Ersatz Panther
(GE069)
includes one Ersatz Panther Tank.
In preparation for the Ardennes offensive, Hitler had given Otto Skorzeny and his commandos the task of infiltrating American positions to capture key bridges and create as much general havoc behind enemy lines as possible. Skorzeny, who had shot to fame due the successful rescue of Benito Mussolini in September 1943 conceived a daring two-part plan. The first part required special English speaking troops to infiltrate enemy lines and create chaos while the second required Panzer Brigade 150 to capture and hold the critical bridges that were so vital to the success of the offensive.
A vital part of any success Panzer Brigade 150 would enjoy would be its equipment; all American in origin. However, upon inspection, Skorzeny was less than impressed. In the collection sent, there were no operational armoured vehicles other than a few armoured cars; no tanks whatsoever. To beef up the numbers, Skorzeny was able to acquired five Panthers tanks and StuG III G assault guns.
Orders were given to disguise the Panthers to resemble the American M10 tank destroyer while the StuG III G were intended to look like the M7 Priest. All of the vehicles were painted green and given large white stars to complete the illusion. While the vehicles were far from convincing, Skorzeny at least now had the numbers he required to secure a route to the Meuse.
The Ersatz Panther in Flames Of War
Mobility: Standard tank
Armour Front: 10
Armour Side: 5
Armour Top: 1
Co-ax MG; Hull MG, Enemy disguises, Limited vision, Wide tracks
Weapon: 7.5cm KwK42 gun
Range: 32”/80cm
Rate of Fire: 2
Anti-tank: 14
Firepower: 3+
Enemy Disguises
Skorzeny’s troops used captured trucks and painted all of their vehicles green with white stars. The disguises weren’t perfect, but they took whatever advantage they could.
A platoon equipped with Enemy Disguises must be Identified before the enemy can shoot at it or assault it.
These units start the game unidentified.
If a platoon equipped with Enemy Disguises shoots, conducts anti-aircraft fire, or launches an assault, they are immediately identified by all enemy platoons.
In order to Identify a platoon equipped with Enemy Disguises, an enemy platoon must attempt to shoot at it or select it as the target for an Artillery Bombardment. Before rolling To Hit or Range In, the platoon rolls a Skill Test.
■ If they pass the Skill Test, they Identify the German platoon and shoot at or bombard it as normal. The German unit is now Identified to all enemy platoons.
■ If they fail, they do not Identify the unit, but may shoot at or bombard other German platoons instead.
Enemy Recce teams that attempt to shoot at or bombard a platoon equipped with Enemy Disguises automatically identify them if they are within 8”/20cm.
An AOP or Bunker cannot Identify a platoon equipped with Enemy Disguises. Aircraft cannot choose a team that has not been identified as the target of an air strike.
Wide Tracks
Some excellent tank designs have successfully utilised wider tracks, allowing them to cross almost any terrain.
If a vehicle with Wide Tracks becomes Bogged Down while attempting to cross Rough Terrain, roll again. On a roll of 4+ the vehicle immediately frees itself and continues moving.
Limited Vision
In order to pack more into small tanks, some tank designers reduced the crew to a minimum and severely
limited the number of vision devices. Thus, the tanks require the commander to operate as a somewhat vision-impaired gunner as well.
Tanks with Limited Vision add +1 to the score required to hit when shooting any weapon except an AA MG at
targets that are entirely behind a line drawn across the front of the tank’s turret before they rotate their turret to face the target.
Tanks with Limited Vision must rotate their turret to point straight ahead when they move.
Contents
1x Right-hand side track.
1x Left-and side track.
1x Right-hand side front mudguard.
1x Left-hand side front mudguard (with headlight).
1x Tank commander sprue.
1x Turret superstructure bracket.
1x 7.5cm gun barrel without muzzle brake.
1x Left-hand side mudguard.
1x Right-hand side mudguard.
1x Commander's hatch
1x Resin Ersatz Panther turret and hull.
15mm, metal/resin
Battlefront MIniatures
Product safety information
Manufacturer information:
Battlefront Miniatures Europe Ltd
Tissington Close Unit 4C
Nottingham, Vereinigtes Königreich, NG9 6QG
customerservicerow@battlefront.co.nz
https://www.flamesofwar.com/
Responsible person:
Frontline Games
Faerbereiweg 3A
Schleswig-Holstein
Huetten, Deutschland, 24358
info@frontlinegames.de
https://www.frontlinegames.de/
