Decided that PB3 "Piecemeal" looked a reasonable size for my first PB scenario on Saturday evening against Bob Eburne.
The pre game appraisal of this one screamed that the Brit must watch out for a truck charge right across the entire map to gain 8VP's in one swift move. This would leave only another 2 needed for a German victory. The alternative VC of the Germans amassing >=12 VP's never looked like it was going to be a realistic move. With only 6.5 squads, 2 LMG's and a PIAT and such a wide front it looked like the Brit was going to be stretched very thin, add the +1 LV hindrance and even with the 9-2 Major Taylor all those stone buildings are going to offer the Germans a well protected route across the board.
The British set up his six squads pretty well as far south as he could (I8, J9, I10, I12,I14, K10). The HS + PIAT went into K8 as a truck stopper. Not enough troops for much defence in depth here.
Turn 1 had the Germans AM only one squad onto the board, while the rest (not the trucks) advanced on. No great excitement so far.
After a turn couple of turns of German probing fire, HS concealment strippers and Brit skulking, the German decided (correctly) that the best route for him was to the east into the drainage ditches and if necessary a slow creep northwards.
The German commander promptly sent 80% of his company sized force that way, leaving two squads in the centre to keep the Brits from all heading east en-mass.
Sure enough as predicted the trucks came on turn 4 and shot across the board. Despite three 6FP+1 shots and a PIAT miss they were entirely unscathed and succeeded in exiting for all the 8 VP's.
British morale sank. With the German MMG & LMG's covering from the high ground in I16, they had no problem in setting up a sizeable force for the dash (at long range) down the canal bank track while keeping the British from trying to cut them off. The +1 LV and the +1 partial orchard hindrances ensured that this was achieved with very little trouble.
Do I sound dispondant ? I should, I was the British player :-(
Good fun, but I still can't see too many good deployments for the British. Perhaps a deployment and a couple of squads further back may have helped, but with so few this is a bit of a luxury. Anyone got any ideas ?
Nick Edelsten