Turn 13
Back in action.
Northern flank guard shifted South on their hill to avoid incoming artillery. They should have moved earlier. At best, it's generally only safe to stay in position for about 3 turns before enemy artillery can hit. Units should shift at least 200 meters after that and not go where other friendly units were engaging from. The enemy infantry is shifting their move to the South to get around my holding action in this sector. My shift will help to resist this enemy move.
As there is little action on hill 1, I decided to start moving these units forward. Advanced scouts indicate there is no opposition East of hill 1 aside from an enemy FOO. After the move, a couple of batteries of enemy 25pdrs hit the positions vacated. East of the gap between hills 1 and 2, there are now three Valentine III tanks. Enemy artillery hit them as well
The infantry units deployed on hill 2 have started moving forward as well. Smoke from the burning enemy tracks makes a nice area to ambush the advancing Valentine IX tanks, which appear to be advancing without infantry. My overall object here is to capture the hill East of hill 2. That hill will be designated as hill 4. The enemy Valentine IX tanks are heading Northwest toward hill 3. They should blunder into my infantry in the smoke. Light artillery continued to hit the Southern part of hill 2. My reserve tank platoon should pass through the gap between hills 1 and 2 this turn. The reserve tanks in the gap between hills 2 and 3 are holding position at this time. I want the enemy to get locked up with my infantry before they move. Tracks are being moved forward to pull my ATGs off of hills 1 and 2.
The enemy infantry is still pushing toward hill 3, so I'm holding my position there. My tanks have rounded the South side of the hill and are in position to attack within the next couple of turns. One enemy Valentine III tank was destroyed by an ATG. Three more are with the advancing infantry. My artillery continued to hit the enemy. The Valentine III tanks that were heading toward the gap between hills 2 and 3 have turned Southwest advancing on hill 3.
On the Southern flank, the StuGs moved from their ambush position near hill 3 back to the holding action. They engaged an infantry section in the area. The recon tracks shifted to more forward positions. I want to try to avoid the artillery mishap that occurred to the holding force on the other flank. My artillery continue to hit enemy artillery.
Now that the enemy advancing columns have been fixed, my forces will advance and maneuver against them or break out into the open and move on victory hexes. "Charlie Mike", continue the mission. Enemy rear area assets are expected to be 6pdrs, 3in mortars and 40mm Bofors. 2pdrs and 25pdrs are also possible, but not expected. Two 3in mortars have been spotted, but I don't have artillery assets available for counter battery at the moment. Since visibility is low, infantry units will have to lead the advance into the enemy rear area. Tanks will support.
Casualties
Friendly: Zero
Enemy: One Valentine IX tank, estimated 10 infantry casualties.