[m113apc]

The Battle continues.

My forces that was holding hill 201, have now reached 201/3.
I control the north end of the village, and have now two panthers securing the bridge over the canal. There are still some scattered units in the village. I also engaged and knocked out an Achilles TD. There are still no sign of the AT gun that knocked out two of my Panthers on the hill 201/1. My arty barrage of the town failed, because all my arty are now engaged all along the frontline. I had no arty to spare for this fire mission. My Panther platoon in the village only has two Brandenburger teams for support. That is not much help for my Panthers spotting enemy infantry in the village. The plan for this unit now, is the advance on the road westwards and break south north of the last victory area designated 201/5. I will leave my company HQ (2 Panthers) to secure the bridge.

I’m still in contact with enemy infantry in 201/4. This means that I have not been able to advance against 201/1 and secure the high ground. I have rushed two tigers from 202/2 to support the forces in 201/4. The two Tigers from 202/2 have been replaced by the two Tigers that I sent south from 202/2 to support the forces in 301/1. They will secure the intersection south of 201/2. I’m in the process of erase the enemy infantry between 201/1 – 201/4. When they are dealt with, I will advance with my remaining Panthers (2) and the two Tigers and take 201/1. My Intel about the enemy strength in this area is at best limited.

There are no activities in 202/2.
Recon forces have made contact with the enemy Bn HQ in the village west of 202/2, and one 17 ponder AT gun. I’m advancing in with one Brandenburger platoon and some FJg sections.


There are no activities in 301/1.

I’m engaged in fearful battles in the two intersections west of 301/2, and the open area south of the road leading to 301/2. Most of my forces from 301 are now advancing to 301/2, to support the remaining battered forces there. My StuG and StuH are in support of my ground forces and have taken up positions east of 301/3, and as a security force to hold the victory area in 301/1. I had to rush in my Sdkfz 251/1 to stop the masses in 301/2. They have taken up positions north west and south east of this area. This have already cost me one APC. I have two StuG advancing from 301/3 westwards, their objective is to engage enemy arty positioned at the end of the battlefield. There is at least one battery of 155 and one Sexton there. My own arty took out two 155, but they are now in use other places where they are needed. The enemy arty is cruel, and makes my operations difficult. There will be now further advance out of 301/2 and the area west to 301/2. They will hold their positions.

My forces in 203/1 are also scattered along the frontline.
I had one Tiger II in the intersection west of 203/1, two in support between 203/1 and 301/2, and the two Tiger II that was sent to support my forces south to area 1 and 2.

My Tiger II in 203/1 came in contact with 3 Churchill’s and a platoon (-) infantry.
My Intel from earlier also told me that there were at least one platoon of Churchill’s south west of this area. I had to initiate a delaying action in 203/1 to the support could arrive. In this sector I really had to micromanaging my platoon and supporting forces.

My Tiger II in 203/1 continued the delay, got in contact several times with these Churchill’s, but managed to stay alive, despite all the hits it took. He also managed to hit the enemy tanks several times, without damaging or knocking out any of them.

I also made contact with enemy tanks in the intersection south of 203/1.

See map for individual tank and armor symbols.

I managed to position one tiger in the forest belt south of 203/1, this tank engaged and knocked out two Churchill’s and are holding its position to secure the flank of 203/1. I have one east of this one engaging enemy tanks and infantry in the intersection south 203/1. After a while I also managed to get my Brummbaer in position south of 203/1, and my remaining Panzer IV.

The area is secure for now; there are some scattered units of infantry left, and at least one platoon of tanks.

My FJg are now marching east through the southern village, and will set up a defensive position in the western end of town.

My PaK in sector 1 are now being moved to the high ground between sector 1 and 203/1.
One FJ coy (-) are being moved in to the village in 203/1.

There have been several airstrikes on my arty, so some of them are being moved; this reduces my badly needed support.

The enemies that breach my line are being managed with.

Moving my few Tigers and Tiger II between the sectors with heavy enemy contact have also showed me with big certainty that there are small breaches of enemy infantry between my main contact points, since I numerous times have been halted, or taken under attack by scattered elements. This is a risk for my tanks, but its matter of necessity to do this.

The fun part for me, is the historical aspect of this, since these tanks really had this role during WWII, to function as a fire brigade, where needed.

More to follow.

EOM.