Winter War Campaign: Kestääkö Kollaa? (Will Kollaa hold?)

 

My 2^nd Winter War Campaign

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

The Mission 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

5th Scenario: Finnish Attack – Soviet Victory

6th Scenario: Choc & Cigs – A dangerous mission – Finnish victory

 

Date: January 3^rd, 1940 – Kollaa River in Ladoga Karelia

Weather: Clear skies, freezing cold with Moderate snow on ground

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

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

Scenario Background:

  After an all too brief period of “R&R” (which in this case means rest and replacements), not to mention a daring escapade involving home brewed BEER Task Force Kaarna has been transferred to the Kollaa River for a desperate defensive battle.

 Historical note: The Finns were surprised by the strength of the Soviet attack in this sector. During the first week of the war, they were pushed back faster than Marshal Mannerheim expected, before making a desperate stand at the Kollaa River. The fighting here was critical to both sides, as if the Soviets succeeded in making a breakthrough here, the entire Mannerheim line would be outflanked and the road to Helsinki opened.

  On December 7^th, General Hägglund, commander of the Finnish IV Corps, sent the famous message: “Kestääkö Kollaa?” (Will Kollaa hold?), to which Lieutenant Aarne Juutilainen answered "Kyllä kestää, ellei käsketä karkuun juoksemaan” (Yes, it will hold, unless the orders are to run). He meant what he said. A week earlier he had received an order from regiment to withdraw, which he ignored.

 The desperate fighting continued here until the end of the war, with the Finns just barely managing to hold on.  Lt Juutilainen is credited with creating the “Kollaa Spirit.” The simple question and reply have entered the Finnish lexicon as an expression of perseverance and resolve in the face of impending crisis. As fine an example of “Sisu” as any.

 Note: Lt Juutilainen was the company commander of #6 company, Infantry Regiment 34 of the 12^th Division. He was nicknamed “Morocan Kauhu” (Terror of Marocco) based on his exploits in the French Foreign Legion before the war (My Star is modeled after him somewhat). The famous sniper Simo Häyhä served in his company. His brother Ilmari would become Finland’s leading Ace, and the top scoring non-German pilot of the war; he never lost a wingman or took even a single hit from enemy aircraft.

The Mission:

  Defend the Kollaa River (more of a creek really) against all attacks. The ground is frozen solid and very difficult to entrench. What few positions there are will be manned by Vrk Koskela’s half-platoon. The Kauhu’s jaegers will defend the right flank without benefit of entrenchments.

Scenario Specific House Rules:

  I wanted to make sure there were plenty of enemy forces for this scenario, so I came up with a couple of new rules and the following modifications to the normal PEF rules:

1.     On turn 10 three new PEF will be generated.

2.     This one is a bit different. I also wanted to rework the “outgunned” rules a bit for troops in entrenchments.  Troops who are in defensive positions that are required to Duck Back, will do so in place and will be out of sight of whomever shot them. If they Recover during their next phase, they may stand and fire (I figure it doesn’t take an action to just stand up).

I did that because it was too easy to keep them in a cycle of MMG fire, everyone Ducks Back, and then they can’t shoot the next turn while they Recover. Thus allowing enemy infantry to advance with impunity, it didn’t seem to match what I was trying to model.

3.     The scenario requires the Soviets to attack an entrenched position over open ground within the line of sight of several Finnish groups. If you’re not careful, this can result in what I call “The Batman Effect” where the bad guys come at our heroes one at a time. In other words, each time a Soviet group moves out of the protecting woods, he would be sighted by up to three or four enemy groups, making winning an In Sight Test highly unlikely. In order to reduce that effect a little bit, I came up with what I call the “Look to Your Front” rule.

When a Soviet group emerges from the woods, the only Finnish unit to participate in the In Sight Test will be the group directly to their front. During the Active Fire phase, anybody can shoot at anyone if there are no targets to their front.

4.     Finally, I gave the Soviets a preliminary bombardment before turn one to simulate the bombardments that started every major attack. The Finns will automatically rally after the bombardment so that everyone starts turn one in good order

Preliminary Bombardment: No casualties

Positions at start

View of teh Finnish defensive positions from the rear

The Kauhu's squad - Korpi scout ahead

Kariluoto's squad

1/2 platoon leader Koskela and Lehto's MMG squad

Hietanen's squad of Koskela's 1/2 platoon

Turns 1-7: The first several turns were absolutely brutal for Soviet Activation. For those unfamiliar with the game, activation is based on “Reputation” (REP). PEFs (Possible Enemy Force) have a reputation of 4, meaning they cannot move if the Activation roll is a 5 or 6. The Finns of course were content to stay in their defensive positions, so had no need to move. The activation rolls for the first seven turns were: 6-3 Soviets, 5-4 Soviets, 6-3 Finns, 5-4 Soviets, 6-5 Finns, 5-4 Soviets and 6-3 Soviets. So, in the first seven turns, the Soviets activated one time.

  The only thing that happened was The Kauhu moved his squad forward and took up a position just behind the Kollaa River. The PEFs moved forward once, but were not spotted.

Turn 8: Finnish initiative, but Finns choose not to move.

  Soviet phase

 PEF1 advances and is spotted and identified by Krs (sgt) Hietanen as 1^st squad of 1^st platoon (1/1) a 13-man LMG squad. When the Soviets first emerge from the woods, they are out of range of the Finnish SMGs. This puts the Finns at quite a disadvantage, so the Game Master (me) decides that the Finns (who won IST) remain behind their bunkers for now and will hold their fire until the Soviets get closer.

 PEF2 advances and is spotted and identified by Aks (Crp) Lehto as 1/2, a 13-man LMG squad. The Soviets win the IST and fire first. Sm (“Sotamies” a private) Vuorella (Kariluoto’s squad) is killed; Lehto’s MMG crew wounds a Soviet private. The remaining Finns Duck Back and the Soviets Carry On.

PEF3 advances and is identified by The Kauhu as MMG1 in a Defensive Position. Remarkably, the Soviets win the IST and fire first. They cause no casualties, but force several of The Kauhu’s squad to Duck Back. The Kauhu stands firm (Star Power) and fires on the Soviet MMG1, wounding the gunner and forcing the rest of the crew to Duck Back.

The Kauhu identifies a Soviet MMG team

Turn 9: PEF4 in Sector 9; Finnish initiative

  The various Finnish squads recover. The Kauhu and the sharpshooter Taikuri take care of the rest of the Soviet MMG1 crew.

  In the center, Lehto’s MMG crew wounds two men from the 1/2, and they break into two groups as they Duck Back. Sm Pettinen (Kariluto’s squad) is wounded by return fire.

Turn 10:  Scenario Rules have three new PEF (5, 6 & 7) in sectors 7,8 & 9.

Finns fail to activate

Both sub-groups of the 1/2 Recover.

The 1/1 advances and wounds Vanhala with Active Fire. Sm Asumaniemi wounds a Soviet rifleman.

Turn 11: Soviets do not activate

  The Kauhu moves towards the destroyed MMG1 position. Medic Paarna moves out towards the wounded Vanhala.

 In the center, Lehto’s MMG crew fires on the lone Soviet LMG, but can only force it to Duck Back.

 On the Finnish left, Honkajoki picks up the fallen Vanhala’s LMG. The rest of Hietanen’s squad fires on the 1/1; including Aks (Cpl) Rokka who emerges from his place of cover in the woods. The fire is effective and those of the 1/1 who were not killed or wounded Leave the Battlefield. Rokka suffers a misfire.

Turn 12: Soviet initiative; but they cannot move

  The Kauhu moves forward and takes possession of the Soviet MMG1. Knowing that the MMG will be more effective in the open rather than in the woods, the Kauhu sends Kemppaala with his two weakest men (Niska II and Lång) to take the MMG back to the main position.

 On the Finnish left, Rokka clears his weapon. Medic Paarna gets Vanhala back in action. Honkajoki gives him his LMG back.

Turn 13: Finnish initiative

  Kemppaala keeps moving the MMG back to the main position, otherwise the Finns remain in their defensive positions.

   PEF4 moves forward and is identified as 2/1: 9-man LMG squad, led by a Lieutenant and a political officer. Finns win the IST, but drop down behind their positions instead of firing.

  The Sov 1/2 moves forward but is met with deadly fire from Lehto’s MMG crew and others. The few survivors Leave the Battlefield.

  PEF6 moves forward and is identified by Vrk Koskela as 2/2, a 10-man LMG squad with MMG2, led by the 2^nd platoon leader. IST goes to the Finns. Lehto’s MMG crew (out of range of Koskela’s SMG) exchange fire with the Soviet riflemen. Several Soviets are killed or wounded, as is Sm Ukkola (Kariluoto’s squad).

Turn 14: Soviet initiative (only the two squads led by officers activate)

2/2 moves forward and fires on the Finnish positions, but accomplishes little other than keeping some heads down.

2/1 advances and exchanges fire with Hietanen’s position. One Soviet rifleman is killed and several from both sides Duck Back.

Finnish phase

  Finally, within range of the SMG, Koskela’s entire group can open fire on the 2/2. They cause several casualties, with Lehto’s MMG and Virilä (Kariuoto’s squad) doing most of the damage. Only the Soviet Lt and two others stay, the rest Duck Back.

  The Kauhu sends Korpi “Kuolematon” (The Immortal) forward to scout. He identifies PEF5 as 3/2, a 11-man squad with a MMG3 attached. Korpi slips back into the woods before he can be seen.

  On the Finnish left, Hietanen’s group fires on the 2/1, but doesn’t cause casualties; all the Soviets can do is drop prone in place. On the far left, Susi manages to kill one rifleman from the 2/1, but Rokka has another malfunction.

Turn 15: Soviet initiative (again, only groups led by officers activate)

  The 2/1 Recovers, but remains Prone. Active fire from the 2/1 causes several Finnish casualties from Hietanen’s squad. Sihvonen and Vanhala are killed and Honkajoki Leaves the Battlefield. Krs Hietanen and Asumaniemi stay in the fight.

  The Lt of the 2/2 decides refuses to retreat and exchanges fire with Kariluoto, who is killed by the Soviet Lt.

Finnish phase

  On the left, what’s left of Hietanen’s command cuts down enough of the 2/1 to get the survivors to Leave the Battlefield. Not even the political officer can keep them from fleeing. Rokka clears his malfunction.

 In the center, Viirilä and Lehto’s MMG cut down the Soviet Lt and his group. 

On the right, Kemppaala and his group have now arrived at the main position with their captured MMG. They reinforce Virilä – the only survivor from Kariluto’s group.

Turn 16: Finnish Initiative

  Kemppaala and her crew with the captured MMG take their place in Kariluoto’s defensive position. Lehto’s MMG crew and the Soviet MMG2 exchange fire. Kaukonen (Lehto’s gunner) is killed.

Soviet phase

  Various Soviet units Recover or move forward. The PEF7 is determined to be an Air Strike. Susi (Hietanen’s squad) and Lehto (Koskela’s squad – commands the MMG) are killed. Their squad mates grimly hang on.

Turn 17: New PEF (8) and Finnish reinforcements, which turns out to be an artillery strike that falls on the Sov 2/1, causing only one casualty – the squad leader.

 Koskela reorganizes Lehto’s MMG crew: Salonen is the new gunner and Rahikainen joins the crew. On the far left, Rokka moves forward far enough to get the edge of the woods in range and goes Prone.

Rokka stands alone

Soviet phase

 The 2/1 moves forward, only to be driven back again by Rokka and Asumaniemi.

 On the Soviet left, the 3/2 moves forward and engages The Kauhu. Pylkäs wounds a Soviet corporal, but little else is accomplished besides several Duck Backs – only the Soviet LMG team stands. Unfortunately, Suominen is killed. Soviet Active Fire forces The Kauhu to Duck Back; Kirsi’s return fire forces the Soviet squad leader to Duck Back.

Turn 18: Soviets do not activate

  The Kauhu Recovers, while the rest of his squad drives the rest of the 3/2 back again.

On the Finnish left, Rokka forces three more Duck Backs. Hietanen picks up the fallen Vanhala’s LMG.

Turn 19: Soviets again fail to activate

Rokka crawls forward a bit and fires again, but doesn’t score hits. Hietanen fires and wounds a Soviet corporal.

The Kauhu returns to his squad.

Turn 20: Finnish initiative, but they chose to remain in their defensive positions.

Various Soviet groups recover.

 The last 3 survivors of 2/2 engage Kemppaala’s MMG; one Soviet is killed, the other two Leave the Battlefield.

Turn 21: Soviets do not activate – the Finns chose not to move

Turn 22: Finns do not activate

  The PEF #9 is MMG4 in a defensive position. It exchanges fire with Kemppaala’s MMG, with neither side suffering casualties.

Turn 23: Finns do not activate but receive reinforcements; another ineffective artillery strike.

 The Soviet 2/1 again tries to move forward; Rokka kills 1 and wounds 1, whereas Hietanen wounds two more and forces others to Leave the Battlefield.

  Soviet MMG4 continues their duel with Koskela’s MMG crew.

 On the Soviet left, the 3/2 tries their luck against The Kauhu again. The Kauhu causes two casualties but the rest of the squad only forces Duck Backs. Taikuri Ducks Back.

Turn 24: Finnish initiative

 The Kauhu Fast Moves forward and engages the 3/2 again. Korpi and Kirsi score some kills, and the survivors of 3/2 are driven off the board, except the LMG team.

The Kauhu pursues the Soviet 3/2

 A couple of 2/1 stragglers Leave the Battlefield. MMG teams continue to exchange fire without effect (both sides are in cover)

Turn 25:  Soviets fail to activate

Turn 25

 Korpi finishes off the 3/2 LMG team alone

 

The Kahu, Pylkäs and Kirsi circle around behind the last Soviet MMG (#4) position.

Turn 26:  Soviet initiative

 Soviet MMG4 continues to exchange ineffective fire Kemppaala’s MMG

The last charge!

 

The Kauhu decides it’s a good time to charge the last Soviet MMG (#4) team from the rear. It didn’t exactly work out as planned, as the Soviet crew fought with the desperate determination of doomed men.

 The Finns did everything they could, but the “gods of war” (the dice) were against them. They charged in with The Kauhu’s and Pylkäs’ SMG blazing, pinning down the gun crew. Kiris threw a grenade, which did no further damage. 

It took the Kauhu (Rep6) two rounds to kill the gunner (Rep4); had it not been for “Star Power” he would have been killed in the first round.  Pylkas (Rep5) was wounded by the assistant gunner (Rep4) in the first round. Kirsi (Rep4) took two rounds to kill the ammo bearer (Rep3). This left The Kauhu and Kirsi to fight the assistant gunner.

Turn 27: Finnish initiative

 The Kauhu and Kirsi attack the last Soviet. Kirsi is wounded before the Kauhu can finish him off. There are no more Soviet soldiers on the field (I probably should have just shot the last Soviet here, but continuing the melee was more fun)

Kollaa Kestää! (Kollaa holds) - barely.

End: Finnish Victory

Campaign Morale Change: None

Kauhu’s Squad:

Survived: Kauhu, Korpi, Taikuri, Kemppaala, Niska II & Lång

Rep increase: Niska II (Rep4-Rep5)

Killed: Suominen;

Wounded: Pylkäs. Kirsi

Koskela: (commander of Lehto’s and Hietanen’s squads) survived 

Karilito’s squad: 4 killed, 2 wounded, 2 Left Battlefield, 1 survived (Virilä)

Lehto’s MMG squad: 2 killed, 3 survived (Salonen, Rahikainen, Riitaoja)

Hietanen’s squad: 3 killed, 1 wounded, 2 Left Battlefield, 2 survived (Rokka, Asumaniemi)