Hell's Highway

[George Kelln]

Hell's Highway 2nd Edition, Tactical Mission playtest continued with the completion of Turn 5.

The German pocket located at the north end of Mariaheide is shrinking, although the Germans have redirected 2x Panther tanks and a SPW 251/21 AAht over to prevent the Allies from cutting them off.

In the centre, the American paratrooper's 75mm OBA has finally come down on the St. Nicholas Convent, breaking an 8-3-8 and 5-4-8 squad defending the south side of the convent; it also has hit the Germans' HQ (10-2 and 8-3-8 w/FT) in the centre of the convent. The paratroopers continue to push north up Hell's Highway while at the same time sending forces to try and outflank the German line to the west of the village.

In the north, the British continue to push south down Hell's Highway, putting pressure on the Germans, forcing the to redistribute units from the south facing the Americans to meet this threat. This turn 3x Allied FB with MG only ranged over the battlefield, with one the FB knocking out a Panther tank.

To the east of the village, the Germans have started to manoeuvre out of their defensive position, with two Panther tanks moving into position to duel with a pair of Sherman tanks.

During this TM Scenario, fire has started in the north and the east, putting up a wall fire in each area and cloud of smoke. It has forced the Germans to reposition some of their forces to prevent from being cut off.

Next session will be the start of Turn 6, at the end of the turn is a dr to see if the Tactical Mission end.

 

[Jwil2020]

Nice AAR. Does HH use a Deluxe style map?

 

[George Kelln]

Nice AAR. Does HH use a Deluxe style map?

No the map shown has been enlarged (hexes are 1.25 inches) so as to better allow 4-5 people to gather around it.

The production map, the hexes are 1 inch (Red Barricade sized) hexes.

 

[George Kelln]

Hell's Highway Playtest - Game Turn 6 completed.

The German forces have made a small counterattack against the pressing Allied forces (British in the north, Americans in the centre and right flank).
Both sides are stymied by the smoke from the numerous burning wrecks that had caught the terrain on fire.

In the north, the British have advanced to NW to SE hedge centred on the V10 intersection. The Germans counterattacked with 3x Panther tanks, 3-4 halftracks, and a couple of squads. Despite losing 2x Panther tanks and 3x halftrack, the Germans appear to have stopped the British.

In the centre, the German HQ located in the St. Nicholas Convent occupied by a 10-2, 8-3-8 w/ FT & DC, and 2x 2-3-8 w/ LMG continue to hold out against the American paratroopers across the street in the Church. A Panther tanks charged out of its hide out in a building and wreaked havoc among the paratrooper, overrunning and killing a HS and malf'ing its HMG. However, not having a enough movement to withdraw, was pounded by 3x 60mm, on of which finally immobilized it - the crew is still inside, the tank now a pillbox surrounded by paratroopers.

On the western flank, the paratroopers continue to push up the woods on either side of the railroad. The German is attempting to counter this advance with his halftracks and what infantry his is able to spare from the centre and the north.

On the eastern flank, the American paratroopers have pushed their defensive line forward, probing the German defences. The German has finally decided that was far enough and launched a counterattack led by 2x Panther tanks. In the skirmish, the British have lost a Sherman tank while the Germans have lost s SPW 251/9 halftrack and was force with reposition forces from the south to the middle, and from the middle to the north., attempting to prevent the British from cutting off the northern force from the eastern force.

As the Germans repositioned 2x Panther tanks and 2x SPW 251/21 AAht. First the Panther tank bypassing the woods spun its turret around, fired twice, missing on the 1st shot but hit on the 2nd intensive fire shot - brewing up on Firefly. But as misfortune would have it, the TK DR of 3 cause an Allied SAN, and the AAht providing AA cover for the Panther was Recalled, forcing the Germans to hurriedly reposition another SPW 251/21 AAht over to the isolated pair of Panthers. Allied Fighter-Bombers with bombs appeared overhead and pounced on the Panther, the first FB survived the AA fire, hitting is knocking out the Panther, leaving it a burning wreck.

The Germans continued to maneuvered their Panthers, and another Panther was jumped on by FB w/Bomb, MGs failed knock out the Panther, the bomb struck it and blew it up.

Turns 5 & 6 have seen more action than the previous 4 turns. With Turn 7 having a 50% chance of end the scenarios both sides are attempting to adjust their lines from start of the next TM Scenario (4 of 5).