GRENDEL'S DAM


A Gear Krieg scenario by Scott Lynch

Out of commission, become a pillbox.
Out of ammo, become a bunker.
Out of time, become a hero.

Daskal, The Beast

Battlefield
Location: Russia, November 1941
Conditions: Snow
Time of Day: Late Afternoon

German Order of Battle
  • 5 x PzKpfw II Ausf D
  • 5 x PzKpfw III Ausf F
  • 1 x PzKpfw IV Ausf F
  • 2 x Sturmgeshutz L/33E
  • 2 x Pak 40 AT Gun
  • 2 x Pak 36 AT Gun
  • 2 x Wehrmacht AT Team
  • 4 x Truck (Unarmed)
    Soviet Order of Battle
  • 1 x T-44"Nikolai Lenin"
    		•
    Morale
    All German units are Veteran.

    The Russian unit is Legendary.

    Terrain and Setup
    Divide the map into thirds. The central area should be an open moor, perhaps with a few scattered bits of wreckage. A river should divide this moor, with three large fords crossable by units in play. Players may wish to add a smashed bridge to the map for verismilitude. Each end of the table should be covered in fairly dense woodland, each of which is a setup area for one of the sides. To reflect the monstrous nature of the Russian machine, it should be placed on the table after German setup.

    Each of the German trucks should be towing an AT Gun, and as the scenario begins two of them also contain AT infantry teams. These guns may not be emplaced as the game begins. Unlimbering and prepping an AT gun in its chosen position takes a full turn.

    Mission Briefing
    The deadly Russian winter is beginning to press in on the invaders with its bitter weight, and the Germans have met stiffening resistance as they drive on Moscow. As if they didn't already have enough to worry about, reports are filtering back to headquarters of a "phantom tank," a groaning beast that has set several experienced companies to terrified flight. A mixed German force has been assembled to locate and destroy this unexpected threat.

    This scenario is Medium Mission Priority for the Germans and High Mission Priority for the Russians

    Mission Objectives
    The Germans will win a Major Victory if they can destroy the legendary T-44. The Russians will win a Major Victory if the T-44 destroys all German units. The battle for Moscow may be directly affected by what happens in this scenario.

    Designer's Notes
    No, the T-34 just wasn't enough. A legendary T-44 has a TV of 1808, which makes it a monster befitting the name of the scenario. This time around, the default German task force is more diverse. If the German player can set up his AT guns within effective range while his tanks keep the monster busy, he has a pretty good chance of hurting his foe. The German force also has five 75mm guns this time, each of which packs enough punch to threaten even the T-44. It's a good thing, too, since the T-44 has three ordinary actions each turn and is a mobile arsenal in its own right.

    Variations

  • A More Deadly Foe
    If players discover that their "beast" just doesn't have enough bite, give the T-44 the following Perks:

         Rugged Movement System
         Remove the "Random Shutdown" Flaw

  • Alternate German Setup
    If both players consent, the German player may assemble his own attack force with a total TV less than or equal to 1840. The Russian player may then gain infantry support of his choice with a total TV less than or equal to 30.

  • A Thin Line Between Daring and Stupidity
    A German player with a love of challenges (or a serious attitude problem) may opt to take on the T-44 using the default complement of 13 PzKpfw III Ausf F tanks (all Veteran) from the original Grendel scenario.

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