Hersfeld Station AC (US) vs. BruttoBob (German)

AC · Post by AC » Thu Mar 13, 2003 2:32 am

So this time I've choosen the KatzKillers.

In the opening bombardment one P51D Mustang takes out both a HQ-Post and an adjacent Tiger. Due to heavy german AA fire, the other flyboy is shot down.
On my first turn, I advance cautiously along the road to the north. Not cautiously enough, though, as I loose a Jeep to an 88 and a scout car to something smaller. Both guns are set up for flanking shots on the road, but will be sure quickly dealt with.

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 2:16 pm

Mmmmh...

this scenario is huge! I love smaller ones...

Not much happens in my turn, just some MG shot against the yankees...

I'm moving german forces in better defensive positions.

AC · Post by AC » Thu Mar 13, 2003 5:18 pm

And I do see you doing so:D
On the left of my axis of advance my recon guys spot 3 german squads moving off. Combined with the MG that opened fire on me minutes ago, that makes almost a whole platoon.
For losses we trade another of my Jeep's and an M3 which hit a mine - before of him others passed that hex unharmed - with a small mortar squad.

We draw also long range fire from ahead.

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Fri Mar 14, 2003 2:40 am

Little to report from my side: one of my inf platoons was reached and pinned down by US recons, I will try to save someone but the enemy is too close...

One lone US aircraft strikes from the east, nothing was hit but I think that the US commander now knows many useful information about my units displacement...

AC · Post by AC » Fri Mar 14, 2003 3:54 am

My advance continues slowly but steady. I spot and destroy a hidden 37mm Flak, another 50mm mortar and one of the above mentioned infantry squads. Unfortunately, another jeep goes boom to a well-hidden Pak. Seems like the place is full of dug-in AA and AT guns.

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Sat Mar 15, 2003 12:12 am

My ATGs are taking some good shots on the advancing enemy: one M20, an halftrack and an AA-jeep destroyed.

Nothing more to report...

AC · Post by AC » Sat Mar 15, 2003 2:45 am

Too much losses to one single ATG:( But I've taken my revenge, as another AA-Gun and Infantry squad are eliminated. I spot another 50 mm mortar and inflict some casualties. That AT gun is spotted too and hopefully pinned down enough to be finished off next turn.

However I ought to be a little more careful in the future.

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:03 pm

Nothing of important in this turn: My infantry is fleeing from US tanks in order to find better fight positions.

AC · Post by AC » Sun Mar 16, 2003 2:06 pm

A quiet turn. We pour some fire in the retreating infantry, survive a close assault from one of them; survive another close attack from a mortar crew; on our left flank unfortunately a recon patrol is lost to long range AA fire. The 50 mm ATG loses some other crew, but survives also this turn.
On the road (my main axis of advance running NNW to SSE) we are now spotting tank obstacles, some 20 hexes away. On the eastern bank of the river, which runs along the right side of the road, the Germans try to move in 88's which can enfilade the road. Exchange some fire with one, which looses some crew members and gets supressed.

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 1:52 pm

Not much happens: I can't retreat ATG and AA guns from the advancing yankees because I've not trucks.

I'm still moving troops around the map.

One airstrike hits my ammo dump

AC · Post by AC » Mon Mar 17, 2003 4:47 pm

As the enemy admits himself, we are trying not to lose contact to the spotted German troops trying to retreat. So, we able to finish off the infantry platoon already mentioned; the 50mm ATG which did so much damage; the crew of a third 50mm mortar. Identified gun positions on our left flank are suppressed with direct and indirect fire.
And yes, indeed we blew up an ammo supply. What I've learned is:
DO NOT ATTACK AN AMMO SUPPLY WITH NAPALM. IT WILL BLOW YOUR OWN AIRCRAFT TOO!:eek:

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 12:45 am

Still no much action in my turn: a couple of US halftracks were spotted while patrolling the left bank of the river, one was hit by my ATG.

I'm still moving Krupp's steel to the front line...

AC · Post by AC » Wed Mar 19, 2003 3:18 am

Not much action for me neither. I spot some German infantry on both sides on the river and shot at them, but score no kills. I'm slowly approaching a little town which I'm sure hides many surprises for me. Must be careful!

AC · Post by AC » Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:37 am

US turn 8:

In the last replay I had to see one of my scout cars destroyed by the 5cm gun of a nearby hidden SDKFZ. A crew from a previously hit vehicle gets caught in the open by long range AA fire and disappears.
However, in my turn, I move one Chaffee on to the SDKFZ, trigger its op-fire; then move on a second one, trigger op-fire again, shot with first, triggering again and so on until I finally hit and destroy the enemy vehicle. Aiming of my boys could be a little better.
In a small wood just in front of Ansbach I discover another infantry squad and drive it back; seems like there's another platoon between the wood and the first houses of the village. I discover and destroy an MB Bunker to, which was covering the road. Next turns will see the struggle for Ansbach.
Heavy german arty falls far away from my troops:D

AC

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 11:10 pm

I lose another recon armor in the outskirts of Ansback due to that evil couple of Chaffee...

Some long range gunnery against a platoon of trucks carrying infantry moving forward my flanking artillery. No hits...

AC · Post by AC » Sat Mar 22, 2003 1:38 am

US turn 9

A good turn for me as one of my two Chaffees survives an op-shot from a Stug IV, decides to fire back and kills it with one shot through its front armor, thus scoring its third kill!
We are now very close to Ansbach and drive the already mentioned german infantry back into the town while inflicting heavy losses. As a halftrack scouts out the first row of houses it is shot on by a second Stug - skilfully positioned to enfilade my axis of advance - but missed. Infantry advances on the left flank and engages some bycicle squads.
Heavy US arty opens up on Ansbach.

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 7:37 pm

Some long range gunnery against US recon armors and halftracks without results.

Nothing more to tell in this turn...

AC · Post by AC » Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:37 pm

US turn 10

Thimgs at Ansbach are heating up. A PzIIIn and a PzIV are spotted while moving in the village; a US halftrack hits a mine. To the west of Ansbach, 2 german Stugs open up on my lead elements without doing much harm, but causing my boys to seek cover.
In the west, a Flak37(?) which was far too long harassing my primary advance road, is finally spotted and fired at by SP arty; halftracks are moving in for the kill.
In the east, a german halftrack has been spotted while trying to infiltrate in my rear accross the river. Fired at by mobile AA, the infantry squads it carried bails out and is dispersed by machine gun fire.

German losses so far:

1 train car, 1 HQ post, 1 Tiger 1/E
(opening air strike)
3 50 mm mortars
2 20 mm Flak
1 Prime Mover (88)
4 Infantry Squads
2 MG squads (1 for sure)
1 50mm Pak
1 SdKfz 251/22
1 SdKfz 234/2
1 Stug IV
1 MG Bunker

At least 3 infantry platoons and 2 88's have taken medium to heavy losses.

Brutto-Bob · Post by **Brutto-Bob** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 7:42 pm

The US army lose two halftracks in the outskirts of ..... But I lose another tank, hit by a Sherman dozer.

Some german recon armors are engaging halftracks but without results.

AC · Post by AC » Sun Mar 23, 2003 10:39 pm

US turn 11
In the outskirts of Ansbach the battle is raging. A german attempt to hit the american left flank is stopped cold by US armor; a halftrack and infantry squad and a recon vehicle are destroyed. US forces maneuver for the rush into the town.
In the southwest, a 75mm gun is detected as an infantry squad almost runs into it. They suffer some casualties, but reinforcements are moved in to deal with the entrenched germans.
Already behind Ansbach, a 128mm antitank gun and a Stug are spotted, obviously positioned to guard the german right flank. Fast response arty is called in upon them. The hex where the Pak is positioned burns. Al least another Stug must be lurking around somewhere near.