To The Bitter End: Building A Force Using SS-Panzerbrigade Westfalen with Sean Ireland Another Trained SS list? Why would I want to field that, you ask? Two reasons; historical games, and great big tanks! The first reason speaks for itself. The second ... well; being able to mix Jagdtigers, Jagdpanthers or King Tigers in the same list is something that I think is unique in Flames Of War books to date. Why else?  We’ll go through a list of pros and cons, with the caveat that these reflect my views of the game and list construction and isn’t supposed to be complete or comprehensive.

Bridge At Remagen On 7 March 1945, lead elements of Task Force Engeman discover that Remagen’s Ludendorff Bridge is still intact, and Brigadier General Hoge instantly recognises that a decisive battle is upon his troops. He orders the bridge to be captured. Learn more about Bridge At Remagen here...

The Pros Fearless Infantry Passing motivation on a 3+ is usually good enough (although my Finns had a tendency to roll many 2s and run away) to pass tests and stay in assault. Enjoy The War As an added benefit of being Fearless, the chaps in Westfalen get to Enjoy The War on a 2+ when they are forced to take platoon morale tests. That is a roll for each surviving team, so they are really tenacious and likely to stick around.

Bazooka Town Oh yeah! Panzerfaust Trap teams are back, and this time … they are cheaper. At 20 points each, load up on these bad boys. And there is no special character requirement you have to buy first - the 20 points per team is all you have to pay. Your list can have up to four trap teams if you choose. In addition to Panzerfaust Trap teams there is the option to use three Panzershreck teams in the HQ box for 25 points each. All my lists have at least two, if not three Panzershreck teams. Panzerfaust Rifle /  MG Teams The core Combat Platoons, the Ersatz SS-Aufklarungs platoons, are composed of Rifle / MG teams, and are armed with Panzerfausts. At 200 points for a full platoon, that's 14 (or 15) dice at full ROF and Panzerfausts. These are an affordable platoon able to defend themselves and to attack enemy infantry and armour. There is also the option to upgrade the Command team to become a Command Panzerfaust SMG at no extra cost.

Cheap Tanks There are two support slots for armoured support in this list, with some interesting and diverse options to explore. As a start point, 300 points for a Veteran King Tiger is a bargain, in my mind (sure it is Reluctant). With the option to field two platoons (up to eight King Tigers, if you are inclined) you have flexibility to build a list and optimise your King Tiger addiction. Add to that, at 210 points for a Jagdpanther (with Tiger Ace Skills) and the option to include up to six Jagpanthers in two platoons and it just gets better. The Erstaz SS-Panzer Platoon is a cheaper option for lower point games which can give your list some punch at only 200 for four tanks. If Panthers are more you thing, Panzerbrigade Westfalen was also supported for a time by 508. Schwere Panzer Platoon and this unit was equipped with Panthers. The option to take four Reluctant Trained Panthers is available for 520 points, or takes a 501. Schwere Panzer Platoon with a mix of Tiger Is, Panthers and a Panzer IV J. Some of these units have varying rules including Tiger Ace and Stormtrooper, whilst some don’t, so make sure you check carefully before your game.

7.5cm PaK 40s For me, one of the staples of a German infantry list is the 7.5cm PaK40 anti-tank guns. Like the old credit card ad use to say, I usually Don’t leave home without them. As the standard Anti-tank Gun Platoon is not an option in the list, the PaK 40 is only included in the Volksgrenadier Artillery options and is rated Reluctant Veteran. On the upside, they have a staff team and can fire bombardments. Trained Infantry The platoon size is standard German seven stands for a full platoon, with options to increase the size with Combat Attachments and machine guns, but getting Trained infantry to work for you is something that some gamers can’t master and may be a show stopper for them. Personally, I play a fair bit with Trained infantry, including SS-Panzergrenadiers from SS-Panzerdivision Wiking from Grey Wolf and FSSF from Road To Rome, so I’m used to having realistic expectations about what they can and can’t do.

No German Wizard Rules The special rules on page 65 of Bridge At Remagen indicate that the German staples - Kampfgruppe, Mission Tactics and Stormtrooper are not used for this list. That said, the Mission Tactics and Stormtrooper rules are only removed from the Ersatz platoons, i.e. mainly Combat and Weapons Platoons, in the list. Many of the support platoons can still use them; best to check the book closely when writing your lists to make sure who can do what. Note that the instructors and leaders in SS-Panzerbrigade Westfalen were all experienced and often decorated commanders with battlefield experience so they can join a platoon to give it a Stormtrooper move. The Core List Having covered the pros and cons, my core list includes the compulsory Company HQ, and a maximum number of Panzerfaust Trap and Panzershreck teams. I also take two full strength Combat Platoons, as a two squad platoons in a Trained list is too small to be effective. This core list is 615 points and provides a solid base to build on.

SS-Panzerbrogade Westfalen (Fearless Trained) Headquarters   Company HQ   with Company Command Panzerfaust SMG team, 2iC Command Panzerfaust SMG team, three Panzerschreck teams, & four Panzerfaust Trap teams. 215 points Combat Platoons   Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Total Points: 615 points

With this as our foundation, we can build upon this. For the rest of the article we’ll look at the following points values:  1250, 1500 and 1750. For smaller games at 1250 points a list like this can reflect SS-Regiment Meyer in the early days of SS-Panzerbrigade Westfalen in and around the town of Kirchborchen.  So we keep the core list and include Weapons Platoons that were in action during that fight.  I have limited the support options to only the platoons included in the Brigade at the time, which were the training tanks from the SS tank training schools.  I’ve included a Volksturm Platoon for historical reasons; they would have been in most actions in Germany until very close to the end.  They are rated Reluctant Conscript, and are Panzerfaust Rifle teams, that do not count for purposes of platoons held in reserve, and always start dug in.  I figure they can be a useful speed bump and provide local defence for the mortar platoon, so that both Ersatz Aufklärungs platoons can be used aggressively if needed.

The 1250 Point List

SS-Panzerbrogade Westfalen (Fearless Trained) Headquarters   Company HQ   with Company Command Panzerfaust SMG team, 2iC Command Panzerfaust SMG team, three Panzerschreck teams, & four Panzerfaust Trap teams. 215 points Combat Platoons   Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Weapons Platoons   Ersatz SS-Machine-gun Platoon   with HQ Section & two Machine-gun Sections. 115 points Ersatz SS-Mortar Platoon   with HQ Section (Command Panzerfaust SMG team) & two Mortar Sections. 105 points Ersatz SS-Scout Platoon   with HQ Section (Command Panzerfaust SMG team) & three Scout Squads. 95 points Support Platoons   Ersatz SS-Panzer Platoon   with two Panzer III N & two Panzer IV H. 230 points Volkssturm Platoon   with HQ Section & three Volkssturm Squads. 85 points Total Points: 1245 points

Later, when KG Meyer pulled back to Paderborn, support in the form of King Tigers arrived. This is good news for lovers of the Henschel King Tiger. In this list the King Tiger and Jagdpanthers are the big threats so I try to use them to encourage enemy tanks to go to places they don’t want to be. That is close to my infantry and trap teams, so they can be shot, smoked and assaulted. Well, it’s a plan, and it could work. An alternate list is to switch out the Jagdpanthers for another King Tiger and have a HMG Platoon.

The 1500 Point List

SS-Panzerbrogade Westfalen (Fearless Trained) Headquarters   Company HQ   with Company Command Panzerfaust SMG team, 2iC Command Panzerfaust SMG team, three Panzerschreck teams, & three Panzerfaust Trap teams. 195 points Combat Platoons   Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Weapons Platoons   Ersatz SS-Mortar Platoon   with HQ Section & two Mortar Sections. 95 points Ersatz SS-Scout Platoon   with HQ Section & three Scout Squads. 85 points Support Platoons   507. Schwere Panzer Platoon (Reluctant Veteran)   with one Königstiger (Henschel). 300 points 507. Schwere Panzer Platoon (Reluctant Veteran)   with two Jagdpanther. 450 points Total Points: 1525 points

After taking Paderborn the US forces moved to Camp Senne, a replacement training camp, defended by various units, including FlaK units and Heavy Tank replacements. This force allows a serious amount of Anti-tank capability, perfect for defeating medium tank swarms. The addition of the Ersatz heavy tank unit is more for history and modelling, but even though rated Reluctant Trained, the Tigers and Panther are not to be sneezed at, and supported by six 7.5cm PaK 40s and four 88s are able to be used in a mobile move and shoot role. Two tube mortars will provide some precision smoke fire and the almost obligatory trap teams can harass, shoot and capture bailed out or stubborn enemy platoons once the fire has reduced them.

The 1750 Point Lists

SS-Panzerbrogade Westfalen (Fearless Trained) Headquarters   Company HQ   with Company Command Panzerfaust SMG team, 2iC Command Panzerfaust SMG team, three Panzerschreck teams, & three Panzerfaust Trap teams. 195 points Combat Platoons   Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Weapons Platoons   Ersatz SS-Machine-gun Platoon   with HQ Section & one Machine-gun Section. 60 points Ersatz SS-Mortar Platoon   with HQ Section & one Mortar Section. 50 points Ersatz SS-Scout Platoon   with HQ Section (Command Panzerfaust SMG team) & three Scout Squads. 95 points Support Platoons   Ersatz Schwere Panzer Platoon (Reluctant Trained)   with two Tiger I E, one Panther A, D, or G, & one Panzer IV J. 425 points Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Battery (Reluctant Trained)   with HQ Section & two AA Sections (with eight or more Loading crew). 220 points Volks Light Artillery Battery (Reluctant Veteran)   with HQ Section & two Gun Sections (7.5cm FK40 (PaK40). 295 points Total Points: 1740 points

Later the remnants of SS-Panzerbrigade Westfalen withdrew to the Harz Mountains and came under operational command of LXVI Armee Corps along with the 277th Infantry Division and 116. Panzerdivision. They were also supported by other Volksgrenadier Divisions along the route back to Festung Harz. For a 1750 point list, including support from these formations adds some extra dimension to the list. A list like the one below represents the Westfalen in their final days withdrawing to the Harz Mountains, with only a few tanks in support, those soon to break down or be destroyed. By this time heavy weapons had run out of ammunition and been discarded as they were too heavy to carry; only Panzerfausts and Panzershrecks remained. By this time they were linked up with surviving and intact Volksgrenadier Divisions. The combination of the King Tigers and the Jagdtiger is especially interesting as both can dish out high anti-tank shots with good firepower. If you prefer, this list can be switched to include two Jagdtigers and one King Tiger. As the Jagdtiger mounts a breakthrough gun, this might suit some players more. The artillery battery is a nice multi-purpose addition for smoke and pinning infantry, and keeping tanks spread out.

SS-Panzerbrogade Westfalen (Fearless Trained) Headquarters   Company HQ   with Company Command Panzerfaust SMG team, 2iC Command Panzerfaust SMG team, two Panzerschreck teams. 110 points Combat Platoons   Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Ersatz SS-Aufklärungs Platoon   with HQ Section & three Aufklärungs Squads. 200 points Weapons Platoons   Ersatz SS-Scout Platoon   with HQ Section (Command Panzerfaust SMG team) & three Scout Squads. 95 points Support Platoons   507. Schwere Panzer Platoon (Reluctant Veteran)   with two Königstiger (Henschel). 600 points Schwere Panzerjäger Platoon (Confident Trained)   with one Jagdtiger. 300 points Panzer Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon (Reluctant Veteran)   with two Ostwind. 105 points Volks Light Artillery Battery (Reluctant Veteran)   with HQ Section & one Gun Section (10.5cm leFH18/40). 135 points Total Points: 1745 points

The best reason to use a SS-Panzerbrigade Westfalen list is to play games representing the final days of World War Two and the Allied invasion of Germany.  They also provide some fun and interesting options with loads of Panzerfausts and a variety of support options that should suit most Late-war gamers. ~ Sean.