�
By William Sariego and Wayne Turner
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General Franco owed his position as dictator to Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler due to their support for the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). During that same conflict, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had supported his Republican enemies.
Hitler had previously attempted to entice Spain into the war after the fall of France. The Generalissimo was unimpressed, and Hitler said he would rather have a tooth pulled than meet with Franco again! However, some Falangists in the Spanish government and military wanted to participate in “Crusade against Bolshevism“, having no love for the USSR. The idea of a volunteer division was a compromise solution.
When the volunteers first mustered, the men wore the blue uniforms of the Falangist Militia, hence the nickname of the “Blue” division. General Munoz Grandes, a hero of the Civil War and an officer known for his pro-Axis sympathies, was chosen as commander.
Arriving in Germany during July 1941 for training, problems began to develop. Some were quite basic such as the different dietary preferences of the Spanish soldiers and their German hosts. Others were cultural, reflecting the Germans disdain for what was seen as ill discipline in the Spanish troops. The latter resented the methodical German approach to combat. Fraternization with local females was also an issue.
After a month of training the division entered the German army as the 250. Infanteriedivision and began its long march to the front, where it was to be assigned to von Kluge’s Fourth Army in Army Group Centre. Problems with dis-cipline continued, and the division was often paraded and marched pointlessly to get them used to the German way of doing things, which of course included not fraternizing with local women.
Forced to undergo such a parade in Grodno, an entire company marched with condoms stretched across their rifle muzzles. On the road to Minsk the Germans had enough. While still on route the division refused to yield right of way to some members of von Kluge’s staff. He refused the Spanish unit, after which they were forced to march north to join the Sixteenth Army in Army Group North.
Attached to the 39th Corps, in October and November the unit participated in successful attacks on Soviet positions, im-pressing General Busch (CO 16th Army) who once observed them in combat. On 13 January 1942 the Soviets counterat-tacked and routed some units of the 39th, yet the Spanish held onto their hedgehog around Novgorod for over two months without retreating until the Soviet attacks ceased. The division held its defensive positions until August, when it was pulled out of line to re-equip and join von Manstein’s Eleventh Army for an assault on Leningrad.
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During the see-saw battles over the next few months the Blue division gave a fine account of itself, often out per-forming German units stationed on its flank. In December, the division was dealt a blow when Grandes was recalled to Spain. Franco feared his popularity with the Germans and did not want to risk Spain being dragged further into the conflict. His replacement, Esteban Infantes, was not liked by the Germans, but proved a capable leader, even if not up to Grandes ability.
The Soviets had finally relieved the siege of Leningrad at the end of January 1943. In an effort to expand its slender lifeline, amounting to a five mile corridor, the Soviets attacked on February 10, hitting the Spanish at a town known as Krasni Bor. This would be the Blue Division’s finest hour, and its death knell. Attacked by three Soviet divisions (43rd Rifle, 72nd rifle, and 63rd Guards), supported by nearly 400 artillery and 60 tanks, the Spanish were threatened with encirclement and destruction.
The battle raged all day and night, with requested German reinforcements not arriving until the waning hours after midnight. The battle was brutal, fought at close quarters, more reminiscent of the Great War than WWII. As dawn rose on the morning of the 11th, fighting continued sporadi-cally as both sides were too battered to continue. Sources on
Soviet losses vary, but place the number between 7,000 and 11,000. The Spanish casualties were less than 2,500. The Soviets had gained a devastated ghost town and a few kilo-metres of trenches.
For the balance of 1943 the mission of the unit became in-creasingly questioned in Madrid. The war was clearly turning against the Axis and Franco did not want to risk alienating the United States.
The division continued to fight and hold the line, but morale was starting to suffer, as most of the original line officers were dead and replacements were not up to par. On 1 October 1943 Francisco Franco officially announced Spanish neutral-ity and the division prepared to withdraw.
Still wanting to appease Hitler, as the Blue Division was being repatriated, a “Spanish Legion” was being formed in Madrid. With an initial strength of 1,500, this unit was back in the line in December. Quality was poor, with some former Socialists and other left-wingers volunteering only to desert once in the Soviet Union. In May 1944, this rump unit was withdrawn under political pressure. Some diehard anti-Communists stayed on, joining the SS. They would be present during the final fighting for Berlin.
The Spanish Blue Division was trained and equipped by the Germans. A Spanish Blue Division Grenadierkompanie uses all the German special rules on page 166 to 167 of the rulebook except Stormtroopers. Instead they gain the follow-ing special rule.
German Heer and Luftwaffe support platoons use all the normal German special rules on pages 166 to 167 of the rulebook.
Machotes
Machotes is Spanish for macho or manly. The men of Division Azul are not afraid of a fight and had a preference for hand-to-hand and close fighting.
Spanish platoons may re-roll failed Motivation Tests to Counterattack in assaults.
250. Infantry DIvIsIon organIsatIon, 1943
Grenadier Regiment 262
I, 1-4 II, 5-8
III, 9-12 13 (IG)
14 (PaK)
Grenadier Regiment 263
I, 1-4 II, 5-8
III, 9-12 13 (IG)
14 (PaK)
Grenadier Regiment 269
I, 1-4 II, 5-8
III, 9-12 13 (IG)
14 (PaK)
Artillery Regiment 250
I, 1-3 (10.5cm) II, 4-6 (10.5cm) III, 7-9 (10.5cm) IV, 10-12 (15cm)
Tank-hunter Battalion 250
1 PaK 2 PaK 3 PaK
Pioneer Battalion 250
1 2 3
Reconnaissance Battalion 250
1 2 3
III III III III II II III
XX
Co
mb
at
Pla
to
on
sH
eaD
qu
ar
ter
s
Company HQ
HeaDquarters
5
A Grenadierkompanie must field a Company HQ and two or three Grenadier Platoons and may field one Weapons Platoon from each box shown. It may also field one Support Platoon from each Support box shown (Armour, Infantry, etc.).
Wea
Po
ns
Pla
to
on
s
��
InfantryPionier Platoon
9
artIlleryArtillery Battery
11
Rocket Launcher BatteryartIllery
Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery
1415
Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun PlatoonantI-aIrCraft
Luftwaffe Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
1516
Grenadier Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
antI-aIrCraft
Luftwaffe Light Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
1017
InfantryGerman Grenadier Platoon
13
Luftwaffe Feld Platoon
16
Fallschirmjäger Platoon
17
(Infantry coMpany)
Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon
maCHIne-guns
6
Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon
maCHIne-guns
6
Grenadier Mortar Platoon
artIllery
6
reg
Imen
ta
l su
PP
or
t P
lat
oo
ns
Grenadier Platoon
Infantry
5
Grenadier Platoon
Infantry
5
Grenadier Platoon
Infantry
5
A Grenadierkompanie can have Fallschirmjäger and Luftwaffe as support options. Remember that these platoons retain their own rules and ratings, and count as Allied Platoons (see page 183 of the rulebook).
However, German Heer troops are not Allied Platoons, even though they retain their own rules and ratings, because the Spanish division is officially part of the German Army.
allIed platoons
DIv
IsIo
na
l su
PP
or
t P
lat
oo
ns
(Cho
ose
one
plat
oon
from
eac
h bo
x)
Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon
antI-tank
8
Grenadier Scout Platoon
reConnaIssanCe
8
Pionier Platoon
Infantry
9
aIrCraft
Air Support
17
Grenadier Infantry Gun Platoon
artIllery
7
Grenadier Heavy Infantry Gun Platoon
artIllery
7
armour
antI-tank
Anti-tank Gun Platoon
10
Tank-hunter Platoon
13
Assault Gun Platoon
12
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grenadierkompanie HQ
HAUPTmann
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank Rifle Section
Anti-tank rifle team or 8.8cm RW43 launcher
HAUPTMANN
Company HQ
Company Command SMG team
Motorcycleand sidecar
2iC Command SMG team
Kfz 15 field car
Mortar Section
8cm GW34 mortar
8cm GW34 mortar
Horse-drawnwagon
Horse-drawnwagon
Unteroffizier
Grenadier platoon
Leutnant
Unteroffizier
Mortar Squad
Light Mortar team
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Gr
en
ad
Ier
ko
Mp
an
IespanIsh Blue dIvIsIon
HeaDquarters
coMpany hQ
Combat Platoons
GrenadIer platoon
headQuarters
Company HQ 45 points
optIons
Replace either or both Command SMG teams with Command Panzerknacker SMG teams for +5 points per team.
Add Anti-tank Rifle team for +20 points or an 8.8cm RW43 (Püppchen) launcher for +30 points.
Add Mortar Section for +50 points.
Add horse-drawn wagons at no cost.
Add Kfz 15 field car and motorcycle, and replace both horse-drawn wagons with one 3-ton truck or RSO tractor for +5 points.
Add up to three sniper teams for +50 points per team.
•
•
•
•
•
•
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 Grenadier Squads 200 points 3 Grenadier Squads 155 points 2 Grenadier Squads 110 points
optIons
Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add Light Mortar team for +15 points.
•
•
WhIte pIoneers
If your Grenadierkompanie has three Grenadier Platoons, you may upgrade the smallest Grenadier Platoon to a Grenadier Pioneer Platoon for +15 points per squad. This converts the Command team and every Rifle/MG team into Pioneer teams with the same armament. The Grenadier Pioneer Platoon may have a Pioneer Supply Truck for an additional +25 points.
MotIvatIon and skIll
The Spanish troops of Division Azul were all volunteers with a strong will to fight com-munism. A Spanish Blue Division Grenadierkompanie is rated as Confident Veteran.
reluCtant
ConfIDent
fearless
ConsCrIPt
traIneD
veteran
ESPAÑA
The Grenadiers of Division Azul (the blue division, so named for the blue shirts of the Spanish fascist Falange party, which many of the volunteers wore) were all volunteers. Many of them had fought in the Spanish Civil War, making for a hardened core of veteran officers and NCO’s.
They underwent brief, but intense, training in Germany in August 1941 before being moved to Poland and then marching to the front to join German Army Group North. They deployed on the River Volkhov and took part in offensives around Leningrad before going on the defensive against various Soviet attacks in the winter of 1941/42.
Division Azul served with Army Group North until October 1943 when they returned to Spain.
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Grenadier Machine-gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command SMG team
Unteroffizier
Machine-gun Section
MG42 HMG MG42 HMG
Unteroffizier
Machine-gun Section
MG42 HMG MG42 HMG
Grenadier Mortar Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
CommandSMG team
Unteroffizier
Mortar Section
Mortar
Observer Rifle team
Horse-drawnwagon
Mortar Horse-drawnwagon
Unteroffizier
Mortar Section
Mortar
Observer Rifle team
Horse-drawnwagon
Mortar Horse-drawnwagon
Unteroffizier
Mortar Section
Mortar
Observer Rifle team
Horse-drawnwagon
Mortar Horse-drawnwagon
GrenadIer MachIne-Gun platoon
WeaPons Platoons
platoon
HQ Section with:
2 MG Sections 135 points
optIons
Replace Command SMG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points
•
Grenadier Machine-gun Platoons may make Combat Attachments to Combat Platoons.
GrenadIer Mortar platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
6 8cm GW34 185 points 4 8cm GW34 125 points
4 12cm sGW43 150 points 2 12cm sGW43 85 points
optIons
Replace Command SMG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add horse-drawn wagons at no cost.
Replace all horse-drawn wagons with one 3-ton truck or RSO tractor per Mortar Section for +5 points for the platoon.
If you have 8cm GW34 mortars in the Company HQ, you must upgrade the Mortar Platoon to 12cm sGW43 mortars
•
•
•
The Spanish were greatly impressed by the German machine-guns. During their service they used both the MG-34 and MG-42 machine-guns.
On defence they put them to good use to provide concentrated firepower. The Spanish fought hard on defence, often adopting a rigid line that the Germans often thought cost the Spanish too high casualties.
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Grenadier Infantry gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
ObserverRifle team
CommandSMG team
Unteroffizier
Infantry gun section
7.5cm leIG18 gun
Horse-drawn limber
Unteroffizier
Infantry gun section
7.5cm leIG18 gun
Horse-drawn limber
Grenadier Heavy Infantry gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
ObserverRifle team
CommandSMG team
Unteroffizier
15cm sIG33 gun
Infantry gun section
Horse-drawn limber
Unteroffizier
15cm sIG33 gun
Infantry gun section
Horse-drawn limber
Gr
en
ad
Ier
ko
Mp
an
IespanIsh Blue dIvIsIon
GrenadIer Infantry Gun platoon
The need to provide direct fire support for the Grenadier-kompanie was initially met by the 7.5cm leIG18 gun. The German infantry gun gave the Spanish soldiers an excellent high-explosive round for taking out machine-gun nests, dug-in guns and sections of trench.
regImental suPPort Platoons
GrenadIer heavy Infantry Gun platoon
The heavy 15cm sIG33 is not as handy or as versatile as the 7.5cm leIG18, but nothing beats it for sheer destructive power. Defences in buildings and bunker positions crumble before its heavy shells.
ESPAÑA
platoon
HQ Section with:
2 7.5cm leIG18 guns 70 points
optIons
Replace Command SMG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost.
Replace horse-drawn limbers with 3-ton trucks or RSO tractors for +5 points for the platoon.
•
•
•
platoon
HQ Section with:
2 15cm sIG33 170 points
optIons
Replace Command SMG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost.
Replace horse-drawn limbers with 3-ton trucks or RSO tractors for +5 points for the platoon.
•
•
•
�
Grenadier Scout Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command Rifle team
Unteroffizier
Scout Squad
Rifle team Rifle team
Unteroffizier
Scout Squad
Rifle team Rifle team
Grenadier Anti-tank gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command SMG team Kfz 15 field car
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
Truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
Truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
Truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
Truck
GrenadIer scout platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Scout Squads 110 points
optIons
Replace Command Rifle team with Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +15 points.
Replace all Rifle teams with Assault Rifle teams for +15 points per team.
Replace Command Assault Rifle team with Command Panzerknacker Assault Rifle team for +5 points.
•
•
•
Scout Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons.
Operate the scouts well ahead of your Grenadierkompanie, reconnoitring and occupying important objectives by stealth and then holding them until relieved by the rest of the company.
They provide a unique weapon to help defeat the Red Menace, preventing the enemy from surprising your company before it is ready to fight.
GrenadIer antI-tank Gun platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 3.7cm PaK36 105 points 3 3.7cm PaK36 80 points
Either: equip all 3.7cm PaK36 gun with Stielgranate ammunition for +5 points for the platoon, or
Mount all 3.7cm PaK36 guns on Krupp Kfz 70 trucks as Portees at no cost.
3 5cm PaK38 120 points 2 5cm PaK38 80 points
3 7.5cm PaK40 220 points 2 7.5cm PaK40 150 points
optIons
Add trucks for +5 points for the platoon.
Replace all trucks with RSO tractors at no cost.
3.7cm PaK36 and 5cm PaK38 guns are towed by Kfz 70 trucks
7.5cm PaK40 guns are towed by 3-ton trucks.
•
•
•
•
Scout platoons are the eyes of the German army. Division Azul was no different. They seek out enemy ambushes and positions, and they protect the Grenadiers from inadvertent danger such as enemy ambushes and hidden positions.
The Spanish division was equipped with the very best of German equipment, unlike other foreign divisions who were often supplied old and captured guns.
The anti-tank gun is well-suited to the Spanish mode of defence where a rigid fixed line of mutually-supporting
weapons was used to halt any attacking enemy. The 5cm PaK38 gun could take on the Soviet T-34 tank, while the 7.5cm PaK40 gun could knockout the heavy KV tanks. Even the small 3.7cm PaK36 gun could surprise Soviet tanks with its effective Stielgranate round.
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pionier platoon
Leutnant
Unteroffizier
Pioneer Squad
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
Unteroffizier
Pioneer Squad
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
Unteroffizier
Pioneer Squad
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
PioneerRifle team
Leutnant
HQ Section
CommandPioneer Rifle team
Pioneer Supplyhorse drawn wagon
Gr
en
ad
Ier
ko
Mp
an
IespanIsh Blue dIvIsIon
ESPAÑA
pIonIer platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Pioneer Squads 220 points 2 Pioneer Squads 155 points
optIons
Replace Command Pioneer Rifle team with Command Pioneer Panzerknacker SMG team for +15 points.
Equip one Pioneer Rifle team with a Goliath remote-control demolition carrier in addition to its normal weapons for +30 points.
Add Pioneer Supply horse-drawn wagon for +20 points, or Pioneer Supply 3-ton truck or RSO tractor for +30 points.
•
•
•
You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle team per Pioneer Squad with a Flame-thrower team at the start of the game before deployment.
ESPAÑA
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Anti-tank gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command SMG team Kfz 15 field car
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
3-ton truck
Anti-tank gun
3-ton truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-tank gun Section
Anti-tank gun
3-ton truck
Anti-tank gun
3-ton truck
Grenadier Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
2cm FlaK38
3-ton truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
2cm FlaK38 3-ton truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
2cm FlaK38
3-ton truck
Command SMG team Kfz 15 field car
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 5cm PaK38 160 points 3 5cm PaK38 120 points 2 5cm PaK38 80 points
4 7.5cm PaK40 290 points 3 7.5cm PaK40 220 points 2 7.5cm PaK40 150 points
optIons
Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-tom trucks for +5 points for the platoon.
Replace all 3-ton trucks with Sd Kfz 10 or Sd Kfz 11 half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon.
•
•
antI-tank Gun platoon
The Spanish Blue Division’s anti-tank battalion was equipped with the best of German equipment including the powerful 7.5cm PaK40 anti-tank gun and the versatile 5cm PaK38 anti-tank gun.
MotIvatIon and skIll
The Spanish troops of Division Azul were all volunteers with a strong will to fight commu-nism. The divisional support platoons of the Spanish Blue Division are rated Confident Veteran.
They use the Spanish Blue Division special rules on page 3.
reluCtant
ConfIDent
fearless
ConsCrIPt
traIneD
veteran
sPanIsHESPAÑA
ESPAÑA
GrenadIer antI-aIrcraft Gun platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
3 2cm FlaK38 80 points
optIon
Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon
•
The Grenadiers have very little in the way of anti-aircraft guns, just one company in the anti-tank battalion if they are lucky. Fortunately, as infantry they can hide from aircraft much better than the tanks and half-tracks of the armoured divisions.
If the Red Air Force gets too troublesome for the Spanish artillery though, the light anti-aircraft platoon will soon see them off with its quick-firing guns. In addition, the rapid fire capability of anti-aircraft guns can be readily trained on advancing Soviet massed formations when there is little or no threat from aircraft.
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Artillery Battery
HAUPTMANN
LEUTNANT
GUN SECTION
Howitzer
Howitzer
Horse-drawn limber
Observer Rifle team
Horse-drawn limber
LEUTNANT
GUN SECTION
Howitzer
Howitzer
Horse-drawn limber
Observer Rifle team
Horse-drawn limber
HAUPTMANN
HQ Section
Staff team Horse-drawn wagenCommand SMG team
artIllery Battery
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 10.5cm leFH18 245 points 2 10.5cm leFH18 130 points
4 15cm sFH18 430 points 2 15cm sFH18 225 points
optIons
Add horse-drawn wagon and limbers at no cost.
Replace all horse-drawn limbers and wagon with 3-ton trucks or RSO tractors for +5 points per vehicle.
•
•
Artillery Batteries equipped with 15cm sFH18 howitzers may not be deployed in Ambush.
dIv
IsIon
al s
up
po
rt
spanIsh Blue dIvIsIonESPAÑA
ESPAÑA
The Spanish Division Azul had twelve batteries of artillery, nine equipped with the 10.5cm leFH18 howitzers and three heavy batteries with 15cm sFH18 howitzers.
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Assault gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command Sd Kfz 253 half-trackor Assault Gun
Unteroffizier
Assault Gun
ASSAULT GUN SECTION
Unteroffizier
Assault Gun
ASSAULT GUN SECTION
assault Gun platoon
platoon
Sd Kfz 253 and 2 StuG D 210 points Sd Kfz 253 and 1 StuG D 120 points
3 StuG D 280 points 2 StuG D 190 points
3 StuG F 420 points 2 StuG F 280 points
3 StuG F/8, G, or StuH42 510 points 2 StuG F/8, G, or StuH42 340 points
2 StuG G and 1 StuH42 510 points 1 StuG G and 1 StuH42 340 points
optIon
Add Schürzen side skirts to any StuG F/8, StuG G assault guns or StuH42 assault howitzers for +5 points per gun.
•
MotIvatIon and skIll
Like the troops they support, the German Korps and Armee Support Platoons are experienced soldiers that know their own worth. They fight hard and well, giving the Frontschwein ‘Trench Hogs’ the backing they need to win. German Heer support platoons for a Spanish Blue Division Grenadierkompanie are rated Confident Veteran.
They use all the normal German special rules on pages 166 to 167 of the rule book, but not the Spanish Machotes special rule.
reluCtant
ConfIDent
fearless
ConsCrIPt
traIneD
veteran
Heer
The Command Sd Kfz 253 half-track counts as a Tank team in an Assault Gun Platoon.
The artillery devised the concept of the Begleitbatterie (escort battery) to support the advancing infantry better than the towed infantry guns could. The StuG assault gun fit this need for an armoured self-propelled gun to work under infantry control. It’s tactical employment carried an infantry attack forward by quickly eliminating the most dangerous opposition through direct fire.
They did not fight in large numbers, being normally employed in platoon strength. The guns took troublesome enemy machine-gun emplacements out of action with a few rounds. Their superior artillery optics allowed them to shoot first when faced with enemy tanks.
Assault guns were crewed by artillerymen. Their uniforms were field grey rather than the black of the Panzer troops, and their branch colour was the red of the artillery.
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Tank-hunter Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Unteroffizier
Tank-hunter SECTION
Tank-hunter
Unteroffizier
Tank-hunter SECTION
Tank-hunter
Unteroffizier
Tank-hunter SECTION
Tank-hunter
Command tank-hunter
German Grenadier platoon
Leutnant
Unteroffizier
Mortar Squad
Light Mortar team
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Grenadier Squad
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
tank-hunter platoon
platoon
4 Panzerjäger I 165 points 3 Panzerjäger I 125 points 2 Panzerjäger I 85 points
4 Marder I 290 points 3 Marder I 220 points 2 Marder I 150 points
4 Marder II 360 points 3 Marder II 270 points 2 Marder II 180 points
4 Marder III (7.62cm) 325 points 3 Marder III (7.62cm) 245 points 2 Marder III (7.62cm) 165 points
4 Marder III H 360 points 3 Marder III H 270 points 2 Marder III H 180 points
Ger
Ma
n h
eer s
up
po
rt
spanIsh Blue dIvIsIon
GerMan GrenadIer platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 Grenadier Squads 200 points 3 Grenadier Squads 155 points 2 Grenadier Squads 110 points
optIons
Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add Light Mortar team for +15 points.
•
•
Often battalions of Division Azul were detached and fought alongside other divisions within German Army Group North, where they worked with German Grenadiers.
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Rocket Launcher Battery
3.7cm PaK36 gun
Kfz 70 truck
ObserverRifle team
KübelwagenObserverRifle team
Kübelwagen
rocket launcher Battery
platoon
HQ Section with:
6 15cm NW41 220 points 4 15cm NW41 160 points 3 15cm NW41 115 points 2 15cm NW41 80 points
optIons
Add Kfz 15 field car and Sd Kfz 11 half-tracks to the platoon for +5 points for the platoon.
Add Anti-tank Section for +25 points.
Equip 3.7cm PaK36 gun with Stielgranate ammu-nition for +5 points.
Replace 3.7cm PaK36 gun and Kfz 70 truck with 5cm PaK38 gun and Sd Kfz 10 half-track for +15 points.
•
•
•
•
In German, Nebelwerfer means Fog Launcher, as it was intended for chemical warfare. However they are equally effective firing high-explosive shells.
Rocket launcher batteries demoralise the enemy with destructive rocket salvos, and lay covering smoke screens. Their only drawback is that rockets leave long smoke trails in the sky, making the battery easy to locate.
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Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
Armoured rocket launcher
3.7cm PaK36 gun
Kfz 70 truck
AA sectionAA section
HEAVY Anti-aircraft GUN Platoon
arMoured rocket launcher Battery
platoon
HQ Section with:
8 Panzerwerfer 42 435 points 6 Panzerwerfer 42 335 points 4 Panzerwerfer 42 220 points 3 Panzerwerfer 42 160 points
optIons
Model Panzerwerfer 42 rocket launchers with 5 or more crew and count each rocket launcher as two weapons when firing a bombardment for +5 points per rocket launcher.
Add Anti-tank Section for +25 points.
Replace 3.7cm PaK36 gun and Kfz 70 truck with 5cm PaK38 gun and Sd Kfz 10 half-track for +15 points.
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platoon
HQ Section with:
2 8.8cm FlaK36 235 points 1 8.8cm FlaK36 120 points
optIons
Add Kfz 15 field car and Sd Kfz 7 (8t) half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon.
Model 8.8cm FlaK36 guns with eight or more crew and increase their ROF to 3 for +10 points per gun.
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heavy antI-aIrcraft Gun platoon
The Germans frequently used their heavy 8.8cm FlaK36 anti-aircraft guns in the anti-tank role to stop the otherwise almost unstoppable Soviet heavy tanks.
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devastatInG BoMBardMent
The Panzerwerfer 42 rocket launchers are ready to signal the beginning of the offensive. Very little can withstand the fury of a full Panzerwerfer battery!
An Artillery Bombardment fired by nine or more weapons uses a double-width Artillery Template to determine which teams can be hit and re-rolls failed To Hit rolls.
An Artillery Bombardment fired by fourteen or more weapons, uses a template 12”/30cm square to determine which teams are hit and re-rolls failed To Hit rolls.
fIre and Manoeuvre
Panzerwerfer crews would fire a bombardment and then quickly redeploy their vehicles to avoid counter battery fire from enemy artillery.
When an Armoured Rocket Launcher Battery successfully rolls a Stormtrooper move, it also removes any smoke trails associated with the battery.
Mobile rocket launchers address the main vulnerability of the near stationary NW41 rocket launcher. They can provide the same devastating support while allowing you to move them rapidly away from immediate counterbattery fire. This survivability provides you the means to provide continuous support without the fear of immediate enemy retaliation.
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Luftwaffe Feld platoon
Leutnant
Unteroffizier
Mortar Squad
Light Mortar team
Leutnant
HQ Section
Command Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Jäger Squad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Jäger Squad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Jäger Squad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team
Unteroffizier
Jäger Squad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team
AA sectionAA section
Luftwaffe HEAVY Anti-aircraft GUN Platoon
luftWaffe feld platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
4 Jäger Squads 155 points 3 Jäger Squads 120 points
optIons
Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
Add Light Mortar team for +15 points.
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Division Meindl was an ad hoc force formed from Luftwaffe personnel trapped in the Demyansk pocket fighting under the command of Generalmajor Meindl, a paratrooper. Their performance was sufficiently good that Göring, the leader of the Luftwaffe, convinced Hitler to form twenty Luftwaffe field divisions rather than incorporate excess air force per-sonnel into the army. The infantry battalions were lavishly supplied with the latest infantry weapons such as the MG42 machine-gun, but were hastily trained and lacked in every type of heavy weapons.
platoon
HQ Section with:
2 8.8cm FlaK36 180 points 1 8.8cm FlaK36 90 points
optIon
Model 8.8cm FlaK36 guns with eight or more crew and increase their ROF to 3 for +10 points per gun.
Add Kfz 15 field car and Sd Kfz 7 (8t) half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon
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luftWaffe heavy antI-aIrcraft Gun platoon
To replace the missing artillery and anti-tank guns, Luftwaffe field divisions had a battalion of heavy 8.8cm FlaK36 anti-aircraft guns. These keep both enemy aircraft and armour away from your Luftwaffe Feldkompanie.
MotIvatIon and skIll
During 1942 increasing numbers of Luftwaffe field and flak troops were used in the front lines on the Eastern Front. German Luftwaffe support platoon for a Spanish Blue Division Grenadierkompanie are rated Confident Trained unless noted under the platoon.
They use all the normal German special rules on pages 166 to 167 of the rule book, but not the Spanish Machotes special rule.
reluCtant
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fearless
ConsCrIPt
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veteran
luftWaffe
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Luftwaffe Light Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
Anti-aircraft gun
3-ton truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
Anti-aircraft gun 3-ton truck
Unteroffizier
Anti-aircraft Section
Anti-aircraft gun
3-ton truck
Command SMG team Kfz 15 field car
Flight
LEUTNANT
Flight
LEUTNANT
Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft
Fallschirmjäger Platoon
Leutnant
Leutnant
HQ Section
CommandRifle/MG team
Oberjäger
FallschirmjägerSquad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Oberjäger
FallschirmjägerSquad
Rifle/MG team
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Oberjäger
Fallschirmjäger Squad
Rifle/MG teamRifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
luftWaffe lIGht antI-aIrcraft Gun platoon
platoon
HQ Section with:
3 2cm FlaK38 65 points
3 2cm FlaK38 (Quad) 80 points
3 3.7cm FlaK43 85 points
optIon
Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon
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As well as heavy 8.8cm anti-aircraft guns, the Flak (anti-aircraft) battalion fielded light 2cm and medium 3.7cm anti-aircraft guns. These had a triple role. Not only are they effective against aircraft, their high rate of fire can be effec-tively used against advancing infantry and light tanks. The light 2cm FlaK38 gun has the most mobility and flexibility. Although immobile, the higher rate of the four-barrelled 2cm FlaK38 and the greater firepower of the 3.7cm FlaK43 make them ideal defensive weapons.
aIr support
lIMIted aIr support
Ju 87D Stuka 135 points Ju 87G Stuka 135 points Hs 129B 155 points Bf 109E or FW 190F 130 points
The German Luftwaffe rules the eastern skies and provides the added punch needed to utterly destroy the weak Soviet armies.
platoon
HQ Section with
3 Fallschirmjäger Squads 265 points 2 Fallschirmjäger Squads 185 points
optIon
Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points.
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fallschIrMjäGer platoon
The German army learned early in the war against the Soviet Union that the Fallschirmjäger were the ones to call on when a hole developed in the front line. Their ability to rapidly deploy and ultimately secure any breech paid dividends to German commanders time and time again.
The Fallschirmjäger can be relied upon to arrive quickly, fight continuously under any conditions, and still be standing when the smoke has cleared. They are rated fearless veteran
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ArmourName Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower
assault-Guns
StuG D or E Fully-tracked 5 3 1 AA MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK36 gun 24”/60cm 2 9 3+ Hull mounted.
StuG F Fully-tracked 5 3 1 AA MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted.
StuG F/8 or G Fully-tracked 7 3 1 Hull MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted.
StuH42 Fully-tracked 7 3 1 Hull MG, Protected ammo. 10.5cm StuH42 gun 32”/80cm 2 10 2+ Hull mounted, Smoke.
artIllery (sp)Panzerwerfer 42 (Maultier) Half-tracked 0 0 0 AA MG, Armoured rocket launcher. 15cm RW42 rocket launcher 64”/160cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.
tank-huntersPanzerjäger I Half-tracked 0 0 0 AA MG. 4.7cm PaK36(t) gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+ Hull mounted.
Marder I Fully-tracked 0 0 0 AA MG, Overloaded, Slow tank. 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted.
Marder II Fully-tracked 1 0 0 AA MG. 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted.
Marder III (7.62cm) Fully-tracked 1 0 0 Hull MG. 7.62cm PaK36(r) gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted.
Marder III H Fully-tracked 1 0 0 Hull MG. 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted.
vehIcle MachIne-GunsVehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.
tank teams
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Infantry teamsTeam Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower NotesRifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.Assault Rifle team 8”/20cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.Light Mortar team 16”/40cm 1 1 4+ Can fire over friendly teams.Anti-tank Rifle team 16”/40cm 2 4 6Flame-thrower team 4”/10cm 2 - 6 Flame-thrower.Staff team cannot shoot Moves as a Heavy Gun team.
addItIonal traInInG and eQuIpMentPanzerknacker teams are rated as Tank Assault 5. Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 4.
transPort teams Armour
Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
trucksBMW & Sidecar or Kübelwagen jeep Jeep - - - Optional Passenger-fired MG.Horch Kfz 15 car Jeep - - -Horch, Krupp, or Steyr Kfz 70 truck Wheeled - - -Opel Blitz 3-ton truck Wheeled - - -RSO Fully-tracked - - - Slow tank.
Horse-drawn wagon Wagon - - -
tractorsSd Kfz 10 (1t), Sd Kfz 11 (3t), or Sd Kfz 7 (8t) half-track Half-tracked - - -Horse-drawn limber Wagon - - -
arMoured personnel carrIersSd Kfz 253 (StuG) half-track Half-tracked 1 0 1 AA MG.
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gun teamsWeapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
MG34 HMG or MG42 HMG Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
8.8cm RW43 (Püppchen) launcher Man-packed 16”/40cm 1 11 5+
8cm GW42 (Stummelwerfer) mortar Man-packed 32”/80cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.
8cm GW34 mortar Man-packed 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.
12cm sGW43 mortar Light 56”/140cm - 3 3+
7.5cm leIG18 gun Light 16”/40cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield, Smoke. firing bombardments 48”/120cm - 3 6
15cm sIG33 gun Heavy 16”/40cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster, Gun shield. firing bombardments 56”/140cm - 4 2+
2cm FlaK38 gun Light 16”/40cm 4 5 5+ Anti-aircraft, Gun shield, Turntable.
2cm FlaK38 (Quad) gun Immobile 16”/40cm 6 5 5+ Anti-aircraft, Gun shield, Turntable.
3.7cm FlaK43 gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Gun shield, Turntable.
3.7cm PaK36 gun Light 24”/60cm 3 6 4+ Gun shield. firing Stielgranate 8”/20cm 1 12 5+
5cm PaK38 gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 9 4+ Gun shield.
7.5cm PaK40 gun Medium 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Gun shield.
8.8cm FlaK36 gun Immobile 40”/100cm 2 13 3+ Gun shield, Heavy anti-aircraft, Turntable.
10.5cm leFH18 howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 10 2+ Gun shield, Smoke. firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment.
15cm sFH18 howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster, Smoke. Firing bombardments 80”/200cm - 5 2+ Smoke bombardment.
15cm NW41 rocket launcher Light 64”/160cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.
aIrCraft
Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower NotesJu 87D Stuka Bombs 4+ 5 1+
Ju 87G Stuka Cannon 3+ 11 4+
Hs 129B Cannon 2+ 9 4+ Flying Tank.
Bf 109E or FW 190F Cannon 3+ 7 5+ Bombs 4+ 5 2+