Battlefront's Berlin - more Russian list info

This months issue of Wargames Illustrated is out, and with it a few more details on the Russian lists coming in the Berlin book.

Image linked from Flames of War Website - used without permission

It's an interesting issue of WI - although my Ipad version seems very buggy this month. The main theme is Post Apocalypse - lots of Mad Max based articles. My review of the Berlin article here is not going to go into the same detail as the magazine (hint, buy the magazine!).

So, to follow up on some of the info covered in last months issue (and mentioned in my blog post here) this article focuses on the Russian and digital lists.

Guards Heavy Tanks:-

Hero Gvardeyskiy Tyazhelyy Tankovy Polk. IS-2 obr 1943 and IS-2 obr 1944 are both mentioned (one plastic kit that will allow both to be made). The 1943 model has a FA of 10 while the 1944 model is 11. Breakthrough Gun, AT15, FP 2+. Hero crew means they pass skills tests on 3+ rather than 4+ and don't suffer from Hen and Chicks. They are also Fearless (but trained, given that the skills test would be normally 4+ - just my guess).

Heavy Assault Guns:-

Hero Tyazhelyy Samokhodno-Artillyeriyskiy. ISU-122 and ISU-152. The ISU-152 is AT13. FP 1+, Bunker Buster. No mention or rating (I suspect same as the tank list).

Both lists have 'similar support options, including companies of each other'. They can also take T-34 and OT-34 support 'as well as AT Guns, infantry, engineers, artillery, rockets, anti aircraft and air'.

Rifle Regiment:-

Hero Strelkovy Polk. Comes with Guards (Fearless Trained) and Red Army options (Confident Trained). 'included as a company support option is the customisable specialist street fighting Shturmovye Group'.

It states that these infantry Battalions are different from other Russian lists as they are 'smaller, more compact'. They have Hero rules (3+ skills tests rather than 4+). Rifle/MG but upgradeable to SMG and Panzerfaust SMG.

The streetfighting company mentions SMG, Pioneer, SMG Panzerfaust, MG and HMG teams, Mortars, A/T guns and rifles and artillery - including the 203mm obr 1931 (Building destroyer rule...)

The Guards Hero Shturmovye group is Fearless Vet + hero.

Scout platoon is mentioned, which allows you to infiltrate a combat company. Flamethrowers and heavy mortars get a special mention. Corps support mentions a Hero Sapper company (FV), IS-2's, T-34's, Hero tank destroyer company (FV).

New plastic models will include Infantry and 2 x artillery (4 plastic 57mm ZIS 2 or 76mm ZIS 3 guns in one, and 4 plastic 122mm obr 1938 or 152mm obr 1943 guns).

Digital Content:-

German

502. and 503. Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung schwere SS-Panzerkompanie

11. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Nordland (SS-Panzerkompanie, SS-Panzergrenadierkompanie, SS-Panzerpionierkompanie, SS-Aufklarungsschwdron)

Panzerdivision Muncheberg (Panzerkompanie (with infra-red), Panzergrenadierkompanie)

Grenadierkompanie (Type 45 infantry divisions)

Russian

Hero Cavalry Regiment

Hero Lend Lease Tank Brigade - Sherman Tanks in 1945


So that's a quick summary of the main points in the article.  Interestingly there is a Russian 1945 Sherman list... I suggested to Wayne in an email the other week that it would be nice to see a 1945 British Sherman list (along with a 1945 Recce Corps list), and he said he would look into it. But it looks like a Russian one was already on the cards.

Can I also use this opportunity to say that the 6 Month Mountain Reduction and Painting Challenge starts on 1st June. Well worth checking out if you are thinking of starting a blog and have a big backlog of models to paint!