Insha'Allah Fall of France 1 #51 |
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(Attacker) Germany | vs |
France
(Defender)
Morocco (Defender) |
Formations Involved | ||
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France | 1er Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains | |
Germany | 4th Panzer Division |
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Overall Rating, 5 votes |
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3.6
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Scenario Rank: 347 of 940 |
Parent Game | Fall of France 1 |
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Historicity | Historical |
Date | 1940-05-14 |
Start Time | 07:00 |
Turn Count | 24 |
Visibility | Day |
Counters | 106 |
Net Morale | 0 |
Net Initiative | 1 |
Maps | 1: 32 |
Layout Dimensions | 43 x 28 cm 17 x 11 in |
Play Bounty | 115 |
AAR Bounty | 165 |
Total Plays | 4 |
Total AARs | 2 |
Battle Types |
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Inflict Enemy Casualties |
Urban Assault |
Scenario Requirements & Playability | |
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Fall of France 1 | Base Game |
Introduction |
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Along the Brussels-Namur railway, the two divisions of the French IV Corps dug in to await the attack of the German XVI Panzer Corps. The Germans formed up behind the woods of the Bois du Buis, and came forward across the open fields with heavy support from Stuka dive bombers and their own artillery. At the town of Gembloux itself, the 1st Regiment of Moroccan Tirailleurs had based their defense on the small industrial town’s buildings and railroad and anchored their flank on the town cemetery, where the 15th Motorized Infantry Division picked up the line. Well-prepared, supported by artillery and strong anti-tank batteries, the Moroccans’ fate lay in the hands of Allah the Merciful, the Just. |
Conclusion |
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Despite strong artillery, air and armor support, the Germans could not break the Moroccan line or in the 2nd Regiment’s sector adjoining the 1st’s left flank. On the other side of the 1st Regiment, troops of the 1st Motorized Division held off 3rd Panzer Division. As long as the other French units held their ground, it did not appear that the Moroccans would give up their positions easily if at all. |
Additional Notes |
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This scenario was issued to accompany the special Moroccan Division counterset but can be played with standard issue Fall of France counters. The scenario may be found at: http://www.avalanchepress.com/MarocScenario1.php (Special note: Marocain HMG units have a Movement factor of 2.) |
AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle |
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2 Errata Items | |
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The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France. (plloyd1010
on 2015 Jul 31)
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The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad
on 2010 Dec 15)
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German Morale Roll Supremacy | ||||||||||||||
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This was a 6-session, online play-though with the indomitable, Wayne Baumber, leading the eventually triumphant German side in an extremely hard-fought, and bloody clash. The final score was 90 for the Germans and 69 for the French side, resulting in a major German victory. The scenario was actually fun to play, even though we used the dreaded FOW rule which shortened 7 of our game turns. In fact, we found it to be a very well-balanced scenario, unlike most Fall of France actions. My distinguished opponent benefited from a very long string of excellent morale checks rolls that more than compensated for the strong French OBA, especially in our the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th sessions. The German Commander's movement to contact was well-planned and implemented with a very strong infantry attack in the north and a weaker southern attack that stalled for most of the scenario at the Gembloux Cemetery hex. A series of minor German feints in the center of the map, managed to draw off a significant portion of the French OBA, thus saving multiple German units in the northern prong and making it easier for the German tanks to follow up a brutal series of close assaults in the north. The initial German Commander was killed by an artillery concentration in the 5th session. In spite of this leader decapitation, the Teutonic onslaught continued without pause and the tanks in northern prong proceeded to capture many town hexes in Gembloux with inconsequential armor losses (4 steps). |
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0 Comments |
Bloody hard work | ||||||||||||||
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The scenario has the 4th Panzer Division attacking Gembloux, Belgium and the railway junctions there, the town and railway lines are defended by French Moroccan troops of excellent quality supported by massive OBA. The Germans have armour though which should offset the French artillery to some extent. The German plan was to attack on both flanks breakthrough the front line and let the lightly armoured Panzers roam behind the French lines grabbing VP town hexes. The initial attacks were a very bloody affair, with German losses heavy as German INF and HMG units raced to attack the North/South railway embankment stoutly defended by the colonial units, by getting close to the enemy it was hoped that the threat of friendly fire would negate losses from the French OBA. A breakthrough was made in the North and tanks began to filter along the board edge and drive onto the town itself. The loss of the German commander caused a slight delay but the French officer casualties were in fact heavier and this led to several units being unable to react to the German tanks in their rear. Losses were now getting heavy for both side and by the game end there was not one good order full strength German INF on the board however their sacrifice had not been in vain and the result was a German major victory. **Very good scenario played over 6 3 hour sessions. Felipe had as the French commander constructed a pretty solid defence and it was only my complete disregard for casualties and my insistence on following the original plan which got me a major victory. Only rated a 4 as there is little room for any maneuverer but jolly good fun. ** |
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0 Comments |