Been wanting to play some Stalingrad battles to refine my system. Once the system is refined I can work on the AI for the OPFOR. I have the rudiments down but have to fine tune it for the various situations.
So I rolled up a German company circa 1942. After all my harping last post about differentiating leaders these guys are all pretty average. That's okay; with my guiding hand with can change that. Then I rolled up on a new company table for the scenario and got "exploitation." Now how am I going to do a exploitation in Stalingrad? Well lets see... The company becomes a panzer grenadier company (motorized) and the german army is still approaching Stalingrad. The Cast:
Hauptman Zoller Avg
1st Platoon Lt Auer Avg
1st squad UnterOff Dietz Avg squad veteran
2nd,3rd squads all avg
2nd Platoon Lt Friedschaffe Poor [ just arrived as a replacement ]
1st squad Unter Off Kaufmann Good [ ran plt until Friedschaffe arrived ]
all squads avg.
3rd Platoon Lt Steinman Avg
1st, 2nd squad avg. 3rd squad poor as they are replacements.
The mission: Flank and neutralize an industrial/railroad complex that sits along battalions route of advance. Opposition should be light but training and morale of enemy troops is improving. There is a stream astride your avenue of approach but there are one or two bridges across and the stream is fordable.
Ground
Avenue of approach for the company. No artillery but we do get 2 ACs and 2 tanks.
The area is lightly defended as this is a rear area. The OPFOR rolls 2D6. This is the number of blinds that will enter around turn 4 as reinforcements. I roll a 10. This area is very lightly defended but the russians will be sending a lot of stuff in.
The on board blinds are placed. Most of the infantry are holding a line up front. There are 3 markers in the station.
And so it begins...
What would your plan be?
Hpt Zoller decides to send the ACs right into the complex to see what he is dealing with. He will send the 2 tanks up to the river for fire support. He has 1st and 2nd platoon debuss. First platoon will lead a direct assault across the river in a coup de main while 2nd platoon [with the new LT] will deploy to the right a provide covering fire. He will personally do up to the river to ensure it is fordable. 3rd platoon will be in reserve. As always plans can change based on the enemy strength and disposition.
The Armored cars fail to spot anything.
The russians see the new threat and shift two squads from the front lines back towards the station. Unfortunately the russian Lt in the station is above avg. It will be hard to get a jump on these guys.
The ATR quietly sets up in the station. He wants the AC to get as close as possible.
Zoller starts to execute his plan.
As first platoon reaches the stream a light mortar fires with devastating effect. 2nd squad is now ineffective. An ATR opens up the an AC but shots bounce off. Zoller realizes this will not be a walk in the park today.
End of turn 2. 1st platoon roughed up. 2nd platoon moving so slowly they aren't in the picture. Russian MMG opens up from the town. German tanks now have targets!
As mortar fire continues to pound the near bank, Zoller moves the survivors back. He has his light mortar and tanks concentrate on the station. Either the mortar or spotter must be in there.
2nd platoon, slowed by the woods makes their way up.
The german fire on the station begins to have an effect. The mortar is silenced.
End of turn 3. Zoller brings up his ATG.
Turn 4 starts and look who shows up from the top of the board!
He has brought some friends.
The german tanks shift their fire. They are outnumbered but fire faster. Meanwhile, medics clear the wounded. Zoller orders 2nd platoon to cross over and attack. 1st platoon will cover.
2nd platoon, with Unter OFF Kaufmann in the lead crosses.
End of turn 4. Lt Friedschaffe in the bottom corner is picking up a lagging squad.
50mm ATG set up. Readies the first shot...
2nd platoon crossing. Hauptman Zoller now arrives to speed things up. He orders UnterOf Dietz [ blue marker 1st platoon] to join in the assault.
Kaufman 80 yards from the station; engages the enemy. Panzer grenadier squads have 2LMGs.
At this point the original russian platoon, down to 2 stands [ 6 men] breaks and leaves the field! [ PBI rules, I rolled and they they still broke] The station is actually empty! The russian reinforcements have an average leader but poor troops who don't move fast. They are in the upper left of the photo. Now a race to get into the station!
End of turn 5. You can see 2nd platoon strung out trying to reach the station. The russians too are trying to occupy the station. Zoller has ordered 3rd platoon to reinforce 2nd platoon and they are making tier way up.
As both sides start to advance Lt Friedschaffe orders a halt. Unterof Kaufman can't believe it! He was about to advance to the brown railroad car while 2nd squad advanced into the station. The Lt doesn't want the platoon moving into a trap. He will personally bring up 3rd squad to the locomotive and they will all lay down superior fire! [ You can see the command confusion card that came up just at the wrong time. That means any poor leader can't perform the next action; in this case move. The Lt was close enough to keep the platoon stationary. : ) ] Fortunately, Dietz from 1st platoon didn't hear the order and moved into the station.
End of turn 6 2nd platoons fire has pinned some russians who now are in the station. UnterOf Dietz occupies the left corner of the station. 3rd platoon is crossing the stream.
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