JR Brackin
Cardboard Challanged
I wanted to play this scenario since it offered a nighttime parachute drop and had some interesting Chapter E elements. I took the US with my opponent having the Germans.
We had some discussion pre-game regarding SSR 3 – the German AA Guns need to set up in AA mode and fire at least one per friendly PFPh and DFPh. Questions posed were: 1) can they drop out of AA mode – we decided YES (might not be what the designer’s had in mind), 2) if the gun was broken or for that matter if the German decided to spike the gun, would it count as the US eliminating the Gun – we decided that the US would get credit toward the VC.; 3) how do the Germans meet the requirement in SSR 2 if the Gun Malf’s – we decided that the crew would not be required to fire small arms.
My drops did go well and I did not have any fire coming at them, however that means the drops on board 12a were a little further away at start from where I would have liked. On board 65 the drop was close to the board edge and on board 64 the drop was right into the corner of the board. One unit broke in the far corner of the map. On turn 2, I started to get the troops together as best as Ii could, fortunately only 1 strayed and could not move due to having to cross Bocage into a grain field – not something that is easy at night (+2 Bocage, +1.5 for Grain, +1 for crossing into Concealment terrain at night). He stayed put and issued the line from the longest day – when they heard other units moving around them – “Hey those guys were Americans” – ok I substituted Americans for Germans, but you get the idea.
At this point the Germans were firing their AA guns, generating a couple missed sniper checks, but also by turn three two of the AA guns had malf’d and promptly rolled a 6 to close the deal. Meanwhile the convoy came in and spotted the broken squad in the road. This allowed the convoy to go to normal movement when they entered. Since most the US forces had consolidated around the two roads, there was still some issues for the trucks to get off the board.
Early on the squad that was stuck on the road was overrun by a HT with a 467, but passed their MC. As they realized their desperation, morale was low (see what I did there) they rolled a 3 on self-rally and were able to get back into the action. While one squad seems not to be of much importance, they followed the normal US route for airborne troops that morning. After rally they got away from the HT who was preparing another overrun, moved around some buildings and next to a truck. ADFPh, the truck was eliminated, and they advanced into a house to hide from the trucks escorts who were getting a little peeved since that was truck # 3 that went down. The next turn they CX’s and found another truck who was apparently lost driving around in some field – they got this one also. Having traversed from the north corner to the main road on board 65 they were moving towards the sound of gun fire hoping to meet up with other grunts.
Meanwhile the attack on the town was moving slow, waiting until most of the troops could join up. But with luck, I was able to make most of my MCs, failing a couple of PTCs, but nothing serious. I was able to break through the first line of resistance on T6, with 3 melees going on – all three the odds were in my favor. One of my ½ squads had moved into a building next to a concealed AA gun, he was dismayed to find out it was the Flak Vierling 38 – amassing a full 20 IFE at point blank range. Did I mention that my opponent kept rolling boxcars on his AA guns – to paraphrase Britney Spears – “oops he did it again” – my ½ squad passed his PTC. My opponent failed his PMC.
At this point my opponent resigned – German t6. With two tuns left I did not yet realize that the last building was being protected mostly with dummies and the last gun was in a position where I could come from multiple sides. I had most of my entire force still at my disposal. This gave the US the win.
I like the situation, although difficult. My opponent did not like it as much. I believe that if the AA guns did not break before I attacked them then it could have been a German victory, but that was not the case. I chalk up his dice rolls as good tactics on my part.
We both believed that there are two red herrings in the VC. We do not believe that there is much chance for the trucks to get through all of the FP that the US will exert, and we do not believe that the US can exit 12 VP. However since only the immediate win for US requires all four VC, there is still a strong chance for the US to get three VC by game end.
All in all, I believe that this is a fun scenario and will provide some good enjoyment.
We had some discussion pre-game regarding SSR 3 – the German AA Guns need to set up in AA mode and fire at least one per friendly PFPh and DFPh. Questions posed were: 1) can they drop out of AA mode – we decided YES (might not be what the designer’s had in mind), 2) if the gun was broken or for that matter if the German decided to spike the gun, would it count as the US eliminating the Gun – we decided that the US would get credit toward the VC.; 3) how do the Germans meet the requirement in SSR 2 if the Gun Malf’s – we decided that the crew would not be required to fire small arms.
My drops did go well and I did not have any fire coming at them, however that means the drops on board 12a were a little further away at start from where I would have liked. On board 65 the drop was close to the board edge and on board 64 the drop was right into the corner of the board. One unit broke in the far corner of the map. On turn 2, I started to get the troops together as best as Ii could, fortunately only 1 strayed and could not move due to having to cross Bocage into a grain field – not something that is easy at night (+2 Bocage, +1.5 for Grain, +1 for crossing into Concealment terrain at night). He stayed put and issued the line from the longest day – when they heard other units moving around them – “Hey those guys were Americans” – ok I substituted Americans for Germans, but you get the idea.
At this point the Germans were firing their AA guns, generating a couple missed sniper checks, but also by turn three two of the AA guns had malf’d and promptly rolled a 6 to close the deal. Meanwhile the convoy came in and spotted the broken squad in the road. This allowed the convoy to go to normal movement when they entered. Since most the US forces had consolidated around the two roads, there was still some issues for the trucks to get off the board.
Early on the squad that was stuck on the road was overrun by a HT with a 467, but passed their MC. As they realized their desperation, morale was low (see what I did there) they rolled a 3 on self-rally and were able to get back into the action. While one squad seems not to be of much importance, they followed the normal US route for airborne troops that morning. After rally they got away from the HT who was preparing another overrun, moved around some buildings and next to a truck. ADFPh, the truck was eliminated, and they advanced into a house to hide from the trucks escorts who were getting a little peeved since that was truck # 3 that went down. The next turn they CX’s and found another truck who was apparently lost driving around in some field – they got this one also. Having traversed from the north corner to the main road on board 65 they were moving towards the sound of gun fire hoping to meet up with other grunts.
Meanwhile the attack on the town was moving slow, waiting until most of the troops could join up. But with luck, I was able to make most of my MCs, failing a couple of PTCs, but nothing serious. I was able to break through the first line of resistance on T6, with 3 melees going on – all three the odds were in my favor. One of my ½ squads had moved into a building next to a concealed AA gun, he was dismayed to find out it was the Flak Vierling 38 – amassing a full 20 IFE at point blank range. Did I mention that my opponent kept rolling boxcars on his AA guns – to paraphrase Britney Spears – “oops he did it again” – my ½ squad passed his PTC. My opponent failed his PMC.
At this point my opponent resigned – German t6. With two tuns left I did not yet realize that the last building was being protected mostly with dummies and the last gun was in a position where I could come from multiple sides. I had most of my entire force still at my disposal. This gave the US the win.
I like the situation, although difficult. My opponent did not like it as much. I believe that if the AA guns did not break before I attacked them then it could have been a German victory, but that was not the case. I chalk up his dice rolls as good tactics on my part.
We both believed that there are two red herrings in the VC. We do not believe that there is much chance for the trucks to get through all of the FP that the US will exert, and we do not believe that the US can exit 12 VP. However since only the immediate win for US requires all four VC, there is still a strong chance for the US to get three VC by game end.
All in all, I believe that this is a fun scenario and will provide some good enjoyment.