From: "Steve Eckhart" To: Date: Saturday, February 26, 2005 8:17 PM All, Carl Nardin and I just finished OA7, Celles Melee, from Out of the Attic. The scenario features a German force of 4 elite squads, a 10-2, an 8-0, four SPW 251/1, four Panther G, four Panzer IVJ, and a StuG IIIG trying to move from one of three entry points on board 19 or 17 across to three exit points on boards 17 and 19. To stop the German onslaught, the Americans have two M36 gmc, two M4A1(76)W (with Gyrostabilizers), and two Stuarts. They also have (for no apparent reason), 4 elite squads, a 9-1, an 8-0, an MMG, and four BAZ 44. I say for no apparent reason because there doesn't seem to be any way to get them into the battle. The Germans win by scoring 78 CVP or Exit VP. The Germans have 80 exit VP available, and the American force provides up to 49 CVP. Carl took the Americans and I decided to enter my force on 19I10. My plan was simple: get as many units off the board as quickly as possible and get at least an "even" exchange in tanks. Since the American setup area prevents them from getting an LOS to any of board 19's road, on turn 1 I ran all four fully-loaded ht and all of the infantry up the road and off the board for a free 32 VP. The rest of my force got up to the general area of the crossroads CE and tried for smoke. All three Panzers got the smoke and stayed in motion. The StuG didn't, so he moved a little farther up the road and stayed in motion. I did stop one Panther (I meant to stop two, but couldn't get to a good position with the second) to cover. On Carl's turn, he DT'd his infantry over in my general direction. One squad did get in LOS, but I nailed him with a 4 -2 from a CE motion Panther's CMG and AAMG. Two more CVP. Carl got around the back of the stopped Panther with both Stuarts. The Panther missed and Carl managed to get a Possible Shock and I failed the TC. Later, Carl killed the shocked Panther with one of the Shermans. He moved the rest of his forces on board and gained some acquisiton in the AFPh. In DFPh, Pz IVJ-E managed to take out one of the Stuarts with a Motion shot past some smoke. In my turn two, I moved the StuG out of the LOS of the unit that had him acquired and down the road. Carl fired with one of his M36 GMC and missed with no rate. I move one more hex down the road, Carl IFs and misses again. So, I pulled the StuG into the exit hex, killed the M36, started in reverse and backed off the board. Unfortunately, that shot activated Carl's sniper and he stunned one of the Panthers. My brilliant plan now didn't look so brilliant: I needed 21 more VP and only had 20 VP of mobile tanks left on the board. So, I think, I'll have to stay and fight this turn to cover the shocked Panther so I can win. Sadly for Carl, that's when it was time to move Pz IVJ-E again. He tries for smoke in his current hex and fails. So, he stops. Carl takes three shots with three different AFVs needing 7s or 8s to hit. All three miss. Pz IVJ takes out one of the Shermans with a bounding fire shot and keeps rate. OK, one delay MP. Carl takes two IF shots, both miss. Pz IVJ-E takes out another Sherman with a second BFF shot and keeps rate! OK, one MP to Delay, one more BFF shot, one dead Stuart. At this point he has no one left who can fire and I can drive off for the win. This was the first time I've gotten to use my counters in over a year. So, it was fun because it was ASL. But, I'm not sure how well-balanced the scenario was. Even without the heroics of my all-time-favorite ASL counter, I think the German can win using the strategy I chose. What do others think? Today was supposed to be our monthly meeting of the Omaha Beach ASL Club. Sadly, only Carl Nardin and I actually got to play. Todd Baker showed up, but we didn't have an opponent for him. So, guys, we need you to show up so we can get more guys playing the game. Lee Connor just moved and plans to host a date to break in his new game room sometime soon. Carl also may host a scenario day next month to get ready for the MAGECON tournament in April. I hope to see you all soon. Steve Eckhart