You might appreciate this, Wild Bill...A "Heroic Action" from one of your scenarios.

[Spook]

The scenario in specific is "Far From Over--Paderborn" which I played first time as a PBEM. The results of that PBEM are related below, and has been submitted to Madmatt for the "Heros Corner" of CM HQ.

(SPOILER INFO on the Far From Over--Paderborn scenario follows!!)

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2 Apr 1945: On this day, a mechanized column of the 3rd Armored “Spearhead” Division was advancing along a road running eastwards, about 12km from the city of Paderborn, Germany. The objective of the advance was to reach two nearby intersections with roads running due north-south, so as to deny both of these roads as means for lateral re-deployment of German forces against the eastward US advance. The combined arms task force was formed around a medium tank company of 32nd Armored Regt and a company of 36th Armored Infantry Regt. Attached was a platoon of three M36B1 tank destroyers from 703rd Tank Destroyer (TD) Bttn.

Upon reaching the first intersection, the task force commander (LtC Brant) halted the task force column and sent a recon troop both towards the northwest and to the southeast. This was done as the surrounding terrain was broken up with scattered hills and woods, with a high risk for ambushes. The southern recon troop soon encountered and began to engage with a similar German scout force, indicating that more German forces were probably nearby. The northern recon troop, on a major hill that could overview the main road and the north-south road further to the east, in turn reported observing several German tanks moving southwards towards the objective intersection, but couldn’t identify the vehicle type at that time. But with the knowledge that German armor was nearby, LtC Brant ordered the task force to deploy and advance along either side of the main road towards the intersection, making use of tree cover and bounding movement where possible. The northern recon troop then moved further to the north to observe for any added German reinforcements moving southwards. (US MOVEMENT IS IN THE BLUE LINES.)

The German force commander, at this time, chose to advance with his armor. It was soon learned that the German tanks were the PzKpfw VIb type, or “King Tiger.” One platoon of four Tigers moved westwards from the intersection, while another platoon of three Tigers appeared from the southeast. (THE GERMAN MOVEMENTS ARE IN RED LINES.) LtC Brant ordered the US troops straddling the primary road to immediately seek cover and redeploy in defense, as King Tigers were known to be well armored for frontal engagements. The US forces south of the main road were caught in an extended deployment and were forced to withdraw back towards the road, losing two M4 tanks while doing so. The German tank platoon along the primary road lost two Tigers in turn, one to a rocket launcher team and another to an M4/76 tank. During these first minutes of action, the northern recon troop spotted an added platoon of three Tigers approaching from the north. As the recon unit withdrew, the third Tiger platoon advanced onto the hill overlooking the primary road and threatened to flank the US task force.

At this critical moment of time, Sgt Robert Pinard, in command of an M36B1 TD, ordered his vehicle forward at top speed to a reverse-slope position on this northern hill, with two M4/75 tanks following in support, using wooded cover to screen against possible flanking fire from the Tigers advancing along the road. (THIS IS SHOWN BY THE GREEN LINES.) While two Tigers that had crested the hill had turned westward to engage and destroy an M4 tank firing from that direction, Sgt Pinard’s TD moved up into a hull-down position and engaged the Tigers, destroying both in quick succession. This forced the remaining Tiger to the north to redeploy further to the west before advancing again.

Then turning south to face the Tigers that had advanced along the primary road, Sgt Pinard’s TD and the supporting tanks fired smoke to screen an eastward dash of these tanks just north of the two Tigers. In doing so, Sgt Pinard’s TD was able to get to the rear of the Tiger tanks in a lightly wooded area. Sgt Pinard’s crew then destroyed both of these Tigers, also in quick succession. During this action, with the Tiger tanks unable to coordinate with the defending German infantry, the US task force’s armored infantry company was able to advance with M4 tank support and overrun the German infantry force at the objective point, inflicting heavy losses while suffering minor casualties in return.

Having lost six of ten King Tigers, along with two halftrack vehicles and an armored car, the German commander chose at this time to withdraw. Losses in the US task force were three M4 tanks, an M3 halftrack, two M20 armored cars, and about 20 infantry casualties.

The actions of Sgt Pinard and his crew proved timely and decisive in helping blunt an advance by a powerful, well-armed German tank force, and helped to keep down US casualties that could have been much worse due to the flanking move by the enemy’s heavy tanks onto an overwatch position. His crew demonstrated exceptional skill and accurate gunnery in quickly maneuvering into advantageous fire positions and destroying four King Tiger tanks. For this, Sgt Robert Pinard is nominated for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, and his crewmembers are each nominated in turn for the award of the Silver Star.

[Wild Bill Wilder]

Fantastic report, Spook! I love the clear diagram of action on the map. That really makes the report come alive and one can picture so clearly the action.

Worthy of commendation as is the good Sgt. and his men. They really kept their cool under fire.

Thanks for sharing this!

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Wild Bill

Lead Tester

Scenario Design Team

Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord

billw@matrixgames.com