Scratch Force

Ircch, Germany, February 24, 1945: The 5th Ranger Battalion was tasked 
with penetrating the front and operating behind enemy lines. They were 
to soften up the defenses in anticipation of a later breakthrough attempt. 
During the raid, one of the platoons under Lt. Gambosi became separated. 
They linked up with Task Force Riley, an armored unit with no infantry 
support. Gambosi's Rangers were put on six halftracks and the advance 
continued. Ahead of them was the important crossroads village of Ircch. 
It had to be taken to prevent any German flank attack on the main force.

Game Length: 6.5 turns

For the Americans to win they must take the town of Irsch and roadblocks
For the Germans to win they must hold the town

Americans: Squads, MMG, BAZ45, mtr, AFV's
Germans: Squads, MMG, LMG, PSK, AFV's

Boards: #4, #12

Aftermath: Lt. Col. Riley sent in his lead company, but five Shermans were 
knocked out by tank supported infantry armed with panzerfaust. He then turned 
to the Rangers and asked them to go in. Lt. Gambosi and his tiny force then 
entered and went house to house and cleared them as well as three roadblocks. 
Deprived of its infantry support, a Tiger tank withdrew and the Rangers reported 
a second Tiger on the edge of town which did not intervene. Gambosi's Rangers 
took sixty prisoners and together with TF Riley, held the town until additional 
companies of the 10th Armored arrived.

Source: Renegade Scenario: Scratch Force, Designed by Jeff Harris, April 11, 1997
