Author	treadasaurusrex (Germany)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Germany
Participants	Isra3lite (AAR)
Play Date	2025-01-20
Language	English
Scenario	FaoF006

This was a 2-session play-through with me, leading an armor-only German attack by elements of the 35th Panzer Regiment in a 12-game turn scenario on 2 maps. The calculating & undaunted, Isra3lite led the defending combined-arms French task force of the 3rd DLM holding several towns on Map 28, without supporting artillery or air. The French side had a fine leader draw.

We used the excess initiative, smoke/illum, hidden units (French) and strategic movement optional rules. We also used these 2 house rules: 1) Road Movement for Mechanized & Foot Units - All FOOT & MECHANIZED units may move on roads at the rate of 1/2 of a Movement Point (MP) per road hex, just like MOTORIZED units, and 2) Standardized Movement for Mechanized Units — All mechanized units may move through clear hexes at a movement cost of only 1 movement point (MP) per hex, instead of 1 1/2. Add one to this cost if moving up, across, or down slopes hexes.

During the initial session (game turn 1) a deliberate German movement-to-contact, quickly moved south along multiple axes of advance. These were led by probing armored cars, Pz-I light tanks and motorcycle scouts. Hidden French units popped up, primarily on the German right flank in the large, 10-Hex town and adjoining woods. The French drew first blood in the town when an overeager Pz-I platoon was targeted by a pair of adjacent H-39 and lost a step. The Jerries shifted the focus of their movement to both flanks, with the stronger force attacking the French left in the large town.

The second session (game turns 2-7) featured a great deal of maneuver by both sides as the bulk of the French force moved south and off the battle map, while the rapacious German horde focused on occupying town hexes. My clever opponent began a large scale tactical withdrawal in which another pair of French steps were lost and the Jerries occupied all of the remaining town hexes. The French retreat was ultimately successful and nearly all the French escaped unharmed to fight another day.

This was a German win in a very gamey scenario that was fun to play as the Germans, not so much as the French, I give it a solid 3. This one does need the addition of a German leader to call for artillery.