HUBE’S POCKET NEAR BUCHACH, WESTERN UKRAINE, APRIL 6, 1944: The March Russian offensive to drive the Germans back to the Carpathian Mountains had been successful. Partially due to Hitler’s “stand fast” order many large German formations were encircled. Among them was the entire First Panzer Army of General Hube. Determined not to be part of another Stalingrad-type debacle, Hube and Manstein planned a daring breakout. Avoiding the favourable terrain to the south, Hube drove west across forested hills. The terrain was more difficult, but the Russians were caught by surprise. Elements of the elite 2 nd SS Panzer Corps would drive eastward to aid the breakout with a linkup expected in the vicinity of Buchach. The westward thrust caught Zhukov by surprise and he desperately threw anything available in the way of Hube’s panzers. His last blocking force, a gaggle from the 1 st Tank Army, was pushed aside by the 10 th SS Frundsberg Division, itself now little more than a Kampfgruppe. Hube, with his 200 000 men, was able to pull out and escape the trap … this time. YOUR ORDERS GERMAN: You are is close to a linkup with the General Hube’s 1 st Panzer Army, which is retreating eastwards to break their encirclement. Brush the remaining Russian mobile forces aside and escort the transports to safety. SOVIET: We have been taken by surprise by the German counterattack which is allowing their troops to break out of our encirclement. Beat them back and close the pocket on the Fritzes! PREPARING FOR BATTLESet up the terrain using the map as your guide. The SS Kampfgruppe moves on from their entry area on turn one. The Russian blocking forces enter from anywhere along the north table edge on turn one. The German transport column enters as per the delayed reserves rule, along any road on the east table edge. The vehicles must come on to the table sequentially in march column. The German player has the first turn. ENDING THE GAME The battle ends when: The German player manages to exit at least ten trucks off the west table edge. One of the forces fails a Company Motivation Check. DECIDING WHO WON The German player wins if they manage to exit ten trucks off the west table edge, or have forced the Soviets to leave the field of battle. The Soviet player wins if they prevent the German victory conditions, or they force the Germans to leave the field of battle. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2.
HUBES POCKETNEAR BUCHACH, WESTERN UKRAINE, APRIL 6, 1944: The
March Russian offensive to drive theGermans back to the Carpathian
Mountains had been successful. Partially due to Hitlers stand fast
ordermany large German formations were encircled. Among them was
the entire First Panzer Army of GeneralHube. Determined not to be
part of another Stalingrad-type debacle, Hube and Manstein planned
a daringbreakout. Avoiding the favourable terrain to the south,
Hube drove west across forested hills. The terrain wasmore
difficult, but the Russians were caught by surprise. Elements of
the elite 2nd SS Panzer Corps woulddrive eastward to aid the
breakout with a linkup expected in the vicinity of Buchach.The
westward thrust caught Zhukov by surprise and he desperately threw
anything available in the way ofHubes panzers. His last blocking
force, a gaggle from the 1st Tank Army, was pushed aside by the
10th SSFrundsberg Division, itself now little more than a
Kampfgruppe. Hube, with his 200 000 men, was able to pullout and
escape the trap this time.YOUR ORDERSGERMAN: You are is close to a
linkup with the General Hubes 1st Panzer Army, which is retreating
eastwardsto break their encirclement. Brush the remaining Russian
mobile forces aside and escort the transports tosafety.SOVIET: We
have been taken by surprise by the German counterattack which is
allowing their troops to breakout of our encirclement. Beat them
back and close the pocket on the Fritzes!PREPARING FOR BATTLE
Set up the terrain using the map as your guide.The SS
Kampfgruppe moves on from their entry area on turn one.The Russian
blocking forces enter from anywhere along the north table edge on
turn one.The German transport column enters as per the delayed
reserves rule, along any road on the east tableedge. The vehicles
must come on to the table sequentially in march column.The German
player has the first turn.
ENDING THE GAMEThe battle ends when:
The German player manages to exit at least ten trucks off the
west table edge.One of the forces fails a Company Motivation
Check.
DECIDING WHO WONThe German player wins if they manage to exit
ten trucks off the west table edge, or have forced the Sovietsto
leave the field of battle.The Soviet player wins if they prevent
the German victory conditions, or they force the Germans to leave
thefield of battle.
1.2.3.4.
5.
1.2.
SCENARIO MAP
The table size is 6 x 5 foot.Each hill contour should be about
the height of a one-storey building.The crop fields should be
ploughed fields, as its too early in the year for standing
crops.The stream is very-difficult going for trucks and difficult
going for tanks.Hedges are not bocage hedgerows.
SCENARIO FORCESELEMENTS OF THE 10th SS FRUNDSBERG DIVISION
(FEARLESS VETERAN)Kampfgruppe Command: CinC SMG team, 2iC SMG team
(both with Panzerfaust)
1.2.3.4.5.
N
SS ENTRYAREA
2 x Panzershreck teams 2 x Sdkfz 251 HT
1st Panzergrenadier Platoon: 1 x Command SMG team (with
Panzerfaust) 6 x MG teams 1 x MG42 HMG team 4 x Sdkfz 251 HT
2nd Panzergrenadier Platoon: 1 x Command SMG team (with
Panzerfaust) 6 x MG teams 1 x MG42 HMG team
Pioneer Platoon: 1 x Command SMG team (with Panzerfaust) 4 x
Pioneer MG teams 1 x MG42 HMG team
1st Panzer Platoon: 3 x PzV G Panther2nd Panzer Platoon: 2 x
PzIV H
DELAYED RESERVESTransport elements of 1st Panzer Army: 16 x
Trucks ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF THE 5th TANK CORPS (FEARLESS
TRAINED)Peredovoye Otryad HQ: CiC in T34-85 (with cupola)
2iC Rifle team, Battalion Komissar teamTankovy Polk: 2 x
T34-85
6 x T34-76 (all with cupola)Tank rider Rota: 1 x Command SMG
team
15 x SMG teamStrelkovy Rota: Command Rifle/MG team
