Berlin German - Command Card Recon Formations

Berlin German - Command Card Recon Formations  With John Lee  For those who have read any of my previous articles, you will know that I have an affinity for reconnaissance formations and with the release of Berlin: German, there are some more interesting choices to choose from, that have a variety of units to create a list that suits your playstyle.  They are command card-based formations, and they are the Sd Kfz 234 Scout Company, Aufklarer 38(t) Scout Company, and Luchs Scout Company.  We will be looking at each of these and how to field them at 100pts as well as a downsized 50pt option for fast play small, sided games. Before we dive into the three new formations, we will have a quick look at the new units and vehicles themselves first.

For those who love running Puma’s, we now have an alternative option to run the Sd Kfz 234 Heavy Scout Troop instead.  This troop is comprised of one Sd Kfz 234 (2cm) and either an Sd Kfz 234 (7.5cm) or Sd Kfz 234 (PaK 40).  That’s right – a Pak 40 with AT12 goodness!  For 2pts a troop, you get the short 7.5cm option giving you AT9 out to 24” with HEAT.  Pay 3pts and you get the AT12 with 32” range option – and looks cool!  The 2cm version is AT5 out to 20”.  The advantage here is that it gives you options to take on light and medium targets and get that sneaky side shot off against heavy armour such as IS-2s.  Being troops of two is fragile so you want to max out this formation if you can.   The next unit is the Aufklarer 38(t) (2cm) Scout Troop.  A unit comprises three tanks for 4pts and is a modified Panzer 38(t) with a 2cm turret giving AT5 out to 20”.  Units of three are more survivable.  Take a formation of these to get into the backfield and cause havoc in the rear area whilst your opponent is trying to deal with your other big units from the front. The last unit is the Luch’s Scout Troop, this unit is found in the command cards and is a unit from the Fortress Europe book.  A unit of three is 5pts.  It is also armed with a 2cm gun with a range of 20”.  The advantage this tank has over the other two is that it has better side armour (2 instead of 1), better cross check (3+ instead of 4+), better remount of 4+ instead of 5+, and lastly, is faster on the battlefield.  12” tactical move, 14” cross country dash, and a whopping 24” cross country dash along with 28” road dash.  Great for spearheading on those missions that can take advantage of it as well as coming on from reserve to get to an objective quickly.  As an aside, the command card can replace an Sd Kfz 234 Heavy Scout Troop meaning that you could also mix and match the type in the Sd Kfz 234 Scout Formation as we will see next.

Looking into the formations now, we can see how to maximise the formations and look at what other options are available from the book to mix and match to provide some interesting forces. Starting with the Sd Kfz 234 Scout Company, it is comprised of the following units: 1 Sd Kfz 234 Scout Company HQ 4-8 Sd Kfz 234 Heavy Scout Troop 0-1 Reconnaissance Platoon It allows you to take up to ten units including an infantry platoon to anchor the formation.  To maximise this formation and give it some oomph, this is how it could look: Sd Kfz 234 Scout Company

With only two team units, it’s best to ensure we have maxed out the formation to ten units with the Reconnaissance Platoon as the anchor costing 40pts leaving us 60pts to add in some cool stuff.  The Luchs are there for your fast spearhead to get your heavy troops into position.  The StuHs provide cheap effective artillery templates alongside some direct fire AT10.  The Tiger IIs provides your long-range AT17 and your assault unit if needed.  The HJ platoon for some cheap infantry that could be used in ambush or as a diversion.  The Kleinpanzers are another potential ambush unit and potentially a diversion.  Some fun units that make up this interesting force. To field a 50pt force instead, we can still put out an impressive force:

Still manage to get seven units for the formation break.  Infantry without half-tracks and supported by AT17 Waffentragers and StuHs providing an artillery template and AT10 direct fire.  Lots of AT12 from the Heavy Scout Troops!

Up next is the Aufklarer 38(t) Scout Company.  This formation is comprised of: 1 Aufklarer 38(t) Scout Company HQ 3-8 Aufklarer 38(t) Scout Troop 0-1 Reconnaissance (late) Platoon It allows you to take up to ten units including an infantry platoon to anchor the formation.  To maximise this formation and give it some oomph, this is how it could look: Aufklarer 38(t) Scout Company

Six units for the formation break.  Units of three are more survivable so need less.  Again, the formation is anchored on the Infantry.  Volksturm platoon to defend an objective or protect the Jagdtigers from flank attacks.  StuHs again with the dual artillery template and direct fire AT10.  Lots of half-tracks to provide additional firepower. Here is what a 50pt force would look like:

Five units for the formation break and infantry anchoring it.  Supported by Panthers with their FA10 and AT14.  Triple 15mms provides more fire support.

Finally, to round out the recon options is the Luchs Scout Company.  This formation is comprised of:  1 Luchs Scout Company HQ 3-8 Luchs Scout Troop 0-1 Reconnaissance (late) Platoon It allows you to take up to ten units including an infantry platoon to anchor the formation.  To maximise this formation and give it some oomph, this is how it could look: Luchs Scout Company

Six units for the formation break again anchored with the infantry platoon.  Panthers, Waffentragers, and 8.8cm AA guns provide the AT14 and AT17 for the force.  Volksturm to defend an objective or protect the 8.8cm AA guns.   Artillery template provided by Wespes.  The Luchs use their speed and spearhead to get the Panthers and Recon Infantry onto the objectives whilst Waffentragers and 8.8cm AA guns provide overwatch. A 50pt option could look like this:

Again, five units for the formation break anchored by infantry.  Panzer IVs and StuHs to provide AT11 and AT10 support alongside one artillery template.  The Luchs’ speed can get the force into their opponent’s backfield quickly and create havoc.

There you have it.  These command card formations can provide some interesting options and provide some headaches for your opponent at different point levels.  I hope this has given you some food for thought.  Happy list building! ~ John Lee