Couldn't resist playing this when I got a chance to FtF today. I took the Canadians since my opponent didn't want to read all the rules pertaining to the "funnies".
I made some mistakes when I attacked. First of all I brought everything on during turn one. This seems like a mistake since I had several bridgelayer tanks hiding from an AT gun for several turns. This is the most dangerous piece of German equipment along with the JagdPanther. The Germans should set it up to cover as wide an area as possible, perhaps along with a couple of dummy AT Guns to force the Canadian to guess. Once the Gun is localized, expect it to be smoked by the OBA. This is the best use for the OBA, IMHO. The Canadians have plenty of firepower to crush the Germans with anyway - the only thing that is dangerous is the German AT.
Since the scenario is 13 turns long the Canadians have lots of time to slowly carve their way through the German defenses. I think the best thing is to advance along one road only. I attacked along both possible roads, and I was completely smashed along one of them - where the AT gun was, together with a conscript squad that scored two hits with 'fausts before being taken prisoner.
Along the other road it was easy to slowly roll along the road, shooting up helpless Germans with the 10-2 killer stack and the 9-2 in one of the Croc's. I didn't make full use of the AVREs, which was a pity. Even with two crabs, they can potentially clear mines much faster. The JagdPanther was smoked as soon as it came into sight. If smoke from the OBA and tanks would have failed me, I would have been in big trouble. It didn't, however, and the Buffalos eventually crossed the pond, unleashing their infantry on the remaining Germans in the village. This eventually took care of the remaining infantry as well as the JagdPanther, and when the reinforcements entered they lost a duel with a Sherman Crab. Game over. During this first playing it seemed way too easy. Perhaps this was because of a crappy defense of my opponent's. He set up his most important units on the flank where I could deal with them without the rest of his forces intervening. I had some luck as well as my share of bad luck. The worst was when the 9-2 Croc malf'ed both its MA and itf FT in the same fire phase, firing at the same target. Pretty cool scenario, and with a better German defense it could probably be pretty even. Nice for getting a look at and trying all those strange British vehicles.
Some sporadic questions that arose during the game:
Patrik Manlig
Reply:
> Can you fire a PF from inside a pillbox? (I don't have any
rules to check)
Y, but C13.81 (desperation) always applies. (Case C3
not possible).
> Do the Crocodiles pay extra MP for towing their trailer?
(I don't think they do, but I'm not sure)
No, did not found anything
saying so.
> Can the Sherman DD's raise their screens during play?
(I don't think so, but I didn't find anything definitive)
Could not find
this either, so I think it is disallowed.
> Can a Sherman DD drop its screens to use its BMG, or is the
counter depiction used for a Sherman with dropped screens as
well? (I think no)
As soon as it drops its screens it may fire as per
B16.12, but I am not sure I get meanings of this Q right (the thing with the
counter depiction).
> How do you signify "screens up" on a DD? (No idea)
We make this on a siderecord. :-(
Fritz Tichy