PLAYTEST - ORANGE BLOSSOM DISASTER

[George Kelln]

ORANGE BLOSSOM DISASTER

Version 2.2
Playtest vs. Ernie Cameron
Game Turns 3 & 4 of 8 Turns

The objective is for the Canadians to exit with ≥ 21 CVP from the east edge on/between hexes 90I10 to 90Y10.

The German defenders consist of a company of 9 (5-4-8) squads of Fallschirmjäger (FJ) led by 3 leaders (8-1, 8-0, 7-0), supported by two 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank guns and three 8cm GrW 34 mortars. Additionally, there are numerous fortifications including 72 mine factors, 8 wire entanglements, and 2 Machinegun Nests (2-2-8, HMG, & 1+3+5 Pillbox).

Conversely, the Canadians of the Royal Canadian Regiment advance with two companies with a total of 18 (4-5-7) squads led by 4 leaders (9-1, 8-1, 8-0, 7-0), supported by 4 Sherman III tanks, and reinforced by another company of 6 (4-5-7) squads led by 2 leaders (8-1, 8-0).

The first two turns saw the Canadians advance, probing the German lines. These probes found two positions.

The first position was centred around the woods at tK10 and consisted of a small German force of 1.5 squads, with further mortar and anti-tank gun positions in the vineyards 200m behind it, along with minefields in front of the position.

The second position was centred around the woods at tX10 and consisted of about 1.5-2 squads again, with minefields to its front. An 8cm mortar located on the northern flank in the woods at 90EE3 provided support into the large vineyard at 89CC8.

The Canadian assault on each position with a company supported by a pair of Sherman tanks. At the first position, the Germans held their ground until the end of Turn 2 when the 8-1 leader and FJ squad withdrew back to the gully, leaving the 2-3-8 FJ HS to hold the position. The minefields had done their job; the Canadian infantry stumbled into them, suffering losses or breaking upon entry or exit. Hidden in the vineyards south of the railroad, a well-placed German 7.5cm PaK 40 managed to take out a supporting Sherman tank.

The second position fell somewhat easier as Canadian firepower broke the German defenders or kept them pinned down long enough for the Canadians to close in. The German minefields were not as numerous, and after the German 8cm mortar on the flank malfunctioned and was later eliminated, the Canadians could move through the vineyard, facing only sporadic and long-range fire from FJ in the woods, allowing the Canadians to advance up the woods. A supporting Sherman tank was taken out by a 7.5cm PaK 40 hidden in the vineyards some 500m away, but the crew managed to scramble out.

Meanwhile, the Canadian 25-pounder (88mm) artillery support was ineffective due to its reliance on inaccurate captured Italian maps, wandering about the battlefield, much to the frustration of artillery observers.

The next two turns (3 & 4) saw the Germans cleared from the first position, albeit by minimum forces, as most were either stuck in a minefield or attempting to be rallied. The Canadians managed to first break the German 8-1 leader in the gully, pinning the FJ squad with him; but suffered under relentless mortar and anti-tank gun fire from the vineyards. The German leader was wounded by a sniper’s bullet, and the FJ squad fell in Close Combat (CC). The Canadians pressed the German guns, only to be broken or pinned down at their doorstep. As the Canadian reinforcements caught up with the fight, they were hit by the Pak 40 south of the railroad; however, a Canadian HS managed to shake off an A-T round hit to advance into CC.

The second German position (1.5 FJ squads) was encircled and under rifle fire from the north and south flanks, broke, and was forced to surrender to an adjacent Canadian HS in the foxhole. The German dug-in position just north of the railroad broke under Canadian fire, and the FJ squad was forced to flee back through the vineyard. The Canadians, seizing the gap in the German defences, pushed hard through the vineyards north of the railroad. Meanwhile, Canadian forces to the north began advancing north of the same vineyard, with German prisoners in tow.

The Canadian momentum was building as they pressed home their attack; however, the Germans, while scrambling about, still had a trio of aces up their sleeve. First, a MG nest hidden in a vineyard next to the railroad opened fire but, in their haste, loaded the ammunition belt backward, causing their gun to malfunction. The second was an 8cm mortar hidden in a copse of trees 80m north of the MG nest. The mortar caught a Canadian 8-1 leader racing across the open ground in the centre to lead the HS into CC with the German crew of the Pak 40, breaking him and forcing him to rout back to the woods. The third ace was an MG nest hidden in a copse of trees north of the 90Y10 crossroad. The HMG laid down a fire lane along the road covered by wire, pinning a Canadian HS adjacent to the mortar. The mortar crew broken under fire from the Canadian in the vineyards across the road, the crew surrendering to the adjacent Canadian HS in the road.

Turn 4 saw the Canadian artillery finally land close to the German position, and in the ensuing attacks, broke the Pak 40 crew and the FJ squad attempting to recover the 8cm mortar in the gully. Just before the Pak 40 crew broke under the artillery fire, they managed a miracle shot by spinning their gun 120° and firing through 160m of vineyards, hitting the Sherman tank bearing down on the MG nest (they needed a 3 to hit).

When next we get together, we will begin on Canadian Turn 5. North of the railroad, the Canadians continue to press their advance supported by the last Sherman tank. The Canadians appear to be in good shape with enough troops to exit the map and secure victory. Meanwhile, south of the railroad, the Canadians attempt to rally, regroup, and continue the advance up the centre. The objective is not guaranteed as the Germans, while in disarray, still have enough to hinder or stop the Canadian advance, preventing victory.

 

[George Kelln]

ORANGE BLOSSOM DISASTER

Version 2.2

Playtest vs. Ernie Cameron

Game Turns 5, 6, & 7 of 7 ½ Turns

The objective is for the Canadians to exit with ≥ 21 CVP from the east edge on/between hexes 90I10 to 90Y10.

The German defenders had been reduced significantly, three Fallschirmjäger (FJ) (5-4-8) squads, a pair of (2-2-8) crews, a (8-0) leader, and a MG Nest with a (7-0) Leader, crew, manning an HMG.

Conversely, the Canadians of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) were reduced down to 15 (4-5-7) squads led by 5 (9-1, 8-1, 2x 8-0, & 7-0) and a single Sherman III tank.

Turn 5 – the RCR continued its northward advance beyond the railroad (RR), manoeuvring through vineyards and open terrain. They encountered intermittent enemy fire from German positions located in the woods and vineyards on the far-left flank. Overcoming these obstacles, the RCR effectively suppressed the German positions and advanced up to the line of wire along the road, assisted by a smoke screen courtesy of the last remaining Sherman tank.

South of the RR, the RCR, supported by 25-pounder (88mm) artillery, successfully cleared out the remaining German gun positions, ultimately eliminating the last gun crew in close combat. The remaining German forces were demoralized, broken, and began to retreat.

TURN 6 – the RCR continued their northward assault beyond the RR, closing in on the wire defences. However, they encountered resistance from the MG Nest blocking their advance across the road. The Sherman tank manoeuvred to engage the nest and suppress it. In the midst of the action, a RCR platoon, escorting 2 ½ squads of prisoners, executed a flanking maneuvre around the wire, successfully eliminating a pair of broken FJ squads hold up in the woods along the board edge. Meanwhile, Canadian artillery, initially deployed on the east flank, shifted its fire to the west flank. Unfortunately, the artillery's accuracy was compromised by the use of inaccurate captured Italian maps by the artillery observers, causing their fire to scatter erratically.

The German MG Nest, partially obscured by smoke, attempted to fire at the advancing Canadians but proved ineffective. A determined FJ squad, accompanied by their leader, navigated through the vineyard towards the MG Nest, braving Canadian gunfire. Their objective: procure a Panzerfaust (PF) to neutralize the Sherman threatening the MG Nest.

The FJ leader swiftly located a PF and aimed it at the Sherman, approximately 80 meters away (Mistake: German PF range in December 1943 was only one hex). Unfortunately, the projectile missed its mark, narrowly sailing over the tank's back deck. Undeterred, the FJ squad scoured the area and managed to uncover two more PFs. The first shot echoed the leader's attempt, narrowly missing the tank's turret. However, their luck changed with the second PF, striking the tank squarely on the turret, triggering a catastrophic explosion as the ammunition ignited, engulfing the tank in flames.

Amidst the chaos, the FJ squad succumbed to point-blank fire from an adjacent Canadian squad, forcing them into a hasty retreat. Yet, the leader, undaunted, stood firm with pistol drawn, defending the flank of the MG Nest against the advancing Canadians.

On the southern flank, the German forces were in complete disarray, with only a lone crew left to impede the advancing Canadians. Despite the delay in rallying and regrouping, the RCR swiftly resumed their advance.

A RCR platoon boldly pushed up the road south of the gully, managing to capture a FJ squad and eliminating a crew in the process. Meanwhile, in the centre, two and a half platoons surged eastward, manoeuvring through the vineyards and olive groves south of the RR. In their pursuit, they chased down a surviving gun crew, driving them towards the advancing platoon situated south of the gully. The coordinated efforts of the RCR steadily weakened the German defences, paving the way for further Canadian advancement.

TURN 7 – On the southern flank, the platoon situated south of the gully, boasting 10 VP, strategically positioned itself to exit the map, indicating a significant advancement for the Canadian forces. However, their path to victory was obstructed by the weary German crew stationed in the woods. Despite their exhaustion, the German crew managed to muster only 1FP with a +2DRM against the advancing Canadians. This limited defensive capability posed a minimal threat to the determined Canadian platoon poised for a breakthrough.

The focal point of the battle remained on the northern flank, where the formidable German MG Nest continued to pose a significant obstacle to the RCR's advance. With the Sherman tank reduced to a burning wreck approximately 80 meters away and the smoke screen dissipated, a squad equipped with a PIAT stepped up to neutralize the threat.

Without hesitation, the PIAT team swiftly launched the projectile directly into the firing slit of the MG Nest, resulting in a detonation that pinned the leader and shattered the crew manning the heavy machine gun. A triumphant cheer erupted from the Canadian soldiers positioned nearby, signalling the successful silencing of the HMG.

With the path now clear, the race for victory ensued. Two and a half squads managed to breach the wire defences, while another two squads, escorting prisoners, executed a daring flank maneuvre to the south. Crossing the road, they made a dash for the board edge.

During the Movement Phase, a total of 21 VPs worth of Canadians and prisoners successfully exited the map board, securing a significant stride towards victory. Additionally, another 10 VPs were poised to exit during the Advance Phase, further solidifying the Canadian Victory.

All-in-all it was an exciting match, well done Mr. Cameron.

CONCLUSION – The outset of the scenario presented a daunting challenge for the Canadians, with minefields emerging as a formidable obstacle. Strategically placed by Ernie, these minefields hindered the RCR's advance significantly.

Two primary fields were positioned: one lay directly in front of the German position within the woods at (tX10), accompanied by a smaller field north of the vineyard at (tGG7-8). Another major field obstructed progress in front of the woods at (tK9), while a smaller one was situated south of the vineyard at (tA7-8).

These minefields proved to be a formidable barrier, impeding the movement of Canadian units. Those unfortunate enough to stumble upon them faced dire consequences, as the mines often resulted in units pinning or breaking and remaining in the field. Additionally, manoeuvring around the minefields forced other units to take longer routes through the vineyards, exposing them to the watchful eyes of waiting German units.

Navigating through this treacherous terrain demanded careful planning and patience from the Canadian forces, as they sought to minimize casualties and maintain momentum amidst the relentless opposition posed by Ernie's strategically placed minefields.

The German guns placement was strategically focused on engaging the open areas in the centre and centre-left sections of the battlefield, with secondary lines of fire directed towards the southern flank.

The 7.5cm PaK 40s, positioned strategically, proved to be formidable adversaries, successfully neutralizing three out of the four Sherman tanks that ventured into their line of fire. Their accuracy and firepower inflicted significant losses on the Canadian armour, significantly impacting the course of the battle.

Meanwhile, the 8cm mortars, though faced with initial setbacks such as malfunctioning and subsequent elimination during repair attempts, maintained a relentless barrage on the wooded areas. This continuous bombardment effectively pinned down or broke Canadian units, hampering their movements and disrupting their plans.

The combined effectiveness of the German guns, with the PaK 40s targeting armoured units and the mortars suppressing infantry in the wooded areas, posed a formidable challenge for the advancing Canadians, highlighting the importance of careful manoeuvring and strategic planning amidst relentless enemy fire.
The German MG Nests, though strategically positioned, proved to be less effective in hindering the Canadian advance.

The first MG Nest, located in the (90P6) vineyard, suffered from a malfunction and its crew was subsequently forced to withdraw from the pillbox and was later taken prisoner. The crew's capture marked a significant setback for the German forces, providing an opportunity for the Canadians to advance more freely.

The second MG Nest, situated in the (90Z10) woods, was sighted to lay a fire lane down the road and across the RR, ending at the gully, with the added threat of wire defences along the road. While this setup posed a menacing threat to the Canadian line of advance, it ultimately failed to inflict significant damage on the advancing Canadians.

The Canadian forces, despite their numerical superiority, faced a tactical dilemma as they navigated the battlefield terrain.

The vineyards, while offering valuable cover from enemy fire, slowed the Canadians' advance by half, impeding their progress and making them more vulnerable to enemy attacks. However, the cover provided by the vineyards afforded some protection against enemy fire, allowing the Canadians to advance with a degree of safety.

On the other hand, traversing the open ground between the vineyards offered greater speed but left the Canadians exposed to enemy fire with little to no cover. This increased the risk of casualties and made it more difficult for the Canadians to sustain their advance against determined enemy opposition.

Balancing the need for speed with the necessity of cover presented a significant challenge for the Canadian forces, requiring careful planning and coordination to mitigate risks and maximize the effectiveness of their advance.

SUMMARY – In the initial stages of the game (Turns 1-3), the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) faced the arduous task of advancing through vineyards to engage the entrenched German positions. Despite encountering heavy resistance from German mortars, MG fire, and infantry squads, the RCR persevered, steadily closing the distance with the enemy.

While the German defensive fire slowed the Canadian advance, it also drew attention away from other units, enabling them to maneuvre closer to the German positions. The effectiveness of Canadian artillery was hampered by its inaccuracy, but a well-placed strike managed to break a FJ squad in the gully and disrupt the crews manning the 7.5cm Pak 40 and 8cm mortar in the adjacent vineyards. This successful artillery strike played a pivotal role in opening up the southern flank for the Canadian forces.

The Sherman tanks proved to be invaluable assets, utilizing their smoke laying capabilities to provide cover for infantry units crossing the open ground between vineyards. Additionally, they were deployed to suppress German positions, allowing Canadian infantry to either engage them in close combat or bypass them altogether, effectively isolating and neutralizing enemy strongpoints.

Despite the challenges posed by the German defences, the coordinated efforts of the RCR, supported by artillery and armoured units, gradually eroded the enemy's defensive capabilities, laying the groundwork for further advances and strategic manoeuvres on the battlefield.

During the middle phase of the game (Turns 4-6), the RCR successfully rallied and regrouped their forces, enabling them to close the distance to most of the German positions. The relentless Canadian advance led to the silencing of most of the German guns, with their crews broken and routed away from the battlefield. German infantry units were thrown into disarray, with many either eliminated, broken, or taken prisoner, while those remaining were subjected to intense suppression.

Despite the significant progress made by the RCR, the German MG Nest cutting off the road remained a formidable obstacle and a key asset for the German defence. While operational, it effectively stymied the RCR's advance, presenting a significant challenge to their objectives.

Recognizing the importance of neutralizing the MG Nest, the RCR manoeuvred their units into position to deal with the threat while simultaneously preparing to move off the board. By carefully coordinating their actions and deploying resources effectively, the RCR aimed to overcome the final hurdle posed by the MG Nest and secure victory on the battlefield.

In the final phase of the game (Turns 7-8), the focus shifted towards the decisive advance of the RCR off the board, marking the culmination of their strategic objectives. The turning point was the elimination of the German MG Nest, which served as the trigger for the RCR's exit from the battlefield.

With the MG Nest neutralized, the remaining German resistance proved to be too ineffective to impede the RCR's movement off the board. The Canadian forces, buoyed by their successes and the diminishing threat from the German defenders, pressed forward with determination, swiftly exiting the battlefield without significant opposition.

The RCR's strategic manoeuvring and decisive actions throughout the game had effectively dismantled the German defences, leaving little resistance in their path as they executed their final advance off the board. The RCR emerged triumphant from the battlefield, having overcome formidable challenges and secured their objectives with skill and perseverance.

FINAL ANALYSIS – The scenario presents a tactical dilemma for the German player, offering two distinct defensive strategies: defending forward or defending to the rear along the mapboard edge. Both approaches have yielded mixed results in playtesting, with a 2-2 outcome indicating the effectiveness of each tactic.
Defending forward, as demonstrated by Ernie, involves establishing defensive positions closer to the Canadian forces, potentially allowing for more immediate engagement and the opportunity to disrupt the enemy's advance early on. This strategy may benefit from the element of surprise and the ability to control key terrain features more effectively. However, it also exposes the defending forces to greater risk of being overwhelmed by the advancing Canadian units.

On the other hand, defending to the rear along the mapboard edge offers a more conservative approach, allowing the German forces to consolidate their defences and potentially capitalize on the terrain to create strong defensive positions. This strategy may provide greater flexibility in terms of manoeuvring and reinforcement, as well as the opportunity to maintain a more cohesive defensive line. However, it also risks conceding ground to the advancing Canadians and may require careful coordination to prevent being outflanked or encircled.

Ultimately, the choice between these two tactics depends on various factors such as the terrain, the composition of forces, and the overall strategic objectives of the German player. Both approaches have their advantages and drawbacks, and success may hinge on the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and exploit opportunities as they arise on the battlefield.

The next scenario continues with RCR’s advance toward the Cider Crossroad in “The RCR’s Redemption”.

“Roll low and hope for the best”

Cheers

George