Operation Sealion LCG

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 19:

3rd Company pauses their advance and momentarily takes cover.
The British HMG platoon is somewhere close by, and if the enemy unit foolishly advances again, it will receive a hot reception.

2nd Company, assisted by a Stug, assaults and captures the strategic vista point which overlooks the city of Petham. Several enemy HQ units are spotted in the city's center.

Airstrikes ordered.

1st Company troops plan their movements for the advance on the heavily fortified village of Upper Hardres. A 4SP British Rifle Platoon has entrenched itself into a bunker system within the village.
The remaining demoralised Stug extracts itself from the minefield, and will assist in 1st Company's risky mission.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 20:

3rd Company ambushes the roving British HMG Platoon, which takes a SP loss and flees yet again. The Company creeps cautiously forward, with the Motorcycle Platoon taking the lead.

2nd Company approaches the outskirts of Petham. Several HQ units are spotted milling around in the city, which seems otherwise devoid of enemy troops.

The Luftwaffe airstrikes miss their intended targets, however artillery strikes are successful in killing 1SP of a Battalion HQ.

1st Company finalizes their plan for taking Upper Hardres:




[center]1. Stug advances; absorbs op-fire.
2. II and IV platoon plus HMG provides suppressive fire.
3. I and III platoon assaults the disrupted defender.[/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 21:

3rd Company continues to be harassed by the lone British HMG unit, which retreats into the city of Petham after suffering another SP loss.

III Platoon, 2nd Company attempts to enter the city, but is driven off by a hidden British AAMG platoon which is defending from a bunker.

1st Company pauses briefly so that III Platoon can be rallied after a near-miss by an enemy artillery barrage disrupts the unit.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 22:

Petham and Upper Hardres remain in enemy hands.

Despite this, Major Gause's I Battalion has been ordered to stand down and assume a defensive posture.

The British have suffered excessive losses in the area, and are on the verge of collapse.

I Battalion will enjoy a brief respite while follow-on forces from the 17th Infantry and 6th Mountain Divisions mop-up the few remaining British forces.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Conclusion:

Final Score: 575 - Major Victory

A deceptive scenario. It started with strong British units around the first objective, but progressively weaker as the game went on. I thought I had plenty of time to capture Petham and Upper Hardres, but defensive bunkers slowed the advance to a crawl. Always fearful of a strong counter-attack due to subtle hints in the scenario notes and the design of the map......nice one!

German I Battalion losses(SPs):
1 Parachute Infantry Platoon

Wehrmacht losses(SPs):
1 StuG IIIB 75mm Assault Guns


British losses (SPs):
3 Mark VI Light Tanks
17 Carriers
8 Trucks
2 OML 3-inch Mortars
4 OQF 40mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
16 Carrier Rifle Section
46 Rifle Platoon
3 Engineer Platoon
16 Home Guard Platoon
13 Machinegun Platoon
5 Battalion HQ (mot.)


Total British losses (SPs) to date:
3 Mark VI Light Tanks
20 Trucks
26 Carriers
10 OML 3-inch Mortars
12 OQF 2-pounder Anti-Tank Guns
8 OQF 40mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
6 OBL 6-inch Howitzers
24 Carrier Rifle Section
109 Rifle Platoon
9 Engineer Platoon
33 Home Guard Platoon
2 Anti-Aircraft Machinegun Platoon
22 Machinegun Platoon
7 Battalion HQ (mot.)
4 Commander 2
3 Commander 3


Received 5 replacement points. 4 of the 12 paratrooper platoons are at 5 SPs.

Total Battalion strength is 96% of TOE.

Onward soldiers!

[TAIL GUNNER]

After a very brief night of much needed rest, Major Gause's I Battalion marches north through the now German-occupied town of Petham and prepares for the new days' mission.

This morning's objective is to isolate the city of Canterbury. Besides the British, a natural obstacle must be overcome as well: the Great Stour River.

Assisting I Battalion will be Captain Erdmann's 17th Recon Battalion, consisting of a company of Motorcycle Troops and a two-vehicle squadron of armored cars.
A company of Bicycle Troops should be along shortly.

The venerable StuG IIIBs also join the action, and consist of two squadrons of 3 vehicles each.

Lastly, a Engineer Platoon from the 2nd Regiment is also available for support.

Strong artillery and aerial support are also provided.

The Plan: (Phase 1)

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 1:

All units move out along their pre-determined routes.

I Battalion's Engineer Platoon, which is attached to 1st Company, blunders into a hidden minefield along with III Platoon and loses 2SPs.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 2:

2nd Company comes under fire from a half-strength HMG Platoon that is heavily entrenched in the Larkervalley Wood. The British miss, but the German return fire kills one of their number and leaves them disrupted.

The other companies also advance without incident.
The StuGs lead the way yet again. One incredibly brave or possibly insane unit advances far up the road and brashly recons Thanington. The other StuG unit sweeps the orchards of Stuppington Farm for hiding British troops, but finds none.

Some captured trucks have been made available. These will be used to transport the foot-soldiers quickly to the action once the road to Thanington has been declared secure.



[center]The fearless StuGs lead the way![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 3:

2nd Company chases off the HMG unit with strong return-fire, and also another 3SP HMG which reveals itself by firing on an advancing Motorcycle Platoon from range, killing 1SP.

The reconning StuG unit comes under fire from a 2pdr Portee Truck, which disrupts the StuGs. Return fire from the StuGs destroys two of the British vehicles and leaves them disrupted. The other StuG approaches behind its comrade and both units will provide suppressive fire to soft-targets until the infantry units catch up. The armored car squadron from the 17th Recon attempts to move further east of the StuGs, but is stopped cold when it enters a hidden minefield, leaving one vehicle disabled.

Two enemy artillery batteries are spotted north of Canterbury. Airstrikes are ordered.



[center]2nd Company finds a crossing in the River.[/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 4:

Luftwaffe airstrikes achieve little.
The first strike of HS-123As merely disrupts its target of a two-gun battery of 25lbr Field Guns. The second strike of the same type of aircraft is blasted out of the sky by 40mm AA fire before they can make their attack run on a two-gun battery of 18lbr Field Guns.

All Luftwaffe attacks will be suspended until the AA threat is nullified.

Meanwhile, the British launch a small counter-attack against the StuGs. A 4SP Rifle Platoon, 5SP Engineer Platoon, and three 2lbr Portee Trucks approach the lead StuG's position.

The lead StuG blasts the 2lbr Portee Trucks into oblivion, while its comrade destroys a Battalion HQ. Both units then retreat back south down the road.

If the British are bold enough to crest the hill and continue their attack, they will get a hot reception from the guns of 2nd Company as well as the Motorcycle Troops of 17th Recon.

The Bicycle Troops as well as a HMG Motorcycle Platoon have finally arrived.

[fmonster]

Still reading! What a great AAR! Keep up the good work.[&o]

[TAIL GUNNER]

ORIGINAL: fmonster

Still reading! What a great AAR! Keep up the good work.[&o]

Thank you, kind sir....[8D]

Though I do predict some rough times for I Battalion in the very near future...

[sapper32]

Enjoying it also,im playing a few bootcamp scenarios at the moment hoping to be competent enough to tackle a campain soon will post some AARs then,you seem to be smashing the Brits to peices so far welldone cheers Ian

[TAIL GUNNER]

ORIGINAL: sapper32

Enjoying it also,im playing a few bootcamp scenarios at the moment hoping to be competent enough to tackle a campain soon will post some AARs then,you seem to be smashing the Brits to peices so far welldone cheers Ian

Thanks Ian, it's always good to see new blood.[8D]

As far as playing campaigns, just pick your poison and jump right in. I must have restarted "Kampfgruppe Peiper" twenty times back in the day before I finished it....

I'll crank out a bunch of turns tonight....I think it'll be interesting to say the least....

take care,
ChadG

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 5:

2nd Company approachs the river crossing, and are greeted by an entrenched Carrier Rifle Section. The British fare worse in the firefight, and are left disrupted and demoralised after losing 1SP. Their Carriers are also present, but at long range their machineguns are very inaccurate.
The 7th Regiment's Engineer Platoon is loaded on some captured trucks and will be transported towards 2nd Company's area of ops to assist in the crossing.

1st Company assisted by the StuGs opts to approach Thanington from the southwest. Another shallow area of the river is identified and will be utilized by 1st Company's paratroops.
The tough StuGs lead the way and discover an entrenched Rifle Platoon across the river, and also another Carrier Rifle Section half a kilometer south of the Rifle Platoon.
An artillery barrage is ordered to try to soften the defense before the troops arrive.

The 17th Recon Motorcycle Troops approach Thanington from the direct south and are ambushed by a hidden 4SP Rifle Platoon hiding in an orchard. No casualties for the Germans, who return fire with deadly accuracy. The British unit is left disrupted and demoralised after taking 50% casualties. The 5SP Engineer unit is also thought to be in this area.

3rd Company is trailing the 17th Recon and is attacked by a pair of British fighter-bombers. II Platoon loses 2SPs and is disrupted. Captain Sieglin will rally the survivors.
This unit will then be assigned to garrison the village of Street End to protect the right flank of the German's artillery and HQ camps.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 6:

2nd Company cautiously aproaches the far western river crossing but finds no defenders.

Artillery strikes against the defenders of 1st Company's advance achieve no results. The German's 75mm shells are not enough to disrupt the dug-in British.
Nevertheless, 1st Company with help from a StuG unit and I Battalion's Engineer Platoon forge forward and aim their guns against the hapless Carrier Rifle Section, killing 1SP and destroying two Carriers.
The next threat will be the 4SP Rifle Platoon which defends directly across the river and is heavily entrenched with a leader.

The StuGs and Motorcycle Troops from the 17th Recon will target this threat next now that British Rifle Platoons have been driven away from the orchards southeast of Thanington.




[center]2nd Company prepares to cross the Great Stour![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 7:

2nd Company successfully crosses the river and are now in position to drive on the village of Milton which lies 1km to the northwest.
A single 2pdr Portee Truck was found milling about in the area, and quickly shot up by 2nd Company's attached HMG platoon.

1st Company along with I Battalion's Engineer Platoon succeed in wiping out the Carrier Rifle Sections guarding the other river crossing.
The Engineer Platoon will clear a roadblock and 1st Company should be in position to cross the river shortly.

17th Recon Motorcycle Troops along with the StuGs pour concentrated fire onto the entrenched Rifle Platoon directly across the river, killing 1SP and leaving the unit disrupted.
The belated Bicycle Troops have dismounted from their bicycles and will be used to drive on Thanington.

The now three platoons of 3rd Company engage in a firefight with two reduced British Rifle, an Engineer Platoon, and two 2lbr Portee Trucks which are attempting to infiltrate the orchards southeast of Thanington. The Germans are able to beat back the British and inflict heavy casualties.



[center]3rd Company in action![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 8:

The remainder of 2nd Company successfully crosses the river without incident.
2nd Company will converge on the strategic village of Milton along with 1st Company, which will attack from the south.

17th Recon Motorcycle Troops and the StuGs continue to reduce the Rifle Platoon across the river, and should totally eliminate the stubborn unit soon.
The 17ths Bicycle Troops approach the village of Thanington through cover of a smokescreen. A half-strength HMG unit defends the village.
3rd Company covers the right flank of the advance.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 9:

1st Company approaches the river crossing and discover the worst possible situation: the dirty British have roadblocked and heavily mined the other side!
The Battalion's Engineer Platoon rushes over, but it will take some time before they can clear a path. 1st Company will have to wait.

2nd Company is ordered to proceed with the attack on the village of Milton without the assistance of 1st Company.
The HMG platoon approaches from the southwest, drawing fire from the 5SP Rifle Platoon garrison that fortunately for the Germans falls short.
While the British are distracted, II and III Platoon storm in from the west and pour concentrated and accurate fire onto the defenders, killing 3SP and disrupting the British unit.
Milton should fall soon.

17th Recon's Bicycle Troops approach Thanington and prepare to assault the village. Covered by the Motorcycle Troops and 3rd Company's para-platoons, the garrison of Thanington comes under intense fire and is left disrupted and demoralised.
However, British artillery fire is a problem in this area, with several platoons from 3rd Company losing SPs from the deadly high explosive shells.

A roving Carrier Rifle Section is spotted southwest of I Battalion's HQ which is located deep in the rear in the village of Debden Court. Direct fire from the 75mm Mountain Guns causes the unit to flee.
3rd Company's II Platoon, which is closeby, is ordered to intercept and destroy the unit.



[center]2nd Company attacks while 1st Company waits.[/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 10:

The garrisons of both Milton and Thanington are violently ejected, and the Germans now control both strategic villages.

One StuG was lost when trying to maneuver for position to fire on a 40mm AA battery. A four-vehicle squadron of 2lbr Portee Trucks defending the western suburbs of Canterbury gets credit for the kill.

Two more Carrier Rifle Sections appear near the I Battalion HQ. While Major Gause and his staff flee north to the safety of some trees, direct fire from the 75mm batteries drives the enemy units away with losses.
3rd Company, II Platoon then closes in and kills the lead unit.

The Germans now emend their plan to complete the isolation of Canterbury.

The Plan: (Phase 2)

1st Company will garrison Milton area.
3rd Company will garrison Thanington area.
17th Recon + StuGs drive on Harbledown, then Rough Common.
2nd Company covers 17th Recon's left flank.