This is an account of the first CG of RB wherein Patrik Manlig attempted an Armored Blitz. What is so interesting is that Patrik's opponent was expecting it! While Patrik took some hard losses, he took the Chemist's Shop, and the Commissar's House on DAY 1! These are strategic positions that may well be worth the sacrifice. [jds]
I had the opportunity to play the first date of another RB CG III the other day (who knows when we'll be able to play the next day). Basically, I used the PanzarBlitz agains a prepared defense and had mixed success. Just thought I'd tell you all the story and see if you have any comments.
The BAD news:
CVP figures: Germans lost 60 (+ another 8 during RePh) - Russians lost 58...
Not as bad as it may seem since the bulk of the German losses were SPWs (5 of them) and one tank (Pz III L). Bad luck accounted for perhaps 10 CVP (one 10-2 boxing himself out on a self-rally attempt during the last turn - pretty unnecessary roll, since he would have rallied at the end of the day anyway. Three squads and an inherent vehicular crew killed outright when a Russian 9-2 + MG open up and roll snakes while I yahtzee the RS. My Pz III died from an ATR rear shot.) Losing 12 German squads (9 of them Sturm) to 11 Russian squads (mostly 1st line, and one 'squad' was in fact two crews from a MOL-P platoon) is not a good thing. The only thing that alleviates the pain somewhat is that the Russian AFV losses consisted of 5xT-60[?] (trading 5xSPW for 5xT-60 has to be a pretty good trade) with a 6th isolated and destined to die during the next scenario. Still, even losses isn't exactly a good thing for the Germans.
The GOOD news:
Germans captured both bulding X9 and building CC18 (Chemist's Shop and Commissar's House, respectively).
Luck was working for the Germans here since the day lasted 7 turns. It wasn't really needed since I had captured both buildings by turn 6 (had half of Com. House by turn 5, even). Still, it helped building a better perimeter for the next day.
The main question is: was this a good trade? I took heavy losses only in order to get a major foothold on the riverbank. Good? Bad? I tend to think it was worth it, but I'm sure someone will disagree. One of the points is that a PanzerBlitz CAN work even against heavy opposition. I think this pretty much proves that - but more about it later.
Purchases:
German: Sturm coy, Fortifications, 2xSPW, Stuka
Russian: 2xDug-in T-70, MOL-P, Fortification, ?
[I don't remember exactly what the Russians bought. He miscalculated the cost of the Dug-ins and got an extra point.
That would make the cost of the above 6 CPP. I think the Russians have 8 initially. Possibly there were even more fortifications? He spent at least 102 FPP. Maybe OBA that never got into action due to lack of targets? Does HIP cost FPP for the dug-ins? That would be another 30 FPP...]
The Russian defense was pretty odd, since nothing at all was bought in reserve (a mistake, IMHO). The two initial ATGs were setup on the west flank, and all 6 dug-ins were guarding building X9, where the Russians had also bought a 5-hex wide minefield (full 90 CPP allotment) right in front of that building. Nasty defense. Buying trenches would have been cheaper by far, but it would also have given the German infantry protection when they assaulted the building. The rest were sitting back, with some MOL-Ps set up to start flames everywhere they could.
The German attack was equally odd. The FPP had to be used for 20 dummies. Those, together with 6 squads, crept onboard in the west to convince the infantry there to stay put. Had there been any problems, they would have retreated offboard. The Sturm coy, loaded on the SPWs, were set to make a run for CC19 on turn two, after the remaining 18 squads entered in the east. The initial OBA was (of course) set up to lay a smoke barrage just east of the P7 factory. The Stukas were supposed to interdict Russian movement when they realized that the 'threat' from the west wasn't.
The whole thing started with the smoke being inaccurate, giving the Russians a few shots. Luckily, most everyone made it. The 10-2 was fired at by a Russian 9-2/MG, and was VERY lucky to make it (but that balanced out in the end). The Russians set some fires, and that was it.
Next turn, the SPWs came on racing forward. The Russian dug-ins had problems hitting them with the first shot, and some dug-ins were exposed for the next turn. In the Russian turn, the dug-ins again manage to miss.
German turn 3 revealed the mines north of X9. No way to get around them, so the Germans start to waltz right into the mines. Lucky roll, and they make it. The SPWs unload, which makes the dug-ins lose interest and they instead concentrate on the unloaded infantry. More dug-ins appear as the SPWs try to use the road on the other side of X9. In the end, the only safe way is to slip down onto the beach. A couple of squads do so. The German infantry moves up to X9 (about 12 squads or more along 5-6 hexes width). AFPh breaks the defenders in the cellar: 36FP+4 in the AFPh! Three 527 remain to protect X9, but they break in the next DFPh after doing next to no damage. Russians have started to move to reinforce.
Turn 4 see the Russians finally score some kills on the elusive SPWs. They actually have 2-3 rounds bounce off the SPWs before they manage to kill one! However, once the going gets tough the German armour fail miserably. One SPW is immobilized by an ATR shot as it tries to maneuver behind a dug-in. A Pz III bogs. An SPW immobilizes in a minefield. Another SPW is immobilized after a 45L hit. One more SPW are hit and killed outright. The last one goes down to CC. Fortunately, no infantry loaded on either halftrack. The surviving ones charge on towards CC19.
On turn 5, the Germans reach CC19 and a dismounted squad captures half of the building. X9 is completely overrun. All that remains to defend in the east are the 6 dug-ins. The rest of the Russians are attacking from the west. The Stukas FINALLY appears, too late to get at any Russians in OG.
Turns 6 and 7 see several CCs versus the dug-ins, and some German attempts to get more infantry around the mines. 5 of the 6 now- helpless dug-ins go down in CC, and the 6th is isolated behind the German lines. The Germans in the west take the opportunity to snatch a couple of buildings left undefended by the Russians when they reinforce in the east. The German attempt to get around the mines is thwarted by Russian MG fire that KIA's 4-5 Sturm squads in two consecutive Player Turns. The 2 Stukas miss 3 TC, make 2 mistaken attacks (dropping both bombloads) and manage to pin someone once...
When the game ends, the Germans control X9 and the road to the west of that building. They control CC19. Losses as above. They have pushed forward with the PanzerBlitz, against 6x45L dug-ins and a 5-hex wide minefield that seriously hampered the infantry's ability to move. Without the mines, this would have been MUCH more gruesome for the Russians. Still, it cost. Too much? You decide that.
One irritating note: the German 10-2 boxed himself on a self-rally. The Russians had a total of 4 leaders (rolling bad on two coys and getting only two commissars while rolling a 9-2,9-1 on the last coy) of which two commissars were shot by snipers. The worst Russian leader (selected for battle hardening) was a 9-1, so the Russians ended with 2x9-2 as their only leaders... The Germans have one 9-2 and some other leaders.