This one was played ftf with Wayne Baumber in one sitting. It was a 'Random Draw' scenario from our lists and initial viewing of the scenario and PG-HQ stats and AAR's made us both think it might be a French 'gimme'. This was based on AAR comments plus a 7-1 French victory ratio (plus a draw). But for all that, it still looked interesting.

Initially facing these attackers was a mere platoon each of infantry and MG’s from the GrossDeutschland Regiment. These were grouped together in a small hamlet along the main north-south road about a kilometer from the start of the French advance. Their position allowed them to have a clear fire to their front and the position also cut off any realistic chance of French thoughts of outflanking along the side of the river as they were so close to it. They also had in the vicinity two batteries of 37mm’s and couple of armoured cars. German reinforcements were expected in the area anytime from 0800, but this was not known by the French. At 0615 hours, the French gaily headed up the road quite confident in their numbers. However, despite these numbers, the French spent quite an inordinate amount of time pressing the battle against the GD defenders and could have been accused of vacillating some as by 0715 hours (turn 5) they had inflicted no real losses on the defenders. But at 0730, when more concentrated French fire was thrown against the hamlet, especially from long-range supporting French MG’s, the enemy HMG platoon became demoralized. At 0745, this platoon tried to flee the hamlet and was soon cut down over a short period by the Frenchmen and tanks surrounding them.

The French then began to close in on the GD infantry left in the village. Rather than sit and take an inordinate amount of punishment, the German infantry platoon assaulted French tanks that had closed into the reaches of the village. Ultimately, this was their downfall as enemy numbers proved too superior. They did manage to knock out two enemy FCM36’s in the process.(1 step) but were wiped out themselves. Perhaps spurred on by this success, the French started to make their way to a second village along the road. Here were the two 37AT sections commanded by a sergeant. The attack here was ill planned and rebuffed by the gunners over time.

An hour late, at 0900, German reinforcements began to arrive. Two companies of engineers, and a mix of Panzer II, III & IV’s plus a Bufla. They also brought access to a battery of 105 OBA. Their entry seemed to perk up the Germans that remained from the initial French attacks as the gunners threw out the French from their village inflicting losses (1 step). This reinforcing force now set about recapturing ground and villages lost and then planned to press the French back to their starting point. Within 30 minutes, the battle had certainly increased in heat for the French. OBA was helping to demoralize their infantry, German engineers began pushing back the French line and capturing hamlets. At the same time, the French 25’s knocked out the PzIVa half-platoon and the German Bufla was demoralized by light French OBA.If its fire had not been effective, the Bufla did at least frighten the French tanks to retire. The German reinforcements also helped release their armoured car section to roam forward into gaps in the French line.

Here an amusing event occurred. The way had been cleared by the infantry by drawing enemy fire from tanks and most MG’s. As the French concentrated on this infantry attack, the armoured cars sped up the west flank near the river. After receiving some MG fie that they drove right through, they entered a small suburb of Connage. Driving through, they found a couple of infantrymen standing guard outside an inn. Pointing their guns and MG’s at these guards, they of course surrendered to the metal beasts. This racket and shouting must have disturbed the important man inside the inn. Opening the door and rasping in French “What kind of din is this”? stood a man holding a map and smoking a pipe. It was the Commandante in charge of the attack and he too had no choice but to surrender to the Germans. This now paralysed French movement for about 30 minutes as suddenly there were no orders coming through to the troops further to the front.

After that encounter, the armoured cars drove into Connage itself and found it undefended. This of course meant the whole French line and plan had to concentrate on getting back to Connage, securing it and kicking out the armoured cars. This in turn meant the hamlets captured earlier were taken easier by the Germans and also left stranded in another hamlet were two platoons of the FCM36’s. With about an hour to go, the Germans launched their assault against these tanks. Despite support from their own MG’s and infantry fire, the FCM’s found the enemy closing fairly confidently and quickly. Within 30 minutes, a furious combined arms German attack of engineers and PzIII’s fell on the FCM’s. Losses were taken instantly against such a powerful attack, leaving only half the tanks left in there. In the last turn (turn 20), these French tanks were destroyed, causing the village to be captured and turning a minor defeat into a pretty much major one. Points were gained as thus. German 25pts (4 town hexes = 8pts and 17 French step equivalents eliminated). French 16pts (5 town hexes held = 10pts and 6 German step equivalents eliminated). German major victory !

Well that was that. A perhaps surprising German win ? They had enough for a slim minor victory by the end of turn 19 (3pts ahead), but in the final turn with the capture of one more hamlet and the destruction of a French armoured step it was stretched to the sllimmest of major victories (7pts ahead). Something to keep in mind was that German reinforcements entered on the 4th time of asking (turn 11) and it seems to me that just one turn later MAY have thwarted German aims of victory in this one. So you want them on quick ! I rated this a '4' as it was close and went to and required the final two turns of 19 and 20.