BATTLE SUMMARY

Germans forces move in towards the American position. Minimal fire is exchanged as most of the Americans begin to dig-in. Some brave (read: foolhardy) American infantry charge in the north where they are lit up by German flares.

Germans open fire and the American suffer severe casualties losing a platoon and a LT. (2-0)

In the South (right) the American send one platoon west while the Germans try to sneak around near the river (east).

German attacks completely waffle as the two sides clash in the south.

Germans eliminate an American platoon in the south but are hit hard by American HMG fire (4-1). The German LT is subsequently captured as the Grenadiers flee in the south.

In the north the Germans begin to manoeuvre.

And the Germans slip behind the American line in north and charge their mortar position.

In a deadly 15 minutes, the Americans lose their mortars and half a platoon in the north. The Germans lose half a platoon in the south and the German Infantry Gun, American Captain and half an American Infantry platoon are all eliminated in the west by some kick ass American artillery fire! (7-3)

Both sides lose half a platoon as the forces move into close range fighting in both the north and the south. (8-4)

Then the hand of fate decides to even the score. Both German attacks (“22” column, roll 7’s and have minimal effect. The following two American attacks come up “Snake Eyes” and one and a half German platoons are vaporised!

The score is just about even after 2 hours at 8-7.

The Germans begin to put the squeeze on the Americans in the north. (9-7)

And the Americans in the north completely collapse. Meanwhile in the south the German assault goes horribly wrong and the Americans wipe out another half platoon.

And the dying minutes see the Americans lose another step in the north, yet their demoralized full strength platoon has a miraculous recovery to good order. While in the south, the Germans lose another half step.

Game Over.

GERMAN MAJOR VICTORY!

Aftermath

Total VPs were: German: 13 for eliminating steps, 11 undemoralized steps near the bridgehead. American: 9 for eliminating steps, 5 undemoralized steps near the bridgehead.

And the Germans win 24 to 14.

Some notes:

1. Friendly fire was quite a factor all game, specifically for the Americans who could not spot unless they were adjacent.
2. German flares allowed the Germans to light up the American positions and take shots and artillery fire without endangering any troops. The Americans often rejected the chance to Opportunity Fire on a lone LT 8-0-0 who would run up and shoot the flare.
3. The Americans may have been able to conceal a few lit up members with smoke but did not take avail of this ability. Would it have helped them? Very rarely because…
4. The Germans had a good initiative lead throughout the game, anywhere from +3 to +5. This meant they often got to lay their flare and do their attacks before the Americans could respond.

Overall, this was another great scenario. The special rules gave it enough flavour that the battle was memorable. Both sides, despite the attack/defend stance played quite fluidly, which enhanced the fun. Nothing is more boring than yet another urban assault where the defender never moves.

Scenario Rating: 4/5. Good night scenario with enough firepower for both sides to have some good old fashioned fun. I should probably give it a 3, but I’m in a good mood because I was the Germans. :D