DAR: Sant' Angelo, Italy

[RERomine]

Turn 33

Since Groups 1 and 2 have been effectively merged, they will be referred to as Group 12.

Group 12 engineers have cleared a 50m gap in the minefield so the group can push forward. Enemy infantry units are coming out of entrenchments and trying to push the group back. One appeared in the gap and was immediately thrown back. Others are engaging elements that moved into a line of woods next to the minefield. The supporting Tiger from Group 4 destroyed one of the Shermans near Hill 3. Enemy artillery is falling to the rear of the group. All units are finally off of Hill 1. The group Tigers should link back up in two turns.

Group 3 grenadiers are blocked by a minefield to their front, but are engaging enemy infantry beyond.

Group 4 engineers are trying to clear mines and dragon's teeth on a bridge at the Southeast corner of town. The obstacles are heavy at this location. Other units are trying to clear obstacles as well, but the bridge is important to get tanks in for support. Most enemy infantry in this area are routed at the moment. Enemy artillery is still pounding the West side of the hill, but most units are out of the way.

North sector enemy infantry units are suffering a few casualties from my recon tracks.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One M4(Early) tank destroyed and estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 34

A nice little fire fight has broken out between Group 12 and enemy infantry. It started with the Tiger supporting the group following an engineer through the smoke and dueling with the last Sherman. The Sherman lost and the Tiger pulled out and started to return to Group 4. Grenadiers and LMG teams shot it out with a platoon of enemy infantry, with casualties on both sides. Friendly artillery probably finished the fight because they hit the enemy hard. Elements should be able to push through several gaps in the minefield.

Group 3 grenadiers traded fire with an enemy squad and bazooka team. The bazooka team was destroyed and the squad is running. There might be a route through the mines by using the enemy entrenchments. They are going to try to get to their assigned location and the road intersections.

Several enemy squads fired at lead elements of Group 4 clearing obstacles. Dragon's teeth have been removed and some of the mines are gone, but there are no gaps as of yet. The two group Tigers pushed up the road East of the mined bridge and provided fire support. Enemy artillery is still coming in on the West side and my artillery was a touch closer than I would have liked.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

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

[RERomine]

Turn 35

Group 12 still involved in a fire fight with enemy infantry to their front. I though my artillery ended it, but the enemy rallied. Elements of the group are pushing through the gaps in the mine fields. Two group Tigers have pushed through as well, adding their fire power to the push. Artillery hit the enemy positions again and this time, one enemy squad is clearly running. Enemy mortar fire came in on the group, suppressing some units. Another bunker has been spotted, but most units are already past it.

Group 3 grenadiers are trading fire with enemy reinforcements arriving from the North. This is why I want them to get to those road intersections. Several enemy squads have been seen so far.

The bridge has been cleared of obstacles, but the engineers need to lead out to make sure the roads are clear. One enemy unit in a house is continuing to keep the lead elements under fire. Enemy mortars are dropping just behind the engineers. It will be less effective once they get through and fan out. The last Tiger of the group is finally returning and should be back in 3-4 turns.

Recon tracks are continuing to be annoying up North, but with all the action down South, the enemy might not bother firing on them this time.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 36

Group 12 is pushing forward to objective group G2. The enemy still has a platoon in the way, but they are starting to break. Most of the group was suppressed from enemy artillery last turn and are suppressed. The Tigers are pushing forward and destroyed the bunker sighted, but another has been seen. Artillery continues to hit enemy positions and their artillery is continuing to hit my troops.

Group 3 still has mines in front of them, but they will attempt to cover the flank of Group 4 from their current position using enemy entrenchments. They are still trading fire with enemy reinforcments, but need some heavier support.

Group 4 has established a bridge head West of the West branch. Two Tigers and almost two platoons of engineers have crossed. The mark IVh platoon is coming up with another platoon of engineers and a company of core infantry. The enemy is hitting the bridge head with mortar fire and the mark IVhs with 155mm artillery. One was immobilized. It is very close to the bridge, so it might go.

Recon tracks are still harassing the enemy Northern force. It's time for them to shift positions.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One enemy bunker destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 37

Group 12 has effectively broken all resistance to objective group G2. Enemy artillery is slowing their advance, but units that have gotten out of the impact zone are moving quickly. One core infantry company and one platoon of PzKw IVh tanks have been detached from Group 4 and are going to try to move to objective group G1 from this direction. Tigers destroyed last enemy bunker sighted in this sector.

Group 3 heavily engaged with enemy reinforcements coming from the North. They are slowing the enemy considerably.

Bridge head being hit by heavy enemy artillery, but mark IVh platoon and engineer platoon rushed across river. Most moved North to support Group 3 in stopping enemy reinforcements. Two flags of G3 turned, but most units in this area are heavily suppressed. The bridge is still up. If it stays up, there are seven more tanks and a core infantry company ready to cross.

Recon tracks are going to relocate to see if they can interdict enemy reinforcements heading South.

Since this has been a long and hard battle, I've attached two screen prints showing the main battle areas.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 15 casualties.

Enemy: One enemy bunker destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 38

Group 12 is running in the open, as much as you can run in a cratered field.

Enemy reinforcments from the North have stalled. Group 3, with help from Group 4 and artillery have stopped them for the moment.

The bridge is gone, so getting reinforcements to Group 4 will be difficult. It's not impossible to get them there, but there is a risk of bogging units down in the stream. With the enemy artillery coming in like it is, I am in no hurry in getting more units over there. Engineers are scattering and one Tiger and two PzKw IVhs are immobilized. Eventually, the enemy will lift their fire. In the meantime, there should be enough troops to hold the objective group. They certainly aren't moving forward. One more flag has been turned on G3.

Two recon tracks are firing on enemy reinforcements coming down from the North. Four others are moving into position to help.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 15 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 39

Group 12 is pushing to bridge near objective group G2. Core infantry has caught up with them, but lost one loaded track when a hidden Bofors opened up. I'll have to deal with that quickly.

Group 3 continuing to engage enemy reinforcements coming down. Could be in company strength, but some are already running and artillery is dropping on road intersection that was the Group 3 objective for Phase 2. Recon tracks are helping to slow the enemy reinforcment advance.

Enemy mortar fire is still dropping on Group 4, but the heavy stuff has let up for the moment. Units are trying to push out some to protect the immobilized tanks from any infantry that might happen to pop up. One flag to go in objective group G3. Engineers are clearing mines in the area, not that the tanks can move.

Casualties

Friendly: One SdKfz 250/1 half-track destroyed and estimated 15 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 20 casualties.