Mid Winter Massacre: Final Mission Brief

[Easy86]

This will be the final brief. No more changes will be made unless a blatent mistake was made.

Please post your rules questions.

[Easy86]

NOTE: PAGE NUMBERS REFER TO PAGES IN “DAS BOOK”

Allied Mission

The German Army on the New Hampshire Front has put up a strong defense at the town of Tripol-Plé including a fortified line, as well additional fortifications at several strategic locations in the area. In order for the allies to advance across New Europe and liberate the people these strategic locations must be captured and held. Intelligence reports that there are no civilians in the area and that the enemy is very well entrenched so expect high amounts of resistance. It is more than likely that the enemy places as much important on the objects as we do.


Axis Mission

We have caught word through our intelligence that the allies are preparing a spearhead advance through the strategic town of Tripol-Plé. We believe this is to open their access to the rest of New Europe. You must fortify a front line and our other strategic hold outs in order to prevent the allies from moving forward, AT ALL COSTS.

Mission Board Layout

Two boards will be placed together with the long ends of the tables adjacent to one another. This will create the following:

Axis Deployment: 72” x 48”
Axis Fortification and Additional Deployment: 72” x 12”
No Mans Land: 72” x 6”
Allied Deployment: 72” x 30”

Mission Special Rules
- Preliminary Bombardment (pg 57)
- Prepared Positions (pg 8)
- Defensive Battle (pg 6)
- Delayed Reserves (pg 9)
- Scattered Reserves (pg 9)
- Ambush (pg 5)
- Fortifications (pg 56)
- Intense battle (pg 57)
- Total War (pg 66 – 75)

Scenario Special Rules
- Ambush: The Axis Team (all combined axis players) may place one of its platoons in ambush.
- Air:
- The Allied Force has been provided a flight of P47 Thunderbolts with Limited Air Support in addition to their armies
- The Axis Force has been provided with a flight of JU87D Stukas with Sporadic Air Support in addition to their Armies
-Tank Company’s: Each team may field up to one Tank Company.


PREPARING FOR BATTLE
1. Axis Forces will be defending and Allied forces will be attacking.
2. Each side must nominate an overall commander which will represent a higher command team. Any Company commander within 6” of the higher command team may re-roll its company morale check. Other than allowing company commanders to re-roll their company morale check, the higher command team acts exactly like a company commander team.
3. Each Side should arrange their companies per the structure laid out under Total War in “Das Book”
4. The Game Masters will nominate which force will play from which side of the table
5. The Game Masters will Place 6 objectives at key terrain locations between the fortifiable area and the defenders table edge. Each objective will have a different victory point value (see “Deciding who won”).
6. The defending side will now assign point values according to the procedure outlined in “Deciding Who Won”
7. Next the defender may place the fortifications they have chosen up to 12” into the attackers side of the table.
8. If the defending players receive additional fortifications then all fortifications are placed at this time. Fortifications may be placed anywhere in the defenders half of their table.
9. The defending players must hold at least 25% of their platoons in delayed and scattered reserves at the start of the game. The remaining platoons are now deployed up to 12” into the attacker’s side of the table.
10. The attacking player will now assign point values according to the procedure outlined in “Deciding Who Won”
11. The attacking players will now have 10 minutes to strategize and 20 minutes to deploy.
12. The Attacking player now deploys their entire force at least 18” from the table centre line. Remember, pioneer teams may be deployed 4” further forward, but not within 4” of any enemy team.
13. Both players now place their independent teams in their deployment areas, starting with the defending player.

BEGINNING THE BATTLE
1. Both sides begin the game in prepared positions, so their troops are in Foxholes and Gone to Ground.
2. The attacking player conducts a Preliminary Bombardment on the defender’s forces.
3. The attacking players now make their Reconnaissance Deployment moves for any Recce Platoons they have on the table. The Defender may not make Reconnaissance Deployment moves.
4. The attacking players have the first turn.

ENDING THE BATTLE
The battle ends when either:
The game master calls time or assigned time limit ends, or
 One side capitulates, or
 The defending team starts any of their turns from turn six with no attacking teams in the defenders half of the table.

DECIDING WHO WON
The side who scores the most victory points will win the scenario. Calculate victory points by using the following chart:

 1 Victory Point for each enemy platoon destroyed during the shooting phase
 2 Victory Points for destroying the higher command team regardless of method.
 Points for objectives (calculated at the end of the game):
1. Summary: Each of the six objectives will be assigned a point value for each side. This point value will indicate the priority given to taking (or defending) that objective. At the end of the game each side will be awarded the point value of the objective it controls. Point values will range from 1 to 6 and will be assigned secretly and randomly.
2. Each Side, independent of the other side will draw first for the listing order of the objectives (there will be 6 objectives and therefore 6 slips of paper)
3. Each Side, independent of the other side will then draw a slip of paper to assign each of the objectives on the list a point value. Each slip of paper will be labeled with a number (one through 6).
4. These lists are not to be revealed to the other side but must be revealed to the GM before deploying their fortifications.
5. At the end of the game the attackers will be awarded the victory points assigned to the objectives (on their list of objectives) that they control at the end of the game
6. At the end of the game the defenders will be awarded the victory points assigned to the objectives (on their list of objectives) that they control at the end of the game

ARMY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
1. Armies may be built from any late war book.
2. All Axis players must bring a company worth no more than 1750 points.
3. All Allied players must bring a company worth no more than 1750 points
4. Both Sides may only field one Company that is rated as a tank Company.
5. Neither side may field air support in their list (AOP’s are an exception).
6. Players may only have two tank platoons per non-tank company. A tank platoon is defined as such if the majority of a platoon's teams are rated as tank teams.
7. Each player should be prepared to use the Fortifications rules located in the hardback rulebook.
8. Each player should be prepared to use the Total War rules located on pages 66-75 of “Das Book”

Total War Rules Summary (for details see pages 66-75 of “Das Book”)

1. Combat Companies: Each Company must be a legal Combat company composed of at least the minimum required HQ and Combat platoons and may also include any of the support platoons allowed according to that companies organizational chart. Companies must be a minimum of 1000 points.
2. Support Group: All company and divisional support in your combat company fall under the support group and may be used to support any of the other combat companies in your sides force (see example chart on page 68).
3. Warriors: Your force may field as many heroes/warriors as you want so long as there is no more than one of each warrior and they are fielded with the company they are normally fielded with.
4. Air Support: See scenario special rules.
5. Company Morale Checks: A Combat Company takes Company Morale Checks when it is reduced to one platoon (rather than when it is reduced to half strength)
6. Support Group Morale: The Support Group does not need to take Company Morale Checks.
7. Fought To The Last: The game ends when you have no Combat Companies left – or – No support platoons and only one combat company
8. Strong Combat Companies: Flames of war recommends that for Total War you field three Combat Platoons in you Combat Company as having only 2 combat platoons can be fragile in Total War.
9. Inter-allied cooperation:
a. Allied Companies: independent teams cannot join allied platoons and teams cannot spot for allied platoons
b. Anglo-American Forces: British and US observer teams can spot for British and US artillery batteries that have staff teams.
c. German Domination: The Germans dominate a force if they have more Combat Companies than the rest of the major powers [in their force] combined. German Independent teams can join allied platoons in a German dominated force.

[kv1e]

Just a small thing and not to cause trouble for Will, but simply to clarify things before hand ( although why do I care?) I would point out that the list he used last week. The Elephant company, all those peanuts, is not from a late war book it is from a PDF file.

Steve what you need to say is any autherized late war list.

[shoey109]

Late-war

Official Flames Of War Intelligence Briefings
Late-war, 1944-45

Late-war
The following intelligence briefings are official Battlefront briefings for the Late-war period,from 1944-1945. We've compiled them here into a central location for your ease of reference.
german

17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision
Fielding 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen" in Flames Of War. Update coming soon.

SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier Brigade ‘Nederland’ Field in Flames Of War the SS-Freiwilligen- Panzergrenadier Brigade ‘Nederland’ during it operations at Narva in the first half of 1944.

11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadierdivision ‘Nordland’ Field in Flames Of War the 11. SS-Freiwilligen- Panzergrenadierdivision ‘Nordland’ during the fighting for Narva in Estonia during the first half of 1944.

Fallschirmjäger in Normandy
To fielding the 6. Fallschirmjäger Regiment and 3. Fallschirmjägerdivision in Flames Of War see Earth & Steel.

SS-Panzer divisions in Normandy
The 1., 9., and 10. SS-Panzer divisions also fought in Normandy. Update coming soon.

German Infanterie in Normandy
Steve Bernich takes a look at the German Infantry divisions that fought in Normandy.

SS Tiger Units
We take a look at the other SS Tiger units that can be represented with the Schwere SS-Panzerkompanie from Villers-Bocage.

16. Luftwaffenfelddivision
Now featured in Earth & Steel on page 80.

Aufklärungsschwadrons
Comprehensive Intelligence Briefing covering both armoured and motorised Aufklärungsschwadrons.

Panzerspähkompanie
As promised when we released the Aufklärungsschwadron we bring you the Panzerspähkompanie.

5. Gebirgsdivision in Italy 1944-45
History and Intelligence Briefing for the 5. Gebirgsdivision fighting on the Italian front.

Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke
Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was formed in late 1943 from independent units and portions of larger formations in reserve that were hurriedly flung together to act as a mobile reserve. They took part in the fighting for both the Korsun and Hube's pockets in early 1944.

Sicherungs and Walküre
As mentioned in Hammer and Sickle the German Sicherungs and Walküre troops also played an important part in the blocking forces and kampfgruppes formed to stop the Red Army's advance during Operation Bagration. Learn how to field them in Flames Of War.

Kampfgruppe Kästner, Korsun Pocket
Scott Elaurant takes a look at Major Robert Kästner an important German field commander during the Korsun Pocket breakout. We also introduce a Intelligence Briefing for field Kästner and his Kampfgruppe.

Fallschirmpionierkompanie
A company of elite Fallschirmpionier could be counted on to hold any objective. Few forces without overwhelming odds have a chance in rooting them out once they are determined to stay.


German Pionierkompanie
The Pionierkompanie is composed of tough well-trained combat engineers ready to undertake dangerous engineering assignments while under fire, and storm enemy positions by close assault.

German Panzerpionierkompanies
The combat engineers of the Panzerpionierkompanie are heavily-armed assault specialists.

716. Infanteriedivision
This Intelligence Briefing covers the other major German infantry division defending the Normandy beaches on D-Day and uses the special rules found in Bloody Omaha.
Update coming soon.

654. Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung
Now featured in Earth & Steel on page 122.

Sicherungs in Warsaw
The Intelligence Briefing for German Security Forces during the Warsaw Uprising.

Panzerdivisions Ost
Eastern Front Panzer Forces on the Vistula, Operation Bagration July to August 1944, a Intelligence Briefing by Ken Camel.

653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung
Between April and August the 653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung underwent refit with the overhauled Ferdinands (soon to be renamed “Elefant”). The first company was re-equipped and sent into service in Italy (along with the 1st Maintenance Platoon). The Stab (headquarters) company and the 2nd and 3rd companies embarked for the eastern front on 2 April.

For your info Temis.

Will

[kv1e]

Feb 24, 2011 9:04:33 GMT -5 shoey109 said:

Late-war

Official Flames Of War Intelligence Briefings
Late-war, 1944-45

Late-war
The following intelligence briefings are official Battlefront briefings for the Late-war period,from 1944-1945. We've compiled them here into a central location for your ease of reference.
german

17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision
Fielding 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen" in Flames Of War. Update coming soon.

SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier Brigade ‘Nederland’ Field in Flames Of War the SS-Freiwilligen- Panzergrenadier Brigade ‘Nederland’ during it operations at Narva in the first half of 1944.

11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadierdivision ‘Nordland’ Field in Flames Of War the 11. SS-Freiwilligen- Panzergrenadierdivision ‘Nordland’ during the fighting for Narva in Estonia during the first half of 1944.

Fallschirmjäger in Normandy
To fielding the 6. Fallschirmjäger Regiment and 3. Fallschirmjägerdivision in Flames Of War see Earth & Steel.

SS-Panzer divisions in Normandy
The 1., 9., and 10. SS-Panzer divisions also fought in Normandy. Update coming soon.

German Infanterie in Normandy
Steve Bernich takes a look at the German Infantry divisions that fought in Normandy.

SS Tiger Units
We take a look at the other SS Tiger units that can be represented with the Schwere SS-Panzerkompanie from Villers-Bocage.

16. Luftwaffenfelddivision
Now featured in Earth & Steel on page 80.

Aufklärungsschwadrons
Comprehensive Intelligence Briefing covering both armoured and motorised Aufklärungsschwadrons.

Panzerspähkompanie
As promised when we released the Aufklärungsschwadron we bring you the Panzerspähkompanie.

5. Gebirgsdivision in Italy 1944-45
History and Intelligence Briefing for the 5. Gebirgsdivision fighting on the Italian front.

Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke
Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke was formed in late 1943 from independent units and portions of larger formations in reserve that were hurriedly flung together to act as a mobile reserve. They took part in the fighting for both the Korsun and Hube's pockets in early 1944.

Sicherungs and Walküre
As mentioned in Hammer and Sickle the German Sicherungs and Walküre troops also played an important part in the blocking forces and kampfgruppes formed to stop the Red Army's advance during Operation Bagration. Learn how to field them in Flames Of War.

Kampfgruppe Kästner, Korsun Pocket
Scott Elaurant takes a look at Major Robert Kästner an important German field commander during the Korsun Pocket breakout. We also introduce a Intelligence Briefing for field Kästner and his Kampfgruppe.

Fallschirmpionierkompanie
A company of elite Fallschirmpionier could be counted on to hold any objective. Few forces without overwhelming odds have a chance in rooting them out once they are determined to stay.


German Pionierkompanie
The Pionierkompanie is composed of tough well-trained combat engineers ready to undertake dangerous engineering assignments while under fire, and storm enemy positions by close assault.

German Panzerpionierkompanies
The combat engineers of the Panzerpionierkompanie are heavily-armed assault specialists.

716. Infanteriedivision
This Intelligence Briefing covers the other major German infantry division defending the Normandy beaches on D-Day and uses the special rules found in Bloody Omaha.
Update coming soon.

654. Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung
Now featured in Earth & Steel on page 122.

Sicherungs in Warsaw
The Intelligence Briefing for German Security Forces during the Warsaw Uprising.

Panzerdivisions Ost
Eastern Front Panzer Forces on the Vistula, Operation Bagration July to August 1944, a Intelligence Briefing by Ken Camel.

653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung
Between April and August the 653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung underwent refit with the overhauled Ferdinands (soon to be renamed “Elefant”). The first company was re-equipped and sent into service in Italy (along with the 1st Maintenance Platoon). The Stab (headquarters) company and the 2nd and 3rd companies embarked for the eastern front on 2 April.

For your info Temis.

Will

You forgot all the Allied ones and I think that there is a Finnish one too

for example
Nisei in Late War
Sonny Smith looks at how to field the Japanese-American "Nisei" during 1944-45.

or Brad might be interested in
French 2éme Division Blindée
Simon McBeth and I have teamed up to give you the official Flames Of War intelligence briefing for the Free French forces in Normandy. Update coming soon

[Easy86]

Feb 24, 2011 8:08:17 GMT -5 kv1e said:

I would point out that the list [will] used last week. The Elephant company...is not from a late war book it is from a PDF file.

Steve what you need to say is any autherized late war list.

Will,

Temis was trying to help you out lol. your list last week was an approved late war list (which I already assumed)

So the clarifications is simple:

All players must field an approved, legal, late war list, which includes any of the Battle Front Flames of War Late War PDF's (aka official briefings) or any Flames of War Late War Book.

any other clarifications needed?

[FaithandFire]

Sorry to register in so late in the week. Meant to do this over the weekend but the passing of my wife's mother and brother both within the past ten days has limited my time for this. I think we agreed to do the 50% deployed, 50% in reserves thing with the Axis forces when we went to even points totals. It both unbalances the scenario and exposes more Axis forces to the Prelimiary Bombardment if we keep it at 75% on the table. I also think that Ambush has to go with balanced forces. I advocated for that being thrown in when it looked like the Allies would have more points.

[Easy86]

Fair points steve lets see what the defenders have to say:

However if you read there statements in the previous thread, they accepted the risks for putting 75% of their forces on the board. after I pointed it out to them. I also felt that the 25% in reserves was appropriate because they also had to defend an entire 4ft x 6ft board. (dont forget the 75% is the minimum, they can place more platoons in reserve than that)

I do agree that the ambush may be a little much considering allied troops are going to get hammered on the front line.

Defenders?

[jeremy3play]

Ambushes...we don't need no stinkin' ambushes!

[Steve]

This is Vintage Steve. We have been defending four feet of frontage with 900 points on th table in our practice games.

Sunday, wiith an 6 foot front and 50% deployment the axis would have 2500 points approx. Yes, it is a deeper board - 3 feet instead of 2 - but this is a large increase in defensive firepower. The equivalent of 1600 points on a 4 foot front.

Sunday, with 75% deployment that is 3900 points on the table for a six foot front. The equivalent of 2600 points on a 4 foot front.

I still think 50% on the table will be more than enough for the Axis.