Hoffmeister: The Aftermath

Graves detail carries off Captain Thorpe in a body bag. Nobody even salutes. The only notice anyone gives of him at all is the occasional shrug.

Still, the company took Hoffmeister and, in the days following, the unit is brought quickly up to full strength again. Dowler and Pickard look good in the reports. Benedetto less so, and there is rumor he may come up on charges for drinking.

As the last of the reinforcements and supplies are brought in, so is the new company commander, captain Fowler.

The captain's first announcement is that the company has been chosen to lead the main assault into the town of Banholz. The company will have armor backing them up, along with some artillery support, and some reserves standing by for reinforcement, if needed.

Newly built and painted armourfast vehicles (one M4 and two M10's at the rear of the column) move up to support Fox Company in their next push.
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Revised Company Roster

Fox Company:
Captain Norman Fowler, commander (replacement)
1st platoon (full strength, some replacements)
2nd platoon (full strength, many replacements)
3rd platoon (full strength, many replacements)

Support:
1 M8 Scout Car
2 M4 Sherman Tanks
2 M10 Wolverine Tank Destroyers
1 Artillery Fire Mission
Reserves (unspecified type/number)
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New NPC

Company Commander (Replacement): Capatin Norman Fowler

Description: A pragmatic man, whose primary interest, outside his duties, is family. He talks freely about his own, and also takes an active interest in his men's families' well-being. Most of the men have quickly taken a liking to him because of this. He is a cautious but competent commander.

Traits/Stats: Personality: Pragmatic; Interest: Family; Combat Temperament: Cautious (-1 DRM to number of cards drawn); Combat Leadership: Level II (average); Background: Average.

Cumulative DRM: -1 DRM to number of cards drawn for the US each turn.
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Revised NPC

1st Platoon Leader: Lt. Clinton Dowler

Description: Lieutenant Dowler is a mercurial fellow, as quick to offer a kind word as to jump into a rage – both perhaps related to what many view as his religious fanaticism. He can be charitable to the men around him when they are in need, and severely judgmental and angered when they engage in any activity he perceives as sinful. The fact that he often quotes biblical verse while addressing his men will no doubt win him points with fellow believers, but will also certainly turn off the foxhole atheists in his platoon.

Traits/Stats: Personality: Mercurial (-1 DRM), Interest: Religion (pious/devout), Combat Temperament: Even, Combat Leadership: Level 2, (Average); Background: Average.

Cumulative DRM: -1
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[Game note: the "after-the-battle" narrative was drafted based on results rolled for with the Platoon Forward rules – Post-Battle Events: Freeform (Replacements/support); Manpower (reserves); Manpower (Arty support)]

Objective: Hoffmeister

A week had passed. Not only had the situation stabilized, but the battalion had begun pushing forward again. Fox Company was coming out of reserve and being sent back up front. By the lantern in the command tent, Captain Thorpe briefed his platoon leaders.

"You probably know that earlier today Charlie company took the Schellendorf Bridge over the Kopp Creek and have established a bridgehead on the east side of the stream." The captain pointed at the map. "At the same time, further south, Dog company secured this ford on the Kopp, just below Oberndorf. Our battalion S2 tells me regiment believes the Germans have been fallen back to the town of Hoffmeister here in the north. Intelligence's best guess is that they've got a weakened company there, down to about 50-60% strength."

Thorpe paused to look at Benedetto and Pickard. "Tonight, second and third platoons are going to go in under cover of darkness and relieve Charlie company, taking over their bridgehead on the east bank of the Kopp. Meanwhile, I'll accompany lieutenant Dowler with 1st platoon and some armor support up from the ford, and we'll assemble near Oberndorf. At 0745 we'll launch a two pronged assault on Hoffmeister, hitting it from the west and south."

The captain looked around at his subordinates. "Now get your men together and get what sleep you can. We shove off in three hours."

[Game note: as you may be able to see, I've taken Paul's and Al's suggestion and increased the US to German troop ratio. I'll be leaving the random event rules intact. Hopefully this will give the GI's a better chance this time!] 

Gratz: The Aftermath

Despite the frantic withdrawal from Gratz, one of Lt. Grover's sergeants manages to bring his body out. Falling back to an assembly area – no more than a large clearing in the woods – the company is in complete disarray. First platoon was completely wiped out, second platoon is down to about a dozen men, and third platoon is the only one largely intact, though Pickard's men are fairly shaken. Benedetto watches as some men bring over Grover's body and lay it with the other corpses recovered from first platoon. "I'm beginning to see what old Grinder had against the captain," he mutters to himself. He looks around as if there might be a spare bottle lying around, but of course there isn't. Not in this mess.

"Lieutenant!" calls a voice. Benedetto spins around to find himself face to face with the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Kenison. "What the hell happened here, lieutenant?" Benedetto hesistates at first, but gives the commander his assessment. Kenison nods and pats the second platoon commander on the shoulder. "You're doing a fine job lieutenant. Keep up the good work. I'll make sure you get back to full strength with the replacements coming in."

Benedetto watches the battalion commander stomp off to find Captain Thorpe. The need for a drink gnaws him again. Medics working on wounded men. Soldiers running back and forth. A jeep pulls up and a new lieutenant steps out, in a clean, pressed uniform with a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. The fresh L-T approaches. "I have orders to take over first platoon. Any idea where those boys are?" Benedetto points to the line of dead bodies where Grover was just laid down. "Over there," he says. The new lieutenant crosses himself. "With the Lord then," he says softly. "Well, I suppose I just better report to Captain Thorpe and wait for the replacements."

Once the young lieutenant is out of sight, several trucks arrive. Sergeants run up to them barking orders. "You men, you're in second platoon with Lieutenant Benedetto. Form up on me! You others, you'll be in first platoon with the new lieutenant. Fall in over there!" Benedetto wonders how long it will be before these men are lying beside Grover and the others.

[Game note: the "after-the-battle" narrative was drafted based on results rolled for with the Platoon Forward rules – Post-Battle Events: Freeform; Encounter; Player Choice (Replacements)]

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Revised Company Roster

1st platoon (brought up to two squads; new commander)
2nd platoon (brought up to three squads with replacements)
3rd platoon (intact with three squads, no replacements)

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New NPC

1st Platoon Leader (Replacement): Lt. Clinton Dowler

Description: Lieutenant Dowler is a mercurial fellow, as quick to offer a kind word as to jump into a rage – both perhaps related to what many view as his religious fanaticism. He can be charitable to the men around him when they are in need, and severely judgmental and angered when they engage in any activity he perceives as sinful. The fact that he often quotes biblical verse while addressing his men will no doubt win him points with fellow believers, but will also certainly turn off the foxhole atheists in his platoon.

Traits/Stats: Personality: Mercurial (-1 DRM), Interest: Religion (pious/devout), Combat Temperament: Even, Combat Leadership: Level 1, Below Average/Green (-1 DRM); Background: Average.

Cumulative DRM: -2

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New NPC
Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Max Kenison

Traits: Personality: Likeable; Interest: Engineering; Combat Temperament: Even; Combat Leadership: Level 4 (Excellent); Background: Average).

[Game note: no detailed description or DRM, since he only exists for the purposes of his encounter with Benedetto and will not be seen again (encounters with previously met NPCs are re-rolled).]