DAR: Sant' Angelo, Italy

[RERomine]

Turn 28

Elements of Group 1 still exchanging fire with enemy infantry and are still taking casualties. Artillery has been plotted on the enemy positions. Another M10 has been spotted 200m South of the dirt road, so they are moving against it.

Group 2 still getting hit by artillery, but it's getting lighter. Only a few mortars fired at them this time. The Tigers are on the forward slope of Hill 1 waiting for it to finish before they move out.

Mortar file against Group 3 ceased and the group is holding position.

Group 4 engineers backed up a bit to covered positions. They aren't taking fire anymore. Tigers moved up and destroyed two Shermans near Hill 3 and engaged both the HMG position and the enemy bunkers. Artillery has been plotted on the enemy positions in town.

Recon tracks still moving.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Two M4(Early) tanks destroyed and estimated 5 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 29

Grenadiers from Group 1 managed to destroy M10, but enemy infantry is keeping the rest of the group pinned down. Artillery started hitting their positions which should allow Group 1 to advance against them. For some reason, some enemy units are starting to abandon their entrenchments and advancing. I haven't taken any objective hexes yet.

Tigers from Group 2 started moving out and heavy enemy artillery started falling again. I might have to take them back through the Group 1 position if I'm going to get them out of there in one piece. Infantry got beat up again. All units are getting off of Hill 2. It's not a nice place to be.

Grenadiers from Group 3 are starting to head to their phase 2 objective of the road intersections. The engineers will hold position. Hopefully, the grenadiers won't run into mines, but those could be useful in stopping the enemy. I don't figure the enemy will have place them with routes for shifting units in mind.

Group 4 Tigers destroyed enemy HMG team and one of the bunkers. A bazooka team ran up next to one Tiger and attracted a lot of attention. It was last seen running the other way.

Recon tracks still moving.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: One M10 GMC(Early) tanks destroyer and bunker destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 30

Group 1 pushing forward and engaging enemy infantry pinned by artillery. One enemy unit destroyed, others are running, with only one beat up unit let in the way.

Elements from Group 2 are linking up with Group 1, but they are pretty beat up. The only units left on Hill 1 are a couple of squads and my Tigers. They are moving Northeast to get away from the artillery. The Tigers are trying to pick up the two units left so they can get off the hill quickly. Forward elements engaged some running enemy infantry.

Group 3 grenadiers continuing to move towards road intersections.

Enemy infantry moving on Hill 2, but being suppressed by artillery. Bazooka team destroyed by engineers and Tigers destroyed last bunker. One Tiger moved Southwest to assist Groups 1 and 2 while other Tigers are moving up. Engaged by a Sherman near Hill 3. Returned fire and damaged the Sherman.

Recon tracks are in position and will start harassing enemy up North again.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

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

[RERomine]

Turn 31

Group 1 broke into the open for a short period of time. One engineer charged down the road to see if it was clear of mines and drew fire from a Sherman and several infantry units. They also found another line of mine. A small breach will have to be cleared to allow units to advance on objective groups G2 and G3. At this point, it's not clear if I'll get to G1 since resistance has been constant.

Group 2 drew fire from the same enemy infantry that fired on Group 1. Smoke was popped and artillery plotted. Some elements are still having a miserable time getting off of Hill 1 because of enemy artillery. The Tigers are off of the hill, however and moving Northwest to the dirt road.

Group 3 grenadiers continuing to move towards road intersections.

Group 4 engineers pushed to the rear edge of Hill 2. This time, there wasn't as much enemy fire. Several units tried to swing to a road to their right and found an enemy infantry unit right in the way. The traded fire and the enemy ended up retreating. Two Tigers are moving that way to support as are one platoon of PzKw IVhs. They were able to put some direct fire down on a 60mm mortar behind the hill. They should be able to start pushing forward.

Recon tracks opened up on the enemy positions up North again, inflicting several casualties. The drew direct fire from an enemy 60mm mortar, but it wasn't effective.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties.

Enemy: Estimated 15 casualties.

[RERomine]

Turn 32

Group 1 and Group 2 concentrating while waiting for support to deal with two Shermans and enemy infantry behind mine field. One Tiger from Group 4 will provide assistence while Group 2's Tigers come up.

Most elements of Group 2 are moving up to the minefield. One grenadier squad traded fire with an entrenched enemy infantry unit. There are still two squads trying to get off of Hill 1, but the enemy is still hitting it with moderate artillery. I guess better there than someplace that could really hurt. Group 2's Tigers are about 750m from the minefield line.

Group 3 grenadiers are starting to near the edge of town and several engaged some entrenched infantry.

Engineers from Group 4 are continuing to push towards town and objective group G3. They are about 200m away, but there are lots of enemy infantry units around. One Tiger is following an engineer unit in and is providing support. It actually is able to see one of the Shermans near Hill 3. A couple of shots were taken, but the enemy infantry forward is more important at the moment. Another Tiger from the group is moving to take care of the Shermans. Engineers were able to destroy the enemy 60mm mortar. The mark IVhs are still moving up and the last platoon of engineers will follow. Enemy artillery fire is hitting the Western side of Hill 2, bogging down several units there. A line of mines has been spotted on the East side of town.

Recon tracks are continuing their harassing tactics.

Casualties

Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties.

Enemy: One 60mm mortar destroyed and estimated 10 casualties.

[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.