Ruckzug France 1944 CoC campaign (updated 5 May)

[TacticalPainter]

The Ruckzug campaign for Chain of Command was written by David Hiscocks and appeared in the 2021 Lard Magazine. It follows the desperate rearguard actions of a hastily organised German kampfgruppe as it attempts a fighting withdrawal across Northern France to find refuge in Holland and Germany. Somehow they must find a way to stall the British pursuit and allow as many German units as possible to escape. It's a nice twist on the normal campaign structure and offers challenges for both sides.



I've summarised the campaign and some of the mechanics in this overview post which will help you understand the general situation if you are not familiar with the campaign:

http://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2023/02/ruckzug-campaign-overview.html

[TacticalPainter]

The German kampfgruppe has managed to pull in a few support units before the first game, but will it be enough? This first game is a delaying action at a small village in Northern France. The full report is here https://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2023/02/ruckzug-campaign-scenario-1-delaying.html

[has.been]

Enjoyable AAR. Thanks for posting.

[CapnJim]

Very interesting start to that campaign.  Looking forward to see if the Germans' luck can continue to hold out, or whether the British can push them harder...

[Digits]

Interesting looking campaign…..will be good to see how it plays out.

[MaleGriffin]

Fantastic looking game! Bravo!

[.:Gunslinger:.]

The special campaign rules for support sound really interesting, but there's some risk the whole thing swings I feel. The British get a lot of options.

Glad to see these fantastic AARs back, you put such an attention to detail and presentation in your pictures, its always a pleasure to read these! 

[blacksoilbill]

Fantastic: another engrossing report with plenty of twists and turns.

[TacticalPainter]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the positive feedback, it’s always good to know that these are enjoyed (even read for that matter!).

The special campaign rules for support sound really interesting, but there's some risk the whole thing swings I feel. The British get a lot of options.

Glad to see these fantastic AARs back, you put such an attention to detail and presentation in your pictures, its always a pleasure to read these! 

Yes, you have a good point. German defeats followed by bad ‘escape’ rolls could see the German force degrade rapidly. Add to that a defeat means less chance of more powerful support becoming available and the German player could be severely handicapped and on a slippery slope to disaster. Ultimately that’s the challenge for the Germans and I guess that’s the appeal for me, I’m a sucker for playing a backs-to-the-wall defence.

[Marine0846]

A really exciting game,
where at different points one side or the other looked to have the edge.
Great photos, and very well written.
All ways lots of enjoyment when I read one of your AARs.
Thanks for posting and look forward to the next report.

[TacticalPainter]

The Germans fall back to an area of farmland and try to make a stand near a small farm. No time to dig in or prepare defences, will they be able to hold back the British once again, or will they face a more chaotic retreat? The full AAR is here: http://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2023/03/ruckzug-campaign-scenario-2-attack-at.html

[has.been]

Great AAR.
It looks nice, it was nail biting & you explained the thinking behind what was going on.
Very well done. I look forward to the next thrilling instalment.

[snitcythedog]

Very nice write-up and it is interesting to see the actual tactics play out on the table.  I am chomping at the bit to start a CoC campaign so your write-up and thought process is very helpful.

[CapnJim]

Another good report, and the Germans' run of luck (skill?) continues...

[TacticalPainter]

Another good report, and the Germans' run of luck (skill?) continues...

Skill, surely? 😉