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Dispatches 1

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An irregular e-zine for the Battlegroup WWII wargames rules

D I S P A T C H E SI S S U E 1

Battlegroup Partisan– Army lists for anti-partisan operations in Yugoslavia, ‘43

Painting Brits for ‘44

‘On to the Dniepr’ New Russian vehicle data for late 19432 new Normandy historical re ght scenarios‘Pimp my Panzer’, modelling tips



Dispatches 1

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Welcome to the rst irregular fanzine for players of the Battlegroup series of rules and supplements.With Dispatches we hope to feature an eclectic mix of articles such as, the bits left out of books,

army lists ready for play-testing for some of the more obscure theatres of WW2 and contributions fromBattlegroup gamers too.

Our rst issue has taken a little while longer than expected to produce, but such is life, as a freebie ‘extra’Dispatches will always get shunted down the to do list, but we hope we can still nd time to produce thefanzine as its a great way for us to get extra content out to the players.

In this issue we have test lists for Partisan actions in Yugoslavia, scenarios for Battlegroup Overlord,modelling and tutorials plus new units for moving Battlegroup Kursk further back into 1943. In all, quitea bumper selecton!

As we write this, Fall of the Reich has gone to be printed, our third supplement for Battlegroup. If youhaven’t already pre-ordered, why not! Its now almost a year since Battlegroup Kursk was released soits a time for a bit of re ection on what we have achieved so far. We like to think we have covered twopopular periods of the war so far and are, more importantly, building a solid community of Battlegroupgamers. We are always available on The Guild forums to chat and answer queries on the rules. We alsothink Battlegroup has proved itself to be a fun game that retains a healthy dose of history and realityalong with rules that are easy to learn too. That’s it for re ection... we have Battlegroup Barbarossaalready underway, so expect to see lots of Panzer Grey on The Guild and various blogs soon, as we startplaytest games!

We already have a few articles lined up for Dispatches 2, but don’t hold us to when that will be! Thenext few months look pretty busy with Barbarossa closely followed by Blitzkrieg, not to mentionexperimental work on some vehicle data cards. Don’t forget the Iron st Publishing and Plastic SoldierCompany websites for regular updates.

We you nd the fanzine interesting and useful, and as always, we welcome any feedback orcontributions. If you enjoy the game then don’t forget to spread the word about Battlegroup as we tryand continue to grow the game. So may your Tigers always spot, your Russians always ‘Ura!’ and yourdice roll better than the enemies!

RegardsWarwick and Piers

Iron stpublishing.comAutumn 2013

Produced by Iron st Publishing Ltd. First published in Great Britain in 2013. The contents are © Iron Fist Publishing Ltd and may not bereproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. Permission is granted to reproduce for own use.

Battlegroup is ™ Iron Fist Publishing Ltd.

CONTENTSBattlegroup Partisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Partisan Army List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3New Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Gebirgsjäger Army List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Painting British Infantry Uniforms for the ETO, 1944-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Kampfgruppe Phillips, Normandy scenario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Hell in the Bocage, Normandy scenario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Pimp My Panzer – StuG III stowage box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19‘On to the Dneipr ’ new Battlegroup Kursk vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

P U B LIS H IN G

In association with



Dispatches 1

BATTLEGROUPPARTISAN

After the German invasion ofYugoslavia, and the country’s

rapid capitulation in April 1941, thesubsequent Nazi occupation of thecountry was severe and exceedinglybrutal, as fascist militias roamed thecountryside, killing at will. Law andorder broke down, and in the chaosand confusion a resistance movementquickly grew. Organised by theCommunist Party of Yugoslavia (whichwas already illegal and operatingunderground) and led by General Tito,an alliance of anti-fascist groups was

forged into a nationwide uprising andinsurrection that fought back againstthe Germans and their allies.

With substantial popular support thepartisans began a long (and increasinglysuccessful) campaign of guerrillawarfare against the occupation forces.In the early years the small, ill-equippedpartisan forces had limited successbut, by 1943, the Allies were supplyingTito’s growing army with weaponsand equipment via air drops, and thepartisans had captured equipment aswell. Their ranks had now swelled toform the ‘National Liberation Army’.

In response, the Germans launchedtheir own anti-partisan campaign. Abrutal series of operations and reprisalsbegan to drive the partisans from theirmountain bases. In January 1943, CaseWhite began, spearheaded by 7th SSVolunteer Mountain Division PrinzEugen. Lasting four months, it saw aseries of battles in western Bosnia, tobe immediately followed by Case Black,

in May and June. Despite Germansuccesses in the eld, the bitter guerillacampaign continued until the end ofthe war, by which time the YugoslavianNational Liberation Army containedover 800,00 men.

The battles in Yugoslavia in 1943 makefor a different and interesting style ofWWII wargame, pitting two lightlyequipped infantry forces, with verylimited armoured support, againsteach other in dense and mountainousterrain. One can easily envision gamesrecreating German assaults on partisan-held mountain villages or bases, or thepartisans attacking German convoys ontwisting mountain roads.

NEW SPECIAL RULESLocal KnowledgeA senior of cer with the ‘localknowledge’ special rule already knowsthe lay of the land well, and has manylocal supporters willing to keep himinformed of enemy strengths andmovements.

At the start of a game, the player withlocal knowledge gains +1 to any die rollfor which board edge (or corner) histroops will deploy from. He also gainsan additional +1 when rolling for who

has the rst turn (in addition to anyscout units).

‘Death to Fascism! Freedom to thePeople!’Idealogically inspired to defeat thefascist invaders, a unit with this specialrule gains +D6 to its Battlegroup’s totalBR at the start of the game.

Mountain GoatsLightly equipped and knowing the localpaths and goat tracks, many partisanunits can cross the mountainous terrain

with ease.

This special rule allows a unit to countterrain as one less than the statedamount. Thus Dangerous Terrainbecomes normal, and Impassablebecomes Dangerous Terrain. This rule

does not apply to units taken as PlatoonSupport options (they have heavierequipment to manhandle).

Climbing EquipmentGebirgsjäger units carry ropes, climbingpicks and crampons to operate moreeffectively in the mountains.

When using the Top Speed order, aunit with climbing equipment countimpassable terrain such as cliffs or screeslopes as dangerous terrain instead.This special rule does not apply to

impassable water terrain – like rivers!

by Piers Brand

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Dispatches 1

– YUGOSLAVIA, 1943 –

PARTISAN BATTLEGROUPFORWARD HEADQUARTERS UNITS

Each unit taken from Forward Headquarters allows a support choice from either: Logistics or Additional Fire Support

Forward Headquarters . . . . . . . 20 pts 3-r BRUnit Composition: 3 menSpecial Rules: Senior Of cer, Mortar Spotter, LocalKnowledge, Unique

Radio Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 pts 0-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Communications

Horse Dispatch Rider . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0-i BRUnit Composition: 1 manTransport: Horse!

Special Rule: Dispatches

Political O cer . . . . . . . . . . 26 pts 1+D6-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Of cer, ‘Death to Fascism! Freedom tothe People!’, Unique

INFANTRY UNITSEach unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance , Engineers or Specialist units.

For each Platoon you may choose 4 Support units

Platoon Composition: 1 Partsian Platoon CommandSquad, 3 Partisan Squads and up to 4 Platoon SupportOptions.

Partisan Platoon Command SquadUnit Composition: 6 menSpecial Rules: Of cer, Mortar Spotter, MountainGoats

3 Partisan SquadsUnit Composition: 9 men with 1 Bren/ZB-28/DP LMGSpecial Rules: Mountain Goats

Options: Replace all ri es with SMGs . . . . . . . . . . . . . free

Platoon Support OptionsThe Platoon may include up to four of the followingadditional units. No unit may be taken more than once.

Combat Medic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pts 0-i BRUnit Composition: 1 manSpecial Rules: Mountian Goats, Medic

Light Mortar team . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 pts 1-i BRUnit Composition: 2 men with 50mm mortar

Machine Gun team . . . . . . . . . . . .18 pts 1-i BR

Unit Composition: 3 men with a Maxim/MG-08 MGUpgrade MG to MG-34 on tripod. . . . . . . . . . +10 pts

Anti-Tank Gun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 pts 2-i BRUnit Composition: 37mmL43 gun with 3 crew

Upgrade anti-tank gun to 47mmL32 . . . . . . . +4 ptsHorse tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 pts

75mm Mountain Gun . . . . . . . . . .19 pts 1-i BRUnit Composition: 75mm GebK 28 gun with 3 crew

Horse tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 pts

Medium Mortar team . . . . . . . . . .24 pts 1-i BRUnit Composition: 3 men with 80mm mortar

Partisan Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 pts 8-i BR

Partisan Squad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 pts 2-i BRSquad Composition: 1 Partisan Squad

Ri e SquadUnit Composition: 9 men with 1 Bren/ZB-28/DP LMG

Special Rules: Mountain GoatsOptions:

Replace all ri es with SMGs . . . . . . . . . . . . . free

Game Size Infantry Restrictions

In a Squad-level game you must include at least 1 Infantry squad.You cannot include more than 1 Infantry Platoon.In Platoon-level game you must take at least 1 Infantry Platoon.You cannot include more than 2 Infantry Platoons.In Company-level games you must take at least 2 Infantry Platoons.You cannot include more than 3 Infantry Platoons.In Battalion-level games you must take at least 3 Infantry Platoons.You cannot include more than 6 Infantry Platoons.3



Dispatches 1

TANK UNITSEach unit taken from Tanks allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance , Engineers, Logistics or Specialist units.

Tank Restricted

Unit Composition: 1 TankHotchkiss H38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 pts 2-i BR (Unique)FIAT L6/40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 pts 2-i BR (Unique)

FT-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 pts 2-i BR

ARTILLERY UNITSEach unit taken from Artillery allows a support choice from: Additional Fire Support .

Forward Observer Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 pts 1-i BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Artillery Spotter

Mountain Artillery Battery . . 42 pts 2-i BRUnit Composition: 2 75mm GebK 28 guns and 3 creweach, with pack mules and horse tows

O -Table Mortar Fire Unit Composition: 1 Battery

2 80mm mortars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 pts 0 BR

O -Table Artillery Fire Unit Composition: 1 Battery

2 75mm howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 pts 0 BR2 100mm howitzers . . . . . . . . 150 pts 0 BR (Unique)

Mountain Artillery Battery . . 72 pts 4-i BRUnit Composition: 2 100mm Vz 16 howitzers and 4crew each, with pack mules and horse towsSpecial Rules: Unique

DEFENCESEach unit taken from Defences allows no support choices.May only be taken if your battlegroup is the Defender in

an Attack-Defence scenario.Improvised Barricades . . . . . . . . 5 pts 0 BR10" of improvised barricades made of earth lledboxes, rubble, furniture, destroyed vehicles etc. Countsas hard cover for infantry behind it.

Machine Gun Dug-out . . . . . . . . 32 pts 1-i BR3 men and a Maxim MG in reinforced cover. The coveris lost if the MG team move.

Mortar Pit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 pts 1-i BR

3 men and an 80mm mortar in reinforced cover. Thecover is lost if the mortar team moves.

Forti ed Building . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 pts 0 BRA single, chosen building, anywhere on the table,counts as reinforced cover rather than hard cover.

Foxholes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BRDeploy up to 10 infantry in foxholes; they count as inreinforced cover until they move.

Sniper Hideout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 pts 0-v BRA single sniper in reinforced cover. It can be placedanywhere outside of the opponent’s deployment zone.The cover is lost if the sniper moves.

Booby Trapped Building . . . . . . . . 25 pts 0 BRAny building on the table has been wired with booby-traps. The rst time an enemy unit enters the buildingroll a D6. On a 2+ it detonates and the unit takes a3/3+ HE hit. On a 1 there is a fault and the booby trapfails to go off!

Gun Cave . . . . . . . 50 pts + artillery piece 0 BR

A dug out cave capable of holding two artillery pieces,able to re out. Counts as in reinforced cover. Gunsmay elect to be dragged inside the cave to give unitsprotected cover but they lose ability to re out.

Cave System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 pts 0 BR

A set of caves used for troop shelter. May hold anentire platoon, or 5 infantry units. All units insidecounts as in protected cover when inside but my notre out.

Mined Improvised Road Block . . . . 5 pts 0 BRSomething large and heavy across a road. Place on anyroad or track, anywhere on the table. It counts as anobstacle. On a 5 or 6 any unit crossing the obstacle setsoff a mine.

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Dispatches 1

RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT UNITS

S n i p e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 1-v BRUnit Composition: 1 manSpecial Rules: Sniper Scout

Options:Add a spotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5 pts

Spotter: A sniper with a spotter increases its maximumrange from 30" to 40", hitting on a 6.

Partisan Foot Patrol . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Partisan squadSpecial Rules: Scout

Ri e SquadUnit Composition: 8 men with 1 LMG

Mounted Partisan Patrol . . . . 15 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Mounted PatrolTransport: HorsesSpecial Rules: Scout

Mounted PatrolUnit Composition: 6 men with 1 LMG

Armoured CarUnit Composition: 1 Armoured CarSpecial Rules: Scout, Unique

Autoblinda AB41. . . . . . . . . 24 pts 1-i BR (Restricted)

Reconnaissance Command . . . 30 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Command squadSpecial Rules: Scout, Of cer, Mortar Spotter, Unique

Command SquadUnit Composition: 4 men

ENGINEER SUPPORT UNITS

Pioneer Squad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Pioneer SquadSpecial Rules: Engineers

Pioneer SquadUnit Composition: 9 men with an LMG and 2demolition charges

LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS

Supply Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 pts 1-i BRUnit Composition: 1 Mule train or horse drawn wagonSpecial Rules: Resupply, Unique

Options:Add up to 2 horse drawn wagons . . . . . +4 pts each

Stretcher Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 1-i BRUnit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Medic

Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . 12 pts 2-i BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 1 Horse-drawn AmbulanceSpecial Rules: Medic

Forward Aid Post . . . . . 20 pts 5-i BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 4 men with a tentSpecial Rules: Unique

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Dispatches 1

SPECIALIST SUPPORT UNITS

Captured Anti-Aircraft GunUnit Composition: 1 anti-aircraft gun with crew

20mm AA gun with 3 crew . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 pts 2-i BRHorse Truck tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 pts

ADDITIONAL FIRE SUPPORT

O -Table Artillery Support Request2nd Target Priority (5+) . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BR1st Target Priority (4+) . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 0 BR

Partsian Fire Mission Requests

Regimental Battery (4+ comms test)1-3 2 80mm mortars4-6 2 75mm howitzers

Divisional Battery (5+ comms test)1-4 2 75mm howitzers5-6 2 100mm howitzers

Partisan Close Air Support Table 1943Partsians treat all air attack counters drawn as ‘Beyond the

Call of Duty’ counters instead.

Pre-Registered Target Point . . . . 10 pts 0 BR

Counter-Battery Fire Mission . . .10 pts 0 BRThe counter-battery re mission is effective on a 5+.

Timed 75mm Barrage. . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BRFired by a battery of four 75mm howitzers. Before thegame, write down which turn the guns will re on. Thepoints cost includes a pre-registered target as the targetpoint of the barrage.

Timed 100mm Barrage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 0 BR (Unique)Fired by a battery of four 100mm howitzers. Before thegame, write down which turn the guns will re on. Thepoints cost includes a pre-registered target as the targetpoint of the barrage.

Partisan Machine Gun Detachment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 pts 2-r BRSquad Composition: 2 MMG teams, each with a bipodmounted MG-34s

MMG TeamUnit Composition: 3 men with MG-34

Special Rules: Mountain Goats, Unique

Options: Add a loader team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+10 pts eachUpgrade MG-34 to MG-42. . . . . . . . . . . .+10 pts each

VEHICLE MOVEMENT ARMOUR ARMAMENT Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

AGDZ 8” 24” - O O O 20mm Turret 10 MG Co-axial - MG Hull -


SdKfz 221 8” 24” - O O O MG Turret -


FIAT L6/40 9” 13” - L O O 20mm Turret - MG Hull -

NEW VEHICLE PROFILES

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Dispatches 1

– YUGOSLAVIA, 1943 –

GERMAN GEBIRGSJÄGERDIVISION BATTLEGROUP

(also 7th SS Division ‘ Prinz Eugen’ )FORWARD HEADQUARTERS UNITS

Each unit taken from Forward Headquarters allows a support choice from either: Logistics or Additional Fire Support

Forward Headquarters . . . . . . . 22 pts 3-r BRUnit Composition: 3 menTransport: Heavy CarSpecial Rules: Senior Of cer, Artillery Spotter, Unique

Options: Replace 3 men and heavy car with:Pz 35-S 739(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+10 pts

Forward Signals Unit . . . . . . . . . . 18 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 3 menTransport: Medium Radio TruckSpecial Rules: Communications, Unique

Options: Replace 3 men and radio truck with:SdKfz 232 radio armoured car . . . . . . . . . . . .+6 pts

Comms Relay Team . . . . . . . . . . . 14 pts 0-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Communications

Motorcycle Dispatch Rider . . . . 12 pts 0-r BRUnit Composition: 1 manTransport: MotorcycleSpecial Rule: Dispatches

Luftwa e Air Control O cer 26 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menTransport: KübelwagenSpecial Rules: Of cer, Air Spotter 3+, Unique

Options: Upgrade K übelwagen to:Medium radio truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .+2 pts

INFANTRY UNITSEach unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance , Engineers or Specialist units.

Gebirgsjäger Squad . . . . . . . . . .26 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Gebirgsjäger Squad and 1 LMGTeam. Unit has ‘Climbing Equipment’.

Gebirgsjäger SquadUnit Composition: 5 menTransport : mount in a medium truck. . . . . . . . . +4 pts

LMG TeamUnit Composition: 3 men with ZB-28 LMGTransport: Transported in Squad’s vehicle.

Options: Upgrade a ZB-28 to MG-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 ptsUpgrade a ZB-28 to MG-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +20 pts

Chetnik Partisan Squad . . . . . .14 pts 2-i BRSquad Composition: 1 Chetnik Partisan Squad

Chetnik Partisan SquadUnit Composition: 10 menTransport : mount in a medium truck. . . . . . . . . +4 ptsSpecial Rules: Mountain Goats

Game Size Infantry RestrictionsIn a Squad-level game you must include at least 1 Infantry squad.You cannot include more than 1 Infantry Platoon.In Platoon-level game you must take at least 1 Infantry Platoon.You cannot include more than 2 Infantry Platoons.In Company-level games you must take at least 2 Infantry Platoons.You cannot include more than 3 Infantry Platoons.In Battalion-level games you must take at least 3 Infantry Platoons.You cannot include more than 6 Infantry Platoons.

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Dispatches 1

For each Platoon you may choose 4 Support units

Platoon Composition: 1 Gebirgsjäger Platoon

Command squad, 3 Gebirgsjäger Squads and 3 LMGTeams and up to 4 Platoon Support Options. All unitshave ‘Climbing Equipment’.

Gebirgsjäger Platoon Command SquadUnit Composition: 6 menTransport: Medium truck or Heavy car . . . . . . +4 ptsSpecial Rules: Of cer, Mortar Spotter

3 Gebirgsjäger SquadsUnit Composition: 5 men

Transport: mount in a medium truck. . . . . . . . +4 pts

3 LMG TeamsUnit Composition: 3 men with ZB-28 LMGTransport: Transported in Platoon’s other vehicles

Options: Upgrade a ZB-28 to MG-34 . . . . . . . . .+10 pts eachUpgrade a ZB-28 to MG-42 . . . . . . . . .+20 pts each

Platoon Support Options

The Platoon may include up to four of the followingadditional units. No unit may be taken more than once.

Heavy Machine Gun team . . . . . .18 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 3 men with a tripod sMG34

Replace sMG34 with tripod sMG42 . . . . . . . . +4 pts

Combat Medic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 pts 0-r BRUnit Composition: 1 manSpecial Rule: Medic

Light Mortar team . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 2 men with 50mm mortar

Include a 3 man loader team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 pts

Medium Mortar team . . . . . . . . . .24 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 3 men with 80mm mortar

Include a 3 man loader team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 pts

Anti-tank Gun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 pts 2-r BRUnit Composition: 37mm PaK36 gun with 3 crew

Upgrade anti-tank gun to 50mm PaK38 . . . . +8 ptsInclude a 3 man loader team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 ptsMedium Truck tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 ptsSdKfz 6 half track tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +8 pts

75mm Mountain Gun . . . . . . . . . .19 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 75mm mountain gun with 3 crew

Medium Truck tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts

Gebirgsjäger Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 pts 11-r BR

TANK UNITSEach unit taken from Tanks allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance , Engineers, Logistics or Specialist units.

Panzer Restricted

Unit Composition: 1 PanzerPanzer 35R 731(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 pts 2-r BRPanzer 38H 735(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 pts 2-r BRPanzer 35-S 739(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 pts 2-r BR

8



Dispatches 1

ARTILLERY UNITSEach unit taken from Artillery allows a support choice from: Additional Fire Support .

Forward Observer Team . . . . . . . 16 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menTransport: KübelwagenSpecial Rules: Artillery Spotter+

Options: Replace K übelwagen with:Heavy car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . free

Light Mountain Artillery Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 pts 2-r BRUnit Composition: 2 75mm GEB 36 guns and 3 creweach, with pack mulesOptions: Replace pack mules with:

Medium Truck tows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts each

O -Table Mortar Fire Unit Composition: 1 Battery

2 80mm mortars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 pts 0 BR2 120mm mortars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 pts 0 BR

O -Table Artillery Fire Unit Composition: 1 Battery

2 105mm howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 pts 0 BR2 150mm howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 pts 0 BR2 100mm howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140 pts 0 BR2 170mm howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 pts 0 BR

Mountain Artillery Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 pts 4-r BRUnit Composition: 2 105mm GEB 36 guns and 4 creweach, with pack mulesOptions: Replace pack mules with:

Medium Truck tows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts each

DEFENCESEach unit taken from Defences allows no support choices.

May only be taken if your battlegroup is the Defender in an Attack-Defence scenario.

Improvised Barricades . . . . . . . . 5 pts 0 BR10" of improvised barricades made of earth lledboxes, rubble, furniture, destroyed vehicles etc. Countsas hard cover for infantry behind it.

Machine Gun Dug-out . . . . . . . . 34 pts 1-r BR3 men and a tripod mounted sMG34 in reinforcedcover. The cover is lost if the MG team move.

Mortar Pit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 pts 1-r BR3 men and an 80mm mortar in reinforced cover. Thecover is lost if the mortar team moves.

Forti ed Building . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 pts 0 BRA single, chosen building, anywhere on the table,counts as reinforced cover rather than hard cover.

Foxholes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BRDeploy up to 10 infantry in foxholes; they count as inreinforced cover until they move.

Sniper Hideout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 pts 0-v BRA single sniper in reinforced cover. It can be placedanywhere outside of the opponent’s deployment zone.The cover is lost if the sniper moves.

Booby Trapped Building . . . . . . . . 25 pts 0 BRAny building on the table has been wired with booby-traps. The rst time an enemy unit enters the buildingroll a D6. On a 2+ it detonates and the unit takes a

3/3+ HE hit. On a 1 there is a fault and the booby trapfails to go off!

Improvised Road Block . . . . . . . 5 pts 0 BRSomething large and heavy across a road. Place on anyroad or track anywhere on the table. It counts as anobstacle.

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Dispatches 1

RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT UNITS

S n i p e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 1-v BRUnit Composition: 1 manSpecial Rules: Sniper Scout

Options:Add a spotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5 pts

Spotter: A sniper with a spotter increases its maximumrange from 30" to 40", hitting on a 6.

Gebirgsjäger Foot Patrol . . . . .36 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Gebirgsjäger Squad and 1 LMGTeam. Unit has ‘Climbing Equipment’.

Gebirgsjäger Squad

Unit Composition: 5 menSpecial Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotters

LMG TeamUnit Composition: 3 men with ZB-28 LMGTransport: Transported in Squad’s vehicle.

Options: Upgrade a ZB-28 to MG-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 ptsUpgrade a ZB-28 to MG-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +20 pts

Mounted Gebirgsjäger Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 3-r BR

Squad Composition: 1 Mounted PatrolTransport: BicyclesSpecial Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotters

Mounted PatrolUnit Composition: 5 men with a ZB-28

Options: Replace bicycles with:Heavy car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 pts

Reconnaissance Command . . . 44 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Command squadTransport: Heavy CarSpecial Rules: Scout, Of cer, Artillery Spotter, Unique

Command SquadUnit Composition: 4 men

Armoured CarUnit Composition: 1 Armoured CarSpecial Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotter

SdKfz 221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 pts 1-r BRSdKfz 222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 1-r BRAGDZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 pts 1-r BRBA-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 pts 1-r BR

Motorcycle Reconnaisance Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 pts 2-r BRUnit Composition: 3 menTransport: Motorcycle and sidecarSpecial Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotter

ENGINEER SUPPORT UNITS

Mountain Pioneer Squad . . . . 32 pts 3-r BRSquad Composition: 1 Pioneer SquadSpecial Rules: Engineers

Pioneer SquadUnit Composition: 8 men with a ZB-28 LMG and 2demolition charges

Options: Upgrade a ZB-28 to MG-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +10 ptsSquad may have a amethrower . . . . . . . . . +20 pts

Light Bridging Unit. . . . . . . . . . 18 pts 2-r BRUnit Composition: 6 menTransport: Heavy Truck with a Bridge

Special Rules: Bridging

Recovery VehicleUnit Composition: 1 VehicleSpecial Rules: Vehicle Repair

Repair Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 pts 1-r BR

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Dispatches 1

LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS

Supply Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 1 Mule train or horse drawn wagonSpecial Rules: Resupply, Unique

Options:Add up to 2 horse drawn wagons . . . . . +4 pts eachReplace a single wagon with a medium truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +6 pts

Stretcher Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 pts 1-r BRUnit Composition: 2 menSpecial Rules: Medic

Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . 14 pts 2-r BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 1 Kübelwagen AmbulanceSpecial Rules: MedicOptions: Upgrade Kübelwagen Ambulance to:

Ambulance medium truck. . . . . . . . . . . . +2 pts each

Forward Aid Post . . . . . 20 pts 5-i BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 4 men with a tentSpecial Rules: Unique

SPECIALIST SUPPORT UNITS Anti-Aircraft GunUnit Composition: 1 anti-aircraft gun with crew

20mm AA gun with 3 crew . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 pts 2-r BRMedium Truck tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts

Anti-Tank GunUnit Composition: 1 anti-tank gun with crewSpecial Rules: Unique

75mm PaK40 gun with 3 crew . . . . . . . . .28 pts 2 -r BRMedium Truck tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts

Flammpanzer B-2(f) . . . . . . . . . 50 pts 3-r BRUnit Composition: 1 Flammpanzer auf Pz B-2(f)

Special Rules: Unique

ADDITIONAL FIRE SUPPORT

O -Table Artillery Support Request2nd Target Priority (5+) . . . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BR1st Target Priority (3+) . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 0 BR

Gebirgsjäger Fire Mission Requests

Regimental Battery (3+ comms test)1-4 2 80mm mortars5-6 2 120mm mortars

Divisional Battery (4+ comms test)1-4 2 105mm howitzers5 2 100mm howitzers6 2 150mm howitzers

Corps Battery (5+ comms test)1-3 2 150mm howitzers

4-6 2 170mm cannons

Pre-Registered Target Point . . . . 10 pts 0 BR

Counter-Battery Fire Mission . . .10 pts 0 BRThe counter-battery re mission is effective on a 4+.

Timed105mm Barrage . . . . . . . . . 10 pts 0 BRFired by a battery of four 105mm howitzers. Before thegame, write down which turn the guns will re on. Thepoints cost includes a pre-registered target as the targetpoint of the barrage.

Timed 150mm Barrage . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 0 BRFired by a battery of four 150mm howitzers. Before thegame, write down which turn the guns will re on. Thepoints cost includes a pre-registered target as the targetpoint of the barrage.

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Dispatches 1

Gebirgsjäger Close Air Support Table 1943

D6 Aircraft1-3 HS-123 1-5 4 light bombs 6 1 large bomb

4 Fw-190 F 1-2 No bombs 3-4 1 cluster bomb 5-6 1 large bomb

5 JU-87D 1-6 1 large and 4 light bombs

6 Choose Select any of the above aircraft

You may always choose an aircraft from lower down thetable over a higher roll. You must still roll for armament.

PAINTING BRITISH INFANTRY UNIFORMS(FOR THE ETO, 1944-45)

1

1. After a black undercoat,paint the model with Vallejo(VJ) English Uniform andthen wash the whole model

with Citadel Shade: AgraxEarthshade.

2

2. When fully dried, re-high -light the raised areas with VJEnglish Uniform.

3

3. Next add a nal high -light to the uniform with VJBritish Tank Crew and alsobasecoat the webbing in thiscolour.

4

4. Use VJ British Tank CrewHighlight to, you guessed it,highlight the webbing!

5

5. Paint in the helmet withVJ Camo Olive Green.

6

6. Wash the helmet, bootsand esh areas with CitadelShade: Nuln Oil.

7

7. Paint any hessian camostrips on the helmet in VJKhaki and highlight with VJBritish Tankcrew Highlight.

8

8. Paint in your esh tonesand you are done!

by Piers Brand

RECREATING GUERILLA WARThese lists are designed to be played against eachother.Players can, if they so wish, try to pit them against other listsfor 1943 (from Battlegroup Kursk), but be warned, a partisanforce is unlikely to stand much of a ghting chance against afully equipped Panzer division in the open elds. The same isalso true for a Gebirgsjäger battlegroup faced by the onslaughtof a Russian Tank Corps. These are light infantry forces, bestdeployed to the environment they actually fought in.

When playing games, bear in mind that this is Yugoslavia. Thepartisans often fought their battles in remote places, hencewhy the Germans deployed mountain troops against them.We’d suggest that the boards should contain lots of ruggedhills (the more the better), boulder elds and scree-slopes, aswell as dense pine woods, lakes, fast streams and rivers andisolated villages, castles, monasteries, etc.

These lists are for re-creating the battles, rather than otherpartisan operations, such as stealthy assassination andsabotage missions. A sabotage mission, for example, to destroya railway bridge, might form one objective on a battle eld,rather than be the focus of an entire battle. Suitable scenarios

for anti-partisan operations would include High Ground (fromBattlegroup Kursk), Recce Screen (from Battlegroup Overlord),Delaying Action, End of the Rat Race and Die Hexenkessel(from Battlegroup Fall of the Reich).

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Dispatches 1

BATTLEGROUP OVERLORDSCENARIOS

KAMPFGRUPPE PHILLIPSBackgroundNormandy – 11th July, 1944

During the rst week of July, PanzerLehr was transferred from theBritish front to launch a counter-attack against the US bridgeheadover the Vire river. After initialprobes, the main assault took place

on 11TH July. Panzer GrenadierRegiment 901 formed the left hookof the attack under the commandof Oberst Scholze. It was then splitinto two sub-groups for the attack.The 2nd Battalion was ordered toseize Le Mesnil-Veneron.

Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion,commanded by HauptmannPhillips, was to take Le Dezert andthen drive north towards Saint-

Jean-Daye. Kampfgruppe Phillipswas reinforced with Panthers fromPanzer Regiment 6, elements ofPanzerjäger Abteilung 130 and thedivisional reconnaissance battalion,plus several self-propelledhowitzers. This formidablearmoured force struck at the junction between the US 39th and47th Infantry Regiments. Le Dezertsoon fell following a morningassault. Gruppe Phillips thenpushed towards Sain-Jean-de-Dayeduring the afternoon.

Units from the US 47th InfantryRegiment made a stand in front ofLe Sellerie supported by M10s ofthe 899th Tank Destroyer Battalionand Shermans of the 3rd ArmouredDivision.

Scenario NotesThis is a big scenario that will takesome time to play and suits multi-

player teams.

The board is 8’ by 6’. There are12+3 turns. At the end of Turn 12,the German player rolls a D6 andthe game ends on a 5 or 6. At theend of Turn 13, the game nisheson 4-6. At the end of Turn 14, thegame ends on 3-6. If not, Turn 15is the last turn. [Historically, thisrepresents an order by the German

superior command to call off theattack after high casualties in allsectors of the counter-attack byLehr on 11 July 1944. The task ofthe German player(s) is to beat theactual performance of Lehr in theoperation!]

The game may end before then ifeither side reaches its battle-rating,in which case the other side wins.

Subject to Battle Rating, victory isdetermined on the following basis.The German wins 1 VP for eachroad that he exists a vehicle offduring the game, and one VP foreach building (or building complexin the case of linked/terracedbuildings) that he holds exclusivelyby the end of the last turn (theAmerican takes a counter in theusual way for each building that theGerman seizes control of during thegame, and vice-versa in the event ofa recapture by the American).

• Less than 3 VPs = US win• 3-4 VPs = draw• 5+ VPs = German win

The US player deploys rst. Beforedeploying, the US player rolls a D6to determine how many of his unitsmay be given reaction orders. TheGerman player moves rst, usingorders in the usual way for units to

enter the board.

Both sides have substantialreinforcements. On the turn whenthese are due to enter the board,the owning player uses orders toactivate them. If he has insuf cientorders to to do so, any units that arenot activated are placed on the edgeof the board. They have entered thegame and count as on the board,

but cannot do anything further thatturn.

The hedges are bocage with gaps/gates as marked on the map. Theyare high enough to block all linesof sight at ground level except forunits adjacent to them. They createa 4 inch deadzone behind them toany unit observing from a hill orupper oor of a building. The gapsin the bocage block line of sight

except to/from units positioned atthe gap. The gaps do not providecover.

The board contains several stone/brick buildings/terraces whichhave at least one upper oor plus aground level garage or barn. Buildings and woods block all linesof sight from any level. Unlessa unit is adjacent to it, the stonewalls block line of sight to any unitat ground level except turretedvehicles ring at each other or athigher level terrain features. It is toolow to create a deadzone behind itfor units observing from a higherlevel. Roads are considered wideenough for two large vehicles sideby side.

by FredKonynenberg

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Dispatches 1

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Dispatches 1

All US units are Regulars unless otherwise stated.

The US set up rst placing their initial forces within thedeployment zone marked on the map.

INITIAL FORCESInfantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5 men) (Of cer, ArtillerySpotter)Infantry Squad (7 men) + BAR Squad (5 men)Infantry Squad (7 men) + BAR Squad (5 men)Infantry Squad (7 men) + BAR Squad (5 men)

Infantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5) (Of cer, Artillery Spotter)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

Medium Mortar Team 81mm mortar with 3 crew

Medium Mortar Team 81mm mortar with 3 crew

Anti-Tank Platoon57mm AT gun with 3 crew plus tow57mm AT gun with 3 crew plus tow57mm AT gun with 3 crew plus tow

MG SectionMMG with 3 crewHMG with 3 crew

All such units may start in fox-holes, trenches, MG /anti-tank gun dug-outs and mortar pits.

2 x Mine elds

Forward Headquarters 3 men (Senior Of cer, Artillery Spotter, Radio CommsNetwork) with M20 armoured car

Attached Artillery Battery105mm with 3 crew105mm with 3 crew[sets up together and dug-in within 1’ of the north edgeof the board outside Le Sellerie]

Forward Observer Team (Of cer, Artillery Spotter+)2 men in a jeep

REINFORCEMENTSThe following reinforcements enter the board usingorders at any point in the US entry zone marked “Z-Z”:

TURN 1+D4Self-Propelled Tank Destroyer BatteryM10 WolverineM10 WolverineM10 WolverineM10 Wolverine

Recon Command (Of cer, Scout, Mortar Spotter)M20 armoured car

Supply Column1 Medium Truck

TURN 2+D4

Infantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5) (Of cer, Artillery Spotter)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

MMG Team.30 cal MG with 3 crew

TURN 3+D4Medium Tank PlatoonM4 Sherman/75mm (Of cer, Artillery Spotter)

M4/75mmM4/75mm

Medium Tank PlatoonM4 Sherman/75mm (Of cer, Artillery Spotter)M4/75mmM4/75mm

[No Cullins devices allowed as they are not yet in operation]

TURN 3Forward Air Control Of cer (Of cer, Air Spotter 2+)2 men in a jeep

Of cers: 10 (+3D6)Total Battle Rating: 69

Air Support:Starting from Turn 6, the US Player rolls a D6 for airsupport. On a roll of 6, he receives an immediateair strike and rolls for the aircraft type and payloadconsulting the US Close Air Support Table. If the FACis eliminated, the US player can only roll once every 2turns.

US ORDER OF BATTLE

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Dispatches 1

All German units are veteran.

The German player moves rst, entering along thesouth edge of the board between points “A-A” or “B-B”in the following sequence.

TURN 1Recon Platoon Command (Of cer, Scout, ArtillerySpotter)SdKfz 250/10 plus 4 men

Recon SquadSdKfz 250/1 plus 4 men with 1 Panzerfaust

Recon SquadSdKfz 250/1 plus 4 men with 1 Panzerfaust

Armoured Car Squadron

SdKfz 234/1SdKfz 234/1

Panzer Grenadier Platoon Panzer Grenadier Command Squad (6) (Of cer, MortarSpotter)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)HMG-42 Team with 3 men

Panzer Grenadier Platoon

Panzer Grenadier Command Squad (6) (Of cer, MortarSpotter)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad with 1 Panzerfaust (5) + MMG Team (3)HMG-42 Team with 3 men

* All MMG Teams have MG-42s.

TURN 2Forward Headquarters (Senior Of cer, ArtillerySpotter)SdKfz 251/3 plus 3 men

Panther PlatoonPanther A (Of cer, Mortar Spotter)Panther APanther A

Panther PlatoonPanther A (Of cer, Mortar Spotter)Panther APanther A

Assault Gun BatteryStug IIIG (Of cer, Mortar Spotter)Stug IIIGStug IIIG

Assault Gun BatteryStug IIIG (Of cer, Mortar Spotter)Stug IIIGStug IIIG

Supply Column 2 x Medium Trucks

TURN 3Armoured Pioneer PlatoonCommand Squad (6) (Of cer, Mortar Spotter) with aPanzerfaust in SdKfz 251/10Pioneer Squad (5) with a Panzerfaust, 2 demo chargesand a minesweeper in SdKfz 251/1Pioneer Squad (5) with a Panzerfaust, 2 demo chargesand a minesweeper in SdKfz 251/1Pioneer Squad (5) with a Panzerfaust, 2 demo chargesand a amethrower in SdKfz 251/1

3 MMG -42 Teams with 3 men

Assault Howitzer Battery*GrilleGrille1 Dedicated armoured ammuntion carrier

Of cers: 9 (+4D6)Battle Rating: 96

Howitzer Spotters:

In this scenario, any units with the Mortar Spotterability may also spot for the Assault Howitzer Battery.

GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE

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Dispatches 1

After the bloodbath of Omaha, theproblems continued for the US as theymoved into the Normandy bocage.The 38th Infantry Regiment was taskedwith pushing towards Trevieres, whichturned into a costly slog throughheavily forti ed hedgerows and wasonly able to make progress with thesupport of divisional artillery re.

The table is 6’ x 4’. The German sets uphis units anywhere on the board within18 inches of the southern edge of theboard. The American then moves rstusing orders to enter the board alongthe northern edge of the board. The

farmland is open eld and the hedgesare all bocage.

The game lasts 10 turns. The Germantakes a counter for each unit that theAmerican exits off the southern edge ofthe board between points A and B.

US ORDER OF BATTLE

Forward Headquarters3 men (Senior Of cer, Artillery Spotter)

Infantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5) (Of cer,Artillery Spotter)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

Infantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5) (Of cer,Artillery Spotter)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

Infantry PlatoonPlatoon Command Squad (5) (Of cer,Artillery Spotter)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)Infantry Squad (7) + BAR Squad (3)

MMG Team3 men with a .30 cal HMG

MMG Team3 men with a .30 cal HMG

Medium Mortar Team81mm mortar with 3 crewMedium Mortar Team81mm mortar with 3 crew

Of cers: 4 (+2D6)Battle Rating: 28

Artillery Support:Starting from Turn 6, the American

receives off-board artillery support inthe form of 2 x 105mm howitzers whichare available through the expenditureof orders and subject to communicationchecks in the usual way.

HELL IN THE BOCAGE

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Dispatches 1

GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE

Grenadier PlatoonGrenadier Command Squad (6) (Of cer,Mortar Spotter)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)

Grenadier PlatoonGrenadier Command Squad (6) (Of cer,Mortar Spotter)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)Grenadier Squad (5) + MMG Team (3)

HMG TeamMG 34 Tripod mount with 3 crew

Medium Mortar Team

80mm mortar with 3 crew

Sniper TeamSniper & Spotter

Defences2 x Mine elds (marked on map beforegame starts)3 x Foxholes1 x Sniper Hideout

Of cers: 2 (+2D6)

Battle Rating: 25

TerrainThe hedges are bocage with gaps/gatesas marked on the map. They are highenough to block all lines of sight atground level except for units adjacentto them. They create a 4 inch deadzonebehind them to any unit observing froma hill or upper oor of a building. Thegaps in the bocage block line of sightexcept to/from units positioned at thegap. They do not provide cover.

The board contains a stone house withan upper level and two barns with onlya ground oor. Buildings and woods block all linesof sight from any level. Unless a unitis adjacent to it, the stone walls blockline of sight to any unit at ground level

except turreted vehicles ring at eachother or at higher level terrain features.It is too low to create a deadzone behindit for units observing from a higherlevel.

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Dispatches 1

‘PIMP MY PANZER’MODELING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Making a Stug III Stowage BoxOne of the best ways to add interest, individuality andvariation to your table-top army is to add vehicle stowage– all the assorted bits and bobs that a crew accumulate overtime at the front.

There is a huge variety of commercially available material,but an alternative is to make your own. One useful and easyto make item is the type of large stowage box that can be seenon the engine deck of German AFVs, in particular StuGs andPanzer IIIs. These were usually eld modi cations and in

many cases a particular style or shape was used by a speci cunit – for example Leibstandarte StuGs at Kursk.

To make your own stowage box you will need:• Assorted Plasticard / Strip• Craft Knife & Panel Scriber• Small Steel Ruler• Sanding Stick• Superglue• Masking Tape

1. Take some 3.2x3.2mm Square Tube (Ever -green #252) and cut three lengths of 26mmeach. These will form the body of the box and

give its dimensions so you can vary these tomake any size that you need.

Now take a strip of 0.56mm x 1.68mm plas -ticard (Evergreen #8206) and cut six lengthsthat are 2mm longer than your base shape – inthis case 28mm long. These are the planks forthe lid of the box.

2. Glue the three lengths of Square Tubetogether to make a solid shape and use asanding stick to make the ends at andsquare.

3. Line up the six planks on a cutting matand use a piece of masking tape to holdthem in place.

5. Glue the completed lid onto the solidbody of the box, being careful to leavematching overhangs to each side andto the ends. Trim the two cross piecessquare to the side edges.

6. For the end panels cut two stripsfrom a piece of 0.5mm x 3.2mm strip(Evergreen #106). Again these shouldbe longer than needed. Glue these inplace and trim to size. The basic box isnished.

4. Cut two cross pieces from a piece of0.25mm x 0.75mm strip (Evergreen #101).These should be longer than needed asyou can trim to size later. Carefully gluethese across the width of the six boardswith superglue using a cocktail stick toapply it.

You can choose the exact position as long

as they are evenly spaced – in this case4mm from each end. Use a sharp knife totrim the ends of the boards to size mak -ing them all identical.

1 2 3

4

5 6

7 8

by Sean Allen

19



Dispatches 17. To add wood grain effects carefullyuse a panel scribing tool to score linesdown the length of each board on the lidas well as the side and end panels. Don’tmake these too deep and keep themirregular and relatively short.

8. Here the box is stained with a wash toshow the patterning.

9. If wanted you can add further crosspieces to the ends or sides of the box.As before it’s easier to get these straightif you use longer strips and glue intoposition before trimming back to size.

10. Cut some small pieces of Evergreen#101 strip and gently round off one endwith a sanding stick to represent latches.The easiest way to apply such small

pieces is to put a tiny spot of superglueon the front of the box using a cocktailstick and then use the tip of a sharp knifeto pick up and position the latch.

11. Hinges can be added using smalllengths of 0.75mm plastic rod (Evergreen#210).

12. On many StuGs and Panzer IIIs thestowage box was built to follow theslope at the rear of the engine deck.To recreate this simply cut angled sidepanels and use a wider strip for therear side of the box, so that the lid ishorizontal when the box is in place.

13. Add legs using small lengths ofplastic strip. You can use square orrectangular pieces as needed trimmingthese to shape.

14. Painting

Start by applying a coat of primer andallow to dry. Give the whole box a basecoat of Vallejo Model Colour GermanCamou age Orange Ochre (824).

15. Using brown and buff colours mixed

with the base colour vary the tone slightlyon some of the boards of the lid.

16. When dry give the whole thing a

wash using a burnt umber oil paint anda good quality thinner. The wash willpool into the wood grain and betweenthe boards bringing out the details.

17. Paint the latches and hingeswith German Camou age BlackBrown (822). By varying thenumber and depth of the etchedlines, the base colours of theplanks and the strength of thewash you can achieve a range ofdifferent nishes.

18. Once you have the basic woodappearance you can weather inline with your vehicle to give amore toned-down nish.

9 10

1112 13

14

15

16

17 18

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Dispatches 1

BATTLEGROUP KURSK‘ON TO THE DNIEPR!’

NEW RUSSIAN ARMOUR FOR LATE1943Battlegroup Kursk deals with thewar on the Eastern Front in 1943, butits main focus is really the summerghting, and the German’s greatoffensive. Naturally, the army listsincluded focus on this period of the war,and they would also be ne for playingbattle’s in late 1943, with the exceptthat, deliberately excluded from the

army lists were a few armoured vehiclesthat only appeared on the battle elds oflate 1943. This was part of the retainingthe character of the lists for the Kurskbattles.

Of course, the development of theSoviet armoured ghting vehicles wasnot restricted to convenient years so,for those wanting to set their games inthe post-Kursk battles and the Sovietadvance towards the Dniepr river in

late summer and autumn of 1943, hereare three additions to the Tank Corpsbattlegroup lists.

SU-85The SU-85 reached the front linein August 1943 - to assist in theexploitation of the Kursk victory, afterproduction of a new, more powerful,tank destroyer was ordered. It wascreated using the basic SU-122 hulland mounting the preferred 85mmD-5T gun in a new ball mantle. Asa dedicated tank hunter it had noco-axial or pintle-mounted machinegun. Designed to combat Tigers andPanthers, the SU-85s performed wellon the battle eld, although poormanufacturing techniques meant theysuffered from breakdowns after longperiods in the eld. Utilising the T-34’sexcellent running gear, the SU-85 werefast and mobile, with a top speed of32mph. The SU-85 served throughout1944, but by early 1945 the SU-85 was

deemed obsolete (after 2050 had beenmanufactured), and it was replaced bythe up-gunned SU-100. Some remainedin service until the end of the war.

KV-85It was known that the KV-1s days asa frontline battle tank were numberedand (once it was decided that the RedArmy still needed a heavy tank) thesearch for a replacement began. At thebeginning of 1943 there were 21 designsfor heavy tanks being evaluated.Eventually, this process would createthe Joseph Stalin tank series, but

with the KV-1 now being out-datedand with most already having beingwritten-off from the order of battle,there were urgent requests from frontcommanders for a heavy tank capableof matching the German Tiger andPanther. Technical problems had slowedthe production of the IS-1 and IS-2, so astop-gap measure was introduced, andthis was very quickly put in production.The resulting tank was the KV-85. Itwould reach front line units in October

1943.

The KV-85 used the basic KV chassis,but mounted a new dome-shaped turretdesigned to house the D-5T 85mm gun,which had been chosen to replace thenow underpowered 76.2mm tank gun.Only 148 KV-85s were completed beforeproduction was cancelled in favour ofthe now nalised IS-2 design. Thesefew KV-85s served into 1944, but werelater entirely replaced by the new IS-2s.

T-80The T-80 was the nal upgrade of thelight tank design, and very few (just140) were nished before all light tankproduction ceased. Its main differencefrom the T-70 was its changed turretdesign to increase the turret crewfrom a single gunner/commanderto two men, so the tank now had adedicated gunner. It had some minorimprovements in armour, whichlowered its top speed slightly, but

essentially it was very similar light tankto its forebear.

T-70 COMPANYAt Kursk, the little T-70 was a frontline battle tank. Deployed along withthe T-34s, it formed fully a third of theRussian tank strength. As such, notbeing able to eld a full company ofT-70s (as with T-34s) seems a bit harsh,given the number that were present onthe battle eld in the summer of 1943.

This was an idea that I consideredduring development of the Russianlists, but I was talked out of it, on thethinking that only the T-34 should reallybe the backbone of Russian tank units,and so only it should be allowed insuch large numbers (and at the reducedpoints costs). With hindsight, I thinkthat decision was too literal. The T-70(hardly likely to cause German player’ssleepless nights anyway) should alsobe available en-masse. So, I’ve included

here a new entry for the Eastern Front1943 Tank Corps Army List. Note,that whilst the other new entries hereare limited to late 1943 (so not atKursk itself), this entry can be usedthroughout 1943.

by Warwick Kinrade

21



Dispatches 1


KV-85 8” 12” H K L 85mmL54 Turret 7 MG Co-axial - MG Turret (rear) -


T-80 9” 13” - K N O 45mmL46 Turret 9 MG Co-axial -


SU-85 12” 16” T-34 mobility L M N 85mmL54 Hull 5

ADDITIONS TO RUSSIAN 1943 TANK CORPS BATTLEGROUP– TANK UNITS (for late 1943 only)

SU-85 Battery . . . . . . . . . 120 pts 9-r BR (Restricted)Unit Composition: 3 SU-85s

3 SU-85s

A SU-85 Battery allows 2 Support choices

KV-85 Platoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 pts 9-r BRUnit Composition: 3 KV-85s

3 TKV-85s

Special Rules: Stal! Stal! Stal!, Unique A KV-85 Platoon allows 2 Support choices

SU-85Unit Composition: 1 SU-85

SU-76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 pts 3-r BR (Restricted)

KV-85Unit Composition: 1 KV-85

KV-85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 pts 3-r BR (Restricted)Special Rules: Stal! Stal! Stal!, Unique

T-70 Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 pts 20-r BRUnit Composition: 10 T-70s

1 T-70 (Of cer)9 T-70s

Special Rules: Stal! Stal! Stal! A T-70 Company allows 6 Support choices

Light TankUnit Composition: 1 Light Tank

T-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 pts 2-r BRT-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 pts 2-r BRT-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 pts 2-r BR (Restricted)

Special Rules: Stal! Stal! Stal!

Light Tank Platoon . . . . . . . . . . 50 pts 6-r BRUnit Composition: 3 T-60s

3 T-60s

Options: Upgrade all T-60s in the platoon to:T-70s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +15 ptsT-80s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +20 pts

Special Rules: Stal! Stal! Stal! Unique (T-80s only) A Light Tank Platoon allows 2 Support choices

ADDITIONS TO RUSSIAN 1943 TANKCORPS BATTLEGROUP– TANK UNITS

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