Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

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Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#1

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 07 Oct 2017, 18:56

June 22, 1941 Operation Barbarossa overshadowed subsidiary Operations at the Arctic Circle to Cutoff the Russian Port at Murmansk, by Crack German Mountain Troops and the 9th SS.

These Forgotten Battles can be tactically studied and simulated using the Advanced Squad Leader Module Beyond Valor, and or Festung Budapest SS Counters.

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#2

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 07 Oct 2017, 19:19

Scenario Title : Polar Bar
Scenario Date: September 8, 1941
Scenario Loc: Litsa River, Russia
Situation: German Ops at the Arctic Circle included cutting of the Russian Port of Murmansk. A lack of Roads and Rough Terrain barred an expected Rapid German Advance, that was now stalled at the Litsa River. Further Advance would require additional Troops. The readily available 9th SS Regiment in Norway was ordered to reinforce German Mountain Troops on the Litsa.
Use Map Board 42 Hexrow GG West Hexrow R East Hexrows GG -R are Played
Board 47 Hexrow P West Hexrow A East Hexrow P-A are Played
Balance: Germans add 8-1 Leader
Russians add 8-1 Leader and 447 First Line Squad
Victory Conditions; The Germans win if they have more Good Order East of the Boards 42-47 N-S Road Than the Russians
Russian Setup First
German Move First
Turn Record 1 2 3 4 5
______________________
Elements of Russian 14th Army Setup East of B42-B47 N-S Road ELR 3 SAN 4
447 First Line Squads x 5 / Leader 9-0 Commissar/ Cupola 6-12 FP /ROF 3/AF4/CS4/ 2-3-5 Pillbox/1-3-5 Pillbox x 3/
Reinforcements Enter Turn 1 From North: Elements of Naval Landing Force; 447 First Line Squads x 3/Leader 9-1/LMG
Reinforcements Enter Turn 1 From South B47 Hex I 1: Elements of Polyarny (Polar) Division: 426 x 6 Conscript Squads/GAZ MM Truck;
Elements of Tank Brigade Enter dr less Current Turn # B47 Hex I 1; BT 7 M 37
________________________________
Elements of German Army Group Norway ELR 4 SAN 3 Enter Turn 1 From West
548 x3 Elite Squads/ Leader 9-2 / MMG/ LMGx2
___________________________________________
Elements of 9th SS Regiment Enter Turn 1 From West ELR 3 SAN 3
447SS Squads x 12 /Crew/ Leader 9-0/6+1/ LMG / 75 INF GUN IE 18
SSR: 1. EC are moderate with no wind at start
2. Russian Receives 80mm OBA module with Plentiful Ammo and one Pre- Registered Hex
3. Russian Receives OBO-Russian Player Selects OBO Hex for LOS purposes prior to setup
Aftermath: the Elite 9th SS Made good progress reaching a slight road barely discernible amongst the overgrowth. To prevent the SS From advancing any further, the Russian Polyarny Division arrived


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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#3

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 09 Oct 2017, 17:56

Map Boards 32 and 47
Map Board 42 is Not Used

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#4

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 11 Oct 2017, 17:45

Balance; Russian OB add 3 447 First Line Squads to Naval Landing Force

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#5

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 13 Oct 2017, 18:00

Polar Bar
Revised/added Scenario Effects:

Russians Setup First German Moves First
Russian Setup ON/East B32 Hexrow Y
ON/East B47 Hexrow I
German Army Group Norway Setup ON/West B32 Hexrow CC and/or
ON/West B47 Hexrow M
548 x 3 9-1 MMG/LMG x 2 /Crew/ 75 INF Gun i E18
Elements 9th SS Enter From West B32-B47 Turn 1 with Crew/75 INF Gun i E 18
____________________________________
Victory Condition: B32 Hex W5 /Board47 Hex H8 must both be controlled by one side to win at game end.
Playtest showed previous setup impracticable for Russian Pillbox Placement/Play Balance

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#6

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 17 Oct 2017, 18:14

Weekend Replay results:
Russian Off Board Artillery took out out elements Army Group Norway that were reducing Russian Bunker # 1
9th SS entering from off map not enough time to get into position to support Army Group Norway
1. Russian Bunker Positioning - Bunker should be in Victory Hex- Bunkers that are spaced out are easily bypassed-
2.German Army Group Norway not enough force or firepower to knock out Bunker # 1 , Gun could not be pushed by one crew thru wood hexes in timely
fashion.
3.German force needs to be concentrated on Victory hexes, not be frittered away on time consuming reduction of outlying Bunker/Bunkers that are not in Victory Location
4.Turn Record Time frame increase to 7 Turns and move up German Start line;
Polar Bar Scenario Setup changes:
Russian Setup First
Roll die to determine who moves first 1-3 German /4-6 Russian
Entire German OB setup B32 ON/East of Hex row Z
B47 ON/East of Hexrow J
German OB Army Group Norway 548 Elite Squads x 6/Leaders 9-2/9-1/Support Weapons HMG/MMG/LMGx3/DCx4
Crew/75 INF GUN iE 18
German OB 9th SS 447 SS Squads x 12/Leaders 9-0/6+1/Support Weapons LMG x 2
Crew/75 INF GUN

____________________________________________________
Russian OB Changes: Add 447 First line Squads x 3 to Naval Landing Force, No other changes to Russian OB
___________________________________________________________________

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#7

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 18 Oct 2017, 18:37

Polar Bar Russian OB developments:
Revised German start line B32 Hexrow Z/Board 47 Hexrow J/ and O/B setup of added Force to Army Group Norway , increased game Turn s to 7, requires additional tinkering details of Russian O/B :
1. Russian Bunkers are placed on either Board 32/Board 47 setup Hidden Placement is revealed only upon either Search or Hidden Initial Placement activity/action that reveals their location, and can be an unexpected surprise for Germans.
The probable location can be deduced as somewhere near or in the Victory Hexes, but are still an unknown factor until
a German Unit is at point blank range.
2. Russian O/B Changes:
add 527 SMG Squads x 3 to Russian O/B /Leader 7-0/Concealment Counters /?/ x 8
Elements of Polyarny Division and Tank Brigade Enter on After Turn 1, B 47 any South or East Board Edge Hex.
Elements of Naval Landing Force Enter ON/After Turn 1, any North Board Hex B 32.
3. German and Russian Units Setup Concealed if in Concealment Terrain regardless of LOS

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#8

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 19 Oct 2017, 18:25

Final Tactical Developments:
Polar Bar Replay
Turn of Events:
Russian Setup First B32 On/East Hexrow Y
B47 On/East Hexrow I
B32- 3 Bunkers Setup HIP/ Cover B32 Victory Hex W5
Setup directly South Crossroads West of N-S Road
1 Dummy Stack ? x 4
1 Concealed Stack-7-0 Leader/SMG Squads x 2 setup across Road from a Hidden Bunker
Further South setup East of N-S Road
Dummy Stack x 2 /One Concealed SMG Squad
B47
Hex G9 Cupola
Directly North of Bridge/Bunker 9-0 Commissar/447 First Line Squads x 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
German Setup B32 On /West Hexrow Z
B47 On/West Hexrow J
B32 3 Storm Groups
Hex Z8/9-2/548 x 3/HMG/LMGx2/DC
AA7/447SSx 3
Z3/9-1/548x3/MMG/LMG/DCx3
Cover Z5 75 INF GUN/Crew
Fire
Blocking BB8 /6+1/447SSx3/LMGx2
Unit
Rest of OB Placed B32/B47 Southwards
_______________________________________
dr to determine who moves First- dr of 4
Russian Moves First
________________________________________
Call For Artillery Spotting Round
Naval Landing Force enters B32 Hex W10- end Move at HexW8-W7/9-1/447x6/LMG
Polyarny Div /Tank Brigade Enter B47 Hex B5-end Move Hex D8-C8
Spotting Round Lands off Target/
End Russian Turn 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
German Turn 1
German Storm GrpHex Z8 moves B32 to Hex X9- Russian NLF Defensive Fire Pins 9-2 Leader/Breaks 2 Squads /1 Squad in Battle Order
Blocking Unit Hex BB8 moves B32 Hex Y8
German Storm Grp Hex AA7 moves B32 Hex Z8
Concealed German Storm Grp Assault Moves B32 Hex Z3 next to ? Russian Concealed Stack, Concealed 7-0/527 SMG Squad
Defensive Fire Strips German Concealment /Breaks German Squad/9-1/2 Squads in Battle Order
German Advance Fire
vs NLF Breaks one Russian Squad
vs 7-0/527 SMG Squads/ Breaks all/ELR Failure/7-0/one SMG Squad
End German Turn 1 with German Tactical Foothold in Russian Perimeter/
End Turn on Results indicate Both German/Russian OB roughly on Par and no further OB Changes likely
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turn 2
Rally Phase; No Russian Squads Rally/One German Squad Rally DR 12 battle casualties eliminates Squad from game
Russian Turn 2
NLF B32 Shifts 2 Squads Hex U8
Shift 1 Concealed to Hex W8
B47 9-0 Commissar/447 First line Squad launch counter attack vs 447 SS Squad across the Road
447 SS Defensive Fire Pins Russian Squad/2nd Russian Squad leaves Bunker join counter attack/ 447SS Residual FP NE/Russian Squad Advance Fire 4 FP IFT DR 4/ 1MC vs 447 SS MC DR 6 /Pins SS Squad/Close Combat Phase NE
Polyarny Div Tank Brigade waiting outcome of Counter Attack before moving up to N-S Road
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Play Balance for Remaining Game Turns indicates a challenging contest /scenario

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#9

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 20 Oct 2017, 18:43

German Turn 2
Both sides Tighten Lines
German Turn 1 B32 actions compress Russian Perimeter, and lock the Russian NLF in Place, creating what appears to be an weak point at the East -West Road to exploit.
No Decisive Moves, regroup for Turn 3
Turn 3
Rally Phase
Russian one NLF Squad Rallies
All German Elements Army G Norway Rally
Russian Artillery moves to B47
B47 Close Combat 447 vs 447 SS Squad NE
Turn 3 German Turn
The B37 Objective appears to be in the bag, if another risky attack vs the Russian NLF works, or there appears to be an opening along the East West Road, that can be exploited, with the Russian Artillery looking for targets on B47.
The Germans opt for quick action to seize both objectives, B32 Storm Grp swing counter clockwise attack down the Road, while Storm G south of B32 Cross roads moves toward B47 objective.
Supporting B32 attack the German INF GUN providing covering fire rolls out on the road to get a clear shot at the target Bunker.
Russian Defensive Fire from Bunker eliminates Gun Crew and Two Squads of Army G Norway , breaking up the attack.
It appears that the Russians have placed sharpshooters in their Bunkers.
The German Storm Group making for B47 objective does a quick sweep to check for Bunkers before moving out,
9-1 Leader w/one 548 Squad MMG charge suspected Russian unit in woods hex, to find the last SMG Squad , defensive fire casualty reduces German Squad, German Return Fire eliminates SMG Squad, but the Damage is Done.
Clearing both objectives may now be near impossible

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#10

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 21 Oct 2017, 18:57

After action debriefing:
German report:
Remaining Forces must adopt Defensive Positions until enough additional Forces can be transported, that may not arrive for some time.

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#11

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 23 Oct 2017, 18:29

Russian Report: Special Problems with Russian O/B vs German Move First dr, setup on Map of Entire German O/B
1. 1-3-5 Bunkers are inadequate replace with 1-5-7 Bunkers
2.Add 4 Wire Counters
3.Add 3 MMG
4. Add 2 458 Elite Squads
5.Entire Russian O/B also setup on Map
6.Add Field Phone in addition to OBO to call Artillery

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#12

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 23 Oct 2017, 18:39

In a Germans move First dr, the initial Russian O/B is quickly overwhelmed by an entire German O/B blitz on either B32 or B47

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#13

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 25 Oct 2017, 17:41

Numerous Play tests to work out the Historical Detail result: to contain the Historical perspective, and Tactical Actions;
1. Reduce Game Turns back to 5
2.Dispense with Russian OBA/OBO and Field Phone
3.Victory Conditions change: Germans win if there are no Good Order Russian Units w/in 3 Hex Radius of B32 Hex W5-B47 Hex H8- Hexes W5-H8 are victory Hexes also
4.German O/B differential: Setup ON/West of Hexrows Z-J
548 Elite Squads x 3/Leaders 9-2/9-1/Support Weapons MMG/LMGx2/DCx2
Crew/75 INF Gun iE 18
447 SS Squads x 12/Leaders 9-0/6+1/Support Weapons HMG/LMGx2
5. Russian O/B Setup: ON/East Hexrow Y-I
458 Elite Squad x 2/447 First Line Squad x 4/527 SMG Squad x 3/426 Conscript x 5/? Concealment Counter x 8/Leaders 9-0 Commissar/8-1/7-0/
Support Weapons MMGx2/Cupola FP 6-12/ROF3/AF4/CS4/
Fortifications 6 AP Mine Factors x 4/Wire x 2/2-5-7 Pillbox/1-3-5 Pillbox x 2/
Tank Brigade ; BT 7 M37
6. Russian Setup First German s move First; Dispense with dr to determine who moves first
7.Both sides setup concealed if in concealment Terrain.

The Revised and Final Format presents a number of Tactical Challenges to solve;
For the Russians; a dual setup with a Redoubt setup using fortifications and Armor setup on B 32
a Maneuver element setup on B 47 to conduct complex retrograde actions and divert German Strength from the Main Force
expected to concentrate against B32 Russian Position.
General Setup as Follows as Examaple:
B32 Hex Y5 6 AP Mine
Y4 6 AP Mine
X6 6 AP Mine
X 4 Concealed Unit
X3 ^ AP MIne
X2 Wire
W7 Concealed Unit
W6 Concealed Unit
W5 Cupola
W4 2-5-7 Pillbox /458x2/9-0
W3 Concealed Unit
W2 Wire
V5 1-3-5 Pillbox /447
V4 447/MMG
V3 527 x 3/7-0
V1 Concealed Unit
U7 Concealed Unit
T5 BT 7 M37
B47
Hex I7 /H7/G9/E7 Concealed Units

Concealed Units may be dummy counters

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#14

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 27 Oct 2017, 18:45

Replays of Final Format appear that both O/B are trimmed into shape with the scenario banged into shape now.
The Revised O/B are used as given, previous O/B listings are not used, ie; the Russian Naval Landing Force is Deleted,
All O/B s are factored into Final O/B
The Germans Differential O/B in the Final O/B, task is to balance time vs risk, during the action General Dietl was advised to employ encirclement tactics, the revised situation format of the Russian O/B mines and wire fortifications are an abstract of the difficulties of direct assault, these
fortifications can be discovered by searching , if the search DR is unsuccessful , that wasted time cannot be regained.
In the Replay , The German s conducted frontal approach with separate groups attempting flanking moves from the N-S along stream.

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Re: Forgotten Batles 9th SS Sept, 1941 Artic Circle

#15

Post by PassandReviewofWW2 » 28 Oct 2017, 18:38

German 75 INF Gun HE capability only/ special Ammunition HE AT is not avail until 1942

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