Monday 8 December 2014

Project Finland Epilogue - Panssari Kompanie

Hi all, 

One of the common questions which I got asked whilst painting my Finns was 'what do you think of the Panssari'. Honestly never thought about it, but then there was the EW sale, and I needed 2 blisters, so I ended up getting some T-28's...

So what is it about the Finnish panassari that is so appealing - obsolete fearless veteran tanks. I'll be honest I'm normally against fearless tanks on principle, and I prefer a few quality tanks over lots of chaff - but somehow with the Finns it works... Ok it kinda works in LW, but in MW...

So let's look at the two versions quickly

Mid War
Ok there are two big issues with this list, selection of units and fearless veterans. By selection what I mean is this - you HAVE to take t-26's in HQ and a platoon - they're not great in EW by MW they are just walking targets. The other issue here is that you can take either KV's or T-34's - not both. Which is another issue as you're unable to get the two most effective units on the table - you do however get good support in the form of BA10's, Landsverk SPAA. But then there is the problem that they are all FV - which is so expensive! Unlike in LW or EW where your support can be CV, you're stuck with only FV this sadly chews up so many points that the list is a nightmare to build.

But if I was working on a list it's be thus.
  Fearless    Veteran   Panssarikomppania
Armoured Company
Finnish Mid-War
Tank Company
PlatoonQtyUnitPoints
Headquarters
Panssarikomppania HQ p.105
2T-26 obr 193980
Combat Platoons
T-26 Panssari Platoon p.105
5T-26 obr 1939205
T-28 Panssari Platoon p.106
4T-28280
KV-1 Panssari Platoon p.106
2KV-1e425
Divisional Support
Armoured Car Platoon p.111
3BA-10150
Artillery Battery p.113
1
1
1
4
Cmd SMG team
Staff team
Observer Rifle team
105 H/33 (10.5cm leFH18) howitzer
270
Armoured Anti-aircraft Platoon p.107
2Landsverk Anti-II150
Air Support p.111
3Sporadic Air Support Fokker CX90
Company Points:1650
www.EasyArmy.comSource document: Eastern Front

Late War
Now this list is where the money is at - why? Well you have no decent tolls, but somehow it can all be crafted together to make a list which can eviscerate your foes - I honestly think you don't see many Panassari Co's because once you have felt the raw power available to you - you take pity on your opponents and retire the list. I will though take you through my 1650 list 

So HQ well you have to have a T-26, but the 2IC is in a t-34/85 - seriously this tank with Hen and Chick and as a veteran is like pure pain - in fact I love it so much let's get three in a platoon too! These guys are your rapier, outflanking, out shooting and frankly winning the ranged war for you! Next you need to be able to hold your objective, just sit there and take abuse - a pair of KV's is the answer - no need to worry about outflanking or infantry as their armour is decent all around, and the rear MG useful too. Frankly most people just give up seeing this pair on an objective.

But there are frequent times you need to break an enemy unit on an objective - that's where the T-28 comes in. With multiple MG's to pin the enemy, a top armour of 2 and a rear MG, these guys will just grind infantry under their treads, the key though is to get then there safely - to this end you need three things, firstly recon to push back ambushes - a pair of BA10's does the job and does it with style. Secondly air cover - I love the mobile AA, it keeps the sky clear, shreds light vehicles and adds if hefty fire into the target infantry - not that the t-28's need the help - this is about destroying your opponents self confidence. Finally smoke, I like the trusty K76 artillery piece, with the addition of a reroll on the third range in attempt you have a decent 4 dice attempt to smoke.

But I hear you cry 'jumbos, Jagdtigers etc' well that's where the heavy artillery comes from - AT5 FP2+ it will hurt whatever is underneath exploding anything your T34's and 28's choose to ignore.
  Fearless    Veteran   Panssarikomppania
Tank Company
Finnish Late-War
Tank Company
PlatoonQtyUnitPoints
Headquarters
Panssarikomppania HQ  p.239
1
1
T-26
T-34/85
150
Combat Platoons
Panssari Platoon p.239
3T-34/85355
Panssari Platoon p.239
4T-28180
Panssari Platoon p.239
2KV-1e215
Divisional Support Platoons
Captured Panssari Platoon  Fearless  Trained   p.245
1ISU-152105
Armoured Car Platoon (Elite) p.254
2BA-1090
Artillery Battery (Regular) Confident  Veteran   p.253
1
1
2
4
5
Cmd SMG team
Staff team
Observer Rifle team
76 K/02 gun
3-ton truck
140
Heavy Artillery Battery (Regular) Confident  Veteran   p.253
1
1
1
2
4
4
Cmd SMG team
Staff team
3-ton truck
Observer Rifle team
150 H/40 (15cm sFH18) howitzer
Stalinets tractor
275
Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Platoon (Elite) p.254
2Landsverk Anti-II125
Company Points:1635
www.EasyArmy.com Source document: Grey Wolf

Now do you all see why this list is so fearsome? So powerful! When I constructed this list I was reminded of the line from a poem 'my name is Ozymandias king of kings, stare upon my works, ye mighty and despair!'

Thanks for reading

Adam

2 comments:

  1. It's Panssari, not Panassari, that sounds like some Italian snack. :)

    the lists appear empty?

    ReplyDelete
  2. So they do! I'll sort that out later

    ReplyDelete