Author	Blackcloud6 (United States)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Germany
Participants	treadasaurusrex (AAR)
Play Date	2022-07-07
Language	English
Scenario	AAAD027

This scenario turned out to be to what I expected. Although I had the choice in sides, I chose the Americans as they appeared to be at a disadvantage with an inferior force and not enough troops to adequately cover the map. I expected to roll up a flank and then bust out for the exit.

I chose to defend the road with the infantry and the TDs on the flanks with the tanks forward to screen and slow down the German advance. The screen worked as it forced the Germans to deploy, stop and fight. Plus, I had set up the screen in a manner to gain crossfire. I scored a good number of enemy tank and halftrack kills.

But my opponent was aggressive and hit my left flank hard and started to break through. part of screen got forced to stay and fight and died in place but took some bad guys with them. The HT TDs were tough to be effective with as they cannot stay and fight, they just get clobbered so using them to fall back and delay is what you use them for.

Then night came and it was a different game. My Sherman screen fell back, and I was able to build a line to gradually fall ball with. this is the tactic to use. But it requires getting the initiative or the Germans will be able to crack the wall if they go first. this is what happened to me as in the last five turns of the game, I never won the initiative. But it still went down to the last turn as I counterattacked with all my Shermans against a bunch of 1 step German tank platoons. but again, I needed the initiative to be able to get off the shots to kill them, so the Germans just fell back and then maneuvered to the flank. But one good initiative roll, and the point margin would have dropped back to the US having a chance.

This scenario was much fun. There were lots of maneuvers, proper positioning to be worked out and many crucial tactical decisions to be made. And there was always a notion of coming from behind with a chance to dos.

We played with Extended Assault, and I felt this gave an edge to the Germans they did not need. I would not recommend that optional rule with this scenario.