WARGAMESOSD

Marita-Merkur

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wargames.wilkey.org.uk

 

The Campaign for the Balkans
Marita-Merkur, Europa III, recreates the campaign in the Balkans from November 1940 until June 1941.

Two maps display the battlegrounds from Austria to Crete, including all of Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece along with bordering regions. The terrain analysis includes rivers, woods, rough, mountains, karst, swamp, and impassable mountains. Six-hundred die cut counters represent the military units of the nine mations that took part in the campaign. Units are deployed as individual battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions - each with its historical designation, strengths, and capabilities. Aircraft units are groups of approximately 40-50 planes organized by type (such as fighter or dive-bomber) and model (from obsolete CR.42 biplanes to Me109's). The Hungarian Duna river flotilla is included; for future Europa use, so are the entire navies of Greece and Yugoslavia.

The standard Europa rules present a framework of movement, combat, and combat/motorized exploitation. Special considerations cover Greek mountain capability, the Yugoslav coup, and British naval interdiction.

Axis Forces - Order of Battle

ITALIAN INITIAL ORDER OF BATTLE: Nov 1 1940

Place the following units anywhere in Albania:
5-8 Light armored XX 131
5-8 Mountain XX 3
3-4-6 Infantry XX 23
3-4-6 Infantry XX 29
3-4-6 Infantry XX 49
3-6 Infantry XX 51
1-8 Cavalry I I I 6
1-8 Cavalry I11 7
1-8 Cavalry I I I 19
2-6 Infantry III 3
3-2-6 Artillery III 26C
2-1-6 Artillery I I I S GAF
Albanian 1-6 Infantry X 1
Albanian 1-0-6 Static X CCNN

Place the following in hex 4521, map 14. These units comprise the Corfu invasion force:
3-6 Infantry XX 47
1-6 Marine I I 111/SM

Place the following units at Vlore (map 14, hex 4121)
4-6 Infantry XX 19
Albanian 1-6 Infantry X 2
Albanian 1-6 Infantry X 3
1 x Airfield counter

Place the following on any air base in Albania:
1 x G.50 3F3 0/14
1 x CR 42 3F3 1 /8
2 x MC200 3F3 0/9
1 x Mxd 1 T3 0-2/16

Place the following unit anywhere in Albania north of
Tirane. This unit's movement is governed by Rule 30E.
4-6 Infantry XX 53

Place the following units in Zara (map 14, hex 1827): 3-4-6* Static X Zara
1-8 Bersaglieri I I Zara

Place the following units at Brindisi (map 14, hex 3926):
Air units
1 x Z1007b 3B5 2-5/25
1 x G.50 3F3 0-14
1 x 2.506 2B3 3-4/F/20
1 x Br201 2D3 3-1 /9
1 x Airfield counter

ITALIAN REINFORCEMENTS

The following units appear in Italy on the turn indicated, in accordance with Rule 32. They may be transported by sea (Rule 27) or air (Rule 21):

Nov 11 40
4-8 Mountain XX 2
3-4-6 Infantry XX 33
3-4-6 Infantry XX 48
2-8 Bersaglieri II I 1
2-8 Bersaglieri I II 2
2-8 Bersaglieri II I 4
2-6 Artillery I II 3C
2-6 Artillery I I I 8C
0-1-6 Construction III 3C
0-1-6 Construction III 8C
1-6 Tank I I 4

Dec 140
4-8 Mountain XX 5
3-4-6 Infantry XX 37
0-1-5 Border X 2/3

Dec 1140
4-8 Mountain XX 4
Jan 141 4-6 Infantry XX 6
3-6 Infantry XX 7
3-4-6 Infantry XX 11
3-4-6 Infantry XX 58

Jan 1 141
4-6 Infantry XX 2
3-4-6 Infantry XX 22
3-4-6 Infantry X X 24
2-6 Artillery I I I 4C
0-1-6 Construction III 4C
1-8* Mountain i I Intra

Feb 141
3-4-6 Infantry XX 36
3-4-6 Infantry XX 41
3-4-6 Infantry XX 56
3-4-6 Infantry XX 59
1-8 Ski I ! MG

Mar 141
3-4-6 Infantry XX 38
2-6 Artillery I I I 9C
2-6 Artillery I I I 14C
0-1-6 Construction I I I 9C
0-1-6 Construction I I I 14C

Apr 141
3-4-6 Infantry XX 18
3-4-6 Infantry XX 32

Italian Greater Preparation: This section is optional, and used under the provisions found on the Greek Order of Battle.
One Italian plan for the invasion of Greece called for a greatly increased participation of Italian units. The Italian High Command rejected this plan for fear that Hitler would
not sanction any action in this region of Europe, and also because Visconti Prasca, the Military Governor of Albania, insisted that he could do the job without additional troops. If this option is used, add to the units that may initially deploy anywhere in Albania all the reinforcements for the Nov 11, Dec I, and Dec I I turns. Reinforcements are not received until the Jan 141 turn, thereafter they arrive as listed on the Order of Appearance.

Italian Order of Battle (continued)

The following units appear on the first turn of the invasion of Jugoslavia along the Italo-Jugoslav border:
Italian Second Army:
4-6 Infantry XX 3
4-8 Infantry XX 9
5-8 Infantry XX 10
3-4-6 Infantry XX 12
3-4.6 Infantry XX 13
3-4-6 Infantry XX 14
3-4-6 Infantry XX 15
3-4-6 Infantry XX 20
3-4-6 Light infantry XX 26
4-8 Infantry XX 52
3-4-6 Infantry XX 57
7-5-8 Armored XX 133
4-8 Cavalry XX 1
4-8 Cavalry XX 2
4-8 Cavalry XX 3
1-8 Cavalry-III 14
3-2-6 Artillery I I I 2A
2-6 Artillery I I I 5C
2-6 Artillery I I I 6C
2-6 Artillery I I I 16C
2-6 Artillery I I I 30C
1-2-8 Mountain artillery I I I 11C
1-8 Antitank I I 11
1-8 Antitank 11 14
0-1-6 Construction III 11C
1-8 Assault engineer 1 I 5G

The following units are placed at Fiume:
3-2-6 Artillery I I I 3A
3-2-6 Artillery I I I 11A
3-2-6 Artillery I I I 10A
1-6 Infantry III 311

The following air units are placed on any airbase in Italy:
2 x MC200 3F3 0/9
1 x Br20M 3B4 3-3/18

German Order of Battle


The following units deploy anywhere in Bulgaria. Up to 14 regimental equivalents of these units may be deployed in Rumania

German Twelfth Army:

11-10 Panzer XX 2
12-10 Panzer XX 5
10-10 Panzer XX 9
11-10 Panzer XX 11
6-10 Motorized XX 60
8-6 Infantry XX 46
7-6 Infantry XX 50
8-6 Infantry XX 72
8-6 Infantry XX 73
8-6 Infantry XX 76
7-6 Infantry XX 164
8-6 Infantry XX 198
7-6 Infantry XX 294
5-8 Mountain XX 4
5-8 Mountain XX 5
5-8 Mountain XX 6
3-4-10' Motorized I I I GD
2-8 Infantry 11 1 125
1-2-8 Artillery II I (mot) 49
1-2-8 Artillery 111 (mot) 109
2-3-8 Artillery I 11 501
2-3-8 Artillery I I I 511
3-8 Artillery I I 1 (mot) 612
1-2-8 Artillery I I I (mot) 623
1-2-8 Artillery I I I 787
2-1-10 Assault gun I I 190
2-1-10 Assault gun 11 191
2-1-10 Assault gun 11 197
1-10 Antitank II (mot) 525
1-10 Antitank 11 (mot) 560
1-10 Engineer I 1 (mot) 5
1-10 Engineer 11 (mot) 41
1-10 Engineer I1 (mot) 46
1-10 Engineer I I (mot) 70
1-10 Engineer I I (mot) 85
1-10 Engineer II (mot) 627
1-8 Engineer t I 658
1-8 Engineer I I 659
Luftwaffe Units 18
1-10 Antiaircraft I I (mot)
1-10 Antiaircraft I I (mot) 38
1-10 Antiaircraft I I (mot) 40
SS Units LSSAH
6-10" Motorized X
9-10 Motorized XX DR

The following units deploy in Germany (Austria) and in Hungary west of map 14, hex 1415 (inclusive):

German Second Army

10-10 Panzer XX 8
10-10 Panzer XX 14
5-10 Motorized XX 16
5-8 Mountain XX 1
5-6 Infantry XX 538
2-3-8 Artillery 111 70
2-3-8 Artillery I I I 606
2-3-8 Artillery I I I 785
2-3-8 Artillery I I I 786
2-1-10 Assault gun 11 184
1-10 Assault engineer I I 43
1-10 Assault engineer 11 51
1-10 Engineer 11 (mot) 45
Luftwaffe unit: 229
1-10 Antiaircraft 11 (mot)

Airbases

The Axis player may place up to four permanent airfields on clear or rough terrain hexes in Germany, Hungary, Rumania, and/or Bulgaria. In addition, hex 0117, map 14 is a special airbase as described in Rule 31.

Parachute and Air Units
Place the following on German airbases:
10-6 Parachute XX 7
11 x J u 52 OT2 0/25
2 x DFS230 OGT1 2/T
4 x Me 109E 7F5 1 /7
3x Me110C 4F4 3-2/16
6 x Ju88A 5B4 3-5/40
1 x He 111 H 5B4 2-5/22
5 x Ju87B 2D3 4-1/9

Reinforcements

Place the following units at the locations indicated. These units may not move on the first turn of German participation:
Bratislava (map 14, 0214):
5-8 Light Infantry XX 101
7-6 Infantry XX 125

Pleven (map 14, 3400):
7-6 Air landing XX 22 LL

Anywhere along or within one hex of the north edge of map 14:
10-10 Panzer XX 4
9-10 Panzer XX 12
10-10 Panzer XX 19
5-8 Light infantry XX 100
8-6 Infantry XX 79
The following Hungarian unit appears in any Hungarian city on May 141: 4-6 Infantry XX 9

Hungarian Order of Battle

Place these units anywhere in Hungary:
4-6 Infantry X X 1
4-6 Infantry XX 2
4-6 Infantry X X 10
4-6 Infantry XX 11
4-6 Infantry XX 12
4-6 Infantry XX 13
4-6 Infantry X X 14
4-6 Infantry X X 15
4-8 Cavalry XX 1
4-8 Cavalry XX 2
4-8 Motorized XX 1
4-8 Motorized XX 2
1-8 Antiaircraft X 101
1-6 Engineer I I I 103
1-8 Artillery II 102
1-8 Artillery I I 103

Place the following unit at Budapest:
Duna River Flotilla

Place the following on any Hungarian airbase in Hungary:
1x Re 2000 3F3 0/8
1x Ju86K 2T2 1-1/13
1x CR 42 3F3 1/8
1x Ca 135 3B4 2/16

Allied Forces - Order of Battle

GREEK INITIAL ORDER OF BATTLE: Nov 1 1940

The Allied player places units listed on the hexes indicated in Greece:
Map Hex Unit ID
14 4307 1-6 Infantry II 1 91
4308 1-6 Infantry II 1 72
4314 4-6 Infantry XX 10
4316 3-6 Infantry X 4
4405 3-4-6 Infantry XX 7
2-6 Infantry III 4
2-1-8 Cavalry I II D
1-2-6 Artillery I I I D-Hv
1-8 Antiaircraft I 1 D
4407 3-4-6 Infantry XX 6
1-6 Infantry 111 70
4416 3-6* Infantry X Comp
4417 5-6 Infantry XX 9
4503 3-4-6 Infantry XX 14
4510 5-6 Infantry XX 11
5-6 Infantry XX 17
3-8 Cavalry XX Cav
2-1-8 Cavalry I I I C
0-1-4 Construction (X] Sal.
1-2-6 Artillery II I C-Hv
1-6 Artillery I I I C
1-8 Antiaircraft I I C
4518 1.2-6* Infantry 11 1 51
4522 1-2-6* Infantry 11 1 10
4600 4-6 Infantry XX 12
4605 1-6 Artillery III D
4619 5-6-6 Infantry XX 8
4913 5-6 Infantry XX 1
3-6 Infantry X 5
2-6 Infantry III 26
2-1-8 Cavalry I I I B
1-2-6 Artillery I I I B-Hv
1-6 Artillery I I I B
1-8 Antiaircraft II B
15A 0304 0-1-6 Infantry 1I 13/1/22
0314 3-6 Infantry X 16
0318 2-7 Mountain I I I 39 Ev
0421 1-4 Static [I I] 15DF
0508 0-4 Static [I I] 15DF
0519 5-6 Infantry XX 3
0701 0-1-6 Infantry II 13/111/22
0911 5-6 Infantry XX 2
2-1-8 Cavalry I I I A
2-6 Artillery II I A-Hv
1-6 Artillery I I I A
1-8 Antiaircraft I I A
0915 5-6 Infantry XX 4
1002 0-1-6 Infantry [11] (23)
1401 0-1-6 Infantry [111 (18)
1610 0-4 Static [1 I] 15 DF
1616 0-4 Static [I I] 15 DF
2113 6 Infantry XX HO 5
2-6 Infantry III 5/14
2211 1-6 Infantry 11 1 5/43
2310 1-6 Infantry I 11 5/44

The following are placed anywhere in mainland Greece:
A major airfield is placed in the following hexes:
Map 14: 4913
Map 15A: 1610, 2114, 2310, 2503
The following are placed in any airbase on mainland Greece:
The Metaxas Line: Place a fort counter in the following hexes. Numbers in parentheses indicate the fortified hexsides:
0-1-6 2-8 1-8
Engineer I I S Artillery II I S Mountain Arty I ! I S
1x 1x
Mxd Mxd
3F3 0-1/8 2132 1-2/16
Map 14 Hex 4209 (4110, 4109, 4208)
Hex 4309 (4209, 4208, 4308)
Hex 4308 (4208, 4207, 4307)
Hex 4307 (4207, 4206, 4306)
Hex 4306 (4206, 4205, 4305)
Hex 4405 (4305, 4404, 4505)
Hex 4505 (4404, 4504, 4604)

A number followed by an 'x' means the number of units of the type described appear. For example:
1 x Mxd 3F3 0-1 /8
indicates that one air unit of the type described appears.
Greek and British reinforcements are listed on the reverse of this chart.

OPTIONAL UNITS

The following optional units sections explore historical alternatives that could have occured and thus influenced the course of the campaigns. Each optional units section may be used separately or in conjunction with the others. Both players must agree to use an optional units section; otherwise, it may not be used.
British Contingency Troops: The British had earmarked several formations to be sent to Greece. However, Rommel's attack in Cyrenaica, taking both the British and the German High Command by surprise, caused the British to retain these troops in North Africa. Assuming that Rommel had attacked at a later date (or not at all, per his orders), these units would have been sent to Greece. When using this section, add the following units
to the British order of battle:
Apr II 41
Cmnwlth: 5-6 Infantry XX 7
3-6* Infantry X Pol/Carp
May I 41
British: 2-6 Infantry X 16
Greek Air Force Purchases: The Greek government had ordered a number of aircraft from Britain, but they were never delivered. Assuming they had been, add the fol
lowing units to the Greek Air Force:
1 x Hurri-1 4F4 0/8
1 x Blen-1 3B3 1-2/20

GREEK REINFORCEMENTS Nov I 40

14 4701 6 Infantry XX HQ 13
1-6 Infantry I I t 13/18
1-6 Infantry I I I 13/23
1-6 Infantry 111 81
1-8 Cavalry III E
0-1-6 Artillery I I I E
Nov I 1 4015A 0911 2-6 Infantry 111 Dodak
Dec I 40
Upgrade: 3-6 Infantry X 4
To: 4-6 Infantry XX 15
Dec I 140
Upgrade: 3-6 Infantry X 16
1 x Infantry III any
To: 5-6 Infantry XX 16
Jan I 41
Upgrade: 3 x Infantry III any
To: 4-6 Infantry XX 18
Feb 141
15A 0911 3-8 Motorized XX 19
14 4701 2-6 Infantry X Alex.
Feb 1141
Upgrade: 3 x Infantry I I I any
To: 5-6 Infantry XX 20
Mar 141
14 4503 2-6* Infantry I I I Nest
Upgrade: 3-4-6 Infantry XX 14
To: 4-5-6 Infantry XX 14
Apr 1 41
15A 0911 2-6* Infantry X 21

BRITISH ORDER OF BATTLE AND APPEARANCE
Nov 1 40
British: 2-6 Infantry X 14
1-10 Antiaircraft II (mot) Comp
1 x Mxd 2FB3 2-1/10
Mar 141
British: 3-2-8 Armored X 1
1-8 Artillery I I (mot) 2
1-10 Antitank I I (mot) 102
1 x Hurri-1 4F4 0/8
1 x Blen-1 3NB3 1-2/20
Mar 1141
British: 2-3-8 Artillery [X] W-Frc
Cmnwlth: 8-6 Infantry XX 2
2-6* Infantry X 6/16
Apr 1 41

British: 1-10 Antiaircraft I 1 (mot) 155
Cmnwlth: 2-6* Infantry X 6/19
Apr 11 41
British: 0-1-6 Marine Defense X MNBDO
1-10 Antiaircraft I I (mot) 2
1-10 Antiaircraft I I (mot) 52
Cmnwlth: 2-6* Infantry X 6/17
May 141
British: 1-6 Antiaircraft II Mal.
1-6 Antiaircraft I I Her.

JUGOSLAV ORDER OF BATTLE

Place the following units on the indicated hexes. All locations are on map 14. Units without a fixed deployment location may stack with any unit of their respective army.

3rd Army


2523 2-3-6 Infantry XX Herc
3219 4-6 Infantry XX Zet
3515 4-6 Infantry XX Kos
3816 4-5-6 Infantry XX Vard
3216 1-6* Infantry X Kom
- 2-3-6 Artillery I I I 66
- 1-8 Antiaircraft I I 3
3rd Territorial
3710 Army3-6 Infantry XX Mor
3713 3-4-6 Infantry XX lbar
3909 3-6 Infantry XX Breg
4010 4-6 Infantry XX Suma
4010 1-6 Infantry X Strum
- 1-6 Tank I I 1
- 2-1-8 Artillery I I I 114

5th Army

2708 4-6 Infantry XX Kraj
3008 2-3-6 Infantry XX Tim
3307 3-2-6 Infantry XX Top
3407 4-6 Infantry XX Drin
3207 1-6* Infantry X Kalin
3509 3-6* Infantry X Vlas
2509 4.3-8 Cavalry XX 2
- 2-1-8 Artillery I I I 113
- 1-8 Antiaircraft II 5

6th Army

2311 4-6 Infantry XX Srem
2710 3-6 Infantry XX Dun
2211 3-5-6* Infantry X Sav
2211 2-8 Cavalry X Sav

Banat
4-3-7* Cavalry X Banat
- 1-8 Antiaircraft 11 6

1st Army

Backa 1-6* Infantry X Sec
Badka 1-2-6* Infantry X Som
1913 3-2-8 Cavalry XX 3
Backa 1-6 Artillery X Pot
- 2-3-6 Artillery 1 I I 56
- 1-8 Antiaircraft I I 1

2nd Army

1615 4-6 Infantry XX Osjed
1821 4-6 Infantry XX Vrab
2019 4-6 Infantry XX Bos
- 1-8 Cavalry II I 76
- 2-3-6 Artillery 1 I I 76
- 1-8 Antiaircraft I I 2

4th Army

1021 4-6 Infantry XX Mur
1123 4-6 Infantry XX Sav
1319 4-6 Infantry XX Slav
1022 2-6 Infantry X Orm

1-8 Cavalry III 81
2-3-6 Artillery 111 81
1-8 Antiaircraft I I 4

7th Army

0724 4-6 Infantry X Drav
0927 4-6 Infantry XX Trig
1327 1-6* Infantry X Lii;ka
0627 1-8* Mountain X Trig
1127 1-8* Mountain X Risj
1123 2-1-8 Cavalry XX 1
2-3-6 Artillery I I I 71
1-8 Antiaircraft II 7

Coastal Independent


1927 4-6 ArmyInfantry XX Jadr
3121 2-3-5 Static XX Kotor
2127 1-5* Static X Siben
1-6* Infantry X Cap
1-$ Antiaircraft II 8

High Command


1425 Reserves3-6 Infantry XX Lidka
1823 4-6 Infantry XX Unska
2224 4-6 Infantry XX Din
2615 4-6 Infantry XX Cer
2-1-8 Tank 1I 2
1-8 Engineer 111 1
1-8 Engineer I I I 2
3-8 Artillery 111 111
3-8 Artillery I I I 112
1-8 Antiaircraft 11 9
1-8 Antiaircraft II 10

Albanian:

6 x 0-1-5 Along Adriatic coast: 2 x 0-1-5

Jugoslav Air Force (place in Beograd)

1 x Fury 3F4 1/10
1 x Hurri-1 4F4 0/8
1 x Me 109E 7F5 1/7
1 x Blen-1 3B2 1-2/20
1 x Do 17K 4134 3-4/19
Place the following units in any hex adjacent to the border specified, no more than one unit per hex.
Border Defense Command (border regiments) Italian: 3x0-1-5 (I, 11, III)
German: 5x0-l-5 (IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) Hungarian: 7x0-l-5 (X,XI,XII,XIII,XIV,XV,XVI) Rumanian (in the Banat):
2x0-1-5 (XVI1, XVI I I)
Reserve Army (reserve regiments)
Zara bdr: 1 x 0-1-5 (319) Hungarian: 3x0-1-5 (315, 341, 393) Rumanian (outside the Banat):
2x0-1-5 (301, 316) Bulgarian (on or north of row 3700):
9x0-1-5 ( 310, 311, 312, 328, 329, 330,
332, 333, 381) (322, 323, 334, 335, 337, 385)
(320, 321)



Nov I 1940 Turn - German forces in Bulgaria facing the
Metaxis Line in Northern Greece


Apr II 1941 Turn - Italian divisions (gray-green tiles) attack Yugoslavia (brown tiles) from the north