Operation Sealion LCG

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 11:

2nd Company engages in battle with various British units around Milton. A HMG platoon, a 5SP Rifle Platoon, and a 2SP AAMG unit are within immediate range and take fire from 2nd Company's guns.
The enemy Rifle and HMG Platoons suffer casualties and disruption.

Lead units of the 17th Recon have finally broken out of the Thanington area and cross the Great Stour River to the west of the village via the highway bridge.
These units will now head due north toward the strategic village of Harbledown.
Once the 7th Regiment's Engineer Platoon has removed a road blockade south of Thanington, the StuGs will join 17th Recon on its drive north.

3rd Company will remain in Thanington and intercept any British units coming west from Canterbury.

Toward the rear in Debden Court, the 75mm batteries succeed in destroying the marauding Carrier Rifle Sections.
3rd Company, II Platoon moves back east to intercept an advancing 2lbr Portee Truck unit.


[center]Breakout at Thanington![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 12:

I Battalion's Engineers clear the minefields, and 1st Company is finally able to cross the river south of Milton. These units will take up positions around Milton which were recently vacated by the advancing 2nd Company.

2nd Company continues to be engaged in heavy firefights with British units just north of Milton. A British 4SP Rifle Platoon is driven out of its defensive position in a treeline, but the AAMG unit is only suppressed as they take cover behind a low wall and evade the German bullets.
The roadblock south of Thanington cleared, the two StuG units rush west to assist 2nd Company.

Just to the east of 2nd Company, two platoons of Bicycle Troops and three platoons of Motorcycle Troops enter the treeline and advance towards the low wall. A hidden Home Guard Platoon fires on the advancing Bicycle Troops and forces them to flee back into the trees.

Disaster to the west of Thanington.
2nd Company's attahed HMG platoon was caught out in the open and decimated by enemy artillery, 40mm AA, and HMG fire.
The entire unit was annihilated.

Even more disturbing, many enemy units are spotted heading south along a highway from Canterbury towards Debden Court.
The only blocking force in good position is the 3rd Company, II Platoon which just arrived back in the village of Street End. Fortunately, the village is fortified with defensive emplacements.
Several friendly units are enroute to bolster the defense and include the 7th Regiment Engineer Platoon, plus an understrength Motorcycle Platoon and a Bicycle Platoon.
These units will be transported back to the rear using the captured trucks.





[center]17th Recon stymied at the wall![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 13:

2nd Company, the StuGs, and advancing units from the 17th Recon drive the British back and approach the low wall.
The enemy AAMG as well as a 3in Mortar Section are destroyed by German gunfire.

A 5SP British Rifle Platoon guards the village of Harbledown and enjoys an elevation advantage over the advancing Germans.
A British Major's staff car has also been identified milling about the village.

Several marauding 2lbr Portee Truck squadrons were destroyed near the rear; one by 3rd Company, II Platoon and the other by direct fire from I Battalion's 81mm Mortar Section.
The 7th Regiment Engineer Platoon will arrive soon to bolster the defense.



[center]Advancing with overwhelming force![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 14:

The 2nd Company and 17th Recon Juggernaut continues to roll as British blocking forces are destroyed and several units advance over the wall on their way towards Harbledown.
As an added bonus one of the StuG units destroys the British Major's staff car from range, killing him instantly.

3rd Company is forced to retreat from the untenable Thanington area.
British observers entrenched on the west side of Canterbury are able to call artillery fire upon the exposed Germans who are unable to find suitable cover.
A 3SP Motorcycle HMG unit will remain as the only garrison.
However, 3rd Company will be close enough to deter any British advance on the village.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 15:

And just like that the Juggernaut is stopped cold...

2nd Company and 17th Recon are greeted by a solid line of dense minefields to the south of Harbledown.

2nd Company will go around the west side, while 17th Recon and the StuGs approach from the east.
An entrenched 3-gun 40mm AA battery blocks the eastern approach, and fires a full salvo at the lead Stug which becomes disrupted as a result.

Also, further back around the Milton area, 1st Company is suddenly attacked by a group of six Mark VI light tanks as well as two Rifle Carrier Sections and their Carriers.
The Rifle Carrier Sections are beaten back with loss, and most of the Carriers are destroyed in a one-sided fire-fight. The Mark VIs hang back and fire from range.
The paratroopers then retreat into cover and will ambush the Mark VIs if they are foolish enough to advance.



[center]Find a way around![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 16:

The Germans have been put on the defensive over much of the area.

1st Company battles with the Mark VIs and Carrier Rifle Sections which are intent on retaking Milton. The Germans manage to destroy one of the British tanks and disrupt the entire unit, but not before II Platoon comes under fire from the metallic beasts and loses a SP.
III Platoon, 2nd Company which is just to the north, turns back south to assist their comrades.

The rest of 2nd Company occupies Tonford Farm, and defends the left flank.

In 17th Recon's area, the lead StuG unit again comes under fire from the 40mm AA Guns which destroys one of the two remaining StuGs in the unit. The lone vehicle then attempts to retreat but is caught in a deadly crossfire from another 40mm AA unit that fires from a hidden location in Canterbury.
The StuG has no chance of escape and is blasted to pieces.

With the other StuG unit still suffering from disruption, Lt. Harteneck quickly leads a Motorcycle Platoon towards the dreaded 40mm unit and destroys it in a vicious assault. The eastern path towards Harbledown is now open, although the British have roadblocked the highway.
I Battalions Engineer Platoon will soon be in position to clear the way.

Meanwhile, the British launch a powerful counter-attack in the Thanington area.
Two Carrier Rifle Sections along with their Carriers approach from the east while scores of strong Rifle Platoons approach from the west.
A 2SP Motorcycle Platoon along with III Platoon, 3rd Company fire on the advancing Rifle Platoons, causing some casualties and disruption.
The Motorcycle MG Platoon in Thanington aims its fire on the Carrier Rifle Sections, and also causes casualties.
The rest of 3rd Company hides in an orchard to the southeast of Thanington, and prepares a nasty surprise for the British.




[center]3rd Company under pressure![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 17:

1st Company manages to repel the Mark VIs and remaining Carrier Rifle Sections near Milton.
After another Mark VI is destroyed, I and IV Platoons assault the British menace and drive them completely from the village.
III Platoon, 2nd Company closes the gap from the north with plans to destroy the remaining British units in a vicious pincer attack.

Lt. Harteneck's 17th Recon troops round the eastern edge of the minefield and close the distance to Harbledown. A 5SP British Rifle Platoon defends the strategic village, and is left disrupted after the remaining StuG unit advances and fires on the defender.
After I Battalion's Engineer unit clears the roadblock, troops from 17th Recon should be able to assault and capture the village.

The British counter-attack near Thanington grinds forward, but is somewhat thwarted by well placed artillery rounds and accurate HMG fire from the garrison. 3rd Company still remains hidden and patiently awaits their chance to strike back.



[center]Approaching Harbledown at last![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 18:

While the StuGs provide suppressive fire, Lt Harteneck leads a platoon of his Motorcycle Troops and I Battalion's Engineer Platoon towards Harbledown. The troops double their efforts to climb the hill and storm the village, and with grim determination they are able to rout the British garrison and claim the village as their own.
The rest of 17th Recon follows close behind, and will be used to eliminate two British Rifle Platoons that have just taken up positions southwest of Harbledown in some trees.
German HMG fire rakes over both of the fresh British units, causing casualties and disruption.
2nd Company is also in position to assist with this new threat.

1st Company completely eliminates the threat around Milton after an assault destroys the remaining British armor, but III Platoon, 2nd Company comes under enemy HMG fire while trying to assist and loses 1SP. Return fire from 1st Company units kills 1SP and leaves the British unit disrupted.

3rd Company, near Thanington, assists in breaking up the British Rifle Platoons that are attacking from the east.
However, the surviving Carrier Rifle Section and two groups of Carriers break off their attack from the west and instead head south down the highway; shooting up and destroying idle Bicycles and Motorcycles.
Assorted German troops close in on the marauding British units from the south and east before they can cause more damage.



[center]The Germans will not be denied![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 19:

An entrenched British HMG Platoon opens fire on the conquerers of Harbledown and kills 1SP of the Engineers.

With the alotted time for this operation running short, the Engineers and Lt Harteneck's lead Motorcycle Troops head north and prepare to enter the Rough Common area.
The StuGs race ahead of them, but are turned back by a British Rifle Platoon.
The rest of 17th Recon does battle with the Rifle Platoons to the southwest of Harbledown, with the British faring badly.

Elsewhere the Germans defend their newly conquered territory and mop-up roving British units as the operational tempo winds down.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 20:

The Germans are utterly amazed to find that Rough Common is garrisoned only by a Regimental HQ.

While Lt. Harteneck's Motorcycle Troops draw the attention of the nearby British Rifle Platoon, the StuGs race forward and force a British Colonel and his staff to flee for their lives.

The isolation of Canterbury is complete!

[Jason Petho]

Good job, good job!!!

Jason Petho

[TAIL GUNNER]

Conclusion:

Final Score: 678 - Major Victory

What a grind-em down, knock-em out, all-out brawl....I'm exhausted!
An excellent scenario depicting the increasing desperation of the British and the over-stretched lines of the Germans. I could never rest easy in any area of the map.
Beautifully done Jason!

German I Battalion losses(SPs):
8 Parachute Infantry Platoon
5 Machinegun Platoon
3 Engineer Platoon

Wehrmacht losses(SPs):
3 StuG IIIB 75mm Assault Guns
2 PSW 221 Armored Cars
6 Trucks
7 Bicycles
6 Motorcycles
7 Motorcycle Platoon
1 Motorcycle Machinegun Platoon
4 Bicycle Platoon


British losses (SPs):
6 Mark VI Light Tanks
17 Carriers
20 2pdr Portee Anti-Tank Trucks
5 Trucks
2 OML 3-inch Mortars
1 OQF 18-pounder Field Guns
3 OQF 40mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
27 Carrier Rifle Section
46 Rifle Platoon
5 Engineer Platoon
6 Home Guard Platoon
13 Machinegun Platoon
2 Anti-Aircraft Machinegun Platoon
1 Regimental HQ
2 Battalion HQ (mot.)
1 Commander 1 (mot.)
3 Commander 3 (mot.)


Total British losses (SPs) to date:
9 Mark VI Light Tanks
25 Trucks
43 Carriers
20 2pdr Portee Anti-Tank Trucks
12 OML 3-inch Mortars
1 OQF 18-pounder Field Guns
12 OQF 2-pounder Anti-Tank Guns
11 OQF 40mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
6 OBL 6-inch Howitzers
51 Carrier Rifle Section
155 Rifle Platoon
14 Engineer Platoon
39 Home Guard Platoon
4 Anti-Aircraft Machinegun Platoon
35 Machinegun Platoon
1 Regimental HQ
9 Battalion HQ (mot.)
1 Commander 1 (mot.)
3 Commander 3 (mot.)
4 Commander 2
3 Commander 3


Received 4 replacement points. 5 of the 12 paratrooper platoons are at 5 SPs, 3 are at 4SPs. Destroyed HMG rebuilt to 2SPs. Engineer remains at 3SPs.

Total Battalion strength is 83% of TOE.

I Battalion gets a bloody nose but is still full of fight!

Onward soldiers!

[TAIL GUNNER]

With southeastern England now under a German Iron Fist, the invaders cast their eyes west towards the real prize: London!

But it's still a long way to London and total victory, and the Germans aren't so naive as to think the British will just let them casually stroll up to the gates of the city.

So, I Battalion finds itself loaded on captured trucks with orders to clear the road to Maidstone and thus begins the long, arduous journey west towards London.

Assisting I Battalion yet again are the two irreplaceable StuGIIIB squadrons, with four vehicles each, and a platoon of Motorcycle Troops. Three more platoons of Motorcycle Troops and a company of Panzer IVDs should be along shortly.


The Plan: (Phase 1)

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 1:

The Battalion advances for approximately another kilometer in their transports and then disembark.

3rd Company comes under long-range fire from several entrenched British Rifle Platoons near Leifham.

In addition to two batteries of 75mm Mountain Guns, I Battalion also has two powerful batteries of 150mm Guns supporting their advance.

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 2:

3rd Company battles the outnumbered but well dug-in blocking forces near Leifham with success, while 2nd Company covers their northern flank.


1st Company approaches the road junction which leads to a huge factory that they are ordered to take.
A 4SP Rifle Platoon and a 3in Mortar Section are observed guarding the approach.



[center]The first obstacle![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 3:

I and II Platoon of 1st Company, led by Captain Geis, advance on the factory and engage the defenders from range. The defenders are well hidden and take no damage from the German gunfire.
150mm arty fire will be called in to soften the defense.
A StuG unit breaks off to assist 1st Company, and destroys the 3in Mortar Section based in Spittle Crouch with a volley of HE shells.

The blocking forces near Leifham are further reduced as 3rd Company closes in for the kill.
Unfortunatley, one of the StuGs operating in this area was disabled by an enemy artillery shell.

Three platoons of Motorcycle Troops from the 18th Panzer Regiment's Recon Battalion arrived and will rendevous with 2nd Company on the northern flank.


[center]An imposing defense![/center]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 4:

150mm HE shells targeted on the factory complex have the desired effect, killing one enemy SP and leaving the British unit demoralised and disrupted. Captain Geis and his 1st Company troops realize they must assault the complex soon before the British regain their senses.
The StuGs advance ahead of the paratroops and come under fire from another 4SP Rifle Platoon that is defending just to the southeast of the factory.
In a show of exemplary markmanship, I and II Platoon fire on and totally destroy this new threat with one well-aimed salvo.
The StuGs then occupy the destroyed unit's position and prepare to wrest the factory complex from British hands.

Further north, 3rd Company manages to rid themselves of the surviving British troops around Leifham and are now once again free to proceed west.
A German HMG platoon in the area takes aim at a fleeing British Captain and succeeds in destroying his staff car before he can escape to safety.

Along the northern flank, the newly arrived Motorcycle Troops overtake 2nd Company but come under fire from a British Rifle Platoon and a battery of 2pdr AT guns that are heavily entrenched in the Dickley Woods.
The troops dismount their motorcycles, and are tasked with eliminating this stronghold.



[center]Motorcycle Troops under fire![/center]

[fmonster]

ORIGINAL: Juggalo

Turn 4:

150mm HE shells targeted on the factory complex have the desired effect, killing one enemy SP and leaving the British unit demoralised and disrupted. Captain Geis and his 1st Company troops realize they must assault the complex soon before the British regain their senses.
The StuGs advance ahead of the paratroops and come under fire from another 4SP Rifle Platoon that is defending just to the southeast of the factory.
In a show of exemplary markmanship, I and II Platoon fire on and totally destroy this new threat with one well-aimed salvo.
The StuGs then occupy the destroyed unit's position and prepare to wrest the factory complex from British hands.

Further north, 3rd Company manages to rid themselves of the surviving British troops around Leifham and are now once again free to proceed west.
A German HMG platoon in the area takes aim at a fleeing British Captain and succeeds in destroying his staff car before he can escape to safety.

Along the northern flank, the newly arrived Motorcycle Troops overtake 2nd Company but come under fire from a British Rifle Platoon and a battery of 2pdr AT guns that are heavily entrenched in the Dickley Woods.
The troops dismount their motorcycles, and are tasked with eliminating this stronghold.

Nice Shootin' Tex! [:D]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Nice Shootin' Tex!

Yes, Captian Geis inspires his soldats to do great things.[8D]

[TAIL GUNNER]

Turn 5:

While the StuGs slide around to the south side of the factory complex, Captain Geis and his I and II Platoon paratroops yell out a war-cry and dash forward to assault the factory.
The assault is successful, and the British unit, with no where to retreat, is forced to surrender.
The last Britsh Rifle Platoon defending in Spittle Crouch is targeted by the trailing III and IV Platoons and takes casualties.

Just to the north, 3rd Company proceeds west along a railroad which leads to Harrietsham when suddenly a huge explosion rocks IV Platoon back. A two-gun battery of powerful 3-in AA Guns is identified approximately 2.5 kilometers away as the cause. A nearby StuG unit pulls forward to engage from range, but the British unit is heavily concealed inside a dense industrial complex. Artillery and an airstrike are immediately called on to eliminate this deadly new threat.

The Motorcycle Troops on the north flank engage the British units entrenched in the Dickley Woods, and are successful in reducing the enemy units. 2nd Company covers their north flank as they advance through cropland.