Day after day of seemingly endless forest. Constant shelling had turned most of the trees to shattered hulks. Advances were truly measured in yards as each step forward increased the threat of yet another sniper or hidden Spandau. Then, near the road from Richelskaul to Raffelsbrand, the GIs saw treeless sky. Without any command given, the US forces surged forward to take the high ground.
Attacker: American (60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division)
Defender: German (Infanterie-Regiment 983)
6 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:6.0 D:3.0
AFVs: A:0
AFVs: D:0
Guns: A:0 D:1
5cm PaK 38
Misc Rules:
Foxholes containing HIP units revealed as if Night
At first glance, the tiny OBs for both sides give the impression this should be a fast-playing rumble. But with the German player getting to set up HIP, with a scary 50L ATG, backed by an MMG, 2 LMGs, 2 FHs, 1 PB, and, oh yeah, 4 wire counters and 6 FP of minefields, the Americans with their 6 squads have to think very hard to find a safe path to the ridge victory hexes.
This is also one of those small scenarios in which the defender depends heavily on one or two weapons. As it turned out, Ken's ATG pinned a unit on its first T1 D1F shot and made rate. So far, so bad for the Americans, and it seemed my worst fears were about to be realized. But on its second T1 shot it malf'd, and was never repaired, eventually rolling the dreaded 6 on a repair roll. That meant that for essentially the whole game, the German ATG (which should have figured prominently in the defense) might as well have not been included in the OB at all.
Ken had a solid defense and turned the ridge into a Mt. Casino-like fortress. He put 3 of his 4 weapons, both FH, the PB, and 2.5 SE of 3.5 on the ridge surrounded by wire and mines. I wish I could claim a brilliant attack plan was the key to victory, but I think I was substantially bailed out by the dice. Besides the aforementioned malf'd ATG, he had a FS in the PB go berserk and charge to a glorious, but pointless, death.
I think a replay with the exact same setup using the exact same attack plan would end differently with kinder dice. Nevertheless, this is a fun and well-balanced scenario that can be finished in one sitting. Worth a try.
2023-12-28
(D) Rich Worden
vs
Jim
German win
Three pronged American attack failed when the northern prong was ambushed moving along the road, the central prong was held up by the German sniper then (eventually, once the pillbox was manned) MMG fire, and the southern prong hit the one minefield and was unable to rally and get out of it.
Close game suddenly turned into a bit of a rout for the Germans on T5.
2022-09-04
(A) Dave Mareske
vs
Paul Lauger
American win
Omaha Tournament
2021-08-22
(A) Richard Jenulis
vs
Richard King
German win
AT Gun got hot on last turn.
2020-12-12
(D) Kevin Sanders
vs
Jason Littleton
German win
Well this is a nice small scenario that can teach some fortification rules and how to max defense with limited squads. Americans made it up onto the hill (Victory Hex). Only 1 good order German squad left and 1 good order US. Last turn, last shot the German needs to break the US 666 holding the win. Luck favors the German got a win but could have went either way...pretty fun
2020-05-02
(A) Allen Evenson
vs
Dennis Hess
American win
Started well enough but soon found stiff resistance on the Hill - was able to tie-up and eventually take out the Gun Crew in CC that was blocking my southern assault. HIP German squad suprised Northwestern Assault making the Pincer move untenable. The AE squad was able to take P5 on final American Turn 6 Advance phase and hang on during the last German turn for the nail-biting win. Fun scenario and a good way to get used to wire/mines/pillbox/dc rules.
2019-10-23
(D) davide galloni
vs
Raffaele Ianni
German win
With manzo against Raffaele
2018-10-07
(D) Alan Krause
vs
Martin Kristenson
German win
Solid defensive plan plus a late game gun ROF/CH tear never hurts.
2017-10-11
(A) Jeff B
vs
Scott Sherer
American win
Very fun and fast-playing scenario with a little bit of everything. Being that all the Germans set up HIP there were only so many hexes they could be in, so the Americans approached quite safely to the south. That safety was blown however when a 4+1 shot broke the kill stack they had amassed, wounding the 9-2 in the process. This set their approach back by a turn or two as they regrouped for their assault, wary of potential spots for the 8-3-8/MMG/9-1 who had yet to show their faces. The Americans would thank the designer for the sole AE (who provided excellent smoke) and the two DCs (that provided a constant threat) that functioned as a successful tandem. The last two turns proved to be a bloodbath as both sides struggled for control of the hill. In the end the Americans survived some vicious German fire with one GO squad, just enough to fulfill the VC. Great game!
2017-10-11
(D) Scott Sherer
vs
Jeff B
American win
2016-06-24
(D) Dan Best
vs
Matt Evans
German win
Texas ASL Tournament 2016. AT gun got several good hits.