2nd Winter War Campaign - 3rd scenario (Chocolates & Cigarettes) Escort

 

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.

I normally play on a 6’x4’ which I think is a bit larger than normal. I generally prefer the larger sizes as it allows for bigger games and more room for maneuver. However, I will be playing this scenario on a 3’x3’ table as the “Chocolates & Cigarettes” scenarios are smaller in scope.

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.

Background for campaign and key to abbreviations used in write-up: Here

1st Scenario: Patrol: Russian Victory

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

This Scenario: Choc & Cigs – Escort a wounded officer from behind enemy lines

 Date: December 15, 1939, somewhere in Finnish Karelia

Weather: Clear skies, moderate snow on ground

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

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

Scenario Background:

   The Soviet assault on the Karelian village turned out to be something of a feint, as it was not nearly as strong as expected and was repelled by Task Force Kaarna fairly easily. After the attack was stopped, Kpt Kaarna ordered patrols by Vrk Kariluoto and Krs Kalvela.  During the course of the patrol, The Kauhu located the severely wounded Luutnantti Potila, who had been left behind with a medic when he was separated from his men earlier in the war. Unfortunately, Soviet advances during the night have The Kauhu’s patrol cut off behind enemy lines. To make matters worse, The Kauhu only has his least experienced riflemen with him – it was supposed to be a routine patrol. The mission is to make it back through enemy lines without losing Lt Potila.

Situation at Start

Turn 1:  Finnish Initiative

  The Kauhu’s group skis forward and spots PEF3, they quickly dismount from their skis (House Rule) only discover there is nothing there (“Rumors”). Niiska is tasked with carrying the skis.

Skiing for mobility

Dismounting to fight

PEF1 & 2 move forward

Turn 2: Soviet Initiative

  PEF2 moves forward and is identified as a lost Soviet group of two riflemen. Using Kemppaala as an interpreter, the Kauhu calls for them to surrender. One soldier surrenders (successful “Opposed Challenge) and one does not (unsuccessful). Jkr Kirsi’s quick reaction does not give the rifleman time to regret his decision.

PEF1 is a 4-man rifle squad

 As the dust settles, PEF1 advances and is identified as a 4-man squad. The Soviets fire first. The Kauhu is missed by the Soviet NCO, who is then killed by the Kauhu’s return fire. Jkr Suominen is forced to Drop Back, whereas Jkr Kirsi ad Kemppaala force their opponents to Drop Back.

Finnish phase

  Kemppaala takes control of the prisoner while The Kauhu and Kirsi pursue the fleeing Soviets at the double (Fast Move), but Kirsi cannot keep up, The Kauhu manages to get close enough to fire a burst from his Suomi SMG at the fleeing Soviets – but that only increase the speed of their flight.

Kirsi can't keep up with Kalvela

 Kemppaala searches the prisoner and finds a medal of valor.

Kemppaala guards the prisoner

Turn 3: New PEF4 in sector 2. Finnish initiative

  Kemppaala forces the Soviet POW to carry their skis. The Kauhu and Kirsi search both of the dead Soviets; they find a bottle of Vodka.

Searching for loot

Turn 4: New PEF5 in sector 1. Soviets do not activate

Situation at beginning of Turn 4

 The Kauhu and Kirsi rejoin the rest of the squad.

Turn 5: Finnish initiative

  

The Kauhu and his squad advance through the woods

PEF4 is spotted by the Finns and is identified as a 6-man squad with an LMG. The Finns fire first. The Soviet LMG gunner is wounded by The Kauhu and is forced to Drop Back. Kirsi forces a Soviet rifleman to Drop Back. Unfortunately, Jkr Niiska is killed.

PEF4 is identified

 Active fire from the Soviets wounds Suominen and forces The Kauhu to Drop Back.

Turn 6: Finnish initiative

  The Kauhu recovers. Kirsi attempts to throw a grenade but fumbles it. He is able to Drop Back far enough to be safe from the blast.

The Soviets do not move so cannot fire (all the Finns have Dropped Back out of LoS)

Turn 7: Finnish Initiative

The Kauhu advances alone to give his squad-mates time to recover

  Kirsi recovers his nerve. Medic Paarna moves to treat Jkr Suominen. With casualties mounting and his small group under severe pressure, The Kauhu goes after the 3-man Soviet LMG team alone. He kills the Soviet NCO and forces the 2-man LMG team to Drop Back.

Turn 8: Finnish initiative and reinforcements

The Kauhu is saved by his corporal who marches (well skis really) to the sound of the guns.

 Reinforcements:  Tursas (rifle), Taikuri (rifle), Surma (LMG) and Korpi (SMG). Unfortunately, they enter the battlefield about as far away from The Kauhu as they can.

  Hearing the heavy Soviet gunfire, Aks Tursas has his small team ski at the double to the sound of the guns. They locate PEF5 and kick off their skis as they identify the Soviets as another 6-man LMG squad. Unfortunately, the Soviets fire first.

Tursas engages PEF5

Korpi stubbornly fights on

  Tursas and Taikuri are forced to Drop Back, whereas Surma is wounded. The Tough as Nails Korpi stands alone! Korpi kills one rifleman. Korpi’s Active Fire sends the three Soviet survivors Dropping Back – right into the sights of The Kauhu – who cuts down the LMG gunner and forces the other two to keep running.

  Meanwhile, Tursas and Taikuri Recover.

Soviet phase:

  The remnants of both Soviet squads (previously PEF4 & 5) join together, but refuse to recover and Hunker Down.

Turn 9: Soviets do not activate

Aks Tursas and Taikuri move up and check on the wounded Surma.

The Kauhu sends medic Paarna to examine and treat Surma if he can. Korpi pursues the fleeing Soviets alone, as is his wont.

Turn 10: Finnish Initiative

 Medic Paarna successfully treats Krp Surma.

Korpi continues to pursue the fleeing Soviets and discovers a gaggle of Hunkered Down Soviets, who immediately surrender.  When the Kauhu catches up, the prisoners are searched. The Finns find a MG and a pistol. Korpi tells no one about the pistol and keeps it for himself.

Korpi channeling his inner Sgt York

End: Finnish victory

 Krs Kalvela (The Kauhu) has earned a Rep increase (Now Rep6)

Killed: Jkr Niiska

Wounded and recovered: Krp Surma and Jkr Suominen

Loot acquired: Medal of valor, Bottle of Vodka, LMG and pistol

Kpt Kaarna confiscates the LMG.  Kemppaala keeps the found medal and Korpi his hidden pistol. Once they are safe behind friendly lines, The Kauhu passes the bottle vodka to his men, including to the grateful Lt Potila.