Chain of Command Game 17th October 2018
France, Summer 1944. The Probe (modified ‘Scenario Two’ with 2d6 support per platoon)
German Forces:
German Heer Platoon, Regular, Force rating 0
Senior Leader
Panzerschreck Team
3x Infantry squads – Junior Leader, LMG Team, Rifle Team
Support – STuG III, Sniper Team
German Fallschirmjarger Platoon, Elite, Force rating +10
2x Senior Leaders
Panzerschreck Team
3x Infantry Squads – Junior Leader, 2x LMG Teams
Support – STuG III, Medic
British Forces:
Infantry Platoon, Regular, Force Rating 0
2x Senior Leaders
PIAT Team
2″ Mortar Team
3x Sections, Junior Leader, LMG Team, Rifle Team
Support – Churchill AVRE
Airborne Platoon, Elite, Force Rating +8
2x Senior Leaders
PIAT Team
2″ Mortar Team
Sniper
2x Sections, Junior Leader, LMG Team, Rifle Team
1x Section, 2x LMG Teams, Sniper Team
Support – Sherman Firefly, Sniper Team
(We missed the fact the the Para’s should of had another 2 points of support opposing the Fallschirmjagers)
Reconnaissance Photos
Patrol Phase
The British seemed to have the upper hand during the Patrol Phase preventing the Germans from advancing their Patrol Markers any great distance whilst taking control of one of the flanks. Even this good start would not help them in end, coming up against what would prove to be overwhelming German firepower (some pretty good dice rolls by the Krauts!).
The Battle
With the German forces gaining the initiative (Higher Force Moral) the German Heer platoon deploys one of its sections in to a corn field and another into a nearby building. The Fallschirmjagers manage to deploy a section in another corn field on the opposite side of the road, supported by it’s STuG III and in so doing building up a considerable fire-base.
Trying to outflank the Germans the British Para’s manage to deploy two of its sections into the woods on the Allied right flank. The Sherman Firefly provides armoured support. In the meantime the British Infantry sections try to pin the Germans in place by engage the Heer sections opposite.
As the Fallschirmjager advanced in the centre the German Heer Panzerschreck opens fire on the Firefly, knocking it out. Concentrated German fire on the starts to whittle down the British Infantry.
As British Para’s secure the woods and take up flanking positions more British infantry deploy into fields towards the left flank. A Churchill AVRE provides Armour and anti-infantry support.
The German Heer Panzerschreck team opens up on the advancing Churchill, making short work in knocking it out. Meanwhile a sniper team deploys and another infantry section provides much needed support to the advanced section which is now down to just three men.
After sustaining increasing casualties two of the British Infantry sections break, leaving a Senior Commanders alone in the Wheat-field. The lose of the two sections combined with previous hits on Junior Commanders lowers their Force Morale down to a dangerously low limit. The British Infantry manage to hang on for a couple more phases before they lose their Senior Commander and are force to retire from the field, leaving the Para’s to fend for themselves.
With the Para’s left to fend for themselves the Germans start to redeploy their forces to take advantage of their superior numbers. The Para’s hold on for a few more phases but eventually they reluctantly acknowledge that the Germans have won and retire to fight on again another day.
Thanks to Colin, Dave & Rory for another enjoyable game!
Williton Gamers 