Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke (GE894)

Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke (GE894) includes Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke and his Panther A tank. By 1944 Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke was one of the most capable and experienced front-line panzer commanders in the German Army. This product is no longer currently available for sale...

Grey Wolf Grey Wolf represents the Axis forces (Germans, Hungarians and Finns) serving on the Eastern Front between January 1944 and February 1945.  Learn more about Grey Wolf here...

"Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke can be found on page 22 of Grey Wolf."

Born in 1898 in the town of Schwarzenfels, Bäke had served in World War One as an enlisted man. He fought in the infantry on the western front including the battle of Verdun, was wounded, awarded the Iron Cross Second Class and finished the war as a sergeant and officer candidate. Between the wars he studied dentistry, gained his doctorate, and established a successful professional career. Still a reserve, Bäke was called up in 1937, and was a Leutnant commanding a panzer platoon at the start of the war.

Oberstleutnant Dr Franz Bäke in Flames Of War Characteristics Franz Bäke is a Warrior and Higher Command Team rated as Fearless Veteran. He may join a Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke Panzerkompanie mounted in a Panther tank replacing the Company Command team for +60 points.

Bäke’s platoon was part of the Panzerabteilung 65, 1. Jägerdivision, later reorganised as 6. Panzerdivision. Equipped with the Czech Panzer 35(t) tanks Bäke’s unit took part in the invasion of Poland, where Bäke served well and was promoted to company commander. In France 1940, 6. Panzerdivision formed part of Guderian’s strike force through the Ardennes. Bäke’s Company captured a key bridge across the Meuse. Wounded twice in the campaign, Bäke was awarded the Gold Wound Badge and the Iron Cross, First Class.

Bäke’s combat career was characterised by his intelligence, determination and energy. Bäke gained his success not by fanaticism or bravado, but through his tactical skill.

In 1941 6. Panzerdivision was transferred to East Prussia for Operation Barbarossa. Bäke’s role changed to a staff position in charge of recovery of damaged tanks. As Regimental Ordinanz-Offizier he carried out tank recovery with his customary energy and intelligence. With Operation Typhoon reaching its climax he often led ad-hoc kampfgruppen forward on missions.

Special Rules Energetic Commander Bäke was an energetic commander who both led by example and pushed his men as hard as needed to achieve victory. Bäke and any platoon he is attached to may make a Stormtrooper Move on a roll of 2+.
	After the winter of 1941/42 the worn-out 6. Panzerdivision was withdrawn to France for rebuilding. Bäke was promoted to commander of II Abteillung/11. Panzerregiment. By thet ime the rebuilt division was ready for combat Stalingrad had been encircled. 6. Panzerdivision was transferred back east and thrown into the relief attempt.
Master Tactician Bäke preferred to win his battles through maneuver and tactics rather than bludgeoning the enemy. If Bäke is present on the battlefield one Panzer or Schwere Panzer platoon may make a Reconnaisance Deployment move after deployment is completed but before the first turn begins.

Unable to break through, it then helped encircle and destroy Soviet tanks thrusting towards Kharkov. For this action Bäke was awarded the Knights Cross in January 1943. At Kursk 6. Panzerdivision formed part of Hoth’s 4. Panzerarmee attacking from the south. Wounded again himself, Bäke continued in battle and took over command of 11. Panzerregiment when its commander was severely wounded. Bäke led the unit through the defensive battles towards the Dneiper, receiving the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross in August 1943. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant der Reserve and ordered to form Schwere Panzerregiment Bäke in December 1943. Six months of intensive combat involving the Regiment proved Bäke’s ability to command larger formations.

Every Shot Counts Bäke is a veteran of tank combat and has personally served in almost every mark of tank used by the Panzer units. He knows how to stay cool under pressure and shoot accurately. Bäke’s Panther tank may re-roll any failed To Hit rolls when it shoots.

	Bäke was awarded the Swords to the Knights Cross for his efforts to relieve the Korsun pocket in February 1944. After further defensive battles Bäke’s unit was disbanded in May 1944.  Bäke took command of Panzer Brigade 106 Feldherrnhalle, now forming in the west with Panthers and armoured infantry. By September these were fighting defensive battles against Patton’s Third US Army.
The Panther A In Flames Of War
Armour     Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower   Panther A Standard Tank 10 5 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Wide tracks. 7.5cm KwK42 gun 32"/80cm 2 14 3+

At first successful against US tanks, Bäke suffered his first defeat when he attacked the US 90th Infantry Division, which took the Panzer attacks in its stride and counterattacked with bazookas and at the Panzergrenadiers. The Feldherrnhalle panzer brigade fell back with heavy losses. In January 1945 Bäke did a course in divisional command and in March led Panzerdivision Feldehernhalle 2 in the final offensive in Hungary. Bäke led them back to Czechoslovakia where he was promoted to General in April.

“The Panther A has Wide Tracks. If the Panther becomes Bogged Down for any reason, roll a die. On a roll of 4+ the tank immediately free itself and can continue moving”

In May he led them in a breakout through encircling Soviet forces to surrender to American forces at the Elbe. After the war Bäke was held as a POW until 1950, and then returned to his dentistry career until his death in a car accident in 1978. Designed by Evan Allen & James Brown Painted by Mark Hazell

The Contents of Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäker Blister

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Description of Components

a. 1x Resin Panther Hull and Turret. b. 1x Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke tank commander. c. 2x Side skirts. d. 1x 7.5cm KwK42 gun. e. 1xHull MG and stowage sprue.

f. 1x Exhaust and hatch sprue. g. 1x Cupola sprue. h. 1x Mudguard sprue. i. 1x Right track. j. 1x Left track.

Assembling Oberstleutant Dr. Franz Bäke's Panther A

Step 1. Begin by attaching the left and right tracks to the resin hull.	Step 2. Attach the mudguards to the front of the hull and on top of the tracks.	Step 3. Attach the hull MG in the recess provided on the front of the hull.

Step 4. Attach the exhaust pipes as shown below using the recesses provided in the resin hull.	Step 5. Attach the side skirts to the hull; these are optional.	Step 6. Attach the open cupola in the recess on to the top of the turret.

Step 7. Place the Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke tank commander figure in the open cupola.	Step 8. Attach the 7.5cm KwK42 gun into the recess provided in the gun mantlet.	Step 9. With the 7.5cm KwK42 gun attached, Oberstleutnant Dr. Franz Bäke and his Panther A is fully assembled and ready for painting.