Well today the final chapter closed on the fight and Jandraine, and the Germans were not amused.
As a brief telling,
Firefight 1 had the Germans enter from the north edge with 6x Pz1Bs, 3x PzIIA, 6x PzIIF, and 5x Pz IIIF. The PzIIIFs hung back for several turns until the French positions became clear, but the PzIs and PzIIs moved forward on both flanks and penetrated through the French lines. Two platoons of infantry supported by an MG section and some Btn Mortar OBA, pushed in from the board edge but quickly met resistance from Level 2 HMG nests. The Battalion Mortar dillied and dallied and eventually drew 2 red chits without firing a shot!
The French brought on their S35 platoon, and it was on for young and old. Very shortly the S35s were chasing the Germans around board 33, and even a swarm by the 5x PzIIIFs produced only 1 shocked S35. The MG crews threw down their MG, raced forwards and dispatched the S35 in Cose Combat, and followed it up with a second. After 4.5 turns, 4x Pz1, and 2x PzIIIF were kaput, as well as 2 squads and 2 MG crews. End of scenario 1, we discovered the terror of the re-deployment ranges, so two more PzIs and a PzII were eliminated for failing to reach a CTHC. My gains were some fairly insignificant toeholds on the north edge.
Firefight 2 saw me abandon the Panzers and concentrate on infantry. 4 platoons, plus a sect of AT Guns, a sect of Infantry Guns. The infantry and my remaining panzers pressed into the village from the eastern flank, with fair success. In the west, the S35s continued the chase, with the PzIIs running before them. PzIs and PzIIs have virtually NO chance of penetrating an S35, even from the rear. The final result of this firefight was a close German victory, based on the destruction of 3 H39 tanks, 2 by infantry CC, 1 by a PzIIIF!!! The Germans also gained a good lodgement in the village. Another 4.5 turner. Lost a PzIIA, a PzIIF and a PzIIIF, plus 4-5 squads of infantry.
Firefight 3 was idle. With the CVP cap looming, I figure I couldn't stand 2 firefights worth of losses, so purchased in reserve. This also cut back the utility of the second S35 platoon Gordon purchased.
At this point we found out Grain is supposed to be in effect, despite it being May! Will make a big difference, particularly to the infantry.
Firefight 4. The final chance. Set up my reserve purchased MG sections in the village, and brought the TD Section, 2 Mortar sections, 1 INF Section and 4 Infantry platoons in along the West flank to sweep up to the road, meet the 80FP on the board 16 road requirement and stop any French infantry exiting.
Turn 1 sees the German MG nests do poorly, and the French MG nest (2x HMG) ROFs an 8-1 and 4 crews away. 10 CVP right there. I'm now on a countdown, I had 36 CVP in hand, now only 26 CVP. The French OBA lands smack in the middle of the Right flank attack, but with mercifully little effect.
At this stage, Major Ahistorical Sleaze makes his appearance. By SSR, the French must make a DR < 7 during each French RPh or the S35 are recalled off the East edge (which incidentally makes little sense, since the infantry leave towards the west edge, and they are both supposed to withdraw to the same place!). Gordon makes the first DR, and proceeds to ESB every S35 that will start using non-Platoon movement. I actually cheer when despite a +6 DRM, his first DR does NOT immobilise the S35. In total four S35 were immobilised. A legitimate move, and vital to his defence, but extremely ahistorical.
Anyway, the Germans continue to plough on, but the open ground and the row of S35s take their toll, including a PzIIIF with a 10-2 Armour Leader and by the end of German turn 3, I have but 4 CVP left on my clock so I call it a day. I had about 9 buildings, with 6 more to take and little prospect of that being bloodless. The good news was the the French left flank almost entirely collapsed, and I even took out another (immobile) S35 with a PzJg 1. Sad pathetic story. A German 37L AT Gun firing a 25 hexes against the flank of an immobile S35 can't even force an Immobilisation TC. The German armaments are that feeble!
Estimated CVP score, French 120, German 80. Tough attacking into board 41, particularly across Ploughed Fields!
Synopsis:
We didn't have much difficulty with the Platoon Leader 2.11 rules EXCEPT the way the MLRs crossed, setting up reserves after an idle day, and the vehicle redeployment ranges. Mostly, we muddled through!
Onwards to the Tractor Factory!
Mark McGilchrist