Campaign Of the Month: The Scottish Corridor

[raz_atoth]

3. Hansel and Gretel

Let's now continue with the third battle of the campaign named Hansel and Gretel.In the first two battles i was on offensive.For a change,in this one i will have to defend the previously conquered hamlet against a german counter-attack.
The forces i have are a company [3 platoons] of infantry supported by two 57mm AT guns.
As reinforcements i will get 2x 2x81mm mortars arriving after 10 minutes,another platoon after 20 minutes,additional arty in the form of a 25 pdrs battery (after 25 minutes) and 3 tanks-a firefly and 2 shermans-after 30 minutes.



Battle plan:

Since armor has been reported coming my way (Tigers!) and the ground is muddy it's very likely the armor attack will be carried using the existing roads (marked with white arrows) with the infantry following behind or advancing between the roads.
So,in preparation i deployed 1 platoon on the left,to cover Hansel,with one AT gun placed in a nice ambush position.A second platoon is in the center,while the third one and the second AT gun are kept in reserve ready to go wherever needed.
Additionally a recon squad has been placed in an advanced position to provide intel about the enemy movements.

[raz_atoth]

One thing is for certain. The Waffen SS doesn't waste any time when it comes to attacking. My advanced recon troops immediately spot what seems to be the main force: at least a company of infantry with a Tiger tank and a couple of supporting halftracks. My men are quickly wiped out (not before scoring some hits themselves on the advancing infantry),but now i know with what i'm dealing with and from which direction.
At the same time hell unleashes above Gretel. 105mm shells apparently. The good news are my casualties are very low. Just 3 men.

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And the first bad news arrive. As soon as the arty bombardment ends and my men are able to stick their heads out they spot a second group quickly closing on the right towards Gretel: a Tiger tank with infantry and at least a Stummel.
In the light of this new info i order my center deployed platoon to move and occupy Gretel.

[raz_atoth]

10 minutes into the battle and my first reinforcements arrive. 2x 2x81mm mortars ready to deliver some nasty and quite deadly presents to our waffen ss guests.My FO is immediately ordered to call two liniar strikes on the enemy's advance paths.
I also have an AT gun prepared to take out that pesky Tiger once it will be kind enough come into LOS.

[daisy]

Nicely done Raz !!

[raz_atoth]

I'm glad you enjoy it.
Stay tuned for more

[raz_atoth]

14 minutes into the battle and the german attack starts in full-force on my left,with the Tiger leading the way. My AT gun reacts as the big cat enters it's covered arc [ please notice the keyhole position of the gun. It covers just a narrow side of the road where the wooden fence breaks the bocage,but this also mean incoming fire is restricted] and puts a shell into it's side. It penetrates,but without noticeable damage. The Tiger pops some smoke then retreats a bit still alive and kicking. The SS troops backed by halftracks move along the road.I only need to hold for a couple of minutes till my arty barrage will start landing and the platoon i kept as a reserve will arrive in this area...

[raz_atoth]

I'm playing CMBN since the first day it and i've seen a fair share of successfully arty strikes. Truth be told,more often landing on my own troops than not. That's why you'll certainly understand if i'll start bragging about the timely arrival of my strike... The 81mm mortar shells combined with the deadly small arms fire completely disorganizes the first infantry wave.





Well...everything went well until the Tiger started to move...and fire. Most surprisingly it decides to advance and parks itself at the same level where my men are fighting behind a bocage. I takes the AT gun and some of my other men out.In the end i manage to push the Tiger out with piat fire [three penetrations in it's side with no effect!],yet my defenders were badly hit.Both by the tiger and by the new wave of infantry quickly advancing. After 20 minutes of fighting my left platoon was considerable reduced,many of the men broken and/or retreating on their own will...