Grumble Jones April Scenario GJ119 Die Totenkopf Bruecke

Time once more the monthly Grumble Jones scenario. Tried for something a little different this time around with a situation taken from the pages of Osprey's Waffen-SS Solder vs. Soviet Rifleman.

This volume of the excellent Combat series covers actions at Rostov-on-Don and Kharkov 1942-43. SS formations were beginning to come into their own in Russia in 1942-43. Their power was to grow until it was slammed hard into a wall at Kursk. The 3rd SS Totenkopf figures prominently in the actions covered. Totenkopf would also, along with Wiking Division find itself confined to the hell of the Eastern Front. 

Despite, its well-document dark side, the division performed capably in combat operations. The division was well-armed, well-led and fanatical as events dictated. 

This month's scenario covers actions around the Kharkov fighting in August of 1943. At this stage, the Germans were thin on front-line infantry. The Russians were finding ways to break into the German rear areas and they were hungry for encirclements. The Totenkopf found itself operating as a mobile fire brigade, much as the Grossdeutschland Division.

In this scenario, the Germans are attempting to hold a bridge, which had been pre-wired for demolition. The Russians sensing that the bridge was lightly defended, put together a shock force of T-34's and mounted Combat Engineers. They would attempt a coupe de main, remove the charges and secure the bridge for a continued Red Army advance. The scenario is designed to create a toe to toe struggle for the bridge with units adjacent to the bridge becoming fanatic. Aggression will be key and the success of that aggression will be the difference.

Here now is GJ119 Die Totenkopf Bruecke:

As always, these monthly "Basement Quality" Scenarios are offered for fun only and as a thank you to the readers of this blog.

Remember to open pictures in a new window in order to maximize the size. 

All Grumble Jones scenarios are available from the ASL Archive website. 

(Just search on Grumble Jones)

Oh...and the annual Halloween scenario is currently in work, with its own custom map.

And let us just say that its creation...

"Makes the charge of the Light Brigade look like a sensible military operation."

Those who know...know.