Panzer Grenadier Battles on December 4th:
Desert Rats #31 - Young Fascists : The Morning Phase Red Warriors #18 - Shanaurin Strikes Back
Desert Rats #32 - Young Fascists : The Afternoon Phase Tank Battles #29 - Operation MARS #17: Shanaurin's Drive VI: Shanaurin Strikes Back
Heavy Metal #4 - Shielded Frogs
Choices
Author Matt W
Method Solo
Victor Germany
Play Date 2012-04-25
Language English
Scenario GofB023

This is a very interesting scenario. The German must protect against a number of Nisei objectives. The Nisei have a severe manpower shortage, being outnumbered almost 2-1 but with a significant morale advantage and the initiative they can make the Germans spread out and be subject to defeat in detail. My play didn't work out quite that way but that was more a result of devastating German artillery and direct fire.

The Germans initially attempted to close down all of the Nisei options and advanced to invest the Nisei in their starting position. The Nisei, for their part chose to remain in place and absorb any assault. 4 turns in and there had been no losses.

The Nisei reinforcements arrived on turn 4 and promptly ran into a hail of opportunity fire, losing two steps. Turn after turn the Nisei took multiple step losses and by turn 7 had lost 8 steps to 1 German. They were gaining a better battlefield position and the losses evened out such that by turn 12 the Nisei had lost 20 steps total to the German 11 but by then the remaining Nisei were cut up into two pockets and the likelihood of any win had disappeared.

Up until that point, however, the play had been close. The Nisei seemed to be able to gain a number of victory points from securing a supply line and moving well ordered troops towards Biffontaine. Only when the central position on the initial setup hill fell to artillery and direct fire losses did the supply line possibility disappear.

I give it a "5" for the puzzle it presents both players. It is the best of the 23 I have played out of GFB to date. I really like the way the morale and victory conditions combine to give the Nisei the initiative despite their low numbers. This is one that can be replayed and look completely different each time.

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