Battle of the Bulge Campaign, Turn 1

[barca]

Edited Battle Order #6. Location for reinforcement changed from F5 to F8, as shown on map.

[barca]

Link provided below, a new blog:

Firestorm Ardennes: TURN 1 Start:

https://rosecitydukes.wordpress.com/2016/12/18/firestorm-ardennes-turn-1-start/

[barca]

Battles 2, 5, 6 & 7 completed

Battle 1 should be claimed by lazarus (German) as commanding 2 Pz Div as his Core Combat unit

Battles 3 & 4 are open, as of 2016-12-19 12:01 PM.

[lazarus]

Should be getting battle 1 done tomorrow evening and may grab arrow 4 time permitting.

 

OKW is not pleased with the lac of success on the part of the 1SS group,  the Russian front is always looking for more men.

[Lord Hanaur]

L.H. & Bp,

Thx 4 gripping narrative.

Find yourself a pen-and-ink artist and you've got a start on a graphic novel.

It was a pretty fun game, i thought.

[Bpoli7]

Yeah it was! Your bad luck at the beginning on your spotting checks was made up for by a few good hits of those 15cms. Also, assault rifles are nasty, but I don't want to give away too much before I finish the story...

[Lord Hanaur]

Yeah it was! Your bad luck at the beginning on your spotting checks was made up for by a few good hits of those 15cms. Also, assault rifles are nasty, but I don't want to give away too much before I finish the story...

Needless to say, the Germans couldn't find their canteens, let alone enemy forces the first half of that battle.

[lazarus]

FIRESTORM ARDENNES BATTLE REPORT

POSTED BY:Lazarus

POSTED ON:12/20/16

TURN #1

BATTLE ARROW:1

ATTACKERS NATIONALITY:GERMAN

DEFENDERS NATIONALITY:AMERICAN

ATTACKERS LOCATION:H5

DEFENDERS LOCATION:f 7

ATTACKERS FIRESTORM UNITS: 2panzer, Panzer Lerh

DEFENDERS FIRESTORM UNITS:NONE

SUPPLY CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS:

WEATHER:HEAVY FOG

MISSION:pincer

WINNER:German

WINNER PTS VS LOSER PTS:6-1

FIRESTORM UNITS DESTROYED:

FIRESTORM EXPLOTATION MOVES:

WARRIORS USED:NONE

WARRIORS KILLED:NONE

[lazarus]

FIRESTORM ARDENNES BATTLE REPORT

POSTED BY:Lazarus

POSTED ON:12/20/16

TURN #1

BATTLE ARROW:4

ATTACKERS NATIONALITY:GERMAN

DEFENDERS NATIONALITY:AMERICAN

ATTACKERS LOCATION:H6

DEFENDERS LOCATION:F9

ATTACKERS FIRESTORM UNITS: 18 VW, 5 FJ

DEFENDERS FIRESTORM UNITS:NONE

SUPPLY CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS:

WEATHER:HEAVY FOG

MISSION:pincer

WINNER:German

WINNER PTS VS LOSER PTS:6-1

FIRESTORM UNITS DESTROYED:

FIRESTORM EXPLOTATION MOVES:

WARRIORS USED:NONE

WARRIORS KILLED:NONE

[Noland]

Ed is going to command the 3rd Falling Shrimp and the 277th Volkswagon Grenadiers against the greenhorn US 29th Infantry in berg Roetgen (G1). This battle has been agreed upon by both agressors to start no sooner than 1730 tomorrow. Oddly enough...berg Roetgen looks a lot like Tacoma, Washington. The Matrix specifically will be the source of the rumble for arrow three

[Lord Hanaur]

That IS an odd coincidence, for sure.

[barca]

If true, then someone should give me a tour of the places in Tacoma that look like these photos:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/52159+Roetgen,+Germany/@50.661238,6.20848,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s117909067!2e1!3e10!6s%2F%2Flh4.googleusercontent.com%2Fproxy%2F-RHKpJjd7ZcKuyPgndA7BDH4IehLrgCYPLiie3ISEb43v8X5wOhjQ52XhZweEfiSCNDQSR-jK05gbqo_Koup0RPhAb0m0xw%3Dw156-h117!7i3264!8i2448!4m5!3m4!1s0x47bf7d44793aa905:0x42760fc4a2a7860!8m2!3d50.6460743!4d6.2002932!6m1!1e1

[Lord Hanaur]

If true, then someone should give me a tour of the places in Tacoma that look like these photos:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/52159+Roetgen,+Germany/@50.661238,6.20848,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s117909067!2e1!3e10!6s%2F%2Flh4.googleusercontent.com%2Fproxy%2F-RHKpJjd7ZcKuyPgndA7BDH4IehLrgCYPLiie3ISEb43v8X5wOhjQ52XhZweEfiSCNDQSR-jK05gbqo_Koup0RPhAb0m0xw%3Dw156-h117!7i3264!8i2448!4m5!3m4!1s0x47bf7d44793aa905:0x42760fc4a2a7860!8m2!3d50.6460743!4d6.2002932!6m1!1e1

Oh yeah thats uh...the Olympia brewery area there, right?

[Noland]

FIRESTORM ARDENNES BATTLE REPORT

POSTED BY: Noland

POSTED ON:12/21/16

TURN #1

BATTLE ARROW:3

ATTACKERS NATIONALITY:GERMAN

DEFENDERS NATIONALITY:AMERICAN

ATTACKERS LOCATION:H1

DEFENDERS LOCATION: G1

ATTACKERS FIRESTORM UNITS: 3 FJ

DEFENDERS FIRESTORM UNITS:NONE

SUPPLY CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS:

WEATHER:HEAVY FOG

MISSION: Free 4 All

WINNER: Americans

WINNER PTS VS LOSER PTS: 4-3

FIRESTORM UNITS DESTROYED: 3 FJ

FIRESTORM EXPLOTATION MOVES: None

WARRIORS USED:NONE

WARRIORS KILLED:NONE

[Noland]

Company CP to Battalion CP via land line phone, Battle report:

 

Able 5: "Hatchet 6 this is Able 5, battle report of our reconnaissance in force."

Hatchet 6: "Go ahead 5"

Able 5: "Company was patrolling vicinity Roetgen, took 50% casualties and lost all line platoons. We are holding the town on the north edge by a shoe lace."

Hatchet 6: "Say again, All line platoons?"

Able 5: "6, that is correct, infantry was lost in multiple charges on enemy forces. We have no riflemen to hold our lines."

Hatchet 6: "Where the hell is the Commander, where is Able 6?"

Able 5: "Weapons platoon observed him on the wood line looking at a map and was taken prisoner by an HMG squad. He didn't even shoot...(dramatic sigh/ pause) he just quit."

Hatchet 6: "what is the status of the armor from regiment? Over."

Able 5: "M5 Stuart's by five decimated; M4 Sherman's with mixed composition of five tanks obliterated. No survivors."

Hatchet 6: "So who the hell is there holding the line?"

Able 5: " Regimental recon is at 50%, provisional artillery is at 60%, weapons platoon is 100% and the objective of the reconnaissance mission is held by the HMG platoon which is at a 100%. Over."

Hatchet 6: "Status of enemy forces? Over."

Able 5: "Engaged grenadier company reinforced with Neblewerfers, FJ infantry and PzIV L70 anti-armor units. The battle opened with our scouts running into their scouts and it was a massacre. The one schwimwagen that was not set ablaze fled the field of battle. Their FJ's attempted to hold the ground given up by their scouts near a rail head but they were caught in the open and it looked like they could not dig into the frozen ground...the HMGs gave them three crates of ammo each. Those poor bastards must have soaked up 3,000 rounds and not a man could be identified. Our armor moved up on the decimated FJs but were hit by PzIVs in ambush. They were able to eliminate the platoon but were routed by an assault by possible SS infantry or Grenadiers...there was just too much smoke and chaos to get an accurate picture. That was the left flank. Resupply and reinforce essential. Break.

 

The center was held by LT Simon and the company weapons platoon. LMGs still have a full compliment of ammo and never left the line of departure. There was some confusion on when too engage it would seem. Company mortars expended every round they had...reapply is essential for 60mm ammo.

 

Right flank: Enemy armor and infantry engaged M5s and removed them from the field without a shot fired. Total loss of the tanks and crews, none were spared. 1st rifles moved to support the tanks from the massacre but they were quickly routed. Enemy chased 1st rifles into a position prepared with stocks of bazookas, grenades and ammunition. The combined armor grenadier assault was repulsed with 100% KIA. 1st rifles under SSG Davis then charged forward to a copse of trees. Last radio communication stated he was going to assault enemy Nebs. There were some heavy explosions and then silence. Assume he and 1st rifles are lost. Break.

 

2nd rifles were caught in open by HMG...100% fatalities. It was horrific, they just...were cut into hamburger. Request immediate reinforcements or this sector will be lost. Over."

 

Hatchet 6: Able 5, you are now Able 6. Recommend you go and find CPT Fords bars, you are promoted to captain effective immediately. Intelligence has this action as part of a large offensive. Consolidate your forces, ration supplies as you stand to be cut off. If possible....(radio goes dead as lines are cut).

 

SSG Bale: "Sir, what did the Commander say?"

 

Able 6: This fight was just the tip of the iceberg. I think we better dig in for the real fight. Our orders are to hold the rail head of this burnt out berg. Oh, by the way, congratulations. You and I are now promoted. You are now First Sergeant, start checking the line and help me organize the defnese. I am going to have a chat with the weapons platoon about their amazing ability to not shoot in a fight."

[barca]

FIRESTORM ARDENNES BATTLE REPORT

...

TURN #1

BATTLE ARROW:3

...

FIRESTORM UNITS DESTROYED: 3 FJ

...

QUES: Was the 3 FJ destroyed or routed on the tabletop?

[ZEKE]

Barca, are we meeting at GG tonight to hash out the rest of Turn 1 and begin Turn 2?  Lazarus was also wondering.  If you are getting busy for the holidays it's no problem, we are just wondering if it is worth making it to GG tonight.

[barca]

Yes. I'll be there tonight, same bat-time.

Sent e-mail to lazarus this AM to answer same ques.

[Bpoli7]

Great write up, Noland!

[Bpoli7]

Jessop was on the line again. "...We smoked those AT guns, but lost a tank doing it. We're back on track to flank those Stugs!..."

"...We're almost in position to support you, I can't see them in this brush! See if you..." The CO's message was abruptly cut off.

"Company, this is London, the commander is hit, his tank is brewing up. No survivors..."

"...God, dammit!..." That was the 2nd Platoon commander. All tanks rendezvous at 229 to flank those Stugs. The command post is just on the other side of those trees. I'm leaving the infantry to cover the copse...."

"...Michaelson, Adams. See if you can get that track back on. We need to get this tank moving again. Richard, stay on the gun and watch for that enemy infantry..." His tank commander was overly optimistic, Richard thought, feeling the cold blast of air as the radioman and loader opened their hatches and went to repair the tank.

Richard saw the American doughs looking across the small meadow from the copse to the edge of the far forest to where the Germans had retreated. The hatch opened again. "...We're not moving for a while. We lost a road wheel and a return roller from that arty. We'll need a TRV just to get the track back on...."

"....Alright, grab your stuff. Let's get back to 229 and see if we can catch a ride...."

Jessop was on the radio, again. "...We put about 7 rounds into each one of those Stugs, but it took London coming up to finish 'em off. They sure are tough sonsofbitches. Recon's out, the Assault guns pulled out with them. Command post is taking there sweet time getting packed up..."

Just then, automatic fire erupted across the meadow from the far tree line, tearing through the lines of friendly troops. He saw dozens of casualties fall to the snow. The rest of the troops hit the ground, returning fire as best they could. Several squads of German troops emerged from the trees, firing in precise bursts from the hip. More and more enemy infantry filled the meadow, advancing on the copse. Richard poured fire from his .30 into the nearest group, but there was too many. The doughs were getting cut to pieces. They wouldn't last long under that kind of firepower. London pulled up beside their tank.

[barca]

rolled up the results at the start of this thread: (edited 12-24)

Battle #1: reported 2016-12-20, by lazarus. German victory

Battle #2: >> No BatRep required. Allied FS battle arrow used for reinforcement

Battle #3: reported 2016-12-21, by Noland. American victory

Battle #4: reported 2016-12-20, by lazarus German victory

Battle #5: reported 2016-12-20, by Centurious. American victory

Battle #6: >> No BatRep required. Allied FS battle arrow used for reinforcement

Battle #7: reported 2016-12-17, by Bpoli7 German victory

[Centurious]

I have a question on the rules for the fog. Noland and I have been using the rules in the Ardennes book treating fog as night fighting but in the campaign packet it seems the fog only affects aircraft. So have we been doing that wrong or do I just really suck at fighting in the dark?

[Noland]

QUES: Was the 3 FJ destroyed or routed on the tabletop?

3 FJ was executed by a full platoon of HMGs, A full platoon of scouts with M2 .50 and M1919 .30 and a platoon of five Sherman's in a single turn. They were in the open not dug in and the fog lifted. Yes, they left the table...in a fine pewter mist. It was like 60 dice...it was a cacophony of destruction.

[Noland]

rolled up the results at the start of this thread:

Battle #1: reported 2016-12-20, by lazarus. GERMAN victory

Battle #2: >> No BatRep required. Allied FS battle arrow used for reinforcement

Battle #3: reported 2016-12-21, by Noland. American victory

Battle #4: reported 2016-12-20, by lazarus GERMAN victory

Battle #5: reported 2016-12-20, by Centurious. American victory

Battle #6: >> No BatRep required. Allied FS battle arrow used for reinforcement

Battle #7: reported 2016-12-17, by Bpoli7 GERMAN victory

Are the German Victories in all caps symbolic while American victories are in standard font? Do we need to win bigger to get all caps?

[Bpoli7]

Also, is it important for the Generals to know which Firestorm units were killed vs. routed? 99th was routed but the Volksgrenadiers in our game were all killed.