WaR 12.2 Just Short

[George Kelln]

WaR 12.2 Just Short playtest v. Ernie Cameron; the Germans continue to press the attack but are paying for it.

On the right flank a German StuG III moved forward and was immobilized by a Squad toting a bazooka, which was then broken by the triple 20mm AA Guns of a SPW 251/21.

In the centre, the Germans attempt enter the village but are halted by American firepower and a myriad of residual firepower. The survivors of the failed attempt have routed back to the German leader (8-1) in the rear.

On the right the Germans have are attempt to push forward out of the wood to the right of hill but have broken under immense tank and squad firepower. A 155mm Spotting Round is zeroing in on Germans assemble area. The other German leader (9-1) has been force to retreat with the broken MMC and now is attempting to rally them.

The Germans still have 4 mobile StuG III and 3x SPW 251/21 but only 4 unbroken Squad-Equivalents of their starting 15.5 left on the board. The Germans have lost 3.5 squads and a 7-0 leader.

The scenario is coming down to can the American survive long enough to put down enough firepower, while the Germans must rally back most of their force to start clearing out the village.

 

[George Kelln]

WaR 12.2 Just Short playtest v. Ernie Cameron; the Germans have made a push into the middle and the right side, pushing the Americans back out of the centre of the village.

On the right, the American M4A3(76) Sherman tank rolled on to the board and managed to destroy the immobilize StuG III and chase away a SPW 251/21.

In the centre, the German infantry pushed into the village supported by 3x StuG III and a SPW 251/21 whose crew was Recalled by a Sniper. The Americans put up a wall of firepower but withered in the German AFPh, with the bulk of survivors retreating back to the M3 Stone building to begin forming the end game Almo defence.

The American Phone broke and with it the end of the 155mm OBA; which managed to bring down only 1 Fire Mission; but it did manage to eliminate a German 9-1, 5-4-7 VG and 2x 2-3-7 HS. This leaves the 60mm Offboard OBA module left.

The German StuG IIIs are firing at the up floor of the M3 Stone building, figuring they have guessed where the HIP American Observer is located.

It once again looks like the game will come down to the last turn. Can the American morale hold up against the German's firepower? On the other hand, can the German stay under the 45 CVP cap while trying to push the Americans out of the buildings on/between hexrows L-V?

 

[George Kelln]

WaR 12.2 Just Short playtest v. Ernie Cameron; as the title implies, the Germans fell "Just Short".

The last two turns the Germans pressed their attack, clearing all but the area around the M3 stone building. The German StuG IIIs locked the Americans with VBM freezes in an attempt to keep the American from being Good Order. However, the German infantry was held in place by a few American squads in the surrounding village unable to support them.
A M4A3 Sherman next to the (M3) building was taken out by a CH Psk shot which also took out the HS and broke the 8-1 leader in the stone building from which it was fired from (ate the Backblast). Meanwhile in the backfield, the wandering M4A3(76) Sherman tank closed up with Germans and at point-blank range hit a SPW 251/21 in the rear during MPh (AP 17+1 range = 18 TK) and rolled a 12! Although managed to destroy it next DFFPh.

Up until Turn 7 the Germans' CVP were low but they double during the last two turns (42 of 45 CVP cap) as the American tanks and Bazookas finally managed to hit a StuG III; in the end the Germans lost 3 of 5 StuG IIIs and 2 of 3 SPW 251/21.

This game initially looked undaunting for the Americans, but managing to hold out and keeping the Germans back forced to the Germans to take some more bolder moves which resulted in rising casualties.

New game, WaR 13.2 Aus der Traum (The dream is over).