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Storming The Waidhaus Gap

Southern Germany, 17 August 1988
4 PG Dv Covering Force
18 Gds MRD, Fwd Detachments
& First Echelon MRR

Storming The Waidhaus Gap

Storming The Waidhaus Gap is a Cold War Hot what if scenario
set in August 1988, following the commencement of hosRliRes in
Western Europe on the central front.
The Game pitches 4 Panzer Grenadier Divisions covering force
against the Forward detachments of 18 Guards Motor Rie Division
as it forces a crossing of the German Czechoslovakian border at
Waidhaus in the opening hours of the Third World War.

The ORBATs used are based on the assumpRons stated within
Victor Suverovs book inside the Soviet Army that:

The Peace Rme structure of Soviet Armies and Fronts would
not represent the warRme ORBAT.
The Soviets would incorporate the NaRonal formaRons of the
Warsaw pact states inRmately into their structures
The Soviet Army would pursue a consistent approach to the
structure of Armies and Fronts unless they had good reason to
choose not to.
The Soviet Army throughout its History expended signicant
eort successfully on Maskerovka

The Scenario is set against the background of General Sir John
Hackets book the third world war but a few years later.

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Securing The Waidhaus Gap 17 August 1988

HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND

Military SituaRon

CENTAG, Central & Southern Germany

Air Armies of the 3 First Echelon fronts together with the Spetznaz and Air Assault Ba"alions hit
targets through out the CENTAG and NORTHAG areas on the night of 16/17th August a"acking HQs
and securing key features and deles in proximity to the Inner German Bprder and Czech German
Border

3rd Western Front a"acked across the German Czechoslovakian Border into VII US Corps in the
North and II Ge Corps in the South. The Front commander deployed 22 CAA in the North and 4
CSLA CAA in the south with 1 CSLA TA in the Front 2nd Echelon.

II Ge Corps in the South deployed 4 PG Div North, 1 GbJgr Div South with 10 Pz Div in Reserve.
Within 4 PG Div area 10 PG Bde is North, 56 HS Bde Center and 11 PG Bde South, with 12 Pz Bde in
reserve. A strong ba"legroup built around 4 PzAuf Bn provided the forward deployed covering
force heavily reinforced by elements of the reserve and strongly supported by AviaRon and Air
assets from Heersieger Regiment 26 and the Alpha jets of Jagdbombergeschwader 49 out of
fustenfeldbruck air base

22 CAA Intended to cross the border at Waidhaus and Arzberg, with a main axis of advance
Nuremburg Stu"gart. The Combined Armes Army deployed 30 MRD North through the Arzberg
gap against VII US Corps and 18 Gds MRD South through the Waidhaus gap with a main axis of
advance passing south of Nuremberg through10 PzGren Bdes area on the line Waidhaus Amberg
Neumarket- Stu"gart.

Military SituaRon

4PzGren Division, D D Day H + 2

4PG Dv had deployed 4 PzAuf Bn as a covering force across 10 PG Bde
and 56 HS Bdes Frontage covering the Main crossing points of the Cham
and Waidhaus gaps.
4 PzAuf Bn formed the principal component of 2 strong Kamf Groups
covering the border crossings, 11 PG Bde remained responsible for the
divisional frontage in its AOR which was generally considered impassible
to major armored formaRons.
At 04:00 aler a period of signicant air acRvity in its area
communicaRons were lost with Kamf Group Von Maltzahn due to heavy
and conRnuous broad band Jamming, a Recce ight from
Heersiegerstae 4 was sent to reestablish communicaRons with the
Waidhaus covering force. 2 Flights of PAH 1 from PzAbwRegt 26 were
moved to immediate noRce to move.

Military SituaRon

PzAuf Bn 4, Oberstleutnant Dietrich von Maltzahn

Kampf Group Von Maltzahn was one of two Kampf groups formed to provide
the covering force across the 100km frontage of 4PG Dv. The Kampf groups
were consRtuted from The Panzeraunlarungs ba"alion and elements of the
Divisional and Korps Reserves. As both the principal border crossing points sat
within 4 PG Dvs Area of Responsibility this force was signicant

The Kampf Group Comanded by Oberstleutnant Dieter Von Maltzahn deployed

its forward elements into the Waidhaus gap on the night of 15 August 1988. As
well as Waidhaus they also covered the area South to Waldmunchen, Kampf
Group Steiner covered the Cham Gap.

Kampf Group Von Maltzahn was consRtuted from elements of PzAufBtl.4, PzBtl.
123, FschJgBtl.251, FschJgBtl 252, PzJgKp.120, PzAufZug.120 supported by
elements of PzArtBtl.125, RkArtBtl.42 HeersFliegerStaele.4 and PzAbwRegt.
26. Support was also available from elements of 10 PG Bdes covering force.

SupporRng Air SorRes were expected from the Alpha Jets of

Jagdbombergeschwader 49 out of Frstenfeldbruck Air Base

Military SituaRon

PzAufB 4 Ba"le Group D Day 05:00

Kamf Group Von Maltzhan had deployed across the 10 PG Bde frontage as follows:
Waidhaus

251 FJ Bn reinforced by elements of 252 FJ Bn

1 Coy 123 Tank Batalion (Leo 2)

PzAuf Bn 4 Recce Group 1

21 and 23 Ba"ery 4 Flugabwehrregiment

10 PG Covering Force

100 PzAfZug

100 PJKp

Eslharn 12PzAufZg group 1

1 Recce SecRon
1 PJZug 120 PJKp

Schonsee 12PzAufZg group 2

TreelsRen 12PzAufZg group 3

1 Recce SecRon
2 PJZug 120PJKp

1 Recce SecRon
2 PJZug 120PJKp

The Kamf Group Reserve 2 and 3 Kp 123 Tank Bn was at Moosbach and 124 Tank Bn the Kamf Group
SRener Reserve was at Oberviechtach
2 Flights of PzAbwRegt 26 were held at a FARP at Schwarzeneld secured by 254 FJ Bn

 Military SituaRon 18 Gds MRD Orbat, 1988

Major General Petre Khrenov
18 Guards MRD was one of two MRDs in the 20 CAA rst Echelon. It was to cross the
Czech/German border at Waidhaus at around 06:00 hours on 17th August, following acRons
to secure the Waidhaus Gap by 901 Independent Air Assault Ba"alion and 468 MRB Group a
heavily reinforced Forward detachment provided by 48 MRD in the Armies 2nd Echelon

The rst echelon MRRs 275 and 278 would pass through the secured dele heading for a
river crossing of the NAAB in the vicinity of Wenberg. The Wenberg crossing was to be
secured by the divisions own forward detachment 65 MRB in conjuncRon with 9 Company
37 MRR Bn from 275 MSP. 65 MRB was due to cross the Czech border between Eselarn and
Schonsee from 00:01 0n 17th August
The Remainder of the Armies Forward Detachment based on 721 MRR from 15 CSLA MSD
would drive on Amberg to secure a crossing of the Vilis between Theuren and
Kummersbruck and in conjuncRon with 149 Parachute Infantry Ba"alion from the Fronts Air
Assault Brigade would then secure the dele between Amberg and the Hirchwald through
which 18 Gds MRD would pass.

Notes: whilst the Regimental numbers for the Motor Rie, Tank and ArRllery Regiments are believed to be correct, the remainder have been made up
based on other units

u
4 PzA

Waidhause

VII US xxx II Ge

MR
468

1
fB RG

251
FJ B,

R
65 M

Moosbach

123
PzB

Eslarn

10PG Bde x 4PzAufB

Schonsee

Wernberg

124
PzB

Oberviechtach

TresRen

KG Von II KG Steiner

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12 Pz Bde
280 MRB Group

MISSIONS

PzAufB.4 Kampf Group Mission

PzAufB.4 D Day 05:00

The Mission Given by the divisional Commander to Kampf Group Von Me

Delay for 6 hours (12 Turns) within boundaries in order

to allow 252 FJB to prepare an area AT Ambush in the
vicinity of Amberg

280 MRR Group - Mission

Colonel Ivan Rokovski
Mission Given to Maj Suverov Commander of 468 MSB the forward
detachment was to
secure Waidhaus Gap by 10:00 hours in order to allow 18 GvMSD to cross the German
Czech Border at Waidhaus by 12:00 from Comd 22 OA

Mission given to Major Bezarin, commander 901 Independent Air Assault
Ba"alion by Comd 22 OA
- Prevent counter a"acks into the Waidhause gap from the West and South in
order to allow 18 GvMSD to cross the German Czech Border at Waidhaus by 10:00

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12 Pz Bde
280 MRB Group

ORBATS

468GvMSB, Forward Detachment

Maj

468 MRB Group

468 MRB (BMP 2)

2 Coy 27 TB, each 4 T-72A

280 Engineer Company Mobility Support Detachment

3 BRDM 2 AT5, 1 BRDM2, 1 Zil 131

280 MRR RAG

1 BMR, 1 BMP2, 1 BRDM 2, 1 RPG, 1 LMG, 4 AK74

280 MRR AnR Tank Ba"ery

Recce 1 BTR 60PB, 1 BRDM 2 Rkh

Mine Clearing Detachment, , 1 Zil 131, 3 KMT4 Mine rollers, 1 MTK2
Bridging 1 T-55 Bridge Layer
Route Improvement 1 T-72 Dozer
Security 1 BMP Coy, , 1 BMP, 8 Figures, 1 LMG, 1 RPG, 1 Commander, 4 AK74
Engineer Pl 1 BTR 60PB, 4 Fig AKM, 1 AKMS, 1 RPGr

280 MRR Recce Company

HQ, 1 BMP, 4 Figures, Commander, Radio Op, Sniper, AK74

3 Coy, 1 BMP, 8 Figures, 1 LMG, 1 RPG, 1 Commander, 4 AK74
AGS 17 Platoon 1 BMP, 2 AGS 17
SAM Platoon, 1BMP, 3 SAM, 3 AK74
MTR Platoon, 1 MTLB, 2 120mm Mortar

8 2S1, 2 BRDM 2U, 2 OP parRes

8 2S3 2 BTR 60 OP ParRes

280 MRR AD Ba"ery

1 ZSU 23-4, 1 SA 9 Gopher

901 DShB, Forward Detachment

Deploy West of Line Y

901 DShB
BHQ 5 Fig,
2PICoy each 11 Fig 6 AKM, 1 AKMs, 1 RPG, 1PKMS, 1AT7
1 BMD Coy 1 BTR-D, 2BMD 1P, 6 Fig, 4 AKM 1 RPG 1 AKMS
Recce Pl 1 BRDM 2
AT Pl 1 SPG9, 2 AT-4
Mor Pl, 2 82mm Morter 1 MOP
AA Pl 3 SA7, 3 AKM
DF Sp Pl 2 AGS-17
AviaRon
Assault and Combat Helicopter Regiment
1 Sqn 5 Mi-24 D
1 Sqm 2 Mi 8 TV, 3 Mi 8 T
Indipendent Helicopter Transport Regiment
1 Heavy Lil Squadroin 2 Mi 26, 1 Mi 6
1 Medium Lil Squadron 4 Mi 8
Strike Package
2 Flights FGA each 1 Su25
2 Flights FGA each 1 Mig 27
ArRllery
1 Bn BM21 3 Bty of 2 BM21 failed arRllery request Turns 1 -3 1 Bty only
2 Scatmin Missions
2 Bn 2S5 each 3 Bty 2 Guns, Turns 1 & 2 only preplaned re

275GvMSP, Lead MRR

3 Bn BMP

HQ, 1 BMP, 4 Figures, Commander, Radio Op, Sniper, AK74

3 Coy, 1 BMP, 8 Figures, 1 LMG, 1 RPG, 1 Commander, 4 AK74
AGS 17 Platoon 1 BMP, 2 AGS 17
SAM Platoon, 1BMP, 3 SAM, 3 AK74
MTR Platoon, 1 MTLB, 2 120mm Mortar

1 Bn T-72 A, each 9 T-72A

280 MRR Recce Company

1 BMR, 1 BMP2, 1 BRDM 2, 1 RPG, 1 LMG, 4 AK74

280 MRR AnR Tank Ba"ery

3 BRDM 2 AT5, 1 BRDM2, 1 Zil 131

280 MRR RAG

6 2S1, 2 BRDM 2U, 2 OP parRes

280 MRR AD Ba"ery

1 ZSU 23-4, 1 SA 9 Gopher

Orbat PzAuf Bn 4 Ba"le Group

Deploy any where on Board

PzAufB 4 Recce Group 1
1 Kp 4 x Leo1, 1 Fuchs with GSR, 4 Figs G3 1 PfF44
1 Kp 2 Leo 1A5, 2 Luchs

FJB 251, 253
2 PzJKp each 3 Weasel TOW, 2 Weasel 20mm (or Kraka)
2 FJKp each 2 Milan Kraka, 6 G3 1 MG3 1Carl Gustarv 1PzF 44
1 FJKp Grp 2 Milan Kraka, 6 G3 1MG3, 1 Carl Gustav, 1 PzF 44, 2 Kraka 20mm
1 Mor Platoon 2 120mm Mortar Kraka

123 PzBtl
1 Kp 4 Leo 2

4 Flak Regiment
2 Bty each 2 Gepard, 1 Unimog 2 Redeye

Limited Deployment (deploy behind line X)

10 PzBde Recce Group
2 Luchs, 4JgPzRkt

Deployment opRons on Waidhaus Gap Terrain, Slide 20

Orbat PzAufB 4 Ba"le Group

O Board
Reserves/Counter ALack Force
From Turn 3, 123 PzBtl 2 Kp each 4 Leo 2,
Dice for arrival, d6: 1 or 2 all arrive on turn 3; 3,4or 5, 1Kp Turn 3, 1 Kp Turn 4; 6 all arrive turn 4. AddiRonal
delays if choose entry points other than A or B
From Turn 8 124 PzBtl 1 Kp 4 Leo 2,
Dice for arrival, d6, 1-3 on turn , 4-6 on following turn. AddiRonal delays if choose entry points other than A
or B

ArPllery
125 PzArtBtl 2 FOO, 3 Bty 2 M109; on request support roll of 1 only 1 Bty available
42 RkyArtBtl 1 FOO, 3 Turns of support from 3 Bty 2 MLRS, up to 1 Scatmin Mission,
request support roll 1 no support
41 FdArtyBtl and 105 PzArtBtl from turn 6 request support roll 1 or 2 no support

Air AviaPon (Dice per turn on task on roll of 1 re deployed)
1 Sqn PzAbwRegt 26 1 Sqn 5 MBB105
2 Flights 1 Alpha Jet (or A10)

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The Waidhaus Gap

GROUND

Waidhaus Gap Terrain and

Entry/Exit Points

Entry at:

Point A, B German Tank Companies on Turn specied

Point C German Tank Coy + 1 Turn
Point D German Tank Coy + 2 Turn
Point E Soviets on Turn specied
Point H Exit Marginal Victory
Point I Exit Victory
Point G resounding Victory

Line X

Line y
E
H

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Deployment, Special Rules, Victory CondiRons & Player InformaRon

STORMING THE
WAIDHAUS GAP
PLAYER BRIEFS

Special Rules

Air Superiority
Turns 1-3 Soviet
Turns 4-6 NATO
Therealer Dice, d6, 1-3 Soviet 4-6 NATO
When a side has air superiority, the opposing side must save if it has aircral on board, dice once for each aircral,
D6, 1 aircral destroyed, 2 aircral aborts, 3-6 conRnue with mission.

Movement
an addiRonal 12" move regardless of terrain if no other acRon taken, and not within 2' of observed enemy unit at
start of move
Plus 1 to hit for ring at target conducRng an extended move

ObservaRon, all TI equipped MBT to be treated as Recce for ObservaRon

Scatmin 6 x 6 inch squares per mission deployed either 1 x 6 line or 2 x 3 area.

use direcRon dice to determine direcRon of error, d6 inches to determine distance.
Mineeld eects, dice D6 for each vehicle entering, 1-2 the vehicle takes a hit, resolve damage as per rules.
Use of ploughs or rollers will remove eect, MG Fire will give damaged vehicles a saving throw which is successful
on a 6

ECM Aircral an ECM aircral adds + 1 on score to hit for selected radar type when on board at medium alRRtude

PzAufB.4 Kampf Group Player Brief

Aim is to prevent exit of follow on MRR before
turn 12,

Set up within deployment parameters.

Reserves to enter from one of allocated direcRons
with turn penalRes as applicable. Choice of entry
point at Rme of entry
50% of FJgr infantry companies can be dug in

 Soviet Player Brief

Aim is to exit 275 MRR as quickly as possible with as few
casualRes as possible

ECM aircral on board +1 to hit roll for radar directed
weapons

901 DShB must land West of Line Y

All Forces enter from Eastern Board edge via entry point
selected prior to game start.

Victory CondiRons

Exit 75% of MRR before turn 18 from Exit G (West) - Soviet Win
Exit 50% of MRR before turn 18 from Exit G - Draw
Exit 25% of MRR before turn 18 from Exit G German Win

If Soviets Meet any of the exit criteria by turn 10, Increase by Category in
their favor.
If Soviets Exit via either of the alternate Exit routes reduce by Category.
If Germans sustain more than 30% casualRes increase by Category.