ARCH (germans) vs. Baluka1974 No peeking Baluka

[ARCH]

Part 3: Deployments

After looking at the ground I decided to go with:

Infantry:

x1 Battalion of Panzergrenadiers. Mixture of veterans and regulars.




Support:

x7 light 50mm mortars

(2 Companies receive 1 for every platoon within those companies. I have one extra for the Reserves.)

x1 20mm Flak


x1 37mm Flak



x1 Halftrack (for the FO leading the tanks.)

Armour:

x1 Panther. Veteran experience.

x1 Jagpanther. Regular experience.

x3 PzKpfw IV Js. All Regular experience.



My intention is to bring a lot of firepower to bear. But I need support that is fast and is able to deploy as the need arises. The 50mm mortars are a small caliber but they are fast firing and able to put plenty of rounds on target in less than a turn. The armor is a little excessive for my play style, but my infantry need as much cover as they can grab moving from house to house. I'm hoping the Panther and the Jagpanther can provide the extra muscle while the IV Js can provide fire support.

I'm applying the 1/3 rule here. So out of every Battalion, 1 Company will be a reserve. Out of every Company 1 platoon will be a reserve, and out of that 1 squad will be reserve. Hopefully I will engage him with the smallest force possible allowing freedom of movement for my troops while trying to prevent freedom of movement for him.

Also before making contact I will hide my units as much as possible to help increase the chances of surprise attacks.

The initial plan is to have 2 Company on the left to make the first push towards the Chapel supported by the heavy Armour and 1 half-track:


1 Company will be the main reserve company, the Flak canons are part of this Company:

Finally, 3rd Company will recon and engage the Right Flank using the ditches and trees for masking movement. They are supported by the x3 PzKpfw IV Js:

Continued on second post

---

Part 4: The First Moves

Left Flank

Ultimate Goal: To take the Chapel and secure the surrounding area.

After the initial first moves the left is pretty quiet so far. No spotting contacts yet.


Men of 1 squad, 1 Platoon jump over a fence in front of the Hull Down Jagpanther




Then I get a few contacts. Nothing special at first, A few split infantry squads scouting ahead. But then something heavy is heard near the Chapel:


My scouts from 2 squad, 2 Platoon spot a 76 barreling into position on the end of the road:


With a quick burst of the machine gun and a HE shell for good measure, Baluka draws first blood.

2nd squad loses one and is pinned


The coaxial gun finishes of the forward scout team.


The pesky 76:


Taking refuge behind the Chapel, the 76 is preventing my Jagpanther from getting revenge, but at the same time my Jagpanther is preventing the 76 from maneuvering around.

The Jagpanther's view:


The 76's view:


I'll have to be pretty slick to burn him out of his hiding place.

---

The Right Flank

Ultimate Goal: Scout ahead and engage when making contact, find a weakness in his lines through the dense forest and hills.

Like initially on the left, all's quiet ... too quiet.


3rd company moving into the ditches and forest:


The PzKpfw IV Js move into overwatch positions:




After my scout team was ambushed on the left, another 76 pops out of the forest in front of one of my J's





My Panzer opens fire:


The round bounces! He begins to reload:


The 76 turns to return fire but my Panzer fires first:

---

And gets a Pen!


Guess I can breath again

To be continued..