Great variability in Rethymnon scenario

[HansBolter]

I gave the Rethymnon scenario a try last weekend.

I played with the Favor Axis reinforcements which adds a third batallion to the attack on the second day.

This is a small scenario that moves very fast so I started and restarted it several times in order to try out different tactics.

I discovered that there are three completely different drop patterns associated with this scenario which makes for great replayability.

One of the drop patters splits the two batallions on opposite ends of the airfield. When this happens the Germans have almost no chance of success as neither batallion alone is strong enough to diaplace the Allies.

The two other drop patterns put both first day batallions west of the airfield. One puts them nearer the coast and one pust them up in the highlands.

I found the highlands drop the best for the Germans as taking the high ground overlooking the airfield seems essential to success in this scenario.

The first time I dropped near the coast I made a dash up the coast road with one batallion and a move on the ridge line west of the airfield with the second batallion. The Allies kicked my butt.

The next attempt was made from the highlands drop. I made a rushed assault on the highland ridges overlooking the airfield. I then settled in for the night to rest the troops and await the second days reinforcements before assaulting the airfield. I didn't make any attempt on the airfield on the second day. Instead I pushed the eastern most batallion in the highlands further east allowing the second day reinforcement batallion (really a weak batallion with only one line company) to move into the middle of the ridge line position. Staying in, and manuevering for better position in the highlands on the second day caused the Allies to react by attempting to pry me out of the highland positions. They repeatedly assaulted my ridge line positions without success resulting in some very tired and very attrited allied companies.

I made my push out of the highlands and onto the airfield on the third day. It was pretty much a cakewalk over the attrited and tired allied formations.

Much of the fourth day was spennt fending off Allied counterattacks on the airfield. I then decided to push a single batallion down the coast road to take the other two objectives. The middle objective on the road was taken that day and I decided to push the batallion on to the town on the last day. On the fith, and last day, the town was secured.

I succeeded in securing all three objectives. I lost 400 men against Allied causalties of over 3000. I was over 50% on the Destroy Enemy objective, the Win Meter was at 3/4 of the way to Total Victory and I was awarded a DRAW at the completion of the scenario.

It was a great scenario and great fun playing out different options and tactics. I was a little disappointed to receive a draw with all objectives taken and such light losses, but it appears the victory points awarded for taking the airfield are based on the duration of time the objective is held. Waiting until day three to take the airfield may have been my downfall.

Well, I started this to laud the variability built into the scenarios with the different drop patterns and ended up with a mini-mini AAR. Give this scenario a try, it's a blast!

[HansBolter]

104 hits and no one has a comment?

Has no one else tried this scenario yet?

Has no one else had similar or differing experiences with this scenario worth sharing?

Do I have BO?

[Banquet]

I haven't tried the scenario yet - but will after reading your comments. It sounds excellent! [:)]

[Golf33]

Well, I'm just glad you like it!