First of all, Flavigny has pulled 1-2/205 from your command. They will go to a static defense along the road they currently are occupying. Many thanks to your successful work! So you will get to focus on tanks now.
As you assume direct command of the tanks, you are informed that they have advanced to the area around 34.22, engaging a company of German infantry and inflicting heavy casualties on them. A platoon of mortars has been surrounded, and hopefully will be destroyed soon. Surviving German infantry fled north, out of the zone of your operations. No tanks lost in the last 40 min. Boy, these Germans ain't so tough!
Here is a summary of your current Op Sheets as they now stand:
Implemented: Attack along Eagle and clear woods w/i 3 of 32.20.
Unimplemented: Attack Stonne from the west through ridge line and open
area south, approx. from Worm through pt. 339 and into Stonne.
Failure: return to Worm.
Note that you will be joining 2/45 and 1/67 in the currently unimplemented operation. This operation has been planned since the beginning of the battle, so the plans are in good shape.
You will need to pull your tanks back a bit, as they overstepped their boundaries in pursuit. After finishing off the mortars, of course :-)
You pull the armor back and deploy your infantry as follows: 1st co. centered on 23.28 along the woods edge, 2nd co. along the wood line approximately 25.28 to 27.24, 3rd co. in reserve (26.24). 3rd is actually your weakest company, and contrary to your instructions it was pulled back, since it really isn't strong enough to be put in line. You may 'change your mind' and redeploy it if you wish.
1st co. spotted the northern French wing engaged with German armor to the north. Your tanks decided to get into the fray and deployed up along 1st co. positions (about 21.29 to 24.28). 6 tanks are behind the line, ready to reinforce, since the tanks didn't want to group too much due to German artillery. And indeed, heavy concentrations did fall on your positions, knocking out 1 tank but leaving the infantry miraculously unscathed. French armor is active around point 208 (6 GRDI and 3/49).
German tanks had been occupying 23.33 but were eliminated. You spot German tanks in 26.30 and 26.32 (about 6 left now). You lost another tank in the battle to direct fire with these tanks, but took out at least one German tank in retaliation, so you have the impression your superior number of tanks makes up for the better German guns. Total tank losses this turn: 2.
On your questions:
>>You send one infantry company to try to track down Flavigny. As they
>>near the edge of the woods, they come upon an number of German tanks,
>>which take them under fire. The tanks withdraw after a few minutes,
>>and you are able to advance to the edge of the woods. No reported
>>contacts yet.
>
>I had no intention to send one company to track down Flavigny. Do you mean
>the 6GRDI to the NW?
Yup, pardon the typo/mistake
>What woods edge did they receive fire from a number of German tanks? What
>were the map coordinates?
This was in hex 25.28
>>One of your lead tanks in the north moved to the edge of the woods
>>and was promptly destroyed by AT fire from the north somewhere.
>>The rest of your tanks heeded your cautionary instructions to
>>stay under cover (which they did) awaiting your instructions.
>>A platoon of infantry went to 25.28 (with some MGs) to keep
>>the area under observation.
>
>Can anybody see the AT guns or where the fire came from?
Nope, you were unable to spot the shot. Dang that fog of war! :-)
You regroup along the line Huttes to about 26.17. You encountered a platoon of engineers in 27.17 and destroyed it. You are now ready to move out. No artillery or other fire on your units this turn.
Your tanks were attacked by 2 stukas, but no hits resulted.
You and Jarret regroup for a bit, then you send out a recon tank to check out the woods. You encounter German tanks in the woods, which then drew the rest of your armored force into battle. You were supported by group Falcon to the south (perhaps 2 co's of tanks in direct fire support). Without getting into the blow-by-blow, you eliminated 4 German tanks in 23.33, and spotted/engaged tanks in 26.32 and 26.30. You have tanks (B1s and ACs) in 19.32 and 23.34 (which was hit by German artillery). In total, your force lost 5 Armored Cars from 6 GRDI, but took out about that many German tanks. Ain't attrition wonderful?
You have 3 platoons left in 6 GRDI (unhurt, -1, -3). They are in reserve a few hundred meters back with 2 ACs.
This turn I have decided to group these two commands into 1 command under you, so Jarret will be sent to take command of another group desparately in need of leadership. Here is your Op Sheet status:
3/49 (+ 6 GRDI)
Implemented: Attack with 3/49 through area north of xx.30 through Raminoise
to area w/i 3 of 35.32.
Unimplemented: Hasty Defense of north/south roads from La Raillere to
Raminoise (emphasis on Raminoise). You are the screen.
Failure: retreat to Worm.
I realize you wanted to regroup for longer, but your orders are clear (in your instructions you were supposed to be at the ambush site by 1200) so you needed to push along. 6 GRDI had orders to do the scouting, which drew fire, which drew counterfire, etc.
What have you heard? 3/49 and 6 GRDI have entered into a tank battle, supported by Raffin's tanks. The attack is stalled at the main north- south road, as your commanders were somewhat unsure of what to do next. Your staff communicated with them and informed them of their opsheets, so they should be in motion again soon. 2/67 is in motion to Green, under command by Jarret (I consolidated 3/49 and 6 GRDI into one command under Ghesquieres). 1-2/49 have arrived on map and are headed for La Besace (lead tank in 59.14). They used the road since there was no way for them to reach their destination in time if they went through the forest. They were not fired upon, but were possibly observed from Stonne.
1-2-205 report that they are entering their defensive positions as ordered (I have taken them off Monnet's command, they are now independent).
You need to let me know when you want the units to begin rolling for their Op Sheets.
You and Ghes. regroup for a bit, then you send out a recon tank to check out the woods. You encounter German tanks in the woods, which then drew the rest of your armored force into battle. You were supported by group Falcon to the south (perhaps 2 co's of tanks in direct fire support). Without getting into the blow-by-blow, you eliminated 4 German tanks in 23.33, and spotted/engaged tanks in 26.32 and 26.30. You have tanks (B1 and ACs) in 19.32 and 23.34 (which was hit by German artillery). In total, your force lost 5 Armored Cars from 6 GRDI, but took out about that many German tanks. Ain't attrition wonderful?
You have 3 platoons left in 6 GRDI (unhurt, -1, -3).
This turn I have decided to group these two commands into 1 command under Ghesquires, so Ghesquieres will take over here, and you will be teleported to command of 2/67 RI. Here is your Op Sheet status:
Implemented: Move to Green (w/i 3 in line of 46.04) then at 15:00 attack into woods to the east of Stonne. Continue to northern woods, then swing to the west and attack until you meet French forces, also to the area north of that (just until pt. 235.)
Your infantry has been on map for about 2 hrs, and is now moving towards pt. Green. Your lead platoon is in 43.03, and the rear one is 35.01.
During this turn, 1-2/49 BCC moved along the main road starting in 40.01 towards the east through your positions. They have orders to support your attack on Stonne at 1500. At least 1st co. does.
Give me an idea of your intentions, and when you get to Green I will deploy your troops as ordered. Perhaps this front will be quiet for a little while, as you have not encountered any Germans.
Hopefully this is OK! My e-mail has been out, so I did this without hearing back from you. Ghesquieres needs to stay up north for a couple of reasons I won't go into...
Your force at Stonne continues to prepare their defenses (i.e. STILL haven't made their roll). A MG unit was strafed by a French plane and took a hit (far south-west section of Stonne). No sign of the French near you, BUT you hear the sounds of a large tank battle to the far north. Also your troops report observing a column of French tanks (battalion strength) moving from about 41.01 down the main road to Candrieres. You lose sight of them after that. They are B1bis type.
You hear small-arms fire about 1 km west of Stonne in the woods along the ridge.
II/GD has redeployed: one company is centered on 35.18, another on 40.15, and the one adjacent to Stonne is pulling back to 38.14 and surrounding hexes.
From your HQ you hear the sounds of fire due south, and later a platoon of I/GD comes running to your position. The company was overrun by at least a company of French tanks. 2 other platoons were shattered and the mortars were surrounded. There was no French infantry support. Morale of the unit is somewhat shakey. A few Sturmpioniere platoons are deployed to the west of your platoon/HQ at point 235, though they seem in even worse shape. Behind you to the north is a company of tanks (6-II-8), and 2 co.s of Lehr AT guns have also arrived at your assembly point. These units are under command of Kampfgruppe Lange.
You were unable to procure any artillery fires, as the artillery was in use supporting Lange.
Your 7th and 6th cos are in position, and 5th co. has started moving to its final position.
Your mortars, though ordered to get an LOS themselves, moved to 42.15, since the infantry stationed there (6th co.) can spot for them, and they felt it was better to stay in cover.
The sounds of battle drift from the north-west. Sounds like tank main guns. Probably at least 3 km away.
The situation is not good. 4-II-8 is heavily engaged with French armor, outnumbering it about 2:1. 3rd co. I/GD was overrun in the woods east of Huttes by French tanks. The rest of I/GD is still trying to dig-in, and II/GD has redeployed in anticipation of an attack on Stonne from the north. Lehr has committed 2 AT companies, which are in reserve near Raminoise now, along with 6-II-8. Lange has not committed them yet. I/GD reports a battalion of French B1bis tanks heading along main road from the south to La Besace. There are no German forces to oppose their movement.
Reinforcing German infantry should be on location within the hour.
Lange himself personally directed some artillery missions, since no F/O was attached to his unit. He did pretty well, actually!
You have 2 platoons under your command, one in 34.27 and the other in 33.28. A platoon of I/GD and the I/GD HQ are deployed on pt. 235 next to you. Apparently 3rd co. I/GD was overrun by French tanks too, and the tanks are only about 500m south and headed your way. Morale is very bad. Fortunately there is a co. of German tanks right to the north of your position, and you hear a rumor that Lehr has showed up with lots of AT guns. Just in time!
No word from other companies of Stu.Pio.
You hear sounds of what is probably a tank battle 1-2 km to the north- west of your current position.
French armor advance on your positions and started a huge tank battle. I won't give you the blow-by-blow. Some action was at close range, while most of it was at long range. There are French tanks in 21.29 through 24.28, supported by infantry (they were mostly firing). Also French tanks in 19.32 and 23.24. You lost: 1 Pz I, 5 Pz II and 2 Pz. III tanks, and took out about the same number of French tanks and armored cars. In desparation, you called for artillery yourself from your command tank (you got some basic training in this years ago) and managed to call successful missions on 25.34, 21.29 and 22.28! Boy were you lucky!
Your remaining tanks are in 26.30 to 26.32 (you are in 26.31 and your hex has not fired yet so has not been revealed). You estimate that the French have about a 2:1 numerical advantage over you right now.
6-II-8 is in reserve and awaiting orders, centered around hex 33.30. 2 AT companies from Lehr have arrived and are in reserve around hex 36.31 (loaded on trucks in move mode along the road). I/GD HQ is at point 235 with a motley assortment of infantry (about a company) remaining from one of its companies and Stu.Pio. French tanks in large numbers are reported to be operating in the woods just to the east of Huttes, and are reportedly heading north.
Reinforcements are promised from German HQ, and should arrive in an hour or so.
Time for some decisions, eh? :-)
Nothing happens directly with your unit this turn, as you are still in reserve. You hear that a co. of I/GD got it's butt kicked due south, and numerous French tanks are operating there and headed up to you. Lehr just sent to companies of AT guns to your Kampfgruppe, but they haven't deployed yet. 4-II-8 is involved in a pitched tank battle with French armor near point 208. But all this is from radio traffic, as you can't see anything out in the middle of the woods!
Your center hex is 33.30, around which you are currently deployed in move mode w/i 1 hex. How would you like to deploy?