WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road

[George Kelln]

WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road playtest v. Ernie Cameron; Turn 2 of 8 completed, the Germans advance on three axes, suffering heavy casualties moving into village.

The German forces on the left side cautiously moved forward, firing on suspected American position in the woods. Meanwhile the German middle forces have taken up firing positions to support the left flank.

The Germans' right side force has aggressively moved into the village, Panthers leading. The first Panther is knocked out by a HIP 57mm AP round in the Hull side, leaving it a burning wreck. The second Panther moves forward, stopping point blank at the 57mm Gun gaining acquisition in the AFPh. The American gun crew attempt to DI it in the DFFPh, but failed. In subsequent American Turn 2 PFPh, they switched to an SPW 251/1 with a mounted 4-6-7, needing an 8 TH rolled a 12, malfunctioning their gun. Not to worry, a HS manning a a 60mm mortar located at the end of the street, started dropping bombs on the Panther, and on the third and final shot scored a hit and rolled a 2 on the IFT, immobilizing the Panther and forcing the crew to abandon the vehicle. The Panther crew was then eliminated by a close by American 8-1, MMG, 5-4-6 rolling a 3 on the 9IIFT. In the ensuing CCPh, the AT crew advanced into the immobilized, abandoned, no MG, vehicle and destroyed.

While all this mayhem was happening, the American Battalion Mortar Spotter brought down 81mm Mortar OBA on a cluster of German troops SW of the crossroad (3x SPW 251/1 with a mounted platoon). Reeking havoc on the Germans and eliminating 2x SPW 251/1, 1x 4-6-7, 1x 2-4-7, and breaking a crew and 4-6-7.

The Germans have suffered 33 of a CVP cap of 53 during the first two turns of the game, while the Americans haven't suffered any - yet.

 

[George Kelln]

WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road playtest v. Ernie Cameron; 3.5 of 8 turns completed and the Germans have been stopped in village and now are shifting their advance to left flank.

The German assault has been stymied in the village, losing a 2x Panthers, 2x SPW 251/1, and 2.5 Squads to a combination of 81mm Mortars and a 57mm AT Gun. The 81mm mortars have broken up a German platoon in the 10Z6 buildings breaking and ELRing the 9-1 & 2x 4-6-7 (now 8-1 and 2x 4-4-7). The German is forced to protect the immobilized and abandoned SPW 251/1 at the intersection for fear of the Americans knocking it out.

Meanwhile the remainder of the German forces have shift to the left flank and are pushing the American northwards. The second HIP American 57mm AT Gun popped up and took out a SPW 251/1 carrying a 4-6-7 but then failed to DI a nearby Panther, succumbing to return fire from said Panther in the DFFPh. The Germans appear to be attempting to take the stone building surrounded by the hedge on the left side of board 42, hoping to hold out adjacent to the road in the hope of achieving the victory conditions before the Americans' reinforcements arrive.

Said Americans reinforcements enter on a dr =< 4 this turn, or automatically next turn. With the company of Americans they bring a radio with a 155mm OBA module, which should help to knock out any German strongpoint.

The German has suffered 41 CVP, and loses should they reach 53 or more, so any SPW 251/1 have been ordered well to the rear.

 

[Eagle4ty]

WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road playtest v. Ernie Cameron; 3.5 of 8 turns completed and the Germans have been stopped in village and now are shifting their advance to left flank.

The German assault has been stymied in the village, losing a 2x Panthers, 2x SPW 251/1, and 2.5 Squads to a combination of 81mm Mortars and a 57mm AT Gun. The 81mm mortars have broken up a German platoon in the 10Z6 buildings breaking and ELRing the 9-1 & 2x 4-6-7 (now 8-1 and 2x 4-4-7). The German is forced to protect the immobilized and abandoned SPW 251/1 at the intersection for fear of the Americans knocking it out.

Meanwhile the remainder of the German forces have shift to the left flank and are pushing the American northwards. The second HIP American 57mm AT Gun popped up and took out a SPW 251/1 carrying a 4-6-7 but then failed to DI a nearby Panther, succumbing to return fire from said Panther in the DFFPh. The Germans appear to be attempting to take the stone building surrounded by the hedge on the left side of board 42, hoping to hold out adjacent to the road in the hope of achieving the victory conditions before the Americans' reinforcements arrive.

Said Americans reinforcements enter on a dr =< 4 this turn, or automatically next turn. With the company of Americans they bring a radio with a 15mm OBA module, which should help to knock out any German strongpoint.

That 15mm OBA is always a bugger!

 

[George Kelln]

That 15mm OBA is always a bugger!

Thinking faster than I can type and then not proof-reading the sentence the very end.

 

[George Kelln]

WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road playtest v. Ernie Cameron; the calm before the storm.

The German has pulled back all unnecessary vehicle for fear of losing them and exceeding their 53 CVP cap. Note some readjustment had occurred on account of duplication of units eliminated.

The German has redirected his point of his attack from the left side back to the middle while attempting to spread out the American defence.

After a couple of devastating modules of 81mm mortar OBA, the third module was limp, having hit a Panther, a Grille SPA, a 4-6-7, and a 2-4-7 twice with only a PIN to show for it.

The American reinforcements finally entered on Turn 6 and have move to north side of the road to prepare to stop the Germans. With them they bring a radio directing a module of 155mm OBA.

The final two turne (7 & 8) will be played on this Friday, and it looks like it will go down the very end.

 

[George Kelln]

WaR 14.3 To Cut the Hotton-Marche Road playtest v. Ernie Cameron; Germans suffered heavy casualties and lose a close game.

The Germans had used their mobility to redirect their attack not once, but twice. The initial advanced was through the village, but it was stopped by an American 57mm A-T Gun and a platoon of infantry and dispersed by American 81mm mortar fire. Germans lost 2x Panthers, 2x SPW 251/1, and 2 squads.

The Germans then shifted their advance to the left flank driving on the 2-hex stone building enclosed by the hedge. Again an American 57mm A-T Gun, an platoon of infantry stopped the advance and once more the Americans called 81mm Mortar fire on the gathered Germans. No German losses, but a few broken units and some near misses on a Grille SPA and a Panther.

The German once again shifted their advance to the right-centre and as the game was coming down to the final turns, they had to get to the road with at least 3 squad-equivalent (an AFV with non-AAMG MA counts a one squad). Pushes through the thin American defences, the German moved on/adjacent to the road with 2x Panthers, 2x SPW 251sMG, 2x Squads, and a 9-1 leader, more than enough to win with.

Now comes the Hail Mary play; first correct 81mm Mortar OBA Harassing Fire Mission to the crossroad on Board 42G2 crossroads and hope to miss and error in 5 or 6 direction. Rolled a 5 and missed by 3 hexes. The blast radius hits 2x SPW 251sMG and Panther - all survive the FFE1 and FFE2.

The last turn, the 155mm OBA came down and destroyed a Grille SPA and SPW 251/2, but the FOO can not see the Panther of the other halftracks on the road, so if the 81mm Mortar OBA was Hail Mary, this would be the 155mm OBA Hail, Hail Mary play. I correct it to the destroyed SPW 251/2 that I can and I am hoping for it to first miss and then drift in the 1 or 2 direction in order to hit the Panther. Well as luck would have it, I miss and it drift one hex in direction 1. Rounds starting land on the Panther and need a 5 or less to destroy it - roll a 5 - KA-BOOM!

Despite still having 4 squad-equivalents on/adjacent to the road, the destruction of the Panther pushed the Germans over the CVP cap (55 of 53 maximum).

The key to the game was the HIP 6+1 (FOO) manning a Phone and directing the 81mm Mortars located on Level 1 of 10W3. The FOO broke up concentrations of German forces first in the village and then on the left flank. Ernie was having fits trying to determine where he was located.

A very close game that came down to less than 7% chance (as Ernie let me know) of the Panther being knocked out.