DAR: Sant' Angelo, Italy

[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.

[RERomine]

Turn 40

Lead elements of Group 12 have pushed across West branch bridge near objective group G2. They will continue to move forward. Follow-up elements can move and capture G2. G1 is the objective group that I'm not sure there will be enough time to get to. Heavy artillery starting to fall in the rear. I'm might move the core infantry around a different way and let the units on foot take the direct route. Artillery has been plotted on the Bofors.

Enemy reinforcements still pushing down from the North. One East of the stream is heading down the road toward the recon tracks. I'm going to send two over to stop it.

Bridge head still getting hit, but units are spreading out so it's not having as much of an affect. One unit stumbled on a bazooka team near G3 and was thrown back. I'll move several units over and take care of it.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 41

Group 12 elements are advancing into town. Infantry units reached the first intersection and another hidden Bofors opened up. I was able to overwhelm it with other infantry units and two Tigers. Rear elements are still moving up, but the core infantry in tracks are still holding position because of the other Bofors. I had pulled up a mark IVh and started firing at 700m. After exchanging fire a couple of times, THE SMOKE DISCHARGERS FIRED!!!. I forgot to turn the stupid things off!! At that range, I wasn't worried about the Bofors getting a penetrating shot. Unfortunately, there weren't any other spots with a clear view. I have to wait for the artillery or infantry to get up there.

Enemy infantry coming from the North is running into a meat grinder. Two platoons of grenadiers, engineer LMGs, two mark IVhs and artillery are making it impossible to get close. Recon tracks moved closer, took care of the one unit running down the road and are catching others from behind.

Light mortar fire coming down on Group 4, but there aren't any packed targets to hit anymore. Engineers were able to get the enemy bazooka team close by.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One 40mm Bofors destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.