You begin to execute the instructions carefully worked out with 4 BCC. Unfortunately, after proceeding a scant 100m, your lead unit is taken under fire by German infantry with LMGs. The next platoon with tanks tries to flank them and continue the advance, but they in turn are taken under fire. Some casualties are suffered, but control of the troops is maintained.
You detect German inf. (the ones who fired) in 18.19 and 19.20, so they are blocking the route of advance you indicated. No heavy guns were detected, and no mortar fire received.
New instructions? Your reservists are not well trained, so you will have to direct them fairly explicitly (i.e. they will usually not undertake independent action in the course of a turn).
The rest of your column moved about 100m along the indicated line of advance. They reverted to defensive posture after the column was halted. 1 platoon with 2 tanks is in local reserve, ready to move quickly if required.
You begin your cautious advance towards Worm. Unfortunately, those reservist are a bit rusty, and a platoon runs into an ambush in 6.15, suffering heavy casualties and getting pinned down. Your point co. moves to 6.16, receiving fire but no casualties, and 6.16. Your left flank (to the north) is refused and covered by MG sections, and you have a few platoons in local reserve. You bring mortar fire vs. the Boche, but no apparent results are achieved.
To the north, your screen detects and snipes at German scouts. There seems to be a force of undetermined size behind them. You hear the sounds of a number of trucks.
On a happier note, you are now in contact with the 6 GRDI. They are on the tertiary road to your south, with orders to go to Worm, but they seem to be a bit lost and unsure of what's going on. I suggest that you perhaps meet with the commander or at least send messages defining your operational boundaries, or things are going to get REAL confused.
You begin to execute the instructions carefully worked out with 1-2/205. Unfortunately, after proceeding a scant 100m, your lead unit is taken under fire by German infantry with LMGs. The next platoon with tanks tries to flank them and continue the advance, but they in turn are taken under fire. Some casualties are suffered, but control of the troops is maintained.
You detect German inf. (the ones who fired) in 18.19 and 19.20, so they are blocking the route of advance you indicated. No heavy guns were detected, and no mortar fire received.
New instructions? Because the reservists are not well trained, you will need to give explicit instructions to your tanks in cooperation with them - i.e. there won't be lots of individual initiative.
The rest of your column moved about 100m along the indicated line of advance. They reverted to defensive posture after the column was halted. 1 platoon with 2 tanks is in local reserve, ready to move quickly if required.
You begin the move described, but after going only a few hundred meters, you contact the 3/205. Since you obviously cannot move into their rear area, your column stops. The terrain was too steep for your armored cars in a number of places, so you are more or less on the tertiary road that runs east/west, running from 3.15 to about 6.12. 3/205 seems to be advancing east toward worm. You hear small-arms fire to your immediate north/north east.
You may want to meet with the 3/205 commander to work out your operations together, because you need to define your boundary well.
Note that your orders are to go to worm to help cover retreating units until the next phase of the attack commences. Your slide to the west doesn't really fit these instructions.
French planes continue their attack on the open area north of Stonne, but you have no one in position to view the results.
Your spotten ir 31.16 is about to move, but suddenly they spot a company of German inf. supported by tanks moving south of Stonne and taking positions in the open. The range is great, and they are unable to resist calling in heavy fire. Two hexes are hit, 31.11 and 33.10, apparently with good results. The Boche in 31.11 are treated to especially hot fire, and they withdraw in disorder back to Stonne. Inf. casualties apparent, but no destroyed vehicles.
The observe stays in 31.16, asking for further instructions.
The observer team attached to 3/205 shows up at your HQ in 6.08, saying that they were released by 3/205 since they cannot call arty fire in the woods. They request further instructions or attachment.
You hear smallarms fire over the ridge to the north, but it is hard to tell where it is coming from.
Your platoons out in the open receive yet another round of air attacks. Enough is enough, and they SRY back to the woods to the north, after taking even more casualties. They are planning to make a run to Stonne next turn.
Your AT and Inf guns begin their move to Stonne. Some AT gun arrive already, while the inf. guns are just now getting mounted on their trucks.
1 and 2 co. begin to take their positions. After 2 co. units move out into their forward positions with StG III support, they come under very heavy 75mm arty fire. Inf. in 31.11 and 33.10 suffer casualties, and the platoon in 31.11 can't stand the fire and retreats uncerimoniously back to Stonne, along with their StG III's.
No sign of French combat units.
Your staff suggest keeping the inf. guns in reserve behind the ridge just north of Stonne along the road until enemy intentions are clearer.
Not much to report this turn. Your 6th co. and detached 5th co. platoon begin heading to their positions. 7th co, and some of the MG sections are in position.
You hear sounds of a terrific arty barrage up near Stonne, and observe a huge dust cloud coming from apparantly north of the town.
Since you are convening with Stu.Pio, you are temporarily out of communication with your troops. You hear some small-arms fire from that area. I wonder what's up?
Lee
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Here's what happened, though it didn't get reported to Pedro.
10th co. goes into line just north of the road as ordered. It's far end is in light contact with Stu.Pio. (i.e. 2 hexes apart). Your units are spaced every other hex to maintain the line. 10th co. is also in light contact with 11th co. on the right flank, so you have a real line now. Right end of Stu.Pio. is in 18.20.
Your 9th co. detects French units in 2.20, 3.20 and 4.19. Your advance scouts come under fire. The co. stops 2 hexes away from their line, reinforce with AT and Inf. guns and awaits further instructions.
The far left flank of 11th co. ambushes advancing French troops, causing some casualties. However, more French move adjacent, and the unit is feeling the pressure. Mortar fire hits the position.
You receive no new reports from your units. From your rear position, the faint sounds of small-arms fire and artillery reach your HQ.
Pretty exciting, eh? :-)
Since you are conferencing, you are temporarily out of communication with your troops. You hear the sounds of a firefight very close to you, just to the south-east. I wonder what that is? Maybe you had better get back to your unit...
Lee
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What really happened:
You are now in contact with III/GD which is holdin a line to your west pretty much parallel to you.
The far right flank of your forces fire on a strong combined tank/inf. force, slowing them down somewhat. It seems that your flank is being attacked. You hear the sounds of a large number of tanks moving just out of eyeshot.
Your tanks begin to execute their instructions. No contacts reported. You are not yet on the hilltop.
That was easy!