airBiscuit
03 Dec 04, 19:36
For initial deployment, I decided to bolster my Panzer platoon in the wheat fields with a platoon of infantry and a couple of extra halftracks allocated to the corner deployment zone. This would help assert the Axis on the offensive in their advance on Ferme du Pre Baron. A minimal defense was maintained at the start zone with MG42's and snipers watching down both roads, as well as a 20mm-armed halftrack variant. The plan was to sweep through Ferme du Pre Baron and roll through the fields to the walled in town of Ferme de Beauvoisin across from Escoville and finally down into Escoville. All other positions would hold for the meantime.
At the start of the game, the British managed to leave a carrier visible at the side of the road that headed toward the center of the map, just outside a stand of trees. My 81mm mortar fired on that position first turn and killed it outright. Then, realizing that an AT gun may have been supported by that carrier, I proceeded to bombard the edge of the woods just beyond it with area fire, which pretty soon got me a kill on the AT gun. The opening shots of the battle had already exacted some damage.
From that point till almost turn 10, things were pretty quiet. The Panzer platoon, now formed into virtually into a company with the supporting troops began to work their way toward Ferme du Pre Baron. A change of decision occurred partway through this maneuver, and a bulk of the group was diverted to going straight across the left side, bypassing the town and coming out at the road on the other side of the wheat field. Only a small patrol consisting of one tank, two halftracks, and a reinforced platoon of infantry would probe the twon defenses from the most direct route, while the rest of the force would assemble at the road on the far side of the wheat field and choose to either attack Ferme du Pre Baron or advance on Escoville.
As the patrol began to encounter light resistance from the town and the rest of the company appeared on the far road, reinforcements came in on two fronts to bolster the attack. More armor was added as they emerged from the left on the far field road and was integrated into the original Panzer column as they emerged from the treeline and formed a road column. As well, a company of rifle troops marched through the hedgerows and trees along the right side of the map, allowing for an as yet unconsidered attack on the road junction to the right of the Axis start zone. It was known that an AT gun existed down the right road because the 20mm halftrack I had positiioned there was brewed up by a 6 pdr that announced itself from its wooded hideout. The AT gun just as quickly disappeared from view after that kill and continued to haunt the Axis forces.
Knowing that gun was there made the advance of yet more reinforcements from the start zone even more harrowing. There were a couple of StuG III's in that reinforced group, as well as some additional infantry that needed to advance forward. I blundered the advance on the road past the long range view of the 6 pdr when the StuG III's rushed down the road before the mortar could set up smoke to secure their passage. Nonetheless, luck was on their side as their swift movement evaded the chance of a well placed AT shot. The reinforced platoon began advancing on the road toward the center of the map with only the possibility of British infantry to worry about.
Meanwhile, as the scouts at Ferme du Pre Baron stood off against a Vickers machine gun position in a two-story building and advanced under the cover of trees, the large assembly on the far road split up into two factions. A smaller armored group would advance further up the left to take a wide flanking position on Escoville and bring up three halftracks with troops to set up the advance. An artillery group would take positions at the town at the end of the road facing Escoville, and get sighting positions on suspected military targets.
Using projection of force, a bulk of the Panzer company swept around the far flank of the farm town by way of the scrubland to afford cover on the approach. Troops marched in and the slower units rode on the vehicles. The scouting group continued a careful advance on the near side and began to engage infantry in the trees across the road. Supported by the tank, the Aliied positions were soon driven back, but not before a harrowing close call with a hidden 6 pdr positioned in the stand of trees. It was lining up for a killing shot on the Panzer IV at close range just before it was knocked out of action.
The main part of the Panzer company with supporting troops arrived in position, with four Panzer IVs in a line formation diagonal to the edge of the farm town. What few British units remained in the town quickly pulled back to foxholes in the scrubland on the opposite side and began returning rifle and mortar fire. The return fire from the Axis units was withering and in a couple of turns of heavy exchange forced the remaining troops to retreat. The scouting unit advanced to the road and took up sighting patrol for AT guns before moving across to the wooded area once occupied by British troops and the AT gun crew.
At this point, artillery spotters had their fire missions called in and were waiting for the shells to drop on the outskirts of Escoville. At the point that Ferme du Pre Baron fell to the Axis, there were only about 11 turns left, so followthrough was required to push to the final objectives. A change of strategy was necessary to make it to the Escoville in time. The bulk of the force could not afford a side trip to de Beauvoisin, so the Panzer company that just took Pre Baron loaded up whatever troops it could carry on vehicles, supported by units on foot, and wheeled around on a direct course to Escoville through the wheat fields.
A small garrison was left in Ferme du Pre Baron and a small attack force, at reduced company strength, consisting of a Panzer IV and a mortar halftrack pushed toward Ferme de Beauvoisin. Panzershreks were positioned in buildings and an MG42 was positioned on top of building rubble to afford long range support fire on de Beauvoisin. A 20mm halftrack parked between two buildings affording a similar long range view of the distant farm town.
Further back on the map a slow advance on the center crossroads with a reinforced platoon of infantry, two StuG III's, and a 20mm halftrack brought contact with defensive units inside of both woods flanking the road. The fighting was slow, difficult, and costly as the British were reluctantly driven back. At the point the scouting halftrack advanced to the crest in the road, a loud shot rang out, and the halftrack burst into flames. The suspected AT gun had made its mark, and with no other spotters available, remained invisible to the Axis forces. This single AT gun would prove to be the key factor in stalling the advance of this attack group.
On the right side of the map, the large Axis rifle company advanced through wheat fields, hedgerows, and woods to arrive at a thick stand of trees just off the road and the road junction objective. The British forces hadn't announced a large presence there up to this point, and it would appear that taking this objective would be easy. Not so, as it turned out.
As the forces pushed into the thick stand of woods, whole squads of Brits in foxholes opened up. The Axis troops were caught somewhat by surprise and took a few casualties as they began return fire. An advance on the two houses yielded some amount of resistance, and was eventually taken with casualties mounting. The firefight intensified as the Axis units encountered more British squads joining in the fight. The volume of fire exchanged was heavy, and the numbers of British troops forming was beginning to rival what the Axis had to throw at it. At this point, the Axis start zone garrison was mobilized, leaving a couple of machine guns at the base, sending the group forward toward the escalating firefight. The British were soon pushed back across the road and the firefight resumed there. The advancing garrison units soon found flanking fire opportunities and began to assault the British holdouts from the side.
As the fighting died down, a reduced platoon of Axis infantry decided to make quick maneuvers through the wheat field along the road to assault the AT gun position. What was intended to be a swift assault turned into disaster. A couple of hidden British squads in foxholes quickly opened up in volume fire on the running troops, exacting many casualties and scattering the assaulting force in various directions. It didn't take an additional minute for the fleeing Axis troops to get cut down by the prepared British units. Revenge was only enacted as those British units joined the fight on the concentrated Axis firing line and were soon winnowed out of existence. The firefight was beginning to wind down and eventually the road junction was taken after the few remaining British forces withdrew from the area.
As the artillery began to fall heavily on Escoville, destroying numerous buildings, the advancing forces approaching de Beauvoisin under cover of trees and a wheat field began to meet strong resistance. The troops that fled Pre Baron had reformed here and laid down some heavy rifle fire. A firing British unit in a 2 story building began receiving heavy return fire, as well as support 20mm fire from Pre Baron. The advancing mortar halftrack began firing on the town through a narrow thoroughfare but quickly had to retreat as a yet another British 6 pdr began firing on it from a stand of trees to the left of the town.
Some of the infantry in this attack group was exposed to incoming fire as they advanced and had to divert through the wheat field to avoid being completely decimated. It was at this point that the British had reinforcements come in to assault the tired, weary Axis troops. This took the form of additional (Airborne?) troops and two Airborne Sherman tanks. Anti-tank capability was limited to a single Panzershreck team and a Panzer IV. The Shermans were both spotted and each went around the town the opposite direction. The Axis forces were going to get pincered from two sides by tanks. As the Sherman on the left began to open up on exposed infantry positions, the Panzershreck team tried to advance to a firing position to take it out. They were discovered outright and gunned down by the Sherman's machine gun. The one saving grace was that the visibility of this tank on the Axis position was hampered by a stand of trees and the wheat field beyond it. The Axis forces took refuge in this concealment and it allowed the Panzer IV to concentrate on one target. As the other Sherman advanced around the right of the town, the Panzer IV was already tracking it. The exchange of fire resulted in a kill on the Sherman which left one tank to be concerned with.
At this point in time, the battle for Escoville raged with sudden fury as the advancing Axis company formed a firing line at the stand of trees on the side of town just to the right of the main entry road. Bullets whizzed and spanged off armor and concrete. Rifles and machineguns fired with impunity, and under the cover of 75mm fire from the Panzer IV's slamming into buildings and sending one of them crashing down. The Axis troops advanced right toward the objective area, going from building to building and setting up covering fire for the men behind them. One of the buildings next to the objective, which was heavily damaged with cannon fire became the target of advance for the Axis troops. As they pushed in, they met heavy resistance from British Airborne and Regulars and only after great exertion did some axis forces take the building. If that cost wasn't enough, a British gun or mortar exacted the final toll on the building while Axis forces were still inside. Almost all of them were crushed in the collapse. Still, the company reserves advanced and maintained steady fire on British positions in foxholes that dotted the township.
The Armor in the Panzer company met with difficulty as well. Not able to enjoy complete supremacy of the field, a Sherman first came around the loop of the road as the armor line was set up. Another one appeared in the distance, but threw up a screen of smoke to cover its maneuvers. A Panzer IV and a Sherman both exchanged shots simultaneously, resulting in explosive mutual kills. The second sherman advanced to line up a shot, but a ready Panzer IV gunner got off the killing shot, thereby eliminating the armor threat for the Axis advance.
On the far side of Escoville, another battle was brewing. Two Panzer IV's, about three or four halftracks, and a platoon of troops were advancing on the flank of the town. There was great success in the opening attack, and only met light antitank resistance. Just as the Panzers were moved up to the road and were planning their advance into the town, a Wolverine Tank hunter appeared on their flanks and announced its presence with an opening kill on one of the Panzer IV's. It then began to harry the advancing infantry with machinegun fire as it searched for another vehicle to shoot. The Panzer IV expectantly waited for the Wolverine to move into its sights. Sure enough the Wolverine advanced, both tanks took sights on each other, but the Panzer IV got the killing blow.
This victory was not to last long as a platoon sized reserve of British troops began firing from houses and buildings on the Axis forces. Troops were whittled down to a squad, the Panzer IV was destroyed, and all but one halftrack was taken out. One positive note is that the remaining squad, with HQ, advanced down an alley and entered the church by the rear entrance. As they approached the front of the church, they discovered an AT gun position right under their noses. As British troops fired from nearby buildings on their covered position, they threw grenades and poured bullets into the AT gun crew, taking it out of commission. This would have the effect of helping the Panzer company advance on the other side of town. However, they did not have the reserves to dismantle the British defense on this side of Escoville, so the objective remained under contention.
At Ferme de Beauvoisin, the final moments of the battle ticked down as the Panzer tank and the mortar halftrack took firing positions versus emplaced British troops. British armored carriers attempted escape by the road, but reversed course under smoke as the Panzer gunner took notice. Fighting moved into the town itself as Axis troops moved into buildings, firing back at the British resistance. The result was that the objective was still contested, and losses were heavy for both sides.
Finally, in the Escoville Triangle crossroads in the center resulted in a near defeat of the Axis advance. The British forces put up heavy resistance, and the remaining StuG III could not advance under the challenge of the 6 pdr AT gun lying in wait just beyond the intersection.
In all the Axis managed to capture the objective at the spawn, Ferme du Pre Baron, and the objective site just beyond it. What remained in contention was Escoville, the center crossroads, Ferme de Beauvoisin, and the objective just to the right of the Axis spawn. The latter was apparently in Axis hands until the final count revealed hidden British troops and a carrier just outside of the Axis line of sight. The center crossroads did result in an Axis Panzershrek unit taking out two British carriers on the very last turn.
At the start of the game, the British managed to leave a carrier visible at the side of the road that headed toward the center of the map, just outside a stand of trees. My 81mm mortar fired on that position first turn and killed it outright. Then, realizing that an AT gun may have been supported by that carrier, I proceeded to bombard the edge of the woods just beyond it with area fire, which pretty soon got me a kill on the AT gun. The opening shots of the battle had already exacted some damage.
From that point till almost turn 10, things were pretty quiet. The Panzer platoon, now formed into virtually into a company with the supporting troops began to work their way toward Ferme du Pre Baron. A change of decision occurred partway through this maneuver, and a bulk of the group was diverted to going straight across the left side, bypassing the town and coming out at the road on the other side of the wheat field. Only a small patrol consisting of one tank, two halftracks, and a reinforced platoon of infantry would probe the twon defenses from the most direct route, while the rest of the force would assemble at the road on the far side of the wheat field and choose to either attack Ferme du Pre Baron or advance on Escoville.
As the patrol began to encounter light resistance from the town and the rest of the company appeared on the far road, reinforcements came in on two fronts to bolster the attack. More armor was added as they emerged from the left on the far field road and was integrated into the original Panzer column as they emerged from the treeline and formed a road column. As well, a company of rifle troops marched through the hedgerows and trees along the right side of the map, allowing for an as yet unconsidered attack on the road junction to the right of the Axis start zone. It was known that an AT gun existed down the right road because the 20mm halftrack I had positiioned there was brewed up by a 6 pdr that announced itself from its wooded hideout. The AT gun just as quickly disappeared from view after that kill and continued to haunt the Axis forces.
Knowing that gun was there made the advance of yet more reinforcements from the start zone even more harrowing. There were a couple of StuG III's in that reinforced group, as well as some additional infantry that needed to advance forward. I blundered the advance on the road past the long range view of the 6 pdr when the StuG III's rushed down the road before the mortar could set up smoke to secure their passage. Nonetheless, luck was on their side as their swift movement evaded the chance of a well placed AT shot. The reinforced platoon began advancing on the road toward the center of the map with only the possibility of British infantry to worry about.
Meanwhile, as the scouts at Ferme du Pre Baron stood off against a Vickers machine gun position in a two-story building and advanced under the cover of trees, the large assembly on the far road split up into two factions. A smaller armored group would advance further up the left to take a wide flanking position on Escoville and bring up three halftracks with troops to set up the advance. An artillery group would take positions at the town at the end of the road facing Escoville, and get sighting positions on suspected military targets.
Using projection of force, a bulk of the Panzer company swept around the far flank of the farm town by way of the scrubland to afford cover on the approach. Troops marched in and the slower units rode on the vehicles. The scouting group continued a careful advance on the near side and began to engage infantry in the trees across the road. Supported by the tank, the Aliied positions were soon driven back, but not before a harrowing close call with a hidden 6 pdr positioned in the stand of trees. It was lining up for a killing shot on the Panzer IV at close range just before it was knocked out of action.
The main part of the Panzer company with supporting troops arrived in position, with four Panzer IVs in a line formation diagonal to the edge of the farm town. What few British units remained in the town quickly pulled back to foxholes in the scrubland on the opposite side and began returning rifle and mortar fire. The return fire from the Axis units was withering and in a couple of turns of heavy exchange forced the remaining troops to retreat. The scouting unit advanced to the road and took up sighting patrol for AT guns before moving across to the wooded area once occupied by British troops and the AT gun crew.
At this point, artillery spotters had their fire missions called in and were waiting for the shells to drop on the outskirts of Escoville. At the point that Ferme du Pre Baron fell to the Axis, there were only about 11 turns left, so followthrough was required to push to the final objectives. A change of strategy was necessary to make it to the Escoville in time. The bulk of the force could not afford a side trip to de Beauvoisin, so the Panzer company that just took Pre Baron loaded up whatever troops it could carry on vehicles, supported by units on foot, and wheeled around on a direct course to Escoville through the wheat fields.
A small garrison was left in Ferme du Pre Baron and a small attack force, at reduced company strength, consisting of a Panzer IV and a mortar halftrack pushed toward Ferme de Beauvoisin. Panzershreks were positioned in buildings and an MG42 was positioned on top of building rubble to afford long range support fire on de Beauvoisin. A 20mm halftrack parked between two buildings affording a similar long range view of the distant farm town.
Further back on the map a slow advance on the center crossroads with a reinforced platoon of infantry, two StuG III's, and a 20mm halftrack brought contact with defensive units inside of both woods flanking the road. The fighting was slow, difficult, and costly as the British were reluctantly driven back. At the point the scouting halftrack advanced to the crest in the road, a loud shot rang out, and the halftrack burst into flames. The suspected AT gun had made its mark, and with no other spotters available, remained invisible to the Axis forces. This single AT gun would prove to be the key factor in stalling the advance of this attack group.
On the right side of the map, the large Axis rifle company advanced through wheat fields, hedgerows, and woods to arrive at a thick stand of trees just off the road and the road junction objective. The British forces hadn't announced a large presence there up to this point, and it would appear that taking this objective would be easy. Not so, as it turned out.
As the forces pushed into the thick stand of woods, whole squads of Brits in foxholes opened up. The Axis troops were caught somewhat by surprise and took a few casualties as they began return fire. An advance on the two houses yielded some amount of resistance, and was eventually taken with casualties mounting. The firefight intensified as the Axis units encountered more British squads joining in the fight. The volume of fire exchanged was heavy, and the numbers of British troops forming was beginning to rival what the Axis had to throw at it. At this point, the Axis start zone garrison was mobilized, leaving a couple of machine guns at the base, sending the group forward toward the escalating firefight. The British were soon pushed back across the road and the firefight resumed there. The advancing garrison units soon found flanking fire opportunities and began to assault the British holdouts from the side.
As the fighting died down, a reduced platoon of Axis infantry decided to make quick maneuvers through the wheat field along the road to assault the AT gun position. What was intended to be a swift assault turned into disaster. A couple of hidden British squads in foxholes quickly opened up in volume fire on the running troops, exacting many casualties and scattering the assaulting force in various directions. It didn't take an additional minute for the fleeing Axis troops to get cut down by the prepared British units. Revenge was only enacted as those British units joined the fight on the concentrated Axis firing line and were soon winnowed out of existence. The firefight was beginning to wind down and eventually the road junction was taken after the few remaining British forces withdrew from the area.
As the artillery began to fall heavily on Escoville, destroying numerous buildings, the advancing forces approaching de Beauvoisin under cover of trees and a wheat field began to meet strong resistance. The troops that fled Pre Baron had reformed here and laid down some heavy rifle fire. A firing British unit in a 2 story building began receiving heavy return fire, as well as support 20mm fire from Pre Baron. The advancing mortar halftrack began firing on the town through a narrow thoroughfare but quickly had to retreat as a yet another British 6 pdr began firing on it from a stand of trees to the left of the town.
Some of the infantry in this attack group was exposed to incoming fire as they advanced and had to divert through the wheat field to avoid being completely decimated. It was at this point that the British had reinforcements come in to assault the tired, weary Axis troops. This took the form of additional (Airborne?) troops and two Airborne Sherman tanks. Anti-tank capability was limited to a single Panzershreck team and a Panzer IV. The Shermans were both spotted and each went around the town the opposite direction. The Axis forces were going to get pincered from two sides by tanks. As the Sherman on the left began to open up on exposed infantry positions, the Panzershreck team tried to advance to a firing position to take it out. They were discovered outright and gunned down by the Sherman's machine gun. The one saving grace was that the visibility of this tank on the Axis position was hampered by a stand of trees and the wheat field beyond it. The Axis forces took refuge in this concealment and it allowed the Panzer IV to concentrate on one target. As the other Sherman advanced around the right of the town, the Panzer IV was already tracking it. The exchange of fire resulted in a kill on the Sherman which left one tank to be concerned with.
At this point in time, the battle for Escoville raged with sudden fury as the advancing Axis company formed a firing line at the stand of trees on the side of town just to the right of the main entry road. Bullets whizzed and spanged off armor and concrete. Rifles and machineguns fired with impunity, and under the cover of 75mm fire from the Panzer IV's slamming into buildings and sending one of them crashing down. The Axis troops advanced right toward the objective area, going from building to building and setting up covering fire for the men behind them. One of the buildings next to the objective, which was heavily damaged with cannon fire became the target of advance for the Axis troops. As they pushed in, they met heavy resistance from British Airborne and Regulars and only after great exertion did some axis forces take the building. If that cost wasn't enough, a British gun or mortar exacted the final toll on the building while Axis forces were still inside. Almost all of them were crushed in the collapse. Still, the company reserves advanced and maintained steady fire on British positions in foxholes that dotted the township.
The Armor in the Panzer company met with difficulty as well. Not able to enjoy complete supremacy of the field, a Sherman first came around the loop of the road as the armor line was set up. Another one appeared in the distance, but threw up a screen of smoke to cover its maneuvers. A Panzer IV and a Sherman both exchanged shots simultaneously, resulting in explosive mutual kills. The second sherman advanced to line up a shot, but a ready Panzer IV gunner got off the killing shot, thereby eliminating the armor threat for the Axis advance.
On the far side of Escoville, another battle was brewing. Two Panzer IV's, about three or four halftracks, and a platoon of troops were advancing on the flank of the town. There was great success in the opening attack, and only met light antitank resistance. Just as the Panzers were moved up to the road and were planning their advance into the town, a Wolverine Tank hunter appeared on their flanks and announced its presence with an opening kill on one of the Panzer IV's. It then began to harry the advancing infantry with machinegun fire as it searched for another vehicle to shoot. The Panzer IV expectantly waited for the Wolverine to move into its sights. Sure enough the Wolverine advanced, both tanks took sights on each other, but the Panzer IV got the killing blow.
This victory was not to last long as a platoon sized reserve of British troops began firing from houses and buildings on the Axis forces. Troops were whittled down to a squad, the Panzer IV was destroyed, and all but one halftrack was taken out. One positive note is that the remaining squad, with HQ, advanced down an alley and entered the church by the rear entrance. As they approached the front of the church, they discovered an AT gun position right under their noses. As British troops fired from nearby buildings on their covered position, they threw grenades and poured bullets into the AT gun crew, taking it out of commission. This would have the effect of helping the Panzer company advance on the other side of town. However, they did not have the reserves to dismantle the British defense on this side of Escoville, so the objective remained under contention.
At Ferme de Beauvoisin, the final moments of the battle ticked down as the Panzer tank and the mortar halftrack took firing positions versus emplaced British troops. British armored carriers attempted escape by the road, but reversed course under smoke as the Panzer gunner took notice. Fighting moved into the town itself as Axis troops moved into buildings, firing back at the British resistance. The result was that the objective was still contested, and losses were heavy for both sides.
Finally, in the Escoville Triangle crossroads in the center resulted in a near defeat of the Axis advance. The British forces put up heavy resistance, and the remaining StuG III could not advance under the challenge of the 6 pdr AT gun lying in wait just beyond the intersection.
In all the Axis managed to capture the objective at the spawn, Ferme du Pre Baron, and the objective site just beyond it. What remained in contention was Escoville, the center crossroads, Ferme de Beauvoisin, and the objective just to the right of the Axis spawn. The latter was apparently in Axis hands until the final count revealed hidden British troops and a carrier just outside of the Axis line of sight. The center crossroads did result in an Axis Panzershrek unit taking out two British carriers on the very last turn.