Finding A Gap

This week saw the turn of the 28mm World War II toys on the table.

It is early 1945, Lt. Justin Thyme's platoon has been tasked with finding a gap in the German outpost line which is being tenaciously held by a platoon of Volksgrenadiers. 

To win the game the British must get a squad to the German base line, although I stole the Patrol Phase from Chain of Command the British only got one jump off point out of three further in from the base line. This made the task in hand mighty difficult to put it mildly, nonetheless the British stiffed their upper lip and set too.

The Germans who have made their way through the British barrage (needing to pass an order test to deploy on table) await their adversary.

The British advance cautiously.

A German squad armed with Stg44's deploy forward to slow the British advance.

The British bring up their armour to support the infantry advance.

The German PAK40 hopes to stop the British armour in their tracks.

The British pour fire into the wood to clear out the Volksgrenadiers.

A Sherman Firefly is deployed on the other flank to support the advance there.

A random event brings a stray artillery round that does no damage to either side.

After a long dual between it and the British Sherman's the German PzIV is knocked out.

Meanwhile the British close in.

On turn five of six the second PzIV finally arrived.

The British are getting closer but time runs out.

A Pyrrhic victory for the Volksgrenadiers which will cost them dearly in future games.

Until next time KBO.

Pushing On

After evicting the Germans from Kleine Bikkelheim, see HERE the advance is being continued by an armoured infantry platoon supported by a M7 Priest, M16 half-track and a Sherman tank platoon. Their first mission is to clear out the Rahnstadt metal works which is currently being held by the local Volksturm. These have been joined by the 251 anti-aircraft half-track and the crew of the abandoned Panzerjeager IV who escaped from Kleine Bikkelheim. Reinforcements are being sent to bolster the defence, a 251/9 has been sent ahead following up will be a a Hetzer battery and a squad from the local W-SS training school.

Covering the left flank of the metal works is a lone antiquated Soviet 76mm field gun while over on the right a dug in Panther hopes to halt the advance there.

The defence of the metal works itself is in the hands of the Volksturm platoon supported by the recently arrived 250/9.

The Volksturm on the left survive a barrage from American 155mm howitzers, they have been taught to dig in well or are WWI veterans.

The 250/9 is not so lucky.

Neither is the Pantherturm, both taken out before firing a shot. The American firepower is certainly taking its toll.

Will the Volksturm weather the storm until reinforcements arrive?

They arrive and even the score brewing up the Sherman tank platoon commanders Sherman.

The subsequent counter draw is a special and immobilizes one of the Hetzers!

The squad from the training school move up to support the beleaguered Volksturm.

The mobile Hetzers come under American artillery fire destroying one.

The remaining Sherman's move up trying but not succeeding to destroy the remaining mobile Hetzer only managing glancing hits. The steadfast Hetzer commander holds his ground and returns fire but is unable destroy any of his assailants.

Although the Volksturm are inflicting severe casualties on the advancing American infantry they are unable to break them.

With mounting casualties and the mobile Hetzer out of ammunition the Germans surrender the metal works to the Americans.

A most enjoyable game with the Germans holding out until turn eight when their Battle Rating was exceeded the Americans being eleven away from exceeding theirs.

Until next KBO