Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Swallows of Death #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

PG-HQ Library - Panzer Grenadier Hall > Scenarios > SwlD003

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Sart-Ernage Farm Swallows of Death #3
(Attacker) Germany	vs	France (Defender) Morocco (Defender)

Formations Involved
France		1re Division Marocaine
Germany		3rd Panzer Division
Germany		4th 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	Swallows of Death
Historicity	Historical
Date	1940-05-15
Start Time	09:00
Turn Count	24
Visibility	Day
Counters	236
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	1
Maps	1: 32
Layout Dimensions	43 x 28 cm 17 x 11 in
Play Bounty	220
AAR Bounty	171
Total Plays	1
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Road Control
Urban Assault

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

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Fall of France 2	Maps + Counters
Swallows of Death	Base Game

Introduction
Both German attacks against the railway line at Gemboux failed on 14 May, with the “colored” Moroccans turning back the Master Race with ease. On the next morning, the Germans ruined a magnificent sunrise by sending in a flight of Stukas to pour loads of bombs into the Moroccan lines. Soon afterward, the tanks and infantry of 4th Panzer Division attacked in much greater numbers than they had the day before. But the French artillery got the jump on their German counterparts, silencing the enemy guns and depriving the pioneers of the covering fire they’d need to push through the railway obstacle. Meanwhile south of Ernage, the French built their defense around the Sart-Ernage farm, turning it into a strongpoint bristling with mortars, machine-guns and antitank guns (including the powerful 47mm APX).

Introduction

Both German attacks against the railway line at Gemboux failed on 14 May, with the “colored” Moroccans turning back the Master Race with ease. On the next morning, the Germans ruined a magnificent sunrise by sending in a flight of Stukas to pour loads of bombs into the Moroccan lines. Soon afterward, the tanks and infantry of 4th Panzer Division attacked in much greater numbers than they had the day before. But the French artillery got the jump on their German counterparts, silencing the enemy guns and depriving the pioneers of the covering fire they’d need to push through the railway obstacle. Meanwhile south of Ernage, the French built their defense around the Sart-Ernage farm, turning it into a strongpoint bristling with mortars, machine-guns and antitank guns (including the powerful 47mm APX).

Conclusion
The 4th Panzer Division’s tanks joined the fray far too soon, allowing French heavy artillery, minefields and well-sited anti-tank guns to wreak havoc in their ranks. Squad leader Louis Brindejonc commanding one of the 25mm anti-tank guns claimed seven German tanks that morning. Fierce and bloody fighting raged along the sunken railway before the Germans retreated and allowed the Stukas to pummel the defenders again. The German infantry then continued the assault alone, and at a high price they successfully infiltrated the railway to move into the fields beyond it. Forces diverted from the heavy fighting near the railway station at Gembloux eventually joined them, once the Germans figured out that the Moroccans could not be dislodged from there. By noon the French forces had lost heavily themselves in numerous close assaults, but the counterattack to restore their line was ready for launch.

Conclusion

The 4th Panzer Division’s tanks joined the fray far too soon, allowing French heavy artillery, minefields and well-sited anti-tank guns to wreak havoc in their ranks. Squad leader Louis Brindejonc commanding one of the 25mm anti-tank guns claimed seven German tanks that morning. Fierce and bloody fighting raged along the sunken railway before the Germans retreated and allowed the Stukas to pummel the defenders again. The German infantry then continued the assault alone, and at a high price they successfully infiltrated the railway to move into the fields beyond it. Forces diverted from the heavy fighting near the railway station at Gembloux eventually joined them, once the Germans figured out that the Moroccans could not be dislodged from there. By noon the French forces had lost heavily themselves in numerous close assaults, but the counterattack to restore their line was ready for launch.

Additional Notes
Swallows of Death may be played with the 1st edition pieces and maps from 1940: Fall of France. When a French piece in the order of battle was apparently Moroccan and was in the Division Marocaine set, that piece was used in the order of battle list. Substitute equivalent French Army pieces Moroccan pieces when the Moroccan piece is unavailable. When Moroccan pieces for artillery and transport run out, substitute French pieces for the remainder.

Additional Notes

Swallows of Death may be played with the 1st edition pieces and maps from 1940: Fall of France.

When a French piece in the order of battle was apparently Moroccan and was in the Division Marocaine set, that piece was used in the order of battle list. Substitute equivalent French Army pieces Moroccan pieces when the Moroccan piece is unavailable.

When Moroccan pieces for artillery and transport run out, substitute French pieces for the remainder.

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 Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier. 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) Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (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
Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.
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)
Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (SB)

Display Order of Battle

France Order of Battle

Armée de Terre
Leader Mechanized

Armée de Terre

Leader

Mechanized

Moroccan Ground Forces
Foot Motorized Towed

Moroccan Ground Forces

Foot

Motorized

Towed

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized Towed

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Towed

Luftwaffe
Towed

Display Errata (4)

4 Errata Items
	The unit label on the counter is 25mm, but should be 20mm. No effect on play. (plloyd1010 on 2016 Apr 01)
	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)
	The SK 7/2 appearing in 1940: Fall of France is actually a SK 6/2, but misprinted by APL. Hence it should be unarmored in that game. The SK 7/2, which appears in other games is correctly printed with an armor of 0. (plloyd1010 on 2022 Apr 28)

Display AARs (1)

Brick wall!

Author	Grognard Gunny
Method	Solo
Victor	France, Morocco
Play Date	2024-05-03
Language	English
Scenario	SwlD003

The Moroccan set up in the same old area, only had MUCH more to set up with. Throw in all the Artillery they had to boot.... and it WAS rather like beating one's head against a brick wall. Found a hole in the line during the third turn 3 (a bogus minefield) and the German Commander tried to shuttle the tanks in through the hole. Unfortunately, the hole was buttressed by a town, which proved absolutely unbeatable, on one side and a "2" minefield on the other side. Reinforcements came (both sets of them) on the same turn (11), due to miserable dicing for the first set of reinforcements, and tried to shuttle them through the singular hole in the line. The Right side of the Moroccan rear began to break apart during turn 11 and the German tanks and infantry started pushing toward the "money makers" on that side of the arena in the hopes that there would be enough time left to pick off a few of the town hexes on the Left side of the arena. This proved to be a futile attempt, as the Moroccans had plenty of reserves to shore up any cracks in the defense. All in all a very frustrating battle for the Germans. (Note: There SHOULD be a way to get through a solid line like that, but to date I haven't found it.)

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