Wednesday, March 2, 2016

1940 Meuse - The campaign fought

Michael and I got together last weekend to play out the 1940 Meuse - CoC Pint-Sized Campaign... yes the whole campaign! We managed to get three games in on Saturday and one on Sunday in the Trenton Gaming Emporium (it's amazing the amount of gaming two guys can get through when left on their own).

Rather than go through three AARs, it's enough to know that the French, commanded by me, went down in flames before the German onslaught, ably coordinated by Michael. Some memorable moments occurred, chronicled in the photo review below. It is also enough to know that I am now 0-15 against Michael when he is commanding 1940 Germans. I'm sure it has mostly to do with fatherly benevolence and scenarios unbalanced in favour of the dastardly Huns. Yes, I'm quite sure that's it!

One other note springs to mind: the apparent disregard for personal safety exhibited at the French platoon command level throughout the campaign. The original platoon commander was seriously wounded and captured, his replacement killed outright, and the second replacement routed from the table. C'est incroyable!

Scenario 1 - The Patrol
 German baseline at the top of the photo, French at the bottom.

The core French force.

The core German force (unfortunately out of focus).

German armoured cars make an end run for a French Jump Off point (just visible at the bottom left of the photo).

French AT gun and rifle grenadiers deploy to cover the German advance... unfortunately too late to stop the speedy German armoured cars (visible at the top left). This was mostly due to a German pre-game barrage that apparently completely disoriented the French commander.

Meanwhile, German infantry de-busses in cover at the centre of the battlefield and French infantry deploy to counter. As it turned out, these movements meant little to the final outcome.

A French R35 deploys to counter the German armoured cars. The foremost armoured car single-handedly dropped the French morale by four points by racing forward and capturing the French JoP and taking out the R35 with its quick-firing 20mm auto-cannon. Quite spectacular!

Scenario 2 - Probing Chaumont

German infantry and pesky armoured cars race forward to threaten the central French JoP in the woods. At this point, the French platoon commander was getting quite tired of the armoured cars.

A French S35 (painted many moons ago by Captain Dan from RedOverBlue) deploys to counter the armoured cars threatening the French JoP (again.... sigh!).

Some payback! The S35 brews up a German Sd222 armoured car.

Limited French success in the campaign deserves a second photo.

No photos from scenarios 3 & 4. Probably a good thing since there was nothing positive to report from a French perspective (who cares about the German perspective? ... certainly not me!).

1940 Meuse - CoC Pint-Sized Campaign


As the German Army advanced through southern Belgium on 12 May, Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under General Guderian) approached the Meuse River near Sedan. After securing Sedan on 12 May, Guderian’s plan for 13 May was straightforward. The 2nd Panzer Division in the north was to form the right flank of the assaulting force when it reached the Meuse near Donchery. The 1st Panzer Division, reinforced by the Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland, a battalion of assault engineers, and divisional artillery of the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions, was to make the main attack by crossing the Meuse just north of Sedan and seizing the Heights of la Marfee overlooking the city. The 10th Panzer Division was to cross the Meuse south of Sedan and protect the southern flank of the corps. After a determined defence by the French 55e Division, 10th Panzer was able to begin consolidating its bridgehead and begin moving south toward the Bulson ridge. Meanwhile the French had similar ideas and were heading for the same high ground...


BREAKOUT FROM THE MEUSE

This Chain of Command campaign will focus on the fighting that happened after 10. Panzer Division crossed the Meuse near Sedan in May 1940. The campaign will last for a maximum of eight Campaign Turns. The entire campaign encompasses only two days of fighting thus no reinforcements will be available.

FRENCH FORCES

As part of 55e Division, the French player will command 2e Peleton, 1er Compagnie, 2e Battalion, 213e Régiment d’Infanterie. This will be a Regular Platoon with a Rating of +1. It will have 5 Command Dice. Support may be available from: 
7e Bataillon de Chars
3e DLM
3e DLC

 GERMAN FORCES

The German player will command a platoon of Kampfgruppe Geiger, a recon force, part of 10. Panzer  Division. This will be a Regular platoon with a Rating of +10. It will have 5 Command Dice and count as Aggressive troops. Support may be available from divisional assets:
7 Panzer Rgt
69. Schützen Rgt
90 Artillerie Rgt
49 Pionier-Abteilung
90. Aufklärungs-Bataillon

NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Forces will use the National Characteristics found in the Chain of Command main rulebook.

GERMAN CHARACTERISTICS
Mashinengewehr
Handgranaten!

FRENCH CHARACTERISTICS
Tromblon VB
La Bataille Conduit


GERMAN WILDCARDS
        
Aerial Bombardment: A concentrated Stuka attack may be used to prepare for any one Scenario. This card can be used in any Scenario. This works like a pre-game barrage but all enemy deployments from Jump Off Points are made as if from reserve (i.e. die roll must be made).

Assault Engineers: An Elite Assault Engineer section with halftrack may be added to the base force for any one Scenario. This card can be used in any Scenario.

FRENCH WILDCARDS

Armoured Counter-Attack: Two additional tanks (of any sort) are added to the basic force in any one Scenario after Scenario 2 is successfully won by the Germans. This card allows the player to seize the initiative for the next turn.

MEUSE CAMPAIGN MAP




VICTORY CONDITIONS

The Germans can enjoy a Victory if they are able to get to and win Scenario 4 anytime within the eight turn limit. If the Germans are not able to win Scenario 4 but are able to keep the French from retaking Bulson, the result is a draw. If the French are able to hold Bulson within the eight turn limit, they achieve a Victory. If the French are not able to hold Bulson but prevent the Germans from taking Maisoncelle (Scenario 4) within the eight turn limit, the result is a draw.

SCENARIO 1 – The Patrol

Game One will use The Patrol scenario as German forces move from their start lines in the Meuse bridgehead near Pont Maugis. Terrain will be in the country side with fields, light woods or orchards, and small farmsteads. Special Rules (first time at Scenario 1 only): 1) The German player may not choose a pre-game barrage as a support choice; 2) The French player must choose at least one concrete bunker (but no more than three) as a support choice, if possible.



SCENARIO 2 – The Probe

The German Force will be probing Chaumont. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields of the outskirts of Chaumont (some buildings). Town roads will be paved or cobblestone. The stream is small and a minor hindrance to movement. 


SCENARIO 3 – Attack & Defend

Having taken Chaumont, the Germans push forward toward Bulson and find heavier resistance as they Scenario French forces on the high ground around Bulson. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields at the outskirts of Bulson. Town roads will be paved or cobblestone. The main road is a significant feature but the stream is small and a minor hindrance to movement. Special Rules (first time at Scenario 3 only): 1) If the French player chooses the FOO and 81mm mortar battery, the FOO may be deployed off-table with line of sight to the entire table; 2) The German player must choose at least one anti-tank gun from the support lists, if possible.


 SCENARIO 4 – A Delaying Action

The Germans have pushed the French forces from the heights near Bulson and are now pursuing the retreating French toward Maisoncelle. This Scenario represents the determined French efforts to slow down the German offensive. Terrain will be woods/orchards and fields at the outskirts of Maisoncelle. Roads will be paved or cobblestone.