A Dot in Russia – A Megablitz Scenario

The Megablitz rule book includes a 1940 scenario called Dot Sur La Mappe. It is a fictional scenario and, as the name suggests, is a bit tongue in cheek. I understand the orders of battle just reflect the forces available to Tim Gow (the author) at the time.

My own forces are Eastern Front so I’ve tried to transfer the scenario to 1941 and Operation Barbarossa. I believe the scenario name, Dot Sur La Mappe, becomes Mnogotochiye na Kartye (Многоточие на карте) in Russian but that is a bit of a mouthful so I didn’t use it to describe the scenario.

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Situation

Setting: South-western USSR; Jun 1941

It is June 1941, Operation Barbarossa has just begun, and the Germans are cutting their way through the Soviet armies. Lieutenant-General M.P. Kirponos, commander of the South-Western Front, recognises the danger of a deep penetration and orders all available armoured formations – 8^th, 9^th, 15^th 19th and 22^nd Mechanised Corps – to attack the flanks of von Kleist’s Panzer Group 1. Elements of the Front reserve – including 36th Rifle Corps – are also committed. Violent armoured clashes occur over several days as the Soviet units come up.

It is now 27 Jun 1941 and veteran 16th Panzer Division is fast approaching the town of Mnogotochiye na Kartye (Dot on the Map). The town is the local transport hub with North-South and East-West roads and a railway terminus on the northeast side of town. The railway leads to/from Moscow. The western road passes through the smaller town of Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye (Меньшее многоточие на карте; Small Dot on the Map).

Elements of the Soviet 36th Rifle Corps are already engaged with trail blazing Panzer Grenadiers in Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye. 16th Panzer is approaching from the west and will arrive on the scene shortly. The Soviet counter-attack force is Feklenko’s well equipped 19th Mechanised Corps. This formation is unusual in that it has a complement of new T-34 and KV tanks. On the down side they have to make a 50 km road march overnight to reach the conflict zone. They will arrive in a haphazard fashion due to vehicle breakdown and the attentions of the Luftwaffe. The 19th is approaching Mnogotochiye na Kartye from the north-east.

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Map/Terrain

When adapting the original map from Dot Sur La Mappe scenario I flipped the map over so:

• the German arrive from the west, not the east.
• the Soviet counter-attack comes from the north-east not the south.

Each square on a map is 1 foot on the table.

Key features are:

• There are three built up areas:
  • Town of Mnogotochiye na Kartye (“Dot”, if you prefer)
  • Town of Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye (“Small Dot”, if you prefer)
  • Unnamed village
• Farms and fields dominate the western part of the map near Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye.
• Forests dominate the eastern part of the map.
• Blank terrain on the map is actually rolling countryside.
• The railway line from the east terminates on the outskirts of Mnogotochiye na Kartye.
• The road crosses the railway line via a bridge.
• The Germans deploy to the west of the line A-A and the Soviets to the east.
• B and a pre-determined point on the line C-C are Soviet entry points.
• D is a German entry point.
• Towns and woods are difficult going. Every thing else is good going.

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Pre-game preparation

1. The Soviet secretly selects a entry point between on the line C-C.
2. The German writes the order of march of 16th Panzer Division.

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Russian Player (Counter-attacking)

You are Major-General N.V. Feklenko commanding the 19th Mechanised Corps. Your lead unit, the 43^rd Tank Division, has just completed a 50 km road march to enable you to counter-attack an enemy tank formation known to be advancing to the east. In the absence of other units from your Corps you have been assigned elements of the Soviet 36th Rifle Corps from Front reserve – they are already engaged at Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye. Your mission is the grind the fascists into the dirt.

Objective

Inflict serious casualties on the Germans.

Forces On-table

Elements of the Soviet 36th Rifle Corps. Not all of the Corps is present, partly because they have to cover a wide front and partly because the component units have suffered under Luftwaffe attacks.

36th Rifle Corps

Trained		2 LOG / Day
Unit Name	Type	Strength	Movement	Notes
Corps HQ	Command	1 SP [ ]	Wheels	–
Signal Battalion	Command	1 SP [ ]	Wheels	–
Corps Transport	Truck or Wagon	2 LOG [ ][ ]	Wheels or Wagon	–
102nd Rifle Division
16th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
30th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
40th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	1 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
Reconnaissance Battalion	Armoured Car or Light Tank or Motorised Infantry in Truck	R1 [ ] or r	Light Recce or Tracks or Wheels	–
	Armoured Car or Light Tank or Motorised Infantry in Truck	R1 [ ] or r	Light Recce or Tracks or Wheels	–
106th Rifle Division
43rd Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
188th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
236th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	1 SP [ ]	Leg	–
Artillery Regiment	76mm Gun	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	As tow	5km range
	Horse Limber or Tractor or Truck	2 LOG [ ][ ]	Wagon or Track or Wheels
	Artillery spotter on horse back or in Truck	r	Horse or Wheels	Observation stand
140th Rifle Division
96th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
258th Rifle Regiment	Infantry	2 SP [ ][ ]	Leg	–
283rd Rifle Regiment	Infantry	1 SP [ ]	Leg	–
Pioneer Battalion	Engineers + Truck	1 SP [ ] 2EP	Wheels	–

Deployment

36th Rifle Corps can deploy anywhere east of the north-south line (A-A) running through Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye. They deploy first.

Air Support

The Soviet Air force can provide the following air support units:

Unit Name	Type	Strength	Mission	Altitude	Order	Airfield	Turnaround time	Day/Night	Notes
Pe-2	Light Bomber	2 SP [ ][ ]	Close Support	Low	A	Close	2	Day	Only enough fuel for two sorties

Reinforcements: Infantry Support (Tank) Brigade

The Infantry Support (Tank) Brigade starts off table to the south. Roll 2d6 at the start of every turn after the Germans move west of line (A-A). The Infantry Support (Tank) Brigade arrives on the turn that two sixes are rolled. (You can stop rolling then.) The Infantry Support (Tank) Brigade moves to the north on the road towards Mnogotochiye na Kartye (from entry point B) and places itself under 36th Rifle Corps command.

Unit Name	Type	Strength	Movement	Notes
Infantry Support (Tank) Brigade	T-26	2 SP [ ][ ]	Tracks	Rating = Trained

Reinforcements: 19th Mechanised Corps

19th Mechanised Corps starts off table to the northeast. Each turn roll 1d6 for each unit (units have names in the table below; most have one stand and some have two). On a roll of six the unit appears at the pre-selected entry point on the line C-C. The stand may move as if under ‘T’ or ‘M’ orders. The corps is unusual for the period as it had complement of new T-34 and KV tanks

19th Mechanised Corps is under strength partly because they have to cover a wide front and partly because the component units have suffered under Luftwaffe attacks.

19th Mechanised Corps

Trained		2 LOG + 1 POL / Day
Unit Name	Type	Strength	Movement	Notes
HQ	Staff Car	2	Wheels	–
Corps Transport	Truck	2 LOG [ ][ ]	Wheels	–
	Truck	2 POL [ ][ ]	Wheels	–
43rd Tank Division
Reconnaissance Battalion	Armoured Car or Light Tank or Motorcycles	R1 [ ] or r1	Light Recce or Tracks or Wheels	–
Tank Regiment	T34	2 SP [ ][ ]	Tracks	–
Tank Regiment	T34	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Tracks	–
Motorised Regiment	Infantry + Truck	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	–
Tank Division
Tank Regiment	KV1	2 SP [ ][ ]	Tracks	–
Tank Regiment	T34	3 SP [ ][ ]	Tracks	–
Pioneer Battalion	Engineers + Truck	1 SP [ ] 2EP	Wheels	–
Artillery Regiment	152mm Gun	2 SP [ ][ ]	As tow	12km range
	Limber or Tractor or Truck	2 LOG [ ][ ]	Wagon or Tracks or Wheels
	Artillery spotter and car	r	Wheels	Observation stand

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German Player (Attacking)

You are the commander of the 16th Panzer Division. You must keep heading destroying any enemy in your way but not slowing down unduly. You have been told there are no significant enemy formations ahead of you although Panzer Grenadiers from another division are pushing some enemy stragglers out of a town – Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye – immediately ahead of your column.

Objective

Exit 16th Panzer Division off the eastern table edge.

Forces On-table

A depleted Panzer Grenadier Regiment, with supporting armour, is engaged with the Russians at Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye. This unit has been depleted by earlier combat. It is not part of 16th Panzer Division

Panzer Grenadier Regiment

Regular		1 LOG / Day
Unit Name	Type	Strength	Movement	Notes
Panzer Grenadier Regiment
Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	1 SP [ ]	Wheels	–
Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	2 SP [ ][ ]	Wheels	–
Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	2 SP [ ][ ]	Wheels	–
Assault gun	StuG III C and D short-barreled 7.5cm StuK 37 L/24	1 SP [ ]	Tracks	–
Transport	Truck	1 LOG [ ]	Wheels	–

Deployment

The depleted Panzer Grenadier Regiment begin the game deployed west of the north-south line (A-A) running through Myen’shyeye mnogotochiye na kartye. They deploy second and must be at least 1 km from any Soviet stands.

Air Support

The Luftwaffe can provide the following air support units with plenty of fuel and ammunition:

Unit Name	Type	Strength	Mission	Altitude	Order	Airfield	Turnaround time	Day/Night	Notes
Bf 109	Fighter	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Counter Air	Low or High	M	Distant	2	Day
Ju 87 “Stuka”	Dive Bomber	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Close Support	Low	A	Distant	4	Day
Ju 87 “Stuka”	Dive Bomber	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Close Support	Low	A	Distant	4	Day

Reinforcements: 16th Panzer Division

16th Panzer Division begins off table. They arrive on the road from the west, at entry point D, in a order of march pre-determined by the German player. Only as much of the division can arrive in one turn as can fit on the road. The first German unit on table in a turn has its full movement allowance, the second has a 1km movement penalty (because it start further away from the entry point), the third has a 2km movement penalty, etc.

16th Panzer Division

Veteran		2 LOG + 1 POL / Day
Unit Name	Type	Strength	Movement	Notes
HQ	Kubelwagen or Pz Befwg I	2 SP [ ][ ]	Wheels or Tracks	Forward HQ
Staff/Signals	Bus	1 SP [ ]	Wheels	Rear HQ / Staff
Feld Gendarme Battalion	Military Police + Car	1 SP [ ]	Wheels	Traffic Police
16th Divisional Transport Column	Truck	3 LOG [ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	–
	Truck	3 POL	Wheels	–
2nd Panzer Regiment
I/2nd Panzer Battalion	PzKpfw III	6 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]	Tracks	–
II/2nd Panzer Battalion	PzKpfw II or PzKpfw IV Ausf E	5 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]	Tracks	–
64th Panzer Grenadier Regiment
I/64th Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & SdKfz 251	5 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]	Tracks	–
II/64th Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	4 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	–
79th Panzer Grenadier Regiment
I/79th Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	4 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	–
II/79th Panzer Grenadier Battalion	Infantry & Truck	4 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	–
16th Panzer Artillery Regiment	105mm leFH 18	4 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ]	Wheels	10km range
	Truck	2 LOG [ ][ ]	Wheels	–
16th Panzerjäger Battalion	Panzerjager I	3 SP [ ][ ][ ]	Tracks	–
274th Flak Battalion	SdKfz 7/1 + 20mm Flak Gun	2 SP [ ][ ] 3AA	Tracks	–
16th Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion	SdKfz 222	R1 [ ]	Wheels	–
	Sdkfz 231 (8 rad)	R1 [ ]	Wheels
	Sdkfz 232 (8 rad)	R1 [ ]	Wheels
	M/C combination	r	Wheels
16th Panzer Pioneer Battalion	Engineers & Truck	4 SP [ ][ ][ ][ ] 3EP	Wheels	–

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Victory Conditions

The German is trying to exit 16th Panzer Division off the eastern table edge. The Russian is trying to inflict serious casualties on the Germans. The game ends when any of these events occur:

• all German stands are off table or
• 6+ Germans stands have been killed or
• two game days have elapsed

Victory Conditions		16th Panzer Division stands exited from the eastern end of the table
		0-12	13+
German stands killed	0-2	Draw	German Victory
	3-5	Soviet Victory	Draw
	6+	Soviet Victory	Soviet Victory

Note: the Panzer Grenadiers on table at the beginning of the game are a special case. They are not part of 16th Panzer Division so earn the German player no credit if they exit the eastern table edge. But they do earn the Soviet player credit if he manages to kill them.

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Scenario Special Rules

• A day comprises five day-light turns and an overnight turn.

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Notes

This scenario is based on a 1940 scenario called Dot Sur La Mappe in the Megablitz rule book.

Real history

19th Mechanised Corps and 36th Rifle Corps really did counter attack Panzer Group 1 in late June 1941 but I don’t have any other details except that they fought it out near Dubno. See my notes of Erickson for more context.

Alternative Maps

I have drawn four versions of the map. This is because the map in the original scenario was for an area 60 x 30 km which corresponds to a 8′ x 4′ table at 1:25,000.

The trouble is I’ve only a 6′ x 4′ table and at 1:25,000 this is 45 x 30 km.

And even worse my WW2 armies are based for Crossfire, so are 3cm x 3cm not 4cm x 4cm. At that scale, and following, Martin Rapier’s suggestion, I settled on a 6′ x 3′ table at 1:33,333 ground scale or approximate 1 foot = 10 km.

I thought I’d try the 1:50,000 scale which is a 4′ x 2′ table but my 15mm figures would probably be too crowded.

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References

Erickson, J. (1993). The Road to Stalingrad: Stalin’s war with Germany: Volume One. London: Weidenfeld.

Gow, T. (n.d.). Megablitz: Rules for fighting large actions of the Second World War. Strategem.