Random chatter...

[Jim von Krieg]

Earlier, I picked up a game with Fubar1 on the Western Front... Jim chose a Don Fox scenario based on the battle of Stavelot. We'll see how this goes as I've never played this one before.

I'm dug in with a nice assortment of infantry, armor and artillery. Looks like a tough fight for the Amis, but they are dug in with good tactical positions.

One bad point, a few of the Germans are on the same side of the river. That can't bode well as they can cut in behind my position for the VP hexes and I have little to stop that. I'll have to do a balancing act to keep the baddies from seizing the VP hexes behind me while controlling the bridge head.

Duh, just had tactical epiphany as to what to do. VP hexes are key, but there is another technique that will help as well. This is one of the reasons I like to "share" my battles. It helps me systematically review my battle plans. Just had to issue a FRAGO to the troops. It's an obvious item, but I hadn't even considered it until now.

German also have a nice assortment of infantry and armor with Panthers, King Tigers and Mk-IVs. As this Amis, I get to do the shoot and scoot with no elaborate plan to attack. I'm behind a river overlooking the enemy approach and the fight seems to be all about VP Hexes. As long as he pays a high price for taking one, then I have a chance.

First few turns are mostly the Germans moving around. My MGs are disrupting his advance. I drop artillery all around where I think he's going to "appear". As long as I keep my guns supplied, I can dish out lots of punishment.

Also, my M10s are getting the best of the fight with the Panthers and gun tracks. Two Panthers burn on the far side of the river. I slide out pop the Panther and run away behind cover.

Also, good things occur as my AT guns OPFIRE his loaded halftrack attempting to race for the bridges. I love the smell of burning halftracks in the morning. LOL...

Looks like the initial surge is broken up with a good segment of Fubar's far bank assault force disrupted. I've stripped away his cannon carrying halftracks as well as one of the halftrack troop carriers. My Shermans are zapping the infantry moving in the open on the far bank. My MGs OPFIRE is also slicing and dicing his infantry moving forward.

I'm taking casualties from the German arty, but nothing major so far. All my guys are dug in and I dart around a bit to escape the impact hex. However, I have to hold the defense so I am getting hit by his guns.

I caught a glimpse of his second assault force moving up. Mk-IVs with infantry. I slide out of LOS. Don't want his tanks pounding my poor line doggies from afar.

I'm feeling good so far, but that can vaporize in an instant with this.

So far, issue remains in doubt.

Jim

German units moving up on the far side of the river have taken a pounding... My Jumbos and M4/105s steadily blasted approaching infantry... As they get close, machine guns chatter... artillery falls all around the confused and shattered German units... two more Panthers burn on the far side... the M10's with senior leader direction have left the German armor blazing on the far bank... Engineers destroy the bridge across the river, thereby limiting the opportunity for any enemy forces to rapidly cross...

On my right flank on my side of the river, the German push was devastated by concentrated artillery barrages.. Yet, the immovable King Tigers sits there intimidating the GIs hunkered down in their foxholes..

Meanwhile, my infantry attacks down the hill to the VP hex... driving back the Germans in the area... these troops now standfast waiting for the next German surge... An enemy scout car moves up to harass my MG unit that pushed past the VP hex... tracers strike all around the approaching German scout... the scout car's cannon shoots wildly to suppress the GIs... then to the amazement of the American gunners the enemy vehicle begins to burn...

Further down the hill a German SP mortar conducts a direct fire mission on the troops sitting on the VP hex... A nearby platoon observing the attack rushes forward to break up the attack... those Krauts won't be doing that again as smoke rises from the burning German half-tracks...

So far, it looks like the Americans will hold Stavelot...