Author	Schoenwulf
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2021-10-23
Language	English
Scenario	FaoF014

Battle: The morning of May 14, 1940, marked the beginning of the German onslaught into Belgium. At 0930, elements from the German 4th Panzer Division moved south toward Gembloux and encountered some well-camouflaged units from the French 7th Division Légère Mechanique and the 8th Cuirassiers that were firing from the wooded areas on both sides of the main road through the Bois de Grand Leez. By 1015, the French H35 & S35 armor groups had destroyed Pz.II and Pz.IVa units and were in command of the battlefield, but also moving south to strengthen defenses in Grand-Leez. This latter move was in response to an attack by a Stuka squadron that had destroyed the 105mm artillery units there. The Germans moved south quickly on both flanks and were encroaching on the village within a half hour. By 1130, German units were in close assault on both the north and south edges of Grand-Leez, an advance made possible by the inaccuracy of French anti-tank fire. The French began to retreat shortly after noon concurrent with the increasing German advance.

Analysis: This scenario is a single map, 12-turn scenario with VP’s based on enemy unit elimination and town hex control. The French set up in the woods hexes on either side of the road with tanks spread across both sides and the foot units in the east woods. The 105mm gun was left in the main village in the southwest sector of the map, while the 75mm was in the east woods as well covering the main road for a flank shot. Trucks were carefully placed to allow evac of foot and artillery if needed. The Germans advanced across a broad front but left a gap in the middle until French units could be identified and subdued, which would allow better access to the road for the southern advance to the main village. Once again, this skirmish played out consistent with the history of the event, with the French taking control early. Then, they were eventually worn down by the overwhelming number of German units, and the step-loss count began to swing in the German’s favor. By game end, the French had lost 21 steps and occupied 4 town hexes; the Germans lost 15 steps and also held 4 town hexes. The Germans had 29 VP’s to 23 for the French resulting in a Minor Victory for the Germans.