The Battle of Krasny Bor was the climax of the Blue Division’s time on the Eastern Front during WW2. Four Soviet rifle divisions, supported by tanks and guns, smashed into the equivalent of five Spanish battalions. the Spanish took a mauling but were only pushed a few kilometres back from their starting positions before the line was stabilised.
World War II
World War II (WWII, WW2, or Second World War) was fought between opposing military alliances – the Allies and the Axis – from 1939 to 1945. The war spanned large chunks of the globe and was both the the largest and deadliest conflict in history. Over 30 different countries fought during the war including all the great powers. More than 100 million people served in military units. Between 50-75 million people died – largely civilians.
I’ve material on the national contributions from Spain, New Zealand, and France. I also cover the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kharkov, Kursk, and Tarnopol.
Operation Widgeon – A Crossfire Scenario
This Crossfire scenario is based on ‘Operation Widgeon’ where 1st Commando Brigade Crossed the Rhine to capture and hold Wesel.
Scots Plunder – A Crossfire Scenario
This Crossfire scenario is based on the 8th Royal Scots Crossing the Rhine as part of ‘Operation Plunder’.
Rhine Crossing ala Rapid Fire – A Crossfire Scenario
This Crossfire scenario is based on the Rhine Crossing scenario by Durston (1996) although I converted it from Rapid Fire to Crossfire. Since then I have discovered serious historical flaws in the scenario. It might work as a game but the historical bugs annoyed me so I started playing with a couple of alternatives:
Malmedy and Operation ‘Greif’- A Crossfire Scenario
A Crossfire scenario set on 21 December 1944 and featuring Otto Skorzeny plus Panzer Brigade 150 with German armour disguised as American. See also Dick Bryant’s Battle Report.
Steven’s Russian Rifle Battalion
Once I had my Grenadiers of the Spanish Blue Division I had to get somebody to fight them. Russians of course, and the default unit is a Rifle Battalion. And of course this is for Crossfire.
Steven’s Blue Division Battalion
The Spanish Blue Division is what got me into WW2. Officially the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht and comprising Spanish Volunteers, this unit was also know as the Spanish Volunteer Division, Division Azul, or the Blue Division. They are Spanish, of course, but I use them as Germans when needed.
Arnhem 17-25 Sep 1944
In the English speaking world at least, Arnhem is one of the defining battles of World War II. Vince Lody from the Shed ran a multi-player Crossfire game based on the last stand of the Paras at Arnhem. A last stand poses certain challenges for a scenario designer, i.e. you know the defender has to lose, so I wondered what other aspects of the battle would make for interesting gaming. I’ve sketched out the course of the battle and outlined what I think might make interesting scenarios.
Huge Crossfire Table at the Shed
For a couple of years I wargamed at The Shed. These guys specialise in multi-player games on a big table. They play all sorts of game systems but for most of the time I was there they played Crossfire. The table at the Shed is 14′ x 6.5′, which in Crossfire terms is quite big. The table, as you’ll see, absorbs a lot of terrain. Thanks to Vince for sending through the photos.
Tank versus Infantry Combat in WW2
Did tanks close assault infantry during World War II?