Battle of Halbe - Bolt Action

 Just finished up a fairly decent game of Bolt Action using a bit of the Tank War rules (with armored platoons), and Scenario 7: Envelopment from the main rule book. The game was based upon the Battle of Halbe with the German Ninth Army trying to breakout westward via the village of Halbe Their intent was to make it to American/British lines to surrender and avoid capture (or worse) by the Soviet forces which were already encircling them in large numbers. As it turned out the game played out well enough with the more than usual vehicles in Bolt Action game. The Germans only managed to get two units off table and one unit into the Soviets set-up area. They did, however, win by overall victory points by destroying enough of the Soviet units. The Germans started out with a Tiger II, two each Panthers and Panzer IVs, and several halftracks transports. The Soviets had a IS-2, SU-100, two T-34/85s, two Shermans with 76mm guns, and a T-34/76. I added another Tiger II after the first one was knocked out, and also recycled the IS-2 after it was knocked out. Several tanks were set on fire and had their turrets jammed. I thought the Germans played a little too conservatively, although you never know how things go with die rolls. Specifically, their advance stalled out before most had reached the midway point by the end of turn 6 (which is how many turns we had agreed to play). If I were to run this scenario again, I might add more German tanks. I was hesitant to give them more in this initial playtest as I thought they were too powerful, but since they were the attackers they likely needed the help. Here are some pictures from the game.

About the end of turn 6 - the end of the game. The Germans had given up trying to make it off the table, and attempted to destroy remaining Soviet forces.

One of the Panthers advancing to take aim at the IS-2 in the distance.

One of the Sd.Kfz. 251s already in flames. The crew escaping the wreckage - with a pin.

Lend-Lease Sherman and IS-2 occupying the center of the battlefield.

The T-34/76 manuevering through hedges to fire upon the advancing German left flank. Dismounted tank riders taking up position in the town ruins.

A 251 making it to a road to hurridly make it off the table. The Panzer IV and Panther awaiting a clear shot at Soviet armor in the distance.

The IS-2 taken out by a King Tiger.

A Panther awaiting an advance order to fire on Soviet troops. An Sd.Kfz. 7 and Sd.Kfz. 251 destroyed and burning in the background.

The first King Tiger before being taken out by the SU-100 out in the diistance.

A second King Tiger appears on the battlefield after the other one was destroyed.

Remnants of a Panzergrenadier squad about to assault a T-34/85 which has been immobilized and having its turret jammed.

T-34/85 on the left immobilized with turret jammed awaiting assault by Panzergrenadiers. The IS-2 on his right has been recylced into the game after being initially destroyed.

A view from the vantage point of the stalled German advance.

The Panzergrenadier squad failed to damage the T-34/85, and regrouped away from it afterwards.

The SU-100 taken out by a Panther.

Another view from the end of the game.

The second King Tiger on the prowl

Panzer IV cautiously advancing.

Panthers and Panzer IVs were teamed up into separate platoons on each flank.

SU-100 in light cover supported by infantry.

All in all I enjoyed the way the rules played out with so many AFVs. There were four players, two of whom are more into Chain of Command, so was happy to see that they enjoyed themselves too. With some minor tweaks (like giving the Germans a few more units), I think it would work okay for a convention or game day with players with little or no experience with the rules. In fact, for this particular scenario, I'm wondering if more AFVs and less infantry might be better. Maybe most of the infantry in smaller Tank Hunting units. Although, the Panzerfaust wasn't used much in the game - most-likely due to the short (12") range. Thanks again for stopping by and checking out the blog.