1940: Panzer Leader - Gembloux Gap Scenario

The Panzer Leader 1940 Gembloux Gap Scenario: A "meeting engagement" which was not quite historical as the Germans probed a hasty French defence.

Nevertheless we played it as per the scenario. I worked back from the maximum first moves (as per the scenario instructions to see that the columns would hit each other in the middle of the board. So in effect apart from deciding on the "order of march" the game will start on Turn 2 for the French (see below): 

Note: Please see this link for Panzer Leader Scenarios: http://gregpanzerblitz.com/scenarios.htm
The parent Web-Site contains lots of good stuff too: http://www.gregpanzerblitz.com/

This scenario is Scenario 21: Belgium Clash of Armour

Game Turn One: The march to contact (see below):

Game Turn Two: The collision of the two juggernauts. With their slight advantage in speed the French have taken the opportunity to gain the "Forrest" and lower "Hill" whereas the Germans start with a couple of "Town Hexes" (see below):

The Germans taking a page from the Biltzkrieg manual plug the "Town" as a defensive backstop with some troops and then try to outflank the French above the "Forrest" and gain possession of the larger hill (see below):

The battle fragments into two separate engagements. The French armour assaults the "Town" and manages to nick an unoccupied hex - which means they will be hard to extract. However the French troops outside the town are being "chipped" away and it looks a 'score draw' in this sector with the Germans 'pinned' and the French 'frustrated' unable to exploit their gains. Meanwhile behind the "Forest" the Germans have tried a bold outflanking move and overrun attack on the French motorised infantry column of transports (see below):

However before the overrun attacks are conducted (which would mean goodbye to a third of the French force) we need to consult the rules. In the basic game the overrun would go in despite the Germans being in clear sight of the French .. which seems unrealistic. We go with the advanced rule which allows the French to fire before they reach the overrun targets but the forgo their fire/move for the next go - although there are no modifiers for trying to hit a fast moving target. The result is a lot of burning German tanks .. definitely a French win in this sector. Overall the French have it and as the German Commander I glumly look at my wrecked Panzer Regiment (see below, not much grey left above the wood, I have infiltrated my motorised infantry to attack the French artillery in the enemy rear though):

Summary: The Germans made a beginners mistake in trying to "run through the gun". To be fair it was the first time the advanced "opportunity fire" rule really came into effect. A replay could well be on the cards although the encounter scenario seems to far away from the historical battle it was rather an opportunity (or rather only opportunity) to play with the French S35 Somua kit. A review of the Order of Battle for the scenario (see below):

The French had the better kit and some nice artillery. The Germans were faster and had more tanks but in this era (apart from moving cross country) armoured cars and tanks had comparable armament and in some cases armour! A more historical scenario would be with the French defensively deployed on the first board.

Something French (with a little bit of German on the side) on the Painting Table

Modelling Projects: 

Next up, on the "Napoleonic Ship" modelling front (or should I simply say "shipyard") is the first of the French "Commerce de Marsailles" a 120 gun 'monster' (though even she was again used against her original owners after again being captured by the British, but Navwar lists her as a French ship). 

The rationale of my choice being that my collection of Napoleonic 74's (bar HMS Thunderer) are really capable as serving as "dual nationality" (especially as I have not put any flags on any of them). Two out of three of them started life with the French Navy and also had 'other' French sisters of the same type. Therefore a big nasty "120 gunner" with a "74 gunner" companion in French colours should put up a decent fight against two British "74 gunners". Does it make sense to you? I hope so! 

The "Commerce de Marsailles" is shown belwo in her naked metal under construction (see below):  

As I was painting her an undercoat of aTmiya XF1 black I decided to catch up with undercoating the French D2 Infantry Tank, a 1/72 SHQ model I had assembled a while back (see below):

If there is one thing that annoys me about those "rare" metal tanks you have to buy to make up your OoB (apart from the hefty price) is the fact that to avoid casting a hell of a lot of wasted lead, the model is always artificially hollowed out without being provided with a flush bottom. 

Perhaps a small and petty thing to others, but to me it is an annoyance as it makes the kit unnatural to pick up and silly if viewed from the wrong angle. Seeing as it was only me that had this problem, rather than start a petition to the Prime Minister , I decided to add a plasticard bottom to the D2 (see below):

It worked so well (IMHO) I decided to add it to the German Propaganda Tank too (see below):

The two metal early war tanks (with 'plasticard' bottoms), the black undercoated 1/72 SHQ beasts parade their wares (see below):

Their camouflage paint jobs will have to come at a later time as "other projects" are crying out for my time. Priority goes to stuff that is needed for war games .

French D2 Infantry Tank circa 1940 (SHQ)

Clank, clank here comes a tank!

This "French D2 Infantry Tank" has spent a long, long time waiting for its assembly, escaping from 'the box of toys in the loft' (approx two years). Nevertheless it is a highly valued asset from the 1940 French "clanky tank" era (the D2 was first in service from 1933). A forerunner of the much more successful Somua S35 and Char 1B models. Characteristics of both of these more successful tanks can be seen from this predecessor.

One thing that kept its assembly at bay is its metal construction with all the filing and super glue that entails. Thankfully it was far more straight forward that previous Propaganda Tank (see below, the turret and chassis are settling with the super glue in a quiet corner of the kichen):     

It certainly looks French in its shape (see below): 

Suitable methinks for an ad-hoc detachment from De Gualle's 4th Armoured Division (DCR). That way I can get away with fielding a singleton in an eclectic company/battalion. Apart from a few wacky French renaissance half-tracks, my only remaining 1940 French want is an FCM tank (not that it was particularly useful on the battlefield, I just "feel" the need for one).

The AFV assembly montage continues ;)

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 8

The French Commander Responds:

As the German Panzer Battalion commander contemplates his dilemma of "How to bypass Alincourt and cross the bridge" the French commander introduces him to French 155mm Schneider artillery "en masse" (see below):

What goes around, then comes around.

Enjoying this "artillery phase" and not wanting to be left out of the action the French commander at Neuflize (ahem, me again) brings in his trusted regimental artillery assets to 'save the day' and scramble those annoying German motorcyclists. Again the 'risk adverse' (of hitting your own troops - again) mental calculation is triggered and once again dismissed as unlikely (after all this would be a "one in one thousand occurrence").

I am sent straight back to Probability Class 101 as once something has occurred its certainty is P=1. Therefore instead of 1:1000 it is still only 1:10 and guess what .. (see below):  

Note to Self: See reference to "Ground-hog Day" and related entry of "Twit"!

"Friendly Fire" once again hits 'Friend and For' alike, prompting the Umpire to declare, "This is no accident the French artillery have just registered short on Neuflize today, no need to roll the dice again as I already know the result" .. I laugh hoping he's joking, but something of a twinkle in his eye makes me wonder!Not as bit as the divisional templates but I still mange to upset my sole AT gun covering the river (see below):

The battle as seen from the German side of the battlefield. The fighting for Neuflize (see below, top of photograph) has certainly drawn in the German motorcycle unit to its death, being under half strength in infantry now its fighting "umph" is definitely questionable but what holds in that mysterious black Hanomag 251 column, it has got to be something special. The motorised transport (see below, bottom of the photograph is probably the German Pazer Division Engineer Battalion plus various HQ elements. I will be interesting to see where it will deploy to, Alincourt or perhaps the 'wooded river-line' space between Alincourt and Neuflize (see below):

Finally the "panzer parking problem" of Alincourt. The lead German Panzer Company is certainly looking disorder (but not killed, dead or dying). Its attention may be drawn to something coming "off table" left in the form of French "tracked vehicles" (see below):

But it is not over yet as there is a third action (game) planned to cover the "tooth and claw" tank versus tank action as the French High Command commit their precious 'char' (aka tank) battalions in a desperate 'make or break' counter attack.

To be continued ...  hope you have enjoyed it so far

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 7

The German Panzer Commander considers a problem: 

The German Panzer Battalion rides through a slight (noisy) artillery barrage and for want of other targets attempts a "close assault" (i.e. overrun attack) on a French AT gun (see below):  

The attack is successful in classic "Blitzkrieg" style (see below):

But where to go next as the side-streets with ample infantry cover and Panhard 25mm AT guns looks less than inviting. The infantry target at the rear of Alincourt will invite side-shots from those previously mentioned Panhards! (see below):

What you need is some motorised or armoured infantry to perform a combined arms assault, however all you see as far as the eye can see if "panzers" in a rather large traffic jam of their own making (see below):

The Panzer commander is faced with an intriguing problem in as much as, he does not want Alincourt but rather teh bridge over the river at Alincourt. So how does he set about getting it?

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 6

The Heat of the Battle: 

Feeling the urgent need for additional fire power the French FOO requests immediate divisional artillery support. Again there is a 'one in ten chance' of this friendly fire falling short. Weighing up the probabilities in his (aka my) mind's eye, and given that he (ahem, "I") had already been 'unlucky' with the "artillery falling short" goblin, I felt safe to roll the dice again. The result is plain for all to see (see below):

Note to Self: Didn't I make an earlier 'note to self' about 'not teasing the dice' or 'taunting fate'? Why didn't I read, listen and learn?

The French artillery again hammers 'Friend and Foe' alike in this "one in one hundred" occurrence. "C'est le Guerre!" 

The dazed and wounded 'pause for philosophical reflection' (see below):

It is now time for the French to be on the receiving end of some German divisional artillery (see below):

After all the die rolling "nothing is killed", until the German motorcycle battalion deploys its support company MG34's and two French squads are dropped despite the protective "stone cover" evening the ratio 1:1 of casualties to three platoons/squads each (see below):  

Emboldened by the French losses and seeing "his chance" the German Commander again "rushes" the town via the 'bridge of death' (see below):

The bridge lives up to its name as another three German units die. The German commander is rapidly running out of 'leg' units cable of attacking. Despite some galling losses the French are still holding on in a strong defensive position. Despite all their heroic efforts the Germans have only but one squad holding onto a precarious northern section of the town (see below):

Like so many other times in the French Campaign, the decision hangs in the balance. "If" the French can reorganise and counter-attack, then perhaps the Germans can be evicted from their bridgehead before the contents of the "mysterious Hanomag column" can be deployed.

Which side has the better leaders to take advantage of the situation?

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 5

Storming Neuflize: 

The stormy barrage of smoke and HE lifts to reveal a totally disorganised battle field. Dazed French and German soldiers stagger about aimlessly amongst the town ruins and shattered tree-line. Barking officers and NCOs soon bring them back to a semblance of order and intent, but both sides have suffered and are licking wounds (see below): 

After a small pause the Germans are "all-in" with a bold frontal infantry assault (see below):

That is, only to be met with a hail of accurate French defensive fire. The French trade briskly at a 3:1 ratio of casualties (ow!). The German commander seems quite unmoved in respect to the losses and with sinister deliberation moves up the "mysterious column" of German Hanomag 251's to a strategic jumping off position (see below): 

Mean while on the French right Flank: 

In Alincourt the Panhard armoured cars take up defensive positions in alleys and barricaded streets to support the infantry company garrison (see below):

They will need all the help they can get as "something evil this way comes" in the shape of a charging German Panzer Division (see below):

Just to tickle and attract their attention the French FOO in the village calls down some defensive artillery in the form of some friendly 155mm that have miraculously come "on net". The artillery have been bedevilled by orders, counter-orders, harassing from the Luftwaffe but have finally got themselves established in a fire base ready for action. This is the best news the French commander has received all game to date.  

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 4

The Infantry Battle for Neiflize starts in earnest: 

A stand (representing two vehicles) of German 222 armoured cars audaciously try to rush the bridge and break open the French defences in a Hollywood style "coup de main" (see below):

However the French anti-tank gunners earn their pay and the armoured cars are now a road block on the bridge, something that the German commanders starts cursing himself for and he has given himself a unforseen movement penalty (see below):

The German motorcycle infantry deploy along the length of the marshy wood (thanks to the French damming of the river downstream) and steady themselves for the impending assault under the comforting protection of a friendly smokescreen (see below): 

A 'mysterious column' of black, German, armoured Hanomag APC vehicles park themselves 'close enough to see but far enough away to not be directly involved' in the assault. They seem to be biding there time for a 'distinct purpose' of which your guess is as good as mine (see below): 

Meanwhile the French FOO has decided to turn the comforting smoke into something much more deadly altogether and directs his fire mission onto what he correctly assumes to be a German forming up area (see below): 

However one of the 'calculated risks' taken by the FOO (or rather blindly accepted by 'yours truly') was the chance of the artillery barrage falling short was minimal, only a 1 in 10 chance in this case ... pregnant pause and as you reconsider where some of the artillery shells are landing in the above picture.

Note to self: Never tease 'lady luck'!

So yes as well as hitting the 'general area' where the Germans are supposed to be forming up, the French commander (me) looks on in horror as I manage to shell my own troops. Not an auspicious start to the proceedings, I put it down to the insufficient time we had to properly 'register the guns' on known targets: "C'est le Guerre" or should that have been "Merde!"

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 3

The German Probing Intensifies: 

A small scout car (221's and 222's) company edges around the French left flank. Everything is suspiciously quiet, but the question is, "For how long?" (see below):

Somebody's home, well at least a FOO, not much lasting damage, just a bit of disorder and suppression that comes off once the armoured cars find some protective cover (see below):

The central German attack looks more determined and meaning, as the motorcyclists dismount into the woods, but the French receive some last minute armoured reinforcements from the "rushed up" AMR's (see below): 

Sensibly the motorcycle battalion CO draws upon the divisional artillery for some much needed smoke cover and support, as they intend to undertake one of the most difficult assault operations in the infantry manual, attacking across a defended river line (see below):

On the French right flank the Panhard armoured cars bolster up the defence of Aincourt ahead of the spearhead of Panzers (see below):

However all this frantic motorised traffic has been brought to the attention of Goering's Luftwaffe and a 'tactical' flight of two Stuka's comes a calling on the column of AMRs (see below):

The Stuka's dispatch two AMR's with surgical precision, narrowly missing the company commander (see below):   

The French know they are snared in the teeth of the wolf and they will be up for tough fight to the death. If the river line falls there is no other suitable defensive terrain to fall back on.

France 1940: Return to Tagnon (WWII Battlefront Scenario) 2

The Defence of Neuflize:

The German Motorcycle Battalion heads in a condensed (artillery target if ever there was one, why is it you never have a FOO when you need one) spear formation down the road (see below):

Note: In defence to the initial French initial deployments they were taken out of my control and the set-up by the neutral(?) umpire. I would have dearly loved to have ambushed those motor cyclists in the woods or laid an artillery barrage on them. "Cest le Guerre"  

The Germans pay a derisory visit to the village behind Tagnon with an armoured car squadron of 222's and 221's (see below):

The bulk of the German Panzer Battalion, two light companies in advance and a medium company bringing up the rear,  sweeps round to attempt an end-run (see below): 

The German High Command are in good spirits (see below):

A more pragmatic mood holds sway in the German Regimental "Medical Field Clearing Station" (see below):

Meanwhile the French High Command are (typically) all in a dither lost in an 'intelligence vacuum' of their own making (see below):

Next: The Attack Starts