Alan R. Arvold's Ode To Panzerblitz: The Original 12 Situations

[Crossroads]

Wargamer's Game Depot scenario store having closed down, in co-operation with Alan R. Arvold, I am posting all his Avalon Hill Panzerblitz boardgame situation conversions to The Blitz Wargaming Club Scenario DB. To download them, one needs not to register with the club, so it seemed like a good place to have the scenarios available to everyone.

I am uploading the PB situation conversions at a rate of two scenarios per week (more or less), as among other things I am running each scenario through the automated test script Berto's made available. So it takes a while.

But what better way to run down the clock towards the 2016 release of MCS 3.0, where all these scenarios will be available within the game itself.

And who knows, with the new Zoomed-In 2D view available, all going well there just might be a Panzerblitz Counter Art mod available to play them in a proper manner.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this little rendez-vouz with these 1970s classics already with MCS 2.02. In the following posts the scenario title will be a link to the download page.

Enjoy! [:)]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 1 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 1
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Allied

Alan R. Arvold

July, 1944

[Belarus] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Russian Rear Area Raid: White Russia. During the massive Russian offensives of 1944, the Russian "cavalry-tank" groups did great damage among German rear area installations. This scenario covers an attack by units of the Russian 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps on the German 3rd Long Lines and Radio Relay Company of the 580th Signal Regiment, which is supported by elements of the 286th Security Division and 10th Flak Regiment.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 2 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

5 February, 1944

[Nikopol] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

German Delaying Action Against Infantry: Russian Advance on Nikopol: The vanguards of three Soviet rifle divisions advance on a broad front into the German rear with only a small German mobile force to delay them. Here a kampfgruppe from the German 23rd Panzer Division tries to the stem the advance of the Russian 203rd, 33rd, and 266th Rifle Divisions.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 3 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 1
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

20 September, 1941

[Vyazma] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Typical 1941 Mobile Action: The Battle of Vyazma. Advancing German mobile units scatter remnants of shattered Russian units during the push on Moscow. Here the vanguard of the German 10th Panzer Division pushes its way through the battered Russian 119th Rifle Division, whose top command level is trying to recover from an unfortunate fragging incident the previous day which took the lives of both the division's commanding general and senior commissar officer.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 4 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Allied

Alan R. Arvold

2 July, 1944

[Minsk] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

German Delaying Action against a Mobile Force: Battle of Minsk: More economical (and often more effective) than a blocking action, this became a widely practiced tactic for the Germans during 1944. Here a kampfgruppe from the German 5th Panzer Division delays the advance of the Russian 2nd Guards Tank Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 5 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 2
Turns: 12
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

10 October, 1943

[Dnieper] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

German Reconnaissance in Force: Action against the Lutezh Bridgehead on the Dnieper: The Russians had thrown a bridgehead across the Dnieper River which the Germans had to penetrate before attacking it. Here a kampfgruppe of the German 7th Panzer Division tries to slip through the lines of the Russian 240th Rifle Division.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 6 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 1
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

28 November, 1943

[Dnieper] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

German Mobile Defence of Position: Action West of Dnieper River During German Retreat From Dnieper Bend: Even during momentary "quiet" spells the Russians would launch minor probes which were usually met by an elastic German "mobile defences". Here a kampfgruppe from the German 24th Panzer Division delays the advance of the Russian 19th Tank Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 7 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

23 November, 1943

[Kiev] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Meeting Engagement During the German Relief of Kiev: The Russians had just liberated Kiev and were continuing their advance. The Germans made a desperate attempt to drive them back. Here armored units of the Russian 5th Guards Tank Corps meet elements of the German 19th Panzer Division.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

As a this weekend's Panzerblitz treat, I have uploaded all Ode To Panzerblitz Design Notes by Alan R. Arvold to Blitz Scenario DB, one zip archive per game.

PB Design Notes can be found here:


Ode to Panzerblitz - All Design Notes (Not A Scenario)


There's a plethora of information available for us Board Game geeks - and for others too! - as how Alan has transferred each of the situations to East Front, and of his thoughts how they are best played.

Enjoy! [:)]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 8 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (6) 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

16 February, 1944
[Korsun Pocket] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Russian Organized Defense: German Relief on the Korsun Pocket: German units often became trapped during the Russian advances and had to be rescued. The Russians usually took the opportunity to use their own tenacious defensive tactics. Here elements of the German 5th SS Panzer Division (Wiking), 905th Assault Gun Battalion, SS Brigade "Wallonien", and Corps Group "B" try to break through a defensive line held by the Russian 180th Rifle and 51st Guards Rifle Divisions, plus units of the 428th Tank Destroyer Regiment.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 9 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (7) 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Allied

Alan R. Arvold

19 August, 1943

[Stalino] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Russian Mobile Assault on German Blocking Force: Russian Drive on Stalino: When Russian forces had penetrated the German front, it was often necessary to use an infantry blocking force to prevent other infantry units from being trapped. Here elements of the German 294th Infantry Division block the advance of the Russian 4th Guards Mechanized Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[wings7]

Thanks again Petri! [:)] Much appreciated!

Patrick

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 10 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (6) 2
Turns: 12
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

12 July, 1943

[Kursk] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Mass Armor Action (Kursk Campaign): Battle of Prochorovka: The spearhead of the southern German pincer reaches the last line of Russian defenses as the Soviets commit their armor reserve. Largest tank battle of the war. Here elements of the German SS Panzergrenadier Division "Das Reich" work their way through units of the Russian 26th Anti-Tank Brigade and then clash with the main elements of the Russian 18th Tank Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Zap]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 10 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (6) 2
Turns: 12
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

12 July, 1943

[Kursk] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Mass Armor Action (Kursk Campaign): Battle of Prochorovka: The spearhead of the southern German pincer reaches the last line of Russian defenses as the Soviets commit their armor reserve. Largest tank battle of the war. Here elements of the German SS Panzergrenadier Division "Das Reich" work their way through units of the Russian 26th Anti-Tank Brigade and then clash with the main elements of the Russian 18th Tank Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

Just played this one. Be aware that this one needs some attention as far as balance goes. It is a Russian easy major Victory every time, This is just a heads up to players.

1.This scenario has 12 turns. it takes the Germans 6 turns to arrive at a point where they can gain some 100 points towards a victory.(so time is short)
2. 700 points are required for Germans to gain a draw. I believe there are a total 300 points to be gained by victory hexes. You must destroy enough Russian tanks to make the point total reach at least 700.
3. Russians arrive with a massive force of tanks and infantry who easily eliminate the germans by sheer numbers.

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: Zap

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 10 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (6) 2
Turns: 12
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

12 July, 1943

[Kursk] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

Mass Armor Action (Kursk Campaign): Battle of Prochorovka: The spearhead of the southern German pincer reaches the last line of Russian defenses as the Soviets commit their armor reserve. Largest tank battle of the war. Here elements of the German SS Panzergrenadier Division "Das Reich" work their way through units of the Russian 26th Anti-Tank Brigade and then clash with the main elements of the Russian 18th Tank Corps.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

Just played this one. Be aware that this one needs some attention as far as balance goes. It is a Russian easy major Victory every time, This is just a heads up to players.

1.This scenario has 12 turns. it takes the Germans 6 turns to arrive at a point where they can gain some 100 points towards a victory.(so time is short)
2. 700 points are required for Germans to gain a draw. I believe there are a total 300 points to be gained by victory hexes. You must destroy enough Russian tanks to make the point total reach at least 700.
3. Russians arrive with a massive force of tanks and infantry who easily eliminate the germans by sheer numbers.

Thanks Zap. It is indeed likely some of these situations are better balanced than the others. I have not seen any articles on PB situation balance, but I know there's one covering all the original PL situatios. I am talking about the original board games, and as I recall the article was published in Avalon Hill 'General' magazine.

Here's the original Situation Card for PB Situation #10:

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 11 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (7) 1
Turns: 8
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis

Alan R. Arvold

10 April, 1944

[Buchach, Ukraine] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]


German Attack on Unorganized Russian Position: The German Relief of the First Panzer Army Near Buchach: Much of the 1st Panzer Army was cut off during the Russian Spring Offensive. The two panzer divisions of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps which did the job came from France.

Here elements of the German 9th SS Panzer Division assault units of the Russian 8th Guards Mechanized Corps.


[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

Ode to Panzerblitz: Scenario 12 (MCS 2.02)

Size Modifier: (7) 2
Turns: 10
Type: Custom
First Side: Allies

Alan R. Arvold

20 November, 1943

[Nikopol, Ukraine] [AXIS/ALLIED] [HISB] [GD]

German Artillery/Infantry Position Defense: Defense of the Nikopol Bridgehead: As long as the German artillery remainded intact, the Russians were never able to crack a German line.

Here assault elements of the Russian 267th Rifle and 40th Guards Rifle Divisions attack a defense line held by remnants of the German 111th Infantry Division.

[ALL: OPT] [2.02]

[Crossroads]

There is no Situation #13, as an article of that name in AH GENERAL was a discussion of Panzerblitz game mechanics, rather than a new scenario. Go figure [;)]

[Crossroads]

MOVED: HERE

[Crossroads]

MOVED: HERE