I had the opportunity to play RIDING SHOTGUN this weekend with Chris Chapman. For those who are interested, the original Rout Report (scenario Z10) and the new Rout Pack II versions are identical, except for a typo on the new card. (The turn 1 American forces enter along the north, south, and/or west (not east) edges.)
Folks, this scenario is a blast, especially if you like funky vehicles. I had previously heard rumblings that it was unbalanced in favor of the Germans, but after playing it (albeit only once) I don't agree. YES, the VCs are tough on the Americans, but if our match is any indication I think that they can win roughly half the time. In our match the Germans did win, but it came down almost to the end.
The scenario takes place in 1945 and centers on the board 41 village, which the Germans must defend against an American motorized assault. The Germans are of poor quality and have conscripts and first line squads with low ELR. They also get a Flak truck, StuH, and a 234, but all of these are very low on fuel. They also have to deal with a setup restriction that puts roughly half their force outside the village. To their benefit they have plenty of fausts and stone buildings to defend from.
The Amis get elite 667 squads / 347 halfsquads and a cornucopia of vehicles including jeeps (armed and unarmed), halftracks (3 different kinds), M8 ACs, and a couple of tanks (M28s?) The obvious Amis advantages are mobility and firepower. They also have the advantage of attacking from three sides. Unfortunately they have to deal with mud, a short amount of time, and tough victory conditions (the Amis have to evict the Germans from 4 multihex stone buildings on board 41.)
In brief: The Americans attacked on three sides and quickly surrounded the village. Some units tried to interdict the Germans running back to reinforce the village defense, with moderate success. A M8 dispatched the Flak truck, the StuH counterattacked but ran out of gas, and a few American halftracks (the ones with the damn red MPs) immobilized. Halfway through the Americans had a foothold in the village and the Germans started making a stand. With two turns to go the Americans had secured three out of the four victory buildings. With a turn to go the americans had a melee going in half of the last building. Three faust shots later there were three more American flaming wrecks and the remaining US infantry couldn't quite make it into the last building. Game over with the Germans holding onto about half of the last building.
One lesson to be learned: Even conscripts can fire fausts from inside buildings and live to tell about it.
John 'I wish I could write AARs like J.R. Tracy' Slotwinski