Flames of War – Mini Campaign – Game 2

[Overview | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Photographs]
SETUP
The second mission in the campaign (which is detailed here) is a Free-for-All with both forces clashing towards the centre of Schalbach following the Germans win in the first mission. The Panzer Lehr are attacking in a southerly direction again attempting to disrupt the American XV Corps. This mission does not have the Fair Fight special rule, meaning the battle cannot end in a draw.

The terrain was setup as shown with the road junction representing the intersection of present day Route de Hirschland and Rue Principale (Present day satellite image).

Figure 1 – Setup: Terrain, Deployment Areas and Objectives

The battle was fought in an area roughly 4′ x 5′ with forces approximately 1250pts in size, with the Americans having a slight (about 100pt) advantage to represent the depth of reserves available in the Corps. Peter’s U.S. army consisted of –

• Company HQ (plus 3 snipers)
• 1st Rifle Platoon (9 teams)
• 2nd Rifle Platoon (9 teams)
• Tank Platoon (5 M4A1 Shermans)
• Tank Destroyer Platoon (2 M10 GMCs)
• Weapons Platoon (Light mortars and LMGs)
• Artillery Platoon (2 sections of M2A1 105mm guns)

The U.S. forces were deployed just south of Rue Principale with the two rifle platoons at opposite ends of the line, ready to move towards both objectives. The Company HQ setup a command post in the building at the T-junction, providing them with an excellent spotting position. The tank platoons took up a more central position ready to make use move north along the road. Both the artillery and weapons platoon setup near the German objectives to protect them and provide ranged support.

Figure 2 – Deployment

My German force consisted of fewer troops, but they were very well equipped veterans –

• Company HQ (Company Command, 2iC and Panzerschrecks mounted in 250 half-tracks)
• 1st Panzergrenadier Platoon (6 MG Teams and 3 Tank-hunter Teams mounted in 250 half-tracks)
• 2nd Panzergrenadier Platoon (6 MG Teams and 3 Tank-hunter Teams mounted in 250 half-tracks)
• Tank-Hunter Platoon (3 Jagdpanzer IVs)
• Artillery Platoon (1 section of Nebelwerfer 41 Rocket Launchers)

The German 1st platoon dismounted from their transports and setup with the Command HQ and Panzerschrecks on the north-western U.S. Objective. The artillery set up in a central position with the Jagdpanzers and 2nd platoon, still in their transports, to their east.

The map symbols used in this battle report are –

THE BATTLE
(This battle report is fictitious and does not reflect the events of the 23rd November 1944)

Through the morning of the 23rd November 1944 the Panzer Lehr Division had clashed with the dug in troops of the 44th Infantry Regiment 2km north of Schalbach. By the afternoon the Germans had pushed the U.S. forces south into the town, but the fighting had been bloody. Without the depth of reserves possessed by the American army the Panzer Lehr Division was being stretched. As soon as they approached the town centre the Jadgpanzers and 2nd Panzergrenadier platoon, joined by the Nebelwerfer Observer team, pressed down their left flank, avoiding the exposed road (Figure 3). The M10 GMCs and 2nd Rifle Platoon moved to block their advance, but immediately came under intense fire from the Jagdpanzers and distant Nebelwerfers. Under this barrage the riflemen fled and the two Tank Destroyers were left in flames.

Spotting for their artillery platoon, and identifying the danger the German rocket launchers, the U.S. command called in a strike on them. All three Nebelwerfers were destroyed. The Shermans pushed up the centre and opened up their MGs on the German 1st platoon. The grenadiers had dug in, but the MG fire managed to kill a couple of teams. The grenadiers opened up on the advancing 1st rifle platoon wiping out several teams.

Figure 3

The U.S. 1st rifle platoon continued their advance, but came under a hail of devastating fire that pinned them down (Figure 4). The Shermans were threatening to push through the German line forcing the 2nd Panzergrenadier platoon to fall back. The Tank-hunters in the 2nd platoon bravely left their foxholes to open fire on the Shermans. Two of their rockets struck home taking out one of the tanks. The utility vehicle and jeep from the tank destroyer platoon came across to bring their MGs to bear on the German 1st platoon. Despite their dug in position another team fell to the American fire.

The observer from the U.S. artillery platoon took up a position and set their sights on the German 1st platoon. The Jagdpanzers continued south past the field, but would soon be radioed to to fall back to prevent the Shermans breaking through.

Figure 4

The Jagdpanzers and Shermans engaged at close range (Figure 5). A Jagdpanzer crew bailed out under the fire and another Sherman was destroyed. The 2nd grenadier platoon’s Tank-hunters leapt from their 250s to engage the Shermans, taking out another tank onl to be wiped out by the remaining tanks MGs.

The German 1st platoon continued their unrelenting fire on the American riflemen causing them to quit the battle. American snipers appeared in the hedges of the field and in the northernmost building. The bravery of the Tank-hunters quickly turned to tragedy under the precise sniper fire. The remainder of the 1st platoon kept their heads low as they saw the Tank-hunter teams fall.

Figure 5

Again the U.S. artillery roared (Figure 6). The German 2nd platoon came under a barrage so intense that they fled. The Tank Destroyer vehicles opened up on the dug in Germans killing more teams, but the Germans held their nerve.

Figure 6

The Jagdpanzer remounted their tank and the whole platoon fired on the remaining Shermans, destroying them. A cheer went out from the dug in 1st platoon, but it was short lived as they came under artillery, sniper and MG fire. The Jagdpanzers were ordered south, but this time to take out the U.S. artillery. With it still in place the Germans were not going to advance anywhere (Figure 7).

Artillery fire again rained down on the 2nd platoon shaking them, but they managed to retain their composure to fire on the remaining Tank Destroyer vehicles and wiping them out. The U.S. forces held on tenaciously, but the increasingly accurate Jagdpanzer fire was beginning to take its toll on the 105mm guns. The U.S. Command, realising the day was lost, ordered a retreat and vowed that the 24th November would see a change in their fortune.

Figure 7

AFTERMATH
The Germans attempts to disrupt the U.S. XV Corps were proving effective, but at a cost. If they encounter much more U.S. artillery tomorrow their attempt to separate the left flank of the Corps from the main body will fail. Their mission is now partially complete. The U.S. forces have been rocked by the speed and aggression of the German advance. Given a night to fortify their positions, the Americans will put up a stiffer resistance tomorrow.

Owen