General play notes

We didn't play double-blind this time, but we did try an unknown leader idea. Apart from leader names we didn't know the stats initially. We used a modified random event table from BB and the fast mech rule. We decided that the wagons should also be allowed to setup hidden, if with a gun.

Setting up

The Germans deployed on to hilltops, with an AT gun on each flank. The AT strongpoint (he got lucky there) and IGun were placed to form a cross fire between the hills. While my opponent was deploying, I suggested he use more of a reverse slope defense on the bare hilltop, advice which, to his later regret, he disregarded. The wooded hill was invested with most of the grenadiers. The Americans loaded up in the town.

How it went down

The Americans drove up the road on broad 12, and cut though the light woods in before the bare side of the hill. A random event caused a German HMG to break from the woods, he got mangled by artillery and small arms before he got back in position. U.S. infantry dismounted and started up the hill. Their objective was to root out the AT guns which may have been waiting. (As implied in the setup narrative, there was one.)

The infantry lost a step on the way up the slope, but did their job. The AT gun was found and winkled by the SPAs. The armor and halftracks advanced in 2 large formations and moved up the south slope. The Germans were quickly blasted from their foxholes. That half of the hill was cleared by turn 7.

The US SPAs moved onto the spur facing the wooded hill. Infantry to the front and tanks to back. The best US officer, John @ 1-9-1, seems to have not had a full bowl of Wheaties for breakfast (he is demoralized and keeps failing recovery rolls). The rest of the army prepares without him.

The infantry crossing the gap is almost stopped. As there is only the strongpoint for AT defense in the gap, the SPAs blast it. The armor moves up through the infantry and starts working the grenadiers. Doug, a good combat officer but not inspiring, leads a couple platoons around the woods on reconnaissance. They find the second AT gun on the north side of the woods.

The Germans put up a heroic defense. In the end massive US firepower decides the day. There are simply not enough, and never were, German bodies to fill the gaps.

The Americans have lost 8 steps, including 3 halftracks. The Germans are down by 15, most of the survivors are disrupted or demoralized.

Summary

It was fun for the first 3 or turns. Once the Americans were on the hill, the end was in sight. It took another 12 turns or so, but once the Americans were in the amongst the Germans on the southern peak, the outcome was clear.