Near the River
Udy, UKRAINE, SOVIET UNION, 12 February 1943: Jochen Peiper became
the commander of III Battalion, Infanterie Regiment 2 of the 1st
SSLAH on 14 September 1942. A legend soon grew around his Blowtorch
Battalion during the 1942-43 battles around Kharkov. Many of the
unit’s vehicles sported a blowtorch symbol, earned, according
to Peiper, following the use of halftrack-mounted soldiers to
mount high-speed attacks on enemy-held villages. Thatched roofs
were burned in the process, leading to the unit’s moniker.
During the third battle of Kharkov 3rd Battalion had to push some
48 kilometers (30 mi) through enemy lines to rescue the surrounded
320th Infantry Division. As the German rescue column, ambulances
laden with wounded, headed for friendly lines they found the route
across the River Udy blocked by elements of Army Group Popov.
A running battle ensued between the rescuers and Soviet elements,
including reinforcements from 1st Guards Tank Army. An exit route
was finally secured … but only for retreating ambulances.
The only remaining bridge, a damaged span over the Udy would not
carry tanks and half-tracks. The weary soldiers of 3rd Battalion
were ordered to find, and open, another escape route … for
themselves. A task duly accomplished with few casualties.
If you love a
good Eastern Front slugfest, the MAJOR UPHAM BATTLE PACK
is for YOU. It's also for you if you occasionally hanker for a
knock-down, drag-out fight in Stalingrad. A Russo-Polish armored
showdown in 1939? Yes, it's in there and more. This new pack is
from a prolific designer and ASLer raconteur ... with a nom de
plume of Major Upham. Or Colonal Upham. When you get to know him,
you can call him Jack Upham. Whatever the mode of address, he's
spent godzillion hours head-down over these 10 scenarios, with
his bestest gaming buddies and we present the results to you with
new color overlays as MAJOR UPHAM BATTLE PACK!
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
WITH EACH COPY:
- A set of 8 scenarios
set during various periods
- New village
overlay
- Color cover
