Here's a small battle I hope you will find interesting and challenging. Can be played from either side. Possibly, pbem or hotseat.
The Opponents:*
German: Col. Otto Skorzeny, one of Hitler's favorites, was able to obtain a "brigade" in the German attack at the Battle of the Bulge. The "brigade" was really a mixture of elite commando
and infantry accompanied by about 10 armored vehicles (4 Panthers), a few mortars and captured U.S. half-tracks. The German force must have looked like a motley crew that day.
Some were dressed in US helmets and jackets, while others wore German tunics, helmets, and U.S. trousers. Skorzeny had attempted to make the Panthers look like Shermans by applying
sheet metal to the sides and giving them a new paint job complete with the U.S. star.
**
Allies:*
Arrayed against the Germans were Company B, 99th Norwegian battalion, elements of the 825th tank destroyer battalion, and elements of the 291st combat engineer battalion. In
actuality, there were other units that are not represented in this scenario. Had Skorzeny realized that the 99th Norwegian battalion was present and was a fully trained commando
unit, he may have exercised more caution. The AI will attempt to duplicate Skorzeny's miscalculation in this scenario if the human plays the U.S. side. If the human plays the German side, it is possible to avoid Skorzeny's blunder by being a bit more cautious.
**
This scenario begins as Skorzeny's Brigade advances from out of the fog toward a prized road network and some key bridges. Supremely confident, the Germans advanced without a
prepatory barrage. The Allied mission is two-fold: First, keep the Germans from crossing the river and second, destroy Skorzeny's force.
16 turns, battalion (-) in size. Have fun!
Skorzeny In Belgium
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
Skorzeny In Belgium
- Attachments
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- 200-stop-skorzeny.zip
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Redleg,
Great scenerio. Played it this weekend and did an AAR:
The battlefield is dominated by a river and a hill with numerous road and rail bridges. The river curves like the letter C with a hill in the middle. The upper branch has a road and rail bridge guarded by 2 ATG's, 2 MG's, and an infantry platoon. The bottom branch also has a road and rail bridge, is defended by 1 ATG, and 2 Engineer squads. The hill is guarded on the enemy side by an Infantry platoon and on the reverse side by another Infantry Platoon, 1 ATG, and 2 MG's. Behind the hill is a railroad overpass, and a last bridge over the river connecting us to the rear. All bridges are wired for demolition, infantry units have bazooka's, and engineer units have flamethrowers. All victory hexes are arrayed near the bridges and give points each turn.
Turn 1
We receive reports of suspicious noises to the east. Col. Jorgensen orders all engineering units to deploy by jeep and halftrack to the east side (if possible) of the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river. The ATG will be transported from there to the hill via the railroad bridge over the lower branch. Finally, the infantry on the hill is ordered to mass on the hilltop and defend there out of sight. The platoon to the rear will form a second line of defense with all the MG's and 2 ATG's and engage any enemy which passes the hill.
He also orders an infantry platoon to patrol along the upper branch of the river towards the east. Their mission will be to hide from any infantry which advances along the upper road and engage enemy armor in the rear. <> SS Commandos are spotted rushing the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river.
Turn 2
Two squads of engineers rush over the bridge in halftracks and drive off 2 squads of SS Commandos. We own the east side of the bridge for now. An infantry platoon is now dug in on the hilltop. They are invisible except at a range of 50 meters. The second line of defense is forming, and will be bolstered by 2 small engineer squads. On the upper branch, the infantry platoon digs in out of sight along the river banks hidden in trees. <> A large body of SS Commandos is advancing on the road from the east which passes over the hill. Our halftracks harrass their move from our highway bridge. They take the first VH on that road.
Turn 3
We rush a third engineer squad over the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river and feel confident that we will hold it. From here, the engineer squads can threaten the flank of the enemy attacking down the road and over the hill. Halftracks on the bridge can support the engineers and strafe infantry trying to flank the hill on the south. We have done a pretty good job setting up the defenses on the hill, but we still need to get the second ATG in place and put some MG's on the north side to protect that flank. We call for mortar fire on the VH which fell to the Germans. On the north branch of the river, our infantry platoon is hidden and waiting for something to happen. At the bridges, the ATG's and MG's jockey for better supporting fields of fire. <> Enemy 81mm mortars fall on their own positions near our engineers guarding the highway bridge. Our mortars pound the enemy VH and hopefully, the unit which took it. An SS Commando unit scales the hill, is surprised to see our infantry platoon there, and retreats with 6 casualties. 2 depleted squads attack our engineers at the highway bridge. We disperse one. Nothing happens up north.
Turn 4
Our engineers spot 2 Stug-IVG's advancing toward the hill, and perhaps 6 Commando squads. They drive off a depleted German squad and advance under fire toward the hill. Mortar fire is called for. MG's start showing up on the north side of the hill, completing our defenses there. So far so good. Quiet up north. <> 3 more Commando squads attack the hilltop. We destroy one and drive the other two back. Commandos attack up the road and drive back one infantry squad. Our engineers slow down a flanking attack south of the hill. The enemy is regretting not capturing the highway bridge. Our halftracks and the engineers on the other side are keeping them from flanking the hill. They own 2 VH's now though.
Turn 5
Up north one of our infantry squads patrols up to the road along the upper branch of the river and finds 4 SS Commando squads have taken the first VH. He relays the information to Col. Jorgensen who orders both Jeeps and a HMG to reinforce the bridges there. He explains that the main effort is coming down the road through the hill, and that is all he can spare now. This means the battle in the north will be fought with one infantry platoon, 4 HMG's, 2 jeeps with HMG's, and 2 ATG's. That will have to do.
In the center, we can see 2 Stugs, 2 Panthers, and 2 Halftracks advancing with several SS Commando squads coming up the road. The road is blocked by one of our infantry platoons backed by 2 ATG's and Col. Jorgensen's HQ squad. The hilltop north of the road is blocked by another infantry platoon with some MMG's. The river bank south of the road is guarded by 2 small engineer squads and a HMG.
In the south, our engineer force which captured the east end of the highway bridge (3 squads and 2 halftracks) is now trying to link up with the engineers south of the hill. We continue to set up our defenses and avoid fights. We call in more mortar fire on the enemy on the road. On of our engineers moves up and fries a suppressed Commando squad, which flees. <> 5 SS Commando units rush the hilltop, 2 are destroyed and the rest flee. The hilltop defense seems impervious to a frontal attack, and now the flanks are guarded by strong units. 2 Commando units and a MG squad attack down the road and are greeted by satchel charges and flamethrowers. They pop smoke and retreat. Another squad tries flanking the road and is fried by a flamethrower. It is a bad turn for the germans. Up north it is quiet.
Turn 6
A strange battle erupts south of the hill between our halftracks and their captured halftracks. Both sides score hits but no damage. Our halftracks return to cover along the river bank. We destroy a depleted squad near our highway bridge. We think they have given up the attack in the south. Our engineer units will abandon the bridge and move to reinforce the center. If we are wrong, we can return or blow the highway bridge. In the center we make some small adjustments and wait for the next attack. We think we might see some armor this time, so we enable the bazookas. One of our halftracks gets stuck in the mud, ugh. Up north, we have some jeeps. If the enemy doesn't make himself seen soon, we will patrol his rear with the jeeps. <> In the center, the enemy attacks up the road with a Panther and a StuG. Numerous bazooka rounds either miss or fail to penetrate. Numerous 57mm ATG rounds either miss or fail to penetrate. Numerous assaults fail. In the end, both AFVs are routed or fleeing. Their supporting infantry is sent reeling from flamethrower and rifle fire. 4 SS Commando units assault the hill, two are destroyed, and the others flee. For the first time, our defense on the hill bends, with one unit fleeing. Col. Jorgensen is knocked back by fire from the Panther. Up north, the first enemy infantry is nearing the bridges and takes casualties from massed MG fire.
Turn 7
In the center, the StuG is assaulted by an engineer detachment and destroyed. The Panther drives off the attacker. The ATG's fire 6 unanswered shots, 3 miss, 2 penetrate, and the Panther is destroyed. Hooting riflemen destroy its crew. Our tired defenders regroup and prepare for the next attack. Mortars are called in on the enemy units guarding the road. Our intention is to destroy the enemy units attacking just south of the road, and finally link up the engineers from the bridge with those at the hill.
In the north, an infantry patrol discovers two enemy Panther tanks, and survives the encounter. Their intention is to attack the tanks from the rear after their screening infantry passes. <> In the north the enemy is attacking with 2 StuH's and at least 4 infantry squads. They destroy a jeep, and we drive off two squads. In the center, they attack with a StuG and 4 squads. They cave in our infantry and engineers blocking the road, helped by a prepatory mortar barrage. Meanwhile 5 more Commando squads assault the hill and we drive them back, destroying 2.
Turn 8
Our defense up north is going badly. Despite all of our MG's we have only turned back 3 squads, and destroyed none. The StuHs have wisely stayed behind their infantry and have not exposed themselves to our ATGs. Our infantry springs its trap against the Panthers in the rear. They only get off one bazooka shot which disables the transmission of a Panther. Tank fire drives them off.
In the center we destroy a captured enemy halftrack and our engineers link up at the road. A patrolling MMG unit finds a Panther trying to flank the hill to the north. It is destroyed, but we shift units for the next attack. We pepper the remaining StuG with ATG fire until its crew abandons it and is cut down by rifle fire. Mortars are out of contact! <> 7 SS Commando squads attack the hill along with a Panther tank. The tank is destroyed by a bazooka and 4 enemy squads are destroyed, the remainder flee. 4 more squads attack down the road and are all driven off after inflicting more casualties on our engineers and infantry. They destroy an engineer squad.
In the north, our infantry is hammered by Panthers, while StuH's blow holes in our defenses. The MG's rally and attrite enemy infantry while the StuH's get distracted by taking potshots at the abandoned train.
Turn 9
In the center, our two surviving engineer units have mounted halftracks and circled behind the attacking Germans on the road. They destroy a HMG unit guarding a German VH. On the other flank, our surviving MMG unit circles behind the Germans and is poised to recapture another VH. All our infantry comes down the hill, firing, and drives the remaining Germans back to the road. Our weak units south of the road also counterattack, and drive 3 more German units back. Col. Jergensen shows why he wears the birds and assaults and destroys an enemy halftrack, then kills its crew. When the counterattack is through, 8 German units are left in the center, all in one hex. Both mortar units are ready...
In the north, things are critical. Our infantry is hidden in smoke and trying to rally. Our MG's are being driven off by infantry and StuH fire. One ATG crew has abandoned its weapon. The only bright spot is one of our infantry squads is advancing toward a VH we lost, and destroyed the HMG guarding it. <> In the north, things continue to degrade. Our hidden ATG fires off 6 rounds and disables the transmission on each StuH. Enemy infantry destroys a HMG, and the StuH's destroy a munitions cache. They advance toward the bridges. In the center, Col. Jorgensen assaults another enemy HT (how many do they have?). The center holds, while mortar shells drop on the enemy.
Turn 10
We counterattack in the center. 9 German units are destroyed and we retake all the VH's we have lost. Our halftracks scout down the road to the German rear and find no more units. We have repulsed the attack in the south and the center. We regroup, set up defenses, and establish patrols and form reinforments for up north. Transport is scarce, and German armor is already threatening the bridges over the upper branch of the river, but we might be able to put across some units.
In the north, our remaining ATG misses, and takes casualties from a German StuH. Our infantry finally rallies and begins to regroup. They will attack and reclaim a VH in the German rear. It might draw armor from their spearhead...<> StuH's, Panthers and infantry destroy the ATG crew and then destroy the other ATG, but not before it holes a StuH, causing unknown damage. The Germans have captured all the VH's north of the upper branch of the river and are threatening to cross the bridges. We need these bridges to reinforce our units in the north, should we leave them? Nothing stands between those bridges and all the VHs in our rear.
Turn 11
We discover a ford across the upper branch of the river, deep in the enemies rear. We have three functioning halftracks, and dispatch two engineer and one infantry squads to reinforce the north. They might make it in time to regrab a VH. Our infantry continues to struggle against a stream of tank fire to retake a VH. Everything else is collapsing. We will have to blow the bridges, their armor is too close and nothing can stop them from crossing next turn. We blow them and they fall into the river. <> The Germans stare in disbelief as the bridges fall into the river. They go on a train car killing spree and destroy two cars. In their zeal, the armor leaves the infantry unprotected, and our hidden MMG unit kills 2 enemy squads. A Panther lingering near the rear VH destroys one of our infantry squads.
Turn 12
We have 5 units left in the north, 2 infantry squads, and 3 MG's. We destroy another infantry squad with MG fire, while the remaining train crew members bail out, toss smoke and head for the river. The Germans have 2 StuH's and 2 Panther G's, many infantry squads and all the VHs north of the river. They are trapped by the blown bridges, and we have found a ford across the river they seem unaware of. Our infantry covers their rearmost VH with smoke and reclaims it. Plenty of bazooka ammo left, hopefully the nearest Panther will respond and we can ambush it. <> The StuH's start to react to the new threat in the rear while the Panther ambles off.
Turn 13
Our 3 halftracks ford the upper branch of the river, while our infantry waits in ambush. <> We lose another MG unit to Panther tank fire. One MG unit left.
Turn 14
A platoon size patrol has discovered the enemy mortars and security in their rear. They drive back a Commando squad and advance on the self propelled mortars. Our 3 halftracks arrive and reinforce the VH we claimed in the enemy rear. Enemy StuH and infantry are marching back to reclaim it. In a desparate act, our final MG rushes and reclaims a VH near the destroyed bridges. It survives a fierce attack from Panthers and infantry. We hold all but one VH now, but that will likely change. <> Both Panthers and infantry counterattack and destroy our last MG unit, but fail to reclaim the VH. In their rear, an infantry unit is ambushed at our VH and destroyed. Enemy mortars ignore requests for fire missions and fire desparately at our patrol advancing toward them.
Turn 15
In the center, our infantry patrol rallies and advances on the enemy mortars. We spot 2 SP mortars, but they are out of range of effective fire. In the north, we patrol along the riverbank with halftracks, to understand how the enemy will counterattack. We take penetrating hits from a Panther tank, but all halftracks survive. We use the information to shift our engineers and plot a mortar attack. We expect the enemy to hit us with infantry and StuH next turn, but they will get suppressed first. The aggressive patrolling might also draw infantry and tanks away from the main counterattack. <> We destroy an infantry squad, but are scattered by the StuH. Although driven off the VH and taking casualties, we still own the hex. The enemy gets distracted by our halftracks and splits its attack.
Turn 16
An engineer squad assaults a StuH and destroys it with a flamethrower. An infantry attacks the remaining StuH with a bazooka but misses, it is suppressed by return fire. We pop smoke and set up the next ambush. The Panthers stupidly defend a low value VH while ignoring the undefended higher value VH seized suicidely by our last MG unit. Train crew continue to migrate north out of the warzone. In the center our patrol has destroyed the enemy rear security and is firing at its mortars. <> The final counterattack is vicious, costing us two squads, but we hold and the StuH stops short of its objective.
Final result is a Allies 5635 Axis 2030 Draw. We stopped Skorzeny at the cost of 2 blown bridges, an ammo dump, a train, and about a company of infantry/engineers. Good battle.
I liked the battle, it was very challenging to me. Beautiful map, fun OOB, kind of scary fighthing off those Panthers, StuHs and StuGs without armor. If I hadn't pulled the infantry platoon to the top of the hill and let the enemy come to me, they would have blown through the center defenses. Also, rushing the south highway bridge early in the battle allowed me to always threaten the flank of their main attack in the center. I think that helped me a lot. Finally, the hidden ford across the upper branch of the river allowed me to get reinforcements up north even after I blew the bridges. Not sure that was supposed to happen though. Col. Jorgenson ended up with 6 kills, and we got the enemy A0 and broke his morale.
Great scenerio. Played it this weekend and did an AAR:
The battlefield is dominated by a river and a hill with numerous road and rail bridges. The river curves like the letter C with a hill in the middle. The upper branch has a road and rail bridge guarded by 2 ATG's, 2 MG's, and an infantry platoon. The bottom branch also has a road and rail bridge, is defended by 1 ATG, and 2 Engineer squads. The hill is guarded on the enemy side by an Infantry platoon and on the reverse side by another Infantry Platoon, 1 ATG, and 2 MG's. Behind the hill is a railroad overpass, and a last bridge over the river connecting us to the rear. All bridges are wired for demolition, infantry units have bazooka's, and engineer units have flamethrowers. All victory hexes are arrayed near the bridges and give points each turn.
Turn 1
We receive reports of suspicious noises to the east. Col. Jorgensen orders all engineering units to deploy by jeep and halftrack to the east side (if possible) of the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river. The ATG will be transported from there to the hill via the railroad bridge over the lower branch. Finally, the infantry on the hill is ordered to mass on the hilltop and defend there out of sight. The platoon to the rear will form a second line of defense with all the MG's and 2 ATG's and engage any enemy which passes the hill.
He also orders an infantry platoon to patrol along the upper branch of the river towards the east. Their mission will be to hide from any infantry which advances along the upper road and engage enemy armor in the rear. <> SS Commandos are spotted rushing the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river.
Turn 2
Two squads of engineers rush over the bridge in halftracks and drive off 2 squads of SS Commandos. We own the east side of the bridge for now. An infantry platoon is now dug in on the hilltop. They are invisible except at a range of 50 meters. The second line of defense is forming, and will be bolstered by 2 small engineer squads. On the upper branch, the infantry platoon digs in out of sight along the river banks hidden in trees. <> A large body of SS Commandos is advancing on the road from the east which passes over the hill. Our halftracks harrass their move from our highway bridge. They take the first VH on that road.
Turn 3
We rush a third engineer squad over the highway bridge over the lower branch of the river and feel confident that we will hold it. From here, the engineer squads can threaten the flank of the enemy attacking down the road and over the hill. Halftracks on the bridge can support the engineers and strafe infantry trying to flank the hill on the south. We have done a pretty good job setting up the defenses on the hill, but we still need to get the second ATG in place and put some MG's on the north side to protect that flank. We call for mortar fire on the VH which fell to the Germans. On the north branch of the river, our infantry platoon is hidden and waiting for something to happen. At the bridges, the ATG's and MG's jockey for better supporting fields of fire. <> Enemy 81mm mortars fall on their own positions near our engineers guarding the highway bridge. Our mortars pound the enemy VH and hopefully, the unit which took it. An SS Commando unit scales the hill, is surprised to see our infantry platoon there, and retreats with 6 casualties. 2 depleted squads attack our engineers at the highway bridge. We disperse one. Nothing happens up north.
Turn 4
Our engineers spot 2 Stug-IVG's advancing toward the hill, and perhaps 6 Commando squads. They drive off a depleted German squad and advance under fire toward the hill. Mortar fire is called for. MG's start showing up on the north side of the hill, completing our defenses there. So far so good. Quiet up north. <> 3 more Commando squads attack the hilltop. We destroy one and drive the other two back. Commandos attack up the road and drive back one infantry squad. Our engineers slow down a flanking attack south of the hill. The enemy is regretting not capturing the highway bridge. Our halftracks and the engineers on the other side are keeping them from flanking the hill. They own 2 VH's now though.
Turn 5
Up north one of our infantry squads patrols up to the road along the upper branch of the river and finds 4 SS Commando squads have taken the first VH. He relays the information to Col. Jorgensen who orders both Jeeps and a HMG to reinforce the bridges there. He explains that the main effort is coming down the road through the hill, and that is all he can spare now. This means the battle in the north will be fought with one infantry platoon, 4 HMG's, 2 jeeps with HMG's, and 2 ATG's. That will have to do.
In the center, we can see 2 Stugs, 2 Panthers, and 2 Halftracks advancing with several SS Commando squads coming up the road. The road is blocked by one of our infantry platoons backed by 2 ATG's and Col. Jorgensen's HQ squad. The hilltop north of the road is blocked by another infantry platoon with some MMG's. The river bank south of the road is guarded by 2 small engineer squads and a HMG.
In the south, our engineer force which captured the east end of the highway bridge (3 squads and 2 halftracks) is now trying to link up with the engineers south of the hill. We continue to set up our defenses and avoid fights. We call in more mortar fire on the enemy on the road. On of our engineers moves up and fries a suppressed Commando squad, which flees. <> 5 SS Commando units rush the hilltop, 2 are destroyed and the rest flee. The hilltop defense seems impervious to a frontal attack, and now the flanks are guarded by strong units. 2 Commando units and a MG squad attack down the road and are greeted by satchel charges and flamethrowers. They pop smoke and retreat. Another squad tries flanking the road and is fried by a flamethrower. It is a bad turn for the germans. Up north it is quiet.
Turn 6
A strange battle erupts south of the hill between our halftracks and their captured halftracks. Both sides score hits but no damage. Our halftracks return to cover along the river bank. We destroy a depleted squad near our highway bridge. We think they have given up the attack in the south. Our engineer units will abandon the bridge and move to reinforce the center. If we are wrong, we can return or blow the highway bridge. In the center we make some small adjustments and wait for the next attack. We think we might see some armor this time, so we enable the bazookas. One of our halftracks gets stuck in the mud, ugh. Up north, we have some jeeps. If the enemy doesn't make himself seen soon, we will patrol his rear with the jeeps. <> In the center, the enemy attacks up the road with a Panther and a StuG. Numerous bazooka rounds either miss or fail to penetrate. Numerous 57mm ATG rounds either miss or fail to penetrate. Numerous assaults fail. In the end, both AFVs are routed or fleeing. Their supporting infantry is sent reeling from flamethrower and rifle fire. 4 SS Commando units assault the hill, two are destroyed, and the others flee. For the first time, our defense on the hill bends, with one unit fleeing. Col. Jorgensen is knocked back by fire from the Panther. Up north, the first enemy infantry is nearing the bridges and takes casualties from massed MG fire.
Turn 7
In the center, the StuG is assaulted by an engineer detachment and destroyed. The Panther drives off the attacker. The ATG's fire 6 unanswered shots, 3 miss, 2 penetrate, and the Panther is destroyed. Hooting riflemen destroy its crew. Our tired defenders regroup and prepare for the next attack. Mortars are called in on the enemy units guarding the road. Our intention is to destroy the enemy units attacking just south of the road, and finally link up the engineers from the bridge with those at the hill.
In the north, an infantry patrol discovers two enemy Panther tanks, and survives the encounter. Their intention is to attack the tanks from the rear after their screening infantry passes. <> In the north the enemy is attacking with 2 StuH's and at least 4 infantry squads. They destroy a jeep, and we drive off two squads. In the center, they attack with a StuG and 4 squads. They cave in our infantry and engineers blocking the road, helped by a prepatory mortar barrage. Meanwhile 5 more Commando squads assault the hill and we drive them back, destroying 2.
Turn 8
Our defense up north is going badly. Despite all of our MG's we have only turned back 3 squads, and destroyed none. The StuHs have wisely stayed behind their infantry and have not exposed themselves to our ATGs. Our infantry springs its trap against the Panthers in the rear. They only get off one bazooka shot which disables the transmission of a Panther. Tank fire drives them off.
In the center we destroy a captured enemy halftrack and our engineers link up at the road. A patrolling MMG unit finds a Panther trying to flank the hill to the north. It is destroyed, but we shift units for the next attack. We pepper the remaining StuG with ATG fire until its crew abandons it and is cut down by rifle fire. Mortars are out of contact! <> 7 SS Commando squads attack the hill along with a Panther tank. The tank is destroyed by a bazooka and 4 enemy squads are destroyed, the remainder flee. 4 more squads attack down the road and are all driven off after inflicting more casualties on our engineers and infantry. They destroy an engineer squad.
In the north, our infantry is hammered by Panthers, while StuH's blow holes in our defenses. The MG's rally and attrite enemy infantry while the StuH's get distracted by taking potshots at the abandoned train.
Turn 9
In the center, our two surviving engineer units have mounted halftracks and circled behind the attacking Germans on the road. They destroy a HMG unit guarding a German VH. On the other flank, our surviving MMG unit circles behind the Germans and is poised to recapture another VH. All our infantry comes down the hill, firing, and drives the remaining Germans back to the road. Our weak units south of the road also counterattack, and drive 3 more German units back. Col. Jergensen shows why he wears the birds and assaults and destroys an enemy halftrack, then kills its crew. When the counterattack is through, 8 German units are left in the center, all in one hex. Both mortar units are ready...
In the north, things are critical. Our infantry is hidden in smoke and trying to rally. Our MG's are being driven off by infantry and StuH fire. One ATG crew has abandoned its weapon. The only bright spot is one of our infantry squads is advancing toward a VH we lost, and destroyed the HMG guarding it. <> In the north, things continue to degrade. Our hidden ATG fires off 6 rounds and disables the transmission on each StuH. Enemy infantry destroys a HMG, and the StuH's destroy a munitions cache. They advance toward the bridges. In the center, Col. Jorgensen assaults another enemy HT (how many do they have?). The center holds, while mortar shells drop on the enemy.
Turn 10
We counterattack in the center. 9 German units are destroyed and we retake all the VH's we have lost. Our halftracks scout down the road to the German rear and find no more units. We have repulsed the attack in the south and the center. We regroup, set up defenses, and establish patrols and form reinforments for up north. Transport is scarce, and German armor is already threatening the bridges over the upper branch of the river, but we might be able to put across some units.
In the north, our remaining ATG misses, and takes casualties from a German StuH. Our infantry finally rallies and begins to regroup. They will attack and reclaim a VH in the German rear. It might draw armor from their spearhead...<> StuH's, Panthers and infantry destroy the ATG crew and then destroy the other ATG, but not before it holes a StuH, causing unknown damage. The Germans have captured all the VH's north of the upper branch of the river and are threatening to cross the bridges. We need these bridges to reinforce our units in the north, should we leave them? Nothing stands between those bridges and all the VHs in our rear.
Turn 11
We discover a ford across the upper branch of the river, deep in the enemies rear. We have three functioning halftracks, and dispatch two engineer and one infantry squads to reinforce the north. They might make it in time to regrab a VH. Our infantry continues to struggle against a stream of tank fire to retake a VH. Everything else is collapsing. We will have to blow the bridges, their armor is too close and nothing can stop them from crossing next turn. We blow them and they fall into the river. <> The Germans stare in disbelief as the bridges fall into the river. They go on a train car killing spree and destroy two cars. In their zeal, the armor leaves the infantry unprotected, and our hidden MMG unit kills 2 enemy squads. A Panther lingering near the rear VH destroys one of our infantry squads.
Turn 12
We have 5 units left in the north, 2 infantry squads, and 3 MG's. We destroy another infantry squad with MG fire, while the remaining train crew members bail out, toss smoke and head for the river. The Germans have 2 StuH's and 2 Panther G's, many infantry squads and all the VHs north of the river. They are trapped by the blown bridges, and we have found a ford across the river they seem unaware of. Our infantry covers their rearmost VH with smoke and reclaims it. Plenty of bazooka ammo left, hopefully the nearest Panther will respond and we can ambush it. <> The StuH's start to react to the new threat in the rear while the Panther ambles off.
Turn 13
Our 3 halftracks ford the upper branch of the river, while our infantry waits in ambush. <> We lose another MG unit to Panther tank fire. One MG unit left.
Turn 14
A platoon size patrol has discovered the enemy mortars and security in their rear. They drive back a Commando squad and advance on the self propelled mortars. Our 3 halftracks arrive and reinforce the VH we claimed in the enemy rear. Enemy StuH and infantry are marching back to reclaim it. In a desparate act, our final MG rushes and reclaims a VH near the destroyed bridges. It survives a fierce attack from Panthers and infantry. We hold all but one VH now, but that will likely change. <> Both Panthers and infantry counterattack and destroy our last MG unit, but fail to reclaim the VH. In their rear, an infantry unit is ambushed at our VH and destroyed. Enemy mortars ignore requests for fire missions and fire desparately at our patrol advancing toward them.
Turn 15
In the center, our infantry patrol rallies and advances on the enemy mortars. We spot 2 SP mortars, but they are out of range of effective fire. In the north, we patrol along the riverbank with halftracks, to understand how the enemy will counterattack. We take penetrating hits from a Panther tank, but all halftracks survive. We use the information to shift our engineers and plot a mortar attack. We expect the enemy to hit us with infantry and StuH next turn, but they will get suppressed first. The aggressive patrolling might also draw infantry and tanks away from the main counterattack. <> We destroy an infantry squad, but are scattered by the StuH. Although driven off the VH and taking casualties, we still own the hex. The enemy gets distracted by our halftracks and splits its attack.
Turn 16
An engineer squad assaults a StuH and destroys it with a flamethrower. An infantry attacks the remaining StuH with a bazooka but misses, it is suppressed by return fire. We pop smoke and set up the next ambush. The Panthers stupidly defend a low value VH while ignoring the undefended higher value VH seized suicidely by our last MG unit. Train crew continue to migrate north out of the warzone. In the center our patrol has destroyed the enemy rear security and is firing at its mortars. <> The final counterattack is vicious, costing us two squads, but we hold and the StuH stops short of its objective.
Final result is a Allies 5635 Axis 2030 Draw. We stopped Skorzeny at the cost of 2 blown bridges, an ammo dump, a train, and about a company of infantry/engineers. Good battle.
I liked the battle, it was very challenging to me. Beautiful map, fun OOB, kind of scary fighthing off those Panthers, StuHs and StuGs without armor. If I hadn't pulled the infantry platoon to the top of the hill and let the enemy come to me, they would have blown through the center defenses. Also, rushing the south highway bridge early in the battle allowed me to always threaten the flank of their main attack in the center. I think that helped me a lot. Finally, the hidden ford across the upper branch of the river allowed me to get reinforcements up north even after I blew the bridges. Not sure that was supposed to happen though. Col. Jorgenson ended up with 6 kills, and we got the enemy A0 and broke his morale.
Squatting in the bush and marking it on a map.
11 Bravo!
First, let me thank you for trying the scenario. Second, from your description, it sounds like an entertaining and challenging fight that you played very well.
When I played this, I had quite a lot of fun with it. Those Panthers, depending upon a bit of luck, can greatly affect how the battle flows.
My favorite part was the "demolitions". Probably because it too me a good long while to figure a way to make them work more or less reliably.
My favorite part of your AAR was your analysis of what was going on and your mobile defense. Your aggressive style of play must have made it more exciting.
Again, thanks for the AAR.
First, let me thank you for trying the scenario. Second, from your description, it sounds like an entertaining and challenging fight that you played very well.
When I played this, I had quite a lot of fun with it. Those Panthers, depending upon a bit of luck, can greatly affect how the battle flows.
My favorite part was the "demolitions". Probably because it too me a good long while to figure a way to make them work more or less reliably.
My favorite part of your AAR was your analysis of what was going on and your mobile defense. Your aggressive style of play must have made it more exciting.
Again, thanks for the AAR.
KEVSHARR: On this forum we who do not desire to read Spoilers/AARs have learnt to use the scroll button, hence no problems. I for one will not read them since I play against the AI quite often. But I also will/do read AARs posted for PBEM and H2H.
"God Bless America and All the Young men and women who give their all to protect Her"....chief
I totally agree instead of restricting other people's action one should be responsible for one's own,like you said the scrool button is there for a reasonthen there's also the page up and down button's.I read aar's simply for the reason that I'm not to good yet and need help,not cheat's but tactic's to be used in certain situation's.I have yet to try a pbem yet because I have a hard enough time against the AI and don't want to dissapoint anyone by not giving them a good game...maybe someday:p