As the morning wears on the circle closes around Stonne.
SFA’s or group fires, start reducing enemy units fighting capability, as the Germans grow wary of further losses.
Finally the 6-II deems it the right time to attack, and they storm the village.
The French flee into heavy overwatch fire.
This melee forces the 1-I GD to retreat, the French offer the best for last!
The Pios seeking revenge, look to take put the last French holding the edge of woods at the outskirts of Stonne.
Frenchmen fight to the last.
Now just 1-1 and elements of 1-3 stand in the way. The security of Stonne is all but guaranteed, and airstrikes are called in to hit choice targets in the open.
French units are harassed continually, and never given a moments respite.
Then just as suddenly…it all crumbles, mortars suppress French fighters, units close in and sweep through Ogne, spurred on by inspired leadership no doubt!
As we fast track turns to accrue for the up coming op sheets, I consider the value of continuing. Fresh French units approach. But much will depend now on how fast certain opsheets are executed by both sides to move into offensive and defensive positions.
By 0800, the Germans are well situated with a wall of guns, ammo and tanks. This is where the prep rating of 4 makes a huge difference.
Even as the French op sheets come to play, the task of assaulting the enemy is indeed looking extremely daunting.
The 4-II-8 does need to leave but even with this, I just cannot see how the French can possible make a show of it.
Some thoughts here are- perhaps I should have quickly ‘failed’ my French op sheets, retired in good order then awaited the reinforcements to counter attack with more strength?
What do you think?
In this battle the Germans lost 22 Infantry steps [ about 4 and a ½ platoons, and 2 tanks.]. The French were wiped to a man. Despite my commentary on the heroism of the French as losses mounted their Morale which is a function of the specific platoon, AND overall Battalion Morale plummeted from its already mediocre height. I just don’t see how you can safely exit or retreat enough units, and THEN mount an EFFECTIVE counter attack…. Even with more arty. There would not be much left of the French as they attempted even under smoke and arty to assault the high ground. The only real weak spot in the German defence was the wooded road NE of Stonne. They would need to be pushed out of there then the French could assault up the steepest part of the approach to Stonne against units with significantly better morale ratings and lotsa tanks! Only the 67th R.I has a decent morale of 4, one worse than the Germans.
A very interesting scenario all up and I would certainly play again.