194th Infanterie-Regimenter/71st Infanterie-Divisionen SASL Campaign May 40 - May 1945

Ahriman667

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Introduction
This 2nd campaign continues to follow the 1st Kompanie of I./194 I.R. of the 71st Infanterie-Division from their reformation in the Spring of 1943 – after the Division was destroyed in Stalingrad – until their second and final surrender in May of 1945. The campaign consists of 17 monthly missions and covers actions with partisans (augmented by deserting Italians), Americans, British and Allied Minors, and Russians.

Campaign Special Rules
General: Use 17. Campaign Rules, EXC 17.21—24 are NA, as are 17.8-17.821 at times (see below).
Unit: 1. Kompanie/194th Infanterie-Regiment/71st Infanterie-Division
Composition: [US# 42/29] Leader x3, 4-6-7 x9, 2-4-7 x2, 1-2-7 x2, 2-2-8 x2, HMG, MMG, LMG x4, 81mm MTR x2, PSK x2
ELR: 4/3/2 (see Missions)
Board Edge: Varies. See missions.
Miscellaneous:
  • Any FR MMC reinforcement rolls for SS/5-4-8 are rerolled.
 
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Ahriman667

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Mission 1: Codeword AXIS. Primano, Italy 12 Sept 1943
On 8 September, Rommel issues the codeword ‘Axis’ which entails the disarmament of Italian soldiers by German forces following the deal made between Italy and the Allies. Some units surrender peacefully while others desert to local partisan units or offer resistance. On 12 Sept a combat group of the 194th IR accompanied by 22 Pz IV of Pz-Regt 1, heading to Fiume encounters anti-tank barriers and heavy machine gun and grenade launcher fire. This heavy resistance, augmented by heavy Italian weapons, must be broken.

Type: Pockets (2)
Mapboard Selection: All mapboards are rolled on Table A9 Hills
Weather: EC are Moderate with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 4). FBE West.
ENEMY: Partisan (ELR 5) or Italian (ELR 2). EBE East.
Misc:
  1. Any doubles rolled on the ENEMY Activation Tables (A1) indicates Italian units. Roll on the applicable table of the Italian Generation Table.
  2. ENEMY AFV/Gun Activation/RE results are rerolled.
EDIT - added MSR 2
 
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Ahriman667

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Mission 2: Clearing Partisans. Lokve, Slovenia 6 Oct 1943
The village of Lokve, passed in the morning, was free of partisans, so the 194th continued forward on the tight, hilly roads clearing groups of partisans. In a strenuous march uphill and downhill, loaded down with ammunition, weapons and food, and in the hot early-fall weather they made their way forward until suddenly several Italian machine guns rattle off.

Type: Recon (3)
Mapboard Selection: All mapboards are rolled on Table A9 Hills. The westernmost mapboard is board 15.
Weather: EC are Dry with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 4). FBE West.
ENEMY: Partisan (ELR 5) or Italian (ELR 2). EBE East.
Misc:
  1. Any doubles rolled on the ENEMY Activation Tables (A1) indicates Italian units. Roll on the applicable table of the Italian Generation Table.
  2. EXC to Campaign Special Rules, SS reinforcements may be rolled for representing the SS Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.
  3. MSR 3 is ignored for this mission.
  4. Any Activation/RE rolls that generate an AFV are rerolled or ignored in the case of combined arms RE.
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 3: Partisan Ambush. Clana, Slovenia 1 Nov 1943
In mid-October the battalion settles down in key areas to secure them from partisan interference. The partisans seem to be content conducting raids on couriers, scouts and small vehicle convoys. The company is tasked to provide security for a major convoy traveling from Clana to Trieste, when partisans open fire.

Type: Convoy Escort (Rick Lubben mission - http://web.archive.org/web/20090131191011/http://showcase.netins.net/web/lubbensite/convoy.htm)
Mapboard Selection: All mapboards are rolled on Table A8e with a +2 DRM.
Weather: EC are Moderate with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 4). FBE West.
ENEMY: Partisan (ELR 5) or Italian (ELR 2). EBE East.
Misc:

  1. Any doubles rolled on the ENEMY Activation Tables (A1) indicates Italian units. Roll on the applicable table of the Italian Generation Table.
  2. EXC to MSR 4. Escort vehicles are rolled on table A7; all vehicles generated are the same.
  3. Any Activation/RE rolls that generate an AFV are rerolled or ignored in the case of combined arms RE.
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 4: Holding the Beachhead at Anzio. Cisterna, Italy 30 Jan 1944
When the German High Command assessed that Trieste would not be the focus of an allied invasion, the 71st ID was sent down the Italian boot to join in the defensive around Mount Cassino. Unfortunately transport issues, exacerbated by the allied air superiority, only saw the 211th IR deploy to Cassino; the balance of the Division was still in a staging area when word of the invasion at Anzio was learned of in mid-Jan. Hurriedly dispatching adhoc battle groups to attempt a defensive posture around the beachhead, the 194th was transported to positions near Cisterna, Italy. On 30 January, the American 3rd Division began its assault on the hastily dug in Germans without the use of a preparatory artillery barrage.

Type: Enemy Offensive (9)
Mapboard Selection: Ignore second sentence of Initial Mapboards (i.e. no roll on A8b).
Weather: EC are Wet and Overcast with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 3). FBE East.
ENEMY: US (ELR 3). EBE West.
Misc:
  1. There is a +1 drm to the DYO Fortification points table dr.
  2. MSR 5 is ignored.
 
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Ahriman667

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Mission 5: Attacking the Beachhead at Anzio. Aprilia, Italy 9 Feb 1944
After two days of hard fighting the British and American forces went on the defensive anticipating a large-scale German counter-attack. The attack plan of the LXXVI Panzer Corp envisaged that the Gräser Battle Group focusing on the left wing would attack from the North. The new main battle line was set up about 500m south of Apriia. For this attack to succeed, the 71st ID should attack with their right wing at the same time and advance their front line as far as possible.

Type: Take the Highway (5)
Mapboard Selection: As per Mission Card
Weather: EC are Wet and Overcast with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 3). FBE East.
ENEMY: US (ELR 3). EBE West.
Misc:
NA
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 6: The Final Battle for Cassino. Castleforte, Italy 11 May, 1944
After the attempt to push on Cassino was aborted on March 23, General Alexander decided to regroup his forces and attack with two well stocked and equipped armies, the US 5th and the British 8th armies. Part of the plan included deception and the German High Command did not expect any major attack before the 24th of May, to the point where the commander of the 14th Panzer Corp was on leave and General von Vietinghoff was due to begin his leave as well when the allies attacked.

The evening of 11 May started very quiet, until around 2300 hours, when the whole front opens up with a roar. The entire artillery compliment of the 5th and 8th Armies begin to shoot with precision all along the frontline. Behind the artillery barrage advanced four division of Free French upon the dug-in panzer-grenadiers of the 71st ID. The grenadiers desperately try to defend their positions from the onslaught.

Type: Enemy Offensive (9)
Mapboard Selection: As per Mission Card
Weather: EC are Wet with No Wind at start. Cloud Cover is Scattered and the Moon is Full.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 3). FBE East.
ENEMY: Free French (ELR 3). EBE West.
Misc:

1. Night Rules (S12.8) are in effect.
 

Ahriman667

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BTW, if anyone is trying this newest HSASL campaign I would love to hear feedback on your experiences.
 

boylermaker

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Hope to have an SSR from the first '43 scenario shortly. In the mean time, a few things I was uncertain of:
  1. If you roll a 2 or 12 on A1 roll, do you reroll (per the Partisan rule about not getting AFVs/Guns) or do you get an Italian AFV/Gun? This hasn't come up for me yet, but here's hoping.
  2. I wasn't sure how to arm the Partisans with SW. I ended up using the ETO SW table, but giving them Italian SW instead of whatever nationality the table called for.
  3. Can you get Italian reinforcements through an ENEMY RE? I've been saying yes in an ad hoc way.
 

BigAl737

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I retire in 2 years. Saving these for then. Your work is much appreciated!
 

Ahriman667

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Hope to have an SSR from the first '43 scenario shortly. In the mean time, a few things I was uncertain of:
  1. If you roll a 2 or 12 on A1 roll, do you reroll (per the Partisan rule about not getting AFVs/Guns) or do you get an Italian AFV/Gun? This hasn't come up for me yet, but here's hoping.
  2. I wasn't sure how to arm the Partisans with SW. I ended up using the ETO SW table, but giving them Italian SW instead of whatever nationality the table called for.
  3. Can you get Italian reinforcements through an ENEMY RE? I've been saying yes in an ad hoc way.
Thanks for the feedback.
  1. Some Italians joined the partizans after the surrender so this action is supposed to represent that. As the 2 or 12 requires a double you'd generate an Italian AFV/Gun, though I would probably reroll myself as it doesn't seem fitting to the action represented.
  2. I used the Russian/Balkan SW chart on the Partisan card, though you could probably use the Italian chart. The anti-partizan actions take place primarily in what's now Slovenia/NE tip of Italy, which was annexed by the Axis so it fits. Using Italian SW would make for a valid argument.
  3. I would use the Partizan RE tables for those RE results.
Cheers.

EDIT. I'll add an MSR to the first mission that 2's and 12's are rerolled.
 
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Ahriman667

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Mission 7: Escape to the Hitler Line. Castleforte, Italy 11 May, 1944
Despite the power of the allied all-out assault on the Gustav Line the battered men of the 71st ID gave a good account of themselves. However, enormous losses were suffered – the leading 191st and 211th regiments were almost lost to a man – and a general withdrawal to the Hitler Line some 8 miles to the rear was ordered. Desperately trying to fend off attacks, the men of the 194th attempt to escape to the rear while the British 8th Army kept up its withering pressure.

Type: Escape (19)
Mapboard Selection: As per Mission Card
Weather: EC are Wet with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR (ELR 3). FBE East.
ENEMY: Free French (ELR 3). EBE North/South.
Misc:
1. There is a +2 DRM to rolls on Table A8e.
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 8: Holding the Albert Line, Tolentino, Italy 20 June, 1944
The depleted 71st ID, with the 191st and 211th regiments reduced to well below a single battalion strength and the 194th barely the strength of a battalion – in fact the least depleted unit in the entire division was the artillery regiment – was moved to the Adriatic front along the Chienti River into defensive positions. Meanwhile enough reinforcements were eventually scraped together to activate a second battalion for each of the Regiments. The allies maintained their pressure however and before long the British 8th Army tried to force bridgeheads over the river systems to support the attack on Ancona by the Polish 2nd Corp. At Tolentino, a crossing was attempted with a tank-led assault, with only artillery, a single AT gun and a reinforced company to bar their way.

NOTE: this action is actually based around the 5th company 211th Panzer-Grenadier Regiment since I couldn’t find anything particular to the 194th during this time. The 194th were somewhere in the frontline along this river system trying to delay the enemy advance but I’m unsure exactly where they were setup.

Type: Tank Attack (11)
Mapboard Selection: EXC to Mapboard Selection. The Chienti River runs east-west and the northern board edge is the FBE. Board 40 is the northern most mapboard while the middle board is rolled on table A9 Farmland. The southernmost board is rolled on A9 Hills. There is a single bridge which runs from 40Q4-40Q1.
Weather: EC are Dry with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: 5./211th IR (ELR 3). FBE North.
ENEMY: British (ELR 4). EBE South.
Misc:
  1. Prior to mission conduct Refit Phase 17.8 until company is at 100%
  2. EXC to MSR 3, FR receive one module of OBA determined as per Mission 10, MSR 3, AND a single AT Gun with towing vehicle
  3. For EN Movement Commands, the single bridge crossing is the nearest FRIENDLY-Occupied VPO.
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 9: Holding the Montecarotto-Belvedere-San Marcello Line, 20 July 1944
The 71st ID pulled back to another line along the many river systems that bisected the allied push up the eastern coast of the boot towards Ancona. The Polish Second Corp was tasked with taking Ancona, and this required flanking the German positions to the west. The British 8th army continued its pressure on the flanking units while the beleaguered defenders tried once more to hold off the onrushing tide.

Type: Hold the Line (10)
Mapboard Selection: Weather: EC are Dry with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR(ELR 3). FBE North.
ENEMY: Polish (ELR 3). EBE South.
Misc:
1. S17.8-17.9 are NA at Mission End
 

Ahriman667

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Mission 10: Holding the Green Line, 29 August 1944
The tired and worn out 71st ID continued its delaying tactics moving back to another defensive line called the Green Line which stretched from about Viareggio – Bagno di Romagna – along the north bank of the Foglia – to the Adriatic. The 71st was tasked with defending a long line, with the 5th Mountain Division to their right and the 1st Paratrooper Division to their left along the Adriatic Sea. Defensive preparations were not finished before the British assault commenced. Particularly missing was the communication trenches connecting the developed command posts and defensive position, which made it hard for movement between the positions. The prepared minefields to the front had been rendered largely ineffective to sustained bombardment, and the aggressive use of mine-clearing vehicles.
The main weakness of the Green Line however was the below-strength units manning it. The 71st had suffered so many casualties in the previous months fighting that they could only cover half of the assigned front. This left no reserves to plug any gaps that might be created in the coming battle. The flat plains to the left of the line afforded every advantage to the British tanks and they quickly made gains against the paratroopers. Meanwhile the 71st desperately fought in the centre.

Type: Enemy Offensive (9)
Mapboard Selection: Weather: EC are Very Dry with No Wind at start.
FRIENDLY: I./194th IR(ELR 3). FBE North.
ENEMY: British (ELR 3). EBE South.
Misc:
  1. EXC to MSR 2 there is a +3 drm to the DYO fortification points roll
  2. Conduct S17.8-17.9 until the I./194th is at ≥70% strength at Mission End.
 

Ahriman667

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Interlude 3
The Division was only able to hold their positions for two days but managed to stall the British advance enough to retire in good order. For the third time in Italy the division was reduced to ineffective combat strength and had to be pulled to the rear allowing it to be reinforced over the next few months. They spend the next 3 months on rear guard duty and some anti-partisan patrols while fresh troops slowly trickled in. Finally, word is received that the troops are shipping out to a new theatre, with everyone hoping that it would be to the fatherland to help defend it. Sadly, the destination of the Division was the Eastern Front and on November 28th the troops began the long train move to Hungary.
 

BigAl737

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Thanks again for this series. I’ve saved them all. Someday...
 
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