Big Chain of Command in Russia

Last week saw the annual "All Day Bash" by the Chuckadice group.  For once we were all in attendance, with 6 players and plans for a game of Big CoC.  The scenario was a meeting of forces in 1941, with the Germans advancing on Moscow while the Russians launched a counter attack.  The Germans, consisting of Oberst Panjo(CinC), Oberstleutenant Colin and Major Jason, had 2 infantry platoons(Panjo and Colin), aided by a mixed Panzer platoon of 3 PzIII and 2 PzII(yours truly).  Support units consisted of a pair of Sd222 armoured cars,  a Stug, HMG team, 37mm Pak gun, engineer flamethrower team, an AT rifle and  motorcycle squad.  The Russians, Polkovnik Nathan(CinC) with Majors Zob and Andy, had 2 rifle platoons(Zob and Andy) and an assault platoon with SMGs and flamethrowers(Nathan).  They were supported by 2 (yes, 2!) T-35s, 2 T-26s, 3 Comissars, 3 HMGs and 3 AT rifles.

The table set up, the German's are coming from the left and the Russian horde will be sweeping in from the right.  The terrain was fairly open, with the crops giving cover to infantry but not blocking line of sight.  Wooden buildings and the woods also gave light cover, the only heavy cover was the ruined industrial complex.

 The view from Colin's scouts as they advanced to locate the Soviet horde.

The Russians are revolting!  Especially the short grumpy type on the left.  Nathan, Zob and Andy look on as the German patrols are moved.

 Patrol markers locked down.  The Germans pushed forward quickly while the Russians were more sedate and seemed happy to consolidate in the ruins. 

 Each infantry platoon had two jump off points, so the German's had four and the Russians had six to deploy.  Panjo placed one on the far left, behind the farm right at the top of the picture.  His other was behind the top left hill.  Colin pushed one forward behind the farm in the center of the picture while his other was behind the hill to its rear.  Andy was on the Russian left and deployed behind the small field near the road and at the rear of the wood next to it.  All the other Russian jump off points were clustered in or behind the ruins.  Three were in one building while the other was in the wood just behind the ruined buildings.

 Panjo deployed some infantry on the far left farm to secure the flank and offer covering fire if needed.  He also rushed an Sd222 down the road, with some Panzers in support, to try and force the Russians into deploying so we could shoot them.  Colin deployed two sections on the farm while his motorbike section set off on a very short lived (and slow) flanking move.  Nathan and Zob deployed a few troops in the ruins while Andy deployed and then rushed forward to close with the Germans in the farm (stupid double 6). 

 "Urah" rang out as the Russians swarmed into the woods.  Two sections reached the Germans single section and, despite the movement, cover and quality defending LMG all adding extra dice, the odds were definitely favouring the green Red horde.

 Boom, bang, smash, dakka dakka rang out as dice were rolled and casualties were worked out.  The German squad had done well, killing many Russians and injuring both junior leaders.  Unfortunately for them the Russians were in a bloodthirsty mood and killed every German they could reach, wiping the squad out to a man.  Strike one to the Red horde.

 Colin then counter attacked with two fresh squads.  Although the Russians were still more numerous, they were shaken, lacking leadership and within handgrenaten range.  SMGs were emptied and stick grenades were thrown.  Russians died and the two previously victorious squads were routed, taking Major Andy with them but leaving both junior leaders behind.  It was at a heavy cost to the German's though as few soldiers were left to face the rapidly approaching Russian reinforcements.

 On the other flank Nathan had pushed a T-26 forward which fired at the Sd222, which was firing away at the troops in the ruins, only to see its mighty 45mm AP shell bounce off!  Bwahahahahaha!!!  As the PzIII rushed forward to try and get a shot in the plucky Sd222 commander calmly rotated his turret, took careful aim and then shredded the T-26 with a burst of 2cm cannon fire. 

 AT rifle and rapid small arms fire then rattled off the Sd222, causing some shock and upsetting the crew despite plenty more German armour moving up to support it.  The T-35s had now appeared behind the Russian troops and both were used as pillboxes, sitting near their base line and shelling whatever they could see.  A PzIII was damaged by a 45mm shell, causing it to take cover behind the church.  The other T-35 was shelling the recently revealed Pak gun in the farm.  Both shots were pretty feeble, with the Pak missing and the T-35 only killing a single German.  Bad news for Colin was Nathan had advanced an assault squad to within flamethrower range and routed another of the German squads.

 Then the Panzers took a blow as the newly arrived PzII was blown apart by a shot from Zobs T-35.  Seems 45mm shells are too much for PzII armour.  Oops.

 The Russians in the ruins were now taking sustained fire from several sides, with two PzIIIs, a PzII and some infantry all balzing away.  The fire was accurate, but largely ineffective due to the heavy protection provided by the ruined buildings.

Colin's platoon was now wavering due to it's heavy losses.   The Russians kept coming and shock was accumulating rapidly. 

 Suddenly "Urah" rang out again and hordes of Russians appeared in the woods.  Despite an ambush by a tripod MG34 the assault was overwhelming.  The Russians had three squads all assaulting a very reduced German squad and an under-crewed Pak gun.

The result was a foregone conclusion........but turned out to be a double edged sword.  Despite wiping the defenders out and breaking Colin's morale, the German's caused enough casualties to break Andy's final squad.  This caused his platoons morale to break as well.  Then it all went wrong as Nathan lost morale due to Andy's breaking, causing Zob to lose morale due to Andy and Nathans morale losses.  The end result was Andy and Colins platoons had routed while Nathan was on 2 force morale points and Zob was on 1.  Panjo was still on 5, giving him full command dice and I was on 4 so was reduced by 1 command dice.  The Russians capitulated at this point as they didn't have enough command dice to do anything meaningful and they were being outflanked by the Germans.

It was a cracking game though, everybody said they had enjoyed it and we all had a laugh throughout the entire game.  After packing it all away and having some nibbles we then went on to play a quick game of Zombicide before calling it a day and heading home. 

Thanks to Zob for hosting us all again, Nathan for helping provide the figures and scenery for the game and Panjo and Andy for playing in the spirit it was intended. 

That's all folks, I am off to chill and annoy the wife.  Happy New Year to you all.