Axis AAR - Piper's Race

[flibby]

after becoming fairly proficient with the game system and the small scenarios, I decided to take on the longer scenario depicting KG Piper and it's anticipated dash to the River Meuse in late 1944.

[flibby]

You can see in this screenshot depicting the starting positions both the two options for the Axis in terms of extrication, either the southerly 'main' route, or the northerly longer route.

I decided to aim for the first route barring any significant bridge being blown.

The expected directions of enemy reinforcements are marked, although it is unclear at this stage what their disposition will be. Intelligence is shaky although the US 1st Infantry Division are thought to be heading my way.

[flibby]

By 8:30 Stavelot had been seized. There was no room for any manoeuvre here, merely plenty of direct fire support from the slope of the hill on the opposite bank to support our boys. They have done a magnificent job to capture the town this early, and now push on with no rest to the next objective, the bridges as Trois Point!

[flibby]

By early afternoon the Panzer Grenadiers under my command have experienced very little opposition and are almost at the point of securing the first bridges on their path.

I have left, for the mean time, a weak force in Stavelot and significant direct fire support, with the intention of firming up the town if necessary with some of my reinforcements.

[flibby]

By nightfall on day 1 we were past the bridges almost intact.

An enemy counter attack at Stavelot was pummelled away by vicious artillery fire, and when they returned the Flak and IG support from the opposing bank withered the hopeless American attack to dust.

[flibby]

By the afternoon of the second day of the attack, we had marched on-ward through thickening opposition to Chevron, and the extrication prize lay tantalizingly close. The Americans had been drawn into a battle with Pzkfw IV and V tanks, however before night fall they would be encircled and steadily destroyed by artillery fire throughout the night.



Please let me know if you guys are interesting in the rest of this battle to see whether we can re-do history!

Nicko

[RockinHarry]

Let it come! [:)]

What´s your main command style? Btl. sized advances with micro managing support units? I guess you use "move" and "attacks" ticked a lot?

[Phoenix100]

Very interested. That's great progress so far. But there are many US reinforcements to come, if I recall. Let's see the rest, yes please.

I'm interested in your command style too. When you speak of direct fire support - are you talking about you actually directing the bombard units in question AND actually directing direct fire (using the Fire button)? Or do you just place the flat trajectory units in a good overwatch position and let them decide when to fire?

[oldspec4]

I would also like to see more.

My initial game plan to reach the exit points was very similar. But I ran into beucoup US reinforcements outside of the Trois Ponts crossings, Stoumont, and Stavelot on the second day.

[Deathtreader]

By all means..........please play/post on!!!!

I always enjoy a good AAR.

Rob. [:)]

[flibby]

I'll get this written up in the following day guys. Thank you for your comments

Rockinharry - Bttn level attacks only, but no move orders as attacks. I find that when i do this my units get shot up too much when in road column formation. I always use attack tasks for attacks, and try to avoid units in road encountering anything.

Phoenix - No i don't use the fire command. I simply set up my IGs and Flak units with good LoS and aggro high, max ammo RoF high