Tactical Suggestions

[RERomine]

Originally Posted by PanzerBob

Well done AAR and you seem to have things under control. The only thing I would advise at this time is watch for Matildas, they could be still lumbering forward out of sight. Good Hunting Commander.

Bob out

At this time, I would welcome a good old-fashioned Matilida mounting a 2pdr. I don't like those 6pdrs, but have kept them from firing so far

[RERomine]

Turn 12

Turn 12 goes to the AI. The king of battle finally showed up, primarily targeting the Northern flank guard. It was the heavy stuff, 5.5in. They got one StuG and one recon track. No crew survivors . Time for the remaining two StuGs and recon tracks to shift. The only good thing that came out of that artillery is some was short and probably hit some hidden infantry as well. It's small consolation, however.

There are now two Valentine IIIs heading toward the gaps between hills 1 and 2. I'm moving one platoon of my tank reserve toward that gap, just in case. This platoon is short two tanks damaged in during the enemy prep fire. There are still four Valentine IXs and two Valentine IIIs heading toward the gap between hills 2 and 3, but tank platoon I withdrew earlier is there. Most of my reserves have been deployed, but the tanks around hills 1 and 2 should be able to return shortly. One battery of 25pdrs also hit the Southern part if hill 2.

The StuG ambush at hill 3 got the last Valentine IX in this area. Small arms got three truck mounted 6pdrs, also. That leaves a few Valentine IIIs and infantry. My artillery hit the infantry near hill 3 and the infantry close to the Southern flank guard.

Some of my scouts in quiet locations have managed to push through and will post near enemy controlled victory hexes. Once the enemy attacks are broken, my units will advance forward. My estimates on enemy strength before the battle seem to be close, but I still feel there should be more enemy tanks.

I've attached a zip file with zoomed out screen prints of the three primary battle locations. Sorry if they are a bit difficult to see, but they had to be zoomed out to see the action in the area. There are a lot of enemy infantry units not visible on the maps due to smoke, low visibility and hiding behind hills, unless I did more damage than I know.

The action is done for the night

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/8, one StuG IIIf, estimated 5 infantry casualties.

Enemy: One Valentine IX tank, three truck mounted 6pdrs destroyed, estimated 15 infantry casualties.

[RERomine]

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.

[RERomine]

Turn 14

Ten enemy rifle sections now visible on Northern flank. Time to bring in artillery to help out. My SPAs spend the last two turns shifting for when the enemy gets around to counter battery fire. Like me, the AI uses artillery to support attacks first. Counter battery fire is secondary to that purpose.

Action in front of the gap between hills 1 and 2 just increased. Seven Valentine III tanks are now present and my infantry is in the open. My three D formation tanks are in position to strike and my infantry is within 200 meters of the lead Valentines and they have no visible infantry support.. My infantry took a few casualties, but nothing major. I'll probably pepper the Valentines with small arms fire to suppress them and then assault with a few units. My tanks will also try to pick off a few.

Action on hill 4, in front of hill 2, accounted for one immobilized Valentine IX. As hoped, it wandered into the smoke and one of my infantry squads assaulted. I'll try to finish it off next turn. Artillery dropped on the enemy concentration on the South edge of hill 4. Enemy infantry seen running from this location.

Enemy attack on hill 3 has stalled. Maneuvered my tanks forward and took out one Valentine III. The two remaining Valentines traded shots with my five PzKw IVg tanks. Small arms fire exchanged, resulting in enemy casualties. Several enemy infantry units popped smoke and ran. Artillery also dropped on enemy formations.

I'm probing for the enemy flank on the South edge. Friendly artillery continued dropping in the area. It should take a turn or two before I have this flank turned.

Some scout units have pushed 500 meters beyond the engagement areas into the enemy rear.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 infantry casualties.

Enemy: One Valentine III tank destroyed, estimated 25 infantry casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 15

Bad turn for the enemy!!

Enemy infantry pushed back with moderate casualties on the North flank. Engaged infantry with two remaining StuGs, recon tracks, scouts and artillery. I'm sending one infantry platoon and an MG-42 team to support.

Enemy Valentine III tanks near the 1/2 gap engaged by infantry and tanks. Two Valentines destroyed, while I suffered light infantry casualties.

My infantry is continuing to advance on hill 4. Encountered some hidden enemy infantry and pushed them back. I also dropped artillery on the enemy. It was danger close, but I suffered no casualties as a result. There were light casualties during the infantry action on the West face of the hill. On the South end of the hill, the immobilized Valentine IX was abandoned. Another IX advanced into the smoke. This one was destroyed. Still another is pushing West toward the 2/3 gap. I will destroy this one with tanks and infantry next turn. There might be one more Valentine IX hiding behind the smoke.

Two Valentine III tanks that were seen heading Southwest toward hill 3 came into range of one 75mm ATG. One was destroyed, leaving one in range. It should be destroyed next turn. The remaining two Valentine III tanks approaching from the Southeast were destroyed by tank and ATG file from hill 3. My infantry the South end of hill 3 advanced forward and engaged enemy infantry in the smoke of the burning wreckage. Enemy casualties were moderate. Artillery also hit the enemy units in this sector.

South edge flank is almost turned. Only visible infantry in this area are retreating. Artillery hit those to convince them leaving is a good idea

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 infantry casualties.

Enemy: Five Valentine III tanks destroyed, one Valentine IX destroyed, one abandoned, estimated 35 infantry casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 16

North edge enemy attacked has stopped. All enemy infantry in this sector are pinned or running. I'm too weak in this area to push at the moment. Waiting for infantry support to arrive. Moderate enemy casualties from direct and indirect fire.

Action in front of 1/2 gap at a peak. Two more Valentine III tanks destroyed and one damaged. Three of my SS infantry units surrendered, so my casualties in this area were heavy. Pesky FOO unit finally destroyed. The remaining three Valentine IIIs should be destroyed or running during the next turn.

Friendly infantry pushing over the top of hill 4. Enemy infantry is running. One Valentine IX tank destroyed by tank fire. There was one more IX tank behind it. The last I saw, it was running home through the smoke. Abandoned IX tank destroyed. The crew won't come back for that one. The only enemy infantry visible is running away from hill 4. One victory hex on the hill was secured by a scout with supporting infantry nearby. Hill 4 looks like it's mine. Last six tanks in reserve release to exploit gap in enemy middle.

Enemy advance in front of hill 3 appears to be broken. All enemy units are running.

South edge enemy force is broken. All enemy units are running.

Aside from the action in front of the 2/3 gap, the enemy is on the run. A general advance has been ordered.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 35 infantry casualties.

Enemy: Two Valentine III tanks destroyed, two Valentine IX tanks destroyed, estimated 30 infantry casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 17

The rout is on. Enemy running in all sectors. Two of remaining Valentine III tanks in front of 1/2 gap destroyed. Last one is damaged. Light casualties there. Running Valentine IX tank found in smoke on hill 4 and destroyed by infantry. 12 enemy infantry units destroyed or dispersed.

I'm shifting my SPAs again. Now that the enemy artillery doesn't have an good targets to engage, it will probably start some counter battery fire. I'm holding my fire to allow resupply of towed units and for when I eventually find the enemy towed guns.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 infantry casualties.

Enemy: Two Valentine III tanks destroyed, one Valentine IX tank destroyed, estimated 50+ infantry casualties.