The Battle of Madrid, December 1936
The Battle of Madrid, December 1936.
(draft 23.3.00)
Following the military uprising in July 1936, the Nationalist forces had succeeded in linking up the majority of their enclaves by employing the highly efficient Army of Africa, the only unit of the pre-war Spanish Army with any sort of combat experience.
In the open country of western Spain, these units had proved themselves over and over again more than a match for the workers militias they faced. Finally in late 1936, the Nationalists decided to eliminate the Republican seat of government in Madrid. The attack was planned as very narrow front assault on the University City to the northwest of the centre of Madrid, approached via the Casa del Campo national park. Unfortunately the plans for the attack were captured a day before it commenced.
Rules
Standard Mexicanski 36 rules, although C3 reverts to standard AK47 (as each base is a company). Other exceptions:
All guns may enter templated areas if moved at foot rate.
Morrocan units within Madrid city templates count as regulars for all purposes.
Republican Militia within Madrid city templates count as regulars for all purposes.
Attached weapons gain the troop quality of the unit they are attached to.
Air support:
Some of the players are allocated air support, these are in addition to the random air support generated by the game. Bombers are used as normal and may fly one mission. Each fighter may intercept one bomber mission of any type.
Air to air combat is by opposed die roll in a DBA type system. If result > enemy, they are driven off, if 2 x> enemy, they are shot down and a wreck placed on the table. If equal, no effect.
Italian planes +2, Russian planes +3
Victory
'Victory' is based on players personal victory conditions.
The game lasts 30-D6 turns.
Republican Forces
(Set up after Nationalists)
Ejercito Popular (Popular Army)
1 x Leader and nominally in command of the defence.
1 x Militia/Asslt Gd Battalion (militia): 6 x Infantry, 1 x Amd Car, 1 x MG
1 x Militia/Asslt Gd Battalion (militia): 7 x Infantry, 1 x MG
Set up in the University City.
Communist 5th Regiment/International Brigades.
1 x Leader.
5th Regiment (regular): 4 x Infantry 1 x MG
Thaelmann Bttn, International Brigade (regular): 3 x Infantry, 1 x MG, 1 x AT gun.
Also allocate support assets (tanks and guns must be attached to infantry units, they may be of any political persuasion):
Air support: 2 x I-16 ‘Rata’ squadrons, 1 x SB-2 ‘Katiuska’ squadron
Armoured Support: 1 x T26b medium tank company
Transport: 2 x Truck companies - may carry one infantry battalion or tow one gun
Artillery Support: 2 x Field Guns
Set up one battalion around the Model prison. The other enters on turn 3.
Anarchists
1 x Leader (Benevenuto Durutti)
2 x Durutti Column (regular): 3 x infantry, 1 x armoured truck each
Set up one battalion in the anarchist sector. The other enters from the east edge on turn 1.
Nationalist Forces
Set up first 18" in from the Nationalist edge.
1st Demi Brigade
1 x Leader
1 x Legion Bandera (professional): 3 x Infantry, 1 x MG
1 x Tabor of Regulares (professional): 4 x Infantry 1 x MG
2nd Demi Brigade
1 x Leader
1 x Legion Bandera (professional): 3 x Infantry, 1 x MG
1 x Tabor of Regulares (professional): 4 x Infantry 1 x MG
Force HQ
1 x Leader
2 x Army Battalions (militia): 3 x Infantry, 1 x MG
Support Assets (tanks and guns must be attached to infantry units):
Air Support: 2 x CR42 Fighter squadrons, 1 x SM79 Bomber squadron of the ‘Legionary Airforce’
Artillery Support: 3 x Field Guns + tows.
Armoured Support: 3 x Cv33 tank companies.
Nationalist Briefings
Nationalist Commander
Your mission is to win by taking a significant part of Madrid without heavy losses.
- Ensure at least three Nationalist battalions survive
- Capture at least two city templates
- Capture four or more city templates.
Nationalist Legionary Commander
The motto of the legion is ‘Viva La Muerta!’ (long live death). You wish your side to win, but equally you must gain personal glory.
- Ensure at least one city template is captured
- Engage the enemy in hand to hand combat at least once.
- Die gloriously in hand to hand combat. Your blood will be used to dye the Legions flags.
Nationalist Legionary Commander
The motto of the legion is ‘Viva La Muerta!’ (long live death). You wish your side to win, but equally you must gain personal glory.
- Ensure at least one city template is captured
- Engage the enemy in hand to hand combat at least once.
- Die gloriously in hand to hand combat. Your blood will be used to dye the Legions flags.
Republican Briefings
Popular Army Commander
Your mission is to hold off the Nationalist attack without taking too many losses.
- Ensure at least three Republican battalions are left on the table
- Avoid losing more than two city templates.
- Avoid losing any city templates.
Communist Commander.
You must ensure that the wet liberals and shambolic anarchists realise the importance of Stalinist rigour and discipline. Winning or losing is of no importance, but history must recognise the invaluable contribution made by the USSR. It is also important to ensure that the bouurgeois deviationists (anarchists) lose influence.
- Conduct a stirring military parade through the streets of Madrid (in front of the cameras).
- Engage the Nationalists at least once with direct fire (in front of the cameras).
- Ensure there are more Communist bases than Anarchist bases on table at the end of the game. You may not engage anarchist units with direct fire, but artillery and airstrikes may go astray…
Anarchist Commander.
You must defeat the fascists and preserve the gains of the revolution by retaining a presence in the urban areas of Madrid.
- Ensure at least two Nationalist units are destroyed.
- Occupy at least three city templates with Anarchist bases (even if shared).
- Your leader should die a heroic martyrs death.