The British mission is simple: Push Gerry out of the village. This will be more easily said than done, as the German commander intends to hold on at all costs.
The Commandos' Section 1 initially enters from the distant northwest corner of the table, with orders to size the village. The German Panzergrenadiers, await their arrival in defensive positions throughout the ruined buildings, hoping that their Panthers have been well-maintained.
Section 2 and some Shermans arrive shortly after to lend support to the assault. The Commandos quickly realize that they need to avoid the killing field in the center of the sector and move to a rally point near the hedgerows. From here they intend to assault through the bridge, bolsteerd by the Firefly's 17# gun.
On the left, the Section 1 moves into the ruined church and the woods, intending to let the Centaur's close support weapon soften up the Germans across the way. The Panther opposite them complicates the matter, however, causing the Centaur to move back form its firing position, lest it get brewed up!
A stroke of luck, the northern most Panther has lost its mobility, and the assault is launched. Excellent marksmanship by the Firefly crew destroys its counterpart to the south of the village. Encouraging! Section 2 begins to quickly move up the road, protected on both flanks by heavy hedgerows.
The Germans return the favor. As the tanks in the center shoot the gap, one of the Centaurs is set alight. The weapons teams in the center woods take significant losses as well. Unfortunate, but the other tanks clear the Panther's field of fire and dispatch both the Pak 40 and the infantry on the near side of the village. This is shaping up nicely for the Commandos.
Not so fast! Another section of Panthers has emerged, and despite the damage done to the Brits, no "1" chits seem to avail themselves. A load of fully functional heavy German armor is on its way. (Shit.)
Nonetheless, Section 2 continues its assault down the road, behind the cover of the lead M4. The Firefly looks to capitalize on the short range to dispatch the German reinforcements, as the remainder of the platoon adjusts mission to support.
The dice gods forsake the Firefly. And the Shermans' 75mm round plink harmlessly off the Panthers' format armor. Section 2 has reached the village, but it's not looking good back across the bridge...
We went ahead and ended it here, and while it could have gone either way in another turn or two, it seemed like a good point to stop... Until next time!
15 May 2011, 09:29:09 AM