Foothills of the Gods-Allied Side

[06 Maestro]

Multi Play
German: Yakstock
Allied : 06 Maestro
Foothills of the Gods

Allied Perspective

Although Allied forces have some very good defensive terrain they are badly outnumbered. It is my intention to withdraw as much of my force I can towards Elasson, while at the same time holding the German forces back for four and one half days.
Due to the German advantage in strength it is unlikely that they can be held back more than one day after they clear the mountain passes. Because of this situation, my forces must be able to contain the Germans in the mountain passes for three and one half days.

The general concept is to avoid being over run in the forward positions, but to withdraw to multiple subsequent battle positions with good engagement areas (kill zones) in front of the positions. Every time that a forward Bn breaks off action, there will be fresh units a few km to their rear in good positions. The Germans will be engaged as they attempt to advance through and out of, very constricted terrain. It is expected that some small German units will infiltrate into the Allied rear area-they will be dealt with by mobile reserves.

Through this method I intend to keep the German forces bottled up in the mountain passes until the morning of the 5th day of the battle. At this point in time there will be a rapid withdrawal to the last battle position covering the roadway to Elasson , and to victory.

The 1st map view is of the entire AO with the overview of engagement areas and positions. More detailed maps will be forthcoming.

(not using the new software yet)

[06 Maestro]

Day 2
Approx. 0530

This is the situation on the eastern approaches to the mountains. The initial engagement area here worked quite well-considering. For some reason one engineer coy failed to fall back on time. Fortunately, I have more engineers in this area.

On a more negative note, the Germans attacked much stronger in the south than anticipated. The result was a breakthrough, but only into some very steep hill with primitive roads. Although this is by no means a catastrophic event, it did cause me to move two Bn’s and supporting artillery into different locations.

There are reports of large enemy formations moving through the southern trails, but you know how those reports are…

[06 Maestro]

Day 2
Approx 0600

This is a close up view of the situation in the northern area after about 22 hours after initial contact with the German forces. The Allied left faired much better than the right flank of E. A. November1.

As dawn arrives on day two, it has become apparent that it is time to fall back to a subsequent battle position. Orders were issued hours ago and the units are just now beginning their movement. The new battle positions are not entirely ready, but the bridge on the main road is primed and key units are in place.

One key unit the 25/28 artillery ran out of ammo for its 60 pounders. The guns were silent for about half of the night. This has brought only temporary relief for the German forces as supplies are flowing like a river now.

[06 Maestro]

The 19th (Wellington) Bn is withdrawing in good order from the left flank. They should make it to the new position before the Germans can re-engage them. The right flank is a little messier, but the 18th NZ (Auckland) Bn is working its way back nicely.

The action in Engagement area November 1 is not over just yet.

[06 Maestro]

Day 2
Approx 0600

The overall situation does not look too bad. In fact, I'm rather happy about the developements with the noted exception of the surprise penetration of my right flank.

Two more days in the hills and then my boys can make the dash to the south to help our brethren.

[06 Maestro]

This is a close up of the area that the Germans will have to traverse if they pursue their push on the extream southern area of the useable AO. That is a 62% grade along that road. It is generally about (only) 42.
Talk about motivation-urahh!

[06 Maestro]

The battle opened up before dawn on day 2on both the northern front and in the east. The fighting was intense in the northern area (EA-N-1). Within a few hours it began to appear that over a whole Bn and a brigade HQ were going to be cut off. Fortunately for the Allied side, my opponent is having a hard time advancing through the narrow valley-suffering from direct fire and some steady artillery barrages. I am aware that the German side is taking heavy losses on the northern front.

In the eastern area, the German thrust has been contained. Several Allied companies were lost in the fighting and perhaps two more will not make it out. As soon as a road is clear, German motorized units race up the road for a few hundred yards-not much in the big picture, but enough to cut off units depending on the scarce road network to get out of the mountains in a reasonable time.

[06 Maestro]

The situation in the north is not good. I am confident that the German attack can be delayed as originally envisioned, but it looks like some large and important unit are not going to make it out. Some of the units off the road network to the west are very short of basic supplies.

[06 Maestro]

As dusk sets in on day two, only the most selfless sacrafice by some Kiwi's have avoided catastrophe. It has taken far longer than anticipated to pull the infantry Bde in the north east to a subsequent battle position covering the main bridge in the pass.

[06 Maestro]

At this point on the eastern sector the Allied forces are falling back to subsequent battle positions. Due to poor tactical intelligence, locations of German units are mostly unknown. Operational intell is better-I know that there are elements of two german divisions advancing from the east. When Yakstock can close with my infantry here, there is a very heavy German arty barrage. He does have some trouble maintaining heavy contact. Due to the narrow road passages, I can have mutiple artillery units ready to fire in support just as the Germans reach a direct fire kill zone. I was relieved to see his lead units fall back in short order a couple of times.

Although it seems like the passes in the east can be held for many days, I know he has very large forces that have not been committed yet. Also, I must keep in mind that I have to withdraw to the south in another two days. The terrain alone will seriously slow down the withdrawal, so I better get moving.

[06 Maestro]

This is the situation on the main northen approach at day 3, 0600. By some miricle (and a few hundred 60 pounder round & many more 25 pounders) the German advance was held up. The Allied forces were pushed back, some units suffering very bad casualties. SOme companies were routed during the night. The groupe on the hillside to the west are going to get waxed, I'm afraid.
It takes a good general to know when to attack, but it takes a great general to know when to get the hell out of Dodge (or other disastrous places). I should have started my move south an hour earlier.

[06 Maestro]

This is a view of the south eastern approach into the valley leading to Elasson. The road junction that the Germans are heading for is only about 20 KM from the pass opening (lower left). I had correctly identified this area as a very poor avenue of approach for the Germans. I snickered in contempt at Yakstocks major attack in that area, but then I move a very valuable Bn to guard the mouth of the southern pass. If it was possible by some Tuetonic trick to get through that southern area the result would be a decisive Allied defeat. It now appears that Yakstock had no real intention of pressing his attack in this area. It is too late to shift any of these units back to the north (where they are desperately needed) so I will begin planning for their withdrawal to the south.

[06 Maestro]

Day 4 0700

We are looking at the northen section again. My forces along the road are nearly spent; fighting and marching all night. Some are low on supplies, I have moved my artillery to the rear while keeping a good barrage on the German forces. I ordered a few bombardment missions into the German rear along what I hope were crowded roads-crowded with fresh troops.
The situation is very tight time wise. It may come down to a matter of minutes for my main blocking force to get into position near the heavy road bridge in the middle of the pass. The bridge is about half primed; the engineers were caught in the mess at the fromt and barely escaped. There are AT and some infantry in position there-more on the way. The loss of the bridge itself is no great loss, but the road juntion located there. If Yakstock can take that location before I have withdrawn my northern Bde, the Aliied forces will be in grave danger of total defeat. If he has fresh unit to throw into the fray on day 4 there will be great trouble.
There is great anticipation at Corps HQ.

[06 Maestro]

Day 4 0700

A small saga has bee going on for the last day. An infantry BN (minus 1 Coy) was forced out to the west. There is also an AT company which has been in position blocking the western trail into the mountains for about 24 hours. The Inf Bn is very short on supplies. I'm not sure if they will recieve any through the winding trails that link them with the rear. At least they have a path to get out. I would not give too much hope of them making it though, as they are already tired. After they get out of the danger zone they will rest for perhaps 12 hours. That will leave them with one day to march 30 Km through the mountains-not good.

[Arjuna]

Great AAR 06 Maestro.[:)]

[06 Maestro]

Thanks; I think it is adding some depth to the game experience. I am now presented with my own evidence of good or bad decisions- an excellent learning tool for myself and perhaps others.

It's also becoming easier as I learn how to use these sissy photo managing tools. [:)]

[Arjuna]

Yes there is nothing like preparing your own analysis of what happened to force you to reflect on your decisions and their consequence.[:)]

[06 Maestro]

Day 4 09:30

This is a view of the primary road from the north. The German forces are pushing, or destroying my units blocking the roadway. The worst of the pass is now behind the Germans, but there is still a fully primed bridge under the engineer unit.
The very bad thing in my situation is that the other primary blocking forces are not making to their engagement areas. They are exhausted and low or out of basics due to their isolated marches through the mountain. This is leaving HQ units in the front line-no choice at this point.

[06 Maestro]

Day 4
09:40

Northeastern Approach

Although Yakstock is pushing his troops hard in this area also, the Allied position is still secure. There is still a danger of even more units being cut off-amazing how this keeps happening. It’s a little more complicated on predicting the speed of units in the hills than on flat ground.

[06 Maestro]

Day 4
A M.

This is a broad view of the eastern approaches. Note the machine gun coy to the southeast. It has assaulted into an empty road junction-this is OK. Their next move will be to probe along the road back to the west. With some luck, they will happen upon a supply unit.