CMPzC Operation "Bloody Christmas" (Ortona '43)

[ChappyCanuck]

Good job nailing that halftrack, Frank.  The second one doesn't have long to live either......almost H-Hour guys....

[ChappyCanuck]

@IanL

@Stonecutter

OK Commanders, your time is near......

Just some clarifications/reminders before things progress:

C Coy Comd (Ian) - note that all the attachments that D Coy currently has (ATGs, FOO, etc) become yours as soon as you arrive. If you choose to leave them under Stonecutter's command that is entirely up to you - but note that they are your resources for the next hour. Also note that you have 2 x Kittyhawk missions, one at 13:15 and one at 13:30.  I have also confirmed with Koh that A Coy will arrive behind you at 13:15 hours. They are the Battlegroup reserve and fall under your command for the next hour. Use A Coy as you see fit.

D Coy Comd, Cbt Tm Stonecutter, Hasty P's (Frank) - Frank you have a lot of odds and sods to help C Coy achieve its mission. Once that mission is achieved (investing Casa Berardi) seek pursuit opportunities towards Cider Crossroads. For D Coy (with rolled in B Coy), have them follow up a tactical bound behind, but use your judgement if you need them for a hasty attack/pursuit.  The Hasty P's do not arrive until 13:15, but their position may provide a flanking element of surprise, and may be the "can opener" for defeating the Germans in the next hour.

I hope you guys have lots of coordination and most of all, lots of fun.  I'm looking forward to the turn files and AARs!

Go get em!

 

 

[kohlenklau]

This is gonna be exciting.  I hope you all get a chance to share some screenshots and commentary.

[Kuderian]

Good luck chaps! I will be cheering you on from the sidelines.

And thanks for the great AAR so far.

[snake_eye]

Hi everybody,

Just got home on time to see you on the start line. Go ahead guys and rout the Jerries;

Cheer

[Stonecutter]

"Sir, the Germans are withdrawing, look over there."

            Captain Minna glanced toward where his radio operator was pointing and immediately picked up the telltale exhaust smoke and vehicle movement. Raising his binoculars to getter a better view, he watched a group of panzergrenadiers board a half track that quickly started heading north along the main road. A couple hundred meters closer, two panzer III's stood watch, carefully protecting the withdrawing infantry.  Several minutes later, the closest panzer began reversing north toward a new position. As soon as it was set, its gun still pointed toward Delta Company, the second panzer began its own rearward move, leap frogging the first enemy tank. Minna watched the carefully orchestrated withdrawal with grudging respect and regret. A withdrawal under contact was a difficult tactical manoeuvre and the Germans were executing it flawlessly. The complete absence of allied armour certainly made the task easier. The enemy had pushed Delta Company to the limit and Minna wondered at their sudden decision to pull back just when they were at the point of decisively breaking the Canadian defence. He suspected the recent Kittyhawk sorties and destruction of two panzers by the six pounder ATGs may have contributed to the uncharacteristic caution. In any event, he was only too happy on a personal level to rue the reasons why. The close call with a MkIV and grenadiers coming within 200 meters of him made Minna give a quick prayer of thanks to whoever or whatever was making the enemy withdraw.

            Pondering the enemy actions for a few moments, Minna tried to think of the situation from the enemy commander's perspective. The Germans invariably counterattacked very aggressively and would only stop with good reason. If a counterattack wasn't intended to succeed, then it must be buying time by trying to throw the RCR Battlegroup off balance. Searching the ground in the distance, Minna's suspicions were confirmed. Further north of OBJ Morning Glory, half tracks loaded with grenadiers and more panzers were making their way into the objective. With the buildings, woods and walls of the estate, it certainly made a strong, defensive position. Examining the ground between his location and OBJ Morning Glory, Minna also noted that a lot of the scrub, trees and even some buildings had been razed to clear the lines of sight. The battlegroup would have to cover over half a mile in open terrain to reach the objective and over terrain that was muddy and very obviously under direct enemy observation and fire. Minna checked his watch and saw that it was still a few minutes before C Company was due to arrive - time enough, he hoped, to adapt the original plan to this new information.

"Niner, this is Golf Two Zero, over."

"Niner, send over."

"Golf Two Zero, SITREP. Enemy attack has ceased, I repeat, enemy attack has ceased. Remaining enemy forces consisting of platoon of Mark IIIs and platoon plus of grenadiers in half tracks are withdrawing north to area grid three-four-one  eight-seven-two. Additional enemy forces consisting of platoon Mark IVs, platoon Mark IIIs and platoon of mechanized infantry are entering same area from the north. Ground east and west of main road has been cleared of obstruction approximately 800 metres south. Enemy appears to be occupying a defensive position in current location. Panzers are moving into built up area and adopting firing positions oriented south behind stone walls. Maintaining observation, over."

"Golf Two Zero, this is Niner, acknowledged. Maintain observation and report any further enemy actions, out."

The rumble of the ground from behind Minna heralded the arrival of C Company and A Squadron reinforcements. Switching to their radio frequency, he listened in while continuing to seek out enemy positions and began to develop a fire plan to support the attack on OBJ Morning Glory.

"All stations Tango, this is Tango One, warning order. Higher reports enemy defence consisting of grenadier company and panzer company occupying hasty defence in area grid three-four-one  eight-seven-two. Likely mission, advance to contact and destroy. Tango One-Three intimate support India Three, Tango One-Four intimate support India Four. All other Tango calls signs in reserve. Current location is zeroed in by enemy artillery, all stations move to form up points five hundred metres north of current location, Tango One-Four left, Tango One-Three right, remainder as per SOP. Ground is extremely muddy, all Tango calls signs move with care. Orders to follow in figures one-five, Tango One out."

Major Stonecutter acknowledged the four thumbs up from his troop leaders and ordered his driver to carefully make his way toward Stirling Castle. The heavy concentration of friendly vehicles and troops in the assembly area would certainly bring the usual swift German reaction and he was determined to get his troops away before the stonking began. While the infantry of Charlie Company sorted themselves out into the bren carriers, his squadron's tanks all began moving away. With any luck, the movement of his squadron would draw the enemy's attention away from the vulnerable infantry. 

Keeping a close eye on the distant enemy position, Major Stonecutter almost missed the drone of aircraft engines overhead. The engine noise seemed odd for the Kittyhawks he knew were supporting the battlegroup and he glanced skyward. Stunned almost to disbelief, he saw a Messerschmitt 109 with its distinctive crosses swoop down, strafing and dropping a bomb toward the rear of the assembly area. Until now, Stonecutter had only seen one enemy aircraft as the Luftwaffe had restricted their activities to night raids. The overwhelming allied air power generally meant a quick death for any German aircraft bold enough to fly in daylight - or at least that is what the fighter types like to brag! As the 109 performed a high gee turn and headed for home, he almost laughed at the bravado of the allied pilots. Listening to the Battalion net, he heard the FOO, Captain Minna, sending in the enemy aircraft report. Ironically, the 109 had actually done them a favour. Its single attack would draw every allied fighter around for the next few days as the pilots sought to add an air victory to their tally. The presence of more air power would boost his own troops morale and decrease that of the enemy. That Captain Minna would be able to press gang the fighters into doing a few more ground attack missions was merely an added bonus, as was the ability to now immediately silence the air cowboys the next time they started boasting! 

 

Grenadiers run to mount up in a half track while a Mk III covers their withdrawal. Minna's close call with a Mk IV only minutes earlier leave him too thankful to question the good fortune of the enemy opting to pull back just when they were about to tear into a nearly defenceless Delta Company.

In the distance, Captain Minna observes the arrival of a reinforcing platoon of grenadiers and a Mk IV panzer into OBJ Morning Glory. After determining the ground south of the objective has been cleared, he sends a SITREP to the battlegroup HQ to warn them of the additional preparations. It looks like OBJ Morning Glory will be well defended and a swift hasty attack is unlikely to succeed.  

 

 

Taking advantage of the lull in fighting, a crew of a six pounder decides to deny the Germans the ability to recover their vehicles if they resume the attack. The number 2 loads a 57mm armour piercing shot into the breech.

Just over 100 metres away, the first half track is hit.

The flash of the metal penetrator ripping into the lower hull causes the gunner to cheer with savage glee.

At first, it appears nothing vital was hit and the crew prepares another round. However, the commander orders the second half track to be targeted when he spots smoke beginning to rise out of the turret compartment.

 

The smoke turns to flame and quickly reaches something critical. The rear half of the vehicle is blown apart in a spontaneous explosion of all the remaining 37mm ammunition and fuel. The six pounder crew are knocked over as they are hit by the ensuing blast wave. 

Major Stonecutter quickly orders A Squadron to disperse and prepare for a hasty attack. The tanks steadily make their way across the thick, muddy field. 

The Canadians are caught by surprise when a ME 109 attacks the Vancouver assembly area. 

[Stonecutter]

Minna sighed with relief as he watched the 25 pounders drop on the Pak40's. After a few minutes, both guns were destroyed and he radioed this information to the battlegroup so that the advance could resume. For much of this battle he had felt almost useless as the Kittyhawks he had called in had had limited impact on the enemy and had even made the mistake of strafing one of the allied Shermans well away from the fighting. He tried to suppress a rising sense of rage at the lack of artillery support that had been provided for this battle. The mortars had proven useless as they simply lacked the range to extend much beyond the start line and the restriction of 25 pounder ammo and available guns had meant he had been unable to provide any suppressing fire or smoke for the infantry. He knew the infantry had paid a heavy price for the paucity of support in blood as they had continually had to close with fresh enemy. He laughed ruefully as he thought of the "intelligence" briefing that had spoken of the supply shortage the Germans were experiencing. There had been no shortage of German artillery in this battle and his enemy counterparts had used the nebelwerfers and 81mm mortars with ruthless efficiency throughout the long advance to Cider Crossroads, inflicting horrendous casualties on both the RCR and Hasty P's. He would have a lot to add to the divisional artillery briefing tomorrow and none of it would reflect favourably on the planners or staff. There was no doubt that the infantry would have to take a pause and reorganize with whatever troops were left and Minna was dead set that the next time they went forward into battle, the guns would be properly prepared. 

 

Major Stonecutter allowed his gunner and assistant driver to liberally spray the woods with MG fire while the tanks of Lieutenant Bertrand and Two Troop lent intimate support to the clearing of the woods. Having crossed nearly two miles of open, muddy terrain under the observation and fire of the Paks and panzers, Major Stonecutter was surprised that he had managed to arrive with half a dozen tanks at OBJ Morning Glory. The superior range, accuracy and lethality of the long barrelled enemy guns over the Sherman's short 75 had been amply demonstrated by the panzer and anti-tank gun crews during this battle. Despite these advantages, Stonecutter felt some grim satisfaction in the knowledge that his squadron had also drawn more than its fair share of blood in knocking out a company's worth of tanks and numerous Paks, not to mention the grenadiers they were mowing down in concert with the RCR. With a half dozen Shermans merely bogged in the mud and a number of the knocked out ones recoverable, he was certain the squadron could be back up to strength within a couple days. In the interim, he would have to make do with what resources he had. The battle was at a critical juncture and it was now time to try and exploit to prevent the enemy withdrawal. Quickly issuing orders to Bertrand to cut off the left flank by driving north of Morning Glory, he raced his own tank and that of his operations sergeant toward the hard pressed C Company which was still under the fire of nebelwerfers. He could see the open fields north of the gully where the Hasty P's were fighting hand to hand against german infantry. If they could join up with C Company, the enemy would be cut off and trapped in a pocket with little choice but to surrender or be slaughtered. While he had no love for the Germans, he hoped they would opt to surrender as fighting would entail more friendly casualties and they had suffered more than enough already. Urging greater speed to his driver as they raced toward C Company, he glimpsed the flash of a the main gun of one of the last panzers engaging some Royals as they sprinted for cover.

"Load armour piercing. Gunner be ready to engage once we get to the buildings ahead. Driver, slow crawl and hard left then stop at the next bend in the road."

"Loaded"

Through the wreckage and smoke, Stonecutter identified the MkIV as his driver brought their tank to a halt and slewed the turret into alignment as he shouted orders.

"700, tank at corner of building, on"         

"On"

"Fire"

"Firing now, target."

"Loaded"

"Firing now, target"

Stonecutter felt a sickening feeling in his gut as the first round shattered off the panzer's glacis and the second ricocheted without penetrating. He knew instinctively that the enemy crew was likely stunned and injured by internal spalling but the failure of the Sherman's gun to achieve penetration at this range was not only frustrating but extremely dangerous. Allowing his gunner and loader to continue, he continued to watch until the fifth round finally penetrated and knocked out the MarkIV just as it was attempting to reverse. The entire process had taken nearly a minute - an eternity in battle as Stonecutter knew only too well. The new Firefly tanks with their 17 lber guns could not arrive soon enough. While there might be some limitations, the ability to meet the Germans on more even terms with regard to firepower would assuredly more than make up for whatever problems the Firefly might have.  

"Target stop. Gunner, coax, crew in open, fire when ready."

The rattle of the coaxial MG continued for several bursts, dropping the panzer's crew to the ground as they tried to flee. His gunner triumphantly announced their latest victory over the intercom.

"Sir, that makes four today! One more and we're aces again in a single day!" 

There were already seven stripes painted on his tank's main gun so Stonecutter felt some of the same satisfaction as his gunner and crew. They were a close knit group now and he hoped to bring them through the war alive and together. 

"Good work everyone but keep alert, this isn't over yet. Driver advance to the next corner, co-driver, gunner, fire at anything that comes out of the trees by the top of the gully"

As his co-driver and gunner spotted and engaged several Germans fleeing the Hasty P's, Stonecutter received a thumbs up from his Ops Sergeant 200m north of him. While his Sergeant's tank began firing at grenadiers trying to escape the gully, Stonecutter watched Bertrand's troop take out the last panzer at point blank range before engaging other enemy infantry that was attempting to withdrawal from around OBJ Morning Glory. Every enemy soldier that surrendered now or was prevented from retreating would be one less they would have to blast out of a building in the village ahead, or perhaps, in the urban sprawl of the final objective of Ortona itself. 

C Company under nebelwerfer fire shortly after occupying the area. As a gunner, Lieutenant Minna knows that the enemy must have a target reference point close by as the artillery was brought to bear without any spotting rounds and less than 10 minutes after C Company had arrived.

  

Bertrand and Two Troop push north of OBJ Morning Glory to cut off retreating enemy. 

The firing of the 37mm from a half track at his Charlie tank allows Bertrand to spot and engage the enemy armour.

Even the Sherman's gun proves deadly as the half track explodes after the 75mm steel shot blasts through the engine and into the ammunition. 

At less than 200 meters range, the MkIV fills his gunner's optical sight and Bertrand gives his gunner a cheer as he manages to knock out the panzer while the Sherman is still moving. 

With no enemy armour or guns left to impede them, the Shermans of Two Troop close the loop north of OBJ Morning Glory. They mercilessly scythe down any enemy that attempt to flee rather than surrender. 

Lead elements of 5 platoon, B Company, Hasty P's seize the edge of OBJ Orange Blossom.

With the objective taken,  B Company finishes clearing the gully by conducting a right flanking as the AC's and immobilized Sherman provide intimate support and suppressing fire from higher ground in front of the enemy infantry.

 Major Stonecutter races to the aid of C Company which has been hammered by artillery and is under fire from the MkIV north east of their position.

Following another unsuccessful attack from a Kittyhawk, Stonecutter engages the panzer after spotting its muzzle flash through the intervening trees. He curses the lowest cost bidder that made his ammunition and tank gun as the first shot shatters and three more are stopped by the MkIV's relatively thin armour. 

 

Just as the panzer is reversing out of danger, the fifth shot is able to penetrate as it hits a weakened part of the glacis that has already been damaged by the previous hits. The crew bails out but is quickly killed by several bursts of coaxial MG fire from Stonecutter's gunner. 

 

Providing close support, the hull and coaxial MGs of Stonecutter's sherman quickly eliminate the enemy trying to flee the Hasty P's and the fighting in the gully.

The loop is closed on the enemy in the gully and woods as another sherman advances with Major Stonecutter and cuts off any avenue of retreat.

[ChappyCanuck]

Another great AAR Frank! I feel your pain with regards to lackluster air support and the arty imbalance so far. At least we are on the doorstep to Ortona now....

[kohlenklau]

The final battle will soon begin. Early July will see the Canadians cross the Start Line and commence their urban assault!

My thanks to the players listed in the below "poster" and we hope to have some good AAR action in the BFC and FGM forums.

[ChappyCanuck]

 

Gentlemen, orders!

(refer to map above for place names/locations)

Time now:  1500 hrs

SITUATION:

      En - The Germans paid dearly for their defence of San Leonardo and Cider Crossroads. Although they put up a skilled defence, they were eventually overwhelmed, and their battered formations have retreated to the port town of Ortona.  We have identified our opponents as elements of 1st Fallschirmjager Division. Intelligence and photo reconnaissance has indicated that the Germans have been preparing the streets of Ortona for a stubborn delaying action, something they have become extremely proficient at. Although their panzer assets are headed away to the north, we still suspect plenty of anti-tank firepower in place as well as mines and booby-traps and other obstacles. The paras are formidable  opponents and will fight to the end.

      Fr - RCR Battlegroup Chappy is now entering Phase 4, the final phase of the Ortona campaign. We have successfully crossed the Moro River and captured San Leonardo, followed by the investment of Cider Crossroads. We have taken significant casualties throughout this advance.  I have been forced to combine A & C Coys (now known as A Coy) as well as B & D Coys (now known as B Coy)  A Coy will advance left forward, B Coy right forward. The Hasty P company will now be known as C Coy, Hasty P’s and will form the depth company in the advance.  Cbt Tm Stonecutter (including 3RR, Combat Support Coy and the 1st Field Engineer Company) remains as BGp reserve.

        
      Ground - Ortona is a small built up area, a port town on the Adriatic Sea. The paras have worked hard to develop the defences here, including obstacles, mines and booby traps. Rubble may provide an obstacle for our vehicles, and the city streets will be under constant observation. The coastal highway from San Donato to Ortona is impassable to vehicles. The Jerries have totally destroyed the large bridge that crosses the wide end of the gully down by the sea. Another smaller concrete bridge has been only partially destroyed - it leads to Ortona from the San Leonardo & Cider Crossroads battlefields. The Germans were exiting vehicles to the north using this bridge, and then they detonated the final        charges as the Cider Crossroads battle ended.  Canadian engineers will need time to perform repairs to allow the Shermans and other vehicles to cross it. This means that our tracked and wheeled assets will be significantly delayed. Until then, patrols and our main advance will all be on foot.

    Intelligence - it is important for all commanders to keep a look out for enemy intel and locations of minefields. All such information must be passed immediately to the CO for processing to higher

MISSION:   RCR Battlegroup Chappy will capture Ortona and preserve the docks for future operations

EXECUTION:  

         General Outline.   The battle for Ortona will commence at 1500 hrs with a massive rolling barrage consisting of various calibres from the 1st Field Regiment (1 RCHA). This onslaught will move forward at timed intervals. At 1505 hrs, A & B          Coys will follow at a safe distance behind the creeping barrage.  B Coy will immediately capture Objective Halifax (see map), a potential thorn in our side. If the enemy occupies Obj Halifax, he will be able to flank fire into A Coy as they          advance towards Ortona. A Coy cannot advance until Obj Halifax is secure. A & B Coys will then capture their respective town blocks, using the main road into Ortona as their boundary line. They will exploit from Phase Line Edith to Phase          Line Francis and then consolidate there and await further orders.  Meanwhile, at H+20, C Coy Hasty P’s and 1st Field Engineer Company will advance in depth, looking for opportunities to either penetrate weakened German lines or          reinforce A & B Coys if required.  Once the bridge has been repaired, Cbt Tm Stonecutter will join the BGp as reserve and be prepared to cut off retreating enemy and/or provide fire support for the infantry companies.

        This operation will be conducted in 2 phases:

        Phase 1 - secure Obj Halifax; and

        Phase 2 - capture Ortona up to Phase Line Francis

    A Coy (Kuderian):   
                       
         Atts:  one section assault pioneers

        Ph 1 - left forward; advance behind rolling barrage; await capture of Obj Halifax by B Coy before assaulting Ortona;

        Ph 2 - capture Ortona up to Phase Line Francis and consolidate there.

                  
    B Coy (snake_eye):    

        Atts:  one section assault pioneers
    
        Ph 1 - right forward; advance behind rolling barrage and capture Obj Halifax;

        Ph 2 - capture Ortona up to Phase Line Francis and consolidate there.

                

    C Coy, Hasty P’s (Stonecutter):    
        
        Atts:  nil
            
        Ph 1 - arrive H+20; depth company to provide assistance to leading companies

        Ph 2 - be prepared to advance through and/or reinforce A or B Coys to Phase Line Francis;

            

    Cbt Team Stonecutter (Stonecutter):

        Atts:  2 x troops 3RR, 1st Field Engineer Company, Support Company (Mor pl, Carrier Pl, Anti Tank Pl)
                    
        Ph 1 - H+20 - 1st Field Engineer company arrives as reserve;  once bridge is repaired, the remainder of the cbt tm will join the BGp as reserve

        Ph 2 - support assault to capture Ortona up to Phase Line Francis                

    
TIMINGS:

    1.  1500 hrs - Time now; Rolling barrage commences

    2.  1505 hrs - A & B Coy arrive

    3.  1520 hrs - C Coy Hasty P’s and 1st Field Engineer Company arrive

    4.  1530?? hrs - Cbt Team Stonecutter arrives

    5.  1600 hrs - HMS Trafalgar ready to support assault

    6.  1715 hrs - Ortona must be captured and secured

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

    A & B Coy boundary - the main road leading into Ortona (see map)

    Phase Line Edith - edge of Ortona

    Phase Line Francis - limit of exploitation until further orders

    Obj Halifax - to be secured ASAP by B Coy

    ***** Remember to report enemy intel and minefields to the CO!!!!

[Kuderian]

A Coy orders' received and understood.

(This is going to be epic with a rolling barrage!)

 

 

Edited July 9, 2016 by Kuderian

[snake_eye]

B Company Commander last recommendations to his Platoon's leaders;

Gentlemen, we are about to assault Halifax objective. We will move forward as soon as the artillery barrage will move on.

Make sure all your guys have picked up their full ammo and grenades load from the crates near our DL. We will need it badly till we will be able to get more being brought to us once the objective will be taken.

Make sure all in your Platoon move at a space keeping up with the safe range limit of the barrage and that they don't get too close from each other.

Make sure 1s t and 2nd  platoons will stay level in order to provide mutual support fire to each other.

The Engineer squad will be right behind them with farther back the third Platoon. They will primary support the two forward platoons in breaching the walls of the objective's houses and secondary if condition prevails assist them if mines are found on the way. However since speed is essential they should in no account lose any time trying to clear the mines. Marking them will be all.

Third Platoon is our Company reserve and it will reinforce and or provide suppressing fire to each of the forward two Platoons.

Speed being essential, I have to remind you that in no case should we stop to care for our wounded. Doing so would only bring more casualties. To allow rear echelon medics to take care of them safely the soonest, we have only one alternative jump on the objective and take it.

Don't forget to report as it may come the location of the mines encountered.

That's all gentlemen. Have them put on their bayonet ,and may God take care of us all.

Edited July 10, 2016 by snake_eye

[kohlenklau]

Dropbox invites sent. The axis has the file for their defensive set up.