Battle Report 27.12

This past Saturday I got to have a day of war-gaming with one of my friends and his son. Scenario was like the last time only both sides upped the game. Point value for this game was roughly 2700 points and was armor intensive. Every game we play we try to get a little more in depth with one section of the rules so that way we have a better understanding and we build from there.


The battle started out with moving my armor and loading ground troops on to transports. I wanted to get units to prevent the allies from entering buildings in the town. Even thought he last battle was a victory the Germans were able to counter attack and push the American units back out of the town.

Initial movement of the Stug down the main road in the heart of the town.

 As the armored units pushed forward, ground units set up HQ in the church. As all the armor began to push forward the Panther and Tiger tanks moved out to engage a small unit of Shermans crossing the bridge. As units were getting into position, a column of Shermans to the right flank fired on the Tiger. One of the Shermans scored a lucky hit and knocked out the Tiger.

Once HQ heard of this, I mean heck they even saw the flaming tank yards away from the church, the Fallshirmjager Artillery Observation team quickly moved to the 3 story building and set up on the roof. There they were able to advise the  Haupsturmfuhrer (Captain) that not only was a column of Shermans approaching but a M10 Tank Destroyer and a Priest self propelled gun was arriving as well. THey were supporting two large infantry squads on the right flank. 

First kill of the came. A column of Shermans engaged my Tiger I.

When the time was right, the artillery observation team consulted their map and radioed the artillery barrage in. The artillery battery was free of fire missions so the whole battery unleashed on the coordinates given. Revenge was coming for the Tiger I that was knocked out. All the infantry sections were pinned down by the artillery with 3 casualties resulting. The barrage also halted all tank movement and the American right flank was stopped dead in their tracks.

Artillery bombardment aftermath

With the right flank movement slowed, the armor could now focus on engaging the Shermans that cleared the bridge and were now on the main road. The Panther was subject to being shot at by the right flank so the commander ordered the crew to pull into the ditch on the side of the road just near an abandoned Opel cargo truck that was shot up by French Resistance that was known to be operating in the area. The Shermans pushed forward in an attempt to get around the Panther and shoot it from the rear. A Puma which was near by, and feeling good after killing a Sherman tank that contained a high ranking officer, fired on the Sherman, but missed in the process. The Panther was engaged a point blank but the rounds somehow missed the tank. The Panther was able to engage the rear tank and destroy it. 

As a result of the destroyed Sherman, its partner's crew ended up surrendering to the Panther and the Fallshirmjager Panzershrek unit which moved up after firing at the Shermans. It was time now to focus on the American Scout Car which arrived near the wooded area.  

Panther engaging Sherman tanks. The lead Sherman's crew surrendered to the Panther

The Scout car was able to scoot back after drawing fire from the Puma. The Scout car began engaging a squad of Panzergrenadiers that were clearing from a house to engage the infantry squads that were clearing the last open field by the town. The Panther was able to engage the scout car and destroy it. 

Panther tank with its second kill of the game. An Allied Scout Car.

By this time the M10 was able to move in an attempt to knock out the Panther, but the Stug took up a defensive position and was able to hit the M10 causing a fire which knocked out the tank. Infantry began engaging in combat near the wooded area as well as the open fields near the town. After taking loses from the MG fire from the half-track and Puma, an infantry unit engaged as squad of Waffen SS as they emerged from the wood line. They were met by grenade fire, which killed 3 of the soldiers. 

Gunfire continued as the Panther, Puma and Half-track all engaged the infantry unit that was in the middle of the roadway. More casualties were taken by the Americans. 

Stug with the morale crushing blow, Knocking out the M10 Tank Destroyer.

Seeing that morale was dropping and losses were mounting, the Americans pulled back from their attack and the Germans continued to hold the town.

END REPORT