Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Last Days of May #42

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 > LDoM002

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Ancient Walls Last Days of May #42
(Attacker) Germany	vs	Britain (Defender) France (Defender)

Formations Involved
Britain		3rd Royal Tank Regiment
Britain		6th Green Howards
France		272e Demi-Brigade d'Infanterie
Germany		1st Panzer Division

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	0
Side 2	1

Overall Rating, 1 vote
5 4 3 2 1 4
Scenario Rank: --- of 940

Parent Game	Last Days of May
Historicity	Historical
Date	1940-05-24
Start Time	10:15
Turn Count	22
Visibility	Day
Counters	115
Net Morale	1
Net Initiative	2
Maps	2: 119, 122
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	193
AAR Bounty	171
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Bridge Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Entrenchment Control

Conditions
Minefields
Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Terrain Mods

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Fall of France 1	Counters
Last Days of May	Base Game
Road to Dunkirk	Maps + Counters

Introduction
Along the Aa River, from Petit-Fort-Philippe to Gravelines, the Allies gathered a jumbled assortment of troops to block Route Nationale Nr. 40 leading to Calais and Dunkerque. In addition to the French troops and artillery, a British battalion, the 6th Green Howards, garrisoned the old city of Gravelines with its canals, bridges and Vauban-era fortifications. During the night, four British tanks led by Major W. R. Reeves joined the city’s defenders, who concentrated their forces to cover the three standing bridges over the canal on the west side of the city. In the morning, a German cyclist recon party approached. The enemy’s main force could not be far behind.

Introduction

Along the Aa River, from Petit-Fort-Philippe to Gravelines, the Allies gathered a jumbled assortment of troops to block Route Nationale Nr. 40 leading to Calais and Dunkerque. In addition to the French troops and artillery, a British battalion, the 6th Green Howards, garrisoned the old city of Gravelines with its canals, bridges and Vauban-era fortifications. During the night, four British tanks led by Major W. R. Reeves joined the city’s defenders, who concentrated their forces to cover the three standing bridges over the canal on the west side of the city. In the morning, a German cyclist recon party approached. The enemy’s main force could not be far behind.

Conclusion
A German armored column drove down RN 40 at about 1030, rolling through a crowd of refugees without any shooting. When they reached the Vauban lock-bridge, the defense woke up and quickly destroyed four vehicles. More than 20 tanks stood in front of the two main bridges, firing continuously to allow the German infantry to advance under cover.

Additional Notes
The French CYC counter has been officially replaced by a French INF. British step losses are included with French step losses for victory conditions.

Additional Notes

The French CYC counter has been officially replaced by a French INF.

British step losses are included with French step losses for victory conditions.

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). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. 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 Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). 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).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
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
Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
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)

Display Order of Battle

Britain Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader Mechanized

Army

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

France Order of Battle

Armée de Terre
Foot Leader Mechanized Towed

Armée de Terre

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Towed

Fusiliers Marins
Foot

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Display Errata (6)

6 Errata Items
	The Mk VIb in Road to Dunkirk were printed with a movement factor of 5. The piece should have a movement of 9. (plloyd1010 on 2024 Aug 15)
	In 1940: Fall of France, the units show Direct Fire. All units are Indirect Fire. (rerathbun on 2015 Jun 06)
	Two 105mms (ID#s 1204, 1205) have "16-31" fire values in black (direct fire), when they should be in white (indirect fire). (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	All SPW 251s have an armor value of 0. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Ils ne passeront pas

Author	Blackcloud6
Method	Solo
Victor	Britain, France
Play Date	2024-06-04
Language	English
Scenario	LDoM002

Played this with Random Events, Smoke and FOW.

The French main defense was at the bridge at the center of the map guarded by roadblocks and mine with a small force holding the southern approach and mobile force watching the north end of the river to prevent a river crossing there.

The Germans decided to go right at the main defense thinking the weak French reserve units would collapse and a supporting attack hitting the weakly held southern apprach.

But the French were stalwart the entire battle, pounding the Germans with indirect fires as they approached and then with direct fire as the Germans closed. In the south, the Germans started having success, but the French shifted a few forces and their artillery fires to that sector and the Germans stalled. The Germans assaulted through the minefields in the center and along the river to flank the bridge but all the assaults stalled.

As time was running out and with way too high German casualties, getting just one objective was problematical, the German commander withdrew. A major French victory. Vive la France!

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