Gembloux Gap, Defending the Heights

Today we played scenario 5 (Defending the Heights) from the Gembloux Gap pint sized campaign book.

To win the Germans had to get one unit off the far edge of the table whilst clearing the French from two thirds of their side of the table; not an easy task. However, the patrol phase went well for the Germans with them getting jump off points far into the French sector whilst limiting the French to the centre of the table. However, this would mean that the Germans would likely have to push the French out of both the woods and the building.

The Germans deployed three sections to line the hedges and woods to the west, with the French deploying into the woods to try and halt the advance. The French also deployed an artillery observer in the building which immediately drew fire and ended up wounded, but still able to operate.

Meanwhile a couple of dodgy looking nuns sauntered down the road.

The Germans deployed a light infantry gun to hopefully destroy the building and the observer, whilst the French deployed another section to the north of the woods. In the woods a brief firefight was underway, with both sides taking casualties.

A section of French leapt from the woods taking the nuns by surprise. Outgunned and disguise seen through the Germans quickly surrendered.

The supporting section in the woods moved up to help their beleagered friends causing the French to pull back.

The rumble of metal on tarmac caused the French to look up only to see a panzer heading their way. Now where was the anti-tank option. Merde, we didn't select any.

The artillery observer finally got his act together and called in a mortar barrage. However, this did limited damage and the Germans immediately ended the turn, thus stopping the barrage.

With no anti-tank capability observed, the panzer raced down the road hoping to outflank the French in the woods.

The Germans now deployed the last of their troops in readiness for a general advance.

Once the panzer had passed them the French section in the woods to the east of the building relocated into the building. However, a few infantry were caught crossing the road.

The infantry in the building now brought down fire onto the advancing Germans and thinking better of an advance into a hail of bullets the Germans jumped back over the hedge. 

With cover being supplied by the panzer the Germans sent a section around the north of the woods to outflank the French in the woods. Also they sent a section to the south to outflank the building. Things were now looking a bit sticky for the French as they were effectively surrounded and outnumbered.

With game time running out and little chance of a French victory the game was called with a German victory. Another good game, although it was felt that the points spent on the red dice were wasted as it was fairly ineffective as it mostly rolled fives or sixes, with only one to four being of any use. The French were also heard to question their use of mortars.