Lapland War - Scenario #4; The Finns attack

 

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.

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 overhead photos decided to not cooperate. So in its place I have this, the purpose of which is to at least give some context and show the movements. The units and movements did not all appear at the same time.

 I wanted to experiment with more line of sight blocking terrain, so in addition to the woods (bottom edge) there is some wetlands (upper left) - which provide concealment and some cover, as well as several small hills and rocky places (cover and concealment, also blocks LoS).

The white arrows represent the movements of The Kauhu and his Brute Squad. The clear arrows with only a black outline represents Koskela's move with Hietanen's squad. The red arrows are a German attack late in the game.

The white star on the upper right shows where some Finnish reinforcements entered.

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 Brute Squad is currently at full strength, as follows (Attribute):

·       The Kauhu, Rep5, SMG, satchel charge, Mol Cocktail, (Born Leader, Brawler)

·       Yks Suominen, Rep6, SA Rifle, Panzerfaust, (Lucky)

·       Krp Pylkäs, Rep6, SMG, 2 grenades, (Combat Sense). 

·       Krp Korpi “The Immortal:” Rep6, SMG, 2 grenades, (Rage)

·       Jkr Könsikäs: Rep5, Captured Soviet LMG, (LMG Specialist)

·       Jkr Kemppaala, Rep5, BA Rifle, AT Mine, Mol Cocktail, (Tank Killer)

·       Jkr Kirsi II: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades, (none)

·       Jkr Niska III: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades (none)

·       Jkr Lång: Rep3, BA Rifle, 2 grenades, (none)

House Rule Note: All Rep6 soldiers automatically receive the “Tough as Nails” Attribute. This means the first time they are killed in the scenario; it becomes “Out of the Fight” (although they may be treated by the medic) instead.     

1^st Scenario: Patrol v. SS Nord - German victory

2^nd Scenario: Defend v. SS Nord – German victory

3^rd Scenario: Patrol v. SS Nord – Finnish victory

This scenario:

Date: Oct 15, 1944; somewhere in Finnish Lapland

Weather: Clear.

Campaign Morale: Germans (4), Finns (3)

Investment Level: Germans (4), Finns (3)

Forces: The Finns are expecting heavy German resistance, so will be starting the scenario with their full force:

·       Lut Lamio’s section (sniper, LMG & a medic)

·       The Brute Squad: 3xSMG, LMG, 1x semi-auto rifle (SA), 4 bolt action rifles (BA)

·       Vrk Kariluoto’s squad: 2xSMG, LMG, 5 x BA

·       Krs Hietanen’s squad: 2x SMG, LMG, 5 x BA

·       Vrk Koskela’s MMG squad: SMG, 1 HMG, 2 BA

German Forces: The German forces available during this scenario are from the SS Nord Division and the 211th Panzer Battalion

The Mission:   

  The Germans have set up a defensive position as a rear guard along an important road just in front of an important road junction (off map). Lut Lamio has been ordered to take the German position and get the Germans to start retreating in earnest.

The Germans deployed further forward than the Finns expected – all four PEF (possible enemy forces) ended up being placed in the middle of the board. Things will get interesting quickly. To make things interesting, the Germans started with one extra PEF.

Turn 1: Finns fail to Activate. All four German PEF move forward.

PEF1 moves forward and is spotted by Pylkäs and Lamio. It is the 1/1 (1^st squad, 1^st platoon) a 10-man squad in a defensive position. The Finns fire first, killing two and wounding two. The most important hit being done by Pylkäs, who takes out the MG42 gunner. German return fire causes no casualties, but does force The Kauhu plus Jkr Niska and Lång to Duck Back. German active fire kills Jrk Kemppaala. Both sides Carry On.

PEF2 & 3 are determined only to be rumors by Lahtinen and Koskela, respectively.

PEF 4 moves forward and is spotted by Vrk Kariluoto. Kariluoto’s hard luck continues – it’s two full squads (2/1: 9 men & 3/1: 10 men) plus an anti-tank gun! Because this was such a large force, I also gave them some platoon HQ staff (a lieutenant, his runner, a radio man & a medic).

The Germans were ready and open up with everything they had. Between reaction and Active Fire, Kariluoto’s entire squad is completely wiped out: 5 killed, 1 wounded & 3 Left Battlefield. The Germans do not have any casualties.

Turn 2: Germans fail to Activate

On the Finnish left, The Kauhu and the two riflemen Recover. Meanwhile, Pylkäs takes control of the squad, despite the presence of Yks Suominen, who outranks him and leads them forward. The Germans suffer two more killed, with the rest being forced to Duck Back.

Lut Lamio moves forward, somewhat cautiously.

Vrk Koskela orders Lahtinen’s MMG squad to engage the flank of the German 2/1, while he leads Hietanen’s squad on a flanking movement. Lahtinen’s MMG causes no casualties, just some Duck Backs.

Turn 3: German’s fail to Activate – but receive reinforcements (artillery strike).

The German arty strike causes several casualties, Suominen & Pylkäs are wounded and Hauhia (Hietanen’s squad) is killed.

Lut Lamio sends the platoon medic over to see what he can do for Suominen & Pylkäs.

The Kauhu and his attached riflemen move forward to rejoin his main squad.

Korpi leads Könsikas and Kirsi forward and re-engages the 1/1. Korpi guns down the last of the MG42 crew and the last two survivors of the 1/1 Leave the Battlefield.

Turn 4: The Germans again fail to Activate, but receive more reinforcements – a single H39 from the 211^th Panzer.

The Kauhu’s group has reunited and occupies the German Defensive Position. Medic Hussi is able to get Pylkäs back in the fight. Pylkäs picks up Suominen’s PanzerFaust.

Lamio doesn’t move. With the arrival of the tank, Koskela’s attempted flank attack is compromised, so they take cover in some rocks instead. Lahtinen also spots the tank and decides it’s time to move, taking cover behind some high ground. (House rule: Koskela and Lahtinen both won their In Sight Tests but elected to move to cover instead of engaging in a firefight they couldn’t win).

Turn 5: The Germans are sluggish today – they again fail to activate

Medic Hussi moves over to Yks Suominen, The Kauhu leads his squad forward into the woods, hoping to eventually get to the tanks flank. Lamio send sniper Taikuri (“Taikuri” means, “The Magician.”) forward to try and snipe the German tank commander.

Koskela and Lahtinen keep their groups under cover and out of sight of the tank.

Turn 6: Same ol’ same ol’. Germans fail to Activate, but receive reinforcements – an MG34 team.

The MG34 appears in sight of Koskela; being focused on the tank, the MG34 fires first – but causes no casualties.

On the Left, medic Hussi is able to get Suominen up and moving, but he won’t rejoin the fight today. Suominen makes his own way to the rear. Once at the aid tent, the doctors will ensure he returns to his squad before the next battle.

The Kauhu continues his advance into the woods.

The Brute Squad working to flank the German MG34

Taikuri takes up his position, but is spotted by the MG34. He is not hit, but is forced to Duck Back out of sight behind the rocks.

Koskela’s group Recovers, but stays prone and out of sight among the rocks.

Lahtinen sets up his MMG behind the hill so they have line of sight to the German 3/1’s position (currently in Duck Back, so can’t be seen), but the hill keeps them out of the tank’s view.

Turn 7: Finnish Initiative

The Kauhu continues to work his way through the woods towards the MG34.

Taikuri Recovers.

Feeling the need to do something, Koskela has Yks Rokka (SMG) and three riflemen engage the MG34 while he and Vanhala engage the tank, hoping to distract it enough for SM Honkajoki to get close enough to use his PanzerFaust. The plan fails – as both Germans fire first. They cause no casualties, but Koskela’s group is again pinned behind the rocks.

German phase:

No targets, but the tank and the MG34 keep a close eye on Koskela’s group. Meanwhile the German Lt is able to Recover the 3/1.

Turn 8: The Germans again fail to Activate (this is starting to become a habit)

The Kauhu sends his best men (Pylkäs & Korpi) forward to scout ahead. They scare some birds alerting the Germans to their presence. However, the Germans weren’t able to reposition their MG34 in time: Korpi kills the gunner while Pylkäs kills his assistant. The ammo bearer Leaves the Battlefield.

Pylkäs and Korpi ambush the German MG34

Taikuri moves up, but is somehow spotted and killed by the alert German tank commander.

Taikuri takes up a sniper's position (Spoiler: rather clumsily)

Vrk Koskela and his men Recover, but stay out of sight.

Turn 9: Finnish Initiative

  The Kauhu leaves the riflemen (Kirsi, Niska and Lång) behind while he leads the others forward. The ever-alert tank commander senses their approach and starts to turn the turret towards them. The Kauhu, Korpi (both SMG) and Könsiäs (LMG) fire at the tank, causing enough confusion to enable Pylkäs to get close enough to use his PanzerFaust. Pylkäs scores a minor hit, causing the two crewmen to abandon the tank, but they are immediately gunned down by the others.

Where the Mannerheim Cross' grows - Assualting a tank

With the tank threat eliminated, Koskela decides to continue his flank attack.

German phase:

The German Lt orders the ATG to turn towards Koskela and the 3/1 to come out of their foxholes and engage Lahtinen. The 2/1 holds its position. The 3/1 MG42 gunner kills Yks Lahtinen and gunner Määttä, but the three survivors Carry On.

Turn 10: German Initiative (Finally)

The German Lieutenant switches his command to Attack posture. The 2/1 turns to face the rear while the 3/1 engages what is left of Lahtinen’s command: two Finns are wounded and the last survivor Leaves the Battlefield.

The ATG fires at Koskela’s squad, but misses. Return fire from Vanhala (LMG) wounds the assistant gunner and causes the rest of the crew to Duck Back.

Finnish phase

Hearing the sounds of Koskela’s firefight, The Kauhu moves his men at the double through the woods, aiming to come in behind the German position.

Feeling vulnerable, Koskela moves his men at the double behind the same hill that Lahtinen had used previously.

Turn 11: Germans Fail to Activate

The Kauhu continues his double time movement.

Unaware of The Kauhu’s move, Koskela leads his men forward. Unfortunately, the German 3/1 was ready and waiting and fired first. Koskela is killed and all others (besides Asumaniemi – SMG) Duck Back. Asumaniemi kills the German NCO and the forces the MG42 to Duck Back from Active Fire.

Turn 12: Finnish Initiative

The Kauhu continues his run. Lamio doesn’t move, again.

With Koskela dead, Krs Hietanen takes command and his group Recovers.

With no other targets, Asumaniemi engages the last two ATG crew, killing one and causing the other to Leave the Battlefield.

Asumaniemi stands alone - while the rest of Hietanen's squad take cover behind a small hill

German phase

The 3/1 Recovers, but stays in their holes for now. The German LT send the 2/1 to the left in an attempt to flank Heitanen’s group.

Turn 13:  German Initiative

The German Lt moves his staff to the other side of the trench.

The 2/1 continues its flanking move as it moves slowly through the cover of the marshlands.

The 2/1 making flank attack - note the sergeant (uppermost figure) watching the rear flank

The 3/1 pops up and engages Asumaniemi; the brave lad is finally wounded and is Out of the Fight.

Finnish Phase:

Hietanen leads his men forward and engages the 3/1, this time the Finns fire first (in no small part because Asumaniemi had killed the German NCO). Rokka (SMG) forces the German Jr NCO to Duck Back and Hietanen kills the German rifleman/grenade launcher. The four Finnish riflemen engage the MG42 hoping for a lucky shot. Neither side scores hits, but the riflemen are forced to Duck Back.

Rokka notices that the MG42 has some sort of malfunction and elects to charge in; Hietanen follows. Unable to fire his MG, the German gunner tries to draw his pistol, but Rokka is too fast and easily dispatches him. The German Jr NCO gets off a Snap Shot at Hietanen, but misses. Hietanen than wounds him with his bayonet.

In a fit of rage over the fate of their gunner, the last two MG42 crewmen charge Rokka and Hietanen. Rokka kills his man but Hietanen is wounded. Having no wish to face the indominable Rokka, the German flees. There are no more survivors from the 3/1.

Turn 14: German Initiative

The German Lt’s runner throws a grenade at Rokka, but fails to wound him or the already wounded Hietanen. The German Lt decides to wait and see if Rokka pops his head up.

The 2/1 finishes their flanking move and spots the three riflemen from Hietanen’s squad behind the small hill. Two of the three are killed and the third Leaves the Battlefield.

The German 2/1 spots Hietanen

Finnish Phase

Lamio spots the 2/1 and has his small group take cover behind some rocks.

The Kauhu continues his Fast Moves and is finally nearing the edge of the woods.

Turn 15:  Finnish initiative and reinforcements – one rifle squad “The Irregulars” and what was supposed to be an AT gun. But since I don’t have one (I’ll have to fix that) they get an PanzerFaust instead – “Fortunes of War,” I guess.

The left portion of The Kauhu’s squad (Pylkäs and some others) spots the German Lt. Although the Germans fire first, Finnish return and Active fire dispatches the German Lt, his radioman and his runner. They leave the medic to attend to his duties.

German phase

The German 2/1 reverses course and engages Rokka and The Brute Squad. Rokka is wounded by a German rifle grenade, but they cause no other casualties. The Brute Squad is forced to Duck Back, the Kauhu going back voluntarily.

Turn 16: German Initiative

The Germans elect to hold their position (they cannot see The Irregulars).

Finnish Phase

Lut Lamio joins up with the Irregulars as the try and get closer to the German 2/1 (they are way out of SMG range).

The Kauhu and the Brute Squad Recover

Turn 17: German Initiative

The German 2/1 spots Lut Lamio’s group – they now have enemies to the front (The Brute Squad – currently out of sight in their foxholes) and to their flank (The Irregulars). The German Sergeant elects to face The Brute Squad while the rest of his men engage Lamio’s group at long range.

The German MG42 wounds a rifleman and causes several others to Duck Back. Lamio’s group is in disarray. Fortunately, the stubborn Lehto (LMG) wounds the German MG gunner with return fire.

With the distraction caused by Lamio’s group, The Kauhu leads his men over the top and engages the 2/1. Unfortunately, the German sergeant was ready and fires first. Korpi and Niska are wounded. Active Fire from Könsikäs (LMG) wounds the German sergeant.

Before the Germans can recover, The Kauhu leads his remaining men (Pylkäs, Könsikäs & Kirsi in a charge against the last four Germans (JrNCO, Grenadier and two Mg Crew). Pylkäs and Kirsi easily kill their opponents and Könsiäs wounds his after a minor struggle. Unfortunately, and quite surprisingly, The Kauhu is almost killed by the German Grenadier (saved – barely, by Star Power), who quickly surrenders.

End: Finnish Victory. Pyrrhic – but it still counts.

Next-Up: Patrol

Casualties:

·       The Brute Squad: One killed (Kemppaala), one wounded and returned mid-battle (Pylkäs), two wounded and will return for the next battle (Suominen, Korpi) and one wounded will not return (Niska).

·       Hietanen’s squad: 3 killed, 4 wounded, 2 left battlefield

·       Kariluoto’s squad: 5 killed, 1 wounded, 3 left battlefield

·       Koskela’s MMG squad: 3 killed, 2 wounded, 1 Left Battlefield

Rep Increases: Jkr Lång Rep4 => Rep5; Jkr Kirsi Rep3 =>Rep4

Notes: No changes to Campaign Morale

Luck of the dice was strange in this one. The Germans were very unlucky with Initiative rolls (but they did receive three reinforcements), but were equally lucky when it came to In Sight Tests – continually winning against the odds.