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Continuing my reposting of old AARs to fix the image issues, here’s the next one from the Pegasus Bridge series in December 2006:

And we’re back again with the next Pegasus Bridge scenario. This one happens back in Benouville, the location of PB3 (but a bit more restricted than last time). Patch is attacking with the Germans, who have to take six out of the seven stone buildings in my set up area.

Generally, that’s a fairly tall order, given the difference in quality and the fact that he only has 6 squads (versus my 5 1/2). But, there’s little, if any, open ground to cross, and he has three PzIVHs and a Marder I as support. I have two PIATs as tank killers. Also, one of my three leaders is wounded and three of my squads are Walking Wounded

The only thing I can see to do is a really tight defense in the village, and pray to hold out 7 turns. Outside, there’s just not enough cover for my comfort.

So far, so good. Patch once again agreeably broke a MA during his first turn. At the beginning of my Turn 2, he permanently disabled it, so that’s one less big gun to deal with. Meanwhile, the infantry is slowly working its way up to me, and the tanks have pretty much surrounded the village, keeping to range 3 or greater from any possible PIATs. I’ve broken two HS, one of which is just coming back, he’s broken both of my PIAT-toting squads, which have just rallied.

So, it’s my MPh on Turn 2, and I’m trying to figure out how to reshuffle the defenders, and wondering how the heck I can go Panzer hunting….

Situation at beginning of MPh, British Turn 2.

Patch commented:
“Holidays have delayed a response from my end.”

“This is a nasty little scenario for the British, as there’s just about no place to hide from my fire at set-up, and absolutely no place to hide after movement turn 1. When something breaks, it’s staying under DM. I can easily keep tanks out of PIAT range, and have circled the wagons and begun hammering away with HE and mg’s.”

“Turn 3 has led to some (possibly) overaggressive tactics on my part, given the time I have left. O12 had to rout away in the UK Turn 2, and the Marder nailed the P12 strong point, eliminating the 9-2 and two HSs. There are now just two unbroken UK 648s on board, and I decided to push into O12 and the tanks are moving up. Defensive Fire should be interesting.”
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The next stop in our VASL sessions was the fourth scenario in Pegasus Bridge, “Killean’s Red”, started in December 2006. I had the attacking British trying to get into Le Port. Between the loss of the previous scenario, and an extremely lackluster performance this time, Patch did most of the reporting:

With Rindis’ recent surrender in PB3, Piecemeal, we’re trudging along faithfully to the next scenario, Killean’s Red. I’m taking the Germans so I defend this time.

Set up on this one is a pain. 5.5 squads? Second line? Conscripts?!? Do the Germans want this damn town or not?

My set-up is up front to try and have someone in the path of attack. I hope to shuffle units to the axis of attack once it develops. With just 5.5 turns, Rindis has his work cut out for him trying to take 15 building locations and the steeple. My defense is anchored on an 8-1,447, and MMG in GG13. HIP units are to the south, covering the canal road and hopefully providing some FtR casualties if he comes up the middle.

Rindis came up a bit more spread out than I had anticipated for a scenario like this. Two squads and the 9-1 assault into the CC10 woods, and the remainder come up the center. Things go badly for the Brits from the start.

The 8-1 and company CR the 338 on a scouting mission, and Rindis fails to do any return damage. In my turn I skulk, leaving Rindis with little else to do but roll boxcars on a 16FP attack on GG13. Time to move the defense lynch pin to GG12!

Turn 2
Those damn civilians reveal my HIP unit in II15h1. Curses! Rindis prep fires most everyone, but moves a unit into EE10 which draws fire and leaves 2 Residual. He then executes a poor move and bypasses the hex with a 648, and I roll snake eyes on the IFT. Bye bye squad. Little else happens for return fire besides loads of Pins, and Rindis advances into the village in FF11, making his PIAT squad CX.

My turn those chatty civilians make another appearance, but pass along bad intel and TIs a unit! Must find them and shoot them, as he was needed for my cunning plan. Prep fire fails to dislodge FF11, but Pins the unit. Since the southern route looks like it’s not coming into play, and I’m not liking how the north is developing, my remaining HIP unit in JJ16 makes a run for the village (fat lot of good they did), and we pause for Defensive Fire through email until next Wednesday.

An interesting scenario. Not enough units or time to permit many mistakes. I look forward to seeing how it pans out.

End of German Prep Fire, Turn 2

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