Last night at Time Warp Hobbies Malcolm's the BEF's Northrumbian Inf met Rob's new 2PzD in a EW France 1940 "Encounter" scenario
Northrumbian Inf:
HQ & 2iC Rifle tm
3ea Plt of R/MG & ATR
1ea 3" Mortar Plt
1ea AAA Plt (4ea Bofors)
2Plt's Matilda II's (3ea & 2ea)
2PzD Ar Co:
HQ (PzIIC) 2iC (PzI HQ tank)
1Plt 4ea PzIIC
1Plt 3ea PzIIIE
1Plt 2ea 88Flak18 (sf)
1Plt Pioneer (HQ & 4 tms)
1Plt PzSchutzen (HQ & 3 tms)w/1 SdKfz/10 (3.7mm) and 2ea Sdkfz half tracks
1Plt M/C Recon Plt (HQ & 3 tms)
Rob started the "Encounter" battle by rushing his M/C Recon hard followed by his PzIII that double time across the battlefield (getting away from the Matilda IIs) towards the OBJ in the woods on the far right flank.
Malcolm countered by feinting an attack with Matilda II's on his opposite far flank towards OBJ#1 then turning on turn three towards OBJ#2 in the center behind the village.
Robs first reserve was his dreaded 88 Flk18(sf) which look to have arrived in the right place to counter the Matilda's but once the BEF changed their attack fell out of the fight for about 5 turns. Rob next pushed his PzSchutzen Plt in a double time move to support his M/C Recon Plt who had rushed in, assaulted Brit Inf and captured OBJ#1 in the woods.
The Northrumbians reserves were very slow to arrive but once they did they entered in PRIME spots allowing them to quickly get into the battle! The 2nd PLT entered the fight and with Matilda Support recaptured OBJ#1. Only to be forced out by the PzSchutzen in a daring assault (one track did bog) in the woods. The BEF 2nd INF Plt fought to the last Plt Ldr stand. After 4 rounds the INF HQ's Tm broke off but was able pass the "last man standing" test, leaving the battle as a Undestroyed Plt! The woods surrounding OBJ#! were full of dead and wound from both sides… but the PzSchutzen now contested the OBJ#1. If only they had a way to get rid of the two Matilda's just outside the woods who also contested it?
On the other side of the woods (center of the board) a BIG tank battle had stared between the Matilda's and PzIII's soon to be followed by PzII's. Malcolm's big Matilda II's while terrorizing Bosche Inf could not kill a tank! I believe he shot at least 5 turns at the PzIII's and only bailed TWO tanks!!!
The Matilda's were assaulted by Pioneers when they poured out from a near-by village. After passing a tank terror test the Pioneers threw the HQ and 3 teams at the three tank. Each Pioneer team successfully hit a tank with their AT of 4! But the Matilda all saved and counterattacked killing two Pioneer tm's and forcing the Platoon to fall back to the village.
Back in the center Rob kept pushing his Panzers who were now joined by the 88's. The 88s got into a "pissing" contest with the 3" motors and took out two tubes. The PzIII and PzII's shot up and destroyed the Bofors and attached Co Commander.
The next turn knowing that the end was near and needing to force a CO Morale check the Germans assaulted the last BEF Inf Platoon. By this time the Matilda's were able to get close enough to support the Inf and were able to destroy two of the 4 PzII's. One of the PzIII's became bogged in the woods leaving only two in the attack! The PzII assault went bad, they only killed one Tm and the BEF counter attack with a Boys ATR killed a PzII, ad forced the last tank to break off. Then the PzIII assaulted! This battle went 4 rounds before the Northrumbian Inf destroyed one PzIII and forcing the last tank to fall back, the bogged tank was captured.
A classic EW FoW battle! Both sides fought a great game and were in the battle to win for most of the game. The 2PzD did everything their Commander ask of them. Assaulted a Tank Platoon, captured the OBJ twice but in the end their small numbers fell to a much larger force.
Many of us Richmond gamers have been play-testing our EW France 1940 armies for a few weeks in prep for the 1940 Tournaments in Jan. This was the 2nd straight win for a BEF force after a very long losing streak of about 8 games. Giving us allied players some hope of actually being able to defend France from the Bosche?
Sorry no "Combat Photos"
Merry Christmas to all and have a safe and fun holiday!
Ron
