A Legend Is Born DAR (Now completed)

[Crossroads]

TURNS 10-13 A CALM BEFORE THE STORM

KG B, responsible for securing the high ground on my left flank, is having skirmishes with US forces. The GIs seem to have a lot of Engineers, I have to be quite cautious with my armour.

I have not tried to encircle US troops as of yet, I have been happy to push them back with my units there, in order to hide the strength of my main force advancing through the plateau.

Most of the burning oil is caused by enemy artillery hitting my halftracks. Some tank duels, but nothing in the scale that went on in the beginning of the scenario.

I have continued to not use any of the indirect fire capable units in my main force. For a couple of turns now, most of the artillery is hitting the left flank. While the enemy knows I am here, I still hope he is not aware it is my main force lurking just outside his LOS...



Here’s the overall situation at the end of Axis movement, turn 11.

As I found out the rivers are crossable, you can see I am not considering the high ground my first objective anymore. Instead, I am putting all my eggs to one basket in a direct approach to Arracourt.

Again, I wish the rivers would have been uncrossable, for more ”realistic” battle plans being called for? Then again, I do not know anything about the area, maybe the rivers were not that bad? What I’ve seen from telly (The Great Tank Battles), I would assume I am getting a bit of an easy ride here…

I’ve established a defensive perimeter to protect the flanks and rear of my Battle Groups. I know the enemy is using his armour in a concentrated manner, meaning my lone tank platoons would be brushed aside. But atleast I would get an early warning from his approach. Mk IVs on guard duty are marked with a red ellipse.

I am especially concerned about the road network on my right flank, and have allocated a stronger defense there. If he comes from South instead, well, he has found the soft underbelly of my formations. :conf:

Some other observations:
- All 4 Bn HQs continue to be out of supply, although my Regimental HQ is not.
- My infantry still not close enough to begin the assault to Arracourt. Historically, most German troops went fighting immediately upon their arrival to scene. The history will repeat itself here.

The strong US artillery continues to be of concern.



Here’s a view on my depot area. My Regimental headquarters has found a nice place out of harms way. Most of the damage done here – and there is a lot! – was caused by indirect fire by the map. I am quite sure I was not spotted at that time, but who knows…?

I am not a fan of ROEs outside the Blitz rules of engagement. I am happy to remove units from the map, if I feel that would be the logical thing to do.

Here, I am putting an extra effort to have all the units taking part of this attack, as my orders were to first, secure the Arracourt high ground, and then, to continue the push towards Nancy (the exit hexes).

Also, when studying this battle, the 4th AD succesfully ambushed several German depots, head quarters and workshops as a result of their very flexible and mobile fighting. It is only historically correct to allow my opponent with a chance to do just that.



As my troops continue to move cautiously towards the attacking positions, I wish the next enemy artillery phases would miss me. My morale 5 units have proven to be very difficult to rally once they are disrupted.

Lots of tank action during the turn. Enemy recon elements are ambushed in two location at my rear area, leaving the battered Stuarts leaving the battle, possibly to return later.

The enemy 37 mm (57 mm?) AT fires from Juvrecourt, destroying two tanks from my mkIV platoon. The enemy on my southern flank continue to harrass my advance as well. To make things worse, I manage to mistakenly click my halftracks to a hex I only wanted to check for visibility. They do not live to tell of my erraneous ways.

I will see a lot more from these pesky AT gunners as a deploy a small battle group towards establishing a road block to the major road running North from Arracourt. I know the enemy has tanks and some infantry near the exit hexes, and they might very well be sent to South to provide relief for the troops at Arracourt.

I have begun a consolidating of units into a smaller perimeter area to make my flanks easier to defend. I moved my Reg HQ forward, and propably move them again, as they are still far behind. My Bn HQ command range is an issue as well. I need to move them forward as well.

The timing for this repositioning is very bad, it seems I will begin the assault to Arracourt with units dropping out of supply as they fire.

Additionally, as I prepared this picture, I realised I have a gaping hole in my rear area, and having seen enemy tanks there a few turns earlier I became quite concerned whether my security has already been compromised.

H-hour: -6 minutes and counting!