Lapinsota (Lapland War) Finland v Germany - 1st scenario
I have been obsessively working on a miniature project for a while. Although
I have enjoyed every minute of it, I haven’t gamed in far too long – over two months
(but at least I did some painting). Apparently, the dice gods decided to punish
me for my sins. Presenting my next WW2 skirmish campaign in Finland. Otherwise
known as:
“The day the dice gods and Mission Deck went absolutely
bonkers.”
LAPINSOTA The Lapland War (Sep
15, 1944 – Apr 27, 1945) 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 pretty much
everything.
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. The purpose of this is to help
identify placement of enemy forces and reinforcements.
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: Lapinsota, The Lapland War (Sep
15, 1944 – Apr 27, 1945)
Follows the exploits
of Kersantti (Sgt) Tapio Kalvela, AKA “The Metsän Kauhu” (Terror of the Forest) or often just “The Kauhu” and his Rahajääkäri (Border Jaeger) squad (The Brute Squad) as they try to expel
the Germans from Lapland as demanded by the Soviets. They will be supported by
elements of Luutnantti (1Lt) Lamio’s rifle company from time to time. Basically,
two squads and a medium MG team, named after characters from the Finnish novel/movie
Tuntematon Sotilas (Unknown Soldier) – which is why I have 2Lt leading squads.
Members of the
Brute Squad will keep the same name throughout the campaign, because I like the
names and it’s easier to keep track that way. Should one become incapacitated
and have to be replaced, a Roman numeral will be placed after their name (Kirsi
II, etc.). They will also have to start over at Rep3 with a new attribute.
These must be veterans – as I got kind of lucky with the starting Rep die
rolls.
They currently are
as follows:
- The Kauhu, Rep5, SMG, Born Leader, Brawler
- Alikersantti (Cpl) Suominen, Rep5, SA Rifle,
Panzerfaust, Lucky
- Korpraali (PFC) Pylkäs, Rep6, SMG, Combat Sense
- Korpraali Korpi (AKA Kuolematon - The Immortal), Rep6, SMG, Rage
- Jääkäri (Jaeger private) Könsikäs, Rep5, LMG, Agile
- Jääkäri Taikuri (The Magician), Rep5, BA Rifle, Crack Shot
- Jääkäri Kemppaala, Rep4, BA Rifle, Satchel Charge, Tank Killer
- Jääkäri Kirsi, Rep4, BA Rifle, Panzerfaust, Ball Player
- Jääkäri Niska, Rep4, BA Rifle, Dumb Ass
German Forces: The German forces
available during the campaign are:
·
SS Nord Division, 2nd Gebirgsjager
division, 169th Infantry Division
Note: Patrol and Choc & Cig scenarios do not
affect Campaign Morale
1st Scenario: Patrol v. SS Nord
Date: Sep 30, 1944
Weather: Clear
Campaign Morale: Germans (4), Finns (4)
Investment Level: Germans (4), Finns (3).
The Mission: At the beginning of the war, there was
more or less a “Gentleman’s Agreement” between the Finns and their former
comrades. The Finns wouldn’t press too hard and the Germans would fall back and
wouldn’t destroy too much Finnish property. The Soviets quickly figured this
out and demanded more aggressiveness in expelling the Germans from Lapland,
under threat of sending Soviet troops “to help.” The last thing the Finns
wanted.
The Kauhu has been
ordered to take his squad on patrol, locate elements of the SS Nord and find
out what they are up to.
 |
| Situation at Start |
Turn 1: Finnish Initiative
The Kauhu and his Brute Squad enter the map
from the southeast corner (sector #9.) With two PEFs on his left, The Kauhu
wants to tray and take them on one at a time, so he moves his squad up the
right flank and advances on the rocky hill.
PEF1 does not move while PEF2 moves up full speed. PEF3 moves forward
and is spotted by the Kauhu and identified as a five-man MG34 team (NCO, Jr
NCO, gunner, assistant and an ammo bearer). The Finns are ready for them and
fire first.
 |
| The Brute Squad encounters a well camoflauged German MG34 team |
(Rules Note: There are two types of fire in these rules. I call the first type “Opportunity Fire” [that term isn’t used in the rules] for convenience. The second type is Active Fire. Opportunity fire is when two opposing groups see each other for the first time. A test determines who fires first. Although not specified in the rules, I prefer to have figs just shoot at whatever enemy fig is closest to them Sometimes this results in less than optimal pairings, but I think this represents the nature of opportunity fire better. During Active Fire, I line the targets up however I want.)
·
Pvts Taikuri (squad marksman) & Niska target
the enemy squad leader (armed with an STG44) but both miss. Return fire kills
Taikuri and wounds Niska.
·
Pylkäs and Kemppaala target a rifleman, who is
wounded by Pylkäs.
·
Korpi targets the assistant gunner, but only
forces a Duck Back
·
Suominen and Kirsi target the ammo bearer, but
miss, but force a Duck Back
·
The Kauhu and Könsikäs target the enemy MMG gunner, who is wounded by the latter.
The German squad leader holds his ground and causes and Active Fires his powerful STG44 at The Kauhu, Könsikäs, Suominen and Kirsi. Kirsi is killed and the Kauhu is wounded (reduced to -1Rep for melee by Star Power). The Finns carry on. The German assistant gunner and ammo bearer Duck Back.
Turn 2: New PEF4 in sector #4. Finnish Initiative
The Kauhu rallies himself, Könsikäs and
Suominen. Korpi fires at the German NCO. He not only misses, he also has a
malfunction. Fortunately for Korpi, before the German can react, Pylkäs puts
him down. The last two Germans Leave the Battlefield. The medic moves over to
check out Niska.
PEFs
1 & 2 move towards The Kauhu at full speed; PEF4 advance cautiously.
Turn 3: Finnish initiative
The Kauhu spends the turn Recovering from Duck
Back, while The Korpi fixes his ammo issue. The medic is able to get Niska back
in the fight.
The German PEFs
continue to move toward The Kauhu, albeit cautiously.
Turn 4: Another new PEF (#5) in Sector five. Finnish
Initiative.
The Kauhu moves
his squad up and occupies the German position on the rocky hill. The Brute Squad has suffered a lot of
casualties, but they have captured an MG34 and an STG44. Perhaps they will come
in handy later.
The German PEFs continue to march towards the Kauhu’s position.
Turn 5: German initiative
As the PEFs converge on The Kauhu’s position, they begin to move more cautiously.
With all the PEFs coming on, the Kauhu decides
it’s time to increase the firepower by redistributing the captured weapons. The
Kauhu takes the STG44 and gives his Suomi SMG to Suominen. Könsikäs gives his LMG to the newly arrived
Niska and mans the MG34 with Kemppaala and medic Lång carrying the ammo.
Desperate times.
 |
| Although he i ssupposed to be on patrol, The kauhu orders the Brute Squad to take up defensive positions. |
Turn 6: Yet another new PEF (#6) – this time in sector 3. The dice gods are full
of mischief today. Finnish initiative and reinforcements – an artillery strike.
Rules Note: Wasn’t really sure how to handle this as
the squads weren’t identified yet so can’t suffer casualties. I decided to wait
until the PEFs were revealed and then roll for it.
With PEF’s coming in on two sides, the Kauhu
sets up a defense facing both north and west.
There are now 5 PEFs on the board. Three
move into view and are identified. PEFs 2 & 5 are only rumors (about time
we got some luck thought The Kauhu). PEF6 turns out to be a sniper and The Kauhu
suffers another light wound (again save by Star Power at the expense of another
-1 to melee).
Turn 7: German reinforcements and initiative. The Mission Deck calls for a new
PEF (#7 in Sector 1).
The
Germans can’t move this turn, so the Finns just hold their positions – although
the Kauhu is beginning to wonder if it is time to cut losses and withdraw.
Turn 8: German initiative.
The
PEFs move closer as the Kauhu holds his position.
Turn 9: German initiative
PEF1
advances and is identified as two obsolete relics from France 1940 (Somuas) of
the 211th Panzer Battalion. The Finns win the IST and everyone just
takes cover. Both tanks fire their co-ax MGs but cause no damage. One tank has
an ammo issue.
 |
| Korpi and Kemppaala try to outflank the tanks |
Turn 10: Finns fail to activate but receive reinforcements: Kariluoto’s nine-man squad (2 SMG, 1 LMG & 6 rifles) in sector 7.
 |
| Start of turn 10 |
 |
| Kariluoto's Squad arrives |
While one tank fixes its ammo issue, the
other continues to spray the rocky hill with MG fire – but ineffectively.
PEF7 moves up towards the rear of the tanks.
Turn 11: Germans can’t activate
but receive reinforcements: another five-man MG42 team (MG2) in a defensive
position in sector one.
 |
| MG34 team |
 |
| Korpi discovers a squad protecting German tanks |
Kariluoto moves up slowly. Korpi attempt sto flank the two tanks, but is spotted by PEF7: a six-man squad with an MG42 (1st squad, 1st platoon or 1/1). Fortunately, Korpi is a wily veteran and fires first – quite effectively: killing the NCO and wounding two riflemen. Kemppaala does his share, wounding the ammo bearer. The Jr NCO and the MG gunner Duck Back, but the ammo bearer drops his load and Leaves the Battlefield.
Turn 12:
Germans fail to activate
Korpi and
Kemppaala emerge on the flank of the right tank, wins the IST ad advances close
enough to fire his Panzerfaust. He scores a hit destroying the tank. When the
left tank sees his friend brew up, the commander orders the driver to Duck
Back, but the driver loses control in the chaos and throws a track. The crew
abandons the tank. Kemppaala attempted to get close enough to the second tank
to use his satchel charge, but the crew abandoned the tank before he could get
close enough.
Meanwhile,
Kariluoto advances slowly; The Kauhu advances to sector #3.
Turn 13:
Germans fail to active for third consecutive turn.
With the tank destroyed, the aggressive Korpi
decides to follow the trail of the remnants of German 1/1. Korpi spots them and
fires first but scores no hits; with no cover nearby, all the Germans can do is
drop Prone in place.
The Kauhu decides the MG34 is too heavy for
their patrol, so they hide it in hopes of gathering it up later. The Kauhu
leads his squad north towards sector #1.
Turn 14:
Yet another PEF (#8) in sector S3. It is immediately spotted by The Kauhu – but
it is only more Rumors. Also Finnish
reinforcements – two T26 from the armored brigade is sector #7.
Rules Note:
On occasion a new PEF will appear in the LOS of friendly forces; when this
happens I resolve it immediately (including any firefight that results) before
starting the turn.
The Kauhu
follows up and enters sector #3.
Korpi tries to
pursue the 1/1, but as he enters the edge of the woods he spots MMG team #2 and
drops back into the woods before he is spotted. He then heads east to link up
with The Kauhu.
Kariluoto
advances a full move, but the tanks simply idle in place.
Turn 15:
Germans fail to activate
 |
| Turn 15 |
The Kauhu and his group successfully scout sector #3. Korpi and Kemppaala double-time it and rejoin the Kauhu.
Both tanks
continue to sit idle. Kariluoto advances to the edge of the woods and spots MG
team #2. The Germans fire first. Kariluoto is killed and a rifleman is wounded;
four others, including Kersantti Tyynelä, the squad 2IC. Only Viirilä (SMG),
Ukkola (LMG) & Pettinen hold their ground.
Viirilä and his
group open fire but score no hits, only Duck Backs.
Turn 16:
Finns fail to activate
The German MG team #2 rallies and reman their
positions, causing an IST with Viirilä, which the latter wins. They exchange fire, The German NCO is killed
and the MG gunner wounded. Rifleman Pettinen Ducks Back. The German assistant
gunner picks up the MG.
Turn 17:
Again the Finns fail to activate
The German Jr NCO fires at Viirilä forcing him
to Duck Back
Turn 18:
Finnish initiative
The Finnish
tanks finally advance; Ukkola drops back and reunites with Viirilä, who
Recovers. Tyynelä rallies his group as well.
The Kauhu
advances towards section #2, but is spotted by MG team #2, who fires first.
With the Germans being out of range of the SMG, only the LMG rifles can fire.
The Germans score some hits, but only force Duck Backs. However, return fire
from Könsikäs and his LMG kills the
German MG gunner. The survivors Duck Back behind their cover.
The German Jr NCO is unable to Recover his
men, but at least they stay on the battlefield.
Turn 19: Finish initiative
The
Kauhu rallies his group. Tyynelä and the tanks advance to just the streams
edge, while the Germans are behind cover and unable to see.
The
Germans rally but stay behind cover and out of sight.
Turn 20: Yet another PEF (#9) in sector #2. It is immediately spotted by the
Kauhu – an 8-man squad (2/1) in a defensive position. Finns fail to activate.
 |
| More trouble for the Kauhu |
The
last two survivors of the 1/1 turn to face the Brute Squad, but they don’t last
long as Korpi kills the assistant gunner causing the gunner to Leave the
Battlefield.
The
last German squad, 3 members of MG team #2 fire on Tyynelä’s squad. They kill
one and Tyynelä and three riflemen Duck Back. Viirilä (SMG) and Ukkola (LMG)
are too proud to Duck Back and engage team two. Viirilä scores the hit and the
two survivors Leave the Battlefield.
At
present, there are no German squads on board. The Kauhu has only scouted sector
#3, he has two more to go. If their luck holds and no more troops arrive, they
should be able to accomplish their mission.
Turn 21. No such luck. The dice gods
dictate that another PEF arrives (#10) in sector two. To make matters worse,
the Mission Deck determines it is two PEFs.
They are immediately spotted and determined to be a 3-man LMG squad
(3/1) and a 9-man squad with an anti-tank gun (1/2). And for one final insult,
the Germans receive reinforcements of the 2/3 – a 9-man squad (2/2) and a
mortar attack. The mortar attack falls
on Tyynelä’s squad and the T26s but is ineffective. German Initiative.
 |
| Yet another SS Squad - these boys don't quit. |
Viirilä and Ukkola win their IST against the 2/2
but only cause one casualty; return fire kills Viirilä and force Ukkola to Duck
Back.
The two
survivors of the 1/1 turn their LMG on the Kauhu. They cause no casualties but
there are too many near misses for comfort. The Kauhu and his squad Duck Back
into the cover of the woods.
The 1/2
turns to face the pair of T26s. The ATG knocks out the T26 #2. Tank #1 Ducks
Back, but the driver breaks a track backing up in the woods. The crew abandons
it.
During the Finnish turn, The Kauhu Recovers
his squad, as does Tyynelä with his, but the medic cannot help Niska.
Turn 22:
Outnumbered and
significantly outgunned, The Kauhu decides the mission is a failure and must
extricate his squad for the expected German counter-attack.
 |
| Time to live to fight another day |
End:
Results: German Victory, no change to campaign morale
(patrol mission)
Next-Up: German
night attack by the SS Nord.
Casualties:
· The
Kauhu: lightly wounded twice (Saved by Star Power)
· The
Brute Squad: 2 killed (Taikuri & Kirsi), 1 wounded will not return (Niska)
· Kariluto’s
squad: 2 killed (including Kariluoto) and 2 wounded
· Two
tanks: one destroyed, one disabled abandoned
Rep Increases: None (lost
battle)
Replacements: None arrive
in time
Hietanen's squad
 |
| Lahtinen's heavy machinegun squad |
Some HQ personnel. koskela command's Hietanen's and Lahtinen's squads.
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