Winter War Campaign - Final Battle

 

My 2^nd Winter War Campaign

Rules: Nuts! By TwoHourWargames (28mm WWII skirmish) – with a few personal touches here and there (not to mention forgetting a rule now and then).

The Mission Card Deck will be used for everything except friendly reinforcements.

Map: The map is divided into nine equal sections, numbered in white on black in the first photo. I play on a 4’x6’ board, so each section is 1’4”x 2’. The numbers on the map are not in the center of the section; I just tried to make them unobtrusive.

Note: Inappropriate capitalization in the middle of a sentence refers to rules’ mechanics. They, along with other abbreviations and more campaign background can be found: HERE

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 Brute Squad). The Kauhu and his squad are attached to Kapteeni Kaarna’s infantry task force. In order to keep the scenarios fresh and not too repetitive, the squad transfers between fronts in a way that is unrealistic.

Note: Patrol and Choc & Cig scenarios do not affect Campaign Morale

1st Scenario: Patrol: Soviet Victory

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

·       Campaign Morale: Soviets (3), Finns (4)

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

4th Scenario: Patrol – Finnish victory

5th Scenario: Finnish Attack – Soviet Victory

·       Campaign Morale: Soviets (3), Finns (3)

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

7th Scenario: Defense of the Kollaa River – Finnish victory

·       Campaign Morale: Soviets (3), Finns (3) [no change]

8th Scenario: Patrol – Finnish victory

9th Scenario: Attack – Finnish victory

·       Campaign Morale: Soviets (1), Finns (3)

10^th Scenario: Patrol – Finnish victory

11^th Scenario: Defend – Soviet Victory

·       Campaign Morale: Soviets (1), Finns (2)

 

 

Date: February 20, 1940 – the Mannerheim Line

Weather: Clear skies, freezing cold with Deep snow on ground;

Campaign Morale: Soviets (1), Finns (2)

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

The Mission:

  In the last mission, the Soviets forced a breach in the Mannerheim Line. Lt Lamio (Kpt Kaarna has been killed) is to lead the counter attack to take back the old positions.

 

My Special Scenario Rules:

1.     A figure/group in a Defensive Position (DP) treats Duck Back a little differently than normal. After all, that’s why you have a defensive works, to shield you from enemy fire and make it easier to recover from it. A figure in a DP that has to Duck Back will do so in place (essentially, they are just ducking behind their defense works) and count as being Prone. They still count as being in Duck Back, so must spend an action recovering. When they recover, they can retake their positions for free, which does trigger a new IST. They are also eligible for active fire. (Note: In my games, I have found it too easy to take a strong defensive position without this rule).

Starting Set-up: The Finnish forces, from left to right:

·       Krs (Sgt) Kalvela’s squad: 3 SMG and 6 Rifles

·       Yks (Crp) Lahtinen’s MMG team (5 men w/ 1MMG and 4 rifles)

·       Vrk (2Lt) Kariluoto’s squad (2 SMG, 8 rifles)

·       Yks Lehto’s MMG team (5 men w/ 1MMG and 4 rifles)

·       Krs Hietanen’s assault squad (2 SMG, 5 rifles, Molotov Cocktails)

·       HQ is in the center rear: 1Lt Lamio (rifle), runner Mielonen (rifle), medic and an anti-tank rifle team. Vrk Koskela (SMG) is with Lamio for the time being.

. The Soviets will start with four PEFs. Additionally, there are four old abandoned Finnish positions that will be treated as buildings as far as PEFs are concerned. In the center, closest to the Finnish start lines, in the old company HQ position. Behind that is a reinforced (DV4) MG bunker. It is flanked by a section of trenches (DV3) on each side. Everything between the trenches and the casemates in assumed to be lighter defensive works (I didn’t have enough). Because the Finns are approaching the rear of the bunkers as they were designed, the forest goes right up to them.

Situation at Start

Turn 1: Soviet initiative & reinforcements: 1^st squad/1^st platoon (1/1): 11-man LMG squad in sector #1. Soviets do not move

 All Finnish forces move forward

Turn 2: Soviet initiative & reinforcements: 2/1: 11-man LMG squad in sector #3

All PEFs move forward. Both the 1/1 and 2/1 move up and occupy the old Finnish trenches.

Finnish phase:

  On the Finnish left, the Kauhu moves forward at the double.

  In the center, Vrk Kariluoto spots and identifies PEF3 as 3/1: another 11-man LMG squad. The Finns win the IST and fire first. They score 3 killed, 3 wounded and the rest Leave the Battlefield. There are no Finnish casualties. The SMG gunners do most of the damage.

Kariluoto engages the 3/1

 On the right, Hietanen has blundered into a mine field (PEF4); Vanhala and Honkaniemi are wounded, two others Duck Back.

Koskela directs Lehto's MMG team

Turn 3:  Soviet initiative

 PEFs 1 & 2 move forward, 1/1 and 2/1 decide they are content to occupy the old Finnish trenches.

Occupying the old Finish trenches

 The Kauhu moves up, but neither Kariluoto nor Hietanen move.

The Kauhu and his Brute Squad move through the woods

Turn 4: Finnish initiative

The Kauhu spots PEF2 – but it is only rumors.

Lamio moves his HQ units forward, but is still behind Kariluoto.

Kariluoto moves forward and spots the old company HQ position, which is occupied by 4/1 (11 men w/ LMG). The Finns fire first and inflict 2 kills and 1 wounded, with the survivors Ducking Back. The Finns suffered one wounded and two Duck Backs. The one Soviet Rifleman that didn’t Duck Back is easily dispatched by Active Fire.

Hietanen again fails to move. Lamio sends Koskela over to see what the holdup is with Hietanen. He also sends the medic over to Hietanen.

Soviet phase: the 4/1 has had enough and Leaves the Battlefield.

Turn 5: Finnish initiative

The Kauhu moves his force forward, stopping just short of the wood line so as not to be observed by the 1/1 in their trench. He will wait for Yks Lahtinen’s MMG team to catch up.

Lamio’s “stink-eye” convinces the two shirkers from Kariluoto’s group to get moving..

Koskela takes command of Hietanen’s squad and gets them moving.

Soviet phase: The last PEF2 moves forward.

Turn 6: Soviet initiative, but fail to move

The medic reaches Vanhala. Lahtinen’s MMG group catches up to The Kauhu.

Turn 7: Soviet initiative and more reinforcements: 1/2 - 11-man LMG team in section #3.

The Kauhu prepares his group and Lahtinen’s MMG team to engage the Soviet forces in the trenches. The medic successfully treats Vanhala. The other Finnish groups move forward.

Turn 8: Finnish initiative

 The Kauhu moves up and engages the 1/1 in their trenches. Lahtinen moves his riflemen forward to cover for Määttä while he sets up his machinegun.

 Unfortunately, in spite of his careful preparations, the Soviets were ready for them and fire first. The old hands (The Kauhu, Korpi, and Pylkäs plus Kemppaala) did well enough, but Salo (from Lahtinen’s MMG team), Niska and Kirsi were wounded and the other riflemen were forced to Duck Back. Final tally: Finns: 1 killed, 2 wounded and six Duck Backs. The Soviets: 1 killed, 1 wounded and 2 Duck Backs. The Finns Carry On, as do the Soviets, with the exception of the Rep3s who Duck Back, leaving six men still at their posts.

 With only Kauhu and his best soldiers left on the line, plus the MMG, Active Fire goes to the Finns. They score three more kills; leaving the Soviets with four in good shape and two in Duck Back.

The other Finnish groups continue their advance. The medic manages to get Honkajoki back in the fight.

Soviet Artillery off-board support (triggered by The Kauhu’s approach to the trench – as if it were a building) strikes Koskela’s group and Lehto’s MMG team with devastating results: Hietanen is killed, Koskela, Rokka and Asumaniemi are wounded, only Susi and Sihvonen are unwounded. While Susi helps his childhood friend Rokka to the rear, Sihvonen helps Koskela. Asumaniemi is beyond help. The group is combat ineffective and Leaves the Battlefield.

The 1/1 Recovers but doesn’t reman positions yet as they need to reorganize their LMG team

Turn 9: Finnish initiative

Mielonen calls for Vanhala and Honkajoki to join his impromptu group.

In the center, Kariluoto cannot get his men moving.

On the left, the Kauhu’s riflemen Recover and he waits for them to rejoin the group before moving further.

Soviet Phase

 The 1/1 remans their trenches, causing and IST with The Kauhu and Lahtinen’s MMG group. The Finns fire first, they only cause one casualty, but do keep everyone’s head down.

 The other Soviet units are content to stay in their trenches.

Turn 10: Finns fail to activate

1/1 Recovers and takes up their positions, sparking a new IST – which the Soviets win this time. Unfortunately, their aim was poor. The only casualties on either side is when Lahtinen’s MMG crew wounded both members of the Soviet LMG team.

Start at turn 11

Turn 11: Finns again fail to activate but receive reinforcements in the form of off-board artillery.

 The artillery falls on the Russian left, striking both the 2/1 and the 1/2, the former suffers 1 wounded and the latter one killed. Surprisingly, the 2/1 panics and Leaves the Battlefield (a bad time to roll 3 sixes).

 The Soviets continue to wait developments in their trenches.

Turn 12: Finnish initiative; but reinforcements fail to arrive

On the left, The Kauhu’s riflemen have rejoined his group

In the center, Kariluoto moves forward and spots the Soviet 2/2 to the left of the old machine gun emplacement. The Soviets are waiting for them and fire first. Kariluoto’s group suffers one killed and one wounded, whereas the Soviets only suffer one wounded. Kariluoto, the only member of his squad that did not Duck Back, voluntarily does so and rejoins his squad. The Soviets Carry On.

Turn 13: The Finns fail to activate again

 1/2 and 2/2 Recover and remain in place; the 1/1 stays in Duck Back.

Turn 14:  Soviet Initiative

No targets – so they just keep to their Defensive Positions.

Turning the guns

Close up of Lahtinen's MMG team

Lahtinen has his gun team turn slightly to the right and engage the 2/2; Määttä is accurate as always, causing 2 casualties and several Duck Backs.

 With the 1/1 Ducking into their trenches, The Kauhu is free to advance up to the edge of the trench. Kemppaala throws a grenade, which does nothing but keep heads down. The Kauhu and his two SMG gunners (Korpi and Pylkäs) lead the way, with the riflemen behind. The Finns enter the trench, initiating an IST, which is won by the Kauhu. Their initial volley causes two casualties and is immediately followed up by a charge, which leaves no survivors.

The Kauhu assaults the trench

 In the center, Kariluoto and his men Recover, while Mielonen and his small group advance.

Turn 15: Soviet initiative; they continue to hold their position in their Defensive Positions.

Lahtinen’s MMG continues to sweep the top of the 2/2 trench, causing no casualties, but keeping their heads down. Meanwhile, The Kauhu prepares his men to assault the next trench.

Kariluoto and Lehto’s MMG team advance – there is no IST w/ 2/2 as Lahtinen’s MMG team is keeping their heads down. Kariluoto moves to the right and engages the 1/2, distracting them so Lehto can move forward and set up his MMG. The Finns fire first, Kariluoto himself causes a couple of casualties, but his men only force Duck Backs; Viirilä (Rep6 w/SMG – Kariluoto’s best man) Ducks Back. Lehto’s Active fire makes sure that the Soviets keep their heads down.

Turn 16: Finnish initiative.

 Mielonen’s small group advances and triggers the last PEF (from closing in on the right trench); which triggers an artillery barrage that kills one of Kariluoto’s shirkers.

Lamio's right flank under pressure

 Kariluoto doesn’t move, as he waits for Viirilä to Recover and rejoin the unit.

  The Kauhu assaults the 2/2’s position as before: Lahtinen’s MMG keeps their heads down while Suominen throws a grenade. As before, the SMG gunners lead the way, firing as they come – followed by a decisive charge: all Soviets are killed or wounded. There are no Finnish casualties.

Soviet phase:

 1/2 Recovers and man their positions. Kariluoto is ready for them and fires first. Little damage is done to other side, just one casualty for the Soviets. Active Fire from the 1/2 LMG kills Kariluoto and forces the rest of his squad to Duck Back

Turn 17: Finnish initiative

Preparing to assault the last trench

 The Kauhu assaults the last trenchwork using the same tactics as before: supporting MMG fire to keep heads down followed by a grenade from Kemppaala, then charge in. However, this time the grenade does its work, as there are no survivors.

The Kauhu has cleared all three sections of trench.

End: Finnish Victory, Soviet morale reduced by one

Campaign Morale:

Soviets 0

Finns 2

The Finns have won the campaign and have negotiated a peace without giving up too much.

Casualties:

The Kauhu’s squad: 2 wounded (Niska and Kirsi);

Lamio’s force:

Kariluoto’s squad: 3 killed (including Kariluoto), 2 wounded, 5 survivors

Koskela’s half-platoon: Koskela: wounded

Hietanen’s assault squad: 1 killed, 4 wounded, 2 Left Battlefield

Lehto’s MMG team: 1 wounded, 4 survivors

Lahtinen’s MMG team: 1 killed, 4 survivors

Campaign Review of Kauhu’s Brute Squad:

  It got hard to think of new Finnish names after a while. Most come from Finnish war novels (and their movies), others from people I know or Finnish mythology. Pylkäs was a real soldier upon which one of the best characters in the novels is based. So rather than come up with new names, I just recycled them and kept track of how many times they became casualties. I rerolled attributes and restarted them at Rep3 after they were wounded/killed.

Name	KIA	WIA	End Rep	Notes
Kauhu			6	Saved by star power >1; end Rep6
Tursas	1		N/A	Replaced by Pylkäs after scenario #5
Pylkäs		1	6
Korpi			7	Saved by “Luck” attribute a couple times
Surma		1	N/A	Promoted & transferred after Scenario #5
Taikuri		3	4	See below
Suominen	3	2	4
Kirsi	2	2	3
Kemppaala		3	4
Niska	1	2	3
Lång		3	3	Replaced Surma as new recruit

 “Taikuri” means magician. He was modeled after Simo Häyhä, the famous sniper. The Finns called him the “magic shooter.” He was originally my marksman, but after he was wounded the first time, he never got his skill back and became a regular rifleman.