Lapland War - scenario #3. A patrol rescue mission - Narrative version
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, although with some concessions for being a patrol mission.
Rules experiment: The author suggests having all
enemy be Rep4 for convenience. However, I personally like having the enemy be
different Reps. My solution is to have the enemy use Rep4 for Activation
(meaning they won’t Activate if the initiative die roll is a 5 or 6) but use
the Reps in the Army list for everything else.
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 16”x 24”. The Finns are entering from one of the short ends of the
table. This means it will take them a while to cross.
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.
I prefer to use Finnish ranks, as I find it helps me immerse in
the story. Here are some of the ones I use. Note the abbreviations are mine,
not necessarily the correct Finnish ones.
Jkr = Jäkkäri: a jaeger private Sm = Sotamies: infantry private
Vrk = Vänrikki:
2Lt Lut = Luutnanti: 1Lt
Krs = Kersantti: Sergeant Yks
– Ylikersantti: Jr sergeant (i.e. a corporal)
Krp = Korpraali: more or less private first class
Campaign Background: Lapinsota, The Lapland War (Sep
15, 1944 – Apr 27, 1945)
Follows the exploits
of Kersantti 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. All squad members 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
for whatever reason, a Roman numeral will be placed after their name (Kirsi II,
etc.). They will also have to start over at Rep3 with a new random attribute.
They will be
supported by elements of Lut Lamio’s rifle company from time to time - four squads and a medium MG team. These guys are handled a little bit
differently. They are all named after
characters in the novel/movie “The Unknown Soldier” – which is why I have 2Lts
leading squads. Their Rep is based upon how good a soldier they were in the
novel while keeping in mind the basic percentages from the list (1/6 Rep 3, 1/2
Rep4 & 1/3 Rep5). There are two exceptions – one in each rifle squad (Rokka
and Viirilä – both Rep6) because they were exceptionally good soldiers in the
novel.
Because they are not
part of the “Star Squad,” if any of these guys are lost for whatever reason,
they will return for the next battle at the same Rep and with the same weapons,
although they will also get the Roman numeral treatment. The attached medic also falls into this category.
After receiving some
new recruits, The Brute Squad is currently as follows:
·
The Kauhu, Rep5, SMG, satchel charge, Mol
Cocktail; Born Leader, Brawler,
·
Yks Suominen, Rep5, SA Rifle, Panzerfaust; Lucky
·
Krp Pylkäs, Rep6, SMG, 2 grenades; Combat Sense
·
Krp Korpi “The Immortal:” Rep6, SMG, 2 grenades;
Rage
·
Jkr Könsikäs, - currently MIA
·
Jkr Kemppaala, Rep4, BA Rifle, AT Mine, Mol
Cocktail; Tank Killer
·
Jkr Kirsi II: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades;
Knifeman
·
Jkr Niska III: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades; no
Attribute
·
Jkr Lång: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades; no
Attribute
·
Medic Hussi: Rep4, BA Rifle
German Forces: The German forces available during the
campaign are:
·
SS Nord Division, 2nd Gebirgsjager
division, 169th Infantry Division, 211th Panzer Battalion
Note: Patrol and Choc & Cig scenarios do not
affect Campaign Morale
1st Scenario: Patrol v. SS Nord -
German victory
This scenario:
Date: Oct 10, 1944; somewhere in Finnish Lapland
Weather: Clear. This is a night mission.
Campaign Morale: Germans (4), Finns (3)
Investment Level: Germans (3), Finns (2). (lowered for patrol scenario)
The Mission: The Kauhu addresses his squad.
Jääkäri Köniskäs was
last seen facing the Germans alone with his LMG. His sacrifice allowed the rest
of the Brute Squad to escape and fight another day. But no one saw him fall.
Pvt Riitaoja from Koskela’s squad claimed he was killed. But that coward cannot
be trusted.
A local Sami
(Laplander) told me he saw some prisoners being escorted to the rear. But that
clueless idiot (1Lt) Lamio has denied us permission to go on a long-range
patrol and attempt a rescue. I am therefore going anyway.
Vrk Koskela and the
remains of his command will cover for us. The rest of you are coming with me.
Situation at start
The Kauhu enters from the
southeast corner of the map. He has split his squad up a bit so his two best
men (Pylkäs & Korpi, both Rep6) can act as scouts. Each one also has a
rifleman with them to act as runners if needed. Korpi & Jkr Kirsi are on
the left in the woods, while Pylkäs and Jkr Kemppaala are on the right, in the
more broken terrain. The rest of the squad is with the Kauhu in a position
between the two near the edge of the woods.
Turn 2: Germans fail to
activate
All three Finnish groups move forward, but no
contacts so far.
Turn 3: Germans again fail
to activate. The Germans had a chance to receive reinforcements, but the
Mission Deck declared it to be a civilian. The civilian appears it sector 6
(near Pylkäs).
Pylkäs spots the civilian, and
moves towards him. The Kauhu and Korpi both advance, Korpi inside the woods,
and Kauhu at the edge.
Turn 4: Germans again fail
to activate
Pylkäs hears a noise (PEF3) up ahead, but doesn’t see anything suspicious (Rumors). He then spots and contacts the civilian. He’s a frail looking old man who identifies himself as Oskari Partanen. He further says he is a disabled veteran of the Civil Wars, who is down on his luck as the Germans have burned his hovel. He further tells them that the Germans have settled in the Lahdenperä farm nearby and evicted the owners. Partanen further reports that the farm consists of the main residence – a two-story building, a barn off to the right of the main building and a sauna (it is Finland after all) to the left.
He believes they may have some
prisoners. Pylkäs gives him some bread and a few coins and sends him on his
way.
The Kauhu and Korpi continue their
advance.
Turn 5: German initiative
and reinforcements.
The Mission Deck declares the reinforcements to be a sniper attack. The attack falls on Pylkäs, but he is not hit. The sniper fades away into the darkness.
Both sides move forward, but with
limited sight because of the dark Finnish night, there are no more sightings.
Turn 6: Germans are still
inactive
On the Finnish left, Korpi moves forward and
spots the barn. Peering forward in the darkness, he is able to make out a 5-man
MG34 team. He silently withdraws before he is seen.
Turn 7: Finish initiative
Korpi sends Kirsi to find the
Kauhu and report the MG nest. He drops to prone and remains just out of sight
to await developments.
On the Finnish right, Pylkäs spots
a German squad (1st squad, 1st platoon or 1/1). He ducks
back and tells Kemppaala to ready some grenades.
The Germans hold their positions.
Turn 8: Neither side
activates
Turn 9: The Finns fail to activate, but receive
reinforcements. Vrk Kariluoto’s 9-man squad (2xSMG, 1xLMG and six rifles).
The two German groups stay in
their defensive positions.
Turn 10: German initiative
The two German groups are feeling restless and decide to advance out of their Defensive Positions; they prepare to move out.
On the Finnish right Pylkäs starts
to advance, but something feels odd. He stops and both he and Kempaala withdraw
a bit (Note: Pylkäs has the “Combet Sense” attribute which allows him to
withdraw if he loses the In Sight Test, as happened here).
Pylkäs was able to get enough of a
look to see that the sergeant was on the right of the German position and the
corporal on the left (from German viewpoint). He tells Kemppaala that the
German sergeant is on the left, so they are going to move off to the right and
try again, thinking perhaps that the corporal won’t be as alert as the sergeant
(that is he has a lower Rep).
On the Finnish left, The Kauhu
sends Yks Suominen and the riflemen off to hook up with Korpi. Jkr Niiska stays
with him. He tells Suominen to set up and wait for his signal – he is going to
try and flank them.
In the rear, Vrk Kariluoto moves
up on the double
Turn 11: Germans fail to
activate but receive reinforcements – a 10-man rifle squad (2/1) plus the 1st
platoon leader, appearing between the buildings.
Kariluoto continues his Fast Move,
but has a ways to go to catch up.
On the right, Pylkäs makes contact
and wins the IST against the German assistant squad leader (Thanks to the
darkness, the German sergeant can’t see the developing problem on his left).
Pylkäs fires his Suomi SMG at the same time as Kemppaala throws his grenade.
Between the two of them, they kill or wound the entire MG42 team and the
corporal. One German rifleman Leaves the Battlefield, while the sergeant and a
more experienced rifleman Duck Back.
On the left Yks Suominen and his
team engage the German MG34 team. Suominen throws a grenade while others pour
fire on them. The entire 5-mqn team is
wiped out (killed, wounded or Left Battlefield) before The Kauhu can attack the
flank.
“There goes the element of
surprise,” thought Kauhu. “They know we’re here now.”
Turn 12: Finns fail to
activate
The last two survivors of the 1/1 (a Rep5
sergeant and a Rep5 private) Hunker Down by the Sauna.
The German Lt moves the 2/1 slowly
forward.
Turn 13: Finnish
initiative. Possible reinforcements, but nothing arrives. “That idiot Lt Lamio
probably got lost again,” thought The Kauhu.
The Kauhu rejoins Suominen and the
rest of the squad. Examining the German casualties, the Kauhu determines that
they are regular infantry this time (169th Division). The wounded
are hurt too bad to be a danger, so they just disarm them and bind them to some
nearby trees.
On the right, Pylkäs and Kemppaala
move out wide to the right to get behind the Sauna.
In the rear, Kariluoto continues
to close the gap as fast as he can.
The German Lieutenant orders the
2/1 to hold their position while he goes to meet with the 1/1 survivors.
Turn 14: Finnish initiative
On the Finnish left, The Kauhu moves his squad forward behind Korpi, acting as lead scout as usual. As he approaches the barn,
Korpi’s keen eyes spot another 9-man squad (3/1) in defensive positions just in
front of the barn. As before, he drops back to confer with The Kauhu before he
can be seen.
On the right, Pylkäs continues his
wide flanking movement.
The German Lt contacts the
sergeant of the 1/1.
The German 3/1 holds its position
by the barn.
Turn 15: German initiative
(reinforcements fail to arrive)
The German Lt is able to convince the two survivors of the 1/1 to get back in the fight. “Keep an eye on this flank if you can,” said the Lt.
The 2/1 and the 3/1 decide to
leave their positions and switch over to the attack.
In the Finnish rear, Kariluoto
begins to slow down a bit.
On the Finnish left, The Kauhu
decides he cannot try a flank attack again, as they would be seen by anyone in
the main house, so he prepares his men for an attack. Suominen readies a
grenade.
On the right, Pylkäs continues to
carefully work around behind the sauna.
Turn 16: PEF #4 appears in
sector #1 (behind the barn). To make matters worse, the Germans receive
reinforcements. Luckily for the Finns, the reinforcements is only another
sniper attack. The sniper takes a shot and Kariluoto, but misses in the dark.
It was close enough to force Kariluoto to Duck Back, however.
The two survivors of the 1/1 have
regained their nerve, but will not advance; they will just hold their
positions.
The 2/1 moves slowly forward.
The 3/1 moves forward and contacts
the Kauhu – the Germans caught the Finns in the middle of their preparations
(Germans win IST) and fire first. Their fire is generally ineffective and only
results in the wounding of Jkr Lång. The German corporal did force Korpi and
Kirsi to Duck Back.
Demostrating his remarkable Sisu,
The Kauhu stands tall in face of MG42 fire. They fail to score a hit, but have
enough near misses to force the Kauhu to Duck Back.
Fortunately for the Finns,
Suominen has a grenade ready and was missed by the Germans. Suominen’s grenade
causes a casualty to the sergeant and others and forces the MG42 team and several
more to Duck Back.
Only the German corporal and one
private Carry On. Their Active Fire is ineffective. Return fire from Suominen wounds
the corporal and causes the private to Leave the Battlefield.
Finnish phase
Hussi the medic rushes over to see
what he can do for Lång. Covered by Suominen, the various members of the
Kauhu’s squad recover. Suominen takes two grenades from the wounded Lång.
Kariluoto Recovers. Pylkäs
continues to his move.
Turn 17: Germans do not
Activate
On the left, medic Hussi treats
Jkr Lång and gets him back in the fight. The Kauhu leads the rest of his men up
to the barn
In the center, the recent sniper
attack has convinced Vrk Kariluoto to advance more slowly.
On the right, Pylkäs advances on
the Sauna cautiously, fearing there may be another enemy squad nearby. Pylkäs
and Kemppaala get their Puukkos (a special type of knife) ready and prepare to
make a silent attack. Unfortunately, the sauna is guarded by a small K9 team (2
men w/ MP40s, 1 dog). When the dog starts to alert, Pylkäs is forced to open
fire. They cause no casualties, but do force the enemy to take cover behind the
Sauna.
Turn 18: German Initiative
1/1 – the two men stay put. The
German Lt leaves them and heads for the 2/1.
2/1 – holds their position
3/1 – remains in Duck Back
position
PEF4 – moves up between the main
building and the barn and is spotted by The Kauhu: 2nd squad/2nd
platoon, a 9-man infantry squad with an MG42. They are accompanied by their platoon sergeant.
The Finns fire first but do no
harm other than cause several Duck Backs (including both sergeants and the
MG42 team). Jkr Niska is wounded. The German corporal and two privates stand
tall and Active Fire. The Kauhu and Lång are forced to Duck Back, but Suominen
wounds the German Corporal. Even with no leader, the two German privates stay
in the fight.
Finnish phase
Medic Hussi moves over to take a
look at Jkr Niska. The Kauhu and Lång Recover. Active fire from Korpi and
Suominen force the two German privates to Duck Back and rejoin their squad.
On the Finnish right, Pylkäs and
Kemppaala have reached the back of the sauna; they both ready a grenade.
Turn 19: Finnish Initiative
and reinforcements. Lut Lamio arrives with a 10-man squad from headquarters.
Finnish left: Medic Hussi is able
to get Jkr Niska back in the fight. The Kauhu moves his squad closer to the
barn, telling Niska to catch up when he can.
Finnish center: Vrk Kariluoto
advances towards the main building and is spotted by the German Lt leading the
2/1. The Finns fire first and do some damage: 4 wounded (including sergeant and
corporal) and force some Duck Backs. Two German privates Leave the Battlefield
(one is the ammo bearer for the MG). The Finns do not engage the MG42 team.
Finnish right: Taking advantage of
the Germans being distracted by Kariluto, Pylkäs and Kemppaala launch their
grenades from behind the cover of the sauna – neither can see their target.
Pylkäs throws his at the two survivors of the 1/1, while Kemppaala throws his
at the K9 team. Neither does any damage.
Kemppaala peaks around the corner
and spots what’s left of the 2/1 – including the MG42 team and Ducks Back out
of sight.
German Phase
The various units Recover their
morale.
Turn 20: Germans fail to
activate; possible reinforcements do not arrive.
Finnish left: The Kauhu advances with his squad and engages the 1/2. The Finns fire first, cause some casualties and drive the 1/2 off the board.
Finnish center: Kariluoto advances
and spots the 1/1 and the K9 team (just having Ducked Back from Pylkäs). They
cause a couple of casualties and the others Leave Battlefield – crucially, Sm
Virillä (SMG) has an ammo issue; Kariluoto continues his advance while Virillä
stays behind and reloads his weapon.
Finnish right: Pylkäs gives his
last grenade to Kemppaala, who makes it ready.
Turn 21: Finnish Initiative
Finnish Left: The Kauhu knows that
the German 2/2 is in a good position behind barn. In a flash of inspiration,
The Kauhu and part of his squad help Suominen and Korpi climb up to the roof,
while the others provide security. Suominen readies a grenade.
Finnish center: Kariluoto moves up
towards the house and stumble into the 2/1 and their MG42, with disastrous
results. Kariluto is killed, three others are wounded and the rest Leave the
Battlefield. The only member of Kariluoto’s squad still in the fight is
Virillä, who was back reloading.
Finnish right: Kemppaala throws
his grenade, but causes no damage. Pylkäs wounds the German Lt and the ammo
bearer; both return to their cover before the Germans can recover.
German phase:
The 2/1 Recovers and the 2/2 holds
their position behind the barn.
Turn 22: Germans fail to
activate
On the Finnish left, Korpi and
Suominen slowly crawl to the edge of the roof, unfortunately, the German K9
starts barking. “Shut that thing up!” yells the German sergeant. “We know they’re
on the other side of the barn.”
“No sergeant, the dog’s alerting on the roof!”
(Germans won the IST against the odds).
Korpi and Suominen no sooner show themselves
when they are greeted by MG and SMG fire and forced to Duck Back the way they
came. The Kauhu uses the commotion to advance with his three riflemen and fire
on the small part of the German squad he can see. But the German sergeant is on
high alert and again fires first. Kauhu is missed, but the riflemen Duck Back
behind the barn. The Kauhu’s return fire forces the German sergeant to Duck
Back.
In the rear, Lamio continues his
slow advance, he won’t be in engagement range for some time.
On the Finnish right, Pylkäs steps
out from behind the sauna and engages the German MG42 team, the assistant gunner
is wounded; with no leaders in the fight, the German survivors decide it’s time
to Leave the Battlefield.
Turn 23: Finnish initiative, but
reinforcements fail to arrive
On the Finnish left, the Kauhu drops back to rally his riflemen;
Suominen and Korpi recover as well. Suominen, who still has a readied grenade,
throws it blindly over the roof and scores a direct hit on the group. The
grenade was devastating, as the group was clustered too close together behind
the barn. The German sergeant (the squad leader) is killed and the corporal is
wounded. Korpi readies his grenade. The German platoon sergeant is still in the fight.
In the Finnish rear, Lamio meets
up with Viirilä, who gives him a report as to what happened to Vrk Kariluoto and
his squad.
On the Finnish right, while
Kemppaala recovers the MG42, Pylkäs checks the sauna for their missing man with
negative results.
German Phase
The MG gunner has had enough, takes his MG42 with him and Leaves the
Battlefield; Two others fail to recover, while the platoon sergeant and two
riflemen Recover.
Turn 24: Finnish initiative
On the Finnish left, Korpi tries his luck with
throwing a grenade blindly off the roof. The grenade does its job, those that
weren’t killed or wounded Leave the Battlefield. There are no more Germans on the
battlefield.
In the center, Lamio comes within
sight of the main residence. In order to avoid Lamio, Pylkäs and Kemppaala go
behind the main residence and Fast Move to meet up with the Kauhu.
Turn 25: Finnish Initiative,
no German troops on board.
The Kauhu and his men clear the barn and find
their missing man Jkr Könsikäs. Pylkäs and Kemppaala join up with the Kauhu and
his group.
Turn 26: Finnish
Initiative, no German troops on board
“Time to go.” Kemppaala gives the
MG42 to Könsikäs.
“We got what we came for. Let’s
get out of here before Lamio catches us.”
End: Finnish victory – Jääkäri Könsikäs is rescued
Next-Up: Finnish Attack
Casualties:
Brute squad: None. Two were
wounded but were returned to the fight by the medic.
Kariluoto’s squad: One killed,
three wounded, four left battlefield
Rep Increases: Suominen
(Rep6), Kemppaala (Rep5), Lång (Rep4)
Replacements: None needed
Notes:
Suominen must know someone at headquarters, as
he didn’t perform particularly well, failing a couple of ISTs he should have won.
Pylkäs was deserving, but he tends to ruffle the feathers of his superiors.
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