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

Platoon	Qty	Unit	Points
Headquarters
Panssarikomppania HQ  p.105	2	T-26 obr 1939	80
Combat Platoons
T-26 Panssari Platoon  p.105	5	T-26 obr 1939	205
T-28 Panssari Platoon  p.106	4	T-28	280
KV-1 Panssari Platoon  p.106	2	KV-1e	425
Divisional Support
Armoured Car Platoon  p.111	3	BA-10	150
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	2	Landsverk Anti-II	150
Air Support  p.111	3	Sporadic Air Support Fokker CX	90
Company Points:			1650

www.EasyArmy.com

Source 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

Platoon	Qty	Unit	Points
Headquarters
Panssarikomppania HQ  p.239	1 1	T-26 T-34/85	150
Combat Platoons
Panssari Platoon  p.239	3	T-34/85	355
Panssari Platoon  p.239	4	T-28	180
Panssari Platoon  p.239	2	KV-1e	215
Divisional Support Platoons
Captured Panssari Platoon  Fearless  Trained   p.245	1	ISU-152	105
Armoured Car Platoon (Elite)  p.254	2	BA-10	90
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	2	Landsverk Anti-II	125
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