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Turn 13 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 12 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 9 18pm Night turn

Utah Area

Since this is a night turn I do a few moves and some bombardment. Not much happening here at the moment. The suspense is killing me.... I hope it continues....

Turn 13 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 12 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 9 18pm Night turn

Victory Points and Strength on Map


Besides Cabourg I feel pretty good about the game and flow. I have played many many many wargames over my lifetime and this game I have enjoyed the most so far

Look at that I am winning again... But I still have 122 turns left to go. Does not look good... But hey good for morale right now! Yeah Germany!



Another chart in the game that shows the VP


And finally the Manpower on the map and the current turn losses and overall losses.

Allied Turns 12 (Noon-1800 9 June 1944) and 13 (Night 9/10 June 1944)

Up front . . . My apologies / (again) I forgot to make screenshots of Allied Turn 12 (Noon-1800 9 June 1944).

Three major Allied attacks during the Execution Phase of Turn 12 (Noon-1800 9 June 1944).

1) North end of Utah Beach, the 4th Infantry Division’s 8th Regimental Combat Team* attacks hex 22, 16 (defended by a Flak Battalion (out of Cherbourg???), the 7th Strum Battalion (Quality of 4), two infantry battalions from the 709th Coastal Defense Division, it’s 75mm AT Battery, it’s Marder II Company, and a platoon Strong Point).

* 8th Infantry Regiment + the 4th’s Recon Company, the 746th Armor Battalion, and both of Division’s Self-Propelled M7 Priest (105mm) Artillery Battalions.

2) Isigny:

a) 2nd Infantry Division provided the Main Vth Corps attack with two Infantry Regiments and the Divisional Recon Company (from the Southeast into Isigny). Their mission was to destroy or force to retreat (out of Isigny) a lone infantry battalion from the 352nd Infantry Division.

b) The remaining Indian Head Infantry Regiment, the Divisional Engineer Battalion, and the 741st Armor Battalion attacked the Ost Battalion one hex Southwest of Isigny.

3) Cabourg:

a) Two battalions from the 1st Special Service (Commando) Brigade attacked the battalion from the 711th Costal Defense Division in Merville-Franceville-Plage (two hexes West of Cabourg) with two Cromwell Battalions from the 7th Armored Division as the Reserve (a.k.a., Moving Attack).

b) While 6th Para (-)* attacked to seize the Merville Battery (one hex West of Cabourg); which was being defended by a nearly a full stack of 711th Division Troops.

* Two Para Battalions + the Divisional Para Engineer Battalion and one Glider Battalion.

Results:

Thanks to the 70th Armor Battalion, the 8th Regimental Combat Team was able to push the Germans back and seize hex 22, 16.

While unable to push out of Isingy the defending infantry battalion, the Vth Corps Main Attack was able to reduce it to 20 men.

vs. the Ost Battalion the 741st Armor Battalion (Reserve / Moving Attack) was able to push it West (a.k.a., a two hexes retreat) across the River Vire.

West of Carboug:

The already retreating 711th Coastal Division lost the infantry battalion in Merville-Franceville-Plage with the remainder of the Division falling back - through the Verville Battery hex - into Carboug. Leaving a reduced Verville Battery and a reduced 711th coastal Defense company (both just one strength point each) in the hex.

Turn 13 (Night 9/10 June 1944)

Given the losses suffered by the battalion defending Isingy and the remnants at Battery Merville, I’ve decided to do two night attacks.

Isingy - - One Infantry Regiment from the 2nd Infantry Division + the Divisional Recon Troop will be the Main Effort with the 29th’s DIVARTY + it’s 155mm Battalion and the DIVARTY from the 2nd Infantry hitting the Enemy Reserve – to keep it fixed - one hex West of Isigny.

Battery Merville - - All of 6th Para adjacent to Merville + (Reserve / Moving Attack) the Ox and Bucks Glider Battalion(-).

Isingy:



Fixing Attack:



vs. Merville:

Just an update that the game is on Turn 18 and will update this AAR in about 24 hours from now. Real life has been zapping my AAR time but not play time. My other game, me as Allies, is on turn 22 and I need to do a massive update on that one too.

Standby a day and both AARs will be continued(unless something unexpected happens (like I win the lotto or something :-p. )

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 9 18pm Night turn

Lost my execution pictures for turn 13


I am sorry, I accidently destroyed the turn 13 folder having the execution pictures in it. I will continue on with the Planning phase pictures. I will be more careful in the future.

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Cabourg


I am going to try and rush a few 346th Inf Div BN's to prevent a crossing over the bridge at Cabourg. Of course the correct play was to defend the city instead. But now I have to live with the problems that arise from my shortsightedness. The 346th colors are light orange at the bottom and grey at the top. Hope they make it in time... I also set to blow the bridges.

I have set up an obvious attack by the 21st PZ in the yellow box. I am sure it will get defended well by Timian. It is pretty obvious but need to start sharpening my teeth on attacking with the Germans.

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Bayeux


This turn I finally will have the 17th SS on the front line. This is huge because I can start consolidating to bring the 12th SS together as a reserve and off the front line. Will take a few turns to do it since I still need the coming re-enforcements to do so but start the process now.

The yellow boxes and arrows are the 716th Inf Division. This Division has been decimated but still has some decent units when placed in good defensive terrain. I start their march to a central point for consolidation. I do the same for the 352nd Division (blue bottom dark grey top). Granted they are not as badly mauled as the 716th but still took a beating.

Also try and blow the bridge at Bayeux that the Allies repaired.

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

St Lo

PZ Lehr moving into the area and should be firmly established in two more game turns. Really have to be careful on moving units and their Readiness. I try and keep my units above 80% to not get too many adverse affects.

77th Inf Division in place except for the Flak and AT battalions helping to guard the Carentan area. I will be moving them back soon though.

Some 352nd units are still in this area but once PZ Lehr is online I will move these units towards Bayeux to keep integrity with their other units.

Trying to blow two bridges in yellow box. Bridge blowing is Germany's friend

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Carentan

Still trying to blow the bridges at Carentan in yellow box. Lets just say I have been trying to blow these bridges for awhile now and as of turn 19 ONLY the bottom right bridge has been blown. Pretty pathetic of my DEMO unit I would say.

Pink box I move out the 352nd unit on its long track to where his division is parked at Bayeux. Also behind the bridge you should defend with armor units to get shock affects. The attackers wont get it but the defenders will. Unfortunately I only have the 243rd Armor battlion worth anything to put there. I won't fix this until I make an effort turn 19 . Please have mercy on me since I am still learning this and playing an experienced player. I will do better next time

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Cherburg

Doing the shuffle in the area moving units to require area after the Americans take the top left hex. Left my units in pretty bad shape from an attack so compensating for moving some units off the line. I really do need a better division than the 709th here. The 709th is a green Division but has a decent amount of artillery.

Turn 14 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 13 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Victory Points

Still winning... BUT still 121 turns to go

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Cabourg


I lost Cabourg turn 14 execution phase. Lets take a look at this


You can see (snapshot below) when right clicking on the battle hex that I had the two none moving units (zero point movement point units (shows they have 1 mp here because they are retreating) set to Hold at all costs... Well, they failed as you can see to the right arrow.

The Allies played one card for 1 column shift on the left and I played two cards for two column shifts for Germany which ended up with a 3.4:1. Now right under that is the quality of the unit comparison (pink box). The allies are Veteran units and thus a 4 column shift and my two units one was a Regular and one a conscript. Thus a 2 column reduction and hence a 2 column shift for the Allies because of experience. Also the Allies have Engineers which is a column shift too per engineer up to 2.

Now what gets me is the "Integrity". The light blue box is Integrity of units and is frustrating because these units are (ZERO) point moving units (see below) and my fate is already handed to me on a 75% in this case. There are many VP hexes that have units in them that could cause integrity issues if not doing your HQ's / units correctly. At least give these units 1 hex movement so some of these VP hexes can be defended at a higher integrity level.



You can see the experience (quality) difference of +2 to Allies


You can see the DEMO unit is a zero MP unit here. (The 711th unit is also a zero MP unit too but only 4 pictures per post so leaving it out)

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Cabourg SE hex

The Allies attack across the bridge to the SE. The first attack is stopped. The 1 shift is from Unit quality (experience). I really have to get freaking green units out of the darn hex with regular units. Grrrrrrr

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

Cabourg 3

The 2nd attack across the river Succeeds for the Allies. I retreat. I have a great deal of issues on my side I need to remedy quickly. 1. Get the same quality units together in a hex (no mixing of quality units) (of course those zero point moving units are an "ABSOLUTE" nightmare for the Germans). 2. Get some armor to the area quickly because there is open terrain and the Allies have tanks here which is a 4 column shift on the CRT alone if a defense hex is set up wrong. With Tank Shock shifts and Allies with high quality units this is a death spiral waiting to happen, wait... it is happening


Plus added to this is my units have moved, been attacked a few times, moved again and my readiness (heart symbol) is in the pits. Like in the 30% to 59% range and these units just melt when attacked

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

21st PZ Attacks

My first attack as Germany ever wasnt too bad all things considered. I know in the game you have to keep attacking but situation elsewhere is going to dictate otherwise. Here are the snapshots of the fight.

Lots of Naval Gunfire in 2nd snapshot - (attacking again next turn he would not have this firepower)

3rd snapshot I have a 2 column shift because of cards played

All in all was a good battle. Next game as Germany I am going to be super aggressive, you have to be.

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

End of Execution phase Caen / Cabourg

Not too bad in the area all things considered. Just the Cabourg area has me worried.

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

End of Execution phase Bayeux / St Lo


Pretty quit in this area.

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

End of Execution phase Carentan

Americans take the one hex in front of the bridge in yellow box area. My shuffle in front of the Pontoon bridge finally worked after 2 turns . Sheesh.

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Execution Phase

June 10 6am Morning turn

End of Execution phase Cherburg


Pretty quit here....

Turn 15 (Execution Phase (this is execution of phase 14 planning by both the German and Allies)

Planning Phase

June 10 12pm Afternoon turn

Cabourg

Here are the planned moves for the coming turn. The mass of yellow going NE are Flak company and battlions. I try and seperate the 711th and 346th units to get integrity back up (but that is elusive since battles and artillery can delay movement). I won't realize until next turn that I brought a knife to a tank game and will have to call in the big guns.