Bolt Action Batrep: Fortress Budapest: The Back Door Left Open

Introduction

      This post records our latest visit to Fortress Budapest. We haven't played the campaign out chronologically and we're going back to an earlier scenario from the book; The Back Door Left Open. In late December 1944 the Soviets almost managed a stunning coup when a recce unit was able to penetrate right into the heart of Buda before they were rumbled out side the St Janos Hospital by a platoon from the University Assault Battalion and chased out. 

      We played this one at the Kriegschule Kampbell (otherwise known as Richie's garage) where we combined our terrain to create uptown Budapest. Oh, one reason why this scenario had been delayed was that I took an eternity putting together 4Ground's grand hotel that we were planning to use as the hospital. 

     In fact that wasn't all that I had put together for this scenario. I had also built a force from the specific Soviet theatre selector which meant new vehicles and crews as well as an ambulance to park outside the hospital.

4Ground's Grand (Heart Break) Hotel converted into a hospital.
Anyscale Model's Opel Blitz ambulance parked outside

The Scenario

      So, the Back Door Left Open scenario; a tricksy one to put together as it calls for the hospital to be defended by a platoon HQ and two squads from the Hungarian University Assault Battalion who are then reinforced by a further platoon from the Defenders of Budapest lit which has a fairly wide choice of infantry units both Hungarian and German. Since Richie doesn't have any Hungarian infantry we re-imagined the scenario as the hospital being one run by the SS and being defended by Regular SS squads (one of the newer types of units from the Fortress Budapest book) and reinforced by more of the same. Like all of the city scenarios from the book, this one was played out on a 4'x4' table

Set Up

      We set about setting upo the table as near to the book's suggestion but most of our undamaged (as mentioned before, this action took place early on in the siege of Budapest and mots of the city's buildings were still intact) buildings were Normandy themed hence we found the hospital was based in a requisitioned hotel in the French quarter of Buda....ahem...

Suggetsed terrain layout

Deployment

      As you can see from the scenario map, the Axis, in this case the Germans, set up two squads and a platoon HQ within 18" of their table edge. These can be in buildings if the Axis player so wishes. The remainder are in Reserve. The Soviet player's forces begin off table and he must designate at least half his units as a first wave. The remainder are held in reserve. Outflanking isn't permitted in this scenario.

Special Rules

      Taken By Surprise: The successful infiltration by the Soviet recce frce has caught the defenders off guard. To represent this the first order dice drawn every turn may be returned to the bag and redrawn if it is a German one, if the Soviets wish it (and much good it did them)

     Delayed Reserves: The greatly desired German reinforcements are currently on the other side of the Danube; they cannot come on from reserve till the beginning of tunr three.

     Hidden Setup: The German forces who begin on the tablebenefit from the Hidden Set Up rules as per the rulebook

Forces Special Rules; Soviet Mountain Reconnaissance Squad

     Mounted Recon: The first time the squad dismounts from their vehicles (M3 Scout Cars or Universal Carriers) they can leave up to two men behind to man the extra weapons on these vehicles.

     Forward Detachment:This force must include enough transportsand/or twos (soft skinned or armoured) to transport all its inafntry and artillery.

     Set The Pace; "The momentum of the advance must be kept up" All armoured cars abd transport vehicles with at least one unit inside, are allowed to make a 12" move after both sides have set up. This can include coming on as part of a first wave. These units cannot be targetted by units on Ambush.

    Reconnaissance Platoon: Any M3 Scout Car, Universal Carrier and Jeep in this force can take the Recce rule for 10 points per vehicle.

    Specialised Unit: The Forward Reconnaiscance Party do not benefit from the "Quantity Has A Quality Of It's Own" Soviet national rule. 

     

Objective

     The Soviets are tryiong to take as much griound as possible for their follow up forces to exploit. The Axis are trying to establish a coherent battle line to prevent any further Soviet advance.

Game Duration

     The player play 6 turns. At the end of turn 6 roll a die; one a 1, 2 or 3 the game ends; 4, 5 or 6 play one more turn.

Victory

     At the end of the game tally up the victory pints to calculate who has won. As usual in Bolt Action you need two clear victory points to win, otherwise it's a draw.

     As per the norm in BA, it's 1 victory point per unit destroyed. The Axis player gains 3 victory points for each Soviet unit still in the Soviet half of the table at the end of the game. The Soviets player gain 2 points for each of their units within 12" of the Axis table edge at the end of the game.

Forces

Soviets. I chose the following for this daring advance;

Forward Detachment Reconnaissance Party

Veteran Senior Lieutenant plus two men

Veteran Recce Squad x4 (2 of 5 men, 2 of 8 men with a mix of SMGs, LMGs and rifles)

Veteran Universal Carrier x3 one armed with an anti tank rifle, all three armed with pintle mounted LMGs

Veteran M3 Scout Car x2 both armed with HMGs

Veteran M4 Sherman

Note. The universal carriers and M3 Scout Cras all had the Recce special rule

Germans. This SS force is drawn from the Budapest Pocket Defenders theatre selector. Richie brought;

Veteran First Lieutenant plus 1

Regular SS squads x5 (8 men per squad with an LMG, SMGs and a panzerfaust per squad)

Veteran Pioneer Squad (8 men with flame thrower and panzerfaust)

Regular Sdkfz 251

Regular Medium mortar with spotter

Regular Sniper

Regular light howitzer

Regular Panzer IV

     The streets began to lighten as a dawn broke over the city. There were very few people on the streets and for that Senior Lieutenant Walther Zonavobisch was grateful. His orders had been simple; penetrate as far as possible,observing and sending back word of the enemies defenses and dispositions. This he and his reconnaissance force had started during the night. As they had advacned they were on high alert, expecting at any moment to be discovered and attacked. However they had been both lucky and unlucky. Not only had they not been attacked but, up until now, they hadn't seen any of the enemy! Zonavobisch knew that their luck would run out soon though. With daylight creeping over the city their vehicles, a mix of Lend-Lease Universal Carriers, White Scout Cars and a Sherman tank, would soon be recognised for what they were. Zonavobisch had decided to chance his luck, He reckoned if they could find a building with a walled yard; a factory or warehouse, his force might be able to hide up till dusk and continue their task. It was a big risk but no more than turning around and hoping to get back to the Soviet front line without a fight. 

     The part of Buda that were now in was fairly residential with little sign of any industrial buildings. Time was running out fast, already the few people on the street were beginning to pay attention to them. Gazing around pensively his eyes caught sight of a large red cross painted onto the roof of a large building up ahead; a hospital, that might do at a push. If nothing else it might give them some collateral when the inevitable fight began. The Fritzes were less likely to shell a hospital full of their own wounded. And the red cross on the roof would make his men's position more easily recognisable to his own artillery and a good reference point for the Soviet artillery observers.

     Zonavobisch ordered his driver to stop. As his vehicle came to a halt, Zonavobisch leapt from it and running to the Sherman tank behind his command car, he clambered aboard and beckoned to his second in command. Sergeant Bialistok, to join him on the tank. Bialistok jumped down from the Universal Carrier he was riding in and climbed up onto the tank. Here Zonavobisch pointed out to Bialistock and the tank commander the hospital and explained the plan.  

The area surrounding the hospital. So far untouched by the war;
that was about to change

     Gritting his teeth, Obersturmfuhrer Traudin Schiedt began splashing the cold water on his face. He had tried in vain to lather the ersatz soap but it was useless; the grey shapeless lump that passed for soap started to disintegrate leaving the water with a scummy, unappealing film covering its surface. Quickly he washed his chest, neck and armpits before rubbing himself on a threadbare piece of a towel then drew his shirt on over his head. "Damn this bloody cold" he muttered to himself. Dipping the corner of the towel in the basin he wet his face then began shaving, a less painful exercise than it had been when they had first reached the accommodation four days previously. He glided his open razor around the four day old cuts on his chin and whistled tunelessly. 

     Looking in the mirror on the chest of drawers he could see the still warm bed behind him; there was a glimpse of long, golden hair on the pillow and a naked, slim leg and foot protruding from beneath the blankets. He smiled then winked at his reflection "You lucky dog, Traudin" he muttered. 

     These last few days out of the line had been a godsend. His platoon had been rotated out of the line after taking a mauling in the vicious fighting at the front. Schiedt and his men had been sent to the Divisional hospital in Buda and accommodated in requisitioned buildings nearby. He and his men had been given light duties during their rest; mainly unloading supplies and, much to the men's dismay, ambulances as they arrived from the battlefields to the east of Pest. Despite their workload, the men had at least been fed and had had a chance to delouse and get some well deserved rest. And last night he had had the good fortune to be invited to an impromptu party at the nurses accommodation.

     Finishing his shave, Schiedt's mind and stomach had begun to wander towards thoughts of breakfast when the sound of armoured vehicles outside intruded on his musing. Out in the street a shot rang out followed by more accompanied by shouts as orders rang out in German and Hungarian. The noise was almost drowned out by the clatter of hob nailed boots running along the corridor. His room door was thrust open and a young SS trooper, fully dressed in combat gear and clutching his rifle shouted at his platoon commander "Herr Oberscharfurher! There are Soviets outside!!" 

Soviet Recce Force commander; Senior Lieutenant Walther
Zonovabisch (centre)

On the left,a freshly shaved and deloused 

Oberscharfuhrer Traudin Schiedt

Early morning in the..ahem,,,French Quarter of
Buda....tres calme,....tres tranquille....

The Soviet recce force are rumbled by the SS troops
in the hospital (if anyone is going to know what a
Soviet looks like its them!). The Soviets pushed
forward at a dash, hoping to overwhelm the Germans
before their reinforcements arrived

The Soviets Lend Lease Sherman, reputedly crewed by a parcel of
Cossacks who are prone to a bit of looting...I mean acquiring trophies
of war which they mean to carry back to the Motherland as physical
proof of how much better Soviet clock and rug making is compared
to the capitalist rubbish 

The ill fated squad who had been aboard the White Scout
Car in the picture had debussed and were making their way
through the ruin next to the scout car, hoping to use the cover
of the back yards to get into a firing position overlooking the
street. The yellow building up ahead housed one of the two
SS squads on the table as well as Traudin Schiedt. The Soviet
squad from the Universal Carrier had also debussed and were
making their way through the backyards towards the hospital.

The crew of the Universal Carrier hug the side of the cafe
in an attempt to avoid the Germans on the first floor firing at
them. 

Walther Zonavobisch orders his men forward. He and his two men
made for the hospital which contained the mortar spotter hiding in
the attic. Easy meat if they can make it to him.

Mobile fire support of a rather light and fairly ineffective nature

Burning fire support. The Universal Carrier was forced
back then hit by a lucky (or unlucky if your the Soviets)
panzerfaust. 

Wary of the open deployment space behind the buildings,
the Soviets were keen to get into the buildings as soon as
possible. However that meant risking being caught in a
counter attack by the SS squads inside....decisions...decisions!!

On the other street, the exchange of fire is equally ineffective
with the Sherman tank commander cursing the M3 Scout Car
driver for parking in his line of fire!!

Turn 3. The German reinforcements begin to arrive. On the street in
front of the yellow building a half track full of veteran assault
pioneers pulls up and the pioneers dismount. Spotting the Soviets
in the garden of the ruin they quickly hose them with flame and
small arms fire which is too much for the veteran recce squad who
do a runner, the two who are left that is from the original squad of
eight!! Curses!! I'm own two order dice already!!

The very effective veteran SS Pioneer squad

The Soviets are losing men but with little choice they hang
on in there

The recce force's other big gun apart from the Sherman's 75mm
was this anti tank rifle mounted on a Universal Carrier

Breaking cover, another squad makes a dash for the hospital
across a street thick with flying bullets........

...and three of them make it to the cover of the hospital,,

The crew of the M3 Scout Car continue to peck away the Germans
in the former bank.

The Soviet tank commander wonders if there is time to nip into a
nearby shop for a browse...

The Germans bring on some serious support, Panzer IV and a light howitzer

From the frying pan into the fire! Two of the Soviet recce vehicles push
forward and attempt to surprise and suppress the Germans....attempt.....

...meanwhile the second Scout Car gets caught up in  a tussle with the
Panzer IV at incredibly close quarters...

...and get's away with only a pin!! And not only once but twice the Panzer IV
hit the Scout Car at point blank range and twice it rolled a 1 for the damage!!

By the hotel, the recce squad have been reduced to
two men which actually increases their chances of
 survival as they are now a Small Team

A rush of blood to the head causes one of the recce carriers
to attempts to shoot up a German squad at close quarters
with the inevitable result that it is panzerfaust-ed in reply

The anti tank carrier, leaving the Panzer IV behind,
pushes into the German rear zone

     On the second floor of the hotel, Walther gestured his men ti freeze. They all stopped and Zonavobisch put a finger ti his lips for silence. Listening intently they heard the Germans in the room below. Zonavobisch whispered hoarsley to his men "Turgenev, move quietly down to the room the Fritzes are in. As soon as we fire, you move in and finish them off; understand?" Sergeant Turganov nodded then he and his men quietly descended the stairs, the sounds of the German voices covering the squeaking steps. In seconds they were by the door. The last man of the squad nodded to Zonavobisch who stepped into the room above the Germans and he and his runner fired their SMGs into the floor in the direction of the German voices. They heard the cries from below, the door slam open, the other Russian weapons start firing followed by more cries, return fire and then the sounds of a scuffle followed by an abrupt silence. A brief, unnerving pause was broken by the sound of Turganev's voice, ordering his men to collect the German weapons and ammo. A pistol shot rang out then Turganev shouted again "That one nearly got you, Malenkov!!: make sure they are all dead then collect their weapons!" A few minutes later they reappeared on the stairs though there were only three of them left...

In the hospital, Walther Zonovabisch and the remains
of a recce squad, having finished off an SS squad in
some bitter hand to hand fighting, make for the illusory
safety of the attic.

Out in the street, the Pioneer squad get carried away and have a field day;
starting with the scout car, their flamethrower toasts it after it had recce'd
away. Then they turned their attention on the Sherman which they hit with
a panzerfaust with quite spectacular effect. This, unfortunately, lost them
the game as the Sherman was worth more points in one piece and in my
deployment zone.

     Traudin stood in the lee of the old bank. Before him the street was littered with burning enemy vehicles and the dead and wounded from both sides.As the shooting began to die down the Pioneer squad leader, Rottenfuhrer Schmidt, and his men began searching the Soviet dead and wounded as medical staff emerged from the nearby accommodation; dazed and stunned by the brief brutality of he sudden battle. As Traudin lit a cigarette, one of his men ran up to him "Herr Oberscharfuhrer, there are Soviets in the hospital!!" 

Happy with how things stand, Traudin attempts to regain
some control over his men and have a smoke at the same
time...

Fin

     So ended yet another smashing battle. Despite being a fairly fragile force and taking a lot of punishment my Soviets actually managed to sneak a win! And it all boiled down to the Germans destroying the Sherman. If they had not fired at it and destroyed it. With two units in the hospital, three on the far side of the cafe and one squad of Germans bested in combat I had managed a grand total of 9 points while the Germans had accrued 6 points. If they hadn't destroyed the Sherman it would have been a draw

    The scenario itself is very good indeed and sets up both sides for a winner takes all gamble.The Soviets need to push forward as fast as they can and gain ground and cover quickly before the German reinforcements begin to make their presence felt. Equally the Germans are relying on their reinforcements getting onto the table on turn 3 as the clock is ticking.

     As ever, it was a cracking game against Richie and his SS, even though they were only Regulars this time around they still proved their mettle. The game had a few comic moments besides the Panzer IV only putting two pins on the scout car at point blank range in two consecutive turns!! (Still can't believe that!!) The combat in the hotel was very close and somewhat hairy as neither side inflicted a casualty in the first round and the Soviets only managed one in the second round while the regular SS chaps again failed to wound!!

   It's definitely a scenario we'll have to revisit in our Budapest campaign. However, for the moment, D Day and Normandy beckon. Thanks again to Richie for hosting the game and supplying excellent coffee and biccies into the bargain and for only drinking a couple of very tasty looking drams in front of me knowing full well I have to abstain as I have to drive home!! Oh the iniquity of it all.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the batrep and apologies for the delay in posting; life just gets in the way as I'm sure you can appreciate.

pip pip, 

GJ