AAR for revised scenario not in the repository - Dusty Roads 7th AD_Version 2.0

[Badger73]

Dusty roads 2_0

CM BfN Base Game scenario

at "Green As Jade" - http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/4790/details

submitted 20-Nov-12

file author: Wimpie45 (Willem)

- August, 1944

- Duration = 2 hours

- US Armored Cavalry troop (force size of less than a company) vs. German Luftwaffe Infantry with anti-tank support.

- American reconnaissance elements of the 7th Armored Division are ordered to secure a small town. The scenario and map are fictional but slightly based on after action reports from 7th AD. Map generally depicts type of area between La Loupe and Epernon, France.

Can only play as USA versus GER AI.

Gameplay report - CMBN version 1.11 on WARRIOR setting.

I don't typically write AARs for scenarios not found in the CM repository. This is an exception because version 1.0 of this scenario does reside in the CMBN repository. Version 2.0 is an improved version based on feedback from several playings provided to the developer in October 2012.

Version 2.0 tweaked the forces involved and contains a more thorough briefing. The Version 2 map deleted a long stone wall paralleling the road into town which severely constrained US movement in version 1. These improvements provide a very interesting, challenging, and gratifying gaming experience. Thank you @Wimpie45/Willem for both developing and improving this scenario for the rest of us to play!

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This scenario tasks the American player with the range of missions typical for a cavalry unit. Don't fool yourself. Cavalry is specialized and can't be successfully managed with an infantry or armor mindset. Engineers are very skilled at vital tasks but they lack the inherent firepower and tactical flexibility of the poor bloody infantry. While armored cars and light tanks more nimbly traverse wood-lines, they cannot withstand anti-tank opponents. Gun Motor Carriages fire impressive ordinance but are too thin skinned to survive any concerted enemy counter-fires. Air support is stupendous but takes a long time to arrive. In effect, whatever queasiness you begin with only leads to greater unease as you stick your delicate neck leading Staghounds, Stuarts, and Thunderbolts into the hangman's noose of prepared German defensive positions.

1) Deployment & Initial moves - US Player only

This is a medium size battle. The US player commands an armored car recon section, a light tank platoon, several engineer platoons in half-tracks, a mortar platoon, a self-propelled howitzer section, plus the leadership and FO sections of the recon troop (as US cavalry companies are called). The USA troop commander knows that the rest of the 7th AD is somewhere behind him with an armored infantry unit on its way to help him eventually. The Germans (AI only) are well established and expecting the Americans. The US player has to figure out how to winkle the Germans out.

This scenario provides more than enough time to perform all missions; take the village church (Objective C), after securing the crossroad (Objective , by way of suppressing any forces flanking the advance (Objective A). With a large area to reconnoiter and a broad axis of advance to secure, it will take several hours for solitary play.

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2) Conduct of operations

Artillery support is copious and desirable. As the US player, I pre-planned a heavy barrage on Objective A with a 5-minute delay. Then I advanced in line bounding forward from my assembly area east of the main road into town. The light tanks led, followed the engineers mounted in their half-tracks, with the mortars on the far right flank. The M8's and the FO remained in the rear by the southern road. C Troop HQ and 1st Platoon armored cars probed out from the assembly area towards the main road, remaining on the east side of the road but observing west. As the engineers approached the farmhouse, they dismounted to advance in teams.

After 5 minutes (1:55), US artillery shells poured upon Objective A west of the main road and a German LMG team unmasked by the telephone pole south of the farmhouse as the engineers scouted them out. Within 2 more minutes (1:53) a German squad was spotted north of the farmhouse. By

1:50 another German squad appeared in the triangle of woods northeast of the farmhouse. US engineers advanced carefully behind the light tanks while the half tracks provided heavy machine-gun support.

By 1:50 the 1st platoon armored cars had scooted quickly west of the main road towards Objective A and found a dead German tank hunter team left by the US artillery barrage. US mortars deployed between the assembly area and first northern treeline. US M8's prowled forward behind the engineer half-tracks.

At 1:48, east of the road, engineers clearing the advance took fire from the German sniper team in the farmhouse. A section of engineers was lost before a Stuart took out the snipers. As the engineers and light tanks cleared out the farmhouse area, US mortars dropped smoke along the road north of the farmhouse. Once concealment was established by billowing white phosphorous the HQ vehicles dashed west of the road and probed the farm buildings there due south of Objective B.

Over the next 20 minutes (1:28);

- the armored cars at Objective A located and destroyed a German AT gun by the western edge railroad tracks and advanced upon that position, only to have a greyhound taken out by an AT gun west of Objective B

- mines on the road south of Objective B destroyed an M8

- the main force advancing to Objective B exchanged fire and smoke before arriving pretty well spent

The final half hour;

- saw the US Army Air Corps paste the churchyard by Objective C

- found 3 Stuarts taken out advancing north

- watched the last US greyhound lose its game of catch with a panzerfaust round

When US reinforcements arrived, Objectives A and B were secured by the initial force who hunkered down in place as the fresh units passed through to mop up and occupy Objective C. By 0:54, the US Army achieved a minor victory, taking 25% casualties but inflicting 75% casualties on the Germans. Success was complete but grim. It was frustrating to think the way clear then plow forward and get shot to pieces by withering fires unforeseen. Whatever StuGs the German's might have had never materialized. I couldn't tell if this AI plan I faced had none or whether the airstrikes forced them to flee.

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Assessment: This scenario is much improved over Version 2. US maneuver options are not so channeled and engineers can shelter withing the covering fires of the .50 caliber armed half-tracks. This scenario demonstrates real and substantive differences between Cavalry operations and armored infantry advances.

USA player has to learn how to wield a scalpel instead of an axe; balancing patient maneuver with quick strikes and sharp blows. Artillery should be well and often used. GER forces have excellent fields of fire and copious obstacles placed. This is a well constructed scenario and certainly worth the time to play.

Rate "5" for map design.

Rate "5" for AI deployment of forces.

Rate "5/4" for USA initial play / replay against AI.

The Version 2 scenario "briefing" effectively communicates situation information to the player. The game map provides good mission objective information and a challenging area for maneuver.

Recommendation: This is a great scenario to play for using atypical vehicles and force mixtures. The German AI is challenging. I have no idea how it would match up H2H.

Parting shots.

I commend Willem for a nicely researched hypothetical scenario. He has done a fine job capturing the feel of US breakout advances after D-Day. I suggest he please post this to the CMBN repository so that other players here can more easily find and play this gem.

Good luck and good gaming!

[PvtW]

Nice to hear that you enjoyed the scenario. Thank you for the aar. and the comment.

I have uploaded the scenario to the repository. And should be available there soon

Also included with the scenario, is a larger version of the map. So there is even more room to maneuver. This is a empty map, without a scenario. If anyone is interested, feel free to create your own scenario and upload it to the repository.