Just as your tanks were going to go in for the kill on the mortars, a heavy smoke barrage filled the entire area. Your tankers became confused, and in the mess the mortars escaped. Oh well! Your unit decided to follow orders and returned to a perimeter of their assigned area. No other excitement this turn.
B-Bossu and his group are entering the woods directly south of you.
The German fired a heavy smoke barrage and withdrew their tanks under cover. You could have fired at some of them, but heavy German tanks were in overwatch, so you ended up trading only a few potshots with no results. After the Germans withdrew, you advanced scout tanks across the road to the east. Encountering no Germans, the tanks crossed, and your infantry is now beginning to cross over.
3/45 is centered on 30.25, up against the stream. 4 BCC is behind them. Most of your infantry is still on the west side of the road.
The Luftwaffe attacked your unit numerous times, but only managed to suppress some infantry. All attacks on your tanks were misses.
You were ready to move forward, so you called in some smoke and successfully advanced east. Your are up to hexrow 33.xx with some lead units, and should clear your area in the next half hour. No resistance encountered. All units are now in the woods east of Huttes.
Flavigny assigned you an artillery observer who is now with your infantry.
The German tanks you were shooting it out with withdrew under a smoke barrage, entering the woods south of Raminoise. Your unit advanced to a line 26.31 to 26.35. Your heavy tanks went first, then provided overwatch for the armored cars and infanty. You were not fired on.
Your 2 companies of tanks carry out their orders. 2/49 is in La Besace in ambush, while 1 co. is in the orchard and occupying the two points specified. No contact with German troops.
You assign the 205 RI spotter to 1/67. The other spotter has finally been located in 30.15. Instructions?
Both French and German airplanes have been active. You are not sure of the results.
The infantry unit was apparently part of SturmPioniere.
Your new command seems to be going fine (no excitement this turn). You move the battalion into position, back from the edge of the woods a hex to stay out of possible LOS, waiting for your kick-off time. You do put a few scouts at the edge of the woods to look - they don't spot anything. You are fully ready to move out (should be only a little over a game hour...)
BTW, you have an artillery spotter attached to your unit.
1-2 co's are still working on their defensive positions. They report no contacts with French troops. French planes continued to stafe and bomb Stonne, but no casualties were reported.
Lookouts report French tanks moving north into La Besace.
3rd co. is still holding with Stu.Pio. adjacent. Stu.Pio. is under command still, so you cannot direct them.
Some good news: Your mortar platoon reaches your position (quite out of breath) and says that they were surrounded by at least a dozen tanks, but then a huge smoke barrage landed right on them, and covered their retreat. They thank you for it. When you say that you didn't call it, everyone is somewhat puzzled, but thankful nonetheless.
The mortars take up positions behind your 'line'.
3rd co. is still without orders. They are working on both a hasty defense and a reserve op sheet.
You were unable to move your infantry company over to the base of the hill, because that is I/GD area. You will have to agree to a formal boundary change before such a move could be effected. For reasons of control, it's a good idea to keep your units together and not to intermingle with other units.
Your company in the woods north of Stonne hears the sounds of vehicles (tanks?) to the west.
No news from the front to report. The Luftwaffe reports tanks entering La Besace area. They have been supporting your front line area trying to interdict French troops. Should they switch priorities?
No orders for Lehr yet from Lange. The unit deployed somewhat off road, since there are reports of French forces nearby.
Stu.Pio. is trying to reorganize. No reports of missing elements.
You call in some arty smoke, and finally get some cover (it was a hard mission to call). Your tanks withdrew to 30.30/30.31 without any losses - some shots were traded, but you used the smoke and terrain to cover most of your withdrawl.
In order to make the withdrawl, you had to fail your hasty defense opsheet (since you left the area they were operating in). Where would you like your new center hex? Your tanks are right against 6-II-8 now (directly to your east in Reserve). Fortunately there was no friendly fire!
You were preparing a reserve Op Sheet, but it was located in the are you were defending. Where would you like to enter reserve? You will get some credit towards the new op sheet from the old one. You now have only 1 op sheet (unimplemented) so you can begin on another one too.
You receive word that reinforcements are on the way: 1 SR 69 with some attached AT units (14th co) are close, and should arrive in your area around 2:00 PM. They are under orders to attack to Stonne, but also are prepared to enter reserve around point 251. You should contact the commander to coordinate your movements.
At 2:00 additional artillery support will be released to you as well.
Nothing much happens this turn. You wait in reserve. Around 1330 4-II-8 shows up to your west and sets up there.
Your units are in motion and should arrive in the battle area around 1400. You have implemented orders to attack Stonne (though from what you hear, I/GD still holds it). You are prepared to enter reserve around point 251 as well (unimplemented op sheet with lots of weighted turns).
The commander of GD orders you to report to Lange of 4-II-8 who is commanding the local forces against the French. You will subordinate your unit to his command (Kampfgruppe Lange) and coordinate your movements with him.
You have an artillery spotter attached to your unit.
I need to know where you wish to enter (ne entry area) and what you would like to do.