ChappyCanuck

Yes it was strange to get it all by itself...I had forgotten that you mentioned this

Sounds wonderful....I hope I am still commanding something by then lol...Nathan you out there?

Oh goody! Nathan you there???? This could be a multi battle coming up

Thanks! And you're welcome, it's great fun. How about one for the Germans so we know who is sticking it out over there?

hahahahaha good one!

Ahhhh Mr Vokes...here we go again!

We Canadians do like our beaver!

Not quite a Typhoon...but I'll take it

Hey that is great news...getting most of those tanks and carriers back is great...damn mud, becoming the Axis MVP! And aircraft to boot! Sweet....what aircraft types do we have?

RCR BGp SAN LEONARDO CONSOLIDATION ORDERS Situation: EN - The Germans are in full retreat towards Casa Berardi. They have abandoned San Leonardo but may have rear guard elements deployed within the town. All of their armour and ATGs have been eliminated, and they have also experienced heavy losses in HMGs and HQ units. They are not expected to counter-attack in the near future, but instead will try and hold on to Casa Berardi. FR - RCR BGp is currently conducting pursuit operations, eliminating fall back strongpoints and bagging POWs. A & B Coys have suffered significant casualties, largely from enemy artillery and mortars. D Coy has been wounded, but not as serious. C Coy is unscathed. Cbt Team Stonecutter has suffered light casualties. Three Rivers Tanks has lost two tanks, while five others are immobilised. MISSION: RCR BGp will consolidate on and forward of San Leonardo NLT 11:40 hrs, facing N and NE Tasks (see map below): 1. RCR HQ (Chappy) - all BGp HQ elements will consolidate in SL, between A & C Coys; 2. A Coy (Kuderian) - will clear SL and consolidate in the center of town; A Coy will form the BGp reserve; 3. B Coy (Stonecutter) - will occupy and defend crossroads as per map. Under command will be half of AT Pl, Mor Pl, and HMGs 4. C Coy (IanL) - will consolidate in the north end of SL. Be prepared to conduct advance to contact on Casa Berardi 5. D Coy (snake_eye) - will occupy and defend crossroads as per map. Under command will be half of AT Pl, Mor Pl, and HMGs. FOO under command as well 6. Cbt Tm Stonecutter (Stonecutter) - will occupy and defend eastern crossroads as per map. Under command will be A Sqn, Three Rivers Tanks and 4PLDG elements. Be prepared to advance with C Coy on Casa Berardi 7. Engineers (umpire Koh) - free immobilised tanks and carriers from mud. Consolidate with RCR HQ in SL 8. 4 PLDG & Recce/carrier Pl (Kuderian & Stonecutter) - consolidate and observe between leading infantry coys and Casa Berardi as per map

2nd Battle of Dommelin Minutes 40-37 The FOO in the church bell tower was busy adjusting fire from the town of Valkenswaard to the area between Dommelin and the bridge, where he could see large numbers of Germans advancing. He was getting a little nervous - his sole route of escape was the jeep parked seven stories below. It would be a mad scramble, carrying that damn heavy radio set down seven flights of stairs and then jumping into the jeep. It would be a matter of timing. He knew his role was crucial in helping to damage the impact of these paratroopers, so staying ti the last moment was critical. Suddenly, he heard the Firefly gun its engine far below him. He watched as the up-gunned tank manoeuvred amongst the houses and trees, creeping slowly towards the paratroopers. The FOO saw the lone Jagdpanther across the bridge, but with the arty shells starting to fall, he guessed that the Firefly commander was using that to screen his move forward. The observer was both startled and surprised to hear the belch of the Firefly's gun. The round lanced out towards the Jadgpanther and struck it on the sloped front hull, deflecting off harmlessly. The FOO next heard the very loud retort from the Jagdpanther, and the Firelfy was rocked and then exploded into a flaming shroud. Three crew members managed to crawl out of that, how he didn't know. The young tank commander was not one of them. But to his delight, the FOO watched the impact of his skills. The 25lber shells came splashing down where the paratroopers had just marched. For two to three minutes the shells came down, and he hoped he managed some pay back for the Firefly commander. He couldn't see much from the explosions and smoke, but he did see one flammenwerfer crew crumple under the guns' impact. Meanwhile, back near the destroyed bridge, Cpl Newton heard a contact report of two more Jagdpanthers speeding along the streets of Valkenswaard. OK, so that makes three of those monsters, plus the one near Dommelin. Time to withdraw. The smoke cannisters were deployed, and then Newton ordered his driver to reverse back to the turret down location near the ford at the destroyed bridge. As the tank moved backwards, a large 88mm round slammed into a tree to their front left. "Jagdpanther! Faster, faster!" Fortunately, that monster was a little slower to reload, and Newton and his crew breathed a sigh of relief as their tank nestled down the steep slope near the bridge. A loud explosion sounded about 100 meters to the right of Newton, and he witnessed the unfortunate demise of a bren carrier....a victim of one of the newly arrived Jagdpanthers Above: proof that a large calibre weapon has penetration power as it moves through the bren carrier like a hot knife through butter.

I want to inflict as much casualties as possible. I think I have a strong defensive position, but then, the 4th Jagdpanther was just sited....

Haha thanks Slim...I think

2nd Battle of Dommelin Minutes 46-44 Lt Nathan became aware of his tank's immobilisation only when he gave his driver the order to reverse. Either we are stuck in the mud or one of those arty shells did in the track. A tank that cannot move is a sitting duck. But instead of having his crew bail out, Nathan realised the perilous situation near the bridge to Dommelin. He spotted large numbers of German infantry crossing the bridge and jogging towards Dommelin. This was indeed very long range, but he had nothing else to contribute at the important. "Gunner! Engage infantry on road, left of bridge!" The tank rocked as the shell left the gun, and at such long range, the first shot was wild. But he had a seasoned gunner, and soon the tank shells were zeroing in on the enemy infantry, blowing many of them bits, while sending the others to ground. The tank MGs joined in, and a steady hail of bullets raked the ground around the Germans. After a couple of minutes, more infantry were seen to be scrambling out of sight, while others lay bleeding on the road. It was at this time that Nathan noticed something interesting. The Firefly tank that sat quietly in Dommelin began to move around the other side of the town, heading for the unsupported German infantry, who were now fleeing his own guns. Into the fire they go... Above: the Firefly moves into position to block the advancing German infantry who are as yet unsupported Cpl Newton had his driver step on the pedal of his Sherman tank, speeding away from the German artillery landing behind them and near the destroyed bridge. He was aware of the Jagdpanther up ahead and to the left, but Newton's tank was in a nice covered position along the road to Valkenswaard. The tank halted a couple hundred meters along the road, and Newton popped hatches to have a look. Suddenly, along the road into Valkenswaard, he spotted a Pak40 and its crew, hastily dismounting from a truck and trying to set up the dangerous gun near the corner of a building. Newton didn't have much time. "Pak40, 12 o'clock, on road, 800 meters!!!" His gunner was a little nervous...anytime you heard about a Pak40 being visible meant that it could see you too. The first shot went well high and into the town. "Steady man, steady!" The gunner depressed the 75mm barrel and fired again.......bulls eye! The Pak40 blew into many pieces, while the crew disintegrated. Cpl Newton's vantage point. And below, the German perspective: At the end of the 20th minute, the allied forces are deploying around the destroyed bridge and the town of Deelshurk. 4 x ATGs and 4 x 81mm mortars are set up on the outskirts of town. All of the guns are set up sited with enfilade fire in defilade protection. Bring on the panzers....

There is more to follow Heinrich....Frank has been away so several turns went by without the AARs....many things have happened lately in the allied favour...that is all I will say

2nd Battle of Dommelin Minutes 46-44 Major Morningwood was casually surveying the fields through his binoculars. What a lovely day. He sipped on a cup of tea that his loader had just brewed up inside the tank. Not bad, all things considering. He could hear the nervous bantering of his commanders nearby. They were all hatches open, in a nice hull down position, apparently far away from all the noise. They could see the strikes of the friendly 25 lbers hitting the fields adjacent to Valkensgaard. Jerry won't be pleased with that! But then he noticed a lone spotting round strike near the destroyed bridge...and then all hell let loose. German artillery rounds were impacting near Commander Nathan's tank troop and the infantry who just recently arrived to take up positions. Through his binoculars he saw one man drop to the ground. The war is over for that poor lad. The tanks, carriers and infantry began to scatter away from the aerial death. And then another round impacted on the roof of the building that Captain Chappy had just ducked into. That Chappy is a good fellow. I hope he is quite alright. The HE rounds kept raining down in the vicinity of the bridge, but, surprisingly, Morningwood only noticed the one casualty...so far. "Cpl Avery, you should see the light show up here. Apparently Jerry thinks..." WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHHH............CLANGGGGGGGGG!!!!!! "Jesus Christ!" What the devil was that????? Morningwood recognised the voice of one of the tank commanders, Cpl Walters. "Incoming fire, sir!!!!" Morningwood had seen the brief flash and the ricochet of the large calibre round off Walter's tank. Fortunately it had impacted on the heavy armour of the barrel mount and deflected off. That was no 75mm shell.... "Have a look lads, have a look!" Then Morningstar heard Walters again: "Got him sir! 1500 meters, 12 o'clock, edge of buildings next to a stone wall! Jesus...that's a big one, sir!" Walters didn't have to give the order to his gunner; the tank lurched as his gunner retaliated, but the round fell short....it was a long, long shot.... "I can't see him, sir" was the echo all around from the tank commanders. Only Walters had a line of sight onto him. The look on Walter's face froze as he noticed the flash in the distance... The heavy armoured piercing round flew overhead....and not far...a near miss. Morningwood realised that to fight this monster at long range was looking for trouble. "Pop smoke!!!! Reverse into cover!!!" The smoke canisters were deployed from the leading tanks and immediately a thick screen was produced. All six tanks gunned into motion, a rearward motion, as they tried to evade those large incoming shells. Thankfully the woods were near and all six tanks managed to escape the sniping gun of the Jagdpanther. A chill ran up Morningwood's spine - he never had to face those things in North Africa...

2nd Battle of Dommelin Minutes 50-46 Captain Chappy ran down the stairs of the shot up building, and jumped back into his carrier. "Driver, back to the river!" He was conscious of the fact that he needed a more central, slightly rear position in order to maintain observation and control of the battlegroup. As the driver accelerated, Chappy looked back down the long road and spotted the dust of approaching vehicles. A smile came to his face as he recognised the platoon of anti-tank guns trundling his way. He gave hasty orders over the radio to the platoon commander, indicating roughly where he wanted to position the guns. Chappy's carrier passed the two 81mm mortars that were lobbing harassing bombs into Valkenswaard at a slow rate, hoping to catch a light vehicle or infantry section in the open. As the carrier dipped into the low, muddy ground and crossed the slow moving stream, Chappy heard a sudden loud whistle and then ducked as the shell landed nearby on the muddy riverbank. That was close! Chappy quickly checked his map, and noted the positions of his forces as well as the contact locations of the enemy. The leading enemy infantry had already crossed the main bridge between Dommelin and Valkenswaard. Two Jagdpanthers had already been spotted, and they were going to be a huge issue in the coming battle. Who knew how many more of them the Germans had in their back pocket? And was the German spotting round that just impacted the sign of something worse to come?

Ian: go Mac! My iMac purrrrrrsssssss lol

His ammo for C Coy should topped up, since they have not been engaged during this battle. Likewise personnel should be 100% (or very close)

It will be Ian the Brave! Unless he is busy

Of course I am OK with the RCR taking the laurels! Hopefully we can earn a Victoria Cross there as well!

Wonderful! And who wants to sober up anyway? OK so 29 minutes left? A lot can happen in that amount of time, but I will start thinking about dispositions for sure. Ian and C Coy will be at the helm for this one...you out there Ian? I have enjoyed the multiplayer experience though...it forces the participants to coord and plan as a team. We must keep doing this in future

PS Are they Italian chicks holding the signs? Sigh, we love Italy

I am very entertained lads! I have had a few too many IPA beers so maybe that is it. Maj Morningwood on the Squadron battle net: "Private Bloggins, that is just a fat MkIV. Chin chin. Tally ho and all that." Thanks for the Vickers Koh...that Mel guy turned into quite a weirdo though...loved him in Mad Max, but then he went stupid crazy fast - maybe it was Tina Turnoff (oops Turner) who appeared in the 3rd Mad Max movie that prompted the lunacy!

Koh: We have had some bad luck, and the German commander performed very well this battle with some great ATG and HMG siting and his FOOs deserve a medal. But the tide is turning....