Break-Out Mini-campaign, String of pearls - Fow v4

This AAR is based on historical events and taken from the 3ed Flames of war Cobra book. 

Americans 66th Dog company armoured

1st platoon Dog company (3 HQ tanks + 5 M4 sherman) @ A

1st platoon Easy company Armoured rifle @ A

 2nd platoon Dog company (5 M4 sherman) @ B

2nd platoon Easy company Armoured rifle @ A

3rd platoon Dog company (5 M4 76mm sherman) in reserve

German Kampfgruppe Maitré 4. "Der Fuhrer" pnz.gren regiment

5. "Der Fuhrer" Panz.Gren platoon + Pak40 + HQ @ C

One panzer IV from "Das Reich" @ C

6. "Der Fuhrer" Panz.Gren platoon + Pak40 @ D

7. "Der Fuhrer" Panz.Gren platoon + Pak40 @ E

16. "Der Fuhrer" Panz.pioneer platoon @ F

Two panzer IV from "Das Reich" in reserve

The American offensive must destroy the convoy of five overloaded trucks starting at the road position "1", before they can escape along any of the roads at position "2" or "3". The outcome will be decided by the number of trucks destroyed before escaping. To achieve a Victory, the Americans must destroy more trucks than can flee along the road. The German force are reduced to understrength platoons, only capable of delaying actions. However, the Fearless veterans of the SS-regiment will offer fierce resistance. The five trained trucks can move 15cm per turn, plus attempt an extra 10cm blitz with a skill test.

Turn 1 

The American force start by moving all forces up the fields, not realizing the enemy ahead. They open up on the German positions in the village and at "E". Each unit focusing fire on the Pak40s, but with no result.

The Germans answer the oncoming American treat, easily picking off two tanks with the Pak40 guns and with the panzer IV, bailing another.

Turn 2

The Americans dismount the infantry to offer more firepower and boots on the ground. Focused fire destroy two of the Pak40s, in the village and at position "E". 

The German return fire proves weak, but the Panzer IV picks off a Sherman in the field at "B", however failing its "shoot and scoot" puts it in a bad position for return fire.

Turn 3

Now the five 76s Sherman's arrive from reserve. The American infantry at position "B" arrange  themselves for an assault at "E". Massed rifle fire pins the SS down, while the force at "A" opens up at the Germans in the field at "D", however, with no success of inflicting causalities. The remaining Sherman's destroy the single exposed Panzer IV. The armored rifle assault the SS infantry at "E", but gets pinned down in defensive fire, losing a few teams.

The two panzers waiting in reserve arrive from the road at position "3". The German trucks now reach the crossroads in their attempt to escape. Return fire is limited to two killed infantry and two bailed Sherman's. 

Turn 4

The American Sherman's at field "D" charge ahead to position themselves for an assault, and succeeding in destroying the last Pak40 with heavy tank gun fire. The infantry at "E" unpin for a new attempt to assault the German position. With assaults at both "E" and "D" successful, the German positions are almost overrun.

With the frontline collapsing, the Panzerpioneers withdraw to a better position, while the Panzer IVs take up an ambush position in the bocage. The trucks now move past the crossroads, leaving them in a slightly more hidden position.

Turn 5

Racing against the clock, the Americans makes most out of blitz-moving their forces ahead, but the Sherman 76mm are blocked off by a single Panzerschreck team holding the entrance to the village. The Sherman's at "D" attempts to kill the Panzer IVs but fail to hit their target.

The SS now gather their last units at the crossroads opening up with all remaining anti tank weapons on the Sherman's at "D". The panzers and the infantry destroy two Sherman's, while the Panzerschreck in the village picks off a 76mm Sherman, further stalling the American reinforcements.

Turn 6

The Americans moves further down the fields and the roads, taking better positions on both flanks. Having lost one of their tanks, the Sherman 76s revaluate their strategy and move around the village. Now with trucks in exposed position through a gap in the bocage, two Sherman's makes a run for it and open up on the trucks. The panzer IVs, taken by surprise, cannot respond before two of the trucks are burning.

With two trucks lost, two almost at the end of the road, and a single truck lagging behind, the Germans are in a tricky spot to save the majority of the cargo. The infantry reposition to make the best out of the situation. Exposed on the open field, the Sherman platoon is finally destroyed by the Panzer IVs. 

Turn 7

With only the objective in mind, the troops on the American left flank recklessly moves just close enough to take a handful of shots at the closest truck from the crossroads. Seemingly enough firepower to set the truck on fire!

With two trucks escaping and three destroyed, the battle ends in a minor strategic victory for the Americans. While the German Casualties were large in proportions, the American losses of nine tanks (half of the starting number) and half an armored infantry platoon, would probably be considered a larger loss.

A fun and objective orientated game!

Break-out Mini-Campaign, Barkmanns Corner - Fow V4

In this scenario Unterscharfuhrer Ernst Barkmann defend the road against armored 3rd company consisting of Sherman tanks. The scenario is somewhat based on the historical events, but where the Americans withdrew for a while, they keep on fighting in the scenario.

Barkman and a reduced squad of SS infantry is guarding the objective at the end of the road witch the American armored company is advancing ahead. The roads are to narrow to let more than one tank pass at a time, forcing the Americans to push thought the dense hedgerows.

Turn 1

Americans stats with 2 HQ tanks, and a full platoon led by srg Leyfette on the road. The lead tank has been destroyed. In reserve is another two full platoons of tanks waiting to push down the road. The tanks, realizing the threat ahead, try to force the hedgerows, but two of them bog down.

Barkman easily pick of the two stuck tanks at his safe position, with two long range shots.

Turn 2

The 2nd platoon of Shermans, arriving from reserve, dash down the road to get the full platoon on the table. The fist sherman platoon push down the field to their right, still leaving two stuck tanks behind.

Barkmann takes a shot on one of the tanks ahead, but misses!

Turn 3

The last five American tanks arrive from reserve and the second platoon attempts to get through the hedgerow to their left, resulting in another two tanks getting stuck, despite their commander using "cross here". The first platoon and the HQ is now close enough to take shots at the infantry, but fail to kill any.

With two more tanks stuck, Barkmann now destroy another for afar.

Turn 4

Seemingly unfitted for terrain, the 2nd and 3rd Sherman platoon is still left with bogged vehicles. The lead platoon, in better position to attack the infantry, manage to kill one of them.

Bakmann attempts to blitz, but fails and takes one stressed shot that misses.

Turn 5

Beeing reckless, the lead platoon now cross the road to find better firing angel on the Panther. Since The roads are to narrow to pass, the Sherman cannot pass Barkmann without assaulting the infantry. The 2nd and 3rd platoon fill up the fields behind on each side respectively.

With two point blank shots, Barkmann misses one of them and only manage to destroy one Sherman.

Turn 6-7

With only one tank left in the lead platoon, the last one (Layfette) fails its morale test and flees. Struggling to pass the infantry that effectively blocks the road from passage, the 3rd platoon takes another three the infantry teams to their graves, leaving only the commander still alive.

Barkmann, desperate to maneuver around can only pull off two bailing shot, while the panzerfaust misses.

Turn 8

Closing the circle, four tanks fire on Barkman causing him to bail out, while attempting to flank through the hedgerow.

Barkman remounts, but the last SS-infantry fails it morale test and flees. In return Barkmann destroy two Sherman tanks in a hope to break their morale.

Turn 9

The American tanks overwhelm Barkmann and one tank is far enough to take flanks shots, thus ending Barkmanns stand, destroying his Panther. 

American victory, but to a hefty price of 8 lost tanks (including 1 from the start and one fleeing). But rest assured Barkmann will make his return again.