The Charge of the Black Brigade

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Christophe Jaureguiberry -> The Charge of the Black Brigade (1/27/2002 3:22:00 PM)
This is a series (3 so far) of scenarios by Redleg, featuring the resistance of the Polish Black Brigade against the advance of the German 2nd Panzer Division and 4th Light Division on Krakow, in September 1939. Since Redleg was so kind to e-mail me his scenarios, I will post here small AAR’s on the battles (from the Polish side), in chronological order. For players interested in having a go at these , please be aware that the text below will comprise SPOILERS

Christophe Jaureguiberry -> (1/27/2002 3:24:00 PM)
DELAY AT JORDANOW In this scenario, elements of the Black Brigade are to delay the lead units of the 2nd Panzer to buy time for the Krakow army (which has been thrown into disarray by the German onslaught), to reorganize and protect Krakow. This is a very small and short scenario with mainly infantry fighting (although I was expecting an armoured assault). These types of scenarios are my personal favourites. The field is made up of a road following a North-South axis, surrounded by fields and wooden houses. In the North, there are clumps of wooded terrain in which most of the starting Polish positions are situated. The Victory hexes are the wood houses and two locations on the road, next to the northern forest. As I was expecting a powerful German assault, I decided to abandon the southernmost (VP) wood house to use it as bait. I would train my mortar on it and batter any German unit who would take the position. I felt that the main attack would be an armoured thrust, supported by some infantry who would come up the road, so I shifted my C Platoon (who was dispersed initially) into a group placed around the mortar. This would allow me to use the whole platoon as a firebase, and eventually as a counter-attack force should the Germans manage to take the central objectives. I also shifted the two AT guns to get better fields of fire and replaced the 2nd in command unit by the Inf AT team, to shoot incoming armour from the flank should they make it this far. On turn 3, the first German units are sighted (infantry), coming from the south. I withhold my fire, except from the MG, as the range is too extreme. I do not fire from my AT guns, keeping their positions hidden until the enemy armour shows up. More and more units appear, but still no tanks. Finally around turn 5, three Pz Ib are sighted. They are rapidly destroyed by my 37mm AT guns, but the mass of infantry continues forward. As they approach further, my Polish infantry joins in with rifle and LMG fire, which is overall woefully ineffective. However, it slows the enemy down, which after all is the purpose of a delay mission. On the positive side, German return fire is not very effective either. Two trucks appear in the extreme south, but are spooked by a few MG bursts and 37mm rounds (all of them misses). They disembark their 75mm field guns on the spot, turn tail and exit the map the round after. The guns are too far away to adjust their sights (I think they are only capable of direct fire), and will not bother me until the last turn, when their fire will be too late to change the outcome of the battle. I also use the MG to harass the 50mm mortars that I see approaching so as to delay them, because I know they can constitute a major threat should they pin my MG or support units with their fire. At that point (turns 8/9), I realize that there probably won’t be anymore tanks, so I allow the 37mm to shoot on the mortars as well. Despite slowing down, the German infantry continues forward. Contrarily to what I initially thought, there are two main axis of advance: one along the road, and one following the edge of the western field, aiming to take the hut in which my Inf AT is located. This unit is only closely supported by my B0 squad (Capt Jaiko), so I have to divert some fire from my platoon across the field to curb this advance. Soon enough, the southernmost hut (my bait), is taken by a German unit. I had seen it coming, so mortar shells start raining on them as they pass the door. The enemy is unable to cover up the advance of its other units from that position, so the Germans continue to push on in the open, under the (still inaccurate) fire from the Polish defenders posted in the other houses and the forest. To the West, German fire has flushed my AT team from the western VP and pinned Capt Jaiko’s outfit on the edge of the woods. This objective falls to the enemy and by now the Germans are near enough to pin down most of my units under their fire, despite their good cover. They progress further upwards and seize the crossroads VP. I then launch a counter-attack, and C Platoon charges screaming out of the forest and covered by the last shells of my 46mm mortar (or GL). The house is retaken and two German squads, dazed and caught into the open, are eliminated. I try to push the counterattack to the southernmost objective, but my squads suffer casualties from German crossfire and retreat. At that point, with the German western prong still plodding onwards, the scenario ends. Result: Poland 402 / Germany 101 Polish Marginal Victory Casualties: Poland - 12 Men Germany – 37 Men, 3 AFV’s Comments: I am not too unsatisfied with the result, but if the scenario had lasted a few more turns, I think I would have been hard pressed to get even a draw.

kkb66 -> (1/27/2002 9:47:00 PM)
so there is a Black Brigade Campaign in the making already? Hmmm...my idea suddenly seems less novel now Maybe I should stop my work and focus elsewhere? Christophe, could do you still have the zip files of Redlegs scenerios? If you think I should ask him first, let me know. I would like to get a little insight...I mean if his puts mine to total shame...then I would be doing justice to the men who fought by letting it be portrayed in the best possible light...right? Perhaps I should also offer up that I would be willing to share any information Redlegs may need, as I have unearthed several good sources...especially in regards to the Polish army.

Redleg -> (1/28/2002 1:05:00 AM)
The three (so far) Black Brigade scenarios were interesting to try to develop. How to present a series of brave, but futile actions without re-writing history was the problem. Beforehand, I had decided that this series would be small battles so they could be played in a short period of time. I reasoned that even though the campaign and major battles were lost, that in certain places at certain times, the Black Brigade did resist bravely and effectively but these smaller tactical successes were overshadowed by the failure of the Polish forces on an operational level. The third battle, probably the one which will be questioned the most, it designed to show how a daring spoiling attack achieved temporary success but was ruined by the arrival of over-whelming German reinforcements. Anyway, I tried to do this without having the human player suffer through being defeated by the AI. I seriously doubt that I will attempt to produce a campaign - rather a series of small engagements is much more likely. If anyone wants to try these three small battles, it will be my pleasure to send them to you. Email :artifice@fireserve.net

kkb66 -> (1/28/2002 2:25:00 AM)
Well, perhaps I will carry on then. Any forthcoming campaign will be modest at best...and will not be more than 10-12 scenarios long. As you stated very well...the Polish Campaign was a quick and violent affair, so anything too long would be unrealistic. I agree the challenge is to develop a game set in which the players are aware of the eventual outcome...but are taken hold by a desire to better the results of the actual commanders. The Polish Army will not be able to turn back the German invasion and march on Berlin...but perhaps he will be able to delay them a bit longer and allow more units to escape to Rummania and Hungry...or inflict a larger losses on the Germans. Anyway, I think its an interesting subject because it is a rarely covered subject...and very differnt from most other scenarios as there are no Tigers or Panthers battling T-34/85's and JS3's at 20-30hexes. Poland was a testing ground for new ideas on a strategic level...and despite what popular myths prevail, the German Army was taught some rather tough lessons at certain points of the invasion. Not to mention there tends to be the belief that the Poles were routed from the onset and didn't put up much of a fight. All these things tend to inspire me to do just a little bit to help put things in perspective. Ok...enough rambling. Thanks for the input and I'll be mailing you for the scenarios if you would like to share them.

Christophe Jaureguiberry -> (1/28/2002 7:33:00 AM)
quote: Originally posted by kkb66: Well, perhaps I will carry on then. Please do, I think a short campaign on this theme is a great idea. quote: The Polish Army will not be able to turn back the German invasion and march on Berlin...but perhaps he will be able to delay them a bit longer and allow more units to escape to Rummania and Hungry...or inflict a larger losses on the Germans. Campaign results are always a tricky question: we play SPWAW because we like its realism and for most players, it is very important that the campaign be as historical as possible. However, no one likes to play something that, despite their best efforts, they are bound to lose. To give you an example, I am currently developing a short France 1940 campaign (10-12 scenarios as well), on the French side. I am designing the campaign by sticking closely to the historical facts, but focusing on points where the outcome was not foregone. This enables me to have the player "win" the game and as the campaign is short, I do not have to develop a radically different tangent where the French crush the German army and take Berlin. For example, the end of my campaign, if the player has been consistently successful might be (not the actual ending - but one that I condidered) a blunting of Rommel's thrust, thereby putting "Sichelschnitt" in Jeopardy and - maybe - offering a breathing space for allied armies to get a grip. In the same vein, I think the best result in the Black Brigade campaign should be a stoppage of the German offensive in that sector. Good Luck! Christophe

kkb66 -> (1/28/2002 7:44:00 AM)
Interesting take on the issue...thanks for the input. I have something to think about now in terms of campaign goals. I will carry on and see what I can develop that will be both, interesting in game play...while remaining within historical parameters. Good Luck on your French Short Campaign...we will have to trade them when we are able to sit back and proclaim them finished!

Redleg -> (1/28/2002 8:50:00 AM)
By all means continue to develop your campaign. Something a lot of people will enjoy.

Christophe Jaureguiberry -> (1/28/2002 8:03:00 PM)
STOP, TURN AND FIGHT! In this scenario The Black Brigade, harried by the Germans, mounts a counterattack to relieve the pressure on the Polish defenders. The Poles have a mixed force of infantry and armour, with some more armour and cavalry (the one with horses – not tanks) coming as reinforcements later. The terrain is mainly open, making it suitable for tanks but tricky for the infantry. The field of battle extends in a North/South axis, along a dirt road. There is a first line of objectives stringed on a W/E line just off a few buildings, and two more VP’s further down the road, to the South. Just seeing these first objectives, lying tantalizingly close, yet innocently situated next to copses of trees or buildings screams: ”AMBUSH”. I can just picture these seemingly innocuous places teeming with combat engineers armed to the teeth with anti-tank mines, throwing bread crumbs at my tanks saying: ”Heeere, kitty, kitty, kitty”. But I digress. My first platoon of tanks and my armoured cars advance at full speed towards the objective, but stop at a respectable distance, 150 meters away. They will provide the initial support to the infantry assault, and then bypass this line of resistance to push further south as fast as possible. F platoon (2nd Lt Biczek) advances as near the objectives as possible without being seen, using the hill crest as cover and intending to assault the VP’s from the East. G platoon’s (2nd Lt Pieczynski) task is more tricky as they start out wide in the open. They advance southwest, approaching the objectives as much as they can but still staying quite some distance from it. Their task is to assault the objectives from the NW, once F platoon has engaged. The 3 mortars advance and take cover in the woods south of the hill, in order to be able to support the infantry assault with their limited range launchers. As my tanks approach, an over eager German squad breaks cover and tries to assault one of them. It is swiftly cut down by concentrated machine-gun fire but confirms my suspicions about an ambush. F platoon is spotted running down the hill to take the crossroads objective, but German defensive fire is insufficient, as one squad has left its post (with dire consequences) and the axis of attack is such that the wooden building blocks eventual supporting fire from the other houses further to the West. As a result, only one squad is in position to fire, and is rapidly overwhelmed by F platoon. Biczek’s men continue their westward advance to the next objective, this time covered by the mortars that have finally reached their positions and adjusted their aims on the wooden and stone buildings. Meanwhile, Lt Pieczynski’s men have continued southward but started to draw fire from the stone building. They erect a wall of smoke and stay put as F platoon is still some way off, being engaged around the wooden building at the center of the line. While this firefight rages on, the armoured vehicles have gone further south, taking potshots at German infantry units rushing northwards to assist their colleagues and caught out in the open. They have the good fortune to spot an incoming Panzer IIc before he does and take formation in a defensive diagonal line. As the Panzer breaks out of the field, the welcoming committee is waiting for him. A duel ensues in which the Pz knocks out one of my 7-TP before it is itself destroyed. Two more Panzers follow shortly behind and suffer the same fate. Coming back to the infantry, F platoon has finished clearing the second wooded house and charges the stone building. G platoon breaks cover and assaults from the other side. The defenders attempt a valiant resistance but are dazed by the 46mm mortar shells raining down on them. Some German units creep up North under the cover of the field situated just south of the manor and reinforce the defenders, but they are weakened by MG fire coming from my tanks and armoured cars. In a fierce room-to-room struggle, my platoons throw them back and they are finally destroyed during their retreat in the open by the Polish armoured units. Two 50mm mortars, barricaded in the attic, surrender. The tubes are seized and their crews taken prisoner. We are at around turn 9. G platoon strikes south, into the corn field, to clear eventual stragglers or embuscaded units. They capture the remnants of two squads (that were initially part of the reinforcement force) and a third mortar unit. F platoon advances southeast, with the aim of capturing the middle VP and eventually of occupying the southern field (next to the last VP) in order to wait for the incoming German counterattack. The Uhlans (Polish Cavalry) who just arrived on the field, rush southwards with the same objective. The mortars retreat on the hill. As they have expended all their remaining shells in the Manor fight, I do not want to endanger them uselessly. During all these movements, the Polish armour has pushed further downwards and taken a line position, concealed in the field just off the middle objective. They discover a fourth Panzer, which apparently has suffered mechanical problems and is lying there in the open, just like a sitting duck. This unfortunate enemy tank is promptly destroyed, but then the first waves of the German counterattack are spotted. Hordes of infantry surge forward from the south as well as PzIII and PzIV tanks. My armour starts from a favourable position and manages to knock off a PzIII and immobilize another before all my vehicles are destroyed by the superior German tanks. In the field east of the southernmost objectives, F platoon manages to get a tenuous hold before the Germans are able to occupy it completely. They are then reinforced by the Uhlans, galloping southwest behind a wall of smoke they have laid to protect themselves from the strafing of a German MG. The two platoons manage to push the Germans out and are still progressing slowly downwards when the scenario ends, without having captured the last objective. Result: Poland 2450 / Germany 570 Polish Marginal Victory Casualties: Poland - 61 Men, 8 AFV’s Germany – 183 Men, 3 Artillery, 7 AFV’s Comments: I don’t know how I managed to get 7 German AFV kills, I counted only five plus one immobilized. Oh well, never look a gift horse in the mouth… Concerning, the victory level, the same remark as the previous scenario apply. My victory here was very precarious. Had the game been a few turns longer, I would have had nothing to prevent the remaining 3 PzIV and 3 PzIII from capturing the other Victory hexes. As it was, the scenario ended with 2 PzIV just one hex from the middle objective. I was holding my own against the German infantry though, and might have captured the last V hex and ambushed one or two more tanks. Had the scenario lasted 20 turns or more, a draw is probably the best I could have managed, and then only with great difficulty.

panda124c -> (1/28/2002 11:04:00 PM)
quote: Originally posted by Redleg: The three (so far) Black Brigade scenarios were interesting to try to develop. How to present a series of brave, but futile actions without re-writing history was the problem. Beforehand, I had decided that this series would be small battles so they could be played in a short period of time. I reasoned that even though the campaign and major battles were lost, that in certain places at certain times, the Black Brigade did resist bravely and effectively but these smaller tactical successes were overshadowed by the failure of the Polish forces on an operational level. The third battle, probably the one which will be questioned the most, it designed to show how a daring spoiling attack achieved temporary success but was ruined by the arrival of over-whelming German reinforcements. Anyway, I tried to do this without having the human player suffer through being defeated by the AI. I seriously doubt that I will attempt to produce a campaign - rather a series of small engagements is much more likely. If anyone wants to try these three small battles, it will be my pleasure to send them to you. Email :artifice@fireserve.net Redleg have you considered the effect that can be achieved by careful selection of victory conditions. An example would be using timed victory hexes such that if the defender maintains control of these victory hexes for most of the game and then make a succuful exit off the map he wins. Or even setting it up so the if you hold the victory hexes for 3/4 of the turns an then are completly wiped out you still win. Then the actual battle where the overwelming German forces destoy the Polish units can be won by the Polish by delaying the Germans.

Redleg -> (1/29/2002 12:19:00 AM)
Indeed I have experimented with and used various types of victory hexes. Quite a bit, actually. In Black Brigade 4: A Few Precious Minutes, some variation of victory hexes were used. Black Brigade 5: The Breakout, will also have some different types of v-hexes. This will be the last of the Black Brigade series. Remnants of the Brigade will try to break through German lines and reach Hungary. These remnants eventually formed the nucleus of the 1st Polish Armored Division. Reading the various posts and input has been both informative and interesting. Thanks, all. Anyone wanting these 4 scenarios, email artifice@fireserve.net and they shall be sent.

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