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Kampfgruppe Eberbach:
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I have pulled the surviving SPW 251/1 and
Eberbach’s StuG to the west side of the clearing just in
case the enemy calls more artillery fire down on the east side of
the clearing. In this position they can also guard the 17
prisoners I captured earlier when things were going much better
for me.
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The Panzergrenadier platoon component of
Kampfgruppe Eberbach has, in the main, advanced to the last bend
of the forest path without meeting any further opposition. One
squad which poked its nose around the bend quickly lost one man
to long-range enemy machinegun fire and has withdrawn out of
sight again.
It is my intention to commit this unit
immediately to the attack on the first American hill position
some 400 metres to its front. I intend to run the entire platoon
straight down the road regardless of enemy fire so that they
reach the front as quickly as possible and, whilst the platoon
involved in the current assault re-organises, immediately press
forward to the next hill. (I have spotted some signs of enemy
movement there and want to clear it.)
Why am I willing to risk losses by running down
a wide, open road? Simple… Firstly I think the enemy
machineguns will have their hands full with my infantry platoon
just 40 to 50 metres to their front which is intent on destroying
them and secondly, if I don’t advance quickly I will just
allow Martin to call artillery fire in on my positions. I fear
his artillery and don’t want to give him that opportunity.
Administrative note: From next turn onwards
Kampfgruppe Eberbach will consist only of those vehicular units
left in the clearing. The Panzergrenadier platoon will form part
of the newly formed Kampfgruppe Backe under the command of
Hauptmann Backe (who is currently making his way to the southern
flank on board an SPW 251/1 ).
Kampfgruppe Carius:
Administrative note: Kampfgruppe Carius will
cease to exist from this turn onwards. Instead the Puma and both
Volksgrenadier platoons will form Kampfgruppe Vossen under the
command of Hauptmann Vossen.
Carius’ StuG will transfer to and form
part of Kampfgruppe von Kelly.
Reinforcements:
I have just received 2 Pz IV Js and 1 more
platoon of Volksgrenadiers as reinforcements. I am rushing these
forward to form part of Kampfgruppe von Kelly as it is relatively
weak after losing 2/3rds of its infantry complement.
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Kampfgruppe von Kelly:
Consequent to the spotting of enemy bazooka and
machinegun teams at the war line by the "Dash O’ Death"
half-track last turn I have halted the Panther and StuG and set
them to fire on the scattered trees in which these infantry units
have hidden using their main guns and machineguns as I pass three
SPW 251/1s carrying 2 Panzergrenadier squads and 1
Panzergrenadier HQ past the tanks and on to the wall line which
they will carry by storm.
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While the SPW 251/1s are advancing the StuG and
Panther continue to pour high explosive shells and machinegun
bullets into the scattered trees. I don’t see any evidence
of casualties but I am certain that they are being caused as the
ground is, quite literally, becoming one giant quilt of craters
there. Finally I’m getting some revenge for what his tanks
did to my town defenders.
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Even in this small section
of woods close to 10 shell craters can be seen. Take that Martin
!
Given that Martin’s men seem to be, mostly,
regulars the effects of shellfire should be more quickly evident
upon them than they were on my veterans. I hope they are since I
want to push through this position quickly and don’t want to
waste any time or lives fighting it out with unsuppressed
Americans.
On the Southern flank things are going well. My
composite platoon has stormed forward and engaged the enemy. I
even ordered the crew from one of the knocked out SPW 251/1s
forward since I can’t afford to not take the hill ahead of
me.
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As the platoon advances from cover two enemy
machineguns open up on them, pinning both green volksgrenadier
squads for much of the rest of the turn. Despite concentrated
enemy fire neither the HQ team or the veteran panzergrenadiers
flinch from their duty and they advance into the hail of enemy
fire. (Watching this is most encouraging as approximately half of
my force is comprised of veteran panzergrenadiers and advancing
into the teeth of concentrated enemy machinegun fire is no job
for the faint-hearted. )
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As the infantry continue to advance (except for
the two Green Volksgrenadier squads) enemy machineguns and rifle
squads open fire from their north. It turns out that there IS an
enemy infantry platoon up there… ( This means I’ve just
sent two german Panzergrenadier squads and 1 HQ team ( a total of
twenty men) up against at LEAST 2 MGs, 2 bazookas and 1 American
infantry platoon. Each US squad has 12 men to my 8 so overall my
20 veteran panzergrenadiers look like they will be attacking a
position held by 54 American soldiers. Good, I like challenges…
The odds are discouraging but with effective direct fire support
it just might be doable. After all, I’ve seen what veteran
Panzergrenadiers can do in previous games and I have confidence
in them.. I just hope that no artillery spoils my party. Another
aspect to this is that if Martin loses 50+ men to only 20 of mine
he ought to freak and begin to wonder if I have ELITE
Panzergrenadiers.. Elite units in CM are incredibly tough and
effective. They’ll race across bridges under concentrated
machinegunfire and grenade and submachinegun the machinegun teams
on the other side. They really are worth as much as an entire
green platoon IMO. )
My SPW 251/1s support the advance with
suppressive machinegun fire from long range and, as the turn
progresses, they begin to move slowly forwards to decrease the
range and thus increase the effectiveness of their fire.
This is not the only axis of assault on these
American positions. From just to the north of the hill which
my troops are advancing over an SPW 251/1 which has dropped off
its two 81mm mortar team passengers advances on the hill with the
intention of providing some flanking fire and catching the
Americans if they choose to withdraw.
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Meanwhile another two SPW 251/1s advance
southwards towards the scene of the battle. They carry another
panzergrenadier squad and its HQ team and supporting MG 42. By
the time these forces are all in place will have one and a half
Panzergrenadier platoons and a full Volksgrenadier platoon online
and ready to advance. Furthermore I will also have six SPW 251/1s
to support them. The entire Panzergrenadier component will be
able to be mounted if my SPW 251/1s suffer no losses during this
attack.
The "Dash O’ Death" SPW 251/1
has come under fire from at least a platoon of infantry on the
west bank of the river, 3 or 4 MGs and a tank. One of its crew
has been killed (in the picture no-one is manning the machinegun
mount as only the driver is left) and, whilst seeking shelter in
a nearby house one of its passengers was also shot. Still, I have
reconned the route to the bridge and once the wall line is
breached it appears relatively clear. I order the SPW 251/1 to
attempt to move cross-country and join up with the southern
assault. Who knows, it might even make it ;-).
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Kampfgruppe Student:
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My northern rifle platoon (or, at least, its
survivors) are withdrawing to defend the north of the apartment
blocks.
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Here you can see some of my fallschirmjaeger
units have made it into the apartment block but FAR too many of
them haven’t. At least the equivalent of a platoon is
panicked and being picked off by the enemy outside of the
apartment block.
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I too this opportunity to show you that you can
indeed used shell craters as cover in CM. Here, a sharpshooter
uses a crater to protect himself from enemy fire.
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This picture shows the locations of my forces
in the village. The left corresponds to south and the right to
north. As you can see very few of my forces are left. This will
be a short last stand I think ;-(.
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