6 Nov 94. My Allies lose to Brent's Germans
This was a first playing of this scenario for both of us so I should not have been so unwise as to bid B1, but I did. I gave up an extra 468 to Brent that I really didn't need to as he bid G0 (a verysensible bid, I'd say).
Brent's setup was fairly forward with two goals: (1) to disrupt my advance across the open sections, and (2) to be able to fall back quickly. As it turned out, he didn't have to fall back until much later. His key units were the HMG in the upper level of V7 with a leader, and the MMG in the upper level of U5 with a leader. The up side to being at level one is that it negates the wall and grain hindrances. The lower level of V7 might also have been an interesting choice in terms of laying down a monster firelane down the road. The rest of his units were scattered about: U3, R7, T8, R9. His HIP unit turned out to be in X6. The fortified Loactions were BB1, BB#, and EE5. I think this was a pretty good setup and it certainly worked for Brent. Oh, yeah, his mortar was in U1, and had good success later on harrassing my units in the woods at N0 and M2.
I set up the bulk of my forces in the I2- I4 area, with a smaller force over in the J8,9,10 copse. The small force was just meant to try tie up his western forces, but the push would come on the eastern side. The initial mortar was in I4.
The mortar placed smoke in R9 with its first shot, efectively shrouding a large group of huns. Then it ran out of smoke. This is a real disaster for the Brits as they need smoke to get to the village. However, the 5 hex orchard at M5 provides effective cover from the upper level of U5 and U6, so all was not lost. I placed a lot of inf smoke in L2 and K2 and managed to get a bunch of my commandos across the road, and a bunch more into L3. So far so good, even with a Smkeless mortar. Then the wheels started to fly off. To begin with, it was my fault- I tempted fate. I moved a squad in the open. A 7-3 from the MMG, he rollsa 4 and I'm KIA. Luckily, my sniper comes into play and breaks his HMG crew. But for then next few fire attacks, Brent rolled nothing but twos thres and fours. He was on such a roll that he actually started to apologize [grin]. I was pretty beaten up and things looked grim as I'd only made it to R6, R7 and the Q3, Q4 woods by the time the Canadians were due to arrive. Time became a huge factor. Unfortunately, this is where I made the largest mistake of the game. When Brent saw the big stacks entering, he made the decision to pull back. I had entered, and then in the next DFPh, set up the HMG kill stack in J8. But then Brent pulled out. So I had to either dm the guns again, or tote them as is. I chose to tote them.
I got no smoke form one of my reinforcing mortars, but two smoke shots form the other before it ran out, so this covered my advance with the Canucks pretty well. Unfortunately, time was now too short. We played to conclusion, but my deepest penetration was to row AA. I had guessed fairly well which were the VC buildings, but just didn't reach them.
I have to admit that I was pinned when I took that personal MC at the time of his hot dice and almost gave up. But I hung in and played it out, for who's to say if it won't be my turn with the hot dice next? In any case, we both really enjoyed this scenario and are anxious to play it again. I think Brent's setup was a good one and I would try it myself. It would be interesting to see what would have happened had I had more Smoke to cover my moves with.
Given his set up, I think a British advance up the left flank is in order. There is more cover, and if you can get behind him, you've got it made. On the other hand, maybe a push through the area where your reinforcements are due makes sense. That way you can be sure about leaving your heavy weapons dm and race to the start line.
Grant