AP170 Never On Time

ScottRomanowski

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I am playing this via email with one of my regular opponents, Zebulon. We're not finished yet, so I hope I don't reveal any secrets of my strategy. :)

I played the Germans in AP170 Never On Time. Twelve SS squads with three PzIVJ attack nine British squads that get reinforced by five squads and three Shermans on turn 2, and three more squads and two more Shermans of turn 3. I win by having more VP at game end than the British. Each wooden building with 4 hexes of E9 is worth 1 VP, the stone buildings in D9 and D10 are each worth 3 VP, and each AFV immobilized, recalled, or eliminated is worth 1 VP. I counted VP and there are 11 VP worth of wooden buildings and 6 VP worth of stone buildings. I have three AFV and my opponent has five. He looks weak on the hill. I plan to flank there, both to slow down his reinforcements and to attack the stone buildings. The British also has a HIP MMC (plus SW and SMC), which I think might be a HIP PIAT unit around J6 to hit my armor as I flank. Hedges are bocage.

Setup
24542

German Turn 1
I Opp Fire G1 (8-1, LMG/658, LMG/658) and B3 (9-1, MMG/658, LMG/658), targeting G6 and D7, and move forward. My first move, a DTing 658 from F1, is fired at by a light mortar in G6 (51MTR/248) and missed. It gets to H4. I push into B6. It’s worth 1 VP and I’m not going to pass up low-hanging fruit. Two AFVs go to support my eventual attack on D9 and D10, and one goes wide to help flank, with the PSK to help defend it. The mortar shot was the only attack the British made in the MPh or DFPh. At the end of the MPh:
24543
My AFPh breaks the 248 in G6, and eliminates a dummy stack in D7. D5’s MGs get a surprising 2MC on F8, pinning it, but his sniper breaks my D4 LMG/658, which routs to B3. So much for it being protected by the sN smoke! The British 248 routs to G8, leaving its mortar behind in the foxhole. My next objective is the line of foxholes from D7 to F8. If I get in there, I’ll be able to attack D9 with only a slight TEM disadvantage. I held the tanks back in case there is a PIAT in one of them.

Positions at the end of the turn: B3 (8-0, LMG/DM658), B4 (9-1, MMG/658, LMG/658), B6 (cx658), C4 (PzIVJ), C6 (cx658), D5 (PzIVJ), G2 (8-1, LMG/658, LMG/658) G5 (cx348), H4 (?658), I2 (PzIVJ), I5 (cx658, cx?658), K3 (?PSK/348), L5 (cx?8-1, cx?658). The unconcealed British units are F8 (457), G6 (51MTR), and G8 (dm248).
24544
British Turn 1
Neither of our broken units rally. The British don’t Prep. The 457 in F8 tries to withdraw, placing smoke in F8 then leaving the foxhole. I fire D5 but don’t affect it and it gets to G9. In the DFPh, G2 pins a 457 in E8. I gain acq in anticipation of placing smoke in C8 to cover B4s move forward. There is no fire in the AFPh. In the APh the 457 returns to the F8 foxhole. The unconcealed British units are E8 (457), F8 (457), G6 (51MTR), and G8 (dm248).
24545
German Turn 2
I rally the LMG/broken658 in B3. I plan to push into the D6 woods and move up to the H7-I8-I9 buildings. I get smoke in C8. D5 gets a CH on F8, removing the 457 with a 2KIA. In the MPh I push a ?8-1, ?658 to I10 where it stays concealed because of the bocage, and I move the AFV on that side up to fire at the British units. At the end of the MPh:
24546
In the AFPh E5 (9-1, MMG/658, LMG/658, LMG/658) fires at E8, 12FP+1 for no effect, nor does any of my other fire have any effect. In the APh I enter the D7 foxhole and some of the victory buildings on the hill. I’m feeling confident about my attack on the hill. There are only two British squads against my seven.

Positions at the end of the turn: B4 (8-0), B6 (658), C4 (PzIVJ), D5 (PzIVJ), D7 (658), E6 (LMG/658), F5 (9-1, MMG/658, LMG/658), G6 (?658, 51mortar), G7 (?348), H6 (?658), I7 (cx8-1, LMG/cx658), I8 (cx658), I9 (?8-1, ?658), J6 (?LMG/cx658), J8 (PzIVJ), K6 (?PSK/348). The unconcealed British units are E8 (457), G8 (DM248), G9 (457).
24547

British Turn 2
The British set up to enter in the left corner. I recover the mortar in G6 because I want its s7! E8 opens the PFPh with a K/2 on F5, and RS selects both 658s. Luckily nothing breaks on the 2MC. In the MPh H8 withdraws to G8. He moves the 10-2, three 458s,PIAT, dmMTR and dmMMG into C20, where C4 fires its MGs to no effect. He moves one Sherman II into the gully, and the other and the Firefly go after my C4 PzIVJ. At the end of the MPh:
24548
In the DFPh the survivors in F5 manage to break and CR E8 with MMG ROF. I9 CRs the broken 248 and strips ? from a 457 in G8. E8 routs to F8. The 10-2 stack splits into three, some advancing on to the hill.

Positions at the end of the turn: The British units I know of are B14 (Sherman IIC), B15 (dmMTR/458), C16 (Sherman II), D14 (?10-2, ?PIAT/458), D15 (?dmMMG/458), F8 (DM247), G8 (457), G9 (457).
24549

German Turn 3

I recombine the two HS in F5 and plan to give the LMG to another squad ASAP. I try to save my C4 AFV with smoke. If I can block LOS to the Sherman IIC, I’ll duel the Sherman II. If it’s not blocked, I’ll try my sN to give me smoke to withdraw. I get smoke from both the captured mortar and D5, blocking LOS from the Sherman VC! I break the 457s in G8 and G9, and my C4 PzIVJ gets a turret hit on the C16 Sherman II, eliminating it. I plan to try to push toward F10 and F11, and also H11 to try and slow down his reinforcements. But my opponent reveals his HIP 8-0, LMG/458 in G10, breaking a 658 in H9. He places a FL, which lets me run near it without worrying about SFF/FPF. At the end of the MPh:
24550
My AFPh does nothing, and I aggressively advance.

Positions at the end of the turn: B6 (658), C4 (PzIVJ), D5 (PzIVJ), D6 (?8-0), D7 (658), E8 (LMG/658), G6 (51mortar, 348), G7( LMG, ?658), G8 (?9-1, ?MMG/658), G9 (8-1, LMG/658), H9 (658), H11 (8-1, 658), I8 (DM658), I9 (LMG/658), J8 (PzIVJ), J10 (?PSK/348). The British units I know of are B14 (Sherman IIC), B15 (dmMTR/458), D14 (?10-2, ?PIAT/458), D15 (?dmMMG/458), E11(DM247, DM237), F10 (DM247), G10 (8-0, LMG/458).
24551

At this point I control B6, G8, G9, H7, H11, I8, I9, and have destroyed one AFV, for 8 VP. The British control D9, D10, E10, and E13, for 8 VP. The buildings around E12 were out of the British setup area, so were uncontrolled at the start.
 

Paul John

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Just finished this one against N8. I defended the flank of the hill to great success, including a first fired hs rolling a 1,1 on a 1-1 shot
and an hip piat hs taking out a tank.
We had a fierce fight on the hill, but I lost both stone buildings early. Reinforcements came on pushing hard at that station and took back one of them as well as a few middle buildings and the Brits got the win. Fun scenario.
 

ScottRomanowski

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Continuing my AAR

British Turn 3

My opponent set up the British reinforcements in the center. I repair the CMG and recover both the LMG and 51mortar. The British moved forward on the left, leaving the B9 foxhole. The 10-2, PIAT/458 stack moves to control two wooden buildings, while the turn three infantry pushes up the road. For some reason my opponent declines to move G16 or H16, which I think is a mistake. He moves the Sherman VC to a HD position on the hill. C4 tries for Motion but it turns out there is no LOS to my great relief!

25039

My DFPh breaks the 458 in G10, the 457 in B6, and eliminates both broken HS in E11. I fail to get a PF against the Sherman, but I get one in H9, missing G10. My PSK shot from J10 to I13 is blocked in J11. If my count is right, there are two British 248s, a 458, two PIATs, a LMG, and an 8-1 in D9 and D10. Using the PIATs from buildings is a good idea since they don’t have backblast. I plan to attack D9, so I gained acq from the captured 51mm mortar in D8.

In the RtPh the 457 from B6 is Interdicted as it tries to rout to D10 only to go Berserk! The other broken units all rout back to the 10-2, but the 10-2 and PIAT/458 advance away.

Positions at the end of the turn: British units are B15 (51MTR/458), C10 (berserk457), D9 (2 unknown), D10 (5 unknown), D12 (Sherman IIC, HD C12, C13, D11), E12 (8-0, LMG/DM458, DM247), E15 (?dmMMG/458), F11 (10-2, PIAT/458), G15 (2 unknown), H13 (2 unknown), H14 (2 unknown), H15 (3 unknown), I13 (Sherman II, 3 unknown), L17 (?Sherman II), M17 (?Sherman II). I listed all, not just the ones I know about.

25040

German Turn 4

I rally my broken 658 and the British rally neither of their DM units. I get smoke to help me assault D9 and retreat my units across the road covered by the 10-2. I move two 658s into D8 and form a FG with -1 leaders along the crest line. I moved one AFV to D8, thinking the HS in D9 couldn’t fire its PIAT when it was marked First Fire, but luckily it misses in the DFPh. His Sherman IIC tries to hit my F6 AFV, but the E10 hill blocks LOS for what would have been a Critical Hit!

25041

I break the D8 248 in the AFPh. It routs to D10 and I advance forward. I’m trying to maintain a line G10 to I9 to protect the six victory buildings I control. I’m giving up H11 as I only went there to slow down the British. With the capture of D8 I now have 12 VP to the British 6 VP (soon to be 11 to 8).

Positions at the end of the turn: German units are B7 (658), D6 (?8-0), D8 (PzIVJ, cx658), D9 (LMG/658), E8 (8-1, LMG/658), F6 (PzIVJ), F8 (9-1, MMG/658), F10 (658), G7 (51mtr/348), G9 (?8-1, ?658), G10 (LMG/658), H9 (658), I9 (LMG/658), J8 (PzIVJ, PSK/348). British units are B15 (51MTR/458), C10 (berserk457), D10 (PIAT/broken248, 5 unknown), D12 (Sherman IIC, HD C12, C13, D11), E12 (8-0, LMG/DM458, DM247), E15 (?dmMMG/458), F11 (10-2, PIAT/458), G15 (2 unknown), H13 (2 unknown), H14 (2 unknown), H15 (3 unknown), I13 (Sherman II, 3 unknown), L17 (?Sherman II), M17 (?Sherman II).

Control: German B6, D9, G8, G9, G10, H7, H11, I8, I9, 1 eliminated AFV. British D10, E12, E13, F11. E11 is uncontrolled.

25042

British Turn 4

Both broken British units in E12 rally. Prep Fire breaks my 658 in F9, and breaks and CRs my LMG/658 in D9. The British move forward, and a 9-1, PIAT/457 goes to J10 to threaten my J8 Panzer. The berserk 457 enters D9. Two Shermans start to flank me to the south. In the DFPh the Panzer hits J10 for 1 1KIA, eliminating the 457 and breaking the 9-1, but I malfunction the MA of the F6 Panzer. In the RtPh I rout the HS in D9 back to D6. In the APh a PIAT/248 advances into D9, gaining control.

25043

Positions at the end of the turn: German units are B7 (658), D6 (LMG/DM348, ?8-0), D8 (PzIVJ, cx658), E8 (8-1, LMG/658), F6 (PzIVJ), F8 (9-1, MMG/658), G7 (51mtr/348), G9 (DM658, ?8-1, ?658), G10 (LMG/658), H9 (658), I9 (LMG/658), J8 (PzIVJ, PSK/348). British units are B14 (51MTR/458), D9 (berserk457, PIAT/248), D10 (8-1, LMG/458), D12 (Sherman IIC, HD C12, C13, D11), E11 (LMG/48), E12 (8-0, LMG/458, PIAT/DM248), E13 (8-0, LMG/DM458), E15 (MMG/458), F11 (10-2, PIAT/458, 247), H11 (LMG/457), H12 (LMG/457), I13 (Sherman II), K12 (DM9-1), N15 (?Sherman II), P14 (?Sherman II).

Control: German B6, G8, G9, G10, H7, I8, I9, 1 eliminated AFV (8 VP). British D9, D10, E11, E12, E13, F11, H11 (11 VP).

25044

I think this is going to be close and the fighting for D9/D10 will be the key.
More to come.
 

DVexile

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To the best of my knowledge, the HS marked First Fire could not fire the PIAT during Final Fire.
Agree. This is one of those cases in which the RB organization and labeling is unfortunate. The restriction is a little bit hidden in A8.41 MULTIPLE ROF even though this has nothing at all to do with ROF. If you just read A8.4 you might think the HS could switch to using the PIAT for Final Fire, though if so you should get suspicious when trying to find an appropriate TH DRM for doing so (and discovering there is only one for Intensive Fire which LATW can’t do).
 

ScottRomanowski

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German Turn 5

I place Smoke in D9 from the D8 PzIV to protect it from the PIAT. I move to push into D9 for CC because the berserk British unit gives me very favorable ambush drms. I push the PzIV with a malfunctioned MA forward to use its MGs on D9/D10, and it’s hopefully out of LOS of the Firefly. I move the PSK/348 to K12 to DM the 9‑1 and to protect the K9 PzIV, and I’m surprised to find it’s in LOS of the I13 Sherman, but pleased when its attacks have no effect. I skulk back and push a ?658 to F9, planning to advance it to E10, but DFF from H12 gets a PTC on it, pinning it and striping concealment.

25562

In the DFPh the British malfunction their PIAT in D9 and pin the unconcealed 658 in F9. I advance into CC in D9, ambush the berserk unit and the 248, and eliminate the British.
Positions at the end of the turn: German units are B6 (658), D6 (LMG/broken348, ?8‑0), D8 (PzIVJ), D9 (8‑1, 658, malfpiat), E9 (PzIV malfMA, 9‑1, MMG/658, LMG/658), F9 (658), F10 (658), G8 (DM348, ?8‑1), G10 (LMG/658), H9 (658), I9 (LMG/658), J10 (PSK/348, piat), K9 (PzIV). British units are B14 (51MTR/458), D10 (8‑1, LMG/458), D12 (Sherman IIC, HD C12, C13, D11), E11 (LMG/48), E12 (8‑0, LMG/458, PIAT/248), E13 (8‑0, LMG/broken458), E15 (MMG/458), F11 (10‑2, PIAT/458, 247), H11 (LMG/457), H12 (LMG/457), I13 (Sherman II), K14 (DM9‑1), N15 (?Sherman II), P14 (?Sherman II).
Control: German B6, D9, G8, G9, G10, H7, I8, I9, 1 eliminated AFV (11 VP). British D10, E11, E12, E13, F11, H11 (8 VP).

25563

British Turn 5

The British rallies the 458 in E13. I recover the PIATs in D9 and J10, rally the HS in D6, but roll 12 for the HS in G8. The British malfunction their light mortar in B14 firing at B6. Fire from H11 and H12 gets a PTC in J10, which I pass but I trigger a 2 sniper. I get lucky and it pins I9. His 10-2 stack breaks the 658 in F10, which I thought would happen, and the rest of his PF is ineffective due to bad luck. He malfunctions the MA of the I13 Sherman. As I said, the British had a streak of bad luck. I realized I forgot to gain concealment in J10, and that got I9 pinned.

In the MPh he moves E13 to E11, obviously to reinforce D10. I wait for the DFPh to fire and maybe I’ll affect the whole stack. He moves one Sherman to N8, losing concealment. I fire K9’s CMG to turn my turret and tie him if he declares a Gun Duel. It continues to N7, out of LOS, without declaring a Gun Duel. The other Sherman moves to L11, passing the Bog and ESB to stop. I miss from K9.

I was very surprised that the British didn’t move D12 to D11 to try a shot at E9 with its malfunctioned MA, and that the N7 Sherman didn’t remain in LOS, HD behind the bocage, to get a two-on-one duel against my K9.

25564

In the DFPh I only affect D10, pinning the 458 with a 30FP+6 attack from D9 and E9’s infantry. In the AFPh the British Sherman in L11 almost hits the PzIV in K9, but the +3 for Case B made it a miss! I rout the broken 658 back to G8, and the British advance forward for the fight over D9, D10, and G10.

25565
 

ScottRomanowski

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German Turn 6

I rally the DM658 in G8. The British fail to repair I13’s MA. I place smoke in B10 to cover my units as I move to/from B6. I hit the L11 Sherman but fail to affect it, then Intensive Fire from K9 to malfunction its MA. That tank should be eliminated soon. I fail to affect D10 with a 30FP+5 1MC, then malfunction both the BMG and CMG of E9’s tank. On the plus side the newly-rallied G8 eliminates the 8-0 in E11 with a 12 MC, 6 wound, and breaks the 458 there. I switch the unit guarding B6 for a HS and prepare to defend my buildings by skulking units. The British pin the 658 from B6 in D7 as I try to move it to D8.

25658

In the DFPh, the British eliminates my K9 Panzer but the crew survives, only to be broken later by the sniper. I X the PSK in J11. The British rout from E10 to E11, and F10 to F11. I advance into D10 but the CC is inconclusive. I hunker down and hope to hold enough to win in the last Player Turn.

25659

Positions at the end of the turn: German units are B6 (348), D6 (LMG), D7 *658), D8 (PzIVJ), D9 (9-1, 8‑1, MMG/658, LMG/658), D10 (8-0, 658, melee) E9 (PzIV malfMA malfBMG malfCMG), F9 (658), F10 (658), G8 (8‑1, 658), G10 (LMG/658), H7 (DM127), H9 (658), I9 (LMG/658), I8 (cx658), J11 (piat/348). British units are B14 (458), D10 (8‑1, LMG/458, melee), D12 (Sherman IIC, HD C12, C13, D11), E11 (LMG/48), E12 (3 ? counters), E14 (MMG/458), F11 (10‑2, PIAT/458, LMG/457), H11 (LMG/457), H12 (LMG/457), I13 (Sherman II malf MA), K14 (broken 9-1), L11 (Sherman II VCA K10), N7 (?Sherman II VCA L7).

Victory Points:
German B6. G6, G7, G8, H7, I8, I9 (7) + D9 (3) + one AFV destroyed (1) = 11.
British E11, E12, E13, F11, H11 (5) + D10 (3) + one AFV destroyed (1) = 9.
 

ScottRomanowski

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British Turn 6

I repair the BMG in E9. The British move to attack G10 with the 10-2 and three squads, and my PzIV in E9 with HS and a PIAT. They also move to reinforce D10. Capturing G10 would change the VP from 11-9 to 10-10, for a British victory. My E9 PzIV and the I13 Sherman are both worth 1 VP, which could tip the game either way. It’s also possible that I could get lucky and capture D9 in the CCPh for 3 VP.

25740

In the DFPh I eliminate the 248 with the PIAT in E10 "the hard way". My 36FP+3 attack from D9 had no effect. 6FP+1 attacks from E9 and D7 had no effect. My MA shot from D8 missed. Then I rolled a 2 on an IntF shot from D8, getting a CH and KIA! My PzIV is safe, but now I have to focus on G10 and the Sherman. I break the British units in G11, breaking up the FG and maybe G10 might survive to hold that building. I get a PTC firing from B6 to D11, but all the British units pass.

It is a difficult choice on how to fire on the Sherman from J11. Do I try for a PF or do I use the captured PIAT? Either immobilization or elimination is worth 1 VP. Calculating the probabilities gives 14% with the PF, 10% with the PIAT. I’ll try for the PF. I get a PF, but miss with an 8 TH DR.

I try attacking from I9 to I12, hoping he’ll roll my SAN, but I roll a 2 for the 8FP+0 attack, resulting in a KIA. I rolled too well!

I have sent this logfile to my opponent, and you and I have to wait to see what how dice resolve this game!
 

ScottRomanowski

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End of Game

In the AFPh the British break my 658 in G10. That lets them advance in to control that building without CC, and will give them the win unless I survive the D10 CC and eliminate all the British units there. I'd have to be very lucky, with the British rolling ≥ 8 (it's a 2:1 attack, -1 DRM) and I rolling ≤ 3. And there's the case where the British roll a 7 but then I roll a 2 to create a leader and change the British odds to 3:2). Less than a 4% chance of my winning. :-( The dice do not favor me; the British roll a 3, eliminating my units and it doesn't matter what I roll. The final VP tally is 10-10 for a British victory.

This was a fun scenario and I highly recommend it!
 
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