off the south map edge and killingenemy troops.

Terms.“Occupy” means the last player to occupy,or pass through, all of the contiguous hexesof the feature.“Exiting” means units have physically leftthe game map by moving into the map edgehexrow and have then paid one MP to leaveplay.“Intact” means a unit has 80% or more ofits original strength (in steps) remaining.“Lost Units” include any units which enterthe dead pile during the game. Pre-gamelosses and units lost due to consolidationdo count.

Hexes belonging to a city or villagefor Victory purposes include all contiguousBuilding or City hexes of the named feature.For instance, Krasni Bor includes all theCity and Building hexes in its area of MapB, but does not include The Hospital (notconnected) and the various small forestareas (not City or Building).

5.1 CampaignScenario Victory

The following victory conditionsapply to all of the “Campaign Scenarios.”Scenarios 3, 6, 7 and 8 are also differentstarting points for campaign games as wellas stand-alone scenarios. The victoryconditions listed with the scenario are forthe short version of the scenario. Use thefollowing when playing through thecampaign versions.

Soviet Massive Victory—Occupy all ofKrasni Bor, Staraia Myza, Potrolovo,Mondolovo and Samsonovka. Clear theAxis from the Moscow-Leningrad highway(i.e. no Axis units at or within 5 hexes ofany highway hex). Exit an intact Regiment

or Brigade off the map through at least oneEntry Area from among E, F, G, and/or H.

Soviet Major Victory —Occupy all ofKrasni Bor. Occupy two of the followingvillages: Potrolovo, Mondolovo,Samsonovka, and Staraia Myza. Exit anintact battalion off the map through at leastone Entry Area from among E, F, G, and/orH.

Soviet Minor Victory —Occupy all ofKrasni Bor. (Historical result.)

Draw—Any result other than those listed.

Axis Minor Victory— Occupy at least 20hexes of Krasni Bor and hold all City hexessouth of the trench line, west of the IzhoraRiver.

Axis Major Victory —Occupy at least 40hexes of Krasni Bor, and all City & Buildinghexes on the west map. Prevent the Sovietsfrom exiting more than an intact companyoff any Entry Area E, F, G, or H.

Axis Massive Victory—Occupy all City& Building hexes south of the trench line.Prevent the Soviets from exiting any intactformations (platoon or higher) off any EntryArea E, F, G, or H.

Shifts:• The level of victory is adjusted one in theSoviet player’s favor for every 40 Axisunits lost.• The level of victory is adjusted one in theAxis player’s favor for every 80 Sovietunits lost.

Scenario 1—Turning the Left

This little scenario constitutes anexcellent little training scenario. Suffice itto say, while it works players through thesystem, it lacks the wide scope of otherscenarios. Use this one to learn the systemand special rules, then go on to scenario 2to get a better workout.

At 0600 Feb 10, the Soviets launchedtheir attack on the Spanish Blue Division.The 43 Rifle Division was responsible forcrushing I-262 and pushing into the rear ofthe 2 SS Brigade (to the east off the map).The artillery bombardment wiped out 1Company. When the Soviet troops hit thetrenches the 2nd company withdrew to linkup with the SS. The Ski Company made anattempt to move to the trenches, but wasdestroyed in an air attack while movingforward. The remaining elements of the

defense withdrew or were overrun as theSoviets began looting the Spanish position.

Map Area: Map B (only), east of therailroad (inclusive)First Turn: 0600 Feb 10Last Turn: 0940 Feb 10 (12 turns)

First Turn’s First Player (Do not Rollfor the first turn’s Action Phasesequence): Soviet

Soviet Information:Set Up: None

Artillery Available: Battalions 1, 2, and 3of the 162 Artillery Rgt, 43 Rifle DivisionArtillery Prep Log needed? Yes.

Artillery Ammo:76mm: 48 HE, 8 Smoke122mm: 12 HE

Reinforcements:708 Rifle Rgt (43 Rifle Div) and 1Independent Tank Battalion, enter turn 0600or later.

Historical Orders:Attack to capture the trenches east of theOctober Railroad.

Units without Orders:None

Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up areas:1-I-262: w/i 2 B16.292-I-262: w/i 2 B16.33

Battalion Set Up areas:I-262: w/i 4 B21.32

Reserves (Set up in any of the above):4-I-26213-262 (2x Inf Gun (75))14-262 (2x AT (75), 4x AT (37mm))Ski Co.

Artillery Available: Batteries 1, and 2 ofthe 250 Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo:105mm: 70 HE, 20 Smoke, 2 Illum

Reinforcements:3 Company (Recon Bn) Enters at The TrainStation at 0900 (Ignore this when playingthe campaign or Scenario 3. When playingthose versions, roll for VariableReinforcements as per rules 3.3 and 3.5)

Historical Orders:

The Gamers, Inc.

Hold the trenches. Implemented PreparedDefense Op Sheets are allowed at start.


Victory:Soviet Minor—Clear all the Trench Hexesin the play area.

Axis Minor —The Soviets fail to fulfilltheir victory conditions.

Scenario 2—Assault of theGuards

This one is more involved and needs abit more skill to play than scenario 1. Usethis one as a dress rehearsal before movingon to scenario 3. It also makes a betterstand-alone game than does scenario 1—since there is more going on and the trenchassault isn’t the freebie it is in scenario 1.

At 0600 on Feb 10, the 63 Guardslaunched its attack on trench lines of the II-262 Battalion. With massive artillerysupport, the Guards were able to penetratethe lines and move into Krasni Bor. Theinitial attack ended as the guardsmenpillaged the Spanish dugouts and stores.

Map Area: Map B (only), area west of theRR and east of xx.06 (inclusive)First Turn : 0600 Feb 10Last Turn: 0940 Feb 10 (12 turns)


Soviet Information:Set Up: None

Artillery Available: Battalions 1, 2 and, 3of the 343 Artillery Rgt, 63 Gd DivisionArtillery Prep Log needed? Yes.

Artillery Ammo :76mm: 48 HE, 8 Smoke122mm: 12 HE

Reinforcements:63 Gd Div. (all), enters 0600 or later.

Historical Orders:Attack to capture Krasni Bor from thenorth.


Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up Areas:3-I-262: w/i 2 B19.26 and/or B24.255-II-262: w/i 2 B29.25 and/or B33.236-II-262: w/i 2 B34.15 and/or B34.197-II-262: w/i 2 B33.12 and/or B31.093 Battery-250: w/i 5 B41.21

Battalion Set Up Areas:II-262: w/i 4 B38.16Others: w/i 6 B53.12, w/i 5 B37.06

Reserves (Set up in any of the above):13-262 (2x Inf Gun (75), 2x Inf Gun(150mm))1-ATAT-2 SSEngineer Bn.Recon Bn8-II-262

Artillery Available: Batteries 3, 9, and 12of the 250 Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo:105mm: 70 HE, 20 Smoke, 2 Illum150mm: 25 HE, 6 Smoke

Reinforcements:Roll for Variable Reinforcements as perrules 3.5

Historical Orders:Hold trenches and Krasni Bor. ImplementedPrepared Defense Op Sheets are allowed atstart.


Victory:Soviet Minor—The Soviet player eitheroccupies 5 or more hexes of Krasni BorAND/OR he captures El Bastion.

Axis Minor —The Soviet player occupiesfewer than 5 hexes of Krasni Bor.

Note: Each Axis Reserve Companyreleased during play credits the SovietPlayer with one additional hex of KrasniBor occupied.

Scenario 3—Assault the Line

At 0600 Feb 10, the Soviets launchedan attack to take the important supply headat Mga. In addition to the attacks of the 43Rifle and the 63 Guards Divisions inScenarios 1 and 2, here the 72 Rifle Divisionis added and attacks through Iam Izhora,into the Spanish trenches. This attack was

followed by attacks on the Mill and StaraiaMyza. Looting of the Spanish positionsprevented any immediate follow-up to theirsuccess.

This scenario combines Scenarios 1and 2 and adds the assault of the 72 RifleDivision and can be used as a starting pointfor the campaign.

Map Area: Both

First Turn: 0600 Feb 10Last Turn: 0940 Feb 10 for Scenario 3 (12turns) OR 1700 Feb 11 for the campaign(82 turns)


Soviet Information:Set Up:None

Artillery Available:All.Artillery Prep Log needed? Yes.

Artillery Ammo (As per Scenario 1 & 2,plus):76mm: 72 HE, 12 Smoke122mm: 12 HE

Reinforcements:As per Scenarios 1 and 2 plus 133-72 and187-72 Regiments and 1 Red Banner TankBrigade enter turn 0600 or later.

Historical Orders:As per Scenarios 1 and 2, plus 72nd Rifle totake Staraia Myza and secure a positionover the Izhora River.


Axis Information:Set Up:As per Scenario 1 and 2 plus the following:

Company Set Up areas:3-MR: w/i 2 B29.03 and/or B30.052-MR: w/i 2 A30.33 and/or A27.301-MR: w/i 2 A25.239-III-262: w/i 2 A21.31 and/or A22.3010-III-262: w/i 2 A15.32 and/or A17.3311-III-262: w/i 2 A12.29 and/or A10.271 Battery-250: w/i 5 B49.192 Battery-250: w/i 5 B45.187 Battery-250: w/i 5 A27.148 Battery-250: w/i 5 A27.14


KolpinoKolpinosvaya

Iam Izhora

Potrolovo

Vovskorova

Mondolovo Samsonovka

Staraia Myza

The Mill

Raikolovo

Fw-190 Crash

El Basti

on

Krasni Bor

October RR

TheHospital

A

B C D

E

F

H

G

Black WednesdayOP SHEETTime: Type: Size:

TaskOrganization:

Written Notes:

FailureInstructions:

©1995. The Gamers Inc. All Rights Reserved. OK to Photocopy for private use.


Page 26

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Page 30

Battalion Set Up areas:MR: w/i 5 A25.24III-262: w/i 5 A17.25

Reserves (Set up in any of the above ORany of the Axis areas listed in Scenarios1 and 2—likewise, the Reserves listed inthose scenarios can make use of anyScenario 3 area):4-MR12-III-26213-262 (2x Inf Gun (75))14-262 (6x AT (37mm))

Artillery Available: As per Scenarios 1and 2 plus 7, 8, 10, 11 Batteries of the 250Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo (As per Scenario 1 & 2,plus):105mm: 70 HE, 20 Smoke, 2 Illum150mm: 50 HE, 12 Smoke

Reinforcements:Roll for Variable Reinforcements as perrules 3.3 and 3.5

Historical Orders:Hold the trench line and Krasni Bor.


Victory for Scenario 3 (for the campaignsee 5.1):Soviet —Three or more of the followingconditions exist: 1) Soviets occupy alltrench hexes East of the October Railroad,2) Soviets occupy El Bastion, 3) Sovietsoccupy 5 or more hexes of Krasni Bor, and4) Soviets occupy 25 or more Trench hexeswest of the October Railroad.

Draw—Two of the conditions for a Sovietvictory are met

Axis—One or less of the conditions for aSoviet victory is met

Note: Each Axis Reserve Companyreleased during play credits the SovietPlayer with one additional hex of KrasniBor occupied.

Scenario 4—Meleein Krasni Bor

After looting the Spanish bunkers andbillets, the Guards regained their composureand pushed forward into Krasni Bor. Therethey met vicious fire from batteries andstrong counter-attacks. The battledegenerated into a series of see-sawskirmishes with both sides intermingled in

the streets. By mid-afternoon, the Spanishbatteries had been isolated and theremainder of the town captured.

Map Area: Map B east of xx.06 and westof the railroad (inclusive)First Turn: 1000 Feb 10Last Turn: 1540 Feb 10 (18 turns)


Soviet Information:Set Up:Battalion Set Up areas:1-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B34.16 (Less 18 StepLosses, Bn Morale is 1)2-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B33.13 (Less 17 StepLosses, Bn Morale is 1)3-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B31.10 (Less 18 StepLosses, Bn Morale is 2)1-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B34.16 (Less 7 StepLosses)2-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B32.22 (Less 6 StepLosses)3-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B29.23 (Less 5 StepLosses)1-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B15.23 (Less 13 StepLosses, Bn Morale is 1)2-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B21.20 (Less 7 StepLosses, Bn Morale is 1)3-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B26.22 (Less 5 StepLosses)

Regimental Set Up area:269-63 Gd: w/i 4 B29.15 (Regimental unitsless 11 Step Losses and 3x Inf Gun (76mm))270-63 Gd: w/i 4 B29.19 (Regimental unitsless 4 Step Losses and 4x Inf Gun (76mm))342-63 Gd: w/i 4 B07.17 (Regimental unitsless 5 Step Losses and 4x Inf Gun (76mm))63 Gd Divisional Units: in any 63 Guardarea (Divisional units less 6 Step Lossesand 6x AT (45mm))

Deploy 8 full Wire Breaches in any SovietSet Up Area.

Artillery Available: Battalions 1, 2 and 3of the 343 Artillery Rgt, 63 Gd DivisionArtillery Ammo:76mm: 32 HE122mm: 16 HE

Reinforcements:None

Historical Orders:Attack to capture Krasni Bor

Units without Orders:Except for 1-270-63 Gd and 2-270-63 Gd

(which have already successfullyimplemented the division’s follow-on OpSheet as per rule 2.1e), all are awaiting theirturn at implementation of the division’sfollow-on Op Sheet (it has 27 Wgt Turnsaccrued when the scenario begins).Remaining units have completed their initialOp Sheets and are under the Lootingrestrictions (2.1f).

1-270-63 Gd and 2-270-63 Gd haveimplemented the 63 Gd Division’s Follow-on Op Sheet.

Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up areas:3-I-262: w/i 1 B21.26 (Less 10 Step Losses,Battalion Morale is 1)4-I-262: w/i 4 B44.26 (Less 8 Step Losses)5-II-262: w/i 2 B41.21 (Less 9 Step Losses)7-II-262: w/i 2 B33.07 (Less 12 Step Losses)1-Recon: w/i 2 B45.182-Recon: w/i 2 B45.183-Recon: w/i 2 B44.261-Engineer: w/i 2 B48.142-Engineer: w/i 2 B43.143-Engineer: w/i 2 B40.101 Battery-250: w/i 5 B49.192 Battery-250: w/i 5 B45.183 Battery-250: w/i 5 B41.21

Battalion Set Up areas:II-262: w/i 4 B38.11Others: w/i 5 B37.05 and/or w/i 4 53.12,

Reserves (Set up in any of the above):AT-2 SS1-AT (Less 6x AT (37mm))8-II-262 (Less 2 Step Losses)

Artillery Available: Batteries 1, 2, 3, 9and 12 of the 250 Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo:105mm: 50 HE, 12 Smoke, 2 Illum150mm: 18 HE, 6 Smoke

Reinforcements:Roll for Variable Reinforcements as perrules 3.5

Historical Orders:1, 2-Rec, 1, 2, 3-Eng are to attack torecapture Krasni Bor.3-Rec to attack to relieve 3-I-262.All others defending in place. (7-II-262 &4-I-262 hasty defense, all others prepareddefense.)


Victory:

The Gamers, Inc.

Page 31

Soviet—Both of the following conditionsare met: 1) Axis units occupy fewer than 50City & Building hexes of Krasni Bor, and2) there are no Spanish units in El Bastion.

Draw—One condition for a Soviet victoryis met.

Axis—None of the conditions for a Sovietvictory are met.

Scenario 5—Assaulting the Mill

After unsuccessfully attacking theSpanish line west of the Izhora River, the72 Rifle Division and the Red Banner TankBrigade pushed through the available gapsand assaulted two difficult positions—ElBastion and the Mill. Both withstood severalassaults. While these two positions werebeing attacked, additional forces moved toStaraia Myza. The Spanish beat back severalattacks, but by afternoon, El Bastion wassurrounded and the Mill was in desperateneed of reinforcements. The Spanish I-263Battalion attacked the Soviets driving southout of Staraia Myza, forcing them back intothe town.

Map Area: Both, west of Bxx.07(inclusive)First Turn: 1000 Feb 10Last Turn: 1540 Feb 10 (18 turns)


Soviet Information:Set Up:Battalion Set Up Areas:1-133-72: w/i 2 B25.02 (Less 13 Step losses,Bn Morale is 1)2-133-72: w/i 2 A25.34 (Less 12 Step losses,Bn Morale is 1)3-133-72: w/i 2 A22.35 (Less 9 Step losses,Bn Morale is 1)1-187-72: w/i 2 B29.01 (Less 5 Step losses)2-187-72: w/i 2 A29.33 (Less 5 Step losses)3-187-72: w/i 2 A27.31 (Less 5 Step losses)1-RB: w/i 4 B20.04 (20x KV-I)2-RB: w/i 4 B20.04 (18x T-26)

Regimental Set Up Areas:133-72: w/i 4 B14.09 (Less 5 Step losses,4x Inf Gun (76mm))187-72: w/i 4 B20.04 (Less 3 Step losses,4x Inf Gun (76mm))72 Divisional Units: in any 72 Rifle Divisionarea (Less 4 Step losses, 4x AT (45mm))

Deploy 4 full Wire Breaches in any Soviet

Set Up Area.

Artillery Available: Battalions 1, 2, and 3of the 9 Artillery Rgt, 72 Rifle Division,and Battalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 289 ATRgt.Artillery Ammo:76mm: 48 HE122mm: 16 HE

Reinforcements: As per rule 2.7

Historical Orders:72 Rifle to attack and capture Staraia Myzaand secure a position over the Izhora River.

Units without Orders:All are awaiting their turn at implementationof the division’s follow-on Op Sheet (it has27 Wgt Turns accrued when the scenariobegins). All 72 Rifle Division units havecompleted their initial Op Sheets and areunder the Looting restrictions (2.1f).

The RB Tank Brigade can begin the scenariowith an implemented follow-on Op Sheetof the player’s choice.

Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up Areas:1-MR: w/i 2 A25.233-MR: w/i 3 B30.05 (Less 7 Step losses)9-III-262: w/i 2 A21.31 and/or A22.30(Less 4 Step losses)10-III-262: w/i 2 A15.32 and/or A17.3311-III-262: w/i 2 A12.29 and/or A10.277 Battery-250: w/i 5 A27.148 Battery-250: w/i 5 A27.141-I-263: w/i 2 A53.142-I-263: w/i 2 A53.14

Battalion Set Up Areas:MR: w/i 4 A25.24III-262: w/i 4 A17.25

Reserves (Set up with any of the above):4-MR12-III-26214-262 (only set up 4x AT (37mm))

Artillery Available: Batteries 7, 8, 10, 11of the 250 Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo:105mm: 36 HE, 12 Smoke, 2 Illum150mm: 20 HE, 5 Smoke

Reinforcements:Roll for Variable Reinforecments as per3.3 (1 and 2-I-263 are already committed)

Historical Orders:All but I-263 battalion defend in place

(Prepared Defense). I-263 can have anyorder except Prepared Defense.

Victory :Soviet—Two or more of the followingconditions are met: 1) Soviets occupy theMill, 2) Soviets occupy El Bastion, 3)Soviets occupy Staraia Myza.

Draw—One condition for a Soviet victoryis met.

Axis—None of the conditions for a Sovietvictory are met.

Scenario 6—TheAssault Continues

After looting the Spanish trenches andbillets, the men of the 43 Rifle movedforward. The 65 Regiment was committedand moved to the east to threaten the nowopen left flank of the 2 SS Brigade. The 708Regiment took up position below the ridgeto secure the 63 Guard’s left flank.

This scenario combines Scenario 4 and 5and adds the efforts of 43 Rifle Division toexit the map.

Map Area: BothFirst Turn 1000 Feb 10Last Turn: 1540 Feb 10 for Scenario (18turns) OR 1700 Feb 10 for campaign (70turns)


Soviet Information:Set Up:As per Scenario 4 and 5 plus the following:

Battalion Set Up Areas:1-708-43: w/i 2 B15.32 (Less 6 Step Losses)2-708-43: w/i 2 B15.31 (Less 6 Step Losses)3-708-43: w/i 2 B15.33 (Less 6 Step Losses)Ind Tank: w/i 4 B12.32 north of AT ditch

Regimental Set Up Areas:708-43: w/i 4 B12.32 (Less 3 steps and 4xInf Gun (76mm))


Artillery Available: As per Scenario 4and 5 plus Battalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 162Artillery Rgt. 43 Rifle DivisionArtillery Ammo (As per Scenario 4 & 5,plus):


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76mm: 32 HE122mm: 16 HE

Reinforcements: As per Scenario 4 and 5

Historical Orders:As per Scenario 4 and 5 plus 43 Rifle is todrive off the southeast edge of the map andattack the 2 SS Brigade (off the east mapedge)

Units without Orders:As per Scenario 4 and 5 for 72 Rifle and 63Gd.The 43 Rifle has completed its initial OpSheet and is under the Looting rulesawaiting its follow-on Op Sheet (Wgt Turns:27).

Axis Information:All information:As per Scenario 4 and 5

Victory for Scenario 6 (for the campaignsee 5.1):Soviet—Three or more of the followingconditions are met: 1) Soviets occupy theMill, 2) Soviets occupy El Bastion, 3)Soviets occupy Staraia Myza, 4) Axis unitsoccupy fewer than 50 City & Buildinghexes in Krasni Bor.

Draw—Two of the conditions for Sovietvictory are met

Axis—One or less conditions for Sovietvictory is met

Scenario 7—Breakout

As night approached, the Spanishcommanders in the isolated pockets beganto realize that their situation was hopeless.One by one, the survivors of the afternooncarnage slipped out of their positions,moved through the Soviet lines and regainedthe safety of new defenses along the Izhoraor south of Krasni Bor.

Map Area: BothFirst Turn: 1600 Feb 10Last Turn: 0200 Feb 11 for Scenario (15turns) OR 1700 Feb 11 for campaign (52turns)

First Turn’s First Player (Do not Rollfor the first turn’s Action Phasesequence): Axis

Soviet Information:Set Up:Battalion Set Up Areas:All 708-43 and 1 Ind Tank Bn units set up

north of xx.37 and east of the railroad(Each Battalion of the 708 has lost 13 stepsand has a Battalion Morale of 2, the IndTank Bn has lost 8x T-34)1-269-63 Gd: w/i 4 B33.21 (Less 25 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)2-269-63 Gd: w/i 4 B38.14 (Less 29 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)3-269-63 Gd: w/i 4 B29.12 (Less 33 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)1-270-63 Gd: w/i 2 B50.06 (Less 31 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 2)2-270-63 Gd: w/i 2 B47.10 (Less 26 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 2)3-270-63 Gd: w/i 2 B52.10 (Less 27 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 2)1-342-63 Gd: w/i 2 B45.17 (Less 26 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)2-342-63 Gd: w/i 2 B43.12 (Less 23 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)3-342-63 Gd: w/i 2 B49.14 (Less 17 Steplosses, Bn Morale is 1)1-14-72: w/i 2 B15.06 (Less 4 Step losses)2-14-72: w/i 2 B10.06 (Less 2 Step losses)3-14-72: w/i 2 B05.071-133-72: w/i 3 A28.27 (Less 19 Steplosses)2-133-72: w/i 3 A35.23 (Less 20 Steplosses)3-133-72: w/i 3 A39.24 (Less 19 Steplosses)1-187-72: w/i 3 B22.01 (Less 27 Step losses)2-187-72: w/i 3 B29.01 (Less 26 Step losses)3-187-72: w/i 2 A27.31 (Less 28 Steplosses)1-RB: w/i 4 A36.31 (Less 6x KV-I)2-RB: w/i 4 A36.31 (Less 11x T-26)

Regimental Set Up Areas:708-43: see above (Less 6 Step losses and4x Inf Gun (76mm))269-63Gd: w/i 4 B29.15 (Less 17 Steplosses and 2x Inf Gun (76mm))270-63Gd: w/i 4 B29.19 (Less 18 Steplosses and 2x Inf Gun (76mm))342-63Gd: w/i 4 B29.25 (Less 19 Steplosses and 2x Inf Gun (76mm))63 Gd Divisional Units: in any 63 Guardarea (Less 15 Step losses and 5x AT(45mm))14-72: w/i 4 B02.13 (set up only 4x Inf Gun(76mm))133-72: w/i 4 A26.35 (Less 10 Step lossesand 2x Inf Gun (76mm))187-72: w/i 4 B20.04 (Less 12 Step lossesand 2x Inf Gun (76mm))72 Divisional Units: in any 72 Rifle area(Less 12 Step losses and 4x AT (45mm))


Artillery Available:Battalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 162 Artillery

Rgt, 43 Rifle DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 343 ArtilleryRgt, 63 Guard DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 9 Artillery Rgt,72 Rifle DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 289 AT Rgt

Artillery Ammo:76mm: 20 HE122mm: 4 HE

Reinforcements: None

Historical Orders: 708-43, 269-63 Gd,187-72 defend in place (Hasty Defense).14-72, 270-63 Gd, 342-63 Gd attack KrasniBor. In all these cases, all battalions haveimplemented the orders.

Units without Orders:133-72 only. No weighted turnsaccumulated.

Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up Areas:4-I-262: w/i 4 B44.26 (Less 8 Step losses)5-II-262: w/i 2 B41.21 (Less 13 Step losses)7-II-262: B32.06 and/or B33.07 (Less 12Step losses)9-III-262: w/i 2 A21.31 and/or A22.30(Less 4 Step losses)10-III-262: w/i 2 A15.32 and/or A17.3311-III-262: w/i 2 A12.30 and/or A10.281-MR: w/i 2 A25.23 (Less 8 Step losses)3-MR: w/i 2 B30.05 (Less 13 Step losses)1-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 4 Step losses)2-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 4 Step losses)3-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 4 Step losses)5-II-269: w/i 2 A48.158-II-269: w/i 3 A54.141-Engineer: w/i 2 B49.19 (Less 5 Steplosses)2-Engineer: w/i 3 B57.02 (Less 5 Steplosses)3-Engineer: w/i 2 B44.05 (Less 5 Steplosses)1-Recon: w/i 3 B59.08 (Less 5 Step losses)2-Recon: w/i 3 B59.12 (Less 5 Step losses)3-Recon: w/i 2 B44.26 (Less 5 Step losses)1-635 Ost Bn: w/i 3 B60.162-635 Ost Bn: w/i 3 B60.161 Battery-250: w/i 3 B49.193 Battery-250: w/i 3 B41.217 Battery-250: w/i 4 A27.148 Battery-250: w/i 4 A27.14

Battalion Set Up Areas:II-262: w/i 4 A51.31 (Less 8 Step losses)III-262: w/i 4 A17.25MR: w/i 2 A25.23 (Less 6 Step losses, BnMorale is 1)

The Gamers, Inc.

Page 33

Engineer Bn (Bn Morale is 1)Recon Bn (Bn Morale is 1)I-263 (Bn Morale is 1)

Artillery Available: Batteries 1, 3, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, and 12 of the 250 Artillery RgtArtillery Ammo:105mm: 20 HE, 10 Smoke, 2 Illum150mm: 10 HE, 18 Smoke

Reinforcements:Only those obtained using VariableReinforcement Tables.

Historical Orders:Hold Izhora River line, and woods south ofKrasni Bor. 3-MR, 1-Eng, 3-Eng, 5-II-262,7-II-262, 3-Rec, I-263 (all) under failureinstructions (withdraw). III-262 (all), andall batteries under Prepared Defense. Allothers under Hasty Defense.

Units without Orders:3-MR, 1-Eng, 3-Eng, 5-II-262, 7-II-262, 3-Rec, and I-263 (all). No units haveaccumulated weighted turns at start.

Victory:Soviet—Three or more of the followingconditions are met, 1) There are no Axisunits in Krasni Bor, 2) Soviets occupy ElBastion, 3) Soviets occupy The Mill, 4)Soviets occupy Samsonovka, Mondolovoor Raikolovo.

Draw—Two of the conditions for a Sovietvictory are met

Axis Minor —One or less conditions for aSoviet victory is met

Scenario 8—Counter-attack atKrasni Bor

Historically, the Germans werecontent to hold the line south of Krasni Borand lob shells into the town. A moreaggressive approach would have rushedgreater reinforcements to the front andlaunched an immediate attack. This scenariodepicts such an action.

Map Area: BothFirst Turn: 0600 Feb 11Last Turn: 1700 Feb 11 (34 turns)

First Turn’s First Player (Do not Rollfor the first turn’s Action Phasesequence): Axis

Soviet Information:Set Up:Battalion Set Up Areas:All 708-43 and 1 Ind Tank Bn units set upnorth of xx.37 and east of the railroad(Each Battalion of the 708th has lost 13steps, the Ind Tank Bn has lost 12x T-34)1-133-72: w/i 3 A29.27 (Less 19 Steplosses)2-133-72: w/i 3 A33.25 (Less 20 Steplosses)3-133-72: w/i 3 A37.24 (Less 19 Steplosses)1-187-72: w/i 3 A28.34 (Less 30 Steplosses)2-187-72: w/i 3 B29.05 (Less 19 Step losses)3-187-72: w/i 3 A28.31 (Less 35 Steplosses)1-14-72: w/i 3 B22.01 (Less 8 Step losses)2-14-72: w/i 3 B17.07 (Less 6 Step losses)3-14-72: w/i 3 B12.07 (Less 4 Step losses)1-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B43.12 (Less 25 Steplosses)2-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B36.13 (Less 29 Steplosses)3-269-63 Gd: w/i 3 B30.09 (Less 33 Steplosses)1-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B52.07 (Less 37 Steplosses)2-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B46.07 (Less 29 Steplosses)3-270-63 Gd: w/i 3 B50.11 (Less 37 Steplosses)1-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B41.19 (Less 26 Steplosses)2-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B37.24 (Less 26 Steplosses)3-342-63 Gd: w/i 3 B48.18 (Less 22 Steplosses)1-RB: w/i 4 B07.17 (Less 7x KV-I)2-RB: w/i 4 B07.17 (Less 13x T-26)

Regimental Set Up Areas:133-72: w/i 4 B27.01 (Less 10 Step lossesand 4x Inf Gun (76mm))187-72: w/i 4 B23.06 (Less 14 Step lossesand 4x Inf Gun (76mm))14-72: w/i 4 B11.13 (Less 2 Step losses and4x Inf Gun (76mm))269-63 Gd: w/i 4 B29.15 (Less 17 Steplosses and 3x Inf Gun (76mm))270-63 Gd: w/i 4 B46.12 (Less 19 Steplosses and 4x Inf Gun (76mm))342-63 Gd: w/i 4 B29.25 (Less 19 Steplosses and 4x Inf Gun (76mm))708-43: as per Set Up above (Less 6 Steplosses and 4x Inf Gun (76mm))63 Gd Divisional Units: in any 63 Guardarea (Less 19 Step losses and 6x AT(45mm))72 Rifle Divisional Units: in any 72 Riflearea (Less 12 Step losses and 4x AT(45mm))


Artillery Available:Battalion 1 of the 162 Artillery Rgt, 43Rifle DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 343 ArtilleryRgt, 63 Guard DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 9 Artillery Rgt,72 Rifle DivBattalions 1, 2, and 3 of the 289 AT Rgt

Artillery Ammo: 76mm: 200 HE, 20 Smoke122mm: 50 HE

Reinforcements:None

Historical Orders:Hold current positions, clear the Leningrad-Moscow highway and secure a positionover the Izhora River. All are in HastyDefense except 133-72 which has animplemented Attack Op Sheet (all battalionshave implemented). All units have 18Weighted Turns accumulated (except 133-72) toward a Prepared Defense.


Axis Information:Set Up:Company Set Up Areas:9-III-262: w/i 2 A21.31 and/or A22.30(Less 4 Step losses)10-III-262: w/i 2 A15.32 and/or A17.3311-III-262: w/i 2 A12.30 and/or A10.281-MR: w/i 2 A25.23 (Less 9 Step losses)1-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 5 Step losses)2-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 5 Step losses)3-I-263: w/i 3 A38.17 (Less 5 Step losses)5-II-269: w/i 3 A49.13 (Less 11 Step losses)2-MR: w/i 3 A54.19 (Less 2 Step losses—this unit has been reinforced by the ReturnBn, see 3.4)3-MR: w/i 3 A51.24 (Less 14 Step losses)7-II-262: w/i 3 A47.35 (Less 12 Step losses)1-Engineer: w/i 3 B61.21 (Less 6 Steplosses)2-Engineer: w/i 3 B58.02 (Less 6 Steplosses)3-Engineer: w/i 3 B51.02 (Less 6 Steplosses)1-Recon: w/i 3 B59.09 (Less 6 Step losses)2-Recon: w/i 3 B59.09 (Less 6 Step losses)3-Recon: w/i 3 B62.30 (Less 6 Step losses)5-II-262: w/i 3 B62.26 (Less 13 Step losses)1-635 Ost Bn: w/i 3 B59.132-635 Ost Bn: w/i 3 B60.177 Battery-250: w/i 4 A27.248 Battery-250: w/i 4 A27.24


Page 34

All KG Heckel Units (less 635 Ost): w/i 4A62.30

Battalion Set Up Areas:II-262: w/i 4 A51.31 (Less 8 Step losses)III-262: w/i 4 A17.25I-263: w/i 4 A30.17 (Less 3 Step losses)II-269: w/i 4 A54.14MR: w/i 2 A25.23 (Less 6 Step losses)

Spanish Artillery Available:Batteries 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the 250Artillery RgtSpanish Artillery Ammo:105mm: 40 HE, 5 Smoke150mm: 20 HE, 5 Smoke

German Artillery Available:Batteries 1, 2, 3, and 9 of the 215 ArtilleryRgt, and 1, 2, and 3 of the 850 Artillery BnGerman Artillery Ammo:105mm: 110 HE, 20 Smoke150mm: 100 HE, 30 Smoke

Reinforcements: None

Historical Orders:Hold current positions and counterattackthe Soviet spearheads. The Spanish and635 Ost units have implemented PreparedDefense Op Sheets. The German (except635 Ost) units have implemented AttackOp Sheets.


Victory:Use 5.1 for this scenario.

Order of Battleand CounterManifestSoviet Organization of Forces63 Guard Rifle Division

Division Troops (1x Cav, 3x Engineer,6x AT (45mm))

269 Regiment Rgt Troops (1x Recon, 6x SMG, 2x

FO, 4x Inf Gun (76mm), 1x MortarCompany (120mm))

1-269 Bn (9x Inf, 1x MG Company,1x Mortar Company (82mm))













43 Rifle Division (part)708 Regiment Rgt Troops (1x Recon, 3x SMG, 2x





72 Rifle DivisionDivision Troops (1x Cav, 3x Engineer,

3x MG Company, 6x AT (45mm))14 Regiment Rgt Troops (1x Recon, 3x SMG, 2x


1-14 Bn (9x Inf, 1x MG Company, 1xMortar Company (82mm))













1 Independent Tank Battalion (21x T-34/76)

1 Red Banner Tank Brigade 1 Bn (21x KV-I) 2 Bn (21x T-26)

Spanish Organization ofForces250 Infantry Division—The Blue Division

Recon Bn (9x Inf, 3x MG)Mobile Reserve Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG,

3x Mortar (81mm))Engineer Bn (9x Inf, 3x MG)Ski Co (3x Inf)1-AT Bn (12x AT (37mm))262 RegimentI-262 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))II-262 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))III-262 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))13 Co (6x Inf Gun (75), 2x Inf Gun

(150mm))14 Co (10x AT (37mm), 2x AT (75))263 Regiment (part)I-263 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))269 Regiment (part)II-269 Bn (3x Inf, 4x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))250 Artillery Regiment (part)Battery 1 (4x 105mm How)Battery 2 (4x 105mm How)Battery 3 (4x 105mm How)Battery 7 (4x 105mm How)Battery 8 (4x 105mm How)

Attached to the Blue Division:AT-2 SS (5x AT (75mm))

The Gamers, Inc.

Page 35

German Organization ofForcesKampfgruppe Heckel (elements of 215Infantry)

635 Ost Bn (partial) (Estonians) (6xInf, 2x MG)

1-226 Assault Gun Co (9x Stug III F)1-563 PanzerJäger Co (7x Marder II)102 Heavy Tank Bn (partial) (4x Pz

VI E)390 Regiment (part)I-390 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))II-390 Bn (9x Inf, 6x MG, 3x Mortar

(81mm))

Kampfgruppe III Flak (6x AT (88mm))

Player’s NotesSoviet

The Soviets have one basic strength inthis situation—mass. They haveoverwhelming numbers in men, artillery,tanks, and weapons. As a general rule, theSoviets should always use any of theseassets en-mass.

The initial assault is the most criticalphase in the battle for the Soviet player.The goal is to demolish sections of thetrench line in each of the divisional areas.Limited Spanish forces in the breakthrougharea of the trenches will generate heavylosses in the assault troops.

The Soviets have a tool for the job—the Barrage Prep Program. A tactic thatshould be considered is concentrating threebattalions of artillery for each division, andmaking the initial target hexes a line of sixhexes (one plotted barrage hex in everyother hex) in the area for the breakthroughzone. After two or three consecutive turnsof fire, the barrage should be moved backand to the sides of the breakthrough. Thisshould be sufficient to eliminate theentrenched defenders in the breakthroughzone and suppress those units near orsupporting those areas.

A consideration for the initialbreakthrough is selection of the point ofbreakthrough. Historically, each divisionhad its own independent zone (1-I-262 for43 Rifle, 6-II-262 for 63 Guard and 2-MRfor 72 Rifle). This approach has merit, as itallows 63 Guard and 72 Rifle a coveredapproach through the central woods andIam Izhora.

The breakthrough portion of the battleis the most frustrating for the Soviets. Thelooting rule will in all likelihood prevent animmediate exploitation of the havoc createdby the artillery preparation.

Krasni Bor is the key, and the bulk ofthe attack should be centered on thatobjective. The Spanish do not have thestrength to cover all approaches to the townand the Soviets must use numbers to seekout the weakness in the defense. Clearingthe city hexes is a difficult task, but themortars, engineers, and SMG companiesare well suited for this operation.

The objectives across the Izhora Riverand on the west edge of Krasni Bor areexceptionally difficult to take because ofthe on-board artillery. Frontal assaults onthe open plains leading to these guns issuicidal. If this is the only option available,heavy use of the divisional 122mm gunbatteries is critical.

One other factor that the Soviet playermust consider is the requirement to exitunits off the Axis entry areas. This task isbest left to the 43 Rifle Division. The 43 hasthe easiest approach to the exit area(particularly area ‘H’) and the least criticalmission. The size of this exited group is animportant consideration as the Soviets willneed to secure this flank for the assault onKrasni Bor.

One final point the Soviet player mustkeep in mind at all times is a commentmade by Napoleon. He said that a generalwho can not look dry-eyed on his deadsoldiers will likely doom many more thanis necessary to the same fate. The sameholds true for this battle; it is not for thetimid. Casualties will be immense.Companies and battalions will disappearunder the hail of machine gun bullets, mortarshells and howitzer fire. The Soviets havevast resources: use them.

AxisThe Spanish have some important

strengths in this situation. The mostimportant is terrain. They are established ina very strong position (Krasni Bor morethan the defensive works). They also havemuch more flexibility in command andcontrol. Exploiting the advantages in terrainand command and control will be the key totheir success.

The initial set up for the Spanish unitsis critical for success. There are severaloptions available to the player—playerscan distribute units between the trenchpositions and the battalion areas, stackingis a concern, placement of key weapons isa vital consideration. The principles ofdefense in depth are the key to success inthis stage of the battle.

The use of the divisional units (Recon,Engineer battalions and Ski company) is amajor consideration in the set up. These arevery good units and can be deployed forward

in the line battalion setup areas or in KrasniBor. Although it is very tempting to placethese units forward to bolster the thin trenchline, the Soviet preliminary bombardmentwill probably destroy these units beforethey get a chance to fire. Placing them inthe secondary line would be better, but thisprovides very little to defend Krasni Bor.Rushing these units into the trench right infront of the on-coming Soviet steamrollerwill cause them to be destroyed—it is betterto use them to fight the individual Sovietbattalions released when the Russian’sfollow-on orders begin to kick in. Theplayer who relies on the Germanreinforcements to defend the town will inall likelihood be disappointed. Because ofthis, a tactic that should be considered isusing this force to defend a hedgehog in thecity. These units dug in a city hex will bedifficult to dislodge.

The placement of the 75mm AT gunsis critical. There are only seven of thesepieces. Placing them in the trench line is apotential waste. Concentrating them aroundthe railroad and the highway in the secondline is a recommended option.

The most potent weapon in the Spanisharsenal in the opening stage of the battle isits artillery and mortars. The artillery shouldbe concentrated and liberally used (use fastfire often) while the Soviets are makingtheir initial advance to the trenches. Oncethe enemy is in the trenches and KrasniBor, the usefulness of the artillery will beseverely limited. The area between thetrenches and the north map edge is a superbkilling ground and the Soviets will bepacked in close groups.

The second stage of the battle, thebreakthrough, provides some interestingoptions for the Spanish player. The lootingrule provides time for the Spanish to resettheir defenses. The axis of the Soviet attackshould be obvious by this time and newdefense lines can be created in time toreceive the attack.

One other possibility, especially if theSoviet player is not careful, is to launch asmall, sharp counter-attack to throw off theSoviet juggernaut. However, finding evena company for a counter-attack may be adifficult task. Even stiffening the shouldersby reoccupying trenches abandoned duringthe bombardment can prove to be a seriousthorn in the Soviets’ side.

A major counter-attack should waituntil the largest possible force is availableand the Spanish have extracted the greatesttoll on the Soviets. At best, this force willbe a regiment of infantry supported bysome armor. The real striking force is in theGerman artillery. Any attack by this fragileforce should use the abundant artillery rather


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than the scarce men.During the first day, the Axis player

should be content with establishing aGerman unit on the map to secure the jump-off point for an attack.

Hopefully, the Soviets should be in apretty sorry state on the second day. Theirforces will be severely depleted and theymay not have time to prepare defensivelines. A strong German attack at a pointunexpected by the Soviets will create severedifficulties. The Soviets, although large inforce, are very inflexible. The success ofthe German attack will be in directproportion to how well the Axis playerexploits his forces’ flexibility.

GenesisOn June 22, 1941, Germany invaded

Russia. When news of the invasion reachedMadrid, many desired to join in the conflictagainst the Bolsheviks. Not more than threeyears before, the bloody civil war had endedwith the defeat of the Socialists, backed bythe Soviets. War against the Bolshevikswas an attractive proposition.

Many in the Spanish government,Franco being the most important, did notdesire involvement in this struggle. Thethreat of reprisal from England, theuncertainty of absolute victory and anappreciation of the ravages of war preventedSpain from entering the war as an activeparticipant. However, the obvious supportfrom the populace and from the Falangistfanatics in the government required somesupport for Germany’s “anti- Bolshevikcrusade.” So, the idea of the volunteerdivision was born.

The day the 56th Panzer Corpsmarched through Ostrov halfway toLeningrad, and 18th Panzer Division wasin a life-and-death battle with 1st MoscowMotorized Rifle Division in the Borisovbridgehead, the Spanish volunteersmustered for the first time as a unit. Theblue uniforms of the Falangist volunteersdominated the spectacle—observersquickly dubbed the unit the “Blue Division.”

When the Germans first heard theSpanish wanted to send a division to Russia,they immediately seized the opportunity.Not only would the division add to thestrength of the attacking army, but thepropaganda value of a volunteer legion,crusading against the Communists, wasinvaluable. However, once seriousdiscussion of the specifics of incorporatingthe division began, both sides seriouslyreconsidered their positions. The difficultiesranged from the OKH demand that theSpanish bring their own transports to thedifferences between the Spanish diet of

History of the Spanish Blue DivisionSpanish volunteers! ... you have sworn to die before allowing barbarous Bolshevismto continue its work of hatred and destruction which has bloodied our motherlandand which today ... attempts to impose itself on all of Europe. Before this ... brutalsystem which the heroic might of the German Army is destroying in the greatestbattle yet known to history, you Spanish volunteers have gallantly risen ... Youonly wish to destroy this monster—this lash of humanity—in its own lair. Thereon the Siberian steppes, at the side of the Germans, some modest Spanish tombssprinkled with young blood ... will proclaim to the ... entire world the brotherhoodof our peoples ...

—Gen. Muñoz Grandes, July 31, 1941

Designer’s NotesResearch on any aspect of the Russian front in World War II is at best difficult. Original

source material is only available to those who read German or Russian. Source documentsare difficult to get and are often marred by rhetoric. Recently, many good secondary sourceshave become available. I recommend to any student of history the sources noted in thebibliography.

The Map: The map was developed from a combination of the excellent discussion inHitler’s Spanish Legion, a 1950’s vintage 1:500,000 scale map and original source materialfrom the Army Group North situation maps. Without the text, this task would have beenimpossible, as the game map area on the map source was less than 1 square inch. However,it did confirm the general location of features and confirmed built up, marsh and woodedareas.

Order of Battle: The unit designations down to the company level for the Spanish andGerman units and to the regimental level for the Soviets came from the source Hitler’sSpanish Legion. Specific composition at the counter level was made using The Handbookon German Military Forces for the Spanish and German units and The Handbook on USSRMilitary Forces for the Soviets. Confirmation of the orders of battle were made usingHitler’s Legions, Verbande und Truppen der Deutschen Wermacht und Waffen SS, and RedArmy Order of Battle.

Units: The Soviet heavy weapons have been organized into five step units rather thansections. Functionally, these units did not operate as sections but were massed together inlarger groups. The reason centers around the lack of trained NCOs and junior officers in theSoviet army. Without the necessary skills to place, operate and support these weapons, theSoviets were forced to accept a lack of flexibility in their use.

Morale: The Spanish small units were reputed to be at least as good as any Germanunit, with the exception of the weapons units. The Spanish did not regard MG and mortarcrews with the same esteem as line platoons. It was considered more “heroic” to stand inthe face of the enemy with bayonet and grenade than to stand off and destroy the enemy atrange. The worse morale value for the weapons reflects this.

The Soviets have morale values that were worse than what would be expected for anumber of reasons. The 63 Guard Division was known as the 136 Rifle Division a monthbefore the battle and would be equivalent to a line division of the day. The 72nd Rifledivision was a penal unit made up of Ukrainian “volunteers” led by Russian officers. Theirmorale is slightly worse than a normal Soviet unit. The 43 Rifle had been in the line atLeningrad for some time and was probably made up of many new recruits and is thereforeslightly worse than a normal Soviet division.

The morale on the German units was taken to be equivalent to the Spanish. Normally,the morale of the German weapons units would be better than the line platoons, however,the 215 Infantry had just come off the line and weapons units were always heavily attrittedand had new replacements. The German Ost battalion (Estonians, actually) were assumedto be equivalent to normal Soviet units.

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meats and fresh vegetables and the Germandiet of sausage and sauerkraut.

The differences were resolved and byJuly 13, the division was on its way toGermany. The journey was not withoutincident. Upon entering France, manyexiled Republicans met the trains with angryshouts and empty wine bottles. At onepoint, German garrisons were brought outto subdue the angry crowds. When thetrains rolled into Germany, the Spaniardswere once again among friends and eachnew stop brought cheers from the natives.

Within a week, the division wasassembled for training at Grafenwohr.Grandes, eager to get into combat with hisdivision, demanded that the training becompleted within a month. At this point,the cultural differences between the Spanishand Germans began to tell. The Spanishvolunteers had little desire to conform tothe arrogant, fixated Prussian view ofsoldierly conduct. This led many Germansto the false assumption that the Spanishwould not prove good fighters. Despitenumerous incidents, training was completedwithin a month and the Blue Divisionreceived the designation 250th InfantryDivision.

Into RussiaOn August 21, the day Hitler ordered

the diversion of 2nd Panzer Group south toKiev, the 250th Infantry began its marcheast. German high command had decidedthat a long march would allow time formore training and bring greater cohesionand discipline to the unit. Their destinationwas von Kluge’s 4th Army, which wasadvancing toward Moscow.

The first stop for the division wasGrodno, in eastern Poland. The restlessIberians added to their tarnished reputationby harassing civilians, committing minortheft and as always, flagrant fraternizationwith the local women. To increasediscipline, the Germans required severalparades. At one of these events, an entirecompany donned condoms on their riflesas they marched in review.

The division then proceeded to Minskvia Ozmiana (near Vilna). On the road toMinsk, an incident occurred when a memberof von Kluge’s staff was stopped at anintersection while the Spaniards marchedby (in broken ranks), refusing to yield theroad. The next day, 4th Army refused toaccept the division into their operationalarea.

The division was next directed to 9thArmy, to the north. The division reachedthe Dnieper at Gusino in the last week ofSeptember and was told that 9th Army alsodid not want them. The Spaniards werebeginning to wonder if there was to be aplace for them.

At the FrontBy the end of September, the division

was again marching north, this time to 16thArmy. In early October, the 1000 km marchended at Novgorod, at the north end ofLake Ilmen. The division was attached to39th Corps and began relieving the 126thInfantry and 18th Motorized Divisions.The division saw its first major action onthe 19th when it established a bridgeheadover the Volkhov River. Over the course ofthe next week, they were able to beat backrepeated counter-attacks and link up withthe 126th Infantry operating to the north.During the next two weeks, the divisioncontinued to expand their bridgehead andfight off ever increasing Soviet attacks. Bythe beginning of November, the divisionhad eliminated two Soviet regiments(1002nd and 848th). However, the offensivewas canceled by the 39th Corps command.

After this attack, the division’s firstmajor crisis developed. In after-actionreports, von Chappuis (39th Corps CO),gave a very unfavorable report on theconduct of the division. He complained ofthe laxity in logistics and equipment care;he gave no comment on their excellentbattle record. He wanted them out of theline. Busch (16th Army CO) had met MuñozGrandes (250 Infantry CO) and hadobserved him and his men in action. Hewas very favorably impressed by theirconduct. In the end, von Chappuis wasrelieved (he later committed suicide).

On January 13, 1942, the Sovietslaunched a massive attack on the 126thInfantry front. In two days, the unit on theBlue Division’s left was shattered. TheSpanish lines at Novgorod held but formedthe solid shoulder against the enemybreakthrough. For the next two months, thedivision was constantly assailed. By theend of that first Russian winter, while muchof the rest of the German army was inheadlong retreat, the 250th Infantry heldout in their hedgehog at Novgorod.

After the spring thaw, the Soviet 2ndShock Army under Gen. Vlasov had gougeda huge pocket along the Volkhov north ofNovgorod. On March 14, the 1st Corps(spearheaded by SS Police) and 39th Corps(58th, 126th, and 250th Infantry) counter-attacked. The pocket was quickly cut off.The Soviets, attempting to escape the trap,

General Muñoz GrandesGrandes was born in Madrid in 1896. He began his military

career early in life, graduating from the Infantry Academy in 1913.He served with great distinction wherever he was stationed. By1931, he was in command of the Assault Guard, the most elite unitin the Spanish Army.

When the Populists won the 1936 election, Grandes wasdismissed from service by the new government. He was in Madridwhen the Civil War began and was jailed by local officials. He wasable to escape and joined Franco’s Nationalists, where he commandeda corps.

After the Civil War, he served as chief of the Falangist Militia.He made great strides in social reform by eliminating corruption,improving working conditions, and establishing a minimum wage.

When the Blue Division was formed, Grandes was selected tolead it. It was his nature to lead by example. He spent the bulk of histime touring the front. His lack of interest in logistics and protocolled to problems with Germans, but many (including Hitler) saw himas a natural fighter—as an asset—and fought to keep him and theSpanish Division in Russia. Hitler would award this soldier aKnight’s Cross for his efforts before he returned home.

Grandes’ downfall was politics. Hitler saw him as a potentialalternative to Franco in Spain. Grandes made no secret of his desirefor his country to show greater favor to Germany. With the successof the Blue Division in Russia, Franco began to fear the popularityof Grandes and recalled him to Spain. He served out the remainderof his career in the Spanish Army at home in Spain.


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counter-attacked until the end of June. Afew were able to escape, but Vlasov’s once-proud force finally capitulated.

During the spring of 1942, the BlueDivision received its first majorreplacements. While most of the Germanforces were converting to a six infantrybattalion division OB, the Blue Divisionremained with ten battalions. The newrecruits had a lower percentage of the highlymotivated Falangist volunteers, but did havea greater number of professional militarymen. The integrity of the division wasmaintained.

To LeningradIn August, the Blue Division was

pulled out of the line (replaced by 20thMotorized). The division was earmarkedto join von Manstein’s 11th Army for thefinal assault on Leningrad. The divisionwas scheduled for additional training andupgraded to an assault division.

By the end of the month, the Soviets,knowing that the attack on Leningrad wasimminent, launched the first Lake Ladogaoffensive. The attack was a simple pincermovement, executed by an attack fromLeningrad by 67th Army and from the eastby the Volkov Front. The objective wasMga, the important railhead necessary forthe German defense of the Leningradcordon.

During the attack, 250th Infantry wasordered into the line. By September 4, theywere back on the front opposite Kolpino. Intheir typical fashion, the Soviets launchedattacks into the new formation. On thenight of 13 September, two large attacks by72nd Rifle hit the Spanish lines; both werebloodily repulsed. Sporadic probescontinued.

In December, the division was dealt ahard blow. Muñoz Grandes (see insert) wasrecalled to Spain. His replacement, EstebanInfantes, lacked the zeal and skill for combathis predecessor possessed. This led toanother crisis for the division, as theGermans felt that the personality of thedivision would be analogous to that of itscommander, and most felt Infantes lessthan desirable.

The qualms about the division werepartly put to rest a few weeks later. Infantesrequested and received permission toexecute a limited attack. The Soviets wereattempting to establish forward positionsat Iam Izhora. He wanted this threateliminated. On December 29, 1942, theattack was launched and succeeded.

The new year brought further disastersfor the German Army. The 6th Army washopelessly cut off at Stalingrad, Soviet

forces were pouring toward Rostov, 1stPanzer Army was desperately trying toavoid being surrounded, and there was ayawning 200 km wide gap in the line infront of Kharkov.

The front at Leningrad was not quieteither. On January 13, 1943, the Sovietslaunched the second Lake Ladogaoffensive. The attack was basically a repeatof the earlier offensive except the axis ofattack was just south of the lake. TheGerman 227th Infantry at Schusselburgwas cut off after the initial attack. However,the shoulders of the Soviet breakthroughwere very narrow. The Germans threw inreinforcements (including II-269 Battalion)to hold the line. In an attack against the newSoviet corridor, the Germans were able toextract their surrounded troops defendingthe pocket on the south shore of the lake.

By the end of the month, the Sovietshad secured a five-mile-wide corridorlinking Leningrad to the rest of Russia. OnFebruary 7, 1943, the first train in 526 daysleft for Leningrad. However, the corridorwas woefully narrow.

The Battle of Krasni BorBelieving the Germans could attack

and close their land link to Leningrad at anytime, the Soviets developed a plan to enlargethe gap. The German held SinyavinoHeights which were the key to the area, butthe position was held despite tremendousand bloody frontal attacks. The offensivecontinued with this phase directed at thecapture of Mga, the critical supply head forsupporting the heights. The attack wouldbe a repeat of the previous battle but on awider axis. The western arm of the attackcentered at Krasni Bor.

The Spanish defensive works at KrasniBor were inherited from the 121st Infantry.The positions were much to the disliking ofthe Spanish. In typical pre-1943 practice,the Germans had erected a thin continuousline of works, well protected by wireentanglements. However, the positionlacked depth and mines. From theirexperience in the Spanish Civil War, mostof the members of division preferred aseries of strong points with interlockingsupport fire. However, little could be doneto improve the line.

On the morning of February 10, 1943,400 guns opened up on the right wing of theBlue Division. Three Soviet divisions (72ndand 43rd Rifle and 63rd Guard), supportedby 60 tanks, moved out of their trenchesand advanced on 262 Regiment.

The artillery hit along the line and inKrasni Bor; the concentrations on 1-I-262,6-II-262 and 2-Mobile Reserve were

particularly heavy. By 0800, the artillerybegan shifting into Krasni Bor and behindthe Spanish positions. The Soviet infantryhit the lines on the heels of the artillery.

The 43rd Rifle hit I-262 Battalion’s 1and 3 Company. The division Ski Companywas dispatched to assist the beleagueredcompanies but was wiped out by an airattack. The initial attacks were repulsed butby 0845, 1-I-262 was wiped out along withthe battalion HQ, 2-I-262 was taking shelterin the woods to the east and 3-1-262 washanging on to their trenches in the swamp,repulsing two more attacks.

On the Spanish left, the 2-MR wasreeling from the heavy artillery poundingwhen elements of 72nd Rifle poured out ofIam Izhora, and into their lines. They wereoverrun by 0845.

In the center, elements of 63rd Guardwere advancing across the peat bog into thewoods in front of Krasni Bor. The artillerybombardment had shattered 6-II-262. Afterthe first assault into the line at 0900, thecompany was destroyed and 5-II-262 onthe right was down to 30 men. Theguardsmen poured through the hole intoKrasni Bor.

By 0900, the last of the artillery liftedand the Spanish began to react. On theright, I-262 (except for 3 Company) wasout of the battle. 3-Recon was ordered tomove up the east side of the railroad to stopthe Soviet tide.

In the center, 7-II-262 withdrew to ElBastion in the center, bolstering the defenseof the left shoulder of the 63rd Guardbreakthrough. The remnants of 5-II-262withdraw to help in holding the rightshoulder of the breakthrough. The point ofthe guard’s attack was blunted as it reachesthe positions of II-262 HQ. 2-Reconcompany was dispatched to shore up thebattalion HQ’s defense.

On the Spanish left, Soviet armor,supported by artillery, advanced throughthe hole left by the destruction of 2-MRcompany and engaged the MR HQ. Thisleft 3-MR cut-off but still holding itspositions opposite Iam Izhora.

By 1000 hours, the battle haddegenerated into assaults on isolatedpockets by disorganized attackers. TheSpanish were beginning to recover fromtheir initial shock and the Soviets’ initialassault was waning. Pockets of resistancestill holding out included 3-I-262, ElBastion, and 3-MR. Meanwhile, a secondline was forming up in Krasni Bor centeredon II-262 HQ, now bolstered by 2-Recon.

By 1030 hours, the defense in KrasniBor was weakening, II-262 HQ wasoverrun. The Engineer Battalion was

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ordered to counter-attack. This move hitthe pursuing guardsmen with such forcethat they retreated almost immediately. Forthe next two hours, the attack see-sawedback and forth through the streets of thetown.

By noon, there was still no sign ofGerman support, despite the fact that at0720, KG Heckel (215th Infantry) had beenordered to the battle. Heckel’s troops werestationed at Sablino, less than 10 kilometersfrom Krasni Bor. Meanwhile, the Soviets,at least those not immediately endangeredby Spanish fire, took to looting theirenemy’s bunkers. Control of the battle waslost from both sides.

The Spanish regained their balancefirst. By 1330 hours, a line began to form asdivisional reserves arrived. I-263 beganmoving up either side of the Izhora tocounter Soviet advances toward StaraiaMyza. 5-II-263 arrived to prepare to defendRaikolovo.

The Soviets also regained theircomposure and lunged forward. By 1430hours, the positions held by 3-I-262 wereoverrun. The mill was heavily engaged andbut for the defensive fire from Battery 7,would have fallen. 72nd Rifle also drovesouth toward Staraia Myza and hit I-263coming from Raikolovo. After an hourlong firefight, the Spanish withdrew toSamsonovka and the Soviets to StaraiaMyza.

As the afternoon turned to night, theSoviet attacks on the pockets waned. Oneby one, the isolated pockets of Spanishdefenders slipped away into the night. 3-MR, still holding its line in the trenches,was the first to withdraw. The men ofBattery 3 in Krasni Bor used their lastrounds of ammunition to destroy their guns.By 2300 hours, 3-Engineer and 7-II-262had also abandoned their perimeters andformed up with the remnants of the regimentalong the woods south of Krasni Bor.

At midnight, German artillery beganits harassing fire on Krasni Bor. Amid theexploding shells, the last of the Spanishdefenders (1 Battery), destroyed their gunsand withdrew. German troops were finallymoving into the area to bolster the defensebut the town was now in Soviet hands.

The next morning the combatantsfacing each other were shells of what theyhad been at the beginning of the previousday. The Soviets made a feeble attempt toattack Samsonovka but were bloodilyrepulsed when the Spanish counter-attacked. The counter-attack briefly retookStaraia Myza, but this too was reversed byday’s end. The Germans were content withlobbing a few shells into Krasni Bor and

waiting for reinforcements.The battle ended. The Soviets had lost

between 7, 000 and 11, 000 men (dependingon the source), the Spanish approximately2, 200. Losses such as these, in a one daybattle, in such a confined area, are nearlyunheard of in World War II.

The Soviets had gained the burnt-outshell of a town and a few kilometers oftrenches. On the eastern side of the cordon,the Soviet attack was met by 96th Infantry,supported by 61th and 132nd Infantry.Although the fighting was savage, theSoviets were repulsed. A final attempt totake Mga was made a month later, with theattacks coming further north. This too wassavagely defeated. The second Lake Ladogaoffensive had ended.

Eclipse of the Blue DivisionAfter the battle at Krasni Bor,

confidence in the division and its missionwaned. Franco’s anxiety over Anglo-USintentions toward Spain, the decimation ofthe division’s line officers, and ever-increasing lack of confidence from theGermans in Esteban Infantes all conspiredto bring about the decline of the BlueDivision.

The end came slowly. The front forthe division’s right flank settled in alongthe Izhora River. The fighting was limitedto minor skirmishes and shelling took thelives of a handful of soldiers each day. Theslow attrition took its toll in men and morale.The division suffered.

On March 19, the Soviets launched amajor attack out of Iam Izhora in an attemptto gain the Spanish works along theMoscow- Leningrad highway. The fightingwas savage, but in the end, the Spanish heldtheir line.

By May, the division was back to fullstrength. However, the replacements wereno longer either the zealot Falangist militiaor professional soldiers, but very low qualityfighters. Many of the new “volunteers”were actually former socialists, wanting toobtain passage to Russia so they coulddesert and fight for the Soviets. The rate ofdesertion and self inflicted wounds soaredwith these new recruits.

The war of attrition continued withoutletup, as the morale of the division fell. OnJune 17, the Soviets launched anotherattack. It too was fiercely repelled.

The political fight for Spanishneutrality came to a climax in July. Thedefeat of Operation Citadel and thesubsequent Soviet attack, coupled with thedownfall of Mussolini at the end of themonth, forced Franco to pursue formal

neutrality. During August, a parade ofambassadors converged on Spain, by theend of the month, Franco was convincedthat the Blue Division should come home.

At the front, the slaughter continued.By the end of September, Franco announcedto his military cabinet that the division wasto be reduced. On October 1, he announcedSpanish neutrality and told Germany thedivision was to be withdrawn from Russia.

The Spanish LegionRepatriation began almost

immediately. The men with the longestyears of service returned first. No regardfor unit integrity was made and thediscipline and morale of the men left behinddeteriorated rapidly. It became difficulteven to fend off partisan attacks.

Franco still desired a presence inRussia. The concept of a “Spanish Legion”came about. The composition and size ofthe unit were not known but he planned toreform the unit.

Recruiting volunteers among thecurrent veterans was a failure. The initialword from Madrid called for a legion of4,500 men to continue the fight. However,this was whittled down to 1,500 men byNovember.

By the end of the month, the unit hadbeen organized and began training. In thefirst two weeks, a dozen men had desertedor inflicted wounds on themselves. Another75 were declared unfit for service and senthome.

By mid-December, the unit was backin the line. They were attached to the 121stInfantry Division and placed in a quietsector along the Mga-Lyuban road.

The front remained quiet for a month.On January 14, 1944, the Soviets launchedtheir massive attack at Leningrad. FiveGerman division (9th and 10th Luftwaffeand 126th, 170th and 215th Infantry) wererouted in the initial attack. 28th LightDivision was surrounded at Vzvad.

The Spanish Legion was caught in theattack. They were ordered to withdraw toLyuban. The unit participated in the defenseof that town. By January 27, 1944, the daythe Soviets declared to be the official end ofthe 900-day siege of Leningrad, the unitwas moving south to defend Luga. By thetime the unit completed its 140 kilometermarch through partisan-controlled country,to reach Luga, they were exhausted andordered to continue their withdrawal.

Once again, political pressure wasbrought to bear on Franco. Anglo-US forcesdemanded the withdrawal of the legion.Franco was being boxed in by the Allies.Finally, on February 20, 1944, Hitler,


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Annotated BibliographyHitler’s Spanish Legion: A History of the Blue Division in Russia, G.R. Kleinfeld and L.A.Tambs. This is an excellent divisional history, with a minimum of glorification (unlikemany such books). It was the primary source for the game and is strongly recommendedreading and has been recently reprinted. Copies are available from Articles of War (phone(708) 674-7449) and tell them you saw their number here!

The Road to Berlin, John Erickson. This book (and its companion volume The Road toStalingrad) are excellent and complete works on the strategic and operational levels of theRussian front (presented primarily from the Soviet viewpoint) and are recommendedreading.

Verbande und Truppen der Deutschen Wermacht und Waffen SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg1939-1945, Georg Tessin. Simply stated, this is THE source for German OB information;there are none better or more complete.

Hitler’s Legions, Samuel W. Mitcham, Jr. An excellent source document with briefhistories of German divisions.

Red Army Order of Battle in the Great Patriotic War, Robert G Poirier and Albert Z.Conner. Incomplete, but one of the only sources of Soviet divisional OB informationgenerally available.

The Handbook on German Military Forces, TM E30-451, U.S. Army

The Handbook on USSR Military Forces, TM 30-430, U.S. Army

The Forgotten Soldier, Guy Sajer. The true story of a common soldier’s experience inRussia. This book is to WWII what All Quiet on the Western Front was for WWI. This isa must read for any student of military history.

Panzer Commander, Col. Hans von Luck. Extremely well written autobiography of afascinating man and an amazing soldier.

Panzer Battles, Maj. Gen. F.W. von Mellenthin. The classic work on the use of panzerforces in World War II.

Small Unit Actions During the German Campaign in Russia, Army Pamphlet 20-269 , U.S.Army. This is an incredible book put together by German officers after the war discussingactions at the TCS level. A truly invaluable resource.

Russian Combat Methods in World War II , Army Pamphlet 20-230, U.S. Army. Anexcellent book outlining tactics and techniques used by the Soviet army.

fearing the presence of the Spanish Legionwould provide a provocation for an Anglo-US invasion of Spain, made the decision towithdrawal the unit from Russia. By theend of May, the unit was home anddisbanded.

Even after this, a few die-hard anti-communists still wanted to continue thefight. These volunteers were incorporatedinto the Waffen-SS and fought until the endof the war. The last of the volunteers, theSpanish SS Battalion, defended Berlin in1945.

In total, 47,000 Spanish soldiers foughtagainst Russia. A total of 4,500 men werekilled, 8,000 wounded, 7,800 sick, 1,600frostbitten, and 300 captured. During theirtwo years of campaigning, estimated enemylosses were over 49,000. In the attack, theywere relentless; in defense, they weretenacious. Their only defeat was in thepolitics of their cause.

Tactical Combat Series: Black Wednesday

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