Spanish Blue Division - Eastern Front 1941

Volkhov River, Russia, 20 October 1941: After clearing Russian resistance on the knoll, Lt. Jose Escobedo emplaced his 2 machine guns in readiness for the expected counterattack. He ordered his men to dig in. Ammunition and supplies were quickly ferried across the 250-yard wide river. The wounded were evacuated and limited reinforcements were brought over. The Russian POW’s were quickly put to work assisting in this re-supply effort. The 2nd Battalion of the 848th Regiment launched its first attack at 1900 hours, but was quickly driven back into the darkness. Reinforcements from the 3rd Battalion of the 848th were quickly rushed into the fray within an hour. This time they managed to break into the Spanish lines but after a savage counterattack, which saw hand-to-hand fighting, the Ukrainians were driven back again. The Russians rested for a while and tried another attack at 2300 hours, which was again repulsed. At midnight the Ukrainians rushed forward again, this time supported by artillery. While chanting the battle cry of “Urrah! Urrah!” they stormed towards the Spanish lines.

Volkhov River, Russia, 19 October 1941: After the failure to secure a bridgehead across the Volkhov the previous day, Colonel Jose Martinez Esparza, Commander of the 269th Regiment, 250th Infantry Division, ordered another crossing at 0800 hours on the 19th of October. The rubber boats however turned up late. A break in the frost combined with heavy rain turned the single road from the rear area supply depot at Miasnoi Bor into a quagmire and the entire area into slush and swamp. The dejected Colonel was even forced to abandon his beloved Studebaker that he had brought with him from Spain. Only the regiment’s seven-horsepower Ford was light enough to slide forward. Boats and skiffs were manhandled through the trees to the riverbank. At 1500 hours, Lt. Jose Escobedo pushed off with 2 platoons and no artillery preparation. Across the river, the Ukrainians and Tartars of the 848th Regiment, 276th Rifle Division sat low in their slit trenches unaware of the coming attack.

Spanish Blue Division is another Eastern Front-themed historical module from CH.

Includes:

• 1 Color Wraparound Cover Sheet
  
• Three 18” x 12” Color Cardstock Maps
  
• Two ASL Special Rules Sheet
  
• One Countersheet of 140 Counters
  
• 8 Scenarios
  

Scenarios included:

• Across the Volkhov – Volkhov River, Russia, October 19th 1941
  
• Revenge of the Ukrainians - Volkhov River, Russia, October 20th 1941
  
• Into the Forest - Volkhov River, Russia, October 20th 1941
  
• South to Glory - Volkhov River, Russia, October 20th 1941
  
• Expanding the Bridgehead – Hamlet of Russa, Russia, October 21st 1941
  
• Fire on the Volkhov – Hamlets of Russa and Sitno, Russia, October 23rd 1941
  
• Lifeblood of an Army - Hamlets of Russa and Sitno, Russia, November 1941