This past week, in a couple of long evening sessions, the bright and effervescent Lee M and I managed to get through the first turn of the May 13 Afternoon scenario. As expected, a flood of German armour entered the map along with a four Opel Blitz trucks and a company of infantry on foot. Overhead rumbled the spotting rounds of both the German divisional artillery and battalion mortars (after each battery drew a red chit.
I couldn't quite account for all the German CPPs and figure there is about 15 CPP or so off map or saved for the next scenario.
The German northern attack is recommencing despite the losses suffered in the morning. This may work out as most of the boats are north of the weir but we will see what the French can do. Both sides are making use of Smoke and the French 81*s continue to harrass the crossing point(s). German traffic control has its work cut out for it.
<Note the German ? stacks in UU19-20 are actually in QQ23 and 24>
The entry area used by the Germans in this turn did not come as too much of a surprise. Late in the morning a number of Germans still east of the river shifted north, rather than south, so I figured the German attack would try to hit both flanks. What I could not plan for was what my own reinforcements would look like. The Germans know I have placed four (4) new roadblocks (3 CPP), effectively blocking the northern re-entrant. The Germans also know French air support was purchased as two fighter-bombers, w/ bombs, arrived on French player turn one (3 CPP). The French also have one module of OBA (~6 CPP, also drew a red chit) and two vehicle platoons (4 CPP each),... which pretty much accounts for the 20 CPP.
If the Germans are going to come on again in the north, so be it. I have the troops in position to meet them but German firepower is enormous. At the start of Turn 1 I had five of six 37* Inf guns in place to engage the Germans but by the end of the turn three crews had broken, one had malfunctioned and one driven away from its trench position in EE22. I figure some French armour would be well placed supporting the infantry in Bouvignes-sur-Meuse./
The chappies in EE21 are IN the Trench
The French northern defences:
Down south the infantry battle continues as the Germans press south along the bank supported by a number of machine guns positions. There were some French successes as a Large raft was shot to pieces by a 2 FP shot from the heights. Along the river front a German push by a Fanatic 468 AE, a Hero and a 467 ran into heavy French defensive fire from both levels of KK42 that included a French Hero. The assault was turned back by additional fire from a 37* Inf gun upstairs that broke the squads and wounded the Hero (the 37* malfunctioned). The squads routed away but the wounded hero was jumped by a ? 458 w/LMG and killed, the French retreating away under ? (see the French control marker).
The German acquisition markers show the volume of tank and mortar fire used break the infantry gun positions above the cliffs.
A lot will take place during this scenario but the French counterattack aimed at the Rhine should start taking shape soon.
I am not sure the French right will be able to stop the German attack if they are reinforced (he could have another company or mixed force still to enter. With this in mind I have sent a second platoon of armour to back up these lads. If the mechanised cavalry are not needed for the defence, perhaps they can lead the counterattack over the river and on to the Rhine.
? Hey! It could happen. ?