HASL: Festung Budapest

[rogg]

Here are some photos + description from a "Festung Budapest" game we recently had.

It is an awesome modul for ASL, which depicts the struggle for Buda in January/February 1945.



FB Scenario 4 "HKL 259"



Buda, Hungary, 24 January 1945. It is a wet dawn and Hauptstfr. Meyer inspects his hastly build defense line at the Kis-Svábhegy, a hill which dominates Buda. The garrison is now besieged for a month and supplies and ammunition slowly run out. Rumours are spread that a relief attempt is only 30 km away, in the night you can here the fighting between the Soviets and the relief force. Hopes are running high. Meyer shares one of his last Russian cigarettes with the crew of his MG42/Tripod, when a lookout reports movement on the hill....

Meanwhile Colonel Josif Burik of the 320th Rifle Division has prepared and instructed his assault teams, he puts away his map, butts out his cigarette and gives the signal for the attack...


Soviet assault teams swarm over the Kis-Svábhegy to force their way into Buda. The defenders of the SS-Kavallerie Regiment 16 prepare for the onslought. Some Hungarian stragglers are surprised by the sudden attack and try to force their way back to the German lines through a hail of bullets. The German MMG in centres fires as fast as it can and takes its toll, However the shortage of ammunation will soon silence it...



Scharfr. Karlsmann, responsible for the right wing of the defense line, rushes trough his trench to range in his LMG on a Soviet MG Team in a small house about 60 metres away. A Siberian marksman takes him out immediatly. He is severly wounded and dies moments later. His shocked squad covers and wavers...



Meanwhile, Col. Burik has recognized the strong centre of German position and leads personally an outflanking maneuver, but is spotted by a German marksman and wounded. However, he stays on the field and presses on the attack.


The left angle of the German line was outflanked and the defenders are streaming downhill while a Scharfr. tries to establish a new defense line. The centre still holds its position, but with the outflanking maneuver, the position becomes unsustainable...

The battle was now at its peak and tensions were running high. Suddenly, like out of nowhere, a huge force appeared, called the girlfriend and forced a ceasefire on the two struggling parties...

[Duncan]

Very cool. I got rid of my HASL stuff because I don't have the space or time. Used the money to finance a game buying binge. Going to hook up for an ASL game next Friday I think.

[rogg]

Originally Posted by Duncan

Very cool. I got rid of my HASL stuff because I don't have the space or time. Used the money to finance a game buying binge. Going to hook up for an ASL game next Friday I think.

Thank you sir A started to play ASL not long ago and FB is my first historical module and I think its far more intense than the normal geomorphic maps and full of historical facts, anecdotes. I will not play anything else in the near future!

[AdrianE]

I actually playtested that scenario many years ago. It was fun. I haven't played anything else from FB.

I'm actually getting ready to play a 3rd party HASL on the battle of Cholm.

http://www.lefranctireur.org/spip.php?article84

[rogg]

Originally Posted by AdrianE

I actually playtested that scenario many years ago. It was fun. I haven't played anything else from FB.

I'm actually getting ready to play a 3rd party HASL on the battle of Cholm.

http://www.lefranctireur.org/spip.php?article84

Shield of Cholm is said to be very complicated, can you confirm this?

[AdrianE]

Originally Posted by rogg

Shield of Cholm is said to be very complicated, can you confirm this?

Yes and no. There are a lot of extra chrome rules and air support on both sides but in the end it is an infantry slugfest. It is nowhere near as complicated as the scenario Bloody Red Beach (caves, Japanese, Marines, amphibious assault).

I've played a few scenarios and found them fun. Maybe not the most balanced but fun.

[rogg]

Originally Posted by AdrianE

Yes and no. There are a lot of extra chrome rules and air support on both sides but in the end it is an infantry slugfest. It is nowhere near as complicated as the scenario Bloody Red Beach (caves, Japanese, Marines, amphibious assault).

I've played a few scenarios and found them fun. Maybe not the most balanced but fun.

Is Beyond Valor sufficient to play it?

[AdrianE]

Originally Posted by rogg

Is Beyond Valor sufficient to play it?

You need chapter E air support rules so no. Yanks has chapter E. BV version 2 or 3 would have chapter E though.

Other than that BV is fine as far as counters go.

[Hypaspist]

Cool stuff! I'm still waiting to play my Valor of the Guards HASL, but no time.

[rogg]

Second Attack:


Col Burik renews his attack, this time with the bulk of his forces at the left flank, which seems to knock out the German defensive line


However, the attack slows down and the Germans managed to establish a knew line of defense. Vicious Hand-to-Hand fighting for every house...


Despite their brave conduct, the line falls and the defenders are slowly reduced... A Soviet attack detachment on the right is stopped by desperated Hungarian Gensdarmes

[rogg]

Finally, the way is open and Col Burik leads his men down the hill into cenral Buda...

[generalmaineiac]

Playing some of the scenarios from the Kreta HASL at the moment.... I've played a few from Festung Budapest, as well. Great module.

[rogg]

Originally Posted by generalmaineiac

Playing some of the scenarios from the Kreta HASL at the moment.... I've played a few from Festung Budapest, as well. Great module.

Is this the one from Heat of Battle?