This game was part of the 2nd Mech Corps attempt to capture Budapest before the end of 1944. Axis forces are a hodgepodge of small units. It was also a chance to use my recently painted Hungarian toys.

The Soviets had a nice big chunk of open ground to cover to break into the town. It was slightly rolling so we could find some dips to drive into if we needed to.

Rick and I were the Russians. We each had a couple of very weak companies of T34/85s from the 23rd Guards Tank Regiment/4th Guards Mechanised Brigade/2nd Guards Mechanised Corps. They were only seven tanks each! And we had the remnants of a couple of companies of the 1st Motor Rifle Battalion of the 23rd Guards Tank Brigade. Some ATRs and a couple of MMG teams. There was also a FO for some 82mm mortars.

Outskirts of Pestszentimre

Stephen had the Hungarians which set up in and around this corner. They were troops from the 1st Kompanie Budapest Police Battalion He had three platoons of three sections each of poor troops and three MMG teams that could be dug in. He also had three Turan IIs from the 16th Assault Gun Battalion.

Martin had the Germans which deployed off to their left along the road.

He had a pair of two section platoons of Panzergrenadiers from the II Abteilung 66 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, two MMG sections and a FO for some medium mortars. He also had two Nashorns from the combined 661, 1179 and 1257 Panzerjaeger Korps.

Nashorn opens fire

Firing across the table at some of Rick's T34/85s.

And Two T34s are out!

And another one managed to bog on a random event. Tank riders are off on foot already.

One Less Nashorn

The rolling terrain created some dead zones across the table.

The Right Flank Soviets Move Out

My units went through the woods and came out next to the other road. They still took some damage from the Nashorns. Mainly mobility issues.

Another T34 in Flames

Martin's Grenadiers await with panzerfaust, and pin some of my infantry.

Turan II Hiding in the Back

Hungarian Armor (as such)

The Turan IIs were kept in the back in the hope of getting a shot on the T34s from ambush.

Only Exposed Hungarian Infantry Taking Fire

One of the sections on the left drew fire after opening up on the Red infantry. Other Police in the building also started firing once the Russians were under long range

Not Nearly Enough Infantry for a Horde

 

Our pitiful understrength infantry units were just not able to do much but take casualties.

After Rick lost half his tank strength in the first couple of phases, we were hoping for reinforcements, artillery, or some air support.

Both Nashorns KO'd

But they did the job on our T-34/85s.

Taking Some HE Hits

After the Nashorns were out we did get some shots on the Hungarian infantry and grenadiers.

Grenadiers Retreating

They never did get any shots off with their panzerfaust.

Right Flank Red Armour

Their damage was limited to non lethal amounts at least. The infantry on this flank lost only one section.

Need More Russians

We hoped to get into the suburbs before the Axis reinforcements arrived. But the combination of slow movements rolls and Nashorns thwarted that plan

Turans Make a Run Down the Road

The Russian left flank is getting loads of small arms fire from the buildings.

First Reinforcments

Axis reinforcements were from the armored Billnitzer Group.

It had a mixed group of armor. Three Nimrods (self propelled AA), four Zrinyi II (105mm self propelled guns), and four Hetzer Panzerjegers.

The first unit on was the Nimrods The Russians managed to blast one before they reached the safety of the buildings.

Hungarian Armour Deploying

Turan IIs on their right, Nimrods hiding, and the Zrinyi facing off against the T34s along the road

Hungarians SPGs

Although one was quickly KO'd.

View from the Hungarian Rear

Smoking Zrinyi on the left

Face-off Between T34s and Zrinyis

Not going well for the Hungarians

Hetzers Arrive

More of an even match up to the T34s.

Turans Back in Among the Buildings

 

They spotted the three IS2s coming up the road and hustled back. We convinced Stephen to take some shoot and scoot shots against them and they actually crippled an IS2!

Some of the Grenadiers relocated into the back buildings from along the road to the left in the foreground.

We decided to call it at this stage. The Russians were running out of infantry: 30 out of 64 men down along with two COs. Really weak to begin with. The T34s were strong on the right so might have able to hold their own against the Billnitzer Group. But having an IS2 taken out by the Turan was a surprise.

Hungarian Police were barely touched: only 3 KIA. The Grenadiers were down 16 men and had no COs left. Both Nashorns gone.

Neither FO was able to do much in this game.

Mark Luther