Panzer Graveyard


Minturno, Italy, January 21, 1944: On November 13, 1943, 1st Comapany 
Hermann Goring Parachute-Panzer Regiment had been sent to support the 
94th Infantry Division and worked with the 267th Grenadier Regiment 
guarding the coast. 7th Company HG Parachute-Panzer Regiment was 
supporting the 274th Grenadier Regiment and was engaged near Minturno. 
1st Company was given the mission of guarding the Santa-Infante-Minturno 
Road. 7th Company tanks were already in the area and its 1st Platoon, 
under the command of Lieutenant Lentz, was ordered to move up in support 
of the infantry near Minturno cemetary. The Pzkpfw III tanks of the 1st 
Platoon and infantry of the Grenadiers successfully repulsed several 
attacks. Finally, the order came for the 1st and 7th Companies, along 
with the 200th Grenadier Regiment, to counterattack.

Game Length" 5.5 turns

For the Germans to win they must take the town of Minturno
For the British to win they must defend the town

Germans: Squads, HMG, MMG, LMG's, AFV's
British: Squads, HMG, MMG, LMG's, PIAT's, AT Gun, AFV's

Boards: #18, #46

Aftermath: In support of the operation, 1st Platoon was reinforced by four 
PzKpfw IV tanks. The MkIII's would provide fire support from positions on 
the heights. The attack, intended to capture the hills surrounding the 
cemetary and to push further into the town, was launched in 1710 hours. 
Feldwebel Lubke wheeled his Panzer IV around the corner of the cemetary 
and came face to face with a Sherman, which he knocked out with the first 
shot. Meanwhile, Lt. Lentz engaged and destroyed an antitank gun and a 
Churchill tank. British antitank teams were present in the town, but the 
armor provided the shock necessary for the less experienced German infantry 
to press forward. As twilight settled in, the vehicles pulled back to the 
cemetary and the infantry consolidated the gains. The following day, the 
infantry would successfully storm the last British strongpoint, leaving the 
town in German hands. However, after being wounded, Lt. Lentz refused to 
leave the battlefield, and was subsequently killed by an artillery shell.

Source: ASL Scenario J32, designed by Chas Smith
