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
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
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.
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The Pantherturm didn’t live up to expectation! It’s always the same for my SU 152’s! The soviet 76mm and crew is a lovely base, as is the metal works building …. Is that a Hovels collapsed chimney?
ReplyDeleteThank you Norm. This was the second outing for the Pantherturm, knocked out both times! Yup a Hovels chimney.
DeleteA superb game, our best for months I believe, tense right until the end! The duel between the Hetzer and the Shermans was a wargaming classic!
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a cracking game. You are getting the hang of this WW2 malarkey.
DeleteWhat a great looking game, lovely figures and table, cracking stuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donnie pleased you enjoyed it.
DeleteUp against it there Phil, but a decent attempt. Nice narrative.
ReplyDeleteUp against it indeed, the joy of being the Germans in 1945, more a case of how can I last out than how can I win. Great fun nonetheless.
DeleteSuper looking game Phil!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you Christopher.
DeleteA splendid looking game Phil…
ReplyDeleteI do like the dug in Panther…
But I have a soft spot for the Hetzer as it was one of the first AFV’s I tried to scratch build… All that angled armour… I must have been daft 🤣
All the best. Aly
Thank you Aly it was a corker of a game. The Hetzer is one of favourite tank hunters too, I have one in 1/56th to build at some point.
ReplyDeleteSome fine shots there Phil, of some of the finest looking models and terrain pieces one is ever likely to encounter on a wargames table! It looked like a great scenario to play out, and you weren't too far away from breaking those Yanks at the end.... excellent work all round!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fine endorsement Paul. It was certainly the closest the 1945 Germans have been to a success for quite a while.
ReplyDelete