You have orders to attack Stonne at 1700 from the west around pt. 339, so you head your tanks out there, using the secondary road west, then climbing the ridge and heading back on the road to Stonne. You encounter no one, and are now at 20.15 (lead tank). You are supposed to link up with the rest of 45 there, but no one is there but you.
So whadda ya do, go ahead with the attack as ordered, or wait for the others to arrive?
Please outline how you want the attack to go as well (i.e. basic tactics, approach, etc).
Not much action this turn. You have a perimeter around 35.30. Your instructions call for all units to head south at 1700 (I think you have those, right?) So let me know if/how you are going to make that movement.
You are no longer in contact with the Germans. 4 BCC and 6 GRDI have left, heading to protect your northern flank and complaining about he huge front (almost 3 km!) that they are supposed to cover.
Report lost
You spend some time gettingy our instructions out, confirming orders, coordinating, etc. And yes, you finally get moving towards your defensive objectives. You estimate you will arrive there in about 30 minutes (some time after 1700.)
No contact with French or German units to report.
The situation with 1/49 is confused. While trying to carry out their instructions, the unit was hit by German tanks attacking from the north in the woods. You lost 2 tanks, but then ambushed German tanks trying to pierce your line, knocking out 5 (!). Infantry support contributed to the kills.
2/49 is moving into position to support the attack. They were fired on by heavy HE from Stonne, but no hits were scored.
Your arty observer reports heavy smoke concentrations aronud 40.18.
Finally, you're in some heavy fighting! Your infantry, supported by some of Mattaus' tanks, continues a slow advance. 3rd co. is in 40.12 and 40.13, and has suffered nearly 50% casualties. 2nd co. is 40.14 and 41.15, with a platoon that retreated from hex 40.15 after German tanks counterattacked. 1st co. is 42.14 - 45.15, and is supported by only one tank at the far right flank. This company was hit by a heavy German artillery barrage, and German units are attacking the tank at the right flank, trying to envelop you. There were numerous casualties in this unit. The Germans seem to be just to the north at the edge of the clearing.
Report missing
1/42 moves into the village south of Stonne (it was unoccupied), but is fired on by a few guns in Stonne (HE and MG fire). 4 tanks occupy the village, and 4 are in reserve behind it.
2/42 is in line from 29.10 to 32.08, 1 tank every 60m (i.e. 2 per hex). They were fired on ineffectively from units in Stonne, and returned fire, but as the range is 500m, so the gun fire may not have been accurate.
3/67 moves into the woods around 44.09 and is getting ready to attack. No contact reported, and some rear elements are lagging behind.
A co. of French tanks moved from Candriere along the road, and seem to be heading cross-country for Stonne (around hex 41.05). They are taking fire from Stonne.
Your HQ settles down, tends to the wounded, and sets up the radio again. You make contact with the rest of your battalion in Stonne. Things are starting to heat up. They've been under constant bombardment for close to 2 hours, and many of the supporting guns have been knocked out by artillery. French tanks have moved up south of Stonne and are firing on the town from a range of about 500m. The fire has not been effective, but there is only one 150mm IG that can return any fire, and it will probably be silenced if it continues. A few hours ago there was heavy French movement in the woods to the north of Stonne, but some arty fire was called in, which seemed to have quieted them down a lot.
French planes have been constantly attacking Stonne, which has worn down the battalion some.
You can give some basic instructions over the radio if you like.
Things are REAL hot. Your inf. in contact pulled back about 100m to give the reinforcing tanks some room to work in. You are now backed up against the edge of the woods. French tanks pressed the attack, but a few were knocked out by German tanks set in ambush. Then the German tanks advanced, and were knocked out by the French. Argh! Under heavy fire, the French managed to drive a wedge between your unit. A platoon, MG section and your HQ are in 40-15 - 40.16, a French unit in 40.14, and your remaining troops in 39.13 - 39.14. 2 of 5th co.s platoons are still out of action, facing north.
The German tanks are attacking south along 42.xx and 43.xx. You are glad to have them there, because the French tanks have really been causing you a lot of hurt. Your infantry simply do not have any weapons capable of stopping them. The Fuhrer must develop something immediately! :-)
Your eastern flank is completely filled with French infantry and tanks. Things are pretty tough.
No report
4/II/8 reports no contact. They are aronud 38.29 deployed in a pretty compact formation. It seems that the French have paused.
Lehr reports having reached their positions around 40.21 and are awaiting further instructions. 4 guns were sent to 38.18 and ordered, and should be deployed there by now.
No other reinforcements arrived this turn.
II/67 made use of smoke to attack south. You don't have any reports on how that is going.
Nice and short, eh? :-)
Well, your tanks head south to the attack to aid the poor ground pounders of II/GD. You enter the woods, and advance cautiously, since reports of French tanks in the area made their way to your ears. This caution paid off: 2 French tanks were ambushed and destroyed as they advanced north. However, the favor was returned as you advanced south and lost a number of tanks to dogged French tanks and infantry. It looks like the forest is a meatgrinder for tanks, and especially favors the defender.
Your tanks are in 41.17 and 42.16. There are still plenty of French to the south as far as you can tell. You have been advancing down hexrows 41.xx and 42.xx, since that area is clear of German infantry (or at least so you have been told).
Any tactical advice, or should I use my best judgement? unopposed. German infantry is spotted at 42.19.
You call for smoke and get it, a beautiful covering barrage, so you advance south into the woods without any fears of overwatch. Your line of infantry advances to 43.17 - 47.14 at the edge of the clearing (looking south). French forces were detected there, at least a tank and a few AT guns at the east edge of the clearing. You had your FO there, and so called down liberal artillery fire on the area, then advanced with infantry to try to root out the tank, as AT guns were being brought to the front. The tank withdrew.
Now the question is whether to continue bombarding the edge of the clearing to the south, or make your assault immediately. Your troops await your instructions.
Much of your support units are still in the larger woods to the north, especially 1st co. and the AT guns. Your mortars have already been firing.
You are in contact with German tanks on your right flank (42.16) from 6-II-8.