Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Land Cruisers #3

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

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The Panzer Reserve Land Cruisers #3
(Defender) Imperial Germany	vs	France (Attacker)

Formations Involved

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	1
Side 2	0

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

Parent Game	Land Cruisers
Historicity	Alt-History
Date	1940-09-12
Start Time	10:00
Turn Count	30
Visibility	Day
Counters	135
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	2
Maps	3: 22, 23, 25
Layout Dimensions	84 x 43 cm 33 x 17 in
Play Bounty	199
AAR Bounty	227
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	0

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control

Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Randomly-drawn Aircraft

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Elsenborn Ridge	Maps
Fall of France 1	Counters
Land Cruisers	Base Game

Introduction
As French infantry divisions fought fierce battles to widen the breach in the Groener Line, their armored spearheads poured through and advanced through Lorraine toward the Rhineland. So far, French losses had been no more than expected and the penetration of the fortifications had come within the specified operational timeline. All seemed to be falling into place for the Republic. Indeed, the site of the resistance bombers’ immolation had been captured and several of the leading political lights of the Republic had quickly travelled to Thionville to be photographed on the steps of the ruined newspaper offices. Meanwhile, the Imperial Army’s pre-war plans called for a defense in depth, with strong formations supported by brigade level armored forces counter-attacking any breaches in the forward defenses. Losses of the border fortifications were to be expected prior to the completion of mobilization. With the gap in the Thionville area apparent, the plans for a swift counterstrike were put into operation. Obedient to their plans, the German tankers sealed their hatches and rolled ponderously forward.

Introduction

As French infantry divisions fought fierce battles to widen the breach in the Groener Line, their armored spearheads poured through and advanced through Lorraine toward the Rhineland. So far, French losses had been no more than expected and the penetration of the fortifications had come within the specified operational timeline. All seemed to be falling into place for the Republic. Indeed, the site of the resistance bombers’ immolation had been captured and several of the leading political lights of the Republic had quickly travelled to Thionville to be photographed on the steps of the ruined newspaper offices.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Army’s pre-war plans called for a defense in depth, with strong formations supported by brigade level armored forces counter-attacking any breaches in the forward defenses. Losses of the border fortifications were to be expected prior to the completion of mobilization. With the gap in the Thionville area apparent, the plans for a swift counterstrike were put into operation. Obedient to their plans, the German tankers sealed their hatches and rolled ponderously forward.

Conclusion
Unprepared for the fast-paced armored maneuvers of the French, the Germans could only attempt to seize and hold key positions. Attempts to move their own tanks out to seek and destroy the enemy armor only resulted in the faster and better-controlled Somua 35’s sweeping around their flanks for deadly shots against the more lightly-armored engine compartments of the big and ungainly German machines. German generals agreed: they were going to need a better tank.

Conclusion

Unprepared for the fast-paced armored maneuvers of the French, the Germans could only attempt to seize and hold key positions. Attempts to move their own tanks out to seek and destroy the enemy armor only resulted in the faster and better-controlled Somua 35’s sweeping around their flanks for deadly shots against the more lightly-armored engine compartments of the big and ungainly German machines. German generals agreed: they were going to need a better tank.

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 Armored Transports: These are not combat units and are therefore not APC's, and they can transport all types of transportable units (5.6) so they are not Prime Movers. They suffer the same vulnerabilities in combat as open-top AFV's (7.61). 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
Armored Transports: These are not combat units and are therefore not APC's, and they can transport all types of transportable units (5.6) so they are not Prime Movers. They suffer the same vulnerabilities in combat as open-top AFV's (7.61). All are mechanized. (SB)