Angered and dismayed by a call on June 17th for an armistice, the officers and cadets of the Cavalry School had vowed to fight for their own honor and that of France. Southeast of Saumur, lay the Aunis Farm, a French command post and staging area. Through a misunderstanding, the cadets positioned there had not advanced to the Loire River when the Germans began their crossing attempt, so they hurriedly prepare to defend the farm in an effort to contain the enemy bridgehead. They had hardly finished when enemy mortar rounds began landing around them. . .
Attacker: German (Schwadron 3, Kavallerie Regiment 1)
Defender: French (Cadets of the École de Cavalerie / Cadets of the St-Maxient École d'Infanterie / 19éme Dragons, 1er Groupe Franc de Cavalerie)
8.5 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:24.0 D:27.0
AFVs: A:0
Opel Blitz
D:4
H39 x 4
Guns: A:5
3.7cm PaK 35/36 x 3 8cm GrW 34 x 2 5cm leGrW 36 x 4 7.92 PzB 39 ATR x 4
D:0
Misc Rules:
Stone Buildings, Bldg 19I8 begins Ablaze. A: random Air, Tr1
Map Board(s):
16
19
Overlays:
NONE
Errata (source)
Players wanting to play this game/Request a match:
Used German balance. Very fun scenario that came down to last Turn. Luck was on the French side with late (Turn 6) entry of German Air Support. See-saw battle with so many high & low points on both sides!
2020-06-23
(A) Eric Topp
vs
Ron Oxford
German win
The French split their tanks into two groups. One group sought to counterattack from the south-west but they were overwhelmed by the German infantry in CC. The French infantry reinforcements were harassed by the German FB crossing the open country in the south. By turn 7, the Germans occupied the upper levels of the 16O3 building subjecting the French defenders around 16L6 to massive FP. When the French defenders were reduced to a lone tank and three squads, they capitulated.
2020-01-09
(A) Scott Sherer
vs
Jeff Buser
French win
Very fun and enjoyable early-war scenario with lots of reinforcements for both sides. I came in from the west side and made good initial progress, but my initial attempt at the 16O3 building was repulsed after getting a toe-hold. Jeff reinforced it expertly and it took another 2-3 turns to muster up the forces to eventually take it, but not until Turn 7 and then it was way to late to mount a serious effort for the other victory building. My AT guns did take out all four French AFV's, so that was good, but by the end, every one of my 5/8" ordnance counter (3 AT guns and 2 81 MM MTRs) had malfunctioned and 4 of them were eliminated for rolling 6's on their repairs. A very good scenario for learning the application of fire lanes (for both sides) and the strafing rules for air support. Really enjoyed playing it despite the outcome!
2020-01-08
(D) Jeff B
vs
Scott Sherer
French win
I agree with Scott that this is a very fun scenario. Dynamic scenarios are always my favorites, and this certainly is that. I was very concerned about the Germans splitting their force and sending some units from the North, but Scott chose to attack in force directly up the middle (with a few outlying units pushing up the South edge). The Germans made the central woods mass on Turn 1 as I had left this area mostly unprotected. My sole unit up front drew the wrath of the German guns and AF. Somehow I managed to break my fair share of Germans. I recognized the importance of the 16C8-19T9 lane at the setup, and immediately ran my HMG back to situate himself in the southern woods. A MMG was ready to lay a FL on the other side of the first VC building. Turn 2 saw the Germans amass in the woods in preparation of their initial assault on the VC building, while I drove my tanks in to help protect (making sure to keep the 16C8-19T9 lane clear of obstacles). Turn 3 was a rough one for the Germans. Their front line was almost busted to the man (besides losing 3.5 squads), and the French reinforcements came pouring on. It looked virtually hopeless for them at this point, but I severely underestimated their AT guns and plane. Turn 4 was a bad one for the French, losing two tanks to those pesky AT guns, their 9-1 to a sniper, and 3 squads. The Germans didn't go without casualties, losing another 1.5 squads and a big mortar. It was also the start of the fanatic/hero parade. The Germans would create three heroes over the next couple turns. Alas, two of them would die this very turn. The Germans also received their air support this turn. Between that and their FLs, the reinforcing French infantry would find difficulty in reinforcing the front lines. Turn 5 would be another bad one for the Gemans, losing 3 more squads and one of their AT guns. But by this time the French were down to only one tank, the AT guns having wreaked their toll. Having knocked out the last French tank, and under cover of smoke provided by their last sneakily-positioned big mortar, the Germans made another big move on the first VC building on Turn 6. This time their toehold stuck, but it would not be until the following turn that they would be able to clear it. In the meantime, they lost their plane to a broken MG. The next couple turns would see the French generate a hero parade of their own - 4 in all (2 being sprung from one HS on successive shots). Without the plane to scare them, and with the Germans running low on bodies, the French were able to surround the last VC building with a wall of bodies and preserve the victory. Had the plane still been around I think the result of this game would've been very much in question. Great game!
