ChappyCanuck Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Ok. The 88 was lucky as some shell bursts were very close. But it is in fox holes and with the campaign indirect artillery rules, I had to use a 88m area fire circle. Direct fire with a 81mm mortar would be a piece of cake but it looks like we have no on map mortars coming? Perhaps I should of just used one mortar tube with a 22m radius? I think it was mostly just bad luck. Try try again! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Woohoo! Good to see two tanks arrive...and two more ATGs, and a carrier platoon! Things are looking up A barrage is starting to come down on the leading elements of A Coy...take cover boys! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Kuderian: slight change of plan. I want that 4 PLDG carrier platoon that just arrived to come under the control of Stonecutter. He needs a mobile infantry asset to join his tanks for a proper combat team formation. He will deploy those ATGs to aid your company with those tanks out to your front. Sound good? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuderian Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Kuderian: slight change of plan. I want that 4 PLDG carrier platoon that just arrived to come under the control of Stonecutter. He needs a mobile infantry asset to join his tanks for a proper combat team formation. He will deploy those ATGs to aid your company with those tanks out to your front. Sound good? Acknowledged. 12th Armoured infantry troop joining stonecutter. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kohlenklau Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Is that a half track mounted troop? Still no bloody internet! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Is that a half track mounted troop? Still no bloody internet! Yes it is...4 PLDG Wow still no internet? That totally sucks 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kohlenklau Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 They come out Wednesday with a 2-person team.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Welcome Snake-Eye and D Coy! Glad to have you on board. I see the panzers are pulling back, and good to see A Coy taking advantage of that and carrying on with the advance. C Coy has arrived but they will not be players in this battle unless things get really bad. I would like Kuderian to move C Coy down to the river behind A Coy and cross it, but remain hidden and spread out. We don't need a lot of casualties from random harassment arty but they do need to be in the low ground and out of sight. If you have any questions about anything, just let me know 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake_eye Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 @ChappyCanuck, Glad to be onboard. I had quite a time to have my guys sharpen the blades of their bayonets. Now is the time to move and use them. Cheer 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hey guys. I have had a good look at the approaches to San Leonardo. In order to prevent A and D Coys from encroaching on each other, I highly recommend the following: A Coy - it looks best if you approach San Leonardo on a 45 degree angle from where your leading troops are. That way you can use the many vineyards to your advantage and eventually end up in that large wood directly in front of the town. D Coy - in the area of the two houses, directly right (north) of the town there are some copses of trees. There seems to be a good covered approach to get to that area. It is mostly dead ground where the houses are (viewing from the town) allowing a nice covered charge uphill into the town proper. If the companies get to these areas, we have a frontal and/or flanking of the outlying town row houses. Of course this is assuming that our tankers take care of business in the next 10 minutes! Thoughts Commanders? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake_eye Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Hi ChappyCanuck, I agree mostly with your views. However,if My Company is reaching their two houses objectives without too much trouble, as I anticipate it, the move from there,toward San Leonardo might be harder. For the moment I am out of reach of my D Company and that till Thursday evening, Frank assumes command and he knows what tactical move I was about to do when I had to leave Tuesday morning. As a matter of fact, the Jerries file awaited since Last Friday, came right after I left. Cheer 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Finally! Well done Stonecutter taking out that 88...the path appears clear on the left flank now. Go to it A Coy! I think we used the entire Brigade's allotment of arty shells taking him out lol. I see one of the ATG crews (not our local heroes this time) registered a flank hit on the 3rd MkIV. It appears to be ok but shaken....repeat rounds to impact soon though. Hopefully at that long range the 6 lbers can still do the trick! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco2marzo Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 hello i am back , if there is some room left i will be glad to be in 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuderian Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hey guys. I have had a good look at the approaches to San Leonardo. In order to prevent A and D Coys from encroaching on each other, I highly recommend the following: A Coy - it looks best if you approach San Leonardo on a 45 degree angle from where your leading troops are. That way you can use the many vineyards to your advantage and eventually end up in that large wood directly in front of the town. D Coy - in the area of the two houses, directly right (north) of the town there are some copses of trees. There seems to be a good covered approach to get to that area. It is mostly dead ground where the houses are (viewing from the town) allowing a nice covered charge uphill into the town proper. If the companies get to these areas, we have a frontal and/or flanking of the outlying town row houses. Of course this is assuming that our tankers take care of business in the next 10 minutes! Thoughts Commanders? Just back from a week's R&R. Thanks to my fellow commanders for keeping my my men alive! A Coy will advance through the vineyards NE as ordered. Point Pltn A Coy is under some suppressing fire from a MG or two , I think, near the now destroyed Flak 88(hooray!) 4 PLTG's remaining AC's will continue to scout and guard flanks. When the rest of the Sherman Squadron arrives , we should be unstoppable Great news with the 6lber hitting the PzIV on it's first shot, well done gunners! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Welcome back Kuderian, hope you had a good one Ok gents, tonight I am heading to Calgary for a week; back next Monday. I will be able to receive emails and check on the forum here, but alas, I will not be able to watch the movies until I get back. Keep up the pressure on the foe....A Coy appears to have a good, almost clear route to the town now that the panzers have re-deployed. Hopefully Combat Team Stonecutter will be able to deal with those panzers in the next 5 minutes or so. D Coy can exploit up through the middle to the town and outflank it. Remember: we only have one FOO left (A Coy) although D Coy commander should be able to call in some of the heavy stuff also...speaking of which...Snake_eye: next time you plan your orders, could you click on your commander and the arty button to see what arty is denied and what is not? Cheers guys and good luck! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kohlenklau Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 @Marco, This battle is all full but maybe a recon mission in a follow on battle... ....several turns still to go! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake_eye Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 "Snake_eye: next time you plan your orders, could you click on your commander and the arty button to see what arty is denied and what is not?" I shall check it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonecutter Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 (edited) A trio of Shermans worked their way up the slope along a narrow trail toward the crest of the hill. Having just arrived in Italy a few weeks ago, Lieutenant Montgomery was still green but was learning quickly from his veteran Sergeants, Hasper and Derby. Resisting the urge to rush to the aid of his friend, Larouche, he pressed the transmit switch and sent out a terse order to his troop. "All stations Tango one-one, this is Tango one-one, crest drill, out." Watching in satisfaction as Hasper split right and Derby left, he signaled and all three tanks slowly advanced, the crew commanders and loaders scanning carefully forward. The tankers were well aware of the lethal range and accuracy of the dreaded 88 and knowing one had been reported covering the area gave them extra reason to be cautious. Well before the turret was exposed to enemy fire from across the river, the tanks halted and all three crew commanders scanned with their binoculars. Apparently satisfied, the tanks reversed off the slope and lined up on the road where several half tracks awaited. A couple of minutes later and the revving of engines signaled all ready as the lead half track accelerated up the road and over the crest, followed in quick succession by the other half tracks and finally the tanks. "Hammer it, give it all its got!" Montgomery shouted to his driver over the intercom, trying to make his voice heard over the protesting roar of the engine and rattling of tracks. Clods of mud spewed like water fountains off the rear of the tracked vehicles as they sped down the road. Racing recklessly down the slope at breakneck speed toward the relative safety of the river valley, the half tracks soared over the hastily erected bridge although the last one skidded sideways off the far end as its right track slipped off the edge, causing it to nearly flip over before coming to a stop and stalling out. The lead Sherman narrowly avoided colliding with the last half track, which now partially blocked the exit route off the bridge, but its driver expertly maneuvered around the half track and avoided the nearby bog. Montgomery was last in his small task force to make his way over the bridge and surveyed the carnage around him as he stopped on the roadway. Burning vehicles were everywhere and he quickly spotted the two very recently knocked out MkIV's, their crews being escorted rearward by a couple of soldiers. The smell of charred flesh assailed his nostrils, nearly causing him to vomit but he forced the queasiness down as he watched some of B Coy's soldiers carefully lay out their dead comrades behind the woods. A familiar figure jogged toward him from the woods and climbed aboard his Sherman, Alma. Covered in blood, mud stains and clad in a torn uniform, Montgomery barely recognized his friend, Larouche. The harrowing stare seemed to create a chasm between them but Larouche reached out and they embraced as brothers in arms. Quickly, Larouche recalled all that had happened in the critical past few minutes. With a few parting words of solace to his friend, Montgomery recovered from his shock and began to realize just how foolish his views of glory and combat had been. His thoughts were disturbed by radio static and a transmission. "All stations, this is Golf Three-Four, the 88 is destroyed, I repeat, the 88 is destroyed" The news prompted a surge of relief in Montgomery. Thinking about what Larouche had related to him on the enemy with the recent news of the 88's demise, he checked his map and envisioned what to do next. "All stations Tango one-one, this is Tango one-one, orders. Two enemy panzers and section infantry along wood line in area grid six-two-zero, eight-seven-seven. Tango one-one will advance and destroy. Right flanking. All stations will move from current location to assault line 500 metres south of enemy using low ground. In assault line, Tango one-one-bravo left, Tango one-one-charlie right, Tango one-one centre. India call signs to follow as per SOP. Advance on order, dismount on order of India three-four. All stations acknowledge, over" "Tango one-one bravo, roger, out." "Tango one-one charlie, roger, out." "India three-four, roger, out." Sergeant Fox led his detachment of six pounders across the Moro and formed up behind the nearby woods. Listening to the battalion net for the next few minutes, he tried to gather a picture of the battle and determine where he and his men were most needed. Seeing the tank troop cross shortly after him and head to the east, he waved to his other three carriers and they drove west, being extremely careful to stick to the low ground while avoiding the mires close to the Moro River. Despite his best efforts, his last carrier hauling the second six-pounder managed to bog itself and he cursed both the crew commander and the driver for their mistake. Looking back, he saw Corporal Dawson stop his carrier and dismount to lend assistance. With a quick thumbs up, Dawson pointed toward where Fox was headed and then turned to help extract the stricken vehicle. As Fox neared A Coy's start off point, he searched for cover but found none across the barren slope. Halting the carrier near the top of the slope, he issued orders to his crew and they quickly began deploying the six pounder while the driver reversed the gun tractor out of harm's way and back into the low ground. The second six pounder, now free of the mud, came into view and he waved it forward toward the low, stone wall a couple hundred metres away. Pondering over his map and the reports he had heard on the radio, Fox used his binos to methodically search for the enemy panzers. Following a smoke plume, he calculated the range and had the gunner align on where the suspected panzer might appear. His patience was soon rewarded as the sleek form of a MarkIV hunted forward through the edge of the trees.. "Armour piercing, one nine-hundred, tank on edge of woods." "Spotted" "Armour piercing, loaded." "Fire" The muzzle spewed flame as the six pounder recoiled and sent its steel shot across the valley at the distant enemy tank. A brilliant flash indicated that it had struck home. " Target, repeat." Fox ordered. The crew laboured to reload and the gun barked again, sending another 57mm round into the flank of the MarkIV. " Target, repeat." Fox ordered for the third time and again, his crew responded with efficiency and yet again, the flash of the penetrator hitting armour provided ample evidence of a successful strike. Through his binos, Fox watched as the panzer's crew bailed out and smoke began to pour out of the engine compartment where his rounds had penetrated the fuel tanks and likely initiated a fire. " Target, stop." To the far east, Fox could make out the vehicles in task force Tango one-one as they moved into position. Several hundred metres north of Tango one-one, he spied movement and ordered the gun to traverse. "Contact, panzer reversing on slope." The sudden report from his gunner grabbed Fox's attention. "Armour piercing, loaded." Using a mental estimate, Fox could just make out the distant contact. "Range, two three hundred, aim left, fire when ready." The gunner traversed slowly while Fox waited,.... Lieutenant Montgomery surveys the grim evidence of B Coy's valiant defence of the bridging site. The price paid by B Coy is apparent as they lay out their dead comrades behind the woods. Task Force Tango one-one begins their move to the assault line making use of the low ground by the Moro River. The distinctive sound of a MkIV firing draws Montgomery's attention and he spots an armoured car from PLDG to his left, well up the slope. Montgomery watches in frustration as the armoured car, unaware of the peril, sits still until a second and finally third round is fired - the last one striking home and tearing through both the front and rear of the vehicle as evidenced by the fiery tracer. The impact of the 75mm AP round sets off the ammunition and fuel in the armoured car, instantly incinerating the entire crew. The tanks, armoured cars and infantry of Task Force Tango one-one form up at the assault line. Edited September 5, 2015 by Stonecutter 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonecutter Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Golf three-four observes the fall of shot and watches yet another narrow miss. The many craters of other artillery shells around the 88 give testament to how much importance is placed on taking it out. A direct hit finally spells the end of the 88. A jubilant Golf three-four transmits the news over the Battalion combat net, giving a much needed morale boost to all who hear it. Fox and his ATG crew engage a MkIV at long range. The new barrel and skill of his team combined result in three, successive hits. The first two strikes can be seen above the gun mantlet and mid right by the cross decal. The third shot proves the charm as it hits something vital and initiates a fire while the crew bails out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Canadian Cat Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Excellent write up. Your men have arrived to save the day. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Well done Frankie! I'm watching from Calgary...back home Monday night. I will be able to watch the movies when I return. Great AAR! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kohlenklau Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Excellent job! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake_eye Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 "Bloody Xmas" battle AAR is so well written that you really feel like being right into it. I could, reading it, almost hear the crack boom from the ATG firing, the metallic clank made by the shell hitting the PZ IV, making a hole on its side and the excited victory cries from Fox ATG crew. Well done Stonecutter. BTW : Was Fox a dart champion at home ? He got a hit nearly squarely on the centre of the Pz IV side painted iron cross ! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kohlenklau Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 (edited) I wanted to pause a moment and thank all you guys for your participation. This was a special experimental, multiplayer battle. A few bumps have been hit but it is going very well! Play continues in the PBEM, but if you note the compass clock time, we are now entering what is considered Turn 3A of the Operation.. You will obviously be assaulting to secure San Leonardo. Good luck. When the battle clock runs out, I will refresh the op map before we await the Turn 3B axis moves and response... Edited September 6, 2015 by kohlenklau 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChappyCanuck Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm back home! Time to catch up on some movies 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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