Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Black Panthers #11

Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back	Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh	Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl	South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes

PG-HQ Library - Panzer Grenadier Hall > Scenarios > BlkP011

Errors? Omissions? Report them!

Panzer Grenadier Headquarters Library - select the previous scenario item

Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - select the next scenario item

Disaster at Honskirch Black Panthers #11
(Attacker) United States	vs	Germany (Defender)

Formations Involved

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	0

Overall Rating, 0 votes
5 4 3 2 1 0
Scenario Rank: of

Parent Game	Black Panthers
Historicity	Historical
Date	1944-11-26
Start Time	12:00
Turn Count	18
Visibility	Day
Counters	26
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	1: 22
Layout Dimensions	43 x 28 cm 17 x 11 in
Play Bounty	205
AAR Bounty	227
Total Plays	0
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault

Conditions
Anti-tank Ditches
Entrenchments
Off-board Artillery
Reinforcements
Severe Weather
Smoke

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Black Panthers	Base Game
Elsenborn Ridge	Maps + Counters

Introduction
Following several days of only sporadic fights against German rearguards, some of them less determined than others, the 26th Infantry Division came up against stiffer resistance. The village of Honskirch was heavily defended by anti-tank guns, concertina wire and a lengthy anti-tank ditch. Capt. Charles "Pops" Gates of Charlie Company had scouted the approach, noting that deep mud would force the tanks to stay on the lone road approach. Gates told Col. Ben R. Jacobs of 328th Infantry Regiment of his concerns; Jacobs ordered the attack to go forward with 11 tanks and just one company of infantry.

Introduction

Following several days of only sporadic fights against German rearguards, some of them less determined than others, the 26th Infantry Division came up against stiffer resistance. The village of Honskirch was heavily defended by anti-tank guns, concertina wire and a lengthy anti-tank ditch. Capt. Charles "Pops" Gates of Charlie Company had scouted the approach, noting that deep mud would force the tanks to stay on the lone road approach. Gates told Col. Ben R. Jacobs of 328th Infantry Regiment of his concerns; Jacobs ordered the attack to go forward with 11 tanks and just one company of infantry.

Conclusion
AS Gates predicted, the attack was a disaster; the initial attack was halted along the road when German gunners knocked out the last tank in the column and proceeded to shoot up those in front of it. The 761st's executive officer, Maj. Russell Geist, rushed forward on foot to organize a rescue of the crew, ordering the assault guns to fire whatever they had, as fast as they could. Out of high-explosive ammunition, they blazed away with white phosphorous rounds. The Army Official History would record this as a "smoke screen." Jacobs would be fired a month later, after ordering his troops to shoot Germans attempting to surrender (orders which were ignored).

Conclusion

AS Gates predicted, the attack was a disaster; the initial attack was halted along the road when German gunners knocked out the last tank in the column and proceeded to shoot up those in front of it. The 761st's executive officer, Maj. Russell Geist, rushed forward on foot to organize a rescue of the crew, ordering the assault guns to fire whatever they had, as fast as they could. Out of high-explosive ammunition, they blazed away with white phosphorous rounds. The Army Official History would record this as a "smoke screen." Jacobs would be fired a month later, after ordering his troops to shoot Germans attempting to surrender (orders which were ignored).

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable Prime Movers: Transports which only transport towed units and/or leaders (May not carry personnel units). May or may not be armored (armored models are open-top). All are mechanized. (SB)

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
Prime Movers: Transports which only transport towed units and/or leaders (May not carry personnel units). May or may not be armored (armored models are open-top). All are mechanized. (SB)