CASTLE HILL - test with new rules

Having another go at this with the new HEADS DOWN rules. Working very smoothly.  The FJ are having a harder time this time and allowed most of the Rajputanas to escape from Pt 165 back to the Yellow house area. This force includes 3 heroes and a 10-1 so will be tough to reduce. Meanwhile some deadly sniper fire from the other Rajputanas caused several broken stacks which has stalled the German push completely. Meanwhile the German 105s (pre-registered now) have found their mark on the Castle and are raining down some heavy fire. Interesting so far - I'm most curious how the new HTH rules will work inside the castle. a -11 DRM is possible!.

Operation Dickens 1654

The NZ seem to have peaked. The Castle has been captured but without armoured support or more infantry they cannot cross 'Spandau Alley' and reach Route 6. I already lost 2 full sections trying - all KIA. This is about right however and exactly what the NZ accomplished on the day.

Meanwhile, recent rules changes seem to be working out well. I've increased the effect of Sniper fire and 0mR fire considerably. Now once you get the upper hand in close combat it is more decisive. I've created a HEADS DOWN status which is not as safe as PRONE which I no longer allow in buildings/rubble etc. This means the best TEM normally possible is +6. Still pretty safe really.

Operation Dickens at 1640

Operation Dickens 1540

Operation Dickens at 1500

Operation Dickens at 1444

Operation Dickens

After the bombing resolution 83 US of FJ remain in the town (just over 200 men) In the real battle there were c. 150.

CASTLE HILL GAME B END

German Victory - This one went heavily in favour of the FJ who have many advantages and many options.  The key events were the MOTIVATION failures in the castle which pretty much cost the 4th Indian units the battle.

CASTLE HILL GAME B 0620

Castle Hill - new deployment

I am trying a new set up for the British/Indians. I've moved all the mtrs and MMGs down the mountain a bit from point 175 and this allows them to spread out more. I have also deployed a platoon of A/4/6 Rajputanas as 3 half sections in the hope it will slow the FJ down more. In the castle I put the FOO in a safer place though they may not be able to see as much.

CASTLE HILL - FJ thrown back in viscious hand to hand combat

The Castle has so many troops inside that it is quite easy to pin the Germans who have gotten a toehold then move in and finish them off with 0m range fire. The British/Indians need to be quite lucky but so far have been. They've wiped out 3 squad sized stacks of Germans this way, but have lost 2 of their own. A battle of attrition!

CASTLE HILL - BREACH AND ENTRY

Textbook German attack. The Essex/Rajputanas have it all to do to restore the situation.

CASTLE HILL 0630

Castle Hill - storm about to break..

It's the crux of the battle. The Germans have infiltrated forward, wiping out the Rajputanas stationed outside the castle. They are now poised to assault the walls and have good covering fire set up. It will be interesting to see how it works out but I need a fresh mind - too groggy now.

Castle Hill Cassino

La Fiere - German win

Moments later the US lost another 3 KIA in close combat - and it looks like the Germans may end up holding La Fiere! They have only lost 2 KIA and generated a hero to boot.

 

US losses mount to 10 after some bloody close range combat. There is now no way to clear stone buildings without close combat (or direct HE fire) so it is a dicey proposition. Can't put my finger on any US errors - just the Germans are dangerous.

La Fiere - again

La Fiere 0500 June 6th 1944

A textbook double flank attack went off perfectly for the US, with only 2 KIA and almost no setbacks. In just over 30 minutes the Germans were dead or surrendering. Dolan himself led the charge round the southern flank and up the stairs of Le Manoir, crushing all resistance. 

Recent rules changes helped the US who can now hide behind the hedges with greater impunity. The Germans never really got off a good shot though they did have several chances. The ability of the US to set up 3 .30 cal MG groups widely spaced and keep the Germans pinned was a big help too.

BdF again 0640

Disaster struck the VG and their killer stack was wiped out/taken prisoner following a very effective close range shot. I think they can't accomplish much more now. Maybe we'll play it out to see.

BdF to 0630 20th December 1944