Winter War Scenario #7 - Pohjan pojat! Hyökkää! (Sons of the North! Attack!)

 

Rules: Nuts! By TwoHourWargames (28mm WWII skirmish), 2017 edition, with a few personal touches here and there

 

Campaign & Scenario Details:

Nationality	Unit Type	Month/Year	Location
Suomi (Finland)	Jääkkäri (Jaegers)	Tammikuu (Jan),1940	Kuhmo Sector

 

ID	Mission	Finnish Morale	Soviet Morale	Finnish Inv Lvl	Soviet Inv Lvl	Notes
1.	Patrol	4	4	3	4	Soviet Victory
2.	Defend	4	4	3	4	Finnish Victory
3.	Patrol	4	3	3	4	Soviet Victory
4.	Defend	4	3	3	4	Finnish Victory
5.	Patrol	4	2	3	4	Finnish “Victory”
6.	Choc/Cigs	4	2	3	4	Finnish Victory
7.	Attack	4	2	3	4

 

Note on Finnish Language: I prefer to use Finnish ranks and abbreviations. Note that these are my abbreviations and not necessarily the real ones. They are as follows:

Sotamies/Sotamiehet (Sm) Infantry private/privates

Jääkkäri/ Jääkkärit (Jkr) Jaeger private/privates

Korpraali (Krp) private first class

Alikersantti (Aks) corporal (in game terms, an assistant squad leader)

Kersantti (Krs) sergeant (in game terms, a squad leader)

Ylikersantti (Yks): senior sergeant (in game terms, the platoon sergeant)

Vänrikki (Vrk): 2nd Lieutenant (Platoon leader)

 

Common abbreviations used:

#/# (i.e., 3/1) = 3^rd squad/ 1^st platoon

LOS = Line of sight

IST = In sight Test; a game mechanic that determines who shoots first, regardless as to which side is active at the time

PEF = Possible Enemy Force; may be actual enemy force or may just be rumors. It won’t be determined for certain until positive identification by friendly forces.

For clarity, there are three reasons a group might not move (all of which happened a lot in this scenario)

·          Fail to Activate: The faction rolled a DR6 so no one activates from that side

·          Fail to Move: Although the side is active, that particular leader failed to activate

·          Decide not to move: The leader can move, but decides not to. This will happen quite often, as the Soviets are trapped in a “motti” and will generally be satisfied to maintain a static defense.

 

 Date: January 13^th, 1940

Weather: Clear, deep snow, cold weather rules in effect, all rivers completely frozen

Soviet forces are subject to privation rules (When I remember to use them).

This part of Finland is heavily forested, and Soviet troops and (especially) vehicles were often confined to roads. Consequently, there will be special movement & reinforcement rules for PEF and reinforcements.

 Historical Note:

 General Siilasvuo has completed the destruction of the Soviet 44^th and 163^rd divisions at the Battle of Suomussalmi. He and his forces have been ordered to the Kuhmo sector to reduce the mottis there. 

Briefing:

   As a result of the intelligence obtained by Kalvela’s recent patrol, a weak spot in the Soviet column has been identified. Finnish forces have been ordered to attack the Soviet column and cut the road, with a special requirement of destroying the field kitchen. This particular section appeared to be weekly held, however, because of the darkness and his limited time, Kalvela might not have seen everything…

 The area without trees at the Finnish entry point represents an “Ice Road” where movement is normal and not penalized for snow or woods.

 After the virtual destruction of his squad, Kersantti Kalvela has been transferred. He is now assigned to a special tank destruction squad. He was able to take the newly promoted Alikersantti Helske with him. Kalvela will be attached to two infantry squads, led by Yks Korsusmäki. The rest of the platoon, lead by Luutnantti Autio, will be in reserve.

 Korsusmäki’s half-platoon is made up of the following:

·       Yks Korsumäki (Rifle), Rep4

·       1^st  (SMG) Squad (2xSMG, 8xRifles)

·       2^nd (LMG) Squad (SMG, LMG, 5xRifles)

·       Kalvela’s* squad

Kalvela's Squad

·       Krs Kalvela (SMG), Rep6; Marksman, Knifeman

·       Aks Korpisotilas (SMG), Rep5; Rage

·       Krp Suominen (Anti-Tank rifle), Rep4; slow

·       Jkr Keltainen (ATR Ast), Rep3; Coward

·       Jkr Laine (Rifle), Rep4; Unlucky

·       Aks Matti Helske (Rifle), Rep6: Crack shot

·       Krp Partanen (SMG), Rep5; Knifeman

·       Jkr Haponen (LMG), Rep5; Hard as Nails

·       Jkr Harri Helske (Rifle), Rep4; Tank Killer

·       Jkr Salmi (Rifle), Rep4; Ball Player

·       Jkr Raukkainen (LMG Ast), Rep3; Wussy

 

*=After his exploits in the last battle, Kersantti Kalvela is now known by his nickname Metsän Kauhu (Forest Horror), or sometimes just “Kauhu” (The Horror).

Situation at start

Turn 1: Soviets initiative

 All three PEF move forward. PEF1 is spotted by Krs Kantola, but is determined to be only rumors.

Yks Korsumäki moves his half-platoon forward. The Kauhu maneuvers his squad to the left.

 

Turn 2: Soviets fail to activate, but do receive reinforcements: an 11-man squad (S1 or 1/1) in a defensive position in the upper right sector.

The first Soviet positions are identified

Soviet 1st squad of 1st platoon occupying defensive positions

Yks Korsumäki moves his half-platoon forward and spots PEF2 & 3. PEF2 is only rumors; PEF #3 is determined to be a group of three T26(1933). Korsumäki suspects they may be out of fuel as they are formed up in a circle and the engines aren’t running (normal procedure to keep engines from freezing).

Soviet T-26 guarding the precious field kitchen

The Tanks fire on Kantola’s group, but thanks to the cover of the woods, there are no casualties.

 

Turn 3: Finns fail to activate, Soviets fail to move

 

Turn 4: Soviet initiative

The Soviets elect to stay in their defensive positions.

As Kantola’s group recovers from dropping back, Korsumäki leads his group over to the right. Meanwhile The Kauhu has his men don their skis and heads off to the left.

 

Turn 5: Finns fail to activate

The Soviets continue to hold their positions

 

Turn 6: Finns fail to activate again, but receive reinforcements: Platoon HQ (Lt Autio, his runner, a medic, a MMG team and an ATR team) and Krs Koskela’s 10-man squad (SMG, LMG + 8 rifles). Although they cannot move, this does give Kauhu and Lt Autio a chance to confer (their groups were in contact) and plan their attack.

Koskela's squad & platoon HQ

The Soviets continue to hold their positions

 

Turn 7: Soviet Initiative

The Soviets continue to hold their positions

The Kauhu continues his move on the left; Korsumäki continues to move through the woods to the right. Meanwhile, Kantola and Koskela make use of the ice road to move to the right.

 

Turn 8: Soviets fail to activate

The Kauhu throws smoke to cover their move across the road.

Koskela moves forward half a move, while Kantola and Korsumäki continue their slow move to the right

 

Turn 9: Soviets fail to activate

Krs Kantola’s group finally catches up with Yks Korsumäki.

Although spotted through the smoke by one of the T26, the Kauhu and his group are able to ski across before the tank can react.

 

View from Soviet side of the board

Rules Note: This situation is covered by my “personal touches.” A strict reading of the rules requires a firefight. However, in situations where it would be disadvantageous to the side that is moving and wins the IST, I let them keep moving without firing (and thus not risk return fire) if it gets them out of the enemy LoS.

 

Turn 10: Soviet initiative

Not much happens as the Finns continue to move into position while the Soviets do not move.

 

Turn 11: Finnish initiative

The Kauhu is now in position and fires a flare to signal to Lt Autio to start their combined attack next turn. On the right flank, Krs Kantola pops smoke to block the LoS of the tanks.

 

Turn 12: Soviet initiative

 Lt Autio’s ATR team (Mäkilä & Salo) move up to engage the T26 on the left; unfortunately, the tank fires first.  There were no casualties, but they are driven back. Meanwhile Lt Autio orders Koskela’s squad forward to engage the T26s. They cannot hurt the tanks, but hope to distract them while The Kauhu approaches them from the rear. The tank’s MGs force the Finns back, but do not cause any casualties.

 With the tanks preoccupied with Koskela’s squad, Korsumäki sends his squad over the hill to engage the Soviet 1^st squad. This was a disaster for the Finns; Somppi and Korpela are both killed and the survivors drop back behind the hill.

 The Kauhu’s group advances on the rear of the tanks and kick off their skis. Jkr Suominen advances and fires his ATR at the nearest tank, but the shot has no effect. Aks Korpisotilas throws a Molotov Cocktail at the field kitchen (the tanks are out of range), destroying it (the idea that the flames and smoke will provide some concealment while they assault the tanks).

 

Preparing to assault the tanks
(Keskala in foreground, Kauhu in background)

Turn 13: Finnish initiative

Jkr Suominen tries his luck again, scoring two hits, but neither penetrates. The Soviet crew remains inside. It appears that Korsumäki was correct. The tanks are immobile due to lack of fuel.

M Helske's group engages a T-26

The Kauhu's group assaulting T-26

H Helske assaults the tank on the right, throwing a Molotov Cocktail that hits the mark. The tank catches fire, the crew tries to escape, but are killed by M Helske and Krp Partanen who were providing overwatch just for that situation.

Jkr Salmi assaults the tank on the left, but his Molotov Cocktail is off the mark and does no damage to the tank. The TC spins the turret and fires on Salmi, failing to wound, but forcing Salmi to drop back behind the hill.

After seeing Salmi fail, the Kauhu tries his hand at assaulting the left tank. However, MG fire from the tank drives The Kauhu back behind the hill.

 Aks Korpisotilas lets his rage get the better of him and charges the center tank. His Cocktail finds its mark, and Tank #2 brews up in a ball of flame – trapping the crew inside.

 Korpisotilas and H Helske ready more Molotov Cocktails.

 On the far right, Korsumäki orders Rajala’s LMG squad over the hill. The Finns and the Soviet 1^st squad exchange fire. In the end Rajala’s squad is forced back off the hill. With the 1^st squad distracted by Rajala’s squad, Kantola’s squad advances around the hill and opens up on the Soviet 1^st. SMG fire from the Finns wounds one and causes five others to drop down behind their cover.

 

Kantola's squad attempts to engage the Soviet 1st squad

Soviet phase:

The remaining T26 rotates its turret on Korpisotilas, but he is able to take cover behind the burning center tank before the tank can fire.

On the Soviet left, the Soviet riflemen recover from their drop back. A previously unengaged LMG fires on Kantola’s group. The fire is ineffective, but does split up the group, some seeking cover of a forward snow drift and others falling back behind the hill. The foremost group is lead by Krs Kantola, the rear group is lead by Krp M Hakala.

 Turn 14: Soviets fail to activate, but receive reinforcements: A single T28 appears on the left end of the road.

(Rules note: Normally reinforcements couldn’t appear here as the Finns have “cleared the area,” but it makes sense in the scenario).

A Soviet T-28 arrives

Krs Kantola pops smoke so that Hakala’s group can join him.

On the left, M Helske’s group retreats into the cover of the woods; meanwhile Autio sends his ATR team off to the left to work its way behind the T26.

 

Turn 15: Soviets fail to activate, but receive reinforcements: Soviet 2^nd Sqd (12 men).

Soviet infantry marching to the sounds of the guns

M Helske moves his men in an ambush position, with the small hill covering his left flank. Kauhu’s group again goes after the T26. The Kauhu’s Molotov Cocktail does its magic and destroys the third tank.

On the Finnish right, YKS Korsumäki and Krs Rajala order their groups forward. Unfortunately for Korsumäki, his move over the hill brought him into the LoS of the T28. Out of range of the co-ax, the TC orders a shot of HE. The blast of HE knocks Sm Alanen out of the fight and forces the others to drop back behind the hill.

Krs Rajala’s luck wasn’t any better, as the Soviets were ready for him. Aks Rinta and Sm A Saari were killed by Soviet rifle fire. Sm Hakala does manage to get a grenade inside the Soviet positions, taking out the LMG team and causing a rifleman to flee the battlefield. Soviet fire forced the Finns to break up into two groups, one group lead by M Hakala (plus Huhtola, Ylinen and Haapasalo) and a rear group lead by Kantola (plus P Hakala, P Saari and Erkkilä).

 

The Kauhu's squad takes cover behind the burning tanks

Turn 16: Soviet initiative

  The Soviet T28 moves forward with its infantry escort. On the left, the occupants of the center dugout turn to their left to face the Finnish threat.

Soviet 2nd squad provides security for the T-28

 The Finns use their turn to recover from “drop backs.” Korpisotilas takes the opportunity to take cover behind a burning tank.

 

Turn 17: Finns fail to activate, but receive reinforcements: a 7-man LMG sqd (Krs Jalovaara).

Soviet LMG fire kills M Hakala, Sm Huhtala drops back towards Kantola, while Sm Ylinen and Haapasalo desert the battlefield.

 

The Kauhu under attack

Turn 18: Finns fail to activate again

  The Soviet 1^st squad leader redeploys his men in the dugout.

 On the Soviet right, 2^nd squad moves towards to investigate the tank wrecks while the T28 provides overwatch. Soldiers from the right of the infantry formation spot Korpisotilas but cannot strike their target. Return fire from Korpisotilas forces the Soviets to drop back.

 

Turn 19: Finnish initiative

  M Helske’s men emerge from the woods and engage the Soviets on the left from the rear. However, they waste this golden opportunity and fail to cause any casualties; with no cover nearby, the Soviets can only drop prone.

Attacking the rear - a missed opportunity

The T-28 fires back

Sm Suominen gets off two shots from his ATR into the rear of the T28, but has even worse luck than Helske. Return fire from the T28 kills both he and his assistant, Keltainen.

Koskela’s squad emerges from their cover and engages the three Soviets (Cpl and a LMG team) that were to the right of the tank. The LMG engages the Finnish MMG team, hoping to get lucky. They were not. Return fire from Määttä’s MMG killing the Soviet LMG team.

 Active fire from Koskela’s squad causes more casualties and forces two others to drop back into the kill zone of Mäkkilä’s ATR. At the same time, H Helske (Kauhu’s group) throws a grenade over the tank and into the remnants of Soviet 2^nd squad, there were no survivors.

Distracted by Helske,
Mäkkilä's ATR team makes the best of it

Mäkkilä fires two shots into the rear of the T28, knocking out the engine, but failing to destroy the tank.

 On the Finnish right, Sm P Saari rushes forward and is able to throw his grenade into the dugout before the Soviets can fire, knocking out the LMG team and causing a rifleman to flee the battlefield.

Sotamies Saari shows his "Sisu"

Soviet active fire wounds Sm Erkkilä, and forces Krs Kantola to sprint forward to cover.

 Turn 20: Soviets fail to activate, but receive reinforcements - the rest of 1^st platoon: 3^rd squad (14), 4^th squad (9) and platoon HQ: Cpt Kuldinov, Political Officer Badinov and an MMG).

 As the Soviet reinforcements arrive, Mäkkilä and his assistant melt deeper into the woods before they can be swamped by overwhelming odds.

 On the opposite side of the road, M Helske and his group pick up their ATR and also fade back into the woods.

 In the center, Krs Koskela emerges from the woods and engages Soviet 3/1. Unfortunately, the Soviets were ready and fired first. But privation effected their aim, and they missed. Return fire from Kantola and his group killed two and wounded another.

 

Kantola clearing teh trenches

Turn 21: Finnish initiative

 The Finns dodged a bullet here. I rolled up another PEF, but there were no eligible locations, so none arrived.

  Oops no notes for this turn. No combat, just movement.

 

Turn 22: Soviet initiative

  Soviet 4/1 advances to take up a position on the left of the T-28 and ends up engaging M Helske’s small group. IST goes to the Finns, who kill the NCO and wound two others, forcing the survivors to drop back.

 

Turn 23: Finns fail to activate

 Soviet 4/1 fails to rally. Soviet 3/1 moves forward to protect the T-28.

 

Turn 24: Soviet initiative and reinforcements (1/2 squad– 12 men)

 4/1 rallies; 1/2 moves up towards the T-28.

Finnish 4^th squad doesn’t move. M Helske’s group moves up towards 4/1.

Koskella moves up with the intent of engaging 3/1.

Note: This was actually a four-way IST: Koskela’s squad, The T-28, 2/1 and the bulk of the Soviets under the political officer. In the end, only the 2/1 was able to fire.

 

Only three of the 3/1 had a valid LoS. Soviet fire wounded Sm Kaukkonen and two others were forced back.

Finnish active fire causes several casualties. Normally the Soviets would have dropped back, but the only cover available was the T-28 – and that would have put them in the line of fire of their own MMG. Consequently, I thought the best option was for them just to drop down prone in place.

 

H. Helske, advances and triggers another 4-way IST (Helske, T-28, MMG team and 4/1). Helske wins the IST and choses to engage the MMG team and part of the 4/1. Helske’s group causes no casualties, but force the MMG team to retreat into the woods.

 

The Kauhu leads his group forward. Sm Salmi goes first, but is wounded and stopped in his tracks by MG fire from the T-28.

 H Helske tries next and is able to get a Molotov Cocktail to explode on the T-28 (He only succeeded because of his tank killer attribute).

 

H Helske and his Molotov Cocktail v T-28

The Kauhu and Korpisotilas emerge from the cover of the destroyed T-28 and attack the flank of the prone Soviet 3/1. Unfortunately, The Kauhu suddenly fell into a deep pit of really bad luck. The Soviets won the IST and two riflemen fired first, killing Korpisotilas and would have killed the Kauhu as well, but he was saved by his star power (the 5^th time in this campaign).

In spite of being flanked, a lucky shot from a Soviet riflemen takes out Sopikotilas

Meanwhile Lt Autio and his group (runner + MMG team) move off to the right to line up a better shot. Autio and his runner provide some cover while the MMG team sets up.

 

Turn 25: Soviet initiative

 The only two men of 3/1 that can engage the enemy (all the others are in “Drop Back” status) fire at Koskela’s group. The Soviet Cpt and Political officer join in as well. The firefight ends with Koskela killed and Ukkola wounded, several others are forced to drop back; only Vanhala stays.

 The Soviet 4/1 and the MMG team fail to rally. 1/2 doesn’t move but engages Hietanen’s group, forcing them to drop back.

 

Mäkilä fires his ATR into the Soviet captain and Political Officer, killing the captain and wounding the Politico.

H Helske and his small group continue to pursue the Soviet 4/1 and the MMG team.

 

Meanwhile, Vanhala picks up Koskela’s SMG and Hietanen rallies his men.

Soviets face the rage of the Metsän Kauhu (Forest Horror)

 

Enraged at the death of his friend Korpisotilas, the Kauhu leads a two-man Hurricane (H Helske is with him) on the flank of 3/1. Helske’s grenade fails to go off and he is forced to take cover behind the still burning T-28 again. The Kauhu presses on, killing two and wounding two others (between reaction and active fire).

 

Turn 26: Soviet initiative

 The Soviets 1/2 opens up an ineffective fire on The Kauhu; his return fire kills two and wounds another. This is more than the 1/2 can take, and the whole squad leaves the battlefield.

 The Kauhu now turns his attention to the prone survivors of the 3/1, wounding two and causing the survivors to surrender.

The elder Helske (Matti) and his group continue their pursuit of the 4/1 and the MMG, finally catching them. They cause a couple of casualties and the survivors flee the battlefield.

 

The end is near for the Soviets

The End:

  The Finns are victorious! The road has been cut; the kitchen has been destroyed and the Kuhmo Motti is now firmly established.

 And this time The Kauhu has had plenty of witnesses to his exploits. He is sure to get a medal of valor this time (not to mention his 5^th wound badge).

 

·       The Kauhu’s squad (11): 3 killed, one wounded

·       Kantola’s squad (10): 3 killed, 1 wounded, 2 missing

·       Rajala’s squad (7 - lead by Korsumäki): 2 killed, 1 wounded

·       Koskela’s squad(10): 2 killed, 2 wounded

·       Jalovaara’s squad: not engaged