By Van Norton and Wayne Turner


 Naval InFantry
Due to the nature of the war with Germany the Soviet Navy Battalions (Morskaya Pekhota Batalons). It was initially desig-
took a back seat during the Great Patriotic War (WWII). nated the 2nd Brigade, but was re-designated the 83rd during
However, one of the areas they were able to contribute greatly its formation.
was with personnel. Excess personnel was formed into either
During February 1943 the brigade took part in the amphibi-
Naval Infantry (Morskaya Pekhota) battalions organised by
ous operations to seize Novorossiysk and threaten the flank
the Red Navy or Naval Rifle (Morskaya Strelkovy) battalions
of the German troops in the Taman peninsula. The attack
formed by the Red Army. Large formations (regiments and
was ultimately unsuccessful, but did carve out a small beach-
brigades) were assembled from these.
head across the bay from Novorossiysk and the main Soviet
During Naval Infantry’s early battles in 1941 and 1942 they lines. The beachhead became famous as the ‘Malaya Zemlya’
showed high morale by their sheer willingness to accept or ‘Little Land’ which Soviet troops held for almost seven
high casualties during the desperate fighting for their own months behind the German lines in 1943.
naval bases. Their stubborn tenacity unnerved the Germans,
On 9 September 1943 another, this time successful, amphib-
leading them to be nicknamed the ‘Black Death’ by their
ious landing was made to take Novorossiysk, They took the
German foes because of this and their black uniforms.
city on 16 September. The landing was supported by artillery
The Naval Rifle Brigades were raised in the desperate times of from across the bay and the brigade earned the honorific title
1941 and 1942. ‘Surplus’ Naval officers and NCOs would be ‘Novorossiyskaya’ for their part in the action.
used to create what were essentially small infantry divisions.
In November the 83rd Naval Infantry Brigade was part of
Usually up to 50% of the troops were also naval personnel
the 18th Landing Army that made an amphibious landing on
with the remaining troops being conscripts. Each brigade
the Kerch Peninsula of the Crimea. The 18th Landing Army
had scouts, sappers, a machine-gun company and artillery.
retook the peninsula and pushed the defending Axis troops
As these units had naval experience, they were an obvious
back into the Crimea.
choice for amphibious landings. Usually there were no
dedicated landing craft available and the Soviet Navy would They took part in the furious fighting for the Crimea that
requisition civilian craft to land their troops. followed in early 1944 as part of the Separate Coastal Army.
In August 1944 they were transferred to the 3rd Ukrainian
A number of these units were still fighting in 1944 to 1945.
Front and operated on the Danube River in support of the
The following four examples relate to the Amphibious Assault
offensives into Romania and Hungary.
scenario included in this PDF or in the recent Objective:
Festung Crimea article found in the History section of the The 83rd Naval Infantry Brigade preformed one of the last
Flames Of War website. amphibious landings of the war in the east on the 26 March
1945 when the 144th battalion made an assault across the
83rd Naval Infantry Brigade Danube into Budapest. The Danube Flotilla (formally the
Volga Flotilla) landed them in the city with over 500 men,
The 83rd Naval Infantry Brigade was formed in August 1942
two 45mm guns, seven mortars, six heavy and 20 light
at Novorossiysk from the 16th, 144th and 305th Naval Infantry


machine-guns where they took part in the final clearing of 260th Naval Infantry Brigade
the city of Axis resistance.
The 260th Naval Infantry was formed in late 1942 from the
By April 1945 they were attached to the 5th Guards Tank 4th Naval Infantry Brigade by the Baltic Fleet. It contained
Army, riding tanks into the Czechoslovakian capital of the 304th, 306th and 314th Naval Infantry battalions, an artil-
Prague. lery battalion, a mortar battalion, a sapper company, signals
and medical units. Because the 260th Brigade was still under
115th Naval Infantry Brigade direct command of the Navy, like the 115th Brigade, the
Little information is available for this brigade, but it is records of their service are patchy. However, in 1944 they
likely that were formed from surplus Naval personnel from spearheaded the amphibious assault to outflank the German
the Baltic Fleet in 1941. The took part in the amphibious III SS-Panzerkorps on the Narva River. They, along with the
landing near Merküla in early 1944 to out flank the German 115th Brigade, landed near Merküla on 14 February 1944 in
III SS-Panzerkorps on the Narva River (see Scenario in this the rear flank of the Germans defending the line on the Narva
PDF). River, while the 2nd Shock Army advanced on the defenders
front. There landing was hampered by poor communications
and the landing was unable to take full advantage of their
255th Naval Rifle Brigade flanking manoeuvre.
This brigade was form in September 1942 from the 1st
Naval Infantry Brigade by the Black Sea Fleet. It was formed They were next recorded in action against the Finns taking
with the independent 14th, 142nd and 322nd Naval Infantry part in an amphibious landing near Vyborg on 20 June
Battalions and the 726th (Coast Defence) Artillery Battery. 1944. From 27 September they spearheaded amphibious
The 255th Brigade was the sister formation to the 83rd Naval operations to clear the islands in the Gulf of Riga. There they
Infantry Brigade. Both brigades were formed in Novorossiysk fought alongside the Red Army’s 8th and 109th Rifle Corps.
and later fought for the city and took part in the landings Fighting on the gulf islands lasted until November 1944.
that formed the beachhead ‘Malaya Zemlya’ or ‘Little Land’ In April 1945 they took part in the last amphibious landings
across the bay from Novorossiysk. For its part in the libera- of Soviet forces on the eastern front. On 25-26 April the
tion it was honoured with the title ‘Tamanskoi’. 260th Brigade formed a composite regiment with elements
The 255th Brigade also took part in the landings and fighting of the 13th Guards Rifle Corps and landed on Frishche
for the Crimea and fought alongside the 83rd during the Nehrung, the low sandy lowlands to the west of Königsberg
liberation of the Crimean Peninsula. in East Prussia. The 260th Brigade still had troops clearing
the area when the war ended in May 1945.
After Crimea the 255th Brigade took part in operations in the
western Black Sea to take Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria in
1944. It ended the war with the 37th Army in Bulgaria.

Special rules
A Morskaya Pekhota Batalon uses all the Soviet Special rules Heavy Breakthrough Gun
on pages 180 to 182 of the main rulebook and the following
The IS-2 heavy tank and the ISU-122 and ISU-152 heavy
additional special rules.
assault guns blasted the enemy gun positions into oblivion,
leaving little chance to escape their fury!
Volley Fire
Unarmoured targets automatically fail their saves when hit by
When the advancing Soviet army came across a German
the main gun of an IS-2, SU-152, ISU-152, or ISU-122.
strongpoint, assault guns and artillery batteries stopped to
blast it using a massive centralised volley.
SU-76M, SU-122, SU-152, ISU-122, ISU-152 assault guns
and 76mm ZIS-3 field guns, 76mm ZIS-3 anti-tank guns,
57mm ZIS-2 guns and 45mm obr 1942 guns that did not
move in the Movement Step may re-roll failed rolls To Hit when
shooting their main guns at teams up to 16”/40cm away. Volley
Fire does not apply when firing Artillery Bombardments.


 MOrskaya PekhOta BatalOn Naval Infantry Battalion

(Infantry Company)
Headquarters

Battalion HQ
A Morskaya Pekhota Batalon must field a Battalion HQ and at least two Morskaya Pekhota
Companies, and may field one of each of the remaining Combat Companies and the Weapons
Companies shown.
Battalion HQ It may also field one Support Company from each Support box shown (Armoured, Infantry, etc.).
5
Combat companies

WEAPONS companies

Corps Support Companies (Choose one Company from each box)

Morskaya Pekhota Heavy Mortar Armoured
Tankovy Company

11
Company Company

Guards Heavy Tank Company

12
Morskaya Pekhota Morskaya Heavy
6
5

Company Mortar Company

Armoured Guards Heavy Assault

12
Gun Company
Morskaya Pekhota Anti-tank rifle
Assault gun Company

13
Company Company
Tank Killer Company

13
Morskaya Pekhota
5

Company Morskaya Anti-tank Anti-tank

7

Rifle Company
Tank Destruction Company

14
Morskaya Pekhota
Company Scout Platoon

Infantry
Strelkovy Company

14
Morskaya Pekhota Morskaya Scout Platoon
7
5

Company

Anti-tank Platoon Rocket Artillery

Machine-gun
Company
Guards Rocket Mortar Battalion

15
Morskaya Anti-tank
8

Morskaya Machine-gun Platoon

6

Company
Anti-aircraft
Submachine-gun
Mortar Company Company Anti-aircraft Company
16

Morskaya Mortar Morskaya Submachine-

6

Company gun Company Air Support

Priority Air Support
16

Sapper Company
Limited Air Support
16

Morskaya Sapper
9

Company

Artillery Battalion

Morskaya Artillery
10

Battalion


 Soviet

Morskaya Pekhota Batalon

Motivation and Skill
The men of a Morskaya Pekhota Batalon are the bravest of the brave. The ‘Black Death’ just kept coming when attacking,
ignoring casualties and pressing home to assault the fascist defenders. A Morskaya Pekhota Batalon is Fearless Trained.

Headquarters

Batalon HQ PODPOLKOVNIK
PODPOLKOVNIK
Headquarters
Battalion HQ 35 points
Options Company Command 2iC Command Battalion
Rifle team Rifle team Komissar team
• Add Anti-tank Platoon for +50 points.
Battalion HQ
• Add Flame-thrower teams for +45 points per team.
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
team.
Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing 45mm obr 1942 gun
Flame-thrower
your 45mm obr 1942 guns at teams within 16”/40cm team
while stationary.
Horse Drawn Limber
Throughout the war Naval Infantry earned a reputation for Flame-thrower
team
high morale and a sheer willingness to accept casualties. 45mm obr 1942 gun
Their ability to just keep coming unnerved the Germans
who nicknamed them ‘Black Death’. Flame-thrower
team
Horse Drawn Limber
The Battalion HQ Flame-thrower Platoon must make Flame-thrower
Anti-tank platoon platoon
Combat Attachments to Morskaya Pekhota or Morskaya
Submachine-gun with all of its Flames-thrower teams. Morskaya Pekhota Batalon HQ

Combat Companies
Morskaya Pekhota Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN Serzhant
Company
HQ Section with: Maksim HMG Maksim HMG
3 Infantry Platoons 290 points Command Komissar
Rifle/MG team team Machine-gun
2 Infantry Platoons 200 points Platoon
1 Infantry Platoon 110 points HQ Section

Options LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

• Add Komissar team for +15 points.
• Add Maksim HMG team for +25 points each.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
• Replace all Rifle/MG teams with SMG teams in one
Rifle Platoon at no cost.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
During the turbulent months of 1941 Naval manpower was
pressed into service to halt the fascist tide. Naval Infantry
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
Battalions (Morskaya Pekhota Batalon) were formed to
Infantry Platoon Infantry Platoon
provide the Red Army with additional fighting units and
LEYTENANT
to defend Soviet Naval bases. Later these were formed into
brigades of three or more battalions.
The separate Naval Infantry Battalions were formed on a or- Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
ganisation (or Shtaty) of the Navy’s own devising. However,
by 1944 the few Naval Infantry Brigades still operating are Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
substantially reduced from their original strength. Infantry Platoon
Morskaya Pekhota Company


 Morskaya Machine-gun Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Rifle team
2 Machine-gun Platoons 170 points
1 Machine-gun Platoon 90 points HQ Section

The reliable Maksim heavy machine-gun is an old friend of Leytenant Leytenant

the Frontovik. Deploy them with your companies to lend
support, or have them concentrate their fire as a single large Maksim HMG Maksim HMG
machine-gun company and keep the enemy pinned down.
Maksim HMG Maksim HMG Maksim HMG Maksim HMG
Machine-gun Machine-gun
Platoon Platoon
Morskaya Machine-gun Company

Morskaya Mortar Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
2 Mortar Platoons 120 points Command Rifle team Observer Rifle team
1 Mortar Platoon 65 points HQ Section

Option LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

• Add Observer Rifle team for +15 points.

The industrious mortar company provides your assault 82-BM-41 mortar 82-BM-41 mortar
troops with instant artillery support without having to rely
on divisional or corps artillery. 82-BM-41 82-BM-41 82-BM-41 82-BM-41
mortar mortar mortar mortar
Mortars offer a steady rain of explosives over the heads of the Mortar Platoon Mortar Platoon
enemy, allowing your brave assault troops to advance while
Morskaya MORTAR Company
the enemy stays pinned down in their pathetic foxholes.

Weapons Companies

Morskaya Heavy Mortar Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Rifle team Observer Rifle team
3 Heavy Mortar Platoons 200 points
HQ Section
2 Heavy Mortar Platoons 145 points
1 Heavy Mortar Platoon 80 points
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
Options
• Add Trucks to the company at no cost.
120-PM-38 Truck 120-PM-38 Truck
• Add Observer Rifle team for +15 points. mortar mortar

By landing rounds on a target quickly, the heavy mortars pin

120-PM-38 Truck 120-PM-38 Truck
the enemy down and allow the tanks to manoeuvre. mortar mortar

Their heavy bombs are downright deadly. They have enough Mortar Platoon Mortar Platoon
explosive to easily blow apart hastily-constructed defences LEYTENANT
and even work well against half-tracks and tank hunters.
In fact our heavy mortars are so good that the Fascists 120-PM-38 Truck 120-PM-38 Truck
have copied the design of our socialist engineers and use it mortar mortar
themselves! Mortar Platoon
Morskaya Heavy MORTAR Company


 Soviet

Morskaya Pekhota Batalon

Morskaya Anti-tank Rifle Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Rifle team
3 Anti-tank Rifle Platoons 95 points
HQ Section
2 Anti-tank Rifle Platoons 80 points
1 Anti-tank Rifle Platoon 45 points
Leytenant Leytenant

A Morskaya Anti-tank Rifle Company may make Combat

Attachments to Combat Platoons. PTRD PTRD PTRD PTRD
anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle
The Hitlerite Panzers sometimes make the mistake of
thinking that because we have no tanks, we are defenceless.
They don’t get to make that mistake twice. PTRD PTRD
anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle
Fielded en masse, the PTRD-41 anti tank rifle can stop any
Anti-tank Anti-tank
but the heaviest of tanks, waiting until they reach point- rifle Platoon rifle Platoon
blank range, then shooting them in their vulnerable sides LEYTENANT
and rear. The infantry then mop up the survivors.

PTRD PTRD PTRD

anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle anti-tank rifle
Anti-tank rifle Platoon
Morskaya Anti-tank Rifle Company

Morskaya Scout Platoon leytenant

LEYTENANT
Platoon
HQ Section with:
Command SMG team
2 Scout Squads 165 points
HQ Section
1 Scout Squad 100 points
Your force may not contain more than one Morskaya Serzhant Serzhant
Scout Platoon, even it has more than one Morskaya
Pekhota Batalon.
SMG team SMG team SMG team SMG team
The razvedki scouts are outstanding individuals chosen from Scout Squad Scout Squad
throughout the brigade. Equipped with submachine-guns, Morskaya Scout Platoon
camouflage smocks, and even skis in winter, they are used to
gather ‘tongues’ before attacks, then either infiltrate behind
enemy lines or reconnoitre routes along which they lead
A Morskaya Scout Platoon is rated as Fearless Veteran.
troops forward to launch a surprise attack.

Morskaya Scout Platoons are an exception to the Centralised A Morskaya Scout Platoon is a Reconnaissance Platoons.
Control special rule. They operate as a normal platoon.
A Morskaya Scout Platoon uses the Infiltration special rules
on page 182 of the rulebook.


 Morskaya Anti-tank Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Rifle team
2 Anti-tank Platoons 110 points
HQ Section
1 Anti-tank Platoon 60 points
Option LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
• Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost.
45mm obr 1942 gun 45mm obr 1942 gun
Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing
at teams within 16”/40cm while stationary.
Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber
With increasing production, there is no shortage of anti-tank
guns in the Red Army. The long-barrelled 45mm obr 1942 is
45mm obr 1942 gun 45mm obr 1942 gun
available in large numbers.
The trick is using them well. The guns are small and light,
being easily concealed. Keep them concealed amongst your Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber
infantry, holding fire until the enemy come close enough to Anti-tank Platoon Anti-tank Platoon
be destroyed. Morskaya Anti-tank Company
Alternatively, wheel your guns into range of enemy trenches
and use them as small infantry guns. Line them up on
an enemy platoon and pin them to the bottom of their
trenches.

Morskaya Submachine-gun Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Komissar
3 Submachine-gun Platoons 305 points SMG team team
2 Submachine-gun Platoons 210 points HQ Section
1 Submachine-gun Platoon 115 points
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
Options
• Add Komissar team for +15 points.
SMG team SMG team
The forth battalion in a Morskaya Pekhota Brigada is armed
with Submachine-guns. The Submachine-gunners are always
SMG team SMG team SMG team SMG team
at the head of any assault where their weapons are ideal in
the thick of close-quarters combat.
SMG team SMG team SMG team SMG team
Submachine-gun Submachine-gun
Platoon Platoon

LEYTENANT

SMG team SMG team

SMG team SMG team SMG team

Submachine-gun Platoon
Morskaya Submachine-gun Company


 Soviet

Morskaya Pekhota Batalon

Morskaya Sapper Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
3 Sapper Platoons 300 points Command Pioneer Supply
2 Sapper Platoons 205 points Rifle team horse-drawn wagon
1 Sapper Platoon 110 points HQ Section

Option LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

• Add Pioneer Supply horse-drawn wagon for
+20 points, or a Pioneer Supply truck for
Pioneer Pioneer
+25 points. Rifle team Rifle team

No one can build field fortifications like the industrious

Soviet sapper! The strong backs of our sappers can dig Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer
Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
trenches, clear obstacles, remove mines and, if necessary,
destroy enemy tanks with their explosives.
Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer
The sapper company can be put to work to help dig your Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
infantry into prepared positions or build up your supply SAPPER Platoon SAPPER Platoon
routes. They will also take on specialised assault tasks with
LEYTENANT
their explosives.
These are the brave comrades you most want at your side in
the toughest assaults! Pioneer Rifle team

Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer

Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
Sapper Platoon

Morskaya Sapper Company


 Morskaya Artillery Battalion KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Staff team Observer
6 Gun Platoons 285 points Rifle team Rifle team
4 Gun Platoons 225 points HQ Section
2 Gun Platoons 135 points
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
Options
• Add Observer Rifle team for +15 points.
76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun
• Add Horse Drawn Limbers at no cost.
Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing
at teams within 16”/40cm while stationary. Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber

Each Naval Infantry Brigade was supported by its own artillery 76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun
battalion armed with 76mm ZIS-3 guns. When first formed
these guns with were allocated to each Morskaya Pekhota
Batalon in individual batteries of four guns. However, by Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber
1944 the guns of the separate infantry battalions had been Gun Platoon Gun Platoon
grouped together at brigade level as a artillery battalion.
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun

Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber

76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun

Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber

Gun Platoon Gun Platoon

LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun

Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber

76mm ZIS-3 field gun 76mm ZIS-3 field gun

Horse Drawn Limber Horse Drawn Limber

Gun Platoon Gun Platoon
Morskaya Artillery Battalion

10
 Soviet

Morskaya Pekhota Batalon

COrps SuppOrt
Motivation and Skill
The Naval Infantry Brigades often worked alongside all sorts of regular Red Army support in the form of Assault guns, Katyusha
Rocket Mortars, Sappers, Anti-aircraft and more. In addition, the Red Air Armies are ready to give plenty of air support to the
ground operations as well as sweeping the Luftwaffe from the skies.
Unless otherwise noted, Corps Support companies are rated as Confident Trained.

Tankovy Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
10 T-34 obr 1942 415 points
9 T-34 obr 1942 390 points
8 T-34 obr 1942 360 points Command tank
7 T-34 obr 1942 330 points HQ Section
6 T-34 obr 1942 300 points
5 T-34 obr 1942 265 points LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
• Replace up to five T-34 obr 1942 tanks with T-34/85
obr 1943 tanks for +15 points per tank.
• Upgrade all T-34 obr 1942 and T-34/85 obr 1943 Tank Tank
tanks to have Cupolas for +10 points for the
company.

10 M3s (M3 Lee) 410 points Tank Tank

9 M3s (M3 Lee) 385 points
8 M3s (M3 Lee) 355 points
7 M3s (M3 Lee) 325 points Tank Tank
6 M3s (M3 Lee) 290 points Tankovy Platoon Tankovy Platoon
5 M3s (M3 Lee) 250 points
LEYTENANT

10 M3l (M3 Stuart) 245 points

9 M3l (M3 Stuart) 230 points
8 M3l (M3 Stuart) 210 points Tank Tank Tank
7 M3l (M3 Stuart) 190 points Tankovy Platoon
6 M3l (M3 Stuart) 170 points
5 M3l (M3 Stuart) 150 points Tankovy Company

• Arm any or all M3l tanks with AA MG for +5 points The new T-34/85 that entered production at the end of 1943
per tank. is joining existing battalions. They are a major improvement
on the earlier T-34/76, having a new turret with thicker
Option armour mounting a long 85mm gun. This new tank is more
• Mount Tankodesantniki SMG teams on T-34 or than a match for the fascist Mark IV tanks, and approaches
M3s tanks for +15 points per team. the massive Panther tank in its killing power

While the T-34 medium tank remains the mainstay of the

tank forces and older lend-lease tanks still play an important
role.

11
 Guards Heavy Tank Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
5 IS-2 780 points
4 IS-2 625 points
3 IS-2 470 points
Company Command tank
• Arm any or all IS-2 tanks with .50 cal AA MG for
+5 points per tank. HQ Section

IS-2 tanks benefit from the Heavy Breakthrough Gun LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
special rule.

5 KV-85 525 points

4 KV-85 420 points
3 KV-85 315 points Heavy tank Heavy tank

5 KV-1s 425 points

4 KV-1s 340 points
3 KV-1s 255 points Heavy tank Heavy tank

Option Tank Platoon Tank Platoon

• Mount Tankodesantniki SMG teams on all IS-2 GUARDS HEAVY TANK Company
tanks for +15 points per team.
With such a high proportion of officers in the company,
Guards Heavy Tank Companies use more sophisticated
As one would expect Guards Heavy Tank Companies are Guards tactics than most Soviet troops. They are not affected by the
troops. As such they are always rated Fearless Trained. Hen and Chicks special rule.

Guards Heavy Assault Gun Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
3 SU-152 275 points
2 SU-152 180 points
Command Assault gun
5 ISU-122 625 points HQ Section
4 ISU-122 500 points
3 ISU-122 375 points LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

5 ISU-152 610 points

4 ISU-152 490 points
3 ISU-152 370 points Assault gun Assault gun

Options
• Arm any or all ISU-122 or ISU-152 assault guns
with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points per assault gun. Assault gun Assault gun
• Mount Tankodesantniki SMG teams on all assault Assault gun Assault gun
guns for +15 points per team. Platoon Platoon

Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing GUARDS HEAVY Assault gun Company
at teams within 16”/40cm while stationary.
Guards Heavy Assault Gun Companies use more sophisti-
Assault guns in a Guards Heavy Assault Gun Company
cated tactics than most Soviet troops. They are not affected
benefit from the Heavy Breakthrough Gun special rule.
by the Hen and Chicks special rule.

Guards Heavy Assault Gun Companies are Guards troops.

As such they are always rated Fearless Trained.

12
 Soviet

Corps Support
Assault Gun Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
5 SU-76M 190 points
4 SU-76M 150 points
3 SU-76M 115 points Command Assault gun
HQ Section
4 SU-122 165 points
3 SU-122 125 points LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

Option
• Mount Tankodesantniki SMG teams on all assault Assault gun Assault gun
guns for +15 points per team.
Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing
at teams within 16”/40cm while stationary.
Assault gun Assault gun
Assault guns follow the infantry as they advance. Whenever Assault gun Assault gun
Platoon Platoon
the infantry report enemy anti-tank guns and machine-gun
emplacements, the assault guns help deal with the problem. Assault gun Company

Tank Killer Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN
Company
5 SU-57 150 points
4 SU-57 120 points
3 SU-57 90 points Command Assault gun
HQ Section
5 SU-85 275 points
4 SU-85 220 points LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
3 SU-85 165 points
Option
Assault gun Assault gun
• Mount Tankodesantniki SMG teams on all assault
guns for +15 points per team.

Assault gun Assault gun

Tank Killer Tank Killer
Platoon Platoon

Tank Killer Company

13
 Tank Destruction Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
2 Anti-tank Platoons 100 points Command Rifle team PTRD anti-tank rifle
1 Anti-tank Platoon 55 points HQ Section

Options
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
• Add PTRD anti-tank rifle team for +10 points.
• Replace all 45mm obr 1942 guns with 57mm ZIS-2 45mm obr 1942 gun 45mm obr 1942 gun
guns for +35 points per platoon, or 76mm ZIS-3
guns for +10 points per platoon.
Remember to use the Volley Fire special rule when firing Truck Truck
at teams within 16”/40cm while stationary.
45mm obr 1942 gun 45mm obr 1942 gun
Tank destruction companies from the reserve are sent forward
to form anti-tank nests when the army goes on the defensive.
When emplaced with infantry and machine-guns they form Truck Truck
an immovable block to the enemy’s progress. Anti-tank Platoon Anti-tank Platoon
Tank Destruction Company
The 76mm ZIS-3 guns of a Tank Destruction Company cannot
fire Artillery Bombardments.

Strelkovy Company KAPITAN

KAPITAN Serzhant
Company
HQ Section with: Maksim HMG
3 Rifle Platoons 320 points Command Komissar
Rifle/MG team team Machine-gun
2 Rifle Platoons 215 points Platoon
1 Rifle Platoon 110 points HQ Section

Options LEYTENANT LEYTENANT

• Add Komissar team for +15 points.
• Add Maksim HMG team for +25 points. Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
• Replace all Rifle/MG teams with SMG teams in one
Rifle Platoon at no cost.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
The Great Patriotic War has taken the lives of millions of
dedicated socialist soldiers. While the Soviet Union is vast, Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
even with the full support of its people it cannot replace
losses on this scale.
Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
The valiant soviet frontovik is too valuable to waste with
Rifle Platoon Rifle Platoon
blunt tactics and is not to be thrown away meaninglessly
LEYTENANT
as in early years. You must use your soldiers wisely. Pound
the enemy with your artillery, hammer the fascists time and
again, then attack where the cracks appear. Do not stop until Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team
the Motherland has been liberated of those fascist dogs!

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle Platoon
strelkovy Company

14
 Soviet

Corps Support
Guards Rocket Mortar Battalion PODPOLKOVNIK
PODPOLKOVNIK LEYTENANT
Company
HQ Section with:
4 Rocket Mortar Platoons 210 points Command Observer
2 Rocket Mortar Platoons 135 points Rifle team Rifle team DShK AA MG on truck
1 Rocket Mortar Platoon 85 points
Options Truck
• Model BM-13 Katyusha rocket launchers with five HQ Section DShK AA MG on truck
or more crew and count each rocket launcher as two Anti-AIRCRAFT
platoon
weapons when firing a bombardment for +10 points
per Rocket Mortar Platoon.
LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
• Add Anti-aircraft Platoon for +40 points.
• Replace all DShK AA MG in trucks with two 37mm
obr 1939 guns towed by trucks for +10 points for
the platoon. BM-13 Katyusha BM-13 Katyusha

A Guards Rocket Mortar Battalion is rated as Fearless

Trained. BM-13 Katyusha BM-13 Katyusha
Rocket mortar Rocket mortar
Like little Katy, the Katyusha of the popular song, our rockets platoon platoon
wail as they scream their way to the enemy. The Fascists call
the Katyusha ‘Stalin’s Organ’ for its long launch rails and its LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
dreadful music.
Devastating Bombardment
The reliable Katyusha rocket launchers are ready to signal the BM-13 Katyusha BM-13 Katyusha
beginning of the offensive. Very little can withstand the fury
of a full Katyusha battalion!
An Artillery Bombardment fired by nine or more weapons
BM-13 Katyusha BM-13 Katyusha
uses a double-width Artillery Template to determine which
teams can be hit and rerolls failed To Hit rolls. Rocket mortar Rocket mortar
platoon platoon
An Artillery Bombardment fired by fourteen or more Guards Rocket Mortar Battalion
weapons, uses a template 12”/30cm square to determine
which teams are hit and rerolls failed To Hit rolls.

15
 Anti-aircraft Company KAPITAN
KAPITAN
Company
HQ Section with:
Command Rifle team
3 Anti-aircraft Platoons 145 points
HQ Section
2 Anti-aircraft Platoons 100 points
1 Anti-aircraft Platoon 55 points LEYTENANT LEYTENANT
Option
• Add trucks at no cost.
37mm obr 1939 gun 37mm obr 1939 gun
The hard work of the crews of the 37mm obr 1939 gun in
their defence of the skies of the Motherland goes a long way
towards victory. They keep the Luftwaffe at bay, allowing the Truck Truck
troops on the ground to focus on winning the battle without
the worry of being bombed.
37mm obr 1939 gun 37mm obr 1939 gun

Truck Truck
Anti-aircraft Anti-aircraft
Platoon Platoon
LEYTENANT

37mm obr 1939 gun 37mm obr 1939 gun

Truck Truck
Anti-aircraft Platoon

Anti-aircraft Company

Aircraft LEYtenant
Leytenant
Priority Air Support
Il-2M Tip 3M Shturmovik 290 points
Il-2 Shturmovik 270 points
IL-2 Shturmovik
Limited Air Support
Il-2M Tip 3M Shturmovik 225 points
Il-2 Shturmovik 200 points IL-2 Shturmovik IL-2 Shturmovik
Flight

Flight

16
 Soviet

Corps Support
SOviet Arsenal
Tank Teams
Armour
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Light Tanks
M3l (M3A1 Stuart) Fully-tracked 3 2 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Light tank.
M5 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+

Medium Tanks
T-34 obr 1942 Fully-tracked 6 5 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Fast tank, Limited vision, Wide-tracks.
76mm F-34 gun 32”/80cm 2 9 3+
T-34/85 obr 1943 Fully-tracked 7 5 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Limited vision.
85mm D-5T gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+
M3s (M3 Lee) Fully-tracked 5 3 1 Co-ax MG, Cupola MG.
M3 37mm gun 24”/60cm 3 7 4+
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Hull mounted

Heavy Tanks
KV-1s Fully-tracked 8 6 2 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Turret-rear MG, Wide-tracks.
76mm F-34 gun 32”/80cm 2 9 3+
KV-85 Fully-tracked 9 7 2 Co-ax MG, Turret-rear MG, Slow tank.
85mm D-5T gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+
IS-2 Fully-tracked 10 8 2 Co-ax MG, Turret-rear MG, Slow tank.
122mm D-25T gun 32”/80cm 1 15 2+

Assault Guns
SU-57 Half-tracked 1 0 0
M1 57mm gun 24”/60cm 3 10 4+ Hull mounted.
SU-76M Fully-tracked 3 1 0 Wide-tracks.
76mm ZIS-3 gun 32”/80cm 2 9 3+ Hull mounted.
SU-85 Fully-tracked 5 5 1
85mm D-5S gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted.
SU-122 Fully-tracked 5 5 1
122mm obr 1938 howitzer 24”/60cm 2 10 2+ Hull mounted.
SU-152 Fully-tracked 7 6 2 Slow tank.
152mm ML-20S gun 32”/80cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster, Hull mounted.
ISU-122 Fully-tracked 9 7 2 Slow tank.
122mm D-25S gun 32”/80cm 1 15 2+ Hull mounted.
ISU-152 Fully-tracked 9 7 2 Slow tank.
152mm ML-20S gun 32”/80cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster, Hull mounted.

Rocket Launchers
BM-13 Katyusha Wheeled - - -
BM-13-16 rocket launcher 64”/160cm - 2 4+ Rocket launcher.

Vehicle Machine-guns
Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.
.50 cal Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

17
 Gun Teams
Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
PTRD anti-tank rifle Man-packed 16”/40cm 2 5 5+ Tank Assault 3.
Maksim HMG Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
82-BM-41 mortar Man-packed 40”/100cm - 2 6
120-PM-38 mortar Light 56”/140cm - 3 3+
37mm obr 1939 gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
45mm obr 1942 gun Light 24”/60cm 3 8 4+ Gun shield.
57mm ZIS-2 gun Heavy 32”/80cm 3 11 4+ Gun shield.
76mm ZIS-3 anti-tank gun Heavy 32”/80cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield.
76mm ZIS-3 field gun Heavy 32”/80cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield.
Firing bombardments 80”/200cm - 3 6

Infantry Teams
Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Weapons and Notes
Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6
Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6
SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.
Flame-thrower team 4”/10cm 4 - 6 Flame-thrower.
Komissar team 4”/10cm 1 1 6
Staff team cannot shoot Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment

Pioneer teams are Tank Assault 4.

Transport Teams
Armour
Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Trucks
ZIS-5 3-ton, ZIS-6 4-ton, Dodge ¾-ton, or
Studebekker 2½-ton truck Wheeled - - -
Horse-drawn wagon Wagon - - -

Tractors
Horse-drawn limber Wagon - - -

Aircraft

Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Il-2 Shturmovik Cannon 3+ 9 5+ Flying tank.
Bombs 4+ 5 1+
Rockets 3+ 6 3+
Il-2M Tip 3M Shturmovik Cannon 3+ 12 4+ Flying tank.
Bombs 4+ 5 1+
Rockets 3+ 6 3+

18
 AmphibiOus Assault ScenariO
Landing Near Mereküla Soviet Force:
The Soviet victory at Leningrad in January 1944 had thrown The 260th Naval Rifle Brigade was typical of many brigades
the III SS-Panzerkorps back from the historic city. Stalin raised in the desperate times in 1941 and 1942. ‘Surplus’
required the breakout to continue with a powerful offen- naval officers and NCOs would be used to create what were
sive aimed at liberating Estonia from Geramn control. The essentially small infantry divisions. Usually up to 50% of the
Wehrmacht established a strong defensive belt at the Estonian troops were also naval personnel with the remaining troops
border using the Narva River to anchor its defence. being conscripts. Each brigade had its own scouts, sappers,
Machine-gun company and artillery assets. As these units
After futile attempts to break through the defences in head
had naval experience, they were an obvious choice for am-
on assault, General Govorov of the Leningrad Front ordered
phibious landing. Usually there were no dedicated landing
a pincer attack to encircle the defensive line. A land force
craft available and the Soviet Navy would requisition civilian
consisting of infantry and tanks would break through the
craft to land their troops. Because of the limits of these types
weakened southern flank of the defences and drive north-
of craft, no weapon heavier than a Maksim HMG or mortar
west, while the 115th and 260th Naval Rifle brigades would
could be landed with the troops.
land from the Gulf of Finland several kilometres west near
Mereküla and drive south. All Soviet troops are Naval infantry from this briefing (see
following page).
The landing took place on the night of 13 February, four
days after the full moon. The Wehrmacht had learned of the
planned landing from interrogating Soviet prisoners. It was ‘German’ force:
resisted by a combined force of SS-Kampfgruppe Küste and The beaches of Estonia were defended by SS-Kampfgruppe
SS Nordland’s Norge Regiment. Küste. (Küste is German for coast.) The formation was
unusual in two ways. First, there were almost no Germans
Historically things did not go well for the Soviets. The assault
in it. It was made up primarily of volunteers from various
from the south bogged down and never got near the meeting
European nations, mostly Estonians, but also Norwegians,
point designated for the landing force. The few radios the
Danes and Dutch and other volunteers. Second, the
amphibious troops had were either lost in the landing or
Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade (Estonia SS-Volunteer
simply did not work. The Soviet navy circled impotently
Brigade) was not indoctrinated or trained as an SS unit. It
out of range of the shore fearing to fire in support or land
was SS in name only.
additional troops without some definite contact with those
already landed. All troops from the 3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade are
rated Fearless Trained. Other SS troops are as marked (see
following page).

19
 Forces

260th Naval Rifle Brigade Morskaya Pekhota Battalion

260th Naval Rifle Brigade HQ Battalion HQ
Morkaya Sapper Company with 1 Sapper Platoon
1 Naval Artillery Observer
260th Naval Rifle Brigade Company 1 Morskaya Pekhota Company
3 Infantry Platoons, 1 Maxsim HMG
260th Naval Rifle Brigade Company 2 Morskaya Pekhota Company
2 Infantry Platoons, 1 Maxsim HMG
260th Naval Rifle Brigade Company 3 Morskaya Submachine-gun Company
2 Submachine-gun Platoons
Morskaya Mortar Company
2 Mortar Platoons
Scout Platoon
2 Scout Squads
Naval Artillery Soviet Naval Artillery has the following characteristics:
Trained. Counts as 4 guns.
They use the “Across the Volga” artillery rules from page
225 of the rule book.

SS-Kampfgruppe Küste Mixed Kampfgruppe

2 HMGs open bunker
3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade Grenadier Platoon (Fearless Trained)
Command SMG + 6 Rifle/MG teams
SS Nordland’s Norge Regiment SS-Mortar Platoon (Fearless Trained)
Command SMG, Observer + 4 8cm GW34 mortars
503. SS-Werfer-Abteilung SS-Rocket Launcher Battery (Fearless Veteran)
1 Launcher Section, 2 Artillery Observers,
using Across the Volga rules.

Racing to the Rescue Racing to the Rescue:

SS-Kampfgruppe Küste Company HQ
Company Command SMG and
2iC Command SMG teams (Fearless Trained)
3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade Grenadier Platoon (Fearless Trained)
Command SMG + 6 R/MG stands
3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade Grenadier Platoon (Fearless Trained)
Command SMG + 6 R/MG stands

Delayed Reserves
SS-Panzer Abteilung 11 3 StuG G (Fearless Trained)

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Soviet Naval Gun Fire Off-table 80”/200cm - 4 3+
German HMG open bunker None 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.

20
 Scenario

Village
Clearing

Objectives
Beach
Sea

Clearing

Clearing

Special Rules: Soviets move on the board on turn 1 starting in the sea.
(Note: There may not be room for all Soviets to enter on
Night Attack – The scenario uses the night rules, roll for
turn 1. Up to half of the Soviet companies may wait and
dawn beginning on turn 5 with the attacker.
enter on turn 2.)
Sparse forest – The entire battlefield except the beach, sea,
Soviets have first turn.
clearings, village and road provide Concealment and limit
line of sight to 16”/40cm. Mortars may fire while in or near
sparse forest. Victory:
The Soviet player wins by seizing an objective on or before
Sea – The sea is rough terrain. Troops cannot go to ground
turn 15. The Soviet player must also still have either their
or dig in while in the sea.
Company Command team or 2iC Command team still on
Racing to the Rescue – German troops racing to the rescue the board (to call in reserves from the waiting fleet) at that
must deploy on any table edge at least 36”/90cm from the time.
sea table edge.
The German player wins by either killing both the Soviet
Delayed reserves – deploy on the short table edge opposite Company Command team and 2iC Command team or
of the sea preventing the Soviet player from capturing an objective by
turn 15.
Deployment:
Two objectives are placed in a box formed from the centre
line, 8”/20cm from either long table edge and 28”/70cm
from the German short table edge. The German player places
the first objective and the Soviet player places the second.
The Germans deploy anywhere except the beach (up to
12”/30cm from the Sea table edge).

21
22