Battle of Sitno (Draft)

Historical Situation 

The II/269 battalion, of the 250th (Blue) Division, occupied Smeisko, Russa and Sitno between 20 and 22 Oct, and fought off several counterattacks by Soviet forces from 25th Division of the 52nd Army. The Spaniards suffered continuous Russian artillery fire but were none-the-less reinforced from across the River Volkhov.  

In the early hours of 23 Oct a Russian attack column supported by artillery penetrated to the centre of Sitno.  Comandante Román led men of II/269 in close quarter fighting to drive them out again.  The Russians retreated after suffering heavy losses.   

Also see my general Chronology for the Blue Division.  

Map/Terrain 

(Click this map to get the full size version)

Key features are:  The village of Sitno.  Three buildings in the centre are designated as objectives (marked with an X).    The western edge is the River Volkhov, although this doesn't have an effect on game play.  A road runs north-south through the village.  A cross road leads to river and out to the east.    The fields are out of season, so do not block LOS.

Pre-game preparation 

• Spanish Player deploys hidden.  

Spanish Player (Defending) 

Objective

Defend the 3 buildings designated as objectives.   

Forces Available 

One company of the II/269 battalion, 250th (Blue) Division.

1 x CC (+2)
2 x HMG
1 x on-table 50 mm Mortar (12 FM) 
1 x Rifle Platoons: PC (+2), 3 x Rifle Squads 
2 x Rifle Platoons: PC (+1), 2 x Rifle Squads 

Morale: Veteran 

Deployment

Deploys first.  All stands deploy hidden west of line A-A. 

Reinforcements 

Elements of II/269 Battalion under Commandante Román arrive on a roll of 6 on 1d6 at the start of any Spanish initiative after the Spanish have lost any stand.  The reinforcements arrive from the north game board edge (B-B).  . 

Bn HQ 

1 x BC (+2)  Commandante Román 
1 x SMG Squad
1 x FO for off-table 81 mm mortar (12 FM) 
1 x FO for off-table 7.5 cm infantry guns (12 FM) 

1 x Infantry Company 

1 x CC (+2)
2 x HMG
1 x on-table 50 mm Mortar (12 FM)
1 x Rifle Platoons: PC (+2), 3 x Rifle Squads 
2 x Rifle Platoons: PC (+1), 2 x Rifle Squads 

Morale: Veteran 

Soviet Player (Attacking) 

Begins scenario with initiative.  

Objective

Take the three buildings designated as objectives.  

Forces Available 

A Soviet Infantry battalion of the 25th Division of the 52nd Army, with artillery support.

1 x BC (+1)  
3 x HMG
3 x FO for off-table 82 mm Mortar (12 FM)
1 x FO for off-table 76 mm Infantry Guns (12 FM)
1 x FO for off-table Heavy Artillery (4 FM)
3 x Infantry Companies  

1 x CC (+1)
1 x HMG
1 x on-table 50 mm Mortar (12 FM)
3 x Rifle Platoons: PC (+1/0), 4 x Rifle Squads 

Russian PCs get +1 for close combat but not for rallying.  

Morale: Green

Deployment 

Deploys second entering east edge of game board.      

Reinforcements 

None 

Victory Conditions

Terrain objectives

The scenario starts at 0500 and ends at 1200.  The side controlling the most terrain objectives at the end of the game is the winner.  Control means the objective was/is uncontested, and the player either has a stand in the feature or was the last to have a stand in a feature.  All terrain objectives start in Spanish control.   

Scenario Special Rules

• HTD Special Rule 4. The Moving Clock is in use.  The scenario starts at 0500 and ends at 1200.  The clock advances a 20 min on a 5+ on one die rolled at the end of each Spanish initiative.

Notes

Sources

See my sources page for a more complete list.

Proctor, R. L. (1974). Agony of a Neutral: Spanish-German wartime relations and "The Blue Division".  Idaho research foundation inc.

Scurr, J. (1980).  Germany's Spanish Volunteers 1941-45.  Osprey. 

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