Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Tank Battles #27 - Operation MARS #15: Shanaurin's Drive IV: Breakout

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Army Group South Ukraine #6 - Consternation	Road to Berlin #73 - She-Wolves of the SS

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Operation MARS #15: Shanaurin's Drive IV: Breakout Tank Battles #27
(Defender) Germany	vs	Soviet Union (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Germany		1st Panzer Division
Germany		1st Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion
Soviet Union		37th Mechanized Brigade

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	2

Overall Rating, 2 votes
5 4 3 2 1 2
Scenario Rank: --- of 913

Parent Game	Tank Battles
Historicity	Historical
Date	1942-11-29
Start Time	13:00
Turn Count	13
Visibility	Day
Counters	80
Net Morale	2
Net Initiative	1
Maps	2: 1, 6
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	160
AAR Bounty	165
Total Plays	2
Total AARs	2

Battle Types
Exit the Battle Area
Inflict Enemy Casualties

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Severe Weather
Terrain Mods

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

Introduction
The 37th Mechanized Brigade was preparing to assault the hard-luck 1st Recon Battalion of 1st Panzer Division. The Germans were ready for a fight and the Soviets planned to give it to them.

Conclusion
Shanaurin's men smashed their way through the recon battalion and continued on their way to cut the vital Belyi-Vladimirskoe road. Captain Freiherr von Freital (the commander of the German battalion) was killed in heavy fighting. The Soviets lost 31 tanks. Many more victories like this one and they wouldn't have any left.

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.

Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Soviet Union Order of Battle

Army (RKKA)
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Army (RKKA)

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Display Errata (5)

5 Errata Items
	The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	All SPW 251s have an armor value of 0. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The reduced direct fire value in Kursk: Burning Tigers is 4-4. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	Kommissars never get morale or combat modifiers. Ignore misprints. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (2)

Stalin's Orders

Author	campsawyer
Method	Solo
Victor	Soviet Union
Play Date	2011-09-22
Language	English
Scenario	TaBa027

Location: 37th Mech Brigade HQ

Time: 05:30

Situtation: Brigade meeting before the attack.

"The 37th needs to breakthrough the Germans lines and relieve the German pressure on Moscow and we are going to attack" declare Major Kozlow. We beleive we have found a weak area to try to keep the offensive going. Scouts report German recon troops in halftracks but no tanks or heavy weapons.

"Captains Bogdanov and Golubov you will lead the breakout. Bogdanov, you will lead the main force that will advance through the weak German line and get into the rear area and destroy as much support units as possible. You will have the bulk of the brigades T-34's and T-60's as well as three of the four companies to move past the German lines. Your orders are to keep moving you must get 15 km beyond out front lines within 4 hours or we risk running into German reinforcements before we can damage the Germans." Bogdanov new this was going to be tough even if the Germans didn't fight. Heavy snow covered the area and it would not be easy to move.

"Golubov, you will lead the support group", continued Kozlow, "you will move to take the the small collective farm and use this for cover to position the brigade's 76.2mm guns and mortars. You will have one company to protect your northern flank from any German attacks. But it that does not develop you will advance and attack. Understood Golubov." Golubov nodded and jotted down notes.

"You will also have the Kommissar Drago, he will make sure that the orders are carried out. He has been sent directly from Supreme command." Kozlow said. "Off to your troops get them ready to move at 1300."

Location: Front Line

Time: 13:00

Situtation: Initial advance

Capt. Golubov report. Fourth company advancing on the farm collective. 76.2mm guns and morters setup on the east side of village. Spotted Germans advancing in halftracks on the farm. Called in OBA, see smoke coming from the lead halftracks others moving off to the west. (Soviet OBA hit the lead halftrack destroying it and the German INF and Captain) Postioning AT gun to the west of the town in case of German tanks.

Capt. Bogdanov report. Main force of INF,SMG,HMG's advancing 2 KM south of collective farm. Will try to cut the Belyi-Vladmirskoe road before Germans advance. Smoke seen from burning vehicles to the north. Slow going due to snow. T-34's and T-60's advanced north and south of collective fields. No enemy contact.

Location: Front Line

Time: 13:30

Situtation: Advance

Capt. Bogdanov report. German artillery hitting advancing troops, order troops out of trucks and advance on foot. German units spotted moving south on the road. German tanks are with them. Relay to Golubov for guns to attack. T-34's will position to block to the south. Infantry will keep moving.

Capt. Golubov report. Tanks emerge from the woods to the north moving down the road. Out of AT range. Relay Bogdanov to prepare.

Location: Front Line

Time: 14:00

Situtation: Advance

Capt. Golubov report. T-34's discover AT guns in the north woods as well as infantry. They are positioning to block there move south to attack Bogdanov force. Advancing fourth company to support the T-34's as infantry is moving.

Capt. Bogdanov report. German tanks manuever into the collective fields as the T-34's are positioned to fire if they move out. Infantry keeps moving but German OBA starts to disprut the adavance. T60's are move up to scout the woods but German AT's fire on them. Three are out. Need artillery on the woods south-west of farm.

Location: Front Line

Time: 14:15

Situtation: Advance

Capt. Bogdanov report. OBA does the job, AT fire is silienced. Infantry continue to advance and have crossed the road. Tanks still stalking the German tanks so we continue the advance without them.

Location: Front Line

Time: 14:30

Situtation: Advance

Capt. Golubov report. T-34's and fourth company engage enemy units moving south to attack main force. German units keep moving but are forced off the roads. 76.2mm continue to support main attack.

Location: Front Line

Time: 14:30

Situtation: Advance

Km. Drago report. German OBA lands on Bogdanov HQ demoralizing his command. He is nearly killed and wants to call off the attack as heavy fire is cominng from the woods and his troops are hit hard. I order him to keep moving with his command, he does not beleive in the attack and will order his troops back. He is heavily affected by the near miss of 105mm shell and trys to move his command back. I have remadied the issue and Lt. Sokolov is in charge. (Capt Bagdonov was demoralized by a OBA attack, later rolls a 12 on the recovery with the kommissar in his hex.)

Lt. Sokolov report. Taking charge of advance after demise of Capt. Bagdanov. Moving infanrty through heavy German fire OBA needed on the woods west of road. T-34's engaged PZIIIG's destroying them. Will report when we have moved passed.

Location: Brigade HQ

Time: 14:30

Situtation: Direct order

Major Kozlow orders Capt Golubov to concentrate all artillery fire on the woods south-west of farm collective and west of road. All batteries and mortars must hit the woods with all fire nothing will be left of the woods.

Location: Front Line

Time: 14:30

Situtation: Advance around German stronghold

Lt.Sokolov report. Artilley has hit use hard but ours has knocked out German positions in woods. Infantry moving past tanks are pouring direct fire into the woods driving the Germans back. (Two stacks of T-34's rolls X and M2 on the two hold out hexes.)

Location: German rear position

Time: 15:30

Situtation: Attacking German support units.

Lt.Sokolov report. Moved one and one half companies and twenty five tanks to the German rear area. Tanks are looking for units to destroy and the infantry is establishing supply route to defend area. (20 steps are moved off the off the board. Germans suffered heavy casualties in tanks and men and Operation MARS continue.)

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Tank Battles #27

Author	triangular_cube
Method	Solo
Victor	Soviet Union
Play Date	2023-01-22
Language	English
Scenario	TaBa027

This is yet another Shanaurin's Drive campaign scenarios that simply doesn't work. This time from an impossible balance perspective, which has to pass a very strict threshold for me to grant a "1". Much like the the other scenarios, Germans have a light recon force against a large combined arms Soviet force. This time, in theory, they must spread out across 2 maps in order to prevent steps from exiting. That... isn't going to happen. Even if densely populated they will be shot to bits without achieving anything unless the 50s roll well for a few step losses.

Conceding that they will not be able to limit steps exiting (seriously the T-34s alone are more than enough for a Soviet win), they bunch up in the town and try to limit their own losses, playing for a draw. The strict time limit makes this seem their most likely positive result. Of course the T-34s just need to close within 3, shoot up the recon AFVs and then off the board. The Germans must be able to assault with their INF and hope to tie up some tanks, otherwise they just lose.

The soviets set up their arty in the middle to hopefully prevent some of these assaults by hitting the grouping german INF and are able to dissipate the attacks before they happen. The T-34s shoot up the SPWs and armored cars then leave, and the infantry and trucks ride off the board in the north uncontested.

Basically impossible for the Germans, and not worth tabling unless you play them all like me.

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TaBa026

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