I used my 1st platoon of the 7th Motorized Schutzen aka " Max Roscher". They are East German which is different. This is my 4th battle but the first time I have ever posted with these guys. They have won most of their battles but the first squad has done poorly every time. ULT Volstadt had threatened to replace their NCO when he had conveniently gotten KIA during a patrol to a factory. That dropped the squad morale and he wasn't replaced. The squad is now undermanned and led by Gefreiter Elbaum. Volstadt is evil [ not taking sides here I just rolled it up!] and this war has been inconvenient so far but might help his progression either up the ranks or politically after the war if he can get his platoon to do what he wants. Lets check in with this interesting unit...
Characters
ULT Volstadt son of a govt official evil/ hedonism Avg ldr
1st squad Gef Elbaum temporary poor morale of squad poor 8/6 for FoF
2nd squad Unteroffizer Rossic son of disgraced official Volstad constantly questions his loyalty to the state. Therefore he feels he must be twice as good as everyone else. conformist/ technology Avg leader which for Warsaw pact NCO is good. morale of squad avg 8/8 for FoF
1 BDRM
4 T-55s
Volstadt didn't mind the war but it had surprised him. Did the Russians really think they could win? He hoped so. Being in a front line combat unit could certainly do him well as long as his unit didn't screw up this chance for him. Either climbing in the military or back in the party would be fine with him and his father would certainly help where he could. His unit was made up of dolts primarily; Rossic had some potential but the rest were sheep who wouldn't even get out of the rain.
He had a chance today to score some points with his CO Maj Kettler. Kettler had been a problem up till now as he wasn't a political type. " I don't care who your papa is. I need you to be a good infantry officer and train your platoon!"
Well the company had been held in reserve and a small breakthrough had occurred. Each platoon was to be sent through the breach to secure an objective! Now was his time to shine. He was to secure a bridge on the outskirts of the town of Lemm. The situation was fluid and resistance was expected to be minimal so no artillery or air was allotted. [ I rolled up the scenario Explotation and failed rolls for artillery and air. I made the rolls for armor automatic. ]
The village of Lemm to the right. 1st platoon enters from the town. I decreased the number of "As" and "Cs" by 1 to reflect NATO fighting outnumbered.
A shot range out as the BDRM neared the bridge. "Nuts" thought Volstadt. this isn't going to be as easy as I hoped. 2 Tanks moved forward as 2 tanks swung right.
The Shika AA unit quickly sends them downstairs. { West Germans had UNLIKELY chance of air support and missed their rolls as well. In retrospect should have made that POSSIBLE to LIKELY.}
The West Germans rally in the tower and then retreat.
Fun battle that was bittersweat because I couldn't share it with my dad. It should have been closer than it was but I misplaced the Leopard on set up. I should have switched it with the jadgpanzer and given it more LOS over the board.
Post battle Maj Kettler is impressed but not enough to promote Volstadt. He and Rossi also miss their leadership roles to improve. Interestingly, 2nd squad does not grow any closer to Rossi even though he is doing a great job. Volstadt does meet the battalion S-4 Maj Rother and thinks he impresses him with his tale of the battle. Actually Rother pegs Volstadt correctly as self serving but is politically astute enough to see which way the wind blows. A new NCO is assigned to the platoon for first squad, Unteroffizer Weiler and they are brought up to full strength. Hopefully that will help morale. [ it didn't]
Will Volstadt climb the ladder or be found out?
Will Weiler rally first squad?
Will Rossi take 2nd squad to the next level and continue to be the rock of the platoon?
we will have to wait and see my friends
Enjoy
Joe
