In early September 1944, the Allied armies' wild chase across France was starting to slow down with growing supply problems and stiffening resistance from the supposedly beaten German Army. Although the bulk of Patton's Third Army was stalled, elements of 3rd Cavalry Group broke out and got as far as Thionville on the Moselle river. During the afternoon of 2 September, a cavalry platoon charged the Thionville bridge on their steel horses. - - - -
In this six-turn scenario the Americans, in jeeps and armored cars, must capture the bridge during the first turn and prevent its recapture by counter-attacking German infantry and assault guns.
Attacker: American (1st Platoon, B Troop, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Group)
Fun scenario. As the American I rushed over the bridge with all three ACs and moved to the near end of the bridge with the jeeps. I was able to break the German squad covering the bridge and got my 9-2 and all the jeeps across (except for one which unloaded on the near end). I positioned my vehicles around Board 20 to force the German infantry to mostly enter from off-board. I then moved most of them back to attempt to get the crews and MMGs out of them. Mt HS and lone squad positioned themselves in the buildings covering the far end of the bridge. On Turn 4, I moved one AC to behind a wall on my right, one behind a wall on the near side of the bridge, and one hulldown on a hill on the left. The StuGs came on and the German infantry began to engage my infantry. In a crazy sequence of gunfire, he caused two MCs vs. my 9-2, 6-6-7, and BAZ. The 9-2 rolled a "2" on both MCs; he battle-hardened and became a hero on the first Heat of Battle (no effect on the squad); the 10-2 then battle-hardened to a 10-3 on the second MC (no effect on the squad again). I have never had a leader battle-harden twice in a scenario - and this time it was to a 10-3; wow! Scott moved his StuGs to the left and got one smoke placed at the far end of the bridge. However, one of my jeep crews and MMG was jumped in CC by a 4-4-7, but Scott rolled a "12" and the jeep crew and MG escaped; this was a serious result. that crew and MMG was able to lay a firelane to cover the bridge on Turn 6 that helped break up Scott's last-ditch rush. We both thought this scenario was really fun and winnable by either side.
2021-03-03
(D) Simon Staniforth
vs
German win
Looked tough for the Germans early on as the initial on board force crumbled and clever positioning of the US forces meant they were denied the ability to set up on board. All routes to the bridge were covered by MGs. Greater squad numbers / their effect vs the unarmored Jeeps / CC advantage vs the 3-4-7 HSs and the hitting power of the StuGs prevailed in the end
2019-07-19
(A) David Garvin
vs
Gary Bartlett
American win
2017-01-07
(D) Richard Jenulis
vs
Allen Evenson
German win
2015-11-07
(D) Eric Trudel
vs
Dave Randall
American win
My 2nd game after a 5 year absence on the ASL scene. I forgot to protect my flank and got surrounded on the north part of the city with nowhere to rout. Also, one elite Russian with a demo charge scored snake eyes and rubbled a fortified location with my killer stack with the HMG. :) Deep snow and fortified locations made this game entertaining.
2014-09-14
(D) Stephen Stewart
vs
Brian Roundhill
American win
2014-08-30
(A) Richard Carter
vs
Ted Torgerson
American win
VASLeague match. Ted conceded on turn 4.5. It did look tough for the Germans at that point. I was able to sneak past the initial defenders on one of the flanks and set up around the bridge and await the counterattack. Nonetheless his Stug's had not yet come on and it would have been interesting to see that. Would like to play it again.
2013-12-21
(A) Richard Jenulis
vs
Lyle Fisher
American win
2012-07-08
(A) Ian Willey
vs
Duncan Raeburn
American win
Lots of fun, get to run round with jeeps with MG's. Looks difficult in that the Germans just need to get one bridge hex to win at turn end but easier said than done. Both sides have to attack and defend at different points. Quick game for an evening