Budapest Campaign - Attila Line

Budapest Campaign – The Attila Line

 

After a long, work-induced, delay we’re back with scenario five of the Budapest Campaign.  3-1 to the Axis so far after another failure by the Soviets to break through in the great turkey shoot in Flak Regt 133’s killing area.  Lt Uri is back for another frontal assault but, understandably, hasn’t been trusted with another shiny new tank platoon…

 

Scenario 5 – The Attila Line – 1250 points – Soviets vs Hungarians.

 

Soviet Forward Detachment Reconnaissance Platoon:

 

M3 Half Track. Regular - 1x HMG.

Mounted Recce Section. 8x Veterans - 6x SMG.

Medic.  Veteran.

M3 Half Track. Regular - 1x HMG.

Mounted Recce Section. 8x Veterans - 6x SMG.

2Lt.  Inexperienced.

White Scout Car.  Regular - 1x HMG.

Mounted Recce Section.  8x Veterans - 6x SMG, 1x flamethrower.

Universal Carrier.  Regular – 2x LMG.

Mounted Recce Section.  5x Veterans, 1x LMG.

T-34/76.  Regular.

T-34/85.  Regular (free).

BA64 Dshk.  Regular – 1x HMG, closed top.

BA64 Dshk.  Regular – 1x HMG, closed top.

 

Note.  The FDRP list does not give M3 Half Tracks as an option but the descriptive text specifically mentions them so we’ve included them.

 

Hungarian Generic (restricted Para) Platoon:

 

Maj Tassonyi.  Veteran - x2 runners (free).

Parachute Infantry Section.  12x Veterans, 1x LMG, 2x PzFaust.

Parachute Infantry Section.  12x Veterans, 1x LMG, 2x PzFaust.

Parachute Infantry Section.  5x Veterans.

Puma Armoured Car.  Regular.

Panzer IV.  Regular.

Pak 40.  Veteran.

MG42 Team.  Regular.

Sniper Team.  Regular.

Pancelrem Team.  Regular.

 

Soviet Force Selection.  Another frontal assault mission with open terrain.  For the Soviets victory is going to come from stacking up within 12” of the Hungarian table edge.  To get there it’ll be a sprint across the open; this time no 88s, but some significant obstacles which is going to force me to punch through the paras in trenches.  Given how tough Hungarian Parachute Infantry are at close quarters it’s probably better to take a Tank Platoon into this fight then hunker down in the Hungarian deployment zone.  However, Uri’s track record with tanks is poor and it’ll be more interesting to crack a different list selector.  I’ve maxed out on the number of veteran squads I can fit in my available transports.  If these can get into 12” end zone and then go to ground it’ll be challenging for the Hungarians to wipe them out.  The scenario gives a free T-34 and it seems a no brainer to add another one.  The BA64 pair is a bit of an experiment.  The HMGs should help killing off paratroopers but will also allow them to get pins on the Hungarian armour which could be useful when stacked with the HMGs on the transports.  I’m not expecting much from the Pl Comd or the medic; instead their function will be to hunker down in their transports in the 12” zone to prevent the auto-surrender of the transport if I lose a squad while also netting another three points. 

Soviet Plan.  With the Recce Platoon selector closing the distance across the board shouldn’t be an issue but the transports are going to get a thorough slapping from the support weapons the Hungarians have available.  The basic plan will change depending on how the Scot deploys.  My assumption is that he can take one of two approaches.  He can use all his obstacles on one flank with light defence on this side while his infantry largely deploy in trenches blocking the other flank, in this case his armour will be held centrally to be able to react.  The other option is that he goes largely symmetrical with even distribution of his infantry and mines across both flanks, again likely that the axis armour will remain central.  Either way my intent is going to be to go for an envelopment move down a single flank.  I will aim to avoid having to clear through the mass of his parachute infantry in their trenches if I can.  If he over relies on the mines and leaves one side over-weak then I’ll go for that side and push through the minefields if necessary.  The critical weakness I have is the number of decent anti-armour weapons to knock out the Puma and Pz IV.  I’m going to focus on pinning these as early as possible using my HMGs and try and knock them out with the T-34s.  Once that’s achieved I can turn on the infantry.  The biggest decision will be when to dismount and advance on foot. 

 

 Deployment

Deployment.   As required the Scot kicked things off by deploying his minefields and then entrenching his force.  Unsurprisingly he placed both minefields together and chose the western flank managing to completely close off the channel on that board edge.  Despite this the flank was not left unguarded with a Parachute Section dug in covering the minefield at PzFst range.  These paras were backed up by the Pak40 in its gun pit.  This pairing covered the obstacles with fire putting an effective block on the western flank. The eastern flank therefore had no mines but instead received the bulk of the Scots troops.  The second large para section dug in across the eastern channel. Behind them, positioned to fire over their trench, was the Hungarian Pancelrem (bazooka) team in a gun pit while the sniper was tucked into the craters nearby.  This blocking force was supported by the Pz IV which tucked itself in behind the central wood orientated to flank shot any vehicle moving through the gap.  This tank was supported by the small para section.  In the centre Maj Tassonyi tucked himself into the wooded hill with his MMG team ready to move to support whichever flank got Soviet attention.  Finally, held in the Major’s pocket as a reserve and also as a guard on the road was the Puma - hidden behind the central hill. 

The Soviets exploited the FDRP to roll onto the board 12” prior to the game beginning.  I stacked the eastern flank with everything - not subtle but it seemed the lowest risk route. An attack on the western side would either require every one of my flimsy transport vehicles to accept a risk of mine strike or my infantry would need to assault on foot into the face of a para section supported by the MMG and Pak 40.  The eastern flank would expose me to greater threat from the Pz IV and Puma but would allow my transports to get forward fast and flood the eastern objective zone with Soviets.  This option seemed a clear favourite as aggressive mounted assault early would secure the initiative and force the Hungarians to come and get rid of me.

To that end the Soviet spear tip poured onto the eastern flank with the half tracks and scout car in the lead and the T34s shielding them and hoping to get a bead on the Pz IV.  The BA64s dropped in on the left flank to screen and guard the heavier armour from the Puma’s attention.

The Soviets charge forward down the right flank.

Turn 1

Turn 1.  Zero flash to bang.  Not surprisingly given the dice overlap Soviets were first out the bag and started by having the T34/85 go into ambush in what was, with hindsight, an act of gross optimism hoping to catch the Pz IV advancing out of its position of ambush.  The Soviets stepped off by advancing the first of the transports - the half track with a section and the medic.  Much to Soviet surprise this was met by the Hungarians storming out of their trench to assault.  The startled HMG gunner on the half track managed to kill one para before the recce men had to pile out and fight.  In the assault the paras won in a close struggle losing three more of their number.  Having seen the paras wipe out the recce section the medic sensibly surrendered and the half track would also go if the paras could not be cleared out by the end of the turn.  I hadn’t expected this aggression so early but it did now place one of the meaty para sections in an easier position to be removed.  Therefore the next half track advanced and engaged the paras before the recce section on board devised at point blank range and also opened up.  The end result was the eastern para section being reduced to three heavily pinned troopers who surrendered.  With the front line now stabilised the White Scout Car and Universal Carrier moved up supported by the T34/76.  In response the Hungarian sniper picked off a recce trooper while the Pancelrem missed a half track. The Pz IV was unable to see the T34 and made the most of things by engaging a half track, hitting, penetrating but then only managing to stun the crew.  The centre and west was quiet as the western defenders began to re-balance to support their left flank.  The large western para section ran up onto the wooded hill to join Maj Tassonyi.  The Pak 40 crew manhandled their gun round and wheeled it up onto the hill.  The final Soviet move was in the centre with the BA64s advancing to screen the main body but failing to find any targets in the gloom.

The Hungarians go on the offensive.

But after initial success they are driven off by concentrated Soviet fire.

Maj Tassonyi holds an impromptu O group in the woods.

Turn 2

Turn 2.  Break in.  The turn started with a flare going up and bathing the field in light.  Clearly the Soviet fire plan had come good as this would now allow the eastern spear tip to exploit its concentration of force by engaging freely.  The turn started with a Russian pull of the dice as I pushed a transport forward to the trench to provide cover for the infantry to advance, the gunner attempted to pin the Pz IV which was now revealed tucked behind the wood.  The HMG hit but the regular crew ignored the ineffectual knocking on their plating.  Soviets drew again and Uri decided to get on with things. The T34/76 advanced and swung round the end of the AT ditch to line up on the Pz IV. The gunner laid, fired and watched with mild amazement as the Pz IV was torn apart by a huge explosion.  Feeling more more comfortable about advancing now the eastern Soviets launched forward with a section sprinting to dive into the now empty trench.  These dismounts were supported by the remaining transports who advanced and tried to engage the sniper and Pancelrem teams with little effect.  In response the Pancelrem missed a half track but the sniper team managed to pick off a one of the section who had occupied the Hungarian trench.  Meanwhile the Hungarian west flank was closing in to join the fight.  The Pak 40 engaged the T34/76 who had destroyed the PzIV, taking revenge and knocking it out with a first round hit.  Maj Tassonyi sprinted across the open ground to take cover behind the burning Pz IV while the western para section followed more cautiously.  The MG42 put pins on the eastern BA64 but failed to damage it. Finally the Puma pulled forward and tried to knock out the other BA64, but missing.  However, this attempt had left the Puma exposed in the flare-light in front of the T34/85 which promptly despatched it.

It had been a brutal round with three AFVs knocked out all in single engagements.  The loss of a T34 was a blow to the Soviets but the destruction of both the Pz IV and Puma left the Hungarians very thin on long range firepower.

The Puma advances to support the Pz IV…

…but fortune is with the Soviets and the Axis armour is knocked out.

Turn 3.  

Turn 3.  Exploitation.  Another flare went up for turn three - the Soviet fire plan was clearly overrunning as darkness would now have suited the attacker best.  The initiative was firmly with the Soviets though with the axis centre on fire and their western flank still redeploying.  Turn 3 kicked of with the Soviets launching from the trench to assault the Pancelrem team who were rapidly overwhelmed.  The Soviet transports tried to defeat the sniper team but massed HMG fire only achieved a single pin.  More impressively the T34/85 managed to land an HE shell on the Pak40 killing three crewmen.  The centre was quiet with the BA64s failing to make a impression on the small para squad in the wood and taking pins in return from both this section and the MG42 to their west which tried and failed to punch through their flank armour.

The Pak40 comes under heavy fire as flares hinder the Axis counter moves.

Turn 4

Turn 4.  Tassonyi calls for fires.  For the first time since Ojtozi pass things are looking grim for the Hungarians.  This turn saw yet another flare go up and another assault from the Soviets to start the turn.  This time the sniper pair were attacked by a recce section but the stoic sharpshooters held their nerve and shot down two attackers before they reached the craters.  The assault was still one sided though with the plucky pair being overwhelmed.  The rest of the Soviet east flank consolidated with transports and dismounts moving up to reach the objective zone.  Seeing the Soviets concentrate Tassonyi called for artillery support to fix the attackers ready for an assault.  With Axis batteries laying to his target he pulled his remaining paratroopers together read to try and push the Soviets back.  The Soviet response in the centre was muted with the BA64s and T34/85 failing to target the infantry in the central wood.

The Soviets consolidate, not realising that Axis batteries are laying on to their position.

Turn 5

Turn 5.  Forlorn hope.  The turn started with darkness for a change as the Soviets illum team finally ran dry.  The gloom was broken immediately by the flash of explosions as Axis artillery pummelled the Soviet eastern flank.  With commendable responsiveness the Axis artillery arrived on target but clearly there were inadequate guns available as the bombardment caused multiple pins on the Soviets but failed to land any direct hits.  Despite this the Hungarians launched their counterattack with the paratroopers advancing across the open ground under the cover of the barrage and the returning darkness.  Both remaining sections moved up and exchanged ineffective fire with the Russian scouts in the crater.  The BA64s jockeyed and managed to kill Tassonysi’s runners leaving him looking isolated it unruffled.  Finally the T34/85 trundled forward to try and get into spotting range.

Axis artillery shakes but doesn’t stir the eastern flank.

 But Tassonyi has no voice but to order his paras forward to assault.

Turn 6

Turn 6.  Flame proofed.  We were bathed in more light again this turn as Uri’s company sergeant major clearly found another box of schmulis in the back of his jeep.  With good visibility I thought there was a decent chance of removing the remaining paras given the overmatch now enjoyed by the Soviets.  The two paras approaching the craters were close enough to finally use the flamethrower carried by the second recce squad. The section advanced and opened up with massed SMGs and the flamethrower.  The para squad was bathed in flame but when the smoke cleared one para had been shot down by SMG fire while the other was totally un-scorched - proof if required that a damp woolly jumper is always suitable combat clothing.  Frustrated by the lack of progress the transports opened up with their HMGs and finally killed the plucky Hungarian.  In response the larger para section advanced and managed to pick off a recce soldier but didn’t force a morale check. In the last act of the turn the T34/85 pulled forward and targeted Tassonyi with both MMGs killing the heroic Major.

Wet wooly pully beats flamethrower.

Tassonyi stares down the T34.

Turn 7.

Turn 7.  Still hanging in there.  We rolled and got a turn seven and also discovered the supply of flares had finally run dry after a night fight fought almost entirely in artificial daylight.  The Hungarians got an early dice and the large para squad advanced to despatch the Universal Carrier with a volley of panzerfausts.  In response the Soviets unleashed fire from everything left on the eastern flank; however, two transports failed to identify their target through the gloom and the rest of the fire failed to wipeout the steadfast paras.  The Soviets motored a BA64 into the objective zone to replace the destroyed carrier while the other recce car and T34 were unable to make this run.  The Hungarian MG42 team decided it was a good time to update their range card and clean their equipment, quietly, with the lights out.

And so with a Hungarian squad still bravely trying to stem the tide but the Soviets piling through the breach the fight came to an end.  Scoring wise the Soviets put eight units into the scoring zone and destroyed six more.  The Axis destroyed one T34 and three other squads for six points.

The Soviets secure a breach despite heroic efforts by the Hungarian defenders.

Post-mortem.  This is a pig for the defender.  Looking at it in hindsight the Soviet freedom to deploy with the Axis positions known allows for significant concentration of force.  Darkness clearly also helps prevent Axis positions from being mutually supporting. The recce selector rules allowing them to advance 12” prior to turn one means there is little time pressure on the attacked as well.  That said I think the combination of T34s and tank riders in a Guards platoon would have been even more difficult to fend off given the ability to put them all down a single flank.  From the defenders point of view I think the choice to try and turn me down one flank is sound to allow concentration of the Hungarian’s limited armour.

However, all that aside the Soviets had the luck too this time.  The rapid destruction of the Puma and Pz IV on turn two effectively set the course of the fight as it left the Hungarians unable to destroy enough vehicles to prevent the Soviets flooding the objective area and winning.  Veteran infantry proved themselves as nails as usual with both sides struggling to finish off squads.

Another fun game.  But, I do think this scenario is one where the table is stacked against the defender.  Even if the Soviets had been less lucky and one of the Axis AFVs stayed in the fight it would have made things close but not, I think, turned the tide.

So, Uri has made a bit of progress but we’re still a long way from clearing Budapest…