My plan has 4 phases that should enable my battalion to seize Middletown before nightfall Day 1 and outskirts of Northtown before noon Day 2. I will try to maintain mutual support among the units as much as possible and have one unit free (3.9) to recon ahead.
Phase 1 of my plan saw 1.9 in Hammerville at 0608, 2.9 in Anville at 0540 and Support group with 3.9 in Southtown at 0535. No enemy units sighted.
Orders for Phase 2 sent to units at 0610.
Phase 2 begins with 2.9 spotting enemy unit north of Plierville. Orders sent to 9HQ, 9AT and 4.9 to support 2.9 at Plierville.
1.9 reports several enemy units south of Yellow River South Bridge. Orders sent to 3.9 to redirect through Plierville. Phase 2 lines will be difficult to achieve now, so my plan is altered slightly as my units cannot meet these enemy armoured units head-on. So defense across bridges will be emphasized to gain advantage.
1.9 and 3.9 are retreating now in front of what seems to be strong enemy armoured units.
2.9 routs enemy unit at Plierville and takes village at 0815.
1.9 ordered to Plierville via Anville. HQ and support arrives in Plierville at 1010.
2.9 ordered to defend bridge west of Plierville.
1.9 arrived in Plierville at 1030 is ordered to defend north of Yellow River South Bridge.
At 1120 enemy unit at Plierville surrenders.
Enemy units probing Yellow River South Bridge defended by 1.9 at 1240.
As Phase 2 lines can not be achieved, 3.9 is ordered to probe Middletownn and starts 1618. At 1630 3.9 reports that no enemy units seen in Middletown and HQ with support is ordered to Middletown with all haste. 2.9 is sent to bridges south of Easttown.
1.9 ordered to defend bridge east of Middletown and 3.9 to defend bridge west of Middletown.
At 1900 HQ and support sets up in Middletown.
HQ reports to units that Phase 3 lines were discarded when no enemy present in Middletown.
Enemy presence at bridge west of Middletown with several attempts from enemy armour to cross bridge denied by 3.9 and 9AT. After midnight all is quiet and no contacts.
HQ decides to send 3.9 to probe Sawville at D2 0530, all other units will proceed to Phase 4 lines at 0630.
Phase 4 begins with HQ sending orders to 3.9 at 0500.
At 0518 several enemy units attack bridge west of Middletown.
2.9 ordered to seize Easttown at 0618, which is completed at 0630.
At 0700 2.9 is ordered to probe outskirts of Northtown.
3.9 reports no enemy units in Sawville and is promptly ordered to defend bridge south of Sawville.
At 0908 2.9 is in control of outskirts of Northtown.
HQ sends situation report to Division.
Own comments:
Strong enemy armoured units forced a change of plans as it was not possible to hold all initial phase lines because of the roaming enemy units.
Defense from behind bridges was the key to success in this scenario, while still having free units to recon and achieve necessary objectives. The ability of recon units to break contact with enemy is a must to maintain mobility.
Great scenario with a nice surprise.
