Thursday 16 May 2019

France 1940 - Panzer Blitz Rules (Play Test) - Hexes and Models (Part 3 of 3) The Germans Pull Back

The French seem to be having the run of the Random Number Generator today (see below, following the laws of statistics this top end result means another burning Panzer):


A last futile attacking gesture is made on the flank of the S-35s but to no avail (see below, the German numbers just don't seem to be coming up today):


In return a burning Pz II lights up the battlefield (see below, the S-35 Company seems to be a mobile part of the Maginot Line ensconced on the hill top):


The German Commander decides to gather the surviving German Panzers and retire behind a hastily constructed PAK screen (see below, getting what you can out of the fire is what counts now):


Even in this manoeuvre the German strength is frittered away by lucky parting French shots (see below, the German armour being hindered as there is no effective cover to use):


A German Panzer Grenadier Company occupies a French village so at least the Germans have a secure "jumping off point" for next time and a good FOO position (see below, it is reassuring to know armour is very poor at wrinkling out infantry from solid cover - but this time the German PAK gun line  suffers from the French 75mm back in its indirect fire role):


With one Panzer Grenadier Company holding the town the German Motorcycle Company mounts up to hold a wood on the flank of the town [off camera] and protect itself from being overrun by the French armour (see below, the German "high point" is strewn with burnt out German Panzers):


In hindsight the French were a far superior force with good tank and artillery. The Germans took on too tough a nut and did not back away pouring "good money after bad" into what was a lost cause. The only consolation the German player can take from the battle is that the French are now in fixed known defensive positions. The Luftwaffe and Heavy/Medium Artillery should soon pay them a visit. Battle honours go to the French here!

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