2 Winter War Campaign - Scenario #5 Finns Attack

 

My 2^nd Winter War Campaign

Rules: Nuts! By TwoHourWargames (28mm WWII skirmish)

The Battle Card Deck will be used for everything but friendly reinforcements.

Campaign Background: Follows the exploits of Kersantti (Sgt) Tapio Kalvela, AKA “The Metsän (Forest) Kauhu” (Terror or Horror) or often just “The Kauhu” and his Jääkäri (Jaeger) squad. The Kauhu and his squad are attached to Kapteeni Kaarna’s infantry task force.

Further Campaign Background and a guide to my abbreviations found HERE

1st Scenario: Patrol: Soviet Victory

2nd Scenario: Defending the approach to the village: Finnish victory

3rd Scenario: Choc & Cigs – Escort: Finnish victory

4th Scenario: Patrol: Finnish victory

This Scenario: The Finns attack

   Note: Because I wanted to make sure there were plenty of enemies, I started with an extra PEF (Possible Enemy Force).

 

Date: December 28, 1939, somewhere in Finnish Karelia

Weather: Clear skies, freezing cold with snow on ground

Campaign Morale: Soviets (4), Finns (4)

Investment Level: Soviets (4), Finns (3).

Scenario Background:

   Krs Kalvela (AKA The Kauhu) reported to Kpt Kaarna that he disabled a T26 (1931 – twin MG turrets), but it didn’t burn. He thinks they may be able to recover it and put it to good use against its former owners.

  Kpt Kaarna decides to give it maximum effort (hoping the recovery of such a valuable item may result in his promotion). Kaarna himself will lead the attack (along with other HQ staff); the Kauhu will act as guide, with Vrk (2Lt) Kariluoto’s rifle squad, with Lehto’s MMG squad attached on the left and Vrk Koskela’s tank hunter squad on the right.

Turn 1:  Soviet Initiative:

Starting Positions

PEFs move forward

Lehto's MMG (Left) and Kariluoto

Finnish Turn: Finns advance (except the HQ units which did not move); on the right Vrk Koskela identifies PEF1 as nothing (not even Rumors).

Turn 2: Finnish initiative and reinforcements. With a full platoon on board, I decided to ignore this. I hope I don’t regret this later.

The Kauhu spots PEF which turns out to be an Artillery Strike.  The strike (randomly decided) falls on Vrk Kariluoto’s squad and Lehto’s MMG section: Määttä (Ast MMG gunner) is killed and Sm Riitaoja (MMG ammo bearer) is wounded, as is Sm Kylänpää from Kariluoto’s squad. The surviving Finns take cover, until Kariluoto leads them to Recovery.

Soviet turn: PEF 2 & 3 advance

Turn 3: PEF5 in sector 1. Finnish initiative

Kariluoto spends the turn reorganizing. Lehto orders Salo to join the MMG crew and Kariluoto sends Sm Lahti over to act as ammo bearer.

The Kauhu identifies PEF3 – another random Artillery Strike, this time falling on The Kauhu’s squad as well as Kaarna’s HQ section, with the Kauhu’s squad taking all the casualties. Tursas is killed and Suominen and Kemppaala are wounded.

Soviet phase

Kariluoto encounters a Soviet squad

 PEF5 moves up and is identified as Soviet 1^st squad/1^st platoon (1/1): 10 men with a LMG. Viirilä (the best soldier in the squad) scores a kill as does one other. Soviet return fire kills two men – including Mätynen, the assistant squad leader. Viirilä stands his ground, but all others Duck Back, as do the Soviets.

Turn 4: Soviet Initiative

1/1 Recovers. PEF4 advances and is identified as 3 riflemen (2/1) in a Defensive Position by Koskela.  The Soviets fire first. Rahikainen (LMG gunner) is killed but Koskela also kills a Soviet and Rokka forces one to Drop Back. The Soviets Drop Back as do all the Finns except Koskela and Rokka.

Finnish turn

Koskela rallies his men

while Rokka continues on alone

Koskela moves back to rejoin and rally his squad – they Recover. Aks Rokka charges after the retreating Soviets and fires another burst – forcing them to quicken their pace.

On the left, Kariluoto Recovers his men, Viirilä holds his ground.

In the center, Kpt Kaarna sends the medic to treat The Kauhu’s wounded. Seeing that medic Paarna is close, The Kauhu leaves his wounded and advances and occupies the old Defensive Positions (from previous scenario).

Turn 5: Soviets inactive

Turn 5 - side view this time

 On the right, Rokka continues his pursuit, but cannot cause any casualties, he can only keep them running. Koskela and Tietanen move their men towards Rokka.

 In the center, Kaarna and his HQ troops make contact with the wounded Suominen and Kemppaala.  Kaarna sends his runner Mielonen to link up with The Kauhu. He is to return and report when the damaged tank is secured. He also sends his 2IC, Lt Lamio, over to take charge of the left.

 The Kauhu advances and determines there are no enemy troops near the two buildings.

Aks Lehto sets up his MMG just out of range of the Soviet 1/1, while Vrk Kariluoto advances slowly.

Turn 6: Soviet reinforcements – a T28 in sector #3. Soviet 2/1 (now only two men) decides to link up and provide support for the newly arrives T28. The 1/1 recovers and decides to just hold its position.

This is not good - a Soviet T28

Finnish phase:

 On the right, Krs Hietanen contacts Rokka and orders him to wait for Koskela.

 In the center, The Kauhu approaches building #2.

Medic Paarna is able to successfully treat Suominen – he returns to the fight.

On the left, Kariluoto advances forward, drifting to the right towards Lehto.

Turn 7: Soviet initiative

 The T-28 advances towards the damaged T-26, the 2 riflemen from 2/1 are now riding the T-28. 1/1 maintains its defensive position.

 On the right, Koskela has now reunited both his teams into one squad again.

In the center, medic Paarna successfully treat Kemppaala, who now returns to the fight.

The Kauhu clears building #2. They search the building, but only find a good knife. Runner Mielonen has linked up with The Kauhu.

On the left, Lt Lamio has joined Kariluoto and Lehto’s squads into one group.

Turn 8: Finnish initiative

On the left, Lamio moves his group forward towards 1/1. The Finns fire first, causing a couple of casualties and forcing the rest to Drop Back. Lehto gets his MMGs into position, but the Soviets retreat before they can get fully set up.

In the center, The Kauhu moves towards building #1; Suominen and Kemppaala hurry to rejoin The Kauhu, but aren’t there yet. Kpt Kaarna moves his small group forward and occupies the old Soviet defensive position on the high ground.

On the right, Koskela prepares his group to take on the T-28.

Soviet turn:

 The monstrous T-28 advances in to the woods and spots Koskela. The tank fires first, opening up with both MG turrets into Koskela’s squad. Sihvonen and Honkajoki are wounded and the others are forced to Drop Back. While Ukkola gathers up the ATR, Hietanen and Rokka heroically gather up the wounded as they retreat.

Unfortunately, Koskela is spotted before he can get his anti-tank rifle and assault teams in position

Turn 9: Soviet Initiative

 1/1 Recovers. The Soviet T28 pursues the retreating Koskela, firing its MGs as it advances. Fortunately, there are no more casualties, but they continue to Drop Back.

Finnish turn

 On the left, Lamio advances slowly towards the 1/1

In the center, The Kauhu and Korpi enter building #1 and surprises three Soviets huddled by the fireplace. The Kauhu’s gun jams, but Korpi kills one and wounds the other two, who quickly surrender. The attentive Korpi notices they are wearing tanker uniforms. Korpi takes a quick look out a window and sees a pair of T37 amphibious tanks parked outside. He ducks back from the window before he can be seen.

 Korpi reports to the Kauhu that there are two tanks outside, but finds it odd the engines weren’t running in the freezing weather. “The crews must be very green.”

(Note: When I consulted the Mission Deck to determine what was inside the building, the result was D3 light fighting vehicles. This was the only thing I could think of that complied with the card and made sense in the situation.)

Jkr Kirsi searches the building and finds some booze and a Soviet flag. “That will be worth a lot to somebody,” thinks Kirsi.

 While this was going on, the recently recovered Suominen and Kemppaala spot the guard to the two tanks. Kemppaala scores a hit, but is unsure if he is killed or wounded.

Turn 10: Soviet initiative

Turn 10

 The commander of the T28 decides against pursuing deeper into the woods and backs up towards its earlier position.

 The Kauhu sends Mielonen back to Kaarna with the POWs and tells him to inform the captain of the additional tanks. He also clears and reloads his weapon.

Escorting PoW to the rear

 On the left, Lamio moves up to the nearby Soviets – but they fire first. Both sides suffer casualties and are forced to Duck Back – with the exception of Sm Pettinen II, who holds his ground.

 On the right, Koskela leads his men forward cautiously.

Turn 11: Soviets inactive

  On the left, Lt Lamio rallies his men. Lehto moves up and tries to set up his machine gun crew but is spotted by the Soviets, who fire first – but fail to score any hits (Note: Med MG cannot move and fire in the same turn. I was hoping they wouldn’t get noticed – but this result was almost as good).

 In the center, Suominen and Kemppaala try to link up with the Kauhu, but are spotted by the T28. Fortunately, they were able to dash to cover before being fired upon (Note: This is a house rule. When it makes sense like it does here, I allow the moving side to keep moving if it wins the IST rather than engage in a firefight it is sure to lose).

Turn 12: New PEF6 in sector 1; Finnish reinforcements: The Irregulars (11 men: 2SMG, LMG team, ATR team, 5 Rifles) in sector 9; Finnish initiative

 On the Finnish left, Lt Lamio moves his group forward.

In the center, The Kauhu decides he can’t handle the tanks, so moves off to the left to the sound of the guns facing Lamio.

T28 guarding the other tanks

Kaarna leaves the HQ group under the command of Yks Ukkonen and heads off to join up with Koskela and get things moving.

 On the right, with the Irregulars coming, Koskela decides to wait until the two groups can link up.

IImpromptu conference

Soviet turn: Neither 1/1 nor PEF6 move. The T-28 positions itself to cover all three abandoned tanks

Turn 13: Soviet initiative

PEF6 moves up and is identified by Lehto as a 13-man squad (rifles and one LMG) with a political officer and a medium MG attached. (They have combined with the remnants of 1/1 for a group now just called 1^st platoon) The Finns fire first. Lehto scores a hit on a Soviet corporal and the MMG wounds another, but has a jam. Soviet active fire doesn’t cause any casualties, but does force Lehto and his team to Drop Back.

Having deduced that the Finns are after the disabled tanks, the Soviet T-28 is content to provide overwatch for the vehicles until they can be recovered by friendly forces.

Finnish turn

 On the left, Lamio holds his position while Lehto Recovers his men.

In the center, The Kauhu maneuvers his force to get behind Soviet 1^st platoon.

On the right, Kpt Kaarna joins Koskela and The Irregulars into one group and gets them going.

Turn 14: Soviets inactive. But receive reinforcements: 1^st squad/2^nd platoon (1/2) in a defensive position in sector #3.

Reinforcements: 1^st squad/2^nd platoon (1/2) in a defensive position 

Lamio remains in place; The Kauhu continues his move and Kaarna organizes things on the right.

Turn 15: Soviet initiative

 The Soviet political officer moves 1^st Platoon forward and gets into a three-way IST with Lamio and Lehto. Only Lehto fires.

Lehto downs one with his rifle and the MMG crew drops another and forces several Duck Backs. Lehto stays, but return fire forces the MMG team to Drop Back.

The Soviets decide to avoid Lehto’s MMG and concentrate their Active Fire on Lamio. Lamio and Lampainen are wounded, but Kariluoto and Pettinen down two Soviet Corporals. That doesn’t stop Lamio’s group from Ducking Back, however.

Note - Rules example: Sometimes who shoots at what gets a little complicated, when that happens I mark the place of one of the untis and just match the figs up as in the exmample below. The Soviets have the advantage of numbers so some figs will be shot at by multiple enemies.

When the shootings done, I put them abck to where they started. I don't sweat it if they aren't intghe same exact position. Close is good enough for me.

Finnish turn

 On the left, Lehto withdraws to join his team and gets them to Recover.

Kariluoto disgraces himself and Leaves the Battlefield; there are now only three survivors to Kariluoto’s original group (Viirilä, Ylitalo and Pettinen (LMG)).

In the center, The Kauhu is now behind 1^st platoon.

On the right, Kpt Kaarna moves forward slowly. Koskela’s group is on the right, The Irregulars on the left.

Turn 16: Finns inactive

 1^st platoon pursues what’s left of Lamio’s group. Finns fire first and cause a couple of casualties. There are no casualties from Soviet active fire, but they do Duck Back.

Turn 17: Soviets inactive

 What’s left of Kariluoto’s group, now led by Viirilä, eventually Recover.

The Kauhu hits two Soviet riflemen (from 1/1 who had Ducked Back previously) and easily cut them down.

 On the right, Kaarna makes contact with 2/1 – but the Soviets fire first. Soviet fire is deadly accurate, killing Koskella and 3 others and forcing 5 more to Drop Back. Remarkably, Rep3 Hauhia holds his ground. Hietanen, Rokka and Vanhala manage to cause some Soviet casualties.

Similar to the example above. Rather than line up the perfect shots, my House Rule is to have figs shoot at their closest enemy - give or take a fig on either side.

 Hietanen runs out of ammo and is forced to Duck Back by the Soviet LMG gunner. Kaarna also runs out of ammo. Rokka causes 2 casualties but Helander (LMG) is killed.

Turn 18: Soviets inactive but receive reinforcements: MMG team and 3 riflemen in a bunker in sector 3 (behind 1/2).

More Soviet reinforcements - a heavy MG team

“Hakka Päälle! Pohjan Poika! Cries Kpt Kaarna (“Cut them down, sons of the North!” – the last words spoken by Kaarna before he was killed in the movie).

 The left end of Kaarna’s line is spotted by the Soviet MMG crew. M Helske is killed and Märkäkorva flees the battlefield, but Kaarna presses the attack. The Finns fire their weapons and charge in. The Soviets suffer several casualties, both by fire and in melee. The three Soviet survivors flee the battlefield.

Turn 19:  Finnish initiative and reinforcements: Kantola’s group: 14 men: 2SMG, 1LMG team, 10 Rifles in sector 7.

 The Kauhu contacts the rear of Soviet 1^st platoon – and unleash their Active Fire (Note: Because the Soviets were facing forward, The Kauhu’s squad never entered their Line of Sight, so there is no IST).

 

The Kauhu’s fire causes some casualties and causes others to Duck Back – right into the sights of Kantola’s group. There are no Soviet survivors.

 On the right, with their comrades having fled, the Soviet MMG in the bunker has a clear line of fire to what’s left of Kaarna. To make matters worse, they drew the attention of the T-28 who turns and fires at the Kaarna group. Helander and Salmi (LMG team) are wounded, leaving just Kaarna and Irregular Ketolainen plus Rokka and Vanhala from Koskela’s squad  - all taking cover in the vacated Soviet Defensive position.

Turn 20: With mounting casualties and no clear way to accomplish his original objective, Kpt Kaarna decides to take advantage of the short Winter days and withdraws from the field.

Kaarna caught ib a cross-fire between the HMG and the T28

Soviet Vicory

Campaign morale: No change

Loot: Some booze, a Soviet flag and two POWs

Casualties:

·       Kauhu’s squad: 1 killed (Aks Tursas) and 2 lightly wounded & returned to duty (Suominen and Kemppaala)

·       Koskela’s squad: 3 killed, 3 wounded, 2 left battlefield

·       Kariluoto’s squad: 2 killed, 2 wounded, 1 left battlefield

·       Lehto’s MMG team: 2 killed, 1 wounded

·       Kaarna’s HQ: 1 wounded

Rep Increases: None

Next Up: Chocolate and Cigarettes