Your unit remains in ambush with 4BCC. Pickets along your left flank report possible German movements to the north (along the north-south road.)
OK, I'll get back to work :-) Your bn continues to pull back, trying to form an east-west line. The observer is attached to you, but you can give it back to the OC for independent action if you like.
Near the end of the turn, your mortar position reports contact with strong German forces. They are under heavy small-arms and mortar fire, have taken casualties and will not be able to hold. HELP!!!
Your tanks remain in ambush with 1-2/205. Advance pickets of the infantry report possible troop movements to the north along the north-south road, heading your way. Could this be it?
Your staff reports that the plans for your movement are complete, and the troops are ready to carry out their instructions. In other words, your opsheet is implemented! You may begin to carry them out..
Otherwise no new developments.
1-2/205 and 4BCC report possible troop movements to the north along the north-south road through the woods.
3/205 is pulling back slowly, but has German troops in their rear. Their mortar is being overrun.
Your arty puts down a good barrage, which slows up the German advance some, but the Germans seem to have made it to the base of the ridge leading up to Stonne. There was no real air activity for either side this turn.
6 GRDI reports that its opsheet is IMPLEMENTED and they are ready to move out.
Your first group heading south near the road comes under heavy arty fire (hex 31.16). You take surprisingly light casualties, but the attack is held up for a while. Group B uses the opportunity to dash across the open ground, reaching the southern base of the slope to Stonne without receiving any fire (hexes 32.15 and 35.14).
Your mortars have been moving south to keep up - where would you like them to be based?
You begin your attack with 6th co, it advances to 39.08-9 without incident. 5th co. is in support, along with heavy MG reinforcement. 7th co. is entering positions at the southern edge of the woods. I/GD is also pushing the assault, so the timing seems good (though I/GD has come under heavy arty fire).
9th co. enters the orchard, finding signs of artillery casualites, abandoned equipment and a few abandoned bodies. The unit seems to have been part of the 205th inf. regt. No air interference this time.
10th co. heads down the stream and reports no contact.
11th co. heads south, and runs into a MG position protecting a few mortars. As your troops are still rather shakey, they decide not to assault outright, but rather to circle around and defeat the position with fire. Mortar and fire exchange seem to be hurting the French quite a bit (no friendly casualties reported). Contact in hex 07.17.
Nothing much to report. I/GD is continuing it's advance on Stonne, though elements have come under heavy artillery fire. II/GD has begun its assault, though it is still 400-500m from Stonne proper. III/GD is trying to cut off retreating French and has contacted some rear-area troops. Stu.Pio. is shifting southwest for its advance. II-8 is holding in the woods awaiting developments. No air support this turn.
Your bn heads on their assigned mission, the lead unit reaching 19.21. I'm unclear as to how you want to deploy - a line running east-west or in column behind a lead platoon?
No contacts reported.
Your Pz-1s begin their return journey, passing the units observing from hex 51.14.
Your other tanks are hiding in the woods.
II/GD has begun the assault on Stonne (though they haven't gotten very far). Please let me know if you are coordinating at all in the assault or are waiting in reserve (which is where you are right now).