Arracourt Battlepack: Preview AAR

[Rinaldi]

Hello everyone, as promised in the preview thread; here is the much belated AAR preview of "Duel in the Mist", one of the scenarios that will be part of this community-driven package.

Needless to say, everything in the scenario is technically still a WIP and subject to change. A few pre-emptive answers for the curious:

1. Will this be for H2H? It won't be geared or tested as such, but I will be giving the Axis side a fully fleshed out mission briefing for those who want to take a crack
2. Will it be playable both sides in SP? Tentatively a yes; three AI plans have made the 'final cut' for the Axis, and I am mulling over the idea of putting in at least a token AI plan for the Allies. Regardless, this is meant to be played Americans first.

Now, without further ado.

“Once and For All”

A D/AAR prepared for Battlefront & SimHQ

September 20^th, 1944. Although neither side are quite aware of it yet, we are 2 days into what will eventually be known as “The Battle of Arracourt.” The first two days of this meeting engagement have been defined by mutual confusion, poor weather and tenuous contacts between units. The Americans, flush from a dramatic envelopment of the ancient city of Nancy after a hard fought crossing of the Moselle, are eager to expand their bridgehead on the River Moselle, and indeed some of George S. Patton’s lieutenants are lobbying their bombastic commander for a push to the River Saar and German’ys little industrial heartland, secondary only to the Ruhr.

However, others preach caution. The tyranny of logistics is rearing its awful head, the natural result of a month long advance which saw the systematic destruction of Army Group B and the severe mauling of Army Group G. The Germans are exhausted and tired, but the Allies are almost equally so after their pursuit.

The stage is set; the 4^th US Armored Division, whom helped seal Nancy off, have just concluded a series of raids into the German’s rear and are now covering the bridgehead while the Infantry mop up. This operational pause has given the Germans, already beginning to recover, the opportunity to launch an operational counteroffensive to throw the Americans back across the Moselle – which will surely become a formidable natural obstacle when the autumn swell begins.

While the 4^th Armored Division gears up for a renewed advance, they will find their plans rudely interrupted by a series of alarming German tank thrusts.

Situation & Briefing:

It is now 1500 hours, September 20th, 1944. I am Lieutenant-Colonel Abrams, commanding officer of the 37^th Tank Battalion, 4^th Armored Division. A matter of minutes ago, after briefing my Company commanders and establishing liaison with the attached infantry, my strung out column began concentrating in Lezey. Now, we are getting ready to move out due East, in defilade, to a point north of the town of Ley. From there, the Battalion (+) will begin its attack by turning South.

The overall situation remains unclear to us, but it is clear that attacking towards the canal will compel the enemy to retreat or risk being split or enveloped.

The terrain in front of us consists of rolling hills and agricultural fields, with two narrow and claustrophobic villages: Ley, and Moncourt, in our path of attack. We have pre-registered fires and briefed the men, and are ready to advance cross-country. The terrain is well known to us, the Battalion had elements in this area less than 24 hours ago and we have the luxury of foregoing a terrain and map reconnaissance as a result.

It has rained intermittently through the morning and the day dawned with the same, dense fog as it had on the 19^th. Visibility has improved, however, but it remains a gloomy and dark day with damp ground. Visibility is rated at 1200-1700m in the light fog that lays over the terrain. Despite the saturated terrain, we’re confident that the terrain is excellent for cross-country movement.

Objectives:

Combat Command A has ordered you to advance towards the Marne-Rhine canal and sweep and clear the area ‘once and for all.’ It is evident that the attacks from the enemy yesterday are far more than local actions and CCA wants the division’s flank and rear clear.

Obviously then, destruction of enemy units is our primary concern. We must DESTROY all enemy encountered (Up to 2000 points). Given the nature of the operation and the desire to resume offensive operations towards Saarguemines, we are strongly expected to PRESERVE our combat power, that means ammunition (50% - 500 points), lives and material (>15% losses – 1500 points).

However, in planning the attack with my Company leaders, I have assigned intermediate objectives based on key terrain. Ley and Moncourt, sitting astride Route D22 offer excellent assembly areas, the enemy is likely to be holding both in some strength. It is necessary to occupy both (250 points each). High ground and its reverse slope to the East (our left) provides a potential assembly area for counterattacking enemy and may enfilade our maneuvering elements. I have therefore deemed it necessary to occupy this high ground for security (500 points.)

Above are two different angles of the Key Terrain of the high ground objective overlooking Ley. Even with the fog and moderate visibility you can see why Abrams was keen to anchor his flank by seizing it. They're imposing and the valley formed between the two hills are excellent ways to filter down an attacker's flank. Luckily I have the tools to both advance strongly and secure my flanks, with a powerful taskforce at call...

Order of Battle:

I am in command of a Battalion (+). It consists of my own command; the 37^th Tank Battalion (which forms the nucleus of the force). Attached is 10^th Armored Infantry Battalion (-Company), C/704^th Tank Destroyer Battalion and the entirety of the 94^th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (18 guns). Anti-Tank, Tank-Destroyer and Engineer elements have been left behind at the assembly area of Lezey for rear security and as an emergency reserve, given the fluidity of the situation. At hand, therefore, I possess:

·         Headquarters, 37^th Tank Battalion (Lt. Col. Abrams) (incl. Battalion 81mms)

·         A/37^th Tank Battalion (Capt. Spencer – 9 tanks)

·         B/37^th Tank Battalion (Capt. Leach – 13 tanks)

·         C/37^th Tank Battalion (Capt. Lamison – 13 tanks)

·         Headquarters, 10^th Armored Infantry (-) (Lt. Col. West)

·         A/10^th Armored Infantry – 90% effective strength

·         C/10^th Armored Infantry – 90% effective strength.

·         94^th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (16 guns – satisfactory ammo)

____

More to follow...

Edited January 19, 2017 by Rinaldi
Formatting

[BletchleyGeek]

Following the thread and looking forward to see how this plays out

[Rinaldi]

Enemy Situation:

 

Unknown. The enemy is attacking with an armor-heavy force much further to the west in the vicinity of Arracourt. Clearly enemy armor is present and active in our zone of advance, given that B/37^th engaged a section of enemy tanks while securing our assembly area. In what strength however, is unknown.

We must also assume that the enemy will be to a degree forewarned of our impending attack despite best efforts, as one of the enemy tanks escaped. The assembly area came under heavy, but ineffective indirect fires, which reinforces this belief. Moncourt has been in enemy hands for some amount of hours, after an engagement there on the 19^th forced the Battalion’s light tank company to fall back under pressure from enemy armor. We can expect it, to a degree, to be reinforced.

With these thoughts in mind, the opening scheme of maneuver...

Scheme of Maneuver – Assaulting Ley & Surrounding:

For the purposes of demonstrating the scenario, and with the maxim of ‘if it ain’t broke’ in mind, I will be simply emulating the actual scheme of maneuver (or as near as possible) employed by Abrams in this action. A careful study of sources show us that the US scheme of maneuver in this action was a prime example of K.I.S.S and fire concentration; and who am I to argue with the experts? Let's see how I can enact it.

The attack kicks off at 1700 hours, with the Battalion set to debouch from defilade only several hundred meters north of the town of Ley. The attack plan calls for rapid cross country movement with the entire Task Force being the maneuver element. The base of fire will be provided entirely by indirect fires. In the event that these are not sufficient, B/37^th and C/10^th will halt and support by fire the main thrust into town by A/37^th and A/10^th AIB. C/37^th, like in reality, will move swiftly toward the high ground of Mannecourt Hill and emplace themselves there, a hard left shoulder to the Battalion’s advance.

Whether C Company remains on the high ground in strength, or leaves a platoon to occupy and continues to advance with the Battalion will be dictated by the situation.

The terrain objectives; apologies but the game at this size and distance is spotty on rendering: the mud-stream running alongside the road to Moncourt is heavily vegetated, and a patch of forest is visible (denoted by the light forest tiles) on the reverse slope of Mannecourt hill. The narrow valley, you will recall, is also vegetated with brush, scrub and small trees.

Marching fire will be exercised; the infantry will follow along at least a full minute behind the armor for now. The frontage is 1500m, and will expand and contract as terrain dictates. It is my desire that it should not exceed 2500m at any time.

For the so-called Grogs reading along, if you want an idea of the type of formations I will be using as I move cross-country, I point your attention towards FM-17-33 e.1944.

Since the howitzers are forming the entirety of the base of fire for the initial maneuver, a quick look at the Artillery plan for Ley:

 

Edited January 20, 2017 by Rinaldi

[Rinaldi]

Turns 1-3:

The artillery begins to fire, absolutely hammering Ley, which can be seen above. Shortly thereafter, all three tank companies advance on the 1500m frontage. Though the Battalion is in line, the company formations vary:

·         A Company, at weakest strength, advances in full line to maximize remaining firepower

·         B and C Companies advance in a 2 up, 1 back formation, all platoons in wedge.

As the units emerge from the low ground they begin to take sporadic small-arms fire, and the tanks begin moving at a pace slow enough to put accurate ‘marching fire’ down. The direct fire adds to the cacophony and creates an imposing spectacle. A few enemy positions are identified in a series of two story barns on the outskirts of Ley, but otherwise the small arms fire coming from the town itself remains unidentified. The two pictures below should sufficiently illustrate the weight of fire being brought to bare, as well as the new tracer effects

B Company begins to turn slightly to its right, the ground is steeper on their side of the road and thus the two lead platoons can’t fire all at once. Once they crest the rise the entire formation will be able to enfilade Ley. A Company continues to advance and fire, and begins sending a platoon to its right to gain better fields of fire. HE is slowly being traded for coax and HMG fire only.

As the infantry of A/10^th (attacking in the second echelon behind A/37^th, as you’ll recall) begin moving up to dismount and assault the outskirts, something quite unexpected happens, and the 2^nd Platoon HQ tank is promptly knocked out by a single round to its left flank. Two crewmen are wounded – including the Platoon leader. The shooter remains unseen and is likely keyholed.

Reaction: Pull back the exposed right platoon for now, advance the left. Infantry will dismount two platoons to attack the Barn (pictured above) which will provide a good base of fire, a second platoon will flank right and filter down a series of bushes and hedges (which is the only scrap of cover in these plowed fields) to penetrate into Ley. For now, however, we must identify the anti-armor threat. Situation map to come.

On the extreme left of the Battalion, C Company moves to the high ground, most of the turrets facing to its front or left. After advancing about 200m, they spot a lone Panzer IV, approximately 1100 meters distant by a copse of trees. The Company’s left-most platoon takes them under marching fire but it is ineffective. Shortly after, what appears to be a second enemy tank is identified. Though the Panzers have not returned fire, they constitute a serious threat.

The scheme, shown above, will have the entire company move to maximum speed, keeping up the fire if possible, while the lead two platoons establish a battle-position in hull-defilade. The ground rises slightly to the Company’s front-left and I intend to have the better part of the Company in position to engage in a couple of minutes. The third turn ends just as the Shermans begin jockeying for position.

Three minutes in, and already plenty of action.  

 

Edited January 20, 2017 by Rinaldi

[jonPhillips]

Excellent, please keep this coming...

[Ithikial_AU]

Looking good.

[Rinaldi]

On 1/20/2017 at 9:11 AM, jonPhillips said:

Excellent, please keep this coming...

Thank you so much Jon, it means a lot to see such encouragement. Let's get right into it.

Turns 4 – 6:

The immediate concern is identifying the attacker that knocked out one of A/37^th’s tanks, and of course preventing the loss of any additional armor. The reaction, as described previously, is illustrated below:

There are two potential positions based on where the HQ tank was knocked out, with the rough arcs of fire outlined. I do not have to wait long to get a definitive answer, as the enemy – a lone Panzer IV – attempts to make an escape, reversing out at high speed towards Ley. The section pushing up on A/37^th’s left is able to engage it as it begins retreating, putting several rounds into it and setting it on fire. Also seen retreating from the Barn are small team-sized groups of enemy infantry. They are taken under fire with a few confirmed losses but otherwise retreat back into Ley; the definition of out of a frying pan and into the fire.

Small arms fire from Ley is increasing in intensity as the artillery and direct fires abate somewhat, but the tankers are having trouble identifying the source of fire. The level of fire is enough to compel me to button up most of my armor, exacerbating the situation. By the end of the series of turns however, we are able to identify fire coming from a handful of trenches on the right side of the company. They are taken under coax fire and will be cleared by the infantry, who are hustling up by the end of the 6^th minute.

Despite the loss of a tank on the right and the discovery of enemy entrenchments on that side, the attack by the infantry will still be oriented to the right. I’m confident the supporting tank section can keep the enemy suppressed in the trench, and using the hedges is still the best covered approach into town. The scheme for the infantry assault on Ley, therefore:

Seeing the enemy infantry falling back from the farmhouse and barn in front of Ley has greatly simplified things; the base of fire will be able to establish itself rapidly and the buildings, though damaged, offer excellent lines of fire and sight into Ley. A platoon is in reserve and in hull-down, firing at the upper stories of the houses on the left with their M3A1’s machineguns. In the event of slow progress on the right they can dismount rapidly and attack through the base of fire in a straight-forward attack.

B/37^th and their attached infantry company will likely swing to the rear of Ley once a foothold has been gained, once more conducting marching fire. For now they remain abreast of A/37^th and supporting by fire.

Ah, but let’s get to the interesting part, how did C/37^th fare on the far left dealing with those two Panzer IVs? The movement goes off almost precisely as I hoped and planned, though it takes longer than I would have liked for the right-most platoon to identify the enemy armor. A short and furious exchange of fire occurs, and despite a close-call numbers and positioning make the outcome inevitable. Both Panzer IVs are knocked out, one in a dramatic catastrophic explosion, with no losses to myself.

You can see, in the above pictures, the new ‘hull-down’ command being put to excellent use.

C/37^th now begins reforming for its renewed push south to the high ground of Mannecourt Hill. The sooner this occurs the better, as them being arrayed on the high ground will cover B/37^th’s planned swing to the rear of Ley.

Showing remarkable flexibility, the tank platoon formerly in Company reserve now becomes the lead-right platoon, while the left-most platoon exits its hull-defilade positions and forms the new reserve. What would otherwise be a time-consuming re-organization takes only a single turn of movement.

[Hardradi]

Looks phenomenal Rinaldi.

The only problem is I do not want to read it because it will spoil the battle when I play it (if I get a chance to play it).

[A Canadian Cat]

4 hours ago, Hardradi said:

The only problem is I do not want to read it because it will spoil the battle when I play it (if I get a chance to play it).

LOL I was thinking the same thing. In the end I figured it will be so long before I get to play it I will have forgotten any FOW spoilers so I'm reading.

BTW love those icons

[Rinaldi]

6 hours ago, Hardradi said:

Looks phenomenal Rinaldi.

The only problem is I do not want to read it because it will spoil the battle when I play it (if I get a chance to play it).

Haha a true struggle indeed. Hopefully multiple AI plans will help shake things up.

2 hours ago, IanL said:

LOL I was thinking the same thing. In the end I figured it will be so long before I get to play it I will have forgotten any FOW spoilers so I'm reading.

BTW love those icons

I had been eyeing your icons for a while but never had an excuse to DL and install them until the AAR, they're top notch.

[Michael Emrys]

1 hour ago, Rinaldi said:

I had been eyeing your icons for a while but never had an excuse to DL and install them until the AAR, they're top notch.

The stock icons are all right for a tactical, small unit game like CM, but it really irks me when makers of operational level games also use them. For me, that's where Ian's icons really shine.

Michael

[A Canadian Cat]

Yeah, you are right. I cannot add the markings for the unit size - since each icon shows over each vehicle or team. The allied icons for tanks and gun can be used for individual vehicles (without the section, platoon, etc. size markings) when the scale of the "map" is that low level. I guess it would be used for a platoon Lt to direct his tank commanders on where they should be. The German icons cannot be used that way. The icons I am using are actually the platoon symbols and the icons themselves get adornments for higher level units. There are no icons for individual vehicles, guns or teams.

[Rinaldi]

Turns 10 -12:

 The attack continues to develop on Ley. Mortar fire forces Germans to take cover in the second line of trenches, or to abandon them altogether for the row houses just behind them. For the rest of the turn, the firefight rages as the right-most platoon continues to advance in bounds towards the next scrap of decent cover.

 For now, however, our attentions will focus almost entirely on C/37^th, as they have a very busy few minutes.

C/37^th crests Mannecourt Hill, reserve platoon echeloned to the left. Almost immediately upon cresting the hill, a tank is knocked out from the left. An AT gun! Its fairly exposed and clearly hastily set-up, and is swiftly knocked out as the rest of the Company identifies it. Not before it knocks out a second tank, however. Drat.

The silver lining is that the crews escape completely unscathed from the two tanks, even as the first one begins to brew up with sympathetic detonations. They’ll have to fend for themselves for now though, because just as the AT gun is neutralized a volley of fire roars towards C/37^th from the ridge that forms Hill 260.

It’s a platoon of Panzer IVs, and they’re alarmingly well arrayed, with most being at least partially hull-down. The fracas rapidly evolves into a roaring exchange of main gun fire as C/37^th attempts to find any scrap of usable cover on the relatively barren crest of Mannecourt Hill. The formations had become strung out though, and a few Shermans moved a bit too far forward before they stopped to engage the AT, and they’re in a dangerous position. C/37^th returns fire as best as it can, and the disparity in skill is quite evident as, despite their devilishly good position, we’re able to score some hits on the Panzer IVs, and confirm at least one knocked out.

Despite the display of skill and tenacity, I rapidly have three more Shermans hit; one immobilized, two more with their main guns knocked out. I’m fighting a losing battle against a well-positioned opponent and have no feasible way of regaining fire superiority. Its time to get the Company to safety where I can weigh my options.

The picture above should show the type of engagement occurring on Mannecourt Hill, you probably don’t even notice the second Panzer in the inset, such is their positioning.

The disengagement plan, seen below. Not exactly a rout but a precipitous and hasty retreat.

The withdrawal is messy; a glancing hit off a neighboring Sherman’s glacis (non-penetrating, the things you see when engagements are past 1200m!) causes shrapnel wounds to the C Company’s commander, whom falls into his turret, wounded. In the ensuing confusion, his tank is struck once more, killing or wounding the hull-gunner.

The Germans maintain a steady fire with their remaining tanks, but thankfully incur no further losses. They’ve done their damage however, and C Company is much reduced, even if only two Shermans are total losses. The immobilized Sherman will surely fall to their guns shortly, bringing that total up to three. The silver lining is that the Company Assault gun was able to smoke the disabled Sherman sufficiently enough during the retreat to ensure the safe withdrawal of the crew. If I cannot save material, at least I can save lives – and the relatively low casualty rate in the crews is something I can be thankful for.

Since higher headquarters put an emphasis on clearing the area of the enemy, even though the Panzer IVs currently constitute no threat to the rest of the Battalion, their destruction is a necessity. In other circumstances keeping them at arm's length would be prudent, but this isn't a simple advance, its a sweeping operation. I'll have to resume an aggressive disposition towards them if I want to accomplish my main objective.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Rinaldi

[jonPhillips]

Absolutely loving this AAR and now have emotional investment in the troops involved - please keep the instalments coming...

Oh - and if you need help playtesting, please sign me up, as I've said elsewhere I've always been fascinated by this series of battles ;-)

[Rinaldi]

3 hours ago, jonPhillips said:

Absolutely loving this AAR and now have emotional investment in the troops involved - please keep the instalments coming...

Oh - and if you need help playtesting, please sign me up, as I've said elsewhere I've always been fascinated by this series of battles ;-)

Duly noted. I'll be in touch after I finish the AAR and touch up some things I've noticed that could be better during this playthrough.

[Rinaldi]

Turns 13-15:

C/37^th continues to retreat and pick up the pieces, and are still in the process of reforming on the reverse slope of Mannecourt Hill. They are, for now, licking their wounds and I’m still in the process of thinking up a way to crack the German position. The crews of the stricken tanks have taken cover in the shrubbery and bushes on the crest of Mannecourt Hill and will hopefully survive long enough to gain some intel, and filter back to the Company’s position and inform them.

Going back to the assault on Ley, I’m shocked to discover that the trenches are not, in fact, completely abandoned as a panzerschreck team from within takes a chance at the advancing tank section, who are spraying the area with MG fire. It misses, but its too close for comfort, and over the next minutes they will temper their bravado and pull back a few dozen meters or so. Enemy mortar fire begins to straddle the rough axes of advance of 3^rd/A/10^th, equally putting a damper on the infantry’s impetus. While not particularly alarming, the situation developing on the right flank is beginning to be a source of some anxiety for me, and its clear that the attack won’t be a speedy affair. Sitting in the open and taking withering artillery fire is not what I envisioned for Ley.

Further spotting rounds begin to land, far too close for comfort, and it compels me to break off the advance and get the Platoon into cover and hugging earth. Prudence pays off, as only two men are wounded in action by the ever-intensifying indirect fire. I am not keen on imagining what would’ve resulted had I continued to advance the two assault squads.

Between C/37^th running into a storm of fire on the high ground and German indirect fire keeping dismounted thrusts at arm’s distance, I’m beginning to think its time to rethink things at Ley. Keenly aware that I’m expected to finish this mission in fighting shape – which includes ammunition – I must admit that the fight in Ley, despite overwhelming fire superiority, is rapidly becoming taxing. B/37^th and C/10ths inertness to the left of the assaulting companies is also grating. The planned flank round the rear of Ley has yet to occur due to the unexpected difficulty in getting a foothold in the town proper, and C/37ths rather stunning reverse. Now I’m beginning to think that a thrust to the rear of Ley would be a waste of B/37^th’s firepower anyways.

Readers will recall that the 4^th Platoon of A/10^th had been kept in mounted reserve and supporting by fire with their halftracks, now I’m hoping to inject them into the fight on the left, where both the base of fire and elements of B/37^th can suppress and cover their thrust. Once deposited into the buildings, already being prepped by HE, they can fight their way down Ley’s street, and their proximity to the enemy will nullify the threat of artillery. Hot dismounts are always risky, and while rare, they were conducted – especially by the 4^th Armored division. It’s time to get this battle moving again.

I’m hoping that with the infantry in town I can free up B/37^th and their accompanying infantry and put them in the fight. I have an idea forming around how to use B/37^th in conjunction with C/37^th to destroy the enemy positions on Hill 241.

[Rinaldi]

Turns 19-22:

4/A/10^th gets to grips with the enemy in Ley. Germans are still recovering from the shock action of our rapid entry and several are caught dashing for cover, but return fire still causes a man to fall wounded in action. It will be the first of several losses in 4/A/10 in the coming minutes as enemy resolve once again stiffens.

B/37^th begins to fall in to the right of C/37^th at the base of Mannecourt Hill. They crush through an enemy mortar section hiding in some shrubbery and hedges along the way, a pleasant surprise. The mortars quickly surrender to the armor – those who survive the first violent burst of fire at least.

4/A/10 seeks to expand its toe-hold by cutting the main road and restricting the enemy retrograde movement. The hope is that they will create a kill-zone and continue to stack up enemy Panzergrenadiers as they break to the next house or scrap of cover. A squad from the platoon is able to dash across the road a fireteam at a time but the Germans largely escape for now. The platoon is facing rather furious, but desperate point-blank MG fire and is stuck in a firefight that at times no further away than the house across the street. A few attempts at a close assault are made but the assaulting fireteams withdraw under withering fire (no losses). Luckily, the Germans continue to abandon their positions at first opportunity and often negate the need for a renewed effort. These dashes by the enemy frequently result in several of them being cut down by automatic fire.

4/A/10’s struggle will not be a lonely one for much longer: Artillery fire is beginning to abate and is allowing the rest of A/10^th to either re-mount or follow in 4^th Platoon’s footsteps and move into town. The weapons squads are beginning to set-up in positions that sweep the main street of Ley.  

Edited February 2, 2017 by Rinaldi
Missing picture

[Rinaldi]

So...bit of a brain fart, I realize I forgot to do the intermediate turns between the last two posts, and that there's a duplicate picture - woops:

Turns 16-18:

Heavy caliber artillery starts ranging on the base of fire platoon. I am not particularly worried; the cover in their immediate vicinity is excellent and they can displace easily. Despite ducking for cover they continue to trade fire with the row houses and observe enemy infantry starting to fall back under pressure.

As this is occurring, the ‘hot dismount’ is executed, well ‘shouldered’ by smoke and with the leading tank platoon from A/37^th spraying the unmasked buildings with coax.

It goes off splendidly, with the infantry taking absolutely no fire whatsoever as they dash to the cover of the hedge-lined buildings in front of them. Once they get into cover they briefly engage a HMG team seen slipping out the back of a building across the street, joining the general retreat – or perhaps rout – of the Germans towards the town center. Once the threat of heavy artillery has passed, the rest of A/10^th will move in this platoon’s footsteps and get to grips with the Germans in the town.

The situation just before reaching the edge of town can be seen above, at the point of dismount. Notice the smoke blooming on either side. An accurate estimate of enemy losses at present is basically impossible, given the firepower-based nature of the attack. I’m almost certain that the enemy has taken heavy losses, but I can’t presume anything. The trenches and row houses had been giving not-insignificant, if sporadic fire, and the artillery fire shows me the enemy has some fight left in them. I have to avoid the pitfall of proceeding too rapidly, but the constant indirect fire falling near my dismounts may spur me into rash action.

The situation in Ley therefore gets ever closer to a decision, so let’s turn back to the unfortunate Company C/37^th. By now Abrams and the other Companies have been made aware of the situation on Mannecourt Hill and Hill 241/260, with the last known Panzer positions doing the rounds on the Battalion net. For those unfamiliar with the C2 system of Combat Mission – which is excellent – this means that units will spot much easier if they already have a rough idea of where the enemy’s last known position was at. With the situation much clearer to the 37^th’s Battalion HQ, its time to start organizing for a second attack over the crest of Mannecourt Hill. Tentatively, the plan will be a well-supported and co-ordinated effort using Battalion mortars, Assault guns and the remnants of C/37^th to smoke and provide a base of fire on Hill 241, as B/37^th push. The manner of the attack remains uncertain; I’m debating the merits of trying a frontal attack. Regardless, in anticipation of these moves, B/37^th (less a platoon, who will follow shortly) and the 37^th’s HQ begin moving past Ley towards C/37^th. Naturally, and for good measure, they fire MGs at Ley as they transit past it. 

[jonPhillips]

This continues to be gripping stuff... keep us posted

[General Jack Ripper]

I notice you've extended the map quite a bit.

[Rinaldi]

1 hour ago, SLIM said:

I notice you've extended the map quite a bit.

Its the full 4km^2 allowed by CM at the moment. I basically scrapped the original map and created a master map of both missions' zones; to address serious discrepancies in Topography I noticed and some of the playtesters brought up, as well as distances etc. The map is a bit 'skewed' compared to reality in terms of direction but everything else is now basically 1:1 with the actual geography.

Forcing the US Player to attack both Ley & Moncourt and come out of it with the ammo and manpower to continue fighting immediately if needed - what Abrams himself expected of his men that day, and what Clarke undoubtedly expected given the fluid situation - would add to the difficulty of what was otherwise two separate fun but trivial missions.

Of course that means a quick US player won't be attacking Moncourt in a night attack, like in reality, but I think that was an acceptable sacrifice for more historical accuracy in other regards. Such as weather, which wasn't as bad that evening as I first thought, as well as what the AI can potentially do - which because of German records being piss poor, I have some leeway. Given how its playing out, I got to say, I'm quite chuffed with myself, its going as well as I would've hoped. Only a few wee problems to iron out but nothing fundamental.

Edit: Oh and needless to say the master map will be released sans most flavor objects for people to use at will.

Edited February 2, 2017 by Rinaldi

[Ithikial_AU]

51 minutes ago, Rinaldi said:

Such as weather, which wasn't as bad that evening as I first thought...

Just a note on the weather. If you play these scenarios in chronological order you'll probably breath a big sigh of relief when you get to this battle. You can see more than 500m in front of you. I hope you all like fog.

Most of the German attacks were carried out at dawn or during particularly bad weather periods to eliminate the US aircover threat which was seen as particularly potent in this area. (The relationshp between the US Third Army and their attached air arm.... alludes me at present.... is well documented). Not the best tank weather for either side but the lesser of two evils for the Germans. Regardless the German plans had the intended effect. The weather eliminated aerical recon missions over these crucial days allowing the Germans to get the drop on the Americans virtually every time. Whenever the weather cleared enough (usually by the middle of the day) the American aircraft pounced. In game however this eliminates aircraft from the equation for most if not all of the battles.

[Erwin]

Don't think I have seen a CM2 map with a 4Kmx4Km map.  Well done!  Looking forward to it as I enjoy mobility and moving reserves around large maps.  Most maps are so small that the scenarios are nearly all assaults with restricted flanks.

Edited February 3, 2017 by Erwin

[Rinaldi]

8 minutes ago, Erwin said:

Don't think I have seen a CM2 map with a 4Kmx4Km map.  Well done!  Looking forward to it as I enjoy mobility and moving reserves around large maps.  Most maps are so small that the scenarios are nearly all assaults with restricted flanks.

Thank you. Hope you enjoy the AAR as well.

There's a few other missions that come close in size and scope, especially in CMBS, but yes it is a rarity. Our very own George MC produced one based on von Plato (Ia of the 5.Panzer iirc)'s accounts - and its a cracker for a tread head. Final Blitzkrieg and Market Garden both have infantry-centric missions on a similar size and scope if memory serves, the FB one being one of my favorite SP missions in recent memory. "Colossal Crack" which I also did an AAR for is also approaching that size, if memory serves, certainly in depth at least. I'm certainly missing more, but my memory does me a disservice with regards to the other titles.

Its a trend in map and mission making I hope continues, WEGO makes battalion level missions like this much more fun and bearable to play (& enjoy) and gives an operational kind of feel to the game. Objectives that normally wouldn't concern a Company leader (like ammo) become far less farfetched at this level. It also reminds me why I slightly prefer CM to Graviteam, because its rare to get a Battalion level action in the latter game.

Edited February 3, 2017 by Rinaldi

[Rinaldi]

Turns 22-24:

 While the rest of the Company begins to filter in and organize for a house-to-house sweep of Ley, 4/A/10 remains in contact with the town’s defenders, who are alternating between making a fight of things and running ever further into town. Two panzerschreck rockets smash into a building being occupied by one of the platoon’s squads and causes 4 casualties between the two rockets. Not good. The squad wisely chooses to crawl out of the building and out of harm’s way. I expect the steady injection of further combat power to prevent further needless losses like this, but being a firm believer that there is no such thing as overkill I opt to move in 1/A/37^th – the tank platoon that helped facilitate the rapid dismount – to support the infantry in close co-operation. Caution must be observed, of course, but I am confident that my ever growing fire superiority in Ley will prevent the enemy from assaulting the tanks in any meaningful way.

Despite the enemy’s stunning tenacity in the defense every casualty they inflict on my men is answered in kind and with interest, and the turn sees a MG section cut down as they try to use a telephone pole as (inadequate) cover. The Panzerschreck team do not escape either, and are cut down as they try to egress down the main road. The retreating Germans whom are not cut down in the last few minutes of play are observed streaming towards the buildings surrounding the town’s Eglise.

Above you see 1/A/37^th entering Ley. In the background you can just see elements of B/37^th at the base of Mannecourt Hill. By the end of the 24^th turn the Battalion mortars have slid into position, joining the HQ and B company. In addition, the dismounted tank crews at the crest of the hill positively ID a secondary Anti-tank gun on Hill 260. With a clearer picture of what caused such violence towards C/37^th I can begin dreaming up a scheme of maneuver. First, however, the dismounted crew must disseminate the information, and they can only do this by ‘running’ the info to Lt. Col. Abrams at the base of the hill. Until this vital info is passed along the Battalion net (remember: the spotting bonus caused by C2 knowledge) the attack will have to wait. This will give time to organize the two companies into assault formations and come up with a fire plan for the mortars and assault guns.