A 6mm I Ain't Been Shot Mum game based on the Counterattck by Hungarian assault gun batteries and grenadiers of Feldherrnhalle against Soviet 4th Guards Mechanised Brigade. Played at GigaBites Cafe in August 2024.

Village of Felsohalom

The idea for this scenario came from the massive Armoured Warfare in the Battle for Budapest by Norbert Szamveber The pattern in this campaign seems to be a Soviet attack takes a position The Axis counterattack and retake the position. Then the Axis must usually retreat to keep their flanks secure or a lack of reserves prevents them from holding the ground.

This was based on one of these situations that occurred on November 4, 1944 to the east of Pest in the village of Felsohalom. In this case the Soviet 4th Guards Mech Brig had taken the high ground and was holding it with 4 76mm ATGs, an infantry company (7 sections), 2 Maxim MMGs, and a pair of ATRs. They were not dug in but were able to use terrain to conceal themselves. Reinforcements consisting of a T34/85 plat and a pla of SMG armed tank riders were expected. The Russians could be deployed up to the edge of the village and down to the RR track. The village and center of the table is higher than the ground to the left. William was in command of the Soviets.

Axis edges of the board

The Hungarian/German units had a several options to enter.

They could come in from the left side (west), the bottom edge up to 18" and the top edge up to 2 feet. Past is off to the left.

There were 2 Axis players. 1 German and 1 Hungarian Rob had the larger Hungarian force consisting of a company of 3 3-section platoons and 2 lt mortars. The Hungarian armor was 5 Zrinyis from the 3rd btty of 1st Assualt Artillery Bttl, a Turan II and a Nimrod AA vehicle.

Jess took the grenadiers from Grd Div Feldherrnhalle-3 sections and 2 MMG teams. He also took a pair of the Zrinyi and the Turan II to support his units.

Lots of open ground

The north edge had a RR along most of it. The ground slopes up towards the village. Some of the tree lines were sparse and others overgrown.

The Axis plan was for the bulk of the Hungarians to come in south of the main road and the Germans along the treeline slanting in from the NW. Jess' attached Hungarian armour came in parallel to the RR from the NW.

The Axis also had a pregame stonk which did put a bit of shock on the Russians.

Zrinyi hit and KO'd

It didn't take long for the lead assault gun to be taken out by a 76 firing at its flank from the hedge north and parallel to the village.

ATG couldn't pass on a flank shot

The 76mm were positioned at right angles 1 along this hedge and 2 in the tree line to the right. There was 1 more guarding the left at the edge of the villge and the main road They were able to look down on the possible Axis entry areas. William didn't know that they could come in further along the north and south table edges though.

Hungarian Attack

William had an MMG in the house on the south side of the road and an ATR further out on the left flank A 76 ATG was hidden behind the fence to the left of this house. An infantry pla was on the other side of the road and a sniper was able to cover this flank also.

The Hungarians came in on blinds (with 2 dummy blinds) But they were easily spotted in the open area south of the main tree lined road. For some reason Rob led with his company HQ which was quickly pinned. He was fortunate to not lose the CO!

Pinned Hungarian command element

Rob made good time coming in on the southern side and almost reached the edge of the village untouched. The Zrinyis on this flank were in the rear of the foot sloggers.

The main assault

The Russians have a mmg in the house, a 76mm in the corner along the fence and an ATR out on the left along the hedge. The infantry platoon on the other side of the road could also add its fire to the defense.

The Hungarian HQ section and the lt mortars wisely moved back to let the other infantry lead the attack More infantry is under the blinds at the left side of the pic. The Zrinyis are further to the right rear. and unable to do much to assist. Not the best attack formation.

Lots of Hungarians

Robs' troops still advancing but taking casualties. They are also reducing the Soviet MMG and ATG crews. The ATR team has already run to the rear.

Two Zrinyis destroyed

And the Turan is hiding behind its knocked out comrade. And no doubt wondering what happened to the grenadiers that were suppose to be supporting them.

Hungarians overrun the first house

Their 2nd pla ldr is lost in this attack but they do drive off the 76mm crew and the MMG. (The attack is so exuberant that the fences are overturned)

Grenadiers finally arrive

Jess was unable to activate his men except for the Hungarian armor for the first few turns.

Better late than never

Long range skirmishing on this flank. This gives a good view of the lay of the land with the Soviets up on the hill.

Zrinyis finally moving up on the right

All the Hungarian armor had only 2 action points so were easily taken out through shock, The Hungarian infantry was also not as good as the grenadiers and lacked panzerfausts..

Russian infantry retreats

They lost a close combat along with their pla ldr and had to retreat back to the center of the hill.

Zrinyis pounding Russians along slope

William moved his reserve platoon behind the first building along a small rise. The Russians did have a couple of Pzfst 30s but missed. The poor sods here came under a lot of fire from the Hungarian infantry who were firing from the 2nd floor of the captured farm house and the assault guns.

Russian right flank

There were 2 76mm ATGs and a 2 section platoon and a ATR along this treeline. They were ineffectively exchanging fire across the table with Jess' grenadiers and MMG team.

Russian 2nd platoon in a bad situation

Lack of personal AT weapons really sucks. But help is on the way as the reinforcements are coming on table.

Russians consolidating

German MMGs take out one of the 76mm guns as the grenadiers start to cross the fields.

3rd platoon and 2 ATGs along the tree line

The Turan on this flank stays hidden hoping that the guns pull back.

The Russian T34/85s and their tank riders enter the table at this time but alas we need to pick up as the shop has to close.

Total casualties for the Soviets are 19 riflemen, 2 ATR teams, 1 MMG team, 2 ATG crews and 2 platoon leaders.

Hungarians lost 23 infantry-with 1 platoon being almost untouched and 1 out of action. 1 platoon leader was down. 2 Zrinyi were destroyed.

Jess' grenadiers were also untouched.

I tried something new -mainly to use my Soviet 2d6wargaming medical minis. William had 2 medic teams that could attach to a unit to remove shock which he did successfully twice..

I wished we had a bit more time to get the reinfocrements engaged.

Mark Luther