The Streets of Stalingrad, Part 2: A Bolt Action Meeting Engagement

And now the long awaited outcome from Part 1: on three sections of the table, the battle continues...

The center: Infantry squad vs Infantry squad.

Soviet Command element braves the open street and runs into the Stug then quickly ducks into a building.

"Oops!"

"Contact!"

"Load, HE..."

The Stug with no target in sight stalks the streets in search of one.

"Target lost, where did they go?"

T34 in ambush mode.

The T34 comes out to play as the Soviet infantry looks on.

Time for a showdown.

Shots were traded but no hits scored for both AFVs. Meanwhile on the far left flank another showdown between the HT and an SU76 is about to begin.

The HT is cheered on by infantry.

Where's the HT?

'Here I am, Ivan.'

Direct hit!

3rd Squad prepares to move out and exploit the opening.

Soviets mourn their lost Suchka!

Prepare for action...

The Streets of Stalingrad, Part 1: A Bolt Action Meeting Engagement

Urban fighting in the streets of Stalingrad have always been a favorite theme of mine and with Bolt Action rules it's been satisfying so far. Some of you may remember a few batreps I had posted in the past with other attempts at wargaming this setting using rules sets like Nuts! and Flying Lead. 

Unfortunately both rules sets mentioned left me confused, frustrated and unsatisfied with their complexities (e.g. Flying Lead grenade rules) and numerous chart referencing thereby resulting in non-resolution of tactical situations. Not so with Bolt Action.

For this game we decided on another meeting engagement with roughly equal sides of infantry and armored support. To master the game mechanics and to ensure a fast flowing game we started with small and simple teams and minimal vehicles. 

Here are the belligerents:

(click on the pix to enlarge)

The Soviet Command Team: 1st Lieutenant (Naval) in the center flanked by SMG armed infantry.

1st Squad with SMG armed NCO, 8 Riflemen, and an LMG gunner and loader. Using the Soviet special rule, this squad is 'free'.

2nd Squad with SMG armed NCO plus two additonal SMGs, 6 Riflemen, and an LMG gunner and loader. This squad is not 'free'.

3rd Squad has the same composition as 2nd squad and has the same points cost.

Weapons support: medium MG with a crew of 3.

Armor support: SU76 aka Suchka (Little Bitch in Russian b/c of her unreliable steering) in the foreground with a T34/76 backing her up.  

The German Command Team: 1st Lieutenant in the center flanked by an SMG and Panzerfaust armed infantry.

1st Squad with SMG armed NCO and 9 Riflemen.

2nd Squad with SMG armed NCO, 7 Riflemen, and an LMG gunner and loader.

Weapons support: medium MG with a crew of 3.

The ever ubiquitous SdKfz251/10 HT for support.

The awesome StuGIIIG!

Coming up next: the encounter!

Toe in the water, Part 2: Stalingrad with Rail Yard in 15mm

Ohhhh, SCREW IT! Toe in the water, WTF!!! Geronimooooooo!!!!

Just dive right in!

Nice entry, no?

I've been gathering and acquiring more HO scale buildings and weathered boxcars from ebay sites.

My earlier acquisitions. Mostly from the consignment shelf of my local train store.

I've also added more to my Stalingrad collection by acquiring ruins from JR Miniatures. Please excuse the funky hues these pics are in. I've been experimenting with lighting and the key thing here is to ignore the color and concentrate on the content more than the end result.

JR Miniatures Stalingrad

Not that you can tell but all these resin models from JR have been black primered and dry-brushed with an off-white, sand color.

I love how brilliantly designed these ruins are complete with removal floors.

JR's Train Repair Shop with downed crane and other details come out perfectly when dry-brushed.