DAR: Sicily
 

Germany vs US Army

Mission: Assault, Sicily, 9/1943 - grouped objectives.

Enemy: Reinforced Battalion - 1-2 Armor Co., 2-3 Infantry Co., 4-6 Artillery Btry, plus ATG, AAA, air support, field fortifications and obstacles. Average force experience, ~65.

Terrain: Map = 100x100; hilly, wooded terrain with elevations ranging form zero to 50. The largest hills are in the enemy deployment area. The objectives are located around one central hill, with one to the North, one to the South and one to the East(behind the hill). There are also two large flat areas as well. One is located in the Southern region of the enemy deployment area, while the other starts in the Northern end of the friendly deployment area and extends West across the LD. Limited rough. visibility = 83. There are two roads, one running generally North-South between both deployment areas. The other road starts from the East side angling generally Northwest before turning West in the North central part of the map.

Troops: 1 Armor Co. (PzKw IVh), 2 Infantry Co. (SS w/tracks), 14 Artillery Btry (On board, 8 tubes SPA, 24 tubes towed w/o transport, 6 81mm mortars, 18 Off board tubes), 2 Heavy Tank Pltn (PzKw VIe), 2 ATG btry. (75mm PAK 40 w/tracks)), 2 MG Pltn (MG42(2) w/tracks), 2 Eng. Cos (w/o tracks). 2 SS PzGren cos. (w/tracks), plus recon, AAA and ammo supply. Average force experience, ~90.

Time: 41 Turns

Analysis

This is the first time in this campaign against the Americans. A review of their capabilities isn't very impressive. The AT guns available to the enemy are 37mm and 57mm, with the 57mm guns not having HE or SABOT ammo. Their best towed tank killer is the 105mm howitzer firing HEAT rounds. Field fortifications don't have any better tank killing capability than those with 57mm guns. They are suitable for infantry defense, however. Their tanks aren't able to deal with my Tigers except for at point blank range and then it's only a maybe. The Americans have only four things to be concerned about:

--M10 Tank Destroyers
--Bazookas
--Air Strikes (everyone's air planes are dangerous)
--Artillery (everyone's artillery is dangerous)

I figure the enemy to employ standard defensive protocols. There should be a minefield belt, scattered mines behind the main line, possible wire and field fortifications. Large numbers of infantry positions are expected, but if they do happen to go with a larger number of armored units than typical for the defense, it will be to their disadvantage. Visibility is high and positioning my tigers on key heights should easily dispatch them.

Defensive strategies of the enemy are to generally hold positions, with an occasional spoiling attack by armor in platoon strength. Well placed spoiling attacks can disrupt the timing of assault operations and plans need to be in place to deal with them.

Time is a factor in this assault. Quite simply, the less time you have, the more casualties that will be sustained. Typically, I like to take the select the most covered and concealed point to breach the enemy line. Those lines of approach usually take time because it they are less direct and can be through wooded areas. I like to do this so I can keep the battle "small". That basically means limiting the number of enemy units that can see and engage my forces. It can be done artificially by means of smoke or naturally using woods, building and hills as screens. It also means not trying to tackle hills unless absolutely necessary. Smoking and suppressing enemy on hills is usually the best option.

As a rule of thumb, I like to have 20 turns available after I breach the main enemy defenses. In this case, that leaves me 21 turns from the point I cross the LD available for the breach. Now, since the 20 hexes separate the LD and the FEBA and terrain has rough, hills and woods, it could take a walking unit up to 10 turns to cover that distance. Add 2-4 turns to breach the minefield once I find it. That leaves only 7-9 turns to fight through the heart of the enemy defenses at the line. That's not a lot. I have to find a way to make more efficient use of my time.

Since all of the objective groups are around one large central hill, designated as hill 2, that seems to be the key to the enemy position. Taking that hill and placing support units on it should allow my troops to advance down the slopes to the objectives. I'm sure it sounds easier than it will be. East of hill 2 are two smaller hills designated at 4 and 5. Those hills can be used as over-watch positions in taking hill 2.

Plan

Time doesn't permit me to risk an exotic flanking maneuver so I will take a more direct approach.

Since my support engineers have to get to the FEBA quickly, they will use the half-tracks from my two core infantry companies. Their initial objectives will be to clear hill 4 and the region approximately 500m South of the peak of obstacles. Smoke will be used to screen the move by the tracks up and dropping them off. Once the drop is complete, the tracks will return to their respective core companies and pick up their own troops. Two Tiger platoons and two SS panzer grenadier companies will provide fire support for the engineers.

Once hill 4 and the region South is cleared, the engineers and grenadiers will push West toward hill 2. The Tigers will remain on hill 4 as over-watch for this push. Joining them on the hill will be my two MG-42 platoons. This should provide good over-watch for enemy tanks and infantry. Four companies of leg units (two engineers and two panzer grenadiers) will clear hill 2. Once it is clear, they will split into two groups consisting of one engineer and one panzer grenadier company. One group will push North from hill 2 and seize the Northern objective group, designated as G1. The other group will push West and seize the Western most objective group, designated as G2.

In the region South of hill 4 cleared by the engineers, my two core SS infantry companies advance through toward the Southern victory hex group, designated as G3. They will be supported by my core armor company. It may be necessary to smoke the Southern most hill in the enemy defensive area, designated as hill 3. That hill will have a good view of my approach around hill 4, but I'm hoping it will be too far back to have many defensive positions present. This force will push into the woods East of objective G3 where the infantry will unload and capture the objective on foot. Once the objective is captured, two platoons of tanks and the headquarters section will move North to support activity on and around hill 2. One tank platoon will ream in the vicinity of objective group G3 as support against counter attacks. This group is likely to be the first captured and will be the object of the earliest enemy counter strikes.

My mobile AAA units will take up positions around my Tiger tanks as they will be most visible to the enemy and likely the object of any air strikes. As for my ATG units, they aren't much use in an assault so I'll post one battery on each flank to guard against spoiling attacks. I'm pretty sure my Tigers can handle the middle just fine.

I've attached a map with my basic plan outlined on it in gray. If I had the time to assault the way I would like to, I would advance along the South edge and swing around the bottom side of hill 3 and take objectives G2 and G3 from the Southwest. From there, they would push on to objective G1. This approach is on the map in red.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 0 (Prep Fire)

I don't normally enter anything for the prep fire phase, but it was eventful. It didn't take long to find out if the enemy had aircraft. I was hit by two P-38s, one jug(P-47) and one P-39. They scored well, but none will be back. They hit my core tank company with no effect, one of my SPA batteries with considerable effect and one of my panzer grenadier companies. The SPAs in the battery were all damaged, with one destroyed. The grenadiers' headquarters section was hit destroying two support tracks and immobilizing two transport tracks. At least I have a couple of empty tracks that I can pick those squads up in. Of the four enemy planes that attacked, two were shot down and the other two damaged. They will likely have one P-47 and one P-39 left and possibly more sections uncommitted as of yet. The enemy artillery was ineffective while mine laid smoke. My smoke screen will be short since one battery involve was pretty much knocked out.

Casualties

Friendly: Two SdKfz 251/9 tracks destroyed, one PzH 18m Hummel destroyed.

Enemy: One P-47 and one P-39 destroyed.

I've attached my save before starting if anyone is interested. There really isn't any good way to set up, other than to avoid roads. The AI really likes to pound them and this time wasn't any different. I usually keep my units grouped together, with multiple units in a hex, for organizational purposes. If they hit the hex with artillery, they will do a lot of damage, but with them clustered together, it leaves more empty hexes for the enemy to drop artillery in that doesn't do any damage at all. Against aircraft, being more dispersed does help. I could have minimized my damage against them by spreading out, but the AI doesn't always use aircraft, but they will ALWAYS have artillery. Out of 37 campaign battles, this is the first time the AI has hit me with aircraft during the prep fire phase.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 1

The less than delicate approach is starting rough. One of my recon tracks with a scout loaded was engaged and destroyed by a 57mm ATG somewhere on hill 4. It's location hasn't been identified yet. I'm going to start dropping mortar fire on the hill to suppress units there.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/10 destroyed and 4 casualties.

Enemy: zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 2

That 57mm ATG got another recon track, but I've spotted it now. Artillery is plotted to come in on it and the Tigers have a clear shot. One engaged already and the other are moving into position. Scouts are trying to advance on foot now and the engineers in tracks are moving forward where possible without risking casualties.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/10 destroyed and 2 casualties.

Enemy: zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 3

The enemy ATG has been destroyed by my Tigers. Scouts are continuing to advance on foot in the center as well as on the flanks. I've got some heading for hill 5 to see if they can establish an OP from that location. If that is successful, I will try to push some to hill 1 since that hill overlooks my approach to hill 2. Some will also try to push to hill 3 for the same purpose.

The engineer tracks advanced without opposition this turn.

Casualties

Friendly: zero

Enemy: One 57mm ATG destroyed and estimated 4 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 4

One company of engineers has unloaded about just across the enemy deployment line behind some trees. This is in the area just South of hill 4. I was a bit careless because I crossed their deployment line without reconning it first, but I got away with it. No mines were found the hard way. The South end of this group was engaged by an enemy bunker with no effect. I popped smoke to block their line of sight. Arty will drop some smoke in front of the bunker and I'll just bypass it.

The second company of engineers are starting to unload in the woods just East of hill 4. Scouts are starting to move up the slopes of the hill. My Tigers have split up so one platoon can support each company as they look for mines.

Both companies of SS panzer grenadiers are starting to move forward. The two squads with immobilized tracks have been picked up by my two spares.

Incoming enemy mortar fire destroyed one track loaded with two MG-42 sections. I'm going to have to find and neutralize them. One mortar was a 60mm, so it has to be close.

Initial impressions of the enemy position are they have heavier defenses more forward than usual. Normally, they don't have ATGs and bunkers close to their deployment line.

Casualties

Friendly: SdKfz 250/1 and estimated 12 casualties.

Enemy: zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 5

Well, it seems like the whole dang American air force is here!!! Two P-51s, two P-38s, one P-47 and P-39 made passes, effectively saturating my defensive AAA fire. One P-38 was shot down and the jug was damaged. They destroyed three more tracks and immobilized five others, one being an ammo transport. This is getting rough, but I'm hoping this means the enemy artillery or ground defenses will be thinner than what I usually encounter.

The engineers South of hill 4 are encountering platoon strength resistance right now. The enemy is deployed in front of and behind a minefield. This could be the main belt and it's located 250m behind the enemy deployment line. The tracks provided a little suppressive fire before turning back to pick up their SS infantry company. One platoon of Tigers are moving to provide support and artillery has been called in.

On hill 4, another enemy 57mm ATG was found. Tigers engaged and destroyed it. The rest of my engineer company unloaded and tracks started returning to pick up my SS infantry. Scouts are continuing to move up the hill. No infantry has been seen, but mines are on the forward edge of the peak.

Casualties

Friendly: Two SdKfz 251/9 tracks and one SdKfz 251/2 GrW track destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: One 57mm ATG destroyed.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 6

No air strikes this turn. The American air force must be circling around for another pass. The enemy artillery hit with something heavier than mortars this time. There was incoming 105mm mail and it destroyed one of my empty, immobilized tracks.

Engineers are starting to clear the mines South of hill 4 while my artillery kept the enemy infantry busy. Small arms were also used to dispatch one enemy squad forward of the mines.

One more 57mm ATG was found by my scouts the hard way on hill 4. Tigers engaged and destroyed it. Engineers are working their way up to the mine field.

Counter battery has been plotted on the enemy 60mm mortar and the possible site of an 81mm mortar. It's close to where I dropped smoke, so I can't be sure if there is a target there or not. I'm going to hit it, just in case.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 251/1 track.

Enemy: One 57mm ATG destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 7

This time, the enemy artillery found my tank park full of PzKw IVhs. Bigger stuff was included in this barrage. None were destroyed or immobilized, but three lost their main guns and coax machine guns and two of those suffered crew casualties. I'm just going to hide them in remote wooded locations and hope the enemy planes don't find them.

My engineers have cleared a 300m breach in the minefield South of hill 4. Before doing this, they engaged and destroyed an enemy squad suppressed by my artillery. The core units will start moving towards that gap once the tracks pick up the infantry. The tanks have already started moving, if for no other reason than to clear out of the enemy artillery impact zone. The engineers will start sweeping around the Southern edge of the hill clearing any additional mines and engaging enemy infantry found.

Engineers on hill 4 have started clearing mines. More have been found across the middle of the peak. Progress is moving slowly in this area because the initial advance was slowed by the now destroyed enemy ATGs.

My counter battery hit around the enemy 60mm mortar, but not really on target. Adjustment will solve that problem. The same applies to the possible location of an enemy 81mm mortar.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 8

Enemy artillery came in again, but this time no one was home. There was some new track mounted 81mm mortars, but I don't know where they are. Another 60mm mortar popped up as well. I'll go after it with counter battery. The other 60mm mortar is retreating. I'll try hitting it again and maybe I can get it out of it's revetment.

No direct contact around hill 4 at this time. One scout found another section of the mine field the hard way. Engineers are clearing mines still, while other units are advancing to support. My core infantry is still linking up with their tracks.

Scouts are on hill 5 at this point. Several will set up as an OP, while others try pushing through to hills 1 and 2.

Casualties

Friendly: One casualty

Enemy: Zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 9

The American air force is back! They made passes with two P-51s, one P-38 and one P-39. They caught one of my core SS infantry companies loaded into tracks. One track was destroyed and one immobilized. An enemy P-51 was damaged and will have to RTB.

Mines are still being cleared from hill 4. No additional enemy contact on the hill. South of the hill, another enemy squad opened up, so engineers popped smoke and artillery was called in. Another enemy bunker was spotted South of the first one, but is not in a position to cause any problems.

My scouts have a good observation point for hill 1 and are still moving across hill 5.

Counter battery hit one of the enemy 60mm mortars again.

Direct enemy resistance is light, but their artillery and air power is really doing some damage.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/1 destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 10

Most of the mines have been cleared on hill 4 and I'm trying to push my engineers and SS panzer grenadiers forward. There are enemy units around covering the top of the hill with fire, however. Another 57mm ATG has been found on the back side of the hill as well as a 50 caliber HMG team. I put fire on both, but didn't neutralize them yet. I'm still dealing with the enemy squad South of the hill, but small arms fire, support from three Tigers and artillery roughed them up pretty good. A platoon of enemy Shermans opened up on one of my Tigers as well from 500-750m. Not a good move. Three of the four Shermans were destroyed, but the did manage to destroy an empty track. It had just dropped off two MG-42 teams. Enemy artillery started coming in on the hill, disrupting activities of my engineers. My grenadier tracks are also close to the impact zone, so I need to get them moved.

Two scout teams are sitting on top of hill 5 monitoring activity to their front, which amounts to nothing at the moment. Other scouts are pushing around the Northern and Southern flanks of the hill.

Counter battery hit two enemy 60mm mortars this time. I don't think they are being damaged, but at least they are quiet.

Enemy aircraft should be back again soon, so I'm going to keep my AAA units stationary for the next two turns.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/1 destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Three M4 (Early) tanks destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 11

The enemy 50 caliber HMG and 57mm ATG have been destroyed to the rear of hill 4. Two more Shermans opened up and were dispatched by Tigers. Incoming mail kept being delivered, but the impact zones are pretty much clear. Scouts have pushed down between hills 2 and 4. No enemy seen on hill 2 so far. There are probably a couple more mines on hill 4, but a couple of engineers squads can take care of those while the rest move forward. The grenadiers will try to move forward, but are dodging artillery right now. There are also enemy Shermans around as well. Shermans may not be able to destroy Tigers, but will make short work of a half-track.

I'm still wasting a lot of steel on two 60mm mortars. No enemy aircraft yet.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Two M4 (Early) tanks, one 50 Caliber HMG and one 57mm ATG destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 12

Just last turn I made the comment about Shermans being rough on half-tracks. Well, one proved that to be true and destroyed a grenadiers track on the South side of hill 4. My Tigers returned fire at it, but failed to kill it. The range is about 1000m. Aside from enemy artillery, that was the only hostile fire on units on hill 4. Engineers are pushing West of the hill, while the Tigers and MG-42 teams take up overwatch positions.

My core infantry and tanks are continuing to move out slowly. There has been a lot of fire on and around hill 4. The area is just too crowded for them to take their route around the Southern side of the hill at the moment. For something to pass the time, I'm going to bring my PzKw IVhs up and destroy the enemy bunkers. A third has been sighted, but they don't have anything but infantry weapons in them.

To make things a bit more interesting, three enemy M10s have been sighted moving East about 1200m Southwest of hill 4. One Tiger fired and immobilized one. They should be easy kills next turn.

The enemy aircraft haven't returned yet. They should show up soon. I'm sure they aren't out of ammo yet because they haven't made enough passes.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 251/9 track destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One M4 (Early) tanks and estimated 10 casualties.

I've included screen prints of the main action areas at this point. All things considered, this assault seems to be running ahead of schedule. I want to break through the main line enemy resistance by turn 21 to give me the 20 turns I like to have to secure the objectives. I'm getting ready to start turn 13 and direct resistance seems to have subsided. The problem I'm likely to have is I've seen only one enemy platoon of infantry and I know there have to be more. My guess is they are around the objectives.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 13

The American air force is back. Only passes by a P-38 and P-39 this turn. They got another half-track, with the P-38 being shot down and the P-39 damaged. Near as I can figure, they have one P-51 left, but with so many planes coming in, it's hard to be sure.

Tigers destroyed the three M10s and one Sherman near hill 3. There is one Sherman left, but I couldn't line up a shot at it. My engineers will try to get it next turn. Another M10 popped up in the same area, but ran through without getting engaged. It's headig East along the bottom edge of the map. Three 75mm ATGs are guarding my flank, so there shouldn't be any worries about it. Most of the engineers are off hill 4 now, pushing toward their objective of hill 2. I finally was able to confirm I had shelled a mortar on the rear of hill 4. It has was abandoned and destroyed and engineers destroyed the crew. One enemy infantry squad was found in the woods West of the hill. It was engaged by the grenadiers with supporting fire coming from their tracks. Engineers encounterd and destroyed a 57mm ATG between hills 2 and 4.

The tanks in my core engaged a couple of the bunkers, destroying one. My core SS infantry in tracks are waiting for the tanks to take the lead in the advance since there could be enemy Shermans to the front. There are enough dismounted engineers and scouts around to provide eyes out to help avoid ambushes.

Three scout units jumped a bazooka team and the 60mm mortar near the South end of the enemy line. The bazooka team was destroyed and the mortar team is retreating.

Enemy artillery is still coming in. Some mortar rounds thunked on a couple of my core tracks without damaging them, but a nearby SPAA unit was immobilized.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 251/9 track destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One M4 (Early) tank, three M10 GMC (Early) tank destroyers, one P-38 and one 57mm ATG destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 14

All things considered, action was light this turn. One enemy mortar hit one of my recon tracks with no damage and one battery of enemy 155mm guns hit hill 4. Some engineers still on the hill took casualties.

The grenadiers pushed the enemy squad out of the woods West of hill 4. It was last seen running West. One more 57mm ATG was encountered by a Tiger at about 250m. The Tiger started to engage it, but after a near penetrating hit, I brought up an MG-42 team to suppress it first. The Tiger finished it off. Engineers and one company of grenadiers are pushing towards hill 2. Scouts still report no activity on the hill. The second company of grenadiers is finally moving over hill 4. Engineers ran into a second Sherman just South of the woods and assualted, damaging it. They are still maneuvering against the first.

Core tanks continued moving forward engaging the two remaining enemy bunkers. They are still remaining. Core infantry started moving forward again.

Scouts finally destroyed the enemy 60mm mortar down South. Enemy infantry was seen nearby, so they started to withdraw. The M10 in the area has disappeared. If it continues forward, it will have to pass through mines and wire before it breaks into the open.

Counter battery has been plotted on the suspected location of two M4 mortar tracks.

Scouts are approaching objective group G1. At this time, no defenses have been seen.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One 57mm ATG destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 15

The one enemy 155mm battery continued to hit hill 4 without affect.

Engineers assaulted and destroyed the two enemy Shermans near the West woods. During the process, they received small arms fire from the area South of objective group G3. More engineers are starting to move up hill 2 and scouts are near the top. No resistance encounted at this time.

Core units are moving on objective group G3. They should be in position to overrun it in 3-4 turns.

Scouts are within 400m of objective group G1. Their role is to investigate and not capture it. I'm sure there are stiff defenses around it anyhow. They just haven't been spotted yet.

Counter battery started to drop on suspected enemy M4 mortar track positions.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Two M4 (Early) tanks destroyed.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 16

More enemy artillery on hill 4. No effect.

Scouts have reached the top of hill 2 and so far see nothing. The enemy are likely to be on the reverse side near objective group G2. Scouts also don't see anything around objective group G1.

Another enemy Sherman spotted near the West woods. It's too far out for the engineers to deal with, so my core elements will take care of it when they get into position. The scout unit that spotted the Sherman also spotted the remnants of the squad that had been run out of the West woods. They destroyed the squad.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Estimated 5 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 17

Enemy artillery hit some grenadier tracks heading to the rear after dropping their troops immobilizing one and damaging another.

Scouts still report no activity around objective group G1 or on hill 2.

Core infantry dismounting in West woods.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 18

Random enemy artillery hitting without causing damage.

Enemy infantry spotted South of objective group G1 between hills 1 and 2. One scout found them the hard way. Estimated platoon strength. Artillery plotted.

Enemy infantry spotted Southeast of objective group G3 next to two enemy Shermans. Estimated platoon strength. Artillery plotted.

My units continue to move into position. Top of hill 2 is clear.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 3 casualties.

Enemy: Zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 19

Enemy dropping mortar fire on hill 4 now. No effect.

Artillery started coming in on enemy positions. Enemy units are suppress. Will wait one more turn and then start advancing on those positions.

Enemy Sherman engaged one PzKw IVh from hill 3 with no effect. Scouts with panzerfausts are positioned in woods near this hill in case enemy tanks start moving from this sector.

One mark IVh stumbled across a M4A3(105) behind some trees. After a near penetrating hit, they withdrew and artillery was plotted.

Casualties

Friendly: Zero

Enemy: Zero

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 20

Enemy mortar fire continuing to come in, making life difficult for me MG-42 teams on hill 4. My Tigers have moved off the hill as smoke from burning vehicles are making the position unsuitable as an overwatch position.

Artillery continuing to come in on enemy positions. Time to start moving against them. Grenadiers and engineers are prepared to move of the top of hill 2 toward objective groups G1 and G2. G2 hasn't been properly reconned yet, but scouts are moving that way.

Core infantry are prepared to move against enemy positions nearby and objective group G3.

A rookie mark IVh was destroyed by Sherman on hill 3. Hauptmann Krohner however, destroyed the Sherman scoring his 104th victory and he is not and never has been in a Tiger.

Casualties

Friendly: One PzKw IVh tank destroyed.

Enemy: One M4 (Early) tank destroyed.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 21

The enemy is starting counter battery fire against my guns now. Some suppression as a result from their fire.

Engineers and grenadiers went over the top against the enemy positions. Several bazooka teams opened up on them, but suffered casualties from return fire.

Core infantry moved against objective group G3 and enemy positions nearby. Enemy infantry took a beating. Continuing friendly artillery came up short on one gun and hit my units. Some casualties resulted.

One platoon of Tigers is heading to hill 2 while the other platoon is heading toward the West woods.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 22

Enemy counter battery continuing. My off board guns returned fire with some effect.

Core infantry within 100m of objective group G3. Enemy infantry and tanks have been engaged. Infantry is running and two Shermans were destroyed. Enemy dropped some artillery on my units.

Enemy infantry between hills 1 and 2 are taking a beating from small arms fire and artillery. My engineers and grenadiers are pushing forward. They distroyed several bazooka teams. Another enemy squad was spotted. Artillery was shifted on target for immediate suppression. That unit suffered casualties from both the artillery and small arms fire. Scouts are within 50m of objective group G1, but are no going to move in because I don't want to trigger an enemy response before I have a large enough force there to hold it.

Artillery continued to suppress the enemy 105mm Sherman. Hauptmann Krohner popped out and scored his 105th kill.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Two M4 (Early) tanks and one M4A3 (105) tank destroyed and estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 23

Enemy stopped counter battery fire and started dropping artillery in the West woods. It was close to some of my infantry, but no direct hits.

Engineers and grenadiers are pushing into the gap between hills 1 and 2. All enemy units in the area are running. Artillery is continuing to move with them to not give them a break.

One flag turned in objective group G3. Core infantry encountered more infantry and a 50 caliber HMG. Artillery was shifted on target for immediate suppression. The area is fairly wooded, so the supporting tanks are staying back. Two platoons of tanks and the headquarters section are now moving to support efforts to capture objective groups G1 and G2.

Scouts encountered enemy infantry East of objective group G2, taking several casualties. Artillery has been plotted in the area. Engineers and grenadiers are pushing in that direction.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 24

Random enemy artillery hitting near West woods.

Here's a big OOPS!!! My artillery was dropping on enemy infantry between hills 1 and 2 and my engineers and grenadiers pushed in and destroyed the remaining enemy units. I forgot to shift or lift my artillery from the area, so it dropped on my units. Luckily, it was only from two guns and I think the only thing that happened were the units got suppressed.

Still pushing toward objective group G2, but now that flags have been turned at G3, the enemy troops are climbing out of their holes and running that way. My artillery will give them a rough time if they are moving in the open. Several enemy units are already pinned.

Two enemy bunkers spotted South of objective group G3. They aren't in a real good position to cover it because there is smoke from burning Shermans hanging over the area. I did notice two Shermans that aren't burning. One platoon of PzKw IVhs and one platoon of Tigers are positioned to engage them once they leave their revetments. More enemy infantry is trying to push toward G3. A second flag was turned, so they are moving to take them back.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 25

Enemy artillery hit one of my ammo trucks and blew it to bits. I guess that's no great loss. I don't know if their experience helps them reload faster or not, but they certainly don't directly engage enemy units.

Well, my push to objective group G1 is taking a break. May of my units were suppressed from my OOPS last turn. There doesn't seem to be any enemy units in the area.

Enemy units near objective group G2 seems to be in platoon strength. Tigers and LMG units are engaging infantry trying to get to G3. Engineers and grenadiers are pushing toward the objective. At this point, I have one grenadier unit that I've been able to hold into reserve in tracks if I need to use them for a quick push. My artillery is hitting the woods just North of the enemy infantry, so I plotted additional artillery on them. I want to keep hitting the woods in case there are still enemy in there.

Turned two more flags in objective group G3. Artillery is hitting enemy units trying to get there from the Southwest. The enemy is pretty much pinned right now. Smoke was dropped around the bunkers. I'm going after those as well, even though I really don't need to. My infantry was able to destroy one of the Shermans and will try to get the other one as long as it wants to sit and wait for me to come after it.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 26

The only enemy incoming this turn was from one mortar, yet it was able to find a reserve force of loaded core tracks sitting in the middle of smokey woods. Two were destoryed!!!

The push to objective group G1 has resumed. There are mines around G1, but I have plenty of engineers and no pressure from the enemy.

Units are still pushing toward objective group G2. Enemy infantry is to the South, but I'm avoiding them because it's not necessary for this force to engage them. Tigers and mark IVhs on hill 2 are dealing with the enemy infantry. They have been stopped at the moment. Late arriving engineers and grenadiers will help deal with the infantry.

All flags on G3 have been turned. Enemy infantry are still in the area, so I will push through the objective to give myself more room. One of the bunkers to the South has been destroyed and last Sherman has been supressed. I'll assault it next turn. AND my last five reserve tracks from my core have to MOVE!!!

The scouts in the woods East of hill 3 are shifting to prevent any enemy units, specifically bazooka teams, from moving up on the flank of units around G3.

Casualties

Friendly: Two SdKfz 250/1 tracks destroyed and estimated 25 casualties.

Enemy: One bunker destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

It's starting to seem like the best I will get out of this battle will be a minor victory. My casualties have been very heavy, mainly because of the enemy aircraft and artillery.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 27

Engineers and grenadiers are within 50m of objective group G1. Some are clearing mines, but I'll start securing the hexes. The scouts on the North side of G1 have shifted to guard the approach from the North.

Units still pushing toward G2. They are about 250m East of the objective. More than likely, there will be mines in the area. Enemy infantry to the South are retreating.

Incoming mail around objective group G3. My reserve tracks have moved forward some and unloaded so if they get hit, all that's likely to be lost are the tracks. Enemy in the area has been pushed back and the objective is secured. The last bunker has been destroyed, as has the Sherman. Core SS infantry took care of both.

I just remember there is an M10 lurking around somewhere to the South. Maybe it hit mines and is just stuck in the woods, but I never saw it again after it disappeared heading East on the bottom edge of the map.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One bunker and one M4 (Early) tank destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 28

Three flags turned on G1. Mines are being cleared in the area as well. No resistance.

More enemy units showing up South of G2. Instead of moving toward G2, they are moving toward hill 2. I'm not sure why, but I have six tanks up there that keep turning them back. Engineers and grenadiers are 150m away from the first flags.

Still receiving 105mm artillery fire from the enemy around G3. Their infantry has pretty much stopped pushing forward. I'm holding position.

Six enemy Shermans just moved over hill 3. Tigers on the edge of the West woods engaged them with no effect. One moved into the woods where my scouts are. That missing M10 just showed up as well.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 29

Incoming mortar fire on G1, but no other activity. All flags turned and objective secure.

Enemy infantry is still turning up South of G2. The enemy is now trying to move toward G2, but I have units there to stop them with small arms. Advance elements are now 100m from G2. They are moving slow because they are advancing through cratered woods.

Enemy artillery is now firing into the West woods, rather than on G3. On empty track was immobilized. Two bunkers were found South of G3 and I've got units moving on them.

Three of the enemy Shermans were destroyed; two were destroyed by Tigers and one blundered into a panzerfaust toting scout. Mark IVhs engaged a couple of others with no effect.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Three M4 (Early) tanks destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 30

More incoming mail on G1, resulting in a few casualties. No other activity.

One flag of objective group G2 turned. There is some light resistance by pinned enemy infantry, but nothing more. Not even any artillery.

Enemy artillery still hitting West woods. No further damage. My core infantry pushed out a bit farther inflicting some casualties on nearby infantry. Both bunkers have been destroyed as well. No real threats in this area.

Two more Shermans destroyed around hill 3. One was nailed by a PzKw IVh. The other one was one previously unseen and it blundered into another scout. That makes two for my little flank guard. There are two Shermans on the hill still and the M10 is now parked. It hasn't moved since I spotted it again a few turns ago.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Two M4 (Early) tanks and two bunkers destroyed and estimated 20 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Turn 31

Artillery a little lighter around G1. Nothing else is going on.

Four flags turned on G2 now. The other three will turn next turn. Light enemy resistance is still being encountered.

Units around G3 didn't encounter any resistance, but did take some shots at running enemy units.

Another unseen Sherman just showed up in the woods East of hill 3. This one also blundered into a scout, but unfortunately the scouts only have one panzerfaust and they already used it. They took a couple of casualties. The other two Shermans are trying to get to G3.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Marginal Victory!:rolleyes:

Turn 32

All quiet around G1.

Last flag turned on G2. No activity in the area.

Enemy artillery hit G3 again, inflicting light casualties.

I wanted those last three Sherman, so I went after them. First, I took a chance on the Sherman in the woods by assaulting it with a scout only having grenades and SMGs and it worked. That was the third one they destroyed in those woods. A Tiger moved forward and took out another Sherman, but couldn't get a shot at the last one. Core SS infantry fired and suppressed it, before one moved up and assaulted. The assault immobilized it. Next, I moved up one PzKw IVh and tried to destroy the Sherman on my turn, but failed. During the enemy turn, the Sherman fired at the assaulting SS unit triggering OpFire from my mark IVh and it killed the Sherman at that point. That M10 never did move again, so it survived.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties

Enemy: Three M4 (Early) tanks destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

Total Casualties

German

Men: 231
Artillery: 0
Soft Vehicles: 1
APCs: 14
AFVs: 3 (1x PzKw IVh, 1x Hummel, 1x SdKfz 251/2 GrW)

Americans

Men: 447
Artillery: 9
Soft Vehicles: 0
APCs: 0
AFVs: 32
Aircraft: 5

Score

Germany: 7206
USA: 1098

Final Comments

I did a little bit of math and figure out the difference between the marginal victory I got in this battle and a decisive victory are the following:

Two P-47s
Two P-39s
Two P-51s
Four P-38s

The American air force did a lot of damage to my force. Near as I can figure, they destroyed nine units and damaged at least another 11. That pretty much accounts for almost half of my vehicle losses. Two hits really hurt. The first one during prep fire because my units were still grouped together and the strikes where they saturated my defenses. Overall, my air defenses were adequate. It would be nice to be able to shoot down everything before they get a chance to strafe or drop bombs, but it's not realistic. This is the first time in the 37 battles of this campaign I've seen 10 planes hit me. The most I've seen before this was four. Of the 10, five were shot down and the other five damaged (I damaged that one P-51 and didn't know it). That was done by eight SPAA units and a host of AA machine guns on half-tracks. All in all, I think they did pretty well.

The other major source of damage I suffered was by enemy artillery. In assaults, you always get nailed by artillery. The way to avoid artillery is to keep constantly moving, which is something that is very difficult to do during an assault. With mine fields, fortifications and defenses you can't generally see until they fire, moving fast to avoid artillery just allows you to die a different way. Artillery ended up destroying seven vehicles.

I'm puzzled about the "soft vehicle" it said I lost, because I didn't have any. Near as I can figure, it counts an "ammo carrier" as a "soft vehicle". The SdKfz 252 LGM is a half-track with a closed and armored top. Everything else I lost were tracks, SPAs or a tank. Counting that "soft vehicle", I lost a total of 18 vehicles. Aircraft and artillery accounted for 15 of them. Of the rest, I lost a track and tank to Shermans and one recon track to a 57mm ATG.

Artillery and aircraft were two of the four things I mentioned the Americans had that were dangerous and they were responsible for most of my damage. I managed to keep the other two things under control. American bazookas didn't get any shots at any armored vehicles and the same goes for the M10s.

What I considered to be a short time for an assault turned out to be plenty of time. Normally, I find myself crawling across the last objective with less than five turns left when I have more time than I did with this battle. I suppose that's because I prefer to punch through along an edge and take the objectives from the rear. High visibility, terrain and a relatively short amount of time made me decide to hit the middle. That same high visibility, terrain and centered deployment made me more vulnerable to artillery strikes. Anyhow, this is probably the first time I've finished an assault with more than 20% of my time left. No matter, since you don't get bonus points by winning fast. If this circumstance comes up again, I'll have to think on how I can better protect my units from artillery and air strikes.

As far as the other American assets were concerned, they were about what I expected. Infantry and scouts destroyed eight enemy tanks as far as I recall. Most of the rest were destroyed by Tigers. I can think of four that were killed by PzKw IVhs. There might be a few more. The bunkers were easily dealt with as well, most of those destroyed by infantry. No real notable impression was made by the American infantry. They seemed pretty much like all the others I've faced.

What is my reward for winning this battle? I get another assault against the Americans again :) This time visibility is relatively low(32) and the length is longer(51). What will make this different is it's a city assault. The AI loves to mine roads and a city has a lot of them. My tanks will have to slowly follow infantry into the town. I can't recall my last city battle, so I will have to give this one some thought.

I've attached the save just before I ended my last turn. Enjoy!

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

A good read - keep up the AAR`s!

I find it interesting reading and like to hear the plans you make. Its one way I can learn and improve my game play.

I`m on my first long campaign as Germany and am only in 1941. Not looking forward to the arty and air power against me in later years.....

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Thanks!

There's not really a lot you can reasonably do about air power you face. Sometimes it's there and sometimes it's not. I keep eight SPAAs in my core and that's all I use aside from AAMGs on tracks. I could buy a couple hundred points of support AAA units for each battle, but most of the time it would be a waste of points. If the AI takes aircraft, I just deal with it.

The same applies with AI artillery, but that will always be there. I take some long range off board artillery, plus onboard stuff and counter battery when I can. The off board stuff is exclusively used to counter battery AI off board artillery. This battle, I took five and didn't use them once. All artillery I fired was onboard. It's all to try to minimize what the AI does to me.

With assaults or any battle, you will take damage. If you try too hard to avoid damage, you will lose the battle. The best you can do is try to minimize damage. I'm planning my next battle now and am going to try to see if I can alter my plans some to reduces my losses somehow. In that battle, the AI shouldn't have any planes. All that means is it will have more artillery.

I am trying to keep my core force as realistic as possible, as well. Panthers are available now, but since I have two 3-tank platoons of Tigers, I'm keeping my PzKw IVh tanks. I really don't want to add another 2000 points to my core because that translates into more points for the AI to spend. Later in the campaign, I might make changes, but not now.

The city assault should be interesting. I'm going to hit it with pretty much the same units I just fought this assault with. One big difference is my support engineers will have their own transports this time. I didn't like having my tracks do double duty. It's an option if you need the points for something else, but at this point I don't. My attack force was in the range of 15,000. If that's not enough points to beat any force I'm up against, there will never be enough points. To top it off, I'm going into battles with over 9000 repair points I can spend if I need to.

One thing I would suggest is when you get to the point where you can pick where you fight (North Africa, Balkans, Eastern Front), try to stay in the same area because tactics you use in one area won't work as well in others. If you can mentally change tactics easily, it might not be a problem. The most difficult is probably the Eastern Front because Russian tanks can be a pain to deal with. It all depends on what the come with. North Africa is easier as the British and American tanks don't tend to be as good and in the Balkans, well it's more infantry territory than anything. No matter what, remember it's a game and have fun!!

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

Wow - you have a much bigger core force than I do.
Mine is about 3000.

I use my off-board artillery primarily for counter-battery as well. Made the mistake of updating my 10cm K10 batteries into 21cm K39/40 (I think??) and found that no smoke ammo was available.... Arghh - total change of tactics as I rely on smoke to screen my forces.

I find that I am a very passive attacker as I too try and minimise losses. I find it difficult to get the tempo of my advance/assaults correct as I take too much time finding where the enemy is! End up with a manic 5 turns at the end rushing to take victory hexes and find they are covered by an AA gun....

Keep up the AAR`s - I will certainly be reading them.

Re: DAR: Sicily
 

I started my core at 3000 points, in September, 1939. As your experience goes up, the exact same core will cost more. At 100 experience, the same core will cost about 4000 points. Also, my tanks in the beginning were PzKw IIcs at 35 points each. In October, 1943, my tanks are PzKw IVhs at 90 points each. Infantry and ATGs have been upgraded, too. I also expanded my core slightly adding things I couldn't afford early on, like ammo tracks and SPAAs. My core now is around 8000 points for those reasons, but it's still just one tank company, two SS infantry companies and some support formations (ATGs, SPAAs, SPAs, recon and a couple of heavy tank platoons).

I use those guns, too, but honestly never noticed the lack of smoke. The reason I use those are the 220 range. I also use the 17cm guns for their 220 range. The guns I use for artillery support are 15cm on-board howitzers with ammo bunker support. Against the AI, counter battery doesn't usually become a major factor until near the end of the battle. For smoke, I use my on-board stuff. Mortars are real good for laying smoke screens.

Well, it takes time to get use to losing units. It's going to happen. Where possible, I try to let support units take the lead so if I do lose some, they aren't units I've built up experience in and don't have to replace. After a while, you figure out how long things typically take and can attack faster, but it's always a learning process. I'm still trying to decide how I want to assault that town I have to take. If that wasn't bad enough, I have several streams with roads crossing them I have to deal with, creating choke points with bridges. Once I get this assault figured out, I'll post it out there and thanks for reading :)