Attacking Strategies

[Adam Parker]

Hi PCC, this really is an example of a really great scenario in my opinion though frustrating just the same - as I type this with the French National Anthem blazing away on my speakers - signifying another "Axis Major Defeat" :)

The challenges of this scenario are the fixing of the bulk of the Axis forces until about turn 3-4, the limited number of turns being 8 and as you say, some pretty rough terrain in the centre, though with some seemingly open approaches in the north - but all plagued by some well thought-out Allied engineering works.

Taking Lierneux the 50 point objective on the second turn was easy just now, due to arty and a lucky disruption of the defender - and it's a great hubris booster when secured. With no other solutions seemingly available due to the fixing of the bulk of my forces, I then sent what else I had remaining into the central sector coming up of course, against well placed wire mines and the enemy.

More enemy disruptions and airpower allowed my motorcycle company to move adjacent to the 100 point town of Chabrehez. Direct fire forced a disruption of the enemy and the next turn the town was mine. However due to friendly losses a check of the victory dialog showed only 157 victory points - still a major defeat with 301 being needed for a draw! At that point I accepted the fact that the enemy had reached the area of battle before I and the thrust the Axis needed in the broader section of the assualt, regardless of what John Tiller wanted from me, wasn't going to come from this General today!

The unfixing of the 7th Panzer Division main body did open up some options and some forces maneuvered north. But in my opinion, to win this scenario the central thrust is the way to go - or another 16 hours of operational time.

What made this scenario so beatiful for me to play? Well on Turn 7 - the penultimte turn, the enemy AI, pinned against Chabrehez with three companies of Chasseurs did the unexpected. Whilst I tried to maneuver west in futility against the deciding 200 point victory hex of Samree, the Chasseurs regrouped and with a lucky result, pounced on the undisrupted 300+ occupants of the town, retaking it!

I had no response. On turn 8 I suffered almost 70 casualties trying to retake the town. End result. Just 66 victory points, a big loss - and a big smile on my face.

What a hell of a scenario! You'll find with PzC sometimes you'll win and sometimes the fortunes of war and a crafty design team will make that outcome very hard ;) In my humble opinion, this may just be one of those cases.

Rommel's 7th Panzer will need to find another way in!

Thanks for the great post and question. Let's see what others can provide,

Adam.