Winter War scenario #8 - In Search of Dolin's Ski Brigade

 

Rules: Nuts! By TwoHourWargames (28mm WWII skirmish), 2017 edition, with a few personal touches here and there (not to mention me forgetting rules now and again).

 

Campaign & Scenario Details:

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

Helmikuu (Feb) means “The Pearl Month” – named after the icy water droplets that form

 

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	Finnish Victory
8.	Attack	5	1	3	3

 

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

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

·          Fail to Move: Although the initiative roll was not a DR6 (so activation possible), It was higher than that particular group leader’s Reputation, so cannot move.

·          Decide not to move: The leader can move, but decides not to.

 

Date: February 13^th, 1940

Weather: Four turns before sunrise; Deep Snow; rivers & marshland completely frozen

 

Historical Note:

 The Dolin Ski Brigade was a unique Red Army unit led by Soviet Colonel V. D. Dolin during the Winter War. Well-equipped and composed primarily of Siberians with skiing expertise, the brigade was considered an elite unit.

  This scenario is based on the fighting around Vetko farm. The main fighting took place between February 13-16, 1940, in temperatures as low as -40° (Celsius and Fahrenheit are pretty much the same at this temperature). By the end of the battle, Dolin’s brigade was completely destroyed; with some reports claiming 1700 killed out of 1800. The Finns captured 400 automatic weapons.

  The farm and building were still intact at the time of the actual battle. The Soviets were using it as a temporary HQ and may have been storing weapons in the sauna (what a waste). The Finns were able to burn down both buildings during the battle. I started with them both already burned as I only had one suitable winter-themed building and I also wanted to try out the night bonfire rule, as I didn’t get a chance to earlier on the campaign.

 

     

Briefing:

  After several weeks of intense fighting, Vänrikki Kantola’s half-platoon (which has The Kauhu’s special squad attached) has been pulled off the line for rest and replacements. Casualties over the last month has required the Finns to consolidate the 10-man SMG squad and the 7-man LMG squad into one squad of about 9-10 men. A platoon will now have two such squads in place of the original 2xSMG and 2xLMG.   

  Kantola’s next assignment is to be part of the special task force with the mission to track down and destroy Dolin’s ski brigade before it can break through and establish communications with the trapped 54^th Mountain Division.

 The Kauhu’s reinforcements include a couple of veteran transfers as well as some new recruits. The respite has given the Kauhu some time to acclimatize the new recruits before the mission. It also gave The Kauhu some time to transfer out some of the “dead wood.”

 It turns out The Korpisotilas was not as obviously dead as was thought. He was only “mostly dead.” He has made a full recovery and will be rejoining the squad for the next mission. His comrades now call him “Kuolematon” (The Immortal). (Korpisotilas means “Wilderness Warrior.” He is modeled after Atami Korpi, the protagonist in the Finnish film “Sisu.” In the film one of the bad guys says the Russians call him “The Immortal.” Seems like he earned the nickname in the last battle).

 

  Lt Kantola’s (SMG) platoon:

·       Krs Somppi’s squad (SMG, LMG, 6 rifles)

·       Krs Rinta’s squad (SMG, LMG, 6 rifles)

·       The Kauhu’s squad, consisting of two teams:

·       Krs Kalvela (AKA “The Kauhu” - SMG), Rep6; Marksman, Knifeman

·       Aks Rokka (SMG), Rep 5; Rage

o   Jkr Harri Helske (Rifle), Rep4; Lucky

o   Jkr Salmi (ATRA); Rep 4; Runt

o   Jkr Tasu Susi (Rifle); Rep 4; Tough

·       Aks Kuolematon (SMG), Rep 5; Nerves of steel

o   Krp Matti Helske (Rifle), Rep6: Crack shot

o   Jkr Kirsinen (LMG), Rep4; Knifeman

o   Jkr Lång (LMGA), Rep 3; No attribute

o   Jkr Suominen (Rifle); Rep 4; Tank Killer

o   Jkr Kempala (Rifle); Rep 4; Ball player

 

The rest of Group Haavisto will be in reserve.

·       HQ staff (includes 1 x MMG, 1 x ATR and medic)

·       Kariluoto’s squad (SMG, 7 x rifles)

·       Koskela’s squad (SMG, LMG, 8 rifles)

·       Lut. Takala’s Sissi squad (3xSMG, 7x rifles)

 

At start:

 Both Vrk Kantola and The Kauhu have similar plans. The Kauhu will attack the ruined house on the left, while Kantola will attack the ruined sauna on the right. They have divided their forces into two groups, one group will provide a fire base and the other will conduct the assault.

 On the right, Kantola will lead the assault group (Somppi’s squad) while Krs Rinta’s squad will provide the fire base. On the left, The Kauhu will lead the assault group (The Kuolematon’s team), while Aks Rokka’s team will provide the fire base.

  The plan is for both attacks to happen simultaneously. However, without radios, coordination will be difficult. They will begin their march in the predawn hours and be in position to begin their assault at 0810 (Sunrise – call it turn four).

  Dolin’s ski brigade appears to be differently equipped from a typical rifle brigade; in that it had SMG. Consequently, any Soviet squad that appears can replace 1/2D6 riflemen with SMG.

 

(TK - The Kauhu; K = Vrk Kantola)

Turn 1: Doubles, but no new PEF; Finnish initiative

  Both Finnish groups have their fire teams move up slowly and the assault teams attempt to double time. On the right, Sm Erkillä and Ahti Saari fall behind Kantola’s faster moving group. On the left. The Kauhu’s group only moves at 1.5 speed.

  Soviet PEF#1 moves forward full speed. By scenario design, PEF 2 & 3 remain in the ruined buildings by the bonfires (This represents those occasions when Soviet soldiers were freezing so bad they threw caution to the wind and built bonfires).

 

Turn 2: Finns fail to activate. PEF1 moves forward ½ move,

 

Turn 3: PEF#4 appears in sector #3 (upper right corner from Finn’s perspective.

Finnish Initiative

 

 On the left, Rokka’s fire support team is in position. The Kauhu gets a good Fast Move and likely will be in position in time. On the right, Rinta’s fire support team is also in position.  Kantola also gets a good Fast Move, but may not be in position in time. Sm Pentti Saari identifies PEF1 as only rumors.

 

PEF#4 moves forward ½ move.

 

Turn 4: Sunrise. Another set of doubles with no new PEF. Finns fail to activate.

 

Turn 5: Soviets fail to activate

Off to a late start

  On the left, Rokka advances into LoS of main building. He is behind schedule (but so is everyone else). In the early morning light, Rokka is able to identify a Soviet ski squad (1/1: 12 men, including 1xLMG and 1xSMG). The Soviets were more alert than expected and win the IST. Soviet fire is not particularly accurate and does not cause any casualties; it does cause Rokka’s team to drop back deeper into the woods, however.

Rokka engages the enemy

After they fall back, only Rokka is able to regain his composure.

  As soon as he hears Rokka engage the enemy, the Kauhu advances to the tree line, but remains in cover. Again, the Soviets are ready for them, although only a small portion has LoS on The Kauhu. Soviet rifle fire in ineffective. Return fire and Suominen’s grenade cause several Soviets to go prone behind the cover of the ruins.

The Kauhu engages the enemy

Sotamies Suominen's grenaade forces several Soviets to ground

  Rules Note:  This is one of my personal touches. If a figure is in or behind some significant cover, like a foxhole, a stone wall or in this case building ruins, it makes more sense to me to allow them to drop deeper under their cover than to have them jump up and run to somewhere else; that’s what I would do anyway. This also breaks LoS between the two figs; the same as if they dropped back to different cover. I only do this for fire reactions – for Man Down they get up and flee like usual.

  With the Soviets dropping deeper into their cover, The Kauhu leads his men in a charge (Note: even though the Soviets can’t be seen as they have ducked down behind the wall, The Kauhu knows where they are).

With the nearest Soviets forced to duck behind cover, The Kauhu makes the most of th eopportunity and leads a charge!

  The charge is a smashing success, with the Soviets suffering two killed and three wounded, causing the rest of the squad to flee out of the ruins. There are no Finnish casualties.

 

When I have a melee, I like to pick up all the engaged figs and move them toan unused section of the game matt, so it is easier toline the figures up one on one.

  In the Finnish right center, Krs Rinta advances to the tree line and into LoS of the ruined sauna. Rinta is able to determine that PEF3 is only rumors. This move also brought him into the LoS of the fleeing Soviet 1/1. Rinta must have been preoccupied with identifying what was in and about the ruined sauna, as the fleeing Soviets won the IST.

 Soviet fire must have been hasty, as it does not cause any casualties; although several Finns are force to drop back deeper into the woods. Sm Hapaasalo does kill one rifleman with his SMG. This is more than the depleted squad can endure, and they flee the battlefield.

   On the far right, Kantola’s group engages PEF4, which is now determined to be 13-man infantry squad (2/1: with one LMG and one SMG).  Kantola was ready for them and his squad fires first. Kantola wounds the Soviet SMG and Sm Huhtala (LMG) wounds the Soviet LMG; Several Soviet riflemen are also required to Drop Back. On the Finnish side, Sm Laitila is killed and Pentti Saari is wounded. Sm Ahti Saari and Erkillä are malingering in the rear and do not participate in the firefight.

Kantola engages the 2/1

 Finnish active fire kills one and wounds three others (including the assistant LMG).

 

Turn 6: Soviet initiative

Rules note: Both groups are a bit spread out now (because some troops have dropped back). Because of the deep woods, both groups contain figures that are in LoS of the enemy and some that are not. This means that since both groups have at least some figures in LoS there is no reaction phase. Further, when those soldiers in the rear move up, this does not trigger a new IST because even though individually they were out of LoS, they were part of a group that was in LoS. That’s how I understand it anyway.

  Three intrepid Soviet privates move forward and pick up the discarded LMG and SMG (this does not trigger a new IST as outlined above). Three other Soviet riflemen recover from their drop back.

 On the Finnish side, Sm Erkillä and Ahti Saari have rejoined their group (again, no new IST).  Finnish Active Fire, which targets everyone but the LMG, causes no casualties bot forces everyone but the LMG to drop back.

 In the Finnish right center, Krs Rinta gathers his squad together. In the left center, Aks Rokka finally rallies his team.  On the left, The Kauhu leads his group to the sounds of the guns (Kantola’s firefight) at the double.

 Turn 7: Soviet initiative

  The lone Soviet LMG fires a blast into Kantola’s group. He causes no casualties, but forces Kantola and three privates to drop back deeper into the woods. Meanwhile, the Soviet Sergeant of the 2/1 rallies the survivors.

How to become a hero of the Soviet Union
Cover the retreat of your friends

  On the Finnish turn, fire from Krs Somppi (SMG) and Sm Huhtala (LMG) wounds the Soviet LMG.

 

Turn 8: Soviet initiative

  The Soviet 2/1 sgt repositions his men so they won’t be flanked by either Kantola or the Kauhu who is bearing down on his right.

  The Kauhu lead his men into a firefight with the 2/1. Only Sm Kempala causes a casualty, although the others force the 2/1 to drop back again. The Kauhu runs out of ammo. There are no Finnish casualties.

 

Turn 9: Finnish initiative

  The Kauhu and his group continue their pursuit of the 2/1. When they catch them, they kill two, wound two and the last two survivors surrendered.

 

The Kauhu closes in

 At this point the Finns have accomplished their objective in that they have cleared the board of all Soviet troops. I gave the Soviets one more chance to roll reinforcements, but they had no luck.

 

End Review:

 The Soviets had more than their fair share of bad luck. One key was the reduction of their investment level after the last scenario. Without that, they would have had one more PEF. Additionally, I never rolled a DR7 (possible reinforcements) in the nine turns. Finally, both squads rolled the minimum SMG. I am sure that didn’t help.

 The again, Dolin’s ski brigade was totally destroyed by the Finns (there’s a book out there I want to get called, “THE LOST RUSSIAN SKI BRIGADE, A hard fate in the Finnish Winter War” by Väinö Mononen. It appears to be only available on Kindle type things), so I guess you could say this was a historical result.

 

  This ended the campaign, as Soviet morale was reduced to zero after the battle. This was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed running this to the end – like most gamers, it’s kind of rare for me to “finish” (pardon the pun) a full campaign.

 

  The Kauhu will march again. I think I will move him south a bit and have him fight in the Ladoga Karelia front against 8^th Army. The terrain isn’t as dense with woods there, so should provide some variety. But there will be a brief respite.

 

 One thing I want to do is experiment with 15mm with these rules using a scenario book I have rather than the usual deployment rules.

 

Many thanks to all who took the time to read my rather lengthy (and somewhat self-indulgent) battle reports; especially those who took the time to post a reply.