"Convoy Strike"

Mission 2

The Germans are pushing more troops and supplies to the front, they are obviously building up for an offensive. Strike sorties are being sent out to hunt down any German rienforcements heading to the front.

Mission: Close Support: Interdiction

Points Value: 150pts

Cloud Cover Altitude: None

Special Rules: None

Soviet Forces (150pts)

-MiG-3 (Load 1)

-x2 MiG-3 (Load 2)

-x2 IL-2m (Load 1)

Luftwaffe Forces (150pts)

-Fw190A

-x4 Bf109F

CONVOY (100pts)

-Panzer IV Tank

-x2 sd.kfz 222 Armoured Cars

-x5 Sdfk 251 Halftracks

-x4 Opel Blitz Trucks

Set up

The Game

The German Convoy was making steady progress along the road, their Fighter cover lingering overhead in a V formation.

The peace was broken when Soviet planes were spotted on an intercept course.

The German planes moved to intercept and the initial formation cross was brutal, one of the IL-2's took some hits from a BF109 but in return shoots his Attacker down. One MiG-3 was lost to a BF109 while another MiG let loose dome rockets that reduced an Armoured car to a steel bonfire.

The other IL-2 takes hits from a BF109 as it blows the second Armoured Car to bits with a rocket salvo, a MiG passes low and drops a bomb, but does little other than crater the road side.

Both side bank round to come back for another pass, a tailing BF109 makes some hits on an IL-2 but receives hits from its tail Gunner.

A MiG strafes the Convoy, taking apart a truck.

The BF109 tailing the IL-2 continues its attack but is taken down by the tail Gunner. A second BF109 swoops in and finishes off the Soviet plane.

The FW190 Speeds into the battle and tears apart a MiG but is damaged the second IL-2's tail Gunner, but he carries on his attack into the Russian plane and takes it down.

The Last MiG-3 starts accelerating away from the area but is caught by the Fw190 and shot down.

Aftermath

Soviets

Managed to shoot down two Bf109s with both pilots killed. They also damaged a second BF109 and the Fw190.

Their Convoy attack was not great, only managing to take out a Supply truck and two Armoured Cars.

They are awaiting a replacement for three MiG-3's and Two IL-2's

Luftwaffe

They took down all three MiG-3 planes, two pilots were killed while the third bailed and made his way back to friendly forces. They also shot down both IL-2 planes, crews to both planes bailed, one crew managed to reach friendly forces while the other was picked up by German forces.

They are awaiting Two Bf109's, another BF109 is being repaired and the Fw190 is also being repaired.

Victory

The winners of the engagement are the Germans (93VP, Soviets scored 82VP)

Soviets -1 Ground Superiority.

 

 

"Supply Problems"

Mission 1

A Small Supply yard has been located by Wehrmacht reconnaisance units, they are sending ground forces in but we must achieve air dominance and soften the defenses up first.

Mission: Air Superiority: Fighter Sweep

Points Value: 100pts

Cloud Cover Altitude: 5

Special Rules: None

Soviet Forces (100pts)

-x4 I-16

-M1939 61-K (37mm)

-M4 (4×7.62mm)

SUPPLY YARD

1× Large building (Warhouse)

3× Small buildings (housing/offices)

4× Trucks

Luftwaffe Forces (120pts)

-Ju87B (Weapons load 1)

-x3 Bf109F

-Fw190A

Set up

The Game

Normally I would write this up as a turn by turn account, but we lost ourselves in the game and I ended up taking way less pictures than I planned.

So,

The game Started with the Luftwaffe Fw190A taking the lead towards the storage facility, followed by the dive bomber with the three Bf109's to his left.

The Russian I-16 planes altered course and headed straight at them.

Two of the I-16's starting banking round in anticipation of engaging the Bf109's, the other two I-16's maneuvered to engage the Fw190 and Dive bomber.

One of the I-16's slipped onto the Fw190's tail and started Unloading into it, the hail of gunfire causing damage to the German plane, but the Dive bomber came up on the tail of the Attacker and blew the Russian plane out of the sky.

The Bf109's performed a side slip manouver and passed behind the attacking I-16's.

The German planes continued towards their target, but one of the Russian planes managed to take down a Bf109. The German planes keep closing and Anti-Aircraft fire starts.

The Bf109's peel off just before the facility in an effort to distract the I-16's but one makes a few hits on the Dive bomber but in return is hit by its tail Gunner.

The Stuka reaches the target and goes into a dive, it releases its 250lb bomb into the warhouse, a critical hit is scored and the whole building goes up.

The Stuka starts climbing back to altitude as Fighters from both sides manouver for attack positions.

The Bf109's came in low speeding towards the facility with the Fw190 ding the same but coming in from the opposite direction, the Russian Anti-Aircraft fire concentrated on the Fw190, the Crossfire tore the plane to bits and killed the pilot.

The Bf109's came in and opened up with their cannons reducing two trucks to scrap metal.

As the Bf109's sped over the facility the I-16's were too scattered to engage them, and while all this was going on the Stuka had lined up for another attack.

The two 109's raced off back towards base with two I-16's chasing them, the last I-16 tries to intercept the Dive bomber but the Stuka drops its remaining Bombs on another building blowing it to pieces.

The German planes disengage from the area.

Aftermath

Soviets

Managed to shoot a Bf109, the pilot ejected and managed to get back to friendly forces, AA fire took down the Fw190 with its pilot and they damaged the Stuka.

They are awaiting a replacement for one I-16 while another is being repaired.

Luftwaffe

They took down one I-16 and the pilot safely ejected, they also damaged a second I-16.

They bombed the warehouse and a secondary building plus blew apart two trucks.

They are awaiting a Bf109 and Fw190 replacement.

Victory

The winners of the engagement are the Soviets (46VP, Germans scored 23VP)

Soviets +1 Air Superiority.

 Eastern Front 1942

Our first campaign of Sturmovik Commander, set on the Eastern Front in 1942.

The first we had to do was choose our Squadron composition . . .

Campaign Special Rules

Fatigue, Honourable Defeat

Soviet Air Force (400 points)

Air Superiority: 3

Ground Superiority: 3

Strategic Superiority: 3

Planes:

x6 La-5

x3 MiG-3

x4 I-16

Pe-3 (Recon)

x3 Il-2M

Luftwaffe (400 points)

Air Superiority: 3

Ground Superiority: 3

Strategic Superiority: 3

Planes:

x6 Bf109F

x2 He111

Fw189 (Recon)

x3 Ju87B

x2 Fw190A

x2 Bf109F (Cannons, Ground attack)

To win the Campaign (Breach the front lines) one side must have a Ground Superiority value 3 points or higher than their opponent for two turns in a row.

MISSIONS

1. Supply Problems!

2.

3.

4.

5.

Sturmovik Commander

 

Sturmovik Commander is a WW2 game focusing on Aerial combat, the rules are easy to use but has a lot of depth allowing you to play a huge variety of missions.

You can find the rules here.

Below is a list of games we have played.

Campaigns

1. Eastern Front 1942

 

"Blades of Fury"

Game 9

Deployment: Long Edges

Mission: CAS (Close Air Support)

Points Value: 200pts

Iranian Forces (Attacker)

--F-14A Tomcat

-Veteran Pilot (Morteza Ahadi)

-2xAIM-54A Phoenix Missiles

-4xAIM-9P sidewinders

--F-4E Phantom

-Competant Pilot (Giv Kiani)

-4xBombs

--AH-1J Cobra

-Competant pilot (Jav Rashidi)

-2xTOW Missiles

-Rocket pod

--AH-1J Cobra

-Competant pilot (Shah Behnan)

-2xTOW Missiles

-Rocket pod

--Infantry Units: 11

--Armour Units: 2 (2xM60A3 tanks)

--Mobile AA Units: 6 (1xZSU-57-2, 5xZSU-23-4)

Search and Rescue

--CH-47 Chinook

-Competant pilot (Leff Baran)

The Plan

Turn one the Phantom will arrive at altitude 2, ideally his targets will be Mobile AA, hopefully this will soften the area for the Cobras.

Turn two, the Cobras will arrive to destroy ground targets, the Tomcat will arrive at altitude 6 to provide air Superiority.

Iraqi Forces (Defender)

--MiG-21MF

-Average pilot (Dhari Madi)

-x2 R-60 Missiles

--MiG-21MF

-Average pilot (Salih Nazari)

-x2 R-60 Missiles

--MiG-23MS

-Average pilot (Heba Awad)

-12 bombs

--Mi-25 Hind

-Competant pilot (Harb Anad)

-Rocket pods

--Mi-25 Hind

-Average pilot (Abdul Najm)

-Rocket pods

--SA-342 Gazelle

-Veteran pilot (Zain Attieh)

-4xHOT Missiles

--Infantry Units: 5

--Armour Units: 6 (4xT-55, 2xT-72)

--Mobile AA Units: 4 (x2 ZSU-23-4, ZSU-57-2, SA-8 Gecko)

Search and Rescue

--SA-321 Super Frelon

-Competant pilot (Ras Lafet)

The Plan

The MiG-23 will arrive on turn one, his role is to quickly drop his payload on any ground forces possible.

Turn Two the Hinds and Gazelle will arrive to conduct ground attacks.

Turn three the MiG-21's will arrive at altitude 5 to attack any aerial targets.

Set up

Turn 1

The first planes arrive in the AO, an Iraqi MiG-23 and Iranian Phantom.

Ground forces on both sides exchange gunfire, Iraqi Forces manage to get the first shots off, they manage to immobilise a Shilka and a Tank, plus knock out the other tank, the ZSU-57-2 and three shilkas, plus an Infantry squad.

The Iranian return fire guns down two Iraqi Squads and destroys a Tank.

Turn 2

A number of helicopter Gunships arrive, the Iraqi MiG-23 suddenly finds he has a F-14 Tomcat diving in behind him, unphased he releases two Bombs that blow a shilka to bits.

The Iranian Phantom also releases two Bombs but they over fly the Target and miss.

The two Hinds move in and unleash Rocket salvos reducing Iranian Infantry to a mess of blasted body parts, the Gazelle close behind unleashes a HOT missile that reduces the last Shilka to a burning husk.

The Iranian Cobras each luanch a TOW Missile.

The ground battle results in two more Iranian Squads wiped out and the immobilised tank is destroyed, in return the Iranians only manage to immobilise a BMP-1.

Turn 3

The two TOW Missiles strike taking out the ZSU-57-2 and the Gecko.

The two MiG-21's arrive on the tail of the Tomcat, the Tomcat locks the MiG-23 and luanches a sidewinders before turning away.

Heba Awad puts his mig into a dive to avoid the missile but it detonates close to him, shrapnel penetrates the canopy and wounds him.

The Phantom banks round, as the Iranian Infantry destroy the Immobilised BMP-1 but Iraqi return fire causes heavy casualties on them as Infantry, Tanks and the Hinds pour fire into them.

The Iranian Cobras start unleashing rockets into Iranian Infantry as payback.

Turn 4

The MiG-23, Hinds and Phantom RTB.

The Tomcat turns hard and drops altitude, the MiG-21s do the same in the hopes of intercepting the F-14, the Cobras unleash more Rocket salvos but miss!

The last of the Iranian Infantry are finally gunned down, the Iraqi Shilkas (that have been concentrating on Infantry) finally turn their guns to the sky.

They fill the sky around the Cobras with lead but do not score any hits.

Turn 5

The Gazelle and Cobras RTB.

The Two MiG-21s continue to manouver and are slowly gaining on the F-14s tail.

The F-14 comes in low and strafes some Infantry causing them to Scramble for cover.

Both Shilkas open up on the F-14, and one scores a hit, Ahadi feels the hit but the plane seems OK, a little off but OK.  . .

Turn 6

The MiG-21s start closing in on the F-14s tail, but the Tomcats engine fails!

Both MiGs line up and open up with guns, cannon rounds tear into aircraft damaging the airframe and wounding Ahadi.

Turn 7

The MiGs continue to chase the Tomcat, pouring on gunfire, its airframe cannot the punishment and starts breaking apart, Ahadi Ejects and hits the ground hard.

Turn 8

With no more Aerial Targets the MiGs RTB.

Ahadi, Badly Wounded, starts crawling towards Iranian lines as Iraqi Armour closes in.

Turn 9

Ahadi keeps crawling until the Iraqi T-55 rolls up, it's hatches burst open and the crew surround him . . .

Aftermath

The Iranians had a huge set of unfortunate dice rolls, the Iraqi AAA concentrated on the ground targets which really helped whittle them down.

The end surprised us both when the Shilka clipped the F-14 taking out its engine, which in turn left it a sitting duck for the MiGs.

Iraq

Ramzy Hantous = Seriously Wounded

Adeep Cridi = KIA

Mohammed Ali = KIA

Siham Fayed = POW

Heba Awad = Lightly Wounded

-10% MiG-23MS Damaged (1 Turn)

-10% F-1 Mirage Damaged (1 Turns)

-10% SU-20 Damaged (4 Turns)

-30% pts to Su-20

-15% pts to Tu-16

-30% pts to MiG-21MF

-10% pts to MiG-23MLA

-10% pts to MiG-23BN

Iran

Omid Mansouri = Seriously Wounded

Alireza Khalili = KIA

Aman Mir = KIA

Mehri Seyed = POW

Morteza Ahadi = POW

-15% pts to F-14A

-30% pts to F-5 Tiger II

-10% pts to AH-1 Cobra

-20% pts Hawk PAR Radar

-5% pts Medium AAA

-15%pts ADS-4 Radar

-5%pts to Hawk SAM

Game 1: Crossroads Engagement

 Crossroads Engagement

German troops have taken up position on the crossroads, first platoon is moved in to spearhead the attack.

Mission: Hold the Line

Soviet forces must clear the area around the crossroad intersection.

Soviet 1st Platoon: Guards Rifle Platoon (CE20)

--Platoon Command--

-Officer: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, SVT-40

-Soldier: AP grenades, Scoped Mosin Nagant

--1st Squad--

Gun Group

-NCO: AP grenades, PPsH

-Gunner: Pistol, DP LMG

-Soldier: AP grenades, Mosin Nagant

Assult group

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, Mosin Nagant, panzerfaust

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, DP LMG

-x2 Soldiers: AP/AT grenades, Mosin Nagant

--2nd Squad--

Gun Group

-NCO: AP grenades, PPsH

-Gunner: Pistol, DP LMG

-Soldier: AP grenades, Mosin Nagant

Assult group

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, PPsH

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, Mosin Nagant, panzerfaust

-Soldier: AP/AT grenades, Mosin Nagant with rifle grenades

-x2 Soldiers: AP/AT grenades, Mosin Nagant

--Machine gun team--

-NCO: AP grenades, PPsH

-Gunner: pistol, Maxim HMG

-x2 loaders: M1944 Carbine

--Mortar team--

-NCO: AP grenades, PPsH

-Gunner: Pistol, 50mm mortar

-Loader: M1944 Carbine

-Spotter: M1944 Carbine

--Sniper team--

-Sniper: Scoped Mosin Nagant

-Spotter: Mosin Nagant

--KV-1S Tank--

-NCO: PPsH

-x4 Crewmen: Pistol

German 1st Platoon: Grenadier Platoon (CE15) 3rd Platoon Supports (+5CE)

--Platoon Command--

-Officer: MP40

-NCO: AP/AT Grenades, MP40

-x4 Grenadiers: AP/AT Grenades, Kar89k

--1st Squad--

Machine gun team

-NCO: AP grenades, MP40

-Gunner: MG34, pistol

-Grenadier: Kar98k

Rifle team

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, MP40

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, G43

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, STG-44

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k, panzerfaust

-x2 Grenadiers: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k

--2nd Squad--

Machine gun team

-NCO: AP grenades, MP40

-Gunner: MG34, pistol

-Grenadier: Kar98k

Rifle team

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, MP40

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, G43

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, STG-44

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k, panzerfaust

-x2 Grenadiers: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k

--3rd Squad--

Machine gun team

-NCO: AP grenades, MP40

-Gunner: MG34, pistol

-Grenadier: Kar98k

Rifle team

-NCO: AP/AT grenades, MP40

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, STG-44

-Grenadier: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k, panzerfaust

-x3 Grenadiers: AP/AT grenades, Kar98k

--Anti tank gun--

-NCO: AP grenades, MP40

-Gunner: Pistol, PaK 40

-x2 loaders: Kar98k

--Panzerjager team--

Team one

-Gunner: Kar98k, Panzerfaust

-Loader: AT grenades, Kar98k

Team two

-Gunner: Pistol, panzerschreck

-Loader: AT grenades, Kar98k

--Stug IIIG--

-NCO: MP40

-x3 Crew: Pistol

Battlefield

Set-Up

The Soviets win the roll-off for deployment, and opt for the long table edge.

TURN 1

Soviet forces arrive, they quickly spot a PaK 40 covering the road, the KV-1 opens up with its co-axle MG but hits nothing.

The Germans open fire, the PaK 40 fires and bounces off the Hull, a Panzerschrek team makes itself know as it narrowly misses the Soviet tank.

A Soviet Squad moves up the left flank but comes under fire from a German Grenadier squad guarding the flank.

The fire fight on the left escalates as a second Grenadier Squad emerges and the Soviets take heavy casualties.

The PaK 40 crew are cut down by combined fire from a Mortar team and Maxim MG fire, the Panzerschrek team bounce a a rocket off the KV-1's hull, this panics the crew who bail. But they immediately come under fire from a hidden StuG's MG.

The Mortar continues to fire but fails to hit any targets, the tank crew re-mount but another Panzerschrek slams into the tanks Turret, it penetrates and kills the crew.

On the right flank, a Soviet Squad moves up and fires their Panzerfaust at the StuG, but the shot goes wide. The Squad is immediately put under heavy fire from the StuG and a third Grenadier Squad appears on the flank.

Having taken a lot of casualties and their tank being knocked out, the Soviets withdraw.

Conclusion

-German

Suffered minimal losses, proberbly the biggest loss was the PaK 40 crew, they held the line and done considerable damage to the Soviets.

After action recovery, two suffered light wounds and returned to duty, five were seriously injured or killed.

-2CE 

-Soviet

Took heavy casualties but the Germans were in a static position and put their MG's to good use.

After action casualties, three returned to duty but ten were seriously Wounded or killed.

And, they could no longer field any vehicles.

-10CE

Sishny Crossroads

 Sishny Crossroads

This Campaign is set in Russia, winter of 1942. Near the small village of Sishny is a crossroads which the Germans currently control, the Soviets need to secure the crossroads, as it will provide a route for logistics to supply the advancing Frontline.

To play Soviet forces in Rules of Engagement you will need the Operation Bagration Sourcebook

Soviet Forces

HQ = Soviet Rifle Platoon (CE14)

Supply = Soviet Rifle Platoon (CE14)

1st Platoon = Soviet Guards Rifle Platoon (CE20)

2nd Platoon = Soviet Rifle Platoon (CE22)

3rd Platoon = Soviet Rifle Platoon (CE18)

Tactical Reserve = 20CE

German Forces

HQ = Grenadier Platoon

Supply = Grenadier Platoon

1st Platoon = Grenadier Platoon

2nd Platoon = Grenadier Platoon

3rd Platoon = Panzergrenadier Platoon

Deployment

The German forces decided to deploy as,

HQ took up positions on the high ground.

The Supply element deploys just outside Sishny.

1st Platoon is on the road close to the crossroads.

2nd Platoon starts in the village of Sishny.

3rd Platoon starts on the road close to Sishny.

Then rolling for weather, comes up as . . . Bad Weather

Turn 1

The Soviets HQ, Supply, 2nd and 3rd Platoons advance onto the map through the woods to the south of Sishny, 1st Platoon takes the road.

The German 1st Grenadier Platoon move to take the crossroads with the Panzergrenadiers moving close to support them, 2nd Platoon starts making defenses in Sishny while the HQ starts digging into the high ground.

Turn 2

Fortunes of War

Germany: Gets code breakers, meaning the germans must reveal the CE of each element.

HQ= 14CE

Supply=14CE

1st platoon=15CE

2nd platoon=15CE

3rd platoon=18CE

Tactical reserve=16CE

Soviets: Get prisoner interrogation, meaning the germans have to reveal the orders of one element, I chose their first Platoon which would hold on the crossroads.

The German HQ and 2nd Platoon finish the defences, the Supply element stays put and so does 1st Platoon holding the crossroads with 3rd Platoon supporting 1st.

The Soviet HQ and Supply element hold while 2nd Platoon emerges from the woods, 3rd Platoon moves into Popov's Farm and 1st Platoon make contact with German forces at the crossroads.

With the Grenadiers on a HOLD order and the Soviets on an ADVANCE order, we look at the mission chart which gives us, HOLD THE LINE.

The first fight of this campaign is found here

Turn 3

Fog of War

The Germans get 'River Assult' but seeing there is no river on the map, then it's pretty useless.

The Soviets gets 'Resistance' meaning they can field Partisans. Obviously they are villagers from Sishny who are not happy with the German occupation.

The first Grenadier platoon receives 1CE of rienforcements from the Supply element, the Soviet first platoon receives 5CE of rienforcements from the Tactical reserve.

German Platoon Two, HQ and Supply Elements Hold, Platoon One starts digging in while Third Platoon Advances.

Soviet HQ and Supply Elements Hold, Platoons Two and Three Advance while First Platoon is in a Forced Retreat.

The Soviet Second Platoon moves on the crossroads as the German defenders are digging in, the battle is found . . .