Main Event V: Owl vs. Der Kuenstler

[Joonny]

Ok here we go

This is owls setup



His forces are Split into 4 main groups

Kampfgruppe A:

2x Panzergrenadier Plt (one on foot, one mounted on tanks)
1x Co Hq
2x PanzerShreck
1x MG34 LMG
1x MG42 HMG
1x Plt PzIV
2x JPz IV

Kampfgruppe B:

1x Panzergrenadier Plt
1x Jager Plt

Overwatch Section of
1x Plt HQ
2x 81mm Mortar
1x MG42 HMG
2x JPz IV

Kampfgruppe C:

1x Jager Plt (mounted on StuHs and a Stug)
2x Mg34 LMG (mounted)
2x MG42 HMG (1 mounted, one on foot)
1x Panzershreck (mounted)
1x Co HQ

1x Plt StuH42
1x StuG IIIG

Kampfgruppe D:

1x Jager Plt
1x MG34 LMG
2x StuG IIIG


Below is OWLs tactical analysis of the situation

Short analyse of the Main Event V (MEV)

Mission: Have fun playing the best war-game ever made (Main Effort) and win the MEV and if the result is a draw beat der K in %

Terrain:
Obstacles:
o The railroad bank from NW to SE is difficult for my units to cross (with the exception of the 2 crossings)
o The wooded area N of the Logging Camp

Approach:
o Fast mounted via the 2 roads to the Railroad Station and Town Square
o By foot good concealed via de scattered trees to the 3 most N victory Locations (V

Key terrain:
o The NE / SW heights / over watch positions
o The large 2 floor buildings in the N & S
o heavy buildings central in town
o the wooded area surrounding the Logging Camp

Fields of fire:
o Especially from the overwachtes mentioned above. You can see over and deep into the town.
o In the city it’s limited due to the buildings and the scattered trees.

Cover / protection:
o Limited on the overwatches (no woods only scattered trees) but possibilities for hull down fire positions for tanks and TD.
o the heavy buildings in the town
o the wooded area Logging Camp

Conclusion:
o Open area’s / heights are unfavourable for anti tank guns (quick destroyed by arty and specially mortars) so I need TD with excellent / long range optics!
o I need a couple of mortars to neutralise Der K At guns
o There are 2 fast approaches for mounted attacks / reinforcements of the platoon already in town
o There are good / covered approaches for infantry via the scattered trees to the VL
o Occupy the heavy buildings ASAP in the town centre and defend them to the last grenadier!
Opponent:

Der K is an extremely experienced opponent, one of the best I know. (just as Jawsconan who beats me most of the times)

He’s makes excellent use of his units and terrain.

I expect him (although the battle is only 30 turns) not to execute bold / daring manoeuvres but play it more and ‘’safe’’

Concerning his choices in units:
o I expect some good AT guns (maybe the British 17 pounder) on the high terrain, and many cheaper US 60mm mortars.
o 2, maybe more M10 TD platoons with the long 76mm at gun (but not many HE available)
o He will certainly try to attack one of my flanks with tanks or TD
o Good use of indirect fires so my movement / waypoint planning needs a lot of attention

conclusion: I have to be extremely careful, every turn again and check every single unit in every turn (in command, good field of fire, realistic move etc)

Own troops:

I receive a Pzr Pioneer Plt with halve tracks. The pioneers with the flamethrowers are extremely useful in FIBUA but the halftracks are very vulnerable to US riffle grenades and bazooka’s

30+ turns is limited for a 3000 point battle and because it’s a ME (he who grab’s the best location will most of the time win) I will buy +/- 2/3 panzer and 1/3 infantry

I buy a Jgdpzr & Stug plt to win the long range battle with US TD and At guns and if they succeed to Spt the infantry with HE (only this is limited due to the small calibre of 75mm)

A MK IV (vets) tankplt to attack one of the objectives (Of course I preferred a Plt panthers but they are to expensive)

A StH 105mm plt to support the infantry and to destroy enemy buildings and to create much casualties as possible (If it still was a 5000 point game I would have bought a couple of Brumbaers)

1 Panzer grenadier Coy with 3x Inf Plt and a Spt plt with 2x 81mm mortar and 4x HMG

1 Jaeger Coy with 6 Smg each Sqd for fighting in buildings and a section with 2x HMG

Remaining points: 4x vet MG 34 team for recce or / and Spt
Conclusion:
+ Long range Stug and specially Jgdpz capacity
+ Excellent support for infantry with 3x 105mm StuH
- Only regular units, what can result in receiving some green units
- No forward observer(s) but indirect fire support is limited to 2x 81mm mortar