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** Find a Way Through - The Matrix Games version of West Front

** Find a Way Through Image
Campaign Series Ladder

** Find a Way Through

By A. Kuhns
Axis 2 - 2 - 3 Allies
Rating: 7.71 (7)
Games Played: 7
SM: 3
Turns: 20
Type: Custom
First Side: Axis
Second Side: Allies
Downloads: 339
[Thisnes, 62 kilometers SE of Brussels, Belgium]: [H2H][HISB][GD]: The task of "waving the red cape" in the Allies' faces in Belgium in May 1940 fell to General Hoepner's XVI Armee Korps (mot.), which included the veteran 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions. On the morning of May 12, 1940, armored units of 4th Panzer Division clashed wiith elements of the French 3rd Light Mechanized Division's 5th Light Mechanized Brigade (5e BLM) near Hannut, Belgium. 5e BLM was part of General Prioux's Cavalry Corps, the mission of which was to delay the onrushing panzers long enough to allow the main Allied forces time to establish a strong defensive line on the Dyle River in Belgium. During this initial clash, which was the first real tank-vs-tank battle of World War Two, the tankers of 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cuirassiers fought hard and bravely but were forced to retreat. They left behind 11 of the 21 Hotchkiss H39 tanks with which they had entered the battle, and their commander, Capitaine Sainte-Marie Perrin, who was killed when his tank was hit. On the afternoon of May 12, General Hoepner, believing that Allied resistance in front of his Korps was crumbling, ordered 4th Panzer Division to conduct a reconnaissance in force to "find a way through" and prevent retreating Belgian forces from taking up positions behind the anti-tank barrier at Perwez. Oberstleutnant Eberbach, commander of Panzer-Regiment 35, 4th Panzer Division was assigned this mission, and a battle group built around I./Pz-Rgt 35 and I./Schutzen-Rgt 12 was assembled. The need to refuel imposed a delay on the Germans, and it was not till after dusk that Eberbach set out to complete his mission. Contrary to what Hoepner believed, however, not all Allied forces in the area west of Hannut were in retreat. In fact, the 5e BLM, despite having been formed only in February 1940 from French cavalry branch reservists, was not at all discouraged by the results of the earlier fighting and was intent on completing its mission of imposing a delay on the Germans. As the sounds of advancing German tank tracks floated towards them in the evening air, 5e BLM tankers slammed their hatches shut, dragoons readied their weapons and all said a quick prayer for courage and luck. [ALL: N VV]

*** Make sure both players have Version 2.0 downloaded; .org file updated 01/02/21, .scn file updated 01/03/21 ***
Player Voting Stats
Member Balance Enjoyment
Big Ivan's ProfileBig Ivan Slightly Pro Allies 8
Scud's ProfileScud Slightly Pro Allies 7
Schwerpunkt75's ProfileSchwerpunkt75 Well Balanced 8
Ashcloud's ProfileAshcloud Well Balanced 8
Hawk Kriegsman's ProfileHawk Kriegsman Moderately Pro Allies 6
Gaming Records
1st Side Player 2nd Side Player Result Score
Axis Panzerjaeger's Profile Panzerjaeger vs. fastphil fastphil's Profile Allies Axis Minor Victory 27 12
Allies Hawk Kriegsman's Profile Hawk Kriegsman vs. mussolini mussolini's Profile Axis Allies Major Victory 36 6
Axis Hawk Kriegsman's Profile Hawk Kriegsman vs. mussolini mussolini's Profile Allies Draw 18 18
Allies dawags's Profile dawags vs. Schwerpunkt75 Schwerpunkt75's Profile Axis Draw 18 18
Axis Schwerpunkt75's Profile Schwerpunkt75 vs. Ashcloud Ashcloud's Profile Allies Axis Major Victory 36 6
dawags
Lieutenant General
dawags Sat Dec 09, 2017 5:47 pm
Nice work by Alex here.
Worth the play.
Night scenario, so brush up on your starshells...
German player needs to use starshells to push Allied player back.
~dawags
Big Ivan
1st Lieutenant
Big Ivan Sun Jan 07, 2018 12:27 pm
Slightly pro-Allies only due to being on the defense and at night. But I wouldn't really change a thing. Overall a good scenario IMO.
Scud
Major General
Scud Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:03 pm
I'm not a fan of night scenarios, too frustrating. Most of my starshells were duds leaving me to wish I just fired a live shell instead. Therefore clashes with the enemy came down to lucky shots and very slow advances, which is what cost be a minor loss in the end. More plays will tell just how balanced the scenario is, but it's certainly a challenge.
Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blasts on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us. --Walt Kelly
Ashcloud
General
Ashcloud Mon Nov 11, 2019 2:11 am
Really enjoyed the night aspect, lots of room for strategy and tactics.
Schwerpunkt75
Warrant Officer
Schwerpunkt75 Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:52 am
Scenario designers comment: have to be familiar with night fighting rules and use of star shells. Both sides must understand how darkness impacts their capabilities. If the French player knows how to deploy his armor, he can make life very difficult for the German player. Scenario rewards patience, good tactics and knowledge of units' strengths and weaknesses. German player must take advantage of the darkness and terrain to close distance with the French player. Winnable by either side with the right tactics and strategy, but the Allies probably have a slight advantage.
Schwerpunkt75
Warrant Officer
Schwerpunkt75 Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:55 am
Intended as a companion scenario to ** Black Eagle and Barbary Lion.
Schwerpunkt75
Warrant Officer
Schwerpunkt75 Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:23 am
Version 2.0 posted on 01/03/21. Version 2.0 of scenario has slight changes to make it easier for Axis player to achieve draw or victory.