Desperate Counter-attack
Larrabetzu, June 13 1937
Been very hot out here and I`ve been struggling with drive to actually do anything hobby wise, finally got off my arse
This is the second game in a linked mini-campaign representing the desperate fighting south of Bilbao in June 1937. I highly recommend readers first read my historic background:
https://baberonwargames.blogspot.com/2026/06/breaking-iron-belt-spain-june-1937.html
And the first game scenario and AAR:
https://baberonwargames.blogspot.com/2026/06/pateando-la-puerta-scw-june-1937.html
For a more complete understanding of what is and has happened.
This is another semi-fictional battle using what I have available to try and create an interesting game.
History
During the days leading up to the main offensive on Bilbao, the Rebels captured several key pieces of high ground. Using these they were able to call down overwhelming artillery and direct air support against Basque artillery and defensive positions and against counter-attacks. This use of the high ground plus over 140 guns and numerous aircraft would eventually be the telling factor which broke Basque resistance of the “Iron Belt” south of Bilbao and sealed the fate of the city!
The game
Yesterday the enemy smashed into Larrabetzu and despite brave resistance by it`s heroic defenders captured most of the town! You command a company of regulars, part of a general counter-attack, you are ordered to take command of what is left of the militia battalion and drive the enemy out of Larrabetzu and restore the line. Your orders are to attack and re-take the town at all costs, the line must be restored! The fate of Bilbao could well rest in the hands of your battalion – go with God, Viva la Republica!
Republican Situation
The remnants of the militia battalion hold the northern edge of the town, they have managed to halt the Francoist drive only with the greatest sacrifice. They now await the coming dawn and the end; but high command has ordered a counter-attack and reinforcements have arrived in the form of a company of Basque regulars, some Assault Guards, a company of old French (actually Polish) Ft17s and a battery of `75mm guns.
Francoist Situation
After a tough fight yesterday the combined force of Carlists and Italians managed to capture most of the town, but some fanatical defence combined with sunset which reduced the effectiveness of the supporting artillery and aircraft prevented a total victory.
During the early hours the Carlist bandera was withdrawn to regroup with their brigade to join the next phase of the general attack! The Italian command complained but were ignored; this left just the Italians, and some Civil Guards who`s job was mainly to police the town once completely captured. The Italians have received some reinforcements during the night to assist the final clearing of the town.
Basque/Republican forces
Militia HQ and support weapons
75mm Artillery battery
Ft17 company
Assault Guard platoon
Francoist forces
Italian HQ plus FOO team
3 composite infantry companies
The Table
This scenario uses the same table as game 1, but I have replaced all the buildings with damaged/destroyed ones (or removed rooves), I`ve also scattered shell craters around the place.
Now this basically a meeting engagement with both sides launching attacks at the same time across the half destroyed town.
Turns 1-2 both sides move to the attack, the only firing is artillery and mortars, at this point the Italians are unaware of the Republic counter-attack!
The Italian left
Republican armour on the road
Republican `75s wipe out the Italian Breda AA gun
Turns 3-4 both sides continue to advance, the Italians are still unaware of the Republics counter-attack until a DH82 spotter plane arrives over the table and spots them on turn 4
The Italians on the right find themselves opposed by a well dug in platoon of milicianas, they take casualties, but the off table Skoda battery lands a salvo smack onto the girls position causing considerable casualties and they require a morale check!
Turn 5 The milicianas fail their morale check and have to withdraw, but they are struck again by a salvo of 100MM fire and this combined with Italian small arms wipes the entire platoon out!
In the center the Italian 2nd company comes under fire and takes casualties, but their mortar spotter is up to the task and his tubes silence the Republican machine gun!
On the Italian left No3 company supported by 2 CV33 and a platoon of Guardia Civil begin to exchange fire with militia, both sides take casualties.
Turn 6 the DH82 drops a message to the Italian HQ warning of the enemy counter-attack!
On the right the Italian 1st company advances into the position once held by the milicianas
In the center No2 company moves into the town proper, they come under sporadic sniper and mortar fire.
On the left No3 company is well engaged against the militia, they are closely supported by the CV33 and a 75/27 field gun. The Basque have a couple of LMGs and a mortar in direct support plus the `75 battery, both sides take casualties!
Turn 7 On the left the lead CV33 crosses a barricade in an attempt to outflank the militia in front of No3 company, it is immediately knocked out by an anti-tank rifle!
The Italian FOO calls down his Skoda battery against the now visible Republican armour – the effect was devastating - two Ft17s destroyed and half a platoon of militia killed as well requiring a morale check!
Turn 8 on the left the militia in front of No3 company fail their morale and withdraw, second CV33 surges through the gap, only to be knocked out by the same anti-tank rifle as his mate!
No3 company is also his by mortar and machine gun fire plus they now see the Republican Assault Guards plus militia advancing on them from the far left.
And if things couldn`t get any worse the Guardia Civil platoon are caught by a well aimed salvo from the `75s and lose nearly 1/3 of their number
In the center No2 company comes under MMG fire from a concrete bunker and also finds itself facing the last Ft17.
On the right 1st company is engaged with another platoon of milicianas
Turn 9 Another `75 salvo lands around the Civil Guard on the left, they take more casualties and need a morale check.
A platoon of the Italian No 3 company is cut to pieces trying to cross open ground, the survivors break and run. The rest of the company are now engaged with the Republican counter-attack!
In the center the Italian FOO calls down his guns against the last FT17 – shots land long actually causing casualties among the Republican regular company! Both the FT and the bunker MMG fire om the Italian No2 company causing casualties.
On the right 1st company continues to exchange fire with the Milicianas
Turn 10 Another `75 salvo crashes down around the Guardia on the left, they fail their morale and flee!
A melee has developed between the Assault Guards/militia and No3 company.
In the center No2 company is pinned by the FT and bunker MMG, but the Skoda battery saves the day and lands a salvo across the bunker (rolling an impressive 12 on 2D6 for effect wiping it out), the salvo also causes serious damage to the FT killing it also.
On the right, the Italian 1st company is still engaged with the milicianas
Turn 11 a Ju-86 “Jumo” flys onto the table
On the left the Italian No3 company is destroyed in melee and must make a morale check.
In the center No2 company is now engaged with the Basque regulars who are also coming under 75mm and Skoda fire
On the right the milicianas finally require a morale check due to casualties from 1st company now with direct support from a 65mm
Turn 12 the Italians of No3 company fail their morale and either flee or surrender! The Assault Guards and militia begin to receive mortar and 75mm fire!
The artillery and No2 company (with support from MMGs) cause lots of casualties among the Basque regulars requiring a morale check!
The milicianas fail their morale and begin a withdrawal
The Ju-86 targets and bombs the Republican `75 battery, smashing one gun and causing enough casualties to require a morale check
Turn 13-15 failed morale checks, or if made further casualties over the next few turns turn a counter-attack into a rout!
Interesting game, mostly infantry supported by artillery.
The Italian dice were the deciding factor I believe, their FOO rolled consecutive 6s on no less than 3 occasions calling down 100mm salvos onto the Republicans! Small arms rolls were equally amazing, whilst the reverse was true for the Basques!
As expected, lots of lovely toys on the tabletop with a head-to-head between the opposing armies 👏👏
ReplyDeleteThe dice gods, however, seem to have very much been on the side of the Nationalists. As often seems the case, once things start to go wrong the situation just goes from bad to worse. Very little seems to have worked for the Republicans ☹️
I suspect it will take a serious amount of blood, sweat and tears in the final battle of this campaign if the Basques are to salvage anything from the situation.
Cheers,
Geoff
Cheers Geoff, I actually wrote this one on the fly as my (already written) second scenario made no sense as it stood without this one in between (if that makes any sense). So now that 2nd game will become the third. Been so hot out here - 30+ in the shade for the last month, even the Spanish are commenting on how early summer has arrived! All you want to do is sit in the shade (or pool) and now we have quite a busy social life with Spanish lessons and such.
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