Pendraken Miniatures Forum

All,

I am back!   I haven't posted a batrep in ages; I've played a few games with different rules, but they all left me cold, aggravated, and frustrated, so each time I threw in the towel and went back to painting.  I suppose I've known all along what I needed to do to get my mojo back: go home ;) If you're not aware, 5Core Company Command is home, my happy place, the set of rules that's never let me down.  I'm not sure why it took me so long to go back home; too caught up in wanting to try different rules, I suppose, but damn I'm glad I did.  For the first time in a LONG time I played a wargame and actually had a bunch of fun doing it, and I absolutely can't wait to play more.

Part of my issue was also venue; that is, ongoing campaigns that actually didn't fit well with 5Core Company Command (5CCC).  I'd played a ton of 5CCCC on my 'Cuba Libre' blog, but there is a bunch of admin stuff and painting I need to do before I get back to that.  I'd played a bunch of 'Kampfgruppe Klink' with 5CCC, but it doesn't feel right anymore, I want something bigger (higher echelon, but without losing individuality and without taking too long; this is where I've spent most of my time so far, haven't found a suitable solution) for Operation Barbarossa.  Then there were others, like 'Two Brothers' (Vietnam), my Marines in WWII, French IndoChina, my Israeli War of Independence, etc..., that aren't ready or don't match up well.  So, what to do?  Start a new campaign, of course ;)

So what did I do?  It's time to follow some dogfaces trudging through and across the Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operation, kicking some Nazi butt!  And who better to lead them than Lee Marvin???

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-hn3Cjp2CIRaanv6M0JmE3NmC6sDbhcDRpPyoZroHmo44v7EG8I-NPnDa81w0rmYmKJGROt8G1vM_o39Mp7nmVkeUYoUA-lawbRHjw8jswQ6z819lXTgsnoC_K_yHV3bKrpLZHtys2VNNJLdoqSKA1wxrzGgm1oNfVEduw6PVTolJOmpqSxPd_tF/s320/LeeMarvin.jpg)
This is Major Lee Reisman, Commanding Officer of "Task Force Reisman," a combined-arms force of roughly battalion size, consisting of the following:
-1 company of tanks (four platoons, two each of M-3 Stuarts and M-3 Grants)
-2 companies of infantry (three rifle platoons, each)
-1 armored reconnaissance company (1 platoon of M-3 Scout Cars and two platoons of halftrack-mounted armored infantry)
-attached heavy weapons (a platoon each of M1 37mm ATGs, M1917 MGs, 60mm Mortars, Combat Engineers, M-7 Priest Self-Propelled Guns, and M-3 GMC Tank Destroyers)

And what shall we watch them do? Here's my (once again, overly ambitious) plan:
-Operation Torch, the landings vs Vichy France in French Morocco
-Tunisia, from assisting 'Blade Force' early on through Kasserine, to the bloody end
-Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily
-Operation Avalanche, the invasion of Italy (Salerno)
-Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio, up to Rome
-Operation Dragoon, the landings in Southern France
-Cracking the Siegfried Line/Hurtgen Forest
-The Battle of the Bulge
-Operation Grenade, Into the Ruhr

But let's not get ahead of ourselves: right now it is approximately 0400 Local Time on 8 November 1942, off the coast of French Morocco, near Port Lyautey, the assault elements already forming up in their landing craft for the run into the beach, which everyone hopes will not actually be defended by the poor souls of the Vichy French Army.  The plan for TF Reisman is for both infantry companies to land simultaneously, Dog Company on the left and Easy Company on the right, with two platoons of tanks landing between them, able to support in either direction, as appropriate, with the remainder of the Task Force in reserve and scheduled to arrive approximately two hours later in the second wave. 

Of course, things do not go according to plan: with Allied Forces coming from various locations (primarily the US and UK), the need for operational secrecy, and the ever-present threat posed by German U-Boats, there wasn't much time or opportunity for amphibious exercises and rehearsals.  Add to this the fact the transports were not combat loaded ("last on, first off"), confusion as to the nature of the landings (Allied officials were attempting political overtures to ensure French cooperation/non-aggression right up to the last minute, to the point preparatory naval and air bombardment was not conducted), and horrible weather, and the green US troops were lucky to get ashore at all!

But get ashore they did; they had a heck of a time forming up, with units missing each other in the dark and chop, then promptly headed towards shore, where French shore batteries added to the chaos by engaging the Allied Fleet.  Dodging incoming shells in the dark, in heavy seas (enough to swamp several landing craft), without land-based beacons, the inexperienced Americans were tossed up on shore in a confused mass of cold, wet, miserable, confused, and scared GIs.  Small unit leaders, or at least those able to function, immediately set about untangling the units and getting them moving inland, waiting to see would the Frenchmen turn out to be friend or foe.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP-OFBn5GxTORKbSIl0SmoRzWlxFQod1qgzQqkn6GLbGg217MIhbOueotSQLe6dPEj1-B7WH3hqWDYKqqnkd44r5jv10BoRlCUzvSd5DQ9RqxjGsaJuZurWJ0zvO1llMK3mKV3yOW5ulL0GbG6ha3C0IBUaSblUfw34xsldDA5y2u1eAZ-f3x5GDE/w400-h300/IMG_8040.JPG)
A look at the map, north is up, the Allied invasion fleet out to see to left (west).  At top right is Hill 88, and just below it is the river "Wadi Sebou."  At far right is the outskirts of the town of "Mehdi," and just below it are karst bluffs rising up out of the sand, matched by a similar escarpment at bottom center, just off the south end of Dog Company's invasion beach.  There is a coastal road running north-south just beyond the beach, with an artery running east into Mehdi.  The remainder of the area is desert pocked with broken ground and scrub brush.

Americans are in their landing craft at far left (west) and the French deployed across their baseline at far right (east).  The French artillery battery is atop Hill 88 (top right), the Rifle Platoon is dug-in on the outskirts of Mehdi (far right), and the Weapons Platoon is dug-in atop/behind the southeastern bluffs (bottom right).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR4SPYyxYIedeWk-a8zPaRYpOBfufFcdjsbfzbrz1iTw3kuhkNbK3Y7S2JD5_059U27_vnq2gSRvR7EopZBU4YhNrIGQkn4wiZ8C1Pg95bhp3GKYqos3IzOMzXscJb70KM5ByOubekM_8ot-uIo_eJLSqxtulP4uSr3pZAPP7Q9ne4oN90fhpUHxB/w400-h300/IMG_8038.JPG)
The US force: the US has a Company Commander, a company of infantry (-), a platoon of armored vehicles, and a platoon of support.  The units are understrength and intermixed, in order to demonstrate the chaotic nature of the landings.
CO: Captain May, Dog Company commander
2nd Lt Carney and his 2nd and 3rd Squads from 2nd Platoon, Dog Company
2nd Lt Morris and his 1st and 2nd Squads from 1st Platoon, Easy Company
2nd Lt Olsavsky and his 1st and 3rd Squads from 3rd Platoon, Easy Company
2nd Lt Figures and Sgt Simpson's M-3 Stuarts from 1st Tank Platoon
Sgt Dawson's M-3 Grant from 3rd Tank Platoon
Sgt Martin's M-3 GMC Tank Destroyer from the Tank Destroyer Platoon
Sgt Humphries' 1st Squad from the Combat Engineer Platoon
Cpl Tolbert 's 3rd Squad from the Machine Gun Platoon
Cpl Noonan's 2nd Squad from the 60mm Mortar Platoon

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAF2br_9mffQ9BvYXRnCSu-DcR13DC9DZXmwND67u-_NDZpXPq5IFKA2fzaeUlfsgtvPX875OY_YQpvshWVq2dCURNAGygtmuYbURMhPSi2zcsKnUKZqNWn2_3tWOD3WA7ilFNbangu3ocC1pr8wEGKsrXrBhx5daPlfRDw_G_z-LCDGIm-hbd7pc/w400-h300/IMG_8039.JPG)
The Vichy French defenders:
-Commanding Officer, Capitan Oulette, who's heart really isn't in it, but their Commandant is quite the committed Quisling, having already arrested several officers who refused to fight, now threatening executions for cowardice in the face of the enemy and vowing traitors' families will face repercussions
-A reduced Battery of one 25mm ATG and one 75mm dual-purpose gun.
-A Weapons Platoon of 2 machine guns and one 81mm mortar
-A Rifle Platoon of a Platoon Leader and three rifle squads

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2ZYy7r4lFru2ye76iZurneGM-19xsllmTOLYRgBX5yrvPb28-YBjoKrSygC410AN924DUom-BvvPZPj772gkHabruXFvKxnJECYkV6Hcdn5QZbnYxyMJSNFAd6Ul7Z2iDQei7u_flSFKG5CqilNglbMq5m5LvPjrfhzg_mOR2Pb1ouyKhe27kH9S/w400-h300/IMG_8046.JPG)
On the run in, receiving enemy fire from The Kasbah.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLO2ryMSF1I6d2TFkUS-tf95sPfO3Au9eD--x6mVrgVF4bQ2JMpK0PPk_kmU_lhDOB1Ep4FGeHidFQzmwKAi3cfE0xyMwSKkBCOTp-6V9dqzu9NOuyYXm0LzVgn6Ub31KAUR3AsVbc9eLBVy_RJUWlND3cyHgXmdyJ60N0tn4_R5y7vD9QiYDHE2V/w400-h300/IMG_8050.JPG)
And hitting the beach!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QdylZDcwi47n2tBecjAiM3gw9Zw9l2ojyiehVPd4mNqfrybtzCr4vwlmN_WvvU0tkdC_ucmE2v1v77wdVLvvwoKavmKnl9OAvmi2_ZRaPJIcSVDThdDGqcP5njNREev0wYRgzX29m6QFMP0-zu5SeUGNlWi27NI3YvhBG8CT92M2NfOhmZeKD1Uh/w400-h300/IMG_8053.JPG)
The French guns on the bluffs hammer away mercilessly at the untried dogfaces.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UnQ_OV847qCS68uQtRte-_VcqgGtpwBoUK4Ca4f9vr33bgnOqFw_SlG3W6Ejds-ZzJo9ON4qfbh4uh1-OLOfAxif_QFRSHVQxdSmIePhgqHI1UZLId2VhqlfvVUNyAgr_6OgTBDTu9cU5gsWiVd8W66YJqiBEQ8xxomTY_KoUPGLswPtWsCGaCXL/w400-h300/IMG_8066.JPG)
The CO, Captain Mays, braves intense enemy fire to move over and rally Lt Carney's 2nd Platoon, ordering, begging, pulling, and kicking his men to claw their way off the beaches!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv22mRsWI8h5syiOClXr2_A1OhWfkykeYyCVXist9u_tYHxwJsbutl6jnCJnfEneQ3lRtfdjiEErcsx3U94uCI_-OW22jzjOWAj3R_CIGMU8TJCxerhQE6GxYdvawMHNWPGagZ1J3ASKTNoc1XKiBUl19bVvW6XiVttT0GsyQaJzTRoQY90Wm-R_gg/w400-h300/IMG_8107.JPG)
The climax of the battle is reached as US troops advance to the enemy trenchline.  Will the doughboys prevail, or will the Frenchmen throw the invaders back?  Well, you'll have to click on the link to find out ;)
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/01/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-1.html

Man, what I fight!  As simple as it was, I can't tell you how much I needed that, I really had a lot of fun and feel like I'm back to my old (wargaming) self.  It's been quite a long time. Even if I did force the French to put up a much stiffer fight than they chose to do in real life.  In any case, next fight coming soon.

V/R,
Jack

Good to have you back.

Ambitious as ever, and a great read.

Great start to your new project there Jack - your battle report writing skills have certainly not deserted you! Your table and figures look very nice - is that a beach mat you're using?

Gaming should be fun, not a drag, so good for you going back to 5 Core rules if they are your first choice.

look forward to reading more of Major Reisman's war.

Jack is definitely back :)

 :-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>

QuoteJack is definitely back :)

That he is!


Great start to what is expected to be an epic campaign 

You guys are the best!  I sincerely mean that, I appreciate the outpouring of support.  'Real life' has made it to where I don't get to play as much as I used to/as much as I'd like, and with the lack of time to play and post I haven't had time to spend much time perusing and interacting on the forums, and I've really missed the fellowship.  But you guys are great, and I appreciate how you welcome me back, like I was never gone; I don't have the words to properly convey my gratitude!

With a little bit of down time these past couple weeks, I've knocked out about a dozen games; still working on the batreps, but I figure I should be able to get them written and post probably one per week, which will hopefully carry me far enough into the year that I have more to play, so that's sort of my plan going forward.

"Ambitious as ever..."
I know no other way, it is my essence ;)

"...is that a beach mat you're using?"
Yes it is, a 6' x 4' mat that's almost a 50/50 split between land and sea.  It's from a company here in the States called "War Sigil Mats," and kind of expensive (about 120 USD).

Thanks for all the kind words, and I'm glad to hear you guys enjoyed the fight.  More to come!

V/R,
Jack

*Group Hug*  >:<

We all know the pressures of real life and how they impact on gaming and hobby time. 

I like the casual 'I've knocked out a dozen games'

I've managed two in a week and thought that was good going

I'm off to have a look at the 5 core range now

That is a great opening game for sure old chap! As with your other canpaigs, I'm looking forward to seeing how the Battlegroup progresses.

Over the years I was always on the look out for the 'perfect' set of rules for my WWII games, only to realise that actually BKCII ticked all the boxes for me, so since then I've used these for small engagements of a couple of Companies up to several Battalions aside.

So glad you've gone back to your first love of 5CCC, which for you ticks all the boxes for sure. Great to have you back!

Good stuff

Great report Jack, good to have you back

Fred - Calm down, we can't be doing anything that could make the missus jealous!  ;D  ;D  ;D But I am serious, about being appreciative of the fellowship; you guys see I play pretty much all my games solo; I've got friends in 'real life,' but none of them are wargamers, so you guys are my only opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals, and I was definitely missing it.  I highly recommend 5Core, but they're not for everyone, and the mechanics can seem a bit overwrought and strange at first glance (I hated them when I first played them, just wasn't grasping what the point was until I actually had the good fortune to speak with the author about them) so, to that end, if you have any questions or issues, I'd be happy to help.  I'm told I have the ability to explain some of the mechanics in a much more simple and straightforward manner than they are put forth in the rules.

Steve - Thank you Sir, much appreciated.  Yeah, I don't know what it is about wargaming that keeps us looking for something else, even when we're quite happy with what we've already got.  "Ooh Shiny!" is REAL ;)  5Core is definitely my sweet spot, but I must admit I keep looking back at BKC as well (and volume 2 is still my favorite; didn't have the first version, but I bought and played the heck out of BCK II for awhile, and bought III and IV).  I've really enjoyed your 'BKC on a small table' campaign in Italy.

And thanks to the Lords as well, I appreciate it ;)

V/R,
Jack

Jack,
I believe all the forum is happy to see you and your stimulating reports return to the Pendraken pages.  Thanks.

Thanks Kipt, I'm happy to hear that!  It's my pleasure to post the batreps and talk about wargaming.

V/R,
Jack

I'm not sure if you've seen or heard about this series Jack, but your planned campaign reminded me of this, so I thought I'd share it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liberator_(miniseries) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liberator_(miniseries))

Thanks for posting that, Steve!  I hadn't seen that before, will have to see if I can find it.  I suppose the 3rd Infantry Division is the one I've most closely followed with regards to 'Hell on Wheels,' but it's not entirely perfect (that is, I'm still doing my own thing a bit).

V/R,
Jack

That looks and reads fantastic Jack! An impressive amount of work. Looking forward to following this.

Thanks a bunch, Martin, I really appreciate it! 

I played game this morning, it was fantastic!!! 

I'm looking at posting fight #2 on Wednesday, hope to stick to a regular Wednesday 'release' schedule ;)

V/R,
Jack

All,

0930 Local Time
8 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

"@#$%," exclaimed Major Reisman, frustrated with the slow pace of operations being carried out by his combined arms task force.  They'd landed nearly five hours ago; sure, confusion about what posture the French defenders would adopt caused apprehension, dismal weather caused delays and units to become intermixed, and then there was the natural hesitation and fear of the unknown caused by green troops seeing their first combat, but the Major was severely nonplussed, nonetheless.  On the Task Force's left, Dog Company had run into very stiff resistance, but dogged determination by its commander (Captain May, who was awarded a Bronze Star w/V for his combat leadership in the battle) led to the Yanks carrying the day, while on the right, Easy Company had the good fortune to land opposite a French unit that was only too happy to cast aside its weapons and surrender (despite the threats of retribution from their Commandant).

But that was exactly the point: following Dog Company's victory, Major Reisman had ordered Easy Company to rush forward and seize the back end (east) of the town of Mehdi, thus bottling up the French garrison there.  But that was over two hours ago, and here was Captain Kirkland, Easy's commander, still standing on the landing beach!  "What the hell are you doing, Captain!  And why aren't you behind Mehdi by now!!!???"  "Sir! We're still attempting to untangle the units and..."  "Look here, Kirkland!  If you want to keep those Captain's bars you will drop whatever nonsense you're up to, grab the nearest men with guns you can find, and go, secure the @#$%ing east end of that @#$%ing town!  Do you understand me?"  "Yessir!"  And off Captain Kirkland went...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAma-Ra8L3ld0Yi1VpV6X-AQhY9guwIR5aVpROXmdfKU4TL-vE87wssgZLICnxruzKu5fy1B1E5drrt3-bDv-Fl8MyWYCbDL23PhwmvugSsgjMmJRg_YNjs7SLRL88Imb7e0DOF9NmNfKGNiYzT4VvUYUvWblI4EIqsQRG7AQGT5spnRYOZFO1eVS2/w400-h300/IMG_8250.JPG)
The table, north is up.  The town of Mehdi stretches across the top of the table, with Hill 27 at bottom left, Hill 32 at bottom right, and sheer bluffs present at top right. 

The Americans are bunched into the southwestern (bottom left) corner.  The French garrison of two rifle platoons, their CO, and the ATG are in the town, right up against the northwestern table edge (top left), with the MG and Mortar holding Hill 32 in the southeast (bottom right) and the Laffly armored car sitting astride the hardball road in the northeast (top right, between the bluffs).

The concept here is this: the French garrison in the town is caught completely off guard, expecting a head-on attack from Easy Company (which is just off camera to the west-northwest, or top left), with heavy weapons support in the southeast (bottom right) and a (very small) armored reserve in the northeast (top right).  But the threat is not coming from ahead of them, it's coming from their left flank, and they are caught with their pants down!

But all is not great for the Americans: Major Reisman's intent was for Captain Kirkland's force to drive east and then north to seal off the back (east) end of Mehdi, pocketing the garrison, but the good Major didn't allow Captain Kirkland to properly organize his forces, so he's got a mixture of troops from different companies and, more importantly, his infantry platoons are understrength and lacking transport.  So Captain Kirkland intends on pushing his mechanized forces east and north to encircle Mehdi, but his infantry are going to have to take a more direct route, lest they arrive well after the battle is over...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bglfKSka7YWWEcUmqRyGGUVW6OGbGnwP3w26wJUU5V6cp2EHwuJzMxLdyRrzzkWKhZzt2GDIBGby_pch3a73BtMJ0u1bPd71h0S48VoX8-ItofaH5T7JFUNgIH3S3Bxl04Xu1N2UxhHB3PJzU5atGrL2ZyaBYkoQY67FGDU_hZRI2E6z-9XJacH4/w400-h300/IMG_8261.JPG)
The American attack jumps off and immediately runs into trouble.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrl13NzMHp4Gx5YJm62iRFIpgYcXvDWM6pduxhMT0wcT8Xv3g_qCjYs8uB9AbvsDu53vtm6DmjRF-oq85uEZvf8lbspSMZZIDH2BPyjtyTOaH7T9h0qj1up6ln4ZB4xprlYRXT_9vP1mj2EeZN9jgyTz3XHKjE__vicuZ-4YmMJqv-cd9ipiZo32H/w400-h300/IMG_8264.JPG)
"Sacre bleu!"  The French commander, over the initial shock of Amis appearing on his undefended left flank, makes a tactical decision: this is no longer an attack-defense battle, it is a fighting withdrawal!  The French commander's goal is now to get as many of his men safely to the rear (off table to the east).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4DzOTHb2TiynT3rCEeR4fEjmzDPHF7Dwj_wx_Wx4zZ6c1WhTVueBP767BFCXgF1Yt9aC2gBgcrbcfnt-48uxKl6O-639YLdil10biwdWG8CFjFYmbsE9235-ulaXB3Ykj7EN5JUu16xEuP08U2yYN16qcp2FqZIJkeTOzwtkGFFmddU-Xzv1Ich6/w400-h300/IMG_8270.JPG)
French armor pops out of its ambush positions and makes its presence felt...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBJA1LcE6vyX_Gsore9LaBaRmsgnN3IBJAAun5qTvLVGhmtGvmBYFKP2GntTwqA792ubU56RmNDzDIReSxeXg76HxKkhdDll5TnxcwNteHlhhFEAm9r9ZSUlVNmuiJGqurjC823lVETemmr1Z-cxr2G3enZ3QjNyVNOYSVEOAfhqoCHoxQKgkam9Q/w400-h300/IMG_8279.JPG)
With their infantry leaving town, the French anti-tank gunners spike their gun and haul ass down the street, looking to escape the encirclement.  Will they make it?

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qcmq56KMm4BQFkUDBGXQgJiB-9ZIFyXxGeLQs53HnCIbSezpwCgUsmy3CtfkjzogYjy54XrQp_ZtGgMOHHXqFSwLsakgT5SR1mwmaMQbAlvLrWHGj2WVdsRMOEdz_t3c0Tp3W6ZhUGYXGPriOc1IWBdblNEDrKt1JcBpslDJxy6HM8Kn6GMv7--c/w400-h300/IMG_8300.JPG)
Or can the Yankee armor (bottom left) slam the door shut?

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvVSpy_Mk7_464SJtoorYC868Rw8kJ6fEZZHO7w5B7aWb1W2cDfFop4K4XruePOmVeNUjPx_c7pOEcYujP1DFZfiQWdDzw_Ko6wrvbTqccKOyE2H5WrQIoICiYQWPpSqW8r4YKG-neyyeGMVL_epvgOSMokRWAAkZkpjdFO_f4tGVknBeXQZMO0zO/w400-h300/IMG_8315.JPG)
A desperate and bloody melee (look at all those casualties!) breaks out as the advancing US infantry closes with the French rear-guard position...

But you're gonna have to check the blog to see how it turned out ;)
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/01/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-2.html

Next fight coming soon!

V/R,
Jack

Allez le bleu!
What a fight

:-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>

I like the way you have characterised the Americans :-bd

I also agree with MGs suppressing armour in the right circumstances

Definitely "An entertaining, and very interesting fight!" :)

Another great looking game, Jack, I do like the market stalls, add a nice splash of colour!

I enjoyed the write up, as you note fighting withdrawals don't always work as games, but this one seemed to work very well. 

I had a look at the Five Core rules (and discovered I'd bought a copy previously). I must admit I'm struggling a bit to reconcile what I get from reading the rules, to what I see in your games. Not least as your games seem to be much larger than the recommended game size from the rules. I'm also not seeing you track activations (this may be happening, just not in the photos or narrative). And in general the rules don't grab my attention at all, yet your battles very much do!

Another cracking game there Jack with lovely photos to boot! I agree with the MG being able to suppress in games terms: afterall there are plenty of circumstances of AFVs retreating when hit by MG's or just HE.

Another tough fight there Jack....your table really looks like French North Africa!

Given you are using Lee Marvin's photo I'm prompted to ask if ex-Sgt Bruschi will become Major Reisman's first recruit for his "Dirty Dozen" squad after his in-game performance?

Sounds like the next chapter might be equally tough given the comment in the last sentence of your blog.   

Lord Speedy - Thank you, Sir!

Paul - I appreciate it!  Yeah, popular opinion appears to be on my side in terms of MGs being able to pin/suppress armored vehicles; from my standpoint I believe it to be true, and particularly armored vehicles unescorted by friendly infantry.  Regarding the characters, still probably not enough 'color' in the characters as I'd like (once the dice start rolling I tend to forget about it sometimes), but I'm definitely making an effort and it certainly adds to the fun.

Fred - Thanks man!  Yeah, fighting withdrawal scenarios don't always work out well, but this one was lucky and a lot of fun.  I'll come back to your comments on 5CCCC in a minute, in a separate post, I might be able to help.

Steve - Thank you, and yes, I agree, plenty of accounts of (particularly unescorted) armor falling back when taken under MG/HE, and sometimes even small arms, fire.  Turns out most people don't enjoy being shot at, even from inside the 'comfy' confines of a big metal box ;)

Pierre - I appreciate the kind words!  I'm happy with the tables, probably a bit too 'busy' and with too much green scrub, but it's the wargamer in me, I can't help but try to make it a bit prettier, I suppose ;)  Now there's something I hadn't thought of, you're a genius!  All the guys that get busted for cowardice are sent to the brig and are awaiting execution or have life sentences, only to be sprung for one desperate mission ;)  Oh, just wait for the next fight, it's my favorite!

Thanks again guys!

V/R,
Jack

And yes, I'm going to take the quite goofy position of replying to my own post ;)

Fred (and anyone else that has an interest in 5Core but is a bit confused by it) - I run into this quite frequently.  Mr. Sorensen, the author of the 5Core stable of rules (amongst others) is quite brilliant but, in my opinion, occasionally... how do you guys say it?  Over-eggs the pudding, or something like that?  He is very much a detail-guy and loves added 'chrome,' like "roll a D6 and if the unit hasn't taken casualties today and you roll a 5 they are in high spirits and get a one-time bonus move of 3" that doesn't draw reaction fire."  For my part, I tend to ignore all that type of stuff and just work with the bare bones of the gaming mechanisms, and play fast and loose, salt-and peppering to taste while I'm playing, rather than looking things up in the book and becoming frustrated when I can't remember all the special rules, circumstances, and exceptions.  I can afford to do this as I play almost all of these games solo ;)

In any case, I think the rules have a great core but people get put off because 1) they are different to most other sets out there (the activation system itself takes a bit to get used to and rationalize, and I HATED it when I first began playing them), and 2) the way the rules are written can be a bit confusing with all the 'chrome' Ivan has added in there.  I think people start focusing on the detail and miss the bare bones; if I may, here I'll throw out a sort of 'get started with 5Core guide' that has helped some folks jump into the rules and enjoy them, and I hope it helps you, too.  As always, I'm happy to help and glad to answer any questions you may have, so let's get started!  The basics are this:

Pick a side and roll a D6.
  -If you roll a 1, everyone can move without drawing react fire, but then every enemy that saw it gets to move without drawing react fire too, and then it's the enemy's turn.  Roll a D6, rinse and repeat.
  -If you roll a 6, everybody that can shoot gets to shoot, then every enemy that can shoot gets to shoot, then it's the enemy's turn.
  -If you roll a 2-5, count the number of your units and divide by three, that's how many units you can activate to move and shoot/shoot and move.  Enemy units that can see you can react, but then they don't get to activate during their turn.  Now it's the enemy's turn, roll a D6 and carry out.  If they roll a 2-5, any of your units that didn't activate during your turn can react during the enemy's turn.

Shooting is simple: you have the two kinds of dice (Shock and Kill; I roll black dice for Shock and red dice for Kill), and you roll them at the same time, looking for 1s and 6s.
  -1 Shock: The unit is pinned, it cannot move but can fire or rally when activated, can't react, -1 in close combat
  -6 Shock: The unit is suppressed, it cannot move or shoot, only rally when activated, can't react, -2 in close combat.
  -1 Kill: The unit is taking casualties and panicking ("Men Down!"), cannot move, shoot, rally, or react (can only be rallied by another friendly unit moving into base contact with it), -3 in close combat.
  -6 Kill: The unit is knocked out of the fight.

Rallying requires you to roll a D6 to see what happened; 2-5 is successful, 1s and 6s are bad news, carry them out just as you would being shot at, with the exception being that suppressed units that roll another 6 actually fall back 6 inches and stay suppressed.

Close combat is a D6 vs D6 roll with modifiers for troop quality and morale state (described above).

The overall commander (on each side) in 5CCC gets a 'free' activation each turn, which is very useful for rallying troops, and provides a bonus to troops in close combat.  I've also used additional command stands similarly, as a sort of 'bonus,' in order to help model qualitative differences between opposing forces on the tabletop.

The vehicle rules are seamless because they use the exact same mechanisms as the infantry rules, they just move a bit farther, which keeps the game simple and quick. To keep it simple, play as above, but I can tell what I've added to make it more enjoyable for me: vehicles hit on a '1' on a Kill dice are immobilized, and I roll 1D6 to see if the crew stays or bales (usually I say they need a 1 or 6 to stay, 2-5 bale), and for tank on tank games, if you shoot at a tank and miss, the target gets a free return shot (doesn't count as an activation/reaction).

The biggest issue you're going to face is trying to decide how many Shock and Kill dice to roll when shooting, i.e., how to modify up and down based on the type of firing unit and the tactical situation, how to modify for different armor-piercing capability vs different levels of armor.  First, here's my overall view: don't get bogged down in silly details! 

You're a company commander, not a squad, vehicle, or gun team leader, either the firing unit has the capability to render the target combat ineffective or it doesn't (and thus warrants Kill Dice), and/or the firing unit has the capability to affect the target's combat capability (to pin it down or suppress it) or it doesn't (and thus warrants Shock Dice).  The book will tell you that rifle squads shoot with 1 Kill dice and 1 Shock dice at infantry targets in the open and with 1 Shock dice at infantry targets in cover.  But I mess with (adjust) that all the time, based on my own perceptions and biases.  They're at point-blank range? Add a Kill dice.  They're veterans?  Add a Shock dice.  They caught the enemy completely unaware, out in the open?  Add a Kill and a Shock dice.  There are three enemy squads all bunched up?  Add another Kill and two more Shock dice.  Same goes for MGs, mortars, field guns, tanks firing on infantry, etc...  If a tank firing on enemy infantry in cover doesn't have friendly infantry nearby, I typically mark the firing tank down in shooting dice as I figure they might have a hard time acquiring the enemy infantry.  Hell, sometimes I make units make a spotting test in order to engage! Roll 1D6, if it's a hard spot they need a 1 or 6, if it's an easy spot they need a 2-5 (hopefully you've picked up on everything in 5Core being about 1s and 6s).

For example, we could say that an M8 Armored Car firing its 37mm main gun at the frontal armor of a Tiger I at point-blank range cannot knock out the target, so warrants 0 Kill dice, but could adversely impact the Tiger's crew, so warrants 1 Shock dice, maybe even a second Shock dice if we're feeling charitable due to the shooting occurring at point-blank range, the quick-firing capability of the armored car, and let's say they've got a cool, veteran crew that knows it's survival rests on not panicking and delivering fast, accurate fire on the Tiger's vision blocks, for example.

Some folks look at this aspect as very limiting, and they spend countless hours poring through the rule book to determine what the author directs regarding the specific situation, and to each his own.  I, however, do feel similarly restrained, and part of what I love about the rules is that I can do whatever I want within the framework of these basic mechanisms, they're apparently impossible to break.

The only thing I'm not happy with in these rules is they don't work particularly well for pure armor vs armor fights; I have a solution for that as well, but that's a topic for another day.

Well, hopefully you find that helpful, even if it's only helpful enough to realize the rules aren't for you.  But I absolutely love them and they give me a great bit of fun, super dramatic.  They never let you do everything you want to do, but you can always do something, so every turn is a full of making (and living with) your numerous tactical decisions.  You really get the glory of winning and the agony of defeat, and you'll constantly be questioning yourself about what the 'right move' was in any of a half-dozen certain, important situations was each game.  It's funny, in the batreps, sometimes the characters have momentous ups and/or downs along the way, and some of it is due to me 'letting the character show through,' but some of it just my poor decision-making, or a bold plan that didn't quite work out the way I'd hoped, and the poor character just has to live with it ;)

V/R,
Jack

QuotePierre - I appreciate the kind words!  I'm happy with the tables, probably a bit too 'busy' and with too much green scrub, but it's the wargamer in me, I can't help but try to make it a bit prettier, I suppose ;)  Now there's something I hadn't thought of, you're a genius!  All the guys that get busted for cowardice are sent to the brig and are awaiting execution or have life sentences, only to be sprung for one desperate mission ;)  Oh, just wait for the next fight, it's my favorite!

Thanks again guys!

V/R,
Jack

I'll take that complement thanks Jack, been called a few things over the years, but genius is not in the top 10 very often!  ;D

If your happy using 5 Core the way you do then don't change them! Your game reports using them have a real "joi de vie" and you're obviously in your happy place playing them your way.

Thanks for the run down of how you play them.

I'm still loving those simple WW2 air war rules you put me onto a few years ago. Looking at a slightly audacious project using them later in the year with some existing stuff that has been hiding in my lead pile for too long, but need to do some painting first rather than using card counters.

Those Phantoms, Sabres etc that I got off you could be a bit busy in due course too once we wrap up our For King & Parliament scenarioes, though not in quite the same spot as you were intending to use them.....   

 
     

Thanks Jack, that is a very good rules primer / intro. I'll have another look at the rules now I have this to refer to!

Great post Jack. Not going to get me playing 5Core in the immediate future but gives me a much better picture of the mechanics behind your games. Love both your approach and your AARs.

I remember the aircraft AARs fondly too. I kept meaning to ask what  the rules were that you and Peter used but never did. So ..... what rules did you use? :)

QuoteI remember the aircraft AARs fondly too. I kept meaning to ask what  the rules were that you and Peter used but never did. So ..... what rules did you use? :)

https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,20946.msg328904.html#msg328904 (https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,20946.msg328904.html#msg328904)

Thank you Raider4.

Pierre - "Thanks for the run down of how you play them."
Not a problem. While it certainly dips into "my way," the overall point I was trying to make is that what I wrote is the guts of the game, just the transmission gets a little garbled when reading the rules, so hopefully this helps make the core mechanisms a bit clearer and easier to understand.

And I can't wait to see you back in action with those (modified) 'Battle of Britain' rules, was loving your campaign following the squadron of Zeros.  Can't wait to see where you're going with the Phantoms/Sabres/etc...

Fred - No problem, happy to help, let me know if I may be of further service!

Ithoriel - Thanks man, I appreciate it!  If you're trying to understand the mechanics and count my activations, I'll throw in that, so long as I believe the variables fit, I'll allow group moves, usually meaning a platoon with their leader can move everybody at once (but not shoot and can't move into close combat, though I'll even do that sometimes for super highly-trained/experienced/motivated troops if I feel like it makes sense given the tactical situation) for the cost of a single activation. 

And I guess that leads to another of my wargaming philosophies: nothing happens on my table because the rules allow it/nothing doesn't happen because the rules don't allow it, it happens because I believe it could happen in real life.  Of course you want to live within the framework of the rules, and if the dice say I only get to move four stands this turn then I only move four stands, but what I mean is something like "the rules make no provision for infantry to to pin/suppress a tank with small arms fire," but I'm convinced that the infantry could actually cause the tank some problems because they just startled the tank crew by materializing from an unexpected direction and/or much closer than the tankers thought any enemy infantry could be, then guess what, I'm letting those infantry fire with 1S (a 33% chance of a pin or suppression).

And those were the "Battle of Britain" rules, thanks to Raider for digging up that old thread!

V/R,
Jack

Quote from: bigjackmac on 12 January 2023, 04:19:08 AMAnd I guess that leads to another of my wargaming philosophies: nothing happens on my table because the rules allow it/nothing doesn't happen because the rules don't allow it, it happens because I believe it could happen in real life.  Of course you want to live within the framework of the rules, and if the dice say I only get to move four stands this turn then I only move four stands, but what I mean is something like "the rules make no provision for infantry to to pin/suppress a tank with small arms fire," but I'm convinced that the infantry could actually cause the tank some problems because they just startled the tank crew by materializing from an unexpected direction and/or much closer than the tankers thought any enemy infantry could be, then guess what, I'm letting those infantry fire with 1S (a 33% chance of a pin or suppression).
V/R,
Jack

When I said I liked your approach that was what I was referring to.

As I keep quoting - "rules are for the advice of wise men and the adherence of fools" :-)

Also, I've read several accounts of tankers of various nations deciding not to hang around to see if the guys with the rifles and machine guns also have satchel charges or panzerfausts!

I think the option you picked for infantry suppressing a tank feels right. 

And I think this is the challenge with most rules, is getting something that feels right to most players most of the time. On the infantry vs armour point I've played a set were it was far too easy for infantry to suppress armour at range (and this wasn't a 1:1 set) it just made the game weird. Was even advised by the author to fire my MGs and mortars at the tanks as it would be just as effective at suppressing them as firing against an AT gun and some soft skins (I think it was 50% chance per shot)

BKC (IIRC) offers a slim chance a 6 to hit followed by a 6 to suppress for small arms vs armour - this can be a bit annoying as players will take the roll each time they can, even with a very low chance to do anything. This is at a platoon level so may be OK, but does feel a bit low?

Ithoriel - "When I said I liked your approach that was what I was referring to."
Ahh, gotcha!

"As I keep quoting - "rules are for the advice of wise men and the adherence of fools" :-)"
Indeed, just not sure where I fall on that spectrum ;)

"Also, I've read several accounts of tankers of various nations deciding not to hang around to see if the guys with the rifles and machine guns also have satchel charges or panzerfausts!"
Yes, no doubt, and particularly unescorted tanks.  And I can't claim it as a mechanism, I think I first read it in Peter Pig's "Poor Bloody Infantry," which are a nifty little set of rules that don't get enough attention/acclaim, in my opinion.  Part of that is down to the fact it kinda begs for some different basing, and loads of casualty figures.

Fred, "And I think this is the challenge with most rules, is getting something that feels right to most players most of the time."
That's the beauty of it; I'm either playing solo, or with my sons, though I perfectly understand your point, just being a bit of a wise-ass ;)

"On the infantry vs armour point I've played a set were it was far too easy for infantry to suppress armour at range (and this wasn't a 1:1 set) it just made the game weird. Was even advised by the author to fire my MGs and mortars at the tanks as it would be just as effective at suppressing them as firing against an AT gun and some soft skins (I think it was 50% chance per shot)"
That's interesting, I'm not sure I've ever seen a set of rules where it was too easy for MGs/mortars to have a pinning/suppressing-type effect on armor; usually the armor is treated as completely impervious, even to some relatively large bore (but low velocity) guns lobbing HE-fire in direct-fire mode.

"BKC (IIRC) offers a slim chance a 6 to hit followed by a 6 to suppress for small arms vs armour - this can be a bit annoying as players will take the roll each time they can, even with a very low chance to do anything. This is at a platoon level so may be OK, but does feel a bit low?"
It's funny, when you wrote the previous paragraph, the first set of rules that came to mind was BKC, but I wasn't sure as I'd never played the original, picked up in BKC II (which I still think are the best of the line).  Regarding a 6 followed by another 6, yeah, that's pretty damn rough, but having said that, maybe the logic is that one stand=one platoon and it's harder overall to pin/suppress a platoon, which generally I could agree with from the standpoint of MGs/mortars engaging a platoon of tanks.

But that goes to exactly what we were talking about in terms of 'feel.'  If the tanks were out in the open, taking long-range fire, relatively well trained and confident in what they were doing, I'd agree they probably shouldn't be bothered by some MG fire or ~81mm mortar fire, just button up and press on.  But if they're less well trained, less committed/confident, if the fire is coming from some nearby houses or woods that could hide some anti-tank weapons, well, for each one of those factors that is applicable I might add a Shock dice ;)  And to your point about having to come to consensus with your gaming mates, I could see working through the issue in a collegial manner and ultimately coming to an agreement about what should be rolled, like "I'm firing with these MGs at close range, the tankers are caught completely unaware, they're not particularly well trained, and they're not particularly committed to what they're doing (they're physically isolated from friendly forces, or suffer from a lack of situational awareness due to not having radios, or they believe they're already losing the battle or that their task is impossible or useless, or the war's almost over), so I think my MG should fire with 4 Shock dice."  "I hear what you're saying, and things are bad, but let's not forget, they are in tanks, which can't actually be hurt by your pesky little machine guns, and they've while they might be caught off guard, these guys have been around, been fighting this war for three years now, and they know your guys don't have any ranged anti-tank capability available on this end of the line, so let's not get too carried away, so how 'bout we let them fire with 2 Shock dice?"  And if it comes down that we can't agree between 2S and 3S, then roll a D6 or flip a coin.  I know it slows the game down a bit, but I always thought those types of discussions were pretty fun and interesting.

V/R,
Jack

 All,

1600 Local Time
8 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

Despite the ass-chewing he'd just received from Major Reisman, Captain Henry, commander of the Task Force's Armored Reconnaissance Company, failed to perform the tasks given him, in a manner appropriate to the situation.  The French had a fortress ("the Kasbah") between the American forces and Port Lyautey, one that was proving severely problematic, but the Major believed a flanking movement to the south (right) could unhinge the defense, if executed quickly and violently.  Yes, the situation on the invasion beaches was chaotic, men and gear were intermixed, but the Task Force had just forced the French garrison out of the town of Mehdia and needed to act before the French had an opportunity to establish another line, particularly in that direction.  Major Reisman had picked out a small village with a bridge over a tributary of the Wadi Sebou as the correct target of this rapier-like armored thrust.  He just needed someone to get there.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbmWEIsNJWzmst3Z4cNU5lDOyP57ZtG6k_mSRF-ILiiyOqFdTWRQ5Rqkvs8VnxMS9RlUp-KEGjiQYU2LIweYwFSMqKLogR6Bf5YQBzcT04PLmlnNmARjLV1gpZfoHpFj_UWoRyw39pIX0aOONmCIN02Px43eI_Ike-pKqPvfauGhcpZFfKmyfsdzK/w400-h300/IMG_8338.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  At center left, just east (right) of the crossroads, is a small oasis with a couple hovels.  Below and at top left are unnamed bluffs, while at left top is a knoll identified as Hill 23, soon to be known as "Purple Heart Hill," while at far right is Hill 55, soon to be known as "The Meatgrinder."  At top center right is Hill 34, while the village of Barhrein, soon to be known as "Murderville," sits on either side of the bridged Wadi Sebou tributary. 

The French have their 1st Rifle Platoon dug-into 'Murderville' (center top), accompanied by the overall French commander, with their Weapons Platoon (mortar and MG) dug-in right behind them, just across the Wadi Sebou (right top).  The French 2nd Rifle Platoon is dug-in on The Meatgrinder (far right), where it is accompanied by one of the 75mm guns.  The other 75mm gun is dug-in just behind Hill 34 (top right), and it is accompanied by the two armored vehicles (Laffly armored car and R35 tank), which are hidden between the buildings east of the Wadi Sebou (top right).  It should be noted that, save for the troops on The Meatgrinder, which are dug-in and begin the game concealed, the remainder of the French defenders are occupying what I would refer to as oblique, 'reverse-slope defense' type of positions, i.e., those that limit their lanes of observation and fire, but generally force the enemy into vulnerable and/or exposed positions in order to engage them.

For their part, the Americans can be seen coming in on their baseline, with advance elements of the force clustered around the crossroads (left bottom) and approaching Purple Heart Hill (left top), with the Armored Infantry and Engineer Platoons still mounted and off table.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I6UklEku7RcVNDur7izTZlgJ2s1jxxh0I7Rbtim6DKGT8sENG0VlyUGh_MVwK7PswOmnBcPqSz5ROSVWMh18in2YK8q_YrH9OOaEtbjrStiJy_0jLv6V7ngOTBU8aMqu67cB8BXFj9Q9-_lFAVRxX7pkJ8jnZm3Be0WAuyi0CDQslZ7sprv394rx/w400-h300/IMG_8335.JPG)
The opposing forces, with Americans at left and French at right.  The Yanks have three tanks, two Scout Cars, a Tank Destroyer, a platoon of armored infantry, and a platoon of engineers, while the French have two rifle platoons, a weapons platoon (81mm mortar and MG team), two 75mm howitzers, an armored car, and a light tank.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKpnhV_XxBxAtHNwWGUpS9rr4G154TZ7BcMwJZw1OK07dE5Z-ztOPzxLOIhxcqzgd7kCS0hNqeo1T4WlxdkOH4tPeM9UmlzwJ8oQjYoeYqmOWVObAUly3OfKeEmlziAS9ia7RJldB10aClUU4G4J1GOslqPGaZVKHYbA0PXgy54fIjYu4p75TQBXk/w400-h300/IMG_8340.JPG)
Lt Richards (bottom center) staring into Murderville (top center).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI-Ocwcf7PwXCuOqMUwSwTQ5azQm1dT4qmjkI52wGbOOcbSquHtAWH2TB-2HxMHUDwkUTs3eY9tdGkr41FVUVU4s4WmoQTZBzgJWZOzR4mAIImxk2y1ffbJVqMWyMtp8nstM85r6EcTULgQnV79LFSmAfYiQ-gYZaZZD17jOV_40kZ-J7jnVtTzj0/w400-h300/IMG_8342.JPG)
"Well, I don't see anything out there, and the Major said we need to move quickly, so..."

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Gzq0s66jZhwf_seD8UabcVr9wThyRpFrez_po5Ert19PJkmGz7x0q8RTIolRu6-G9iBVKeut4d_6l0tfWg0xfb-U7TGxfaWIO4bPwA2wZqywoU1-0Z7uNi2jpbLLrwlbOENkqo8ZKm8JuI9wseFdYSICMT2uMY4UhpSU4ETQsPxuQhgHelt4_wS/w400-h300/IMG_8343.JPG)
The US mechanized force bravely (rashly?) dashes ahead!  The Armored Infantry Platoon, led by a Scout Car and two M3 Stuarts, pushes right, towards The Meatgrinder (just visible at far right), while the Engineer Platoon, led by a Scout Car, pushes left, towards Murderville, as the last M3 Stuart and the Tank Destroyer move up on Purple Heart Hill (left top).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESgWU3LxxoNo3Hz339en9zciNSJrwsUI7azXw3pBUK9kFy349r3wQ9qBL3-f_bOhgJ2uJ3X9VDPSuW9sOX-KOx0l69_IenwDx1rQxmSUH1jCiQkxVjCLie2dw8lcMlEkcAG6ONyrlNeO1BUt6_Y-iwZG-IE7Kd8vvbaGs-PwwYShiH9Uq9lBDA03i/w400-h300/IMG_8350.JPG)
And then all hell breaks loose!

This was my favorite fight of the entire campaign in Morocco!  To see what happened, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/01/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-3.html

So, that was a helluva fight!  What's next?  The French, feeling saucy, have launched a counterattack on the invasion beaches, and Major Reisman himself is being forced to fend off!

V/R,
Jack

:-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>  :-bd

That was expensive for the Americans X_X

One small point, the R35 has a one-man turret so the commander was talking to himself when he ordered
"gunner, enemy tank, 300 meters, load armor piercing shell, fire!" ;)

Another superb looking game there Jack. I thought it might be tough for the US Infantry when in your intro you mentioned Murderville etc: I was not wrong! You really are developing a great narrative there Jack which to my mind brings a lot more fun to a game. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Another cracking game and write up Jack

Helping me pass an early morning train trip. Where the driver has just had to switch the train off and on again (no joke) to hopefully clear a fault.

Paul - Yeah, it was a rough one, and you're just misunderstanding, that French tank commander was very officious, insisted on his driver coming up and squeezing in to fire the main gun in order to stand in the turret, looking regal ;)  Yeah, when I was typing it up I wasn't thinking about it being a one-man turret...

Steve - Yeah, seeing a local village referred to as "Murderville" is a dead give away; no one ever said I'm clever!!!  ;D  ;D It sure was a fun fight, though.

Fred - Thanks, and glad to be of service!  Hope everything got worked out.

V/R,
Jack

All,

0230 Local Time
9 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

The French forces, feeling their oats after stonewalling Task Force Reisman at 'Murderville'/'The Meatgrinder' and defeating several attacks by the 60th Infantry Regiment of the US 9th Infantry Division on 'The Kasbah,' and have decided to sally forth with armored forces to counterattack the US invasion beaches!

Chaos reigns on the US beachhead, in equal parts due to the inherent confusion in conducting an amphibious assault, horrible weather at sea, and seeing their first actual combat.  Dazed and confused young men are wandering to and fro while as other sit, listless, with units intermixed and scattered, with ammunition, supplies, and casualties haphazardly strewn about.  Major Reisman and his XO, Captain Thigpen, work tirelessly to untangle the mass of men, machines, and gear, sorting it out and directing traffic, looking to get his force organized for optimal combat efficiency.  The TF Reisman defensive line, such as it is, is not dug in, and consists of a smattering of inter-mixed infantry squads and weapons simply flung out in a line running roughly north-south on the eastern end of the town of Mehdia.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0lf7i1qEYfJeVBJ4CEY2vrBnRoDGyf9rX5A36W9kukqFT9CCDqI28vIpGHTkAhrvIJTfvCSG3ByjvKMm8MvP8KxcfRbu_W-AVNuA64wybi0AUmM8eQk6pClBacEDq4Hp2ZpCqAZenkgNAQAflbGqWu5vQW0VRR7FnCt75VFF43CWz4Jg2B_tWUlu/w400-h300/IMG_8564.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  The edge of Mehdia is just visible at bottom left, while the village of Jalaat is at top right and the village of Bilal is at bottom right.  Hill 41 is at left center, Hill 33 is at top center (with an unnamed hill just right of it), Hill 25 is at far right bottom, and here is a citrus orchard at center top.  A bend in the river, known as the 'Wadi Sebou,' is visible at top left.  The US forces are spread from top center to bottom center, while the French have a column in the northeast (top right) and southeast (bottom right).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm_CXddk-5FXHE_o2IrXOOlKceMjSSKZ7UIRfdyTM4PVVQLds5hN-E73C2GVT4iQEP3aBTXBezDWzd_eJns5xBvB8JOvgJxARYpcvhEWknPSru8AIL7pV_snWMYY7HcpT7gMEYT16TIibPoixv6jWh0x8wjjY5cJiSD82M1af6KLqJA5xKvqcEUeY/w400-h300/IMG_8561.JPG)
The opposing forces, with US at left and French at right.

The US will start with the forces at top right (two platoons' worth of infantry, a .30-cal MG, 1 60mm mortar, and a 37mm anti-tank gun -ATG-, commanded by 2nd Lt Olsavsky of 3rd Platoon, Easy Company) on the table.

Then the US will receive two waves of reinforcements: first, Major Reisman will lead another .30-cal MG, another 37mm ATG, and an M7 Priest into the fight.  These will be followed by three M3 Grants under 2nd Lt Searcy.

The French have two rifle platoons, two MG teams, an 81mm mortar team, three Laffly armored cars, and three R35 light tanks, led by a Commanding Officer (CO), Executive Officer (XO), and a Weapons Platoon Leader, split in two columns.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDpBe3Dgw6Ir09C9P1iWWW7gv1kCyHnuyyDQ0BoH1G9f2n9OErNkNdvUptNYGE7noj6pM9UXITo2uvSaStfU_tUM4VeW99hpTcY692VwVj3Wo_s4kfPZrzX4BAkBxe8x-BDPcTFvNcEcgppANf7Z7dUSFuPljqL7Oqgn8uUrPv1KmcHKoLwfI30DC/w400-h300/IMG_8600.JPG)
The French (top right) push forward as American infantry on Hill 41 (bottom left) and in the orchard (left top) engage them with small arms and machine guns.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D_hffa2SFV_3C09VQbO6RB4jQJhfkmevkbblrxFQNPXxADufHElElt9p0RHkKVTl6XXCc2w6UPNMA2pdCQl5w0tnhydV2p3CWfbb_Tqlmya3dLl6Wb2s2EFSFt1NoNF5UysD6gehFIkShYMh-Fy_x0tFpdGjJO0eL3eQH2FqypofnZllCGNHrIhY/w400-h300/IMG_8607.JPG)
As well as their 60mm mortars.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4irHMAG3_qxPI_9huEUlHqtXRGyB_Syvfd9ORWihf1VQCUIUMtlDC0KtHQQmf4INsWJKn4LizymjFChlzxJcCM4UC4J5fUPfIAAJdTVMJ8a6svk9wnXkZHVNCZwZlOemMN8_XUTsSulJb7fj3VpeYTZsWoc92OvRCDCQZOMz13kqZY2H7vLmVrOz-/w400-h300/IMG_8609.JPG)
But the French mercilessly pound Hill 41 with their own mortars...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTrD8EhrPDTxDHauasn64cgE6XGqikjpRQe7DzjMaSRQO7l5o6ZKSTHPtZRT-fWg5wvLKmwoCXEJgWisuDGXQPqGYU5YYmv9Z8hMi97T1vALFMJBKcOeaO-MMrBH6UFqnAtoqEzLEL3ChHvcD2X712vvx0mxFxa15HY587ICpB-JEdExBCO8u6Uw3/w400-h300/IMG_8639.JPG)
While their infantry and armor press home the attack under withering fire!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_QH3gDHFUJlwVei0UlW-KCrhoZK3Ob5vlbYkHU41Tg1qlw7qcGVRspNP2FIgInsdpl9yIC6hKCPD3upE6hABNeQRxcL8xGa9WxZkmasU-HiO3Yk2Kv4xooxbHjOJkY5KRyeWkt6tC4NgqvOcZukFj8q1EHlyA64j2QVaEcJTuwAVVPt2QifyIAWL/w400-h300/IMG_8622.JPG)
A savior steps forward!  But will it be enough?

I suppose you'll have to check the blog to find out ;)
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/01/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-4.html

Next up we have Captain Henry leading the second assault on 'Murderville' and 'The Meatgrinder.'  Let's hope it goes better than the first...

V/R,
Jack

:-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>

I did wonder about the American wonder weapon ;)

Paul,

Yeah, got a few months ahead of myself in terms of weapons development/issue ;)

V/R,
Jack

Quote from: bigjackmac on 25 January 2023, 08:05:53 PMPaul,

Yeah, got a few months ahead of myself in terms of weapons development/issue ;)

V/R,
Jack

I'm sure that after the last two brusing encounters that Major Reisman will take anything that will give his guys a bit of an edge when they finally get to face their principal adversaries.....if they are wise they will leave the few Tigers in Tunisia to their British allies to deal with... after all Tiger 131 should end up in Bovington 🙂

Peter,

Yeah, no kidding, they need every possible advantage!  And yes, you shall see Tigers, in the not too distant future ;)

V/R,
Jack

All,

0730 Local Time
9 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

The French counterattacked the invasion beaches early this morning; lucky it wasn't aimed at Captain Henry's Armored Reconnaissance Company, which was bloodied, confused, and sleeping in the open desert to the southwest of the invasion beaches, with barely anything worthy of being called a 'defensive line' established.  In any case, the French pressed hard on the beaches, in two columns; Lt Olsavsky, bolstered by the Major's late arrival, held it together just along to allow his crew-serves to separate the enemy infantry from the tanks, and then some kid named Tippett popped up and knocked out two French armored vehicles with one of those new rocket launchers! 

And now we return to 'Murderville'/'The Meatgrinder.'  To refresh your memory, the Americans hit the beach yesterday morning and secured the beaches relatively quickly, albeit with plenty of chaos and confusion owing to the inherent nature of an amphibious operation, their first taste of combat, and bad weather/sea conditions.  US forces in the area were being pummeled by French artillery in and around 'The Kasbah,' an ancient, walled fortress; despite this, US forces quickly secured the town of Mehdi, immediately behind the invasion beaches, and Major Reisman had the idea to push mechanized elements around The Kasbah in a wide, sweeping movement to the south. 

To that end, the Major ordered his Armored Reconnaissance Company commander, Captain Henry, to grab what forces he had to hand and immediately step off, hoping to catch the French off balance, but it didn't quite work out due to the fact Captain Henry drug his feet.  The mechanized column didn't depart for more than six hours AFTER Major Reisman gave the order, and it did so under the command of 1st Lt Richards, the Armored Recon Company's Executive Officer, because Captain Henry was still dallying on the beach.  Rather than catching the enemy off guard, Lt Richards' column ran into well-armed and determined defenses manned by French Colonial troops

Ultimately, a long and bloody battle was fought, and the French defenders held their ground.  The American force fell back in disarray, leaving gear and casualties on the battlefield, to include the bodies of 1st Lt Richards and the Engineer Platoon leader, 2nd Lt Jefferson, both killed in action.  Finally making his way forward, off the beaches, Captain Henry ran smack into the retreating American force, go them halted and calmed down, and began piecing together what happened.  Wracked with guilt over Lt Richards' death on a mission HE should have been leading, Captain Henry took out his wrath on Sgt Kidd, the hapless commander of an M3 Gun Motor Carriage (half-tracked tank destroyer mounting a 75mm gun), who had performed quite admirably during the battle but had failed to bring American casualties with him in the confusion of the withdrawal.

After a long, cold, jittery night in the open desert, Captain Henry and his men watched a preparatory artillery barrage pepper the objective as they moved up to the line of departure, preparing to launch their attack the moment the artillery barrage halted.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QBq-_4vqTkh812mwWXtLN72bciTpKIxXVGUCTC-Eh_R7gHiz1JM1giEnmdLbCr1ohle2qnEGNtFLIOeDSb09Fwh8r6NvsgogSdQqSDiZ6ieVbqyKEKuY5mCRye7tiTIzvhQHAG-tP-AAWzmvPGWz_tFLdSZEHhVtuHY5WU6HomQiu5yjWaj0ttYS/w400-h300/IMG_8447.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  At center left, just east (right) of the crossroads, is a small oasis with a couple hovels.  Below and at top left are unnamed bluffs, while at left top is a knoll identified as Hill 23, soon to be known as "Purple Heart Hill," while at far right is Hill 55, soon to be known as "The Meatgrinder."  At top center right is Hill 34, while the village of Barhrein, soon to be known as "Murderville," sits on either side of the bridged Wadi Sebou tributary. 

You can see Sgt Foster's destroyed M3 Scout Car on the road at bottom center, Sgt Rasby's M3 Scout Car and Sgt Parker's destroyed M3 Stuart on/near Purple Heart Hill at left top, and the abandoned trucks of the Engineer Platoon at left center (just above the oasis).

The French have their 1st Rifle Platoon dug-into 'Murderville' (center top), accompanied by the overall French commander, with their Weapons Platoon (mortar and MG) dug-in right behind them, just across the Wadi Sebou (right top), and the other MG dug-in atop Hill 34.  The French 2nd Rifle Platoon is dug-in on The Meatgrinder (far right), where it is accompanied by one of the 75mm guns.  The other 75mm gun is dug-in just behind Hill 34 (top right), and it is accompanied by the armored vehicles (R35 tank), which is hidden between the buildings east of the Wadi Sebou (top right).  It should be noted that, unlike in the last fight, where the French occupied 'reverse-slope' type of positions, the Americans are now aware of their presence, so they have decided to move some of their weapons forward in order to have wider field of fire. 

For their part, the Americans can be seen coming in from their baseline, with advance elements of the force clustered around the crossroads (left bottom) and approaching Purple Heart Hill (left top), with the 1st Armored Recon Platoon still mounted and taking the right-hand fork, on its way The Meatgrinder, while the 2nd Armored Recon Platoon has dismounted and is just passing Purple Heart Hill on its way to Murderville.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OfMZEmgau__cf4behyeW8XZsfr4z7eAUFwc30-0XgqWYUgGmVogK8kl0yCE8uBtHIZ0XkrQwNwkq1UgHWOxB3fYRWc2XtTH0riYq1ZLYmG-_ixlHJPLWNy_nFNVfeBenFOH2mHCKDjXgPTMieF-5fJ8itVanTbQ4Z7bxtSDPdKC53g8THb8B8PI_/w400-h300/IMG_8444.JPG)
The opposing forces, with Americans at left and French at right.  The Yanks have both armored infantry platoons supported by scout cars, tanks, tank destroyers, and the last remaining squad of engineers.  The French have two rifle platoons supported by two guns, a tank, and mortars and machine guns.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-BYThd-5N8tMJ-RfDWEQQo2MzFRFKcnMNEEH9vtK5fArLUWoL29eP7UMxxnapdoB8mJ6NEOsVTFeWhrAhllchCOjxIDe8-rbU_h6-X9WpaVxNjUiVkrjRzQyNoi0LPv8JztTTh8RCcNNAXlOdvtVvwuRNlfonCKnnzMb8I7DtsFqr_ONqVLndYmY/w400-h300/IMG_8463.JPG)
American M-3 Stuarts push forward (bottom left), dueling with a French 75mm gun at the base of the Meatgrinder (top right).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIy5EbRFyxl9kFgmE5XSidtQFUi1X_-xeUv6XRGK9SYfVBnC1Z3tkanW4Lj8xjhlc9g_TcPHhi5_rsrxZsMekX3svHY7bnCbGOQO59PWWYJi5c5AfmYiKWDawTNICAcPtBqEDIW_8TyG4GiTMKWM2FJhNNrIPyaScW7Iw2PHMzCmsx52FjMMSc5tL/w400-h300/IMG_8479.JPG)
The Americans on/around Purple Heart Hill are under intense enemy small arms, machine gun, and mortar fire...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WgGPYEYS_gTSD-mvzStNb4V9wyCOFFUpVUI8tdxBh7ItfNnCz8aQI3Q5dEyV2XyU4N5cM7_vsUayBWBzEm5DYC6HNg0d46c-3yIxsVASM4ZKMsSntuTFGpt8cM6cEBS_dai5yyvXCrzpyLZqcPbRw-6AqA7RO5IBq6D8T9bKXoTYf-ejtZWCqRVb/w400-h300/IMG_8483.JPG)
As Captain Henry orders halftracked infantry to assault the Meatgrinder.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq341jggITfhxZjjJIEJpc4IbPgbICh-EqMxGjjnIm0gANytpE2NdBZ9SmrsMojguyoJRszBySHGn4HYMtRATtXdwk1QB_yWz_ufxngSwHE4fSiIHag8RUC3d6Fz5UiPE6qpjluqRbk6FCw8AqQkx87HOnIZ-tn9XVMZZRfirywdOIVhHbc7D8_iwP/w400-h300/IMG_8490.JPG)
The French tank sallies forth (bottom right), halting the column of halftracks (far left) before laying into the other  US pincer on/near Purple Heart Hill (top left, with Murderville visible at top center).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfZ-3j0YtZXdP8sgwtW6LwxagsA0Fc0NROH_SA28UolCtB4NdF_zvbEaTOc1uopC1SXwI2XiYFZ_FSsH5WAWlzB5ip7ZTk3yFLWGFy8gnW52YtAJ2ybmaTUf72tgiAdf-vomUxGrJtshmlrU5ha081An-h6-i1D05BLcMGYhe2Y56XCesUQsjaxDP/w400-h300/IMG_8506.JPG)
You know what time it is!

To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/02/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-5.html

Next up, the US 9th Infantry Division has been butting its head up against the wall in a series of head-on attacks on the Kasbah Mahdiya, AKA "The Kasbah."  Now it's Task Force Reisman's turn; the Major instinctively turned to his infantry.

V/R,
Jack

Well, that was a brutal one! Nice one Jack. Feel Kidd was mistreated mind.

Thanks, Will, and agreed, Sgt Kidd was definitely hard done by.  But I'm loving the character-based drama; Captain Henry is turning into quite the movie villain ;)

V/R,
Jack

Quote from: bigjackmac on 03 February 2023, 11:15:52 PMThanks, Will, and agreed, Sgt Kidd was definitely hard done by.  But I'm loving the character-based drama; Captain Henry is turning into quite the movie villain ;)

V/R,
Jack

Jack

Many personal thanks for enthralling read and the generous eye candy.

 My 10mm wargames are now character based. It started out as a Boxing Day family roleplay game and became a must for other games.

It really adds something to those painted little figures.

I think I speak for the Pendraken Forum when I warmly welcome you back to our blog pages.

James aka Sunray

Hello James, good to hear from you, I hope all is well! 

And yes, adding in the characters has really added a lot to my wargame experience, and I sure wish you had a blog for me to check out yours! ;)

I appreciate the kind words, it's good to be back in the gaming swing of things.

V/R,
Jack

Thanks Jack

Now retirement has arrived, the first on the bucket list is a story/novel that has been in my head for years. Blog might follow.

This "Hell on wheels" blog you have generously shared via the forum is the modern 21st Century of the time honoured tradition of the "Gospel" of wargaming. What gets people into the hobby.

Way back in the 1960s I had Airfix plastic soldiers. I fired at them with  a spring loaded pop gun. Then my cousin arrived one day with a ruler, dice and a set of hand written rules. That day I stopped playing with toy soldiers and began war gaming.

Later, I got a copy of Battle by Charles Grant. It capitavated me.
Articles by the likes of Don Featherson began to appear in Military Modelling

By the 1970s Wargaming had its own dedicated magazines. I am looking at a Spring 1988 copy of Practical Wargamer. Articles and battlereports by Andy Allen,David Allsop,Bob Black, John Treadaway,Charles S.Grant, Terry Wise,and Don Featherstone.

It also advertised the early cottage industry of white metal.Platoon 20,Battlehonours,Hotspur, Heroics & Ros, Irregular Mins....Peter Laing (remember his 15mm?).

Then the shows started and the hobby took off.

The Forum is the 21st Century internet continuation of those publications. Your battle reps, pictures of your table and the throw of the dice....this is how we inspire others to take up the hobby.

And the more demand....the better chance of new figures and models as "requests" become viable in terms of design and production.

Keep 'er lit Jack!

James,

Congratulations on retirement, I hope to join you someday ;) I'd love to hear more on the story/novel idea, and I certainly hope it leads to a blog or two ;)

Regarding my own blogs, goodness, you are far too kind! There can be no higher compliment than to have helped inspired someone, so I thank you, and will continue working to stay active in that regard.

V/R,
Jack

All,

1630 Local Time
9 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

The Major was livid, again...  Following Captain Henry's successful seizure of 'Murderville' and 'The Meatgrinder,' Task Force Reisman had been tasked with making an assault on the Kasbah, an old French fort northeast of the invasion beaches, smack dab between them and Port Lyautey, the ultimate objective.  The US 9th Infantry Division had made several unsuccessful attacks on the Kasbah from the west/northwest and needed to fall back, regroup, and reorganize for continued combat operations, so high command decided to have TF Reisman give it a try from the southwest.  Major Reisman was furious because 9th ID artillery and airstrikes pounded the Kasbah all morning, then lifted at 1230 in order to allow TF Reisman to attack.  The only problem was, it was now 1630 and TF Reisman had still not launched its attack...

Major Reisman had tabbed Captain May's Dog Company for the attack on the Kasbah but, following the chaos of the amphibious landings, the attack on Mehdia, and the French counterattack, the various TF Reisman units were still hopelessly intermixed and mixing gear, and it took time to get it all sorted out.  A lot of time, in fact, so much time that Dog Company missed its jump-off time, but the units had finally separated themselves and gotten back to their tables of organization.  Major Reisman was forced to radio through to HQ and notify them of the delay a total of three times before Captain May was able to move his company up to the line of departure and signal they were prepared to launch. 

The preparatory fires on the Kasbah had ceased at 1230 local time (no one has unlimited ammo), but Major Reisman was able to beg 9th Infantry Division artillery to resume bombardment to cover Captain May's advance to the line of departure.  At the arranged time the guns fell silent; Captain May gave a nervous glance at his wristwatch: 1630, time to go.  "Alright boys, up and at'em!"

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2uCbj5ciQyG0H7w3sg42xCgT1P2kAa-sVXrhuQdrbmLAm5aHsdSc5BQz6BaMC3tvKRoGlr4Im7QtqoRB66ckog4vIiBwJ4L8eQU2MlQG4UFP-1fPQIwsKQ3SCXWQC2u29Zd4KBahd4Xvg0MMs5XLR1sreEyEzVS35UniPAHQ5Hxs8Fq6vKp9HDXc/w400-h300/IMG_8659.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  The Kasbah is located in the northeast (top right), and the French have Strongpoint Marie on a small hill in the southeast (bottom right), with the Wadi Sebou running between the two and flowing northwest (top center left) towards the sea.  The river is bridged at a nearby (unnamed) village, but it is shallow in this area and can easily be waded by infantry.  The US line of departure is the left-hand baseline.

The ground here is a bit of a canyon, surrounded by low hills, hardball road running through it, broken only by the river and patches of rocky ground and brush.

The American force runs in a line from top left to bottom center left, while the French are clustered in the Kasbah (top right) and SP Marie (bottom right).  I placed the Americans where they will start the game, having stood up and moved out in skirmish line immediately after the preparatory barrage lifted, about where they'd be once the French recovered from the US artillery.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeXUBhudzP_zH5Mix2YP3YVc3CBh2CY0P03xjkXPJFcgNJMxMqetLoULjKMQziA1ek8gjX0-WN2R9YqO2jLIzm-PbshFx5oyLVR0WBXKZYm-Y3ePGEjV4NJ4IAoSThSSDGsnLkLZX-f_81JV7DHq3Ks-wFqpkyT-BUZ0Rz6lmauPsph_IQerYCdQR/w400-h300/IMG_8656.JPG)
The opposing forces, with Americans on the left, French on the right.  The American force consists of Captain May (bottom right) leading all three of his rifle platoons and a weapons platoon, with a pair of M7 Priest self-propelled guns attached (being used as assault guns). Their French foe is packing quite a punch, pretty much equal in size to the attacking force, which is never a good idea.  Additionally, the French are experiencing a serious bout of high elan due to being considerably protected by the 4' walls of the Kasbah and the strong trenches of Strongpoint Marie and having successfully seen off three infantry attacks by the Amis, which will be reflected in their morale rolls/checks.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_DVigsQeipMZOt6L8rBfFTybB2FFF5iMBAbxk1g7OqPaonusgm_tb2MqtOYXlwx4BKZFUEslhJkcYOFDUGRithurgydW9CX0ffoYcOy4BUrjlPPeFbmlAXzyYSbV8Iz1mmGO7rlQemLT8rS51vaCt7cMfmDGwhSmUZPztfTTPcjVFILlI51wdsgc/w400-h300/IMG_8669.JPG)
The US barrage has lifted; the dusty GIs rise up and begin advancing, the only sound being the clank of their gear as they make their way across the rocky desert floor.  The silence is broken when Cpl Bledsoe's water-cooled .30-cal MG (bottom right) opens fire, peppering the stone walls of the Kasbah (top left, with the American CO at center).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoK30fxTzCNL9kYodNTJUQVB49s2_-kFQe50Mw8IIi-eC1LeluUC6S2VlVCiyCRytXAIQcu2HTb6zFefUktIoWUVifPjNl_kIC9gKeMJ5fVBshjQwCIfs4qsGd_oC9imexTvUz1NYpkm30OWMPT_ZPig4BiHZq52AKi1Ev7I3T7GMCGJ9810rplaf/w400-h300/IMG_8683.JPG)
The American SPGs (bottom left) engage the Kasbah as all three rifle platoons advance (left top, left, and bottom center).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XvpX-ywVsUbHWcMnWQiY6ptUzMlPSS3lKEdzZ17Bs-7nGH3d6p-xUv8TA0NqgwEDGnaBFpL9dgfl9q0_vtQqzE8BwYDW57Of2c7V5nnnRGUnrCv4bZ_3P_aGX5Js1d44P0ARnz5hlWP7Kxu1jCE0xSFqntZ_FEAxXOpqSv8NKsZb7TSTDMcLp2rx/w400-h300/IMG_8742.JPG)
It's a veritable inferno, with artillery, SPG, anti-tank gun, machine gun, mortar, and small arms fire ravaging the landscape, both sides suffering heavy casualties!!!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwREcJo9Uyy9UIpMqpsDY7eJ6MXzJQlNzz5ShPMRSmQGD9_gSsVsuvPRgWwmRZ3trf0E0DIKuc36ip3n2PL33G-OSsuLnIkomL5wZQUFBOt6f7Q1KCuhiQu4_vrCJIWWvx_le0BvM31h_JQ5o3YOFejRzqpewLr3bqqBDnt9QfiEpYb5tcGWt-5fR/w400-h300/IMG_8735.JPG)
Under heavy pressure, the Yanks press home the attack, with 2nd Platoon crossing bridge (far left) towards the Kasbah (just off camera to top left) and 3rd Platoon advancing (center) on Strongpoint Marie (top right).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFYerbXWxqsEWX3yNR26X3g4xIC3RynwR_Ds8zsuDaB58BJ2zC55UQvu4JoqNlaSGWEu4AW5oASl1CY1E4GlTrnuhBIaWOh2C4ivA1uEJ3W5XMekc6X9U5bkoo6rel6sAOMKEjgzpeIzpcGUsnDG5x0ozjbysD2Ts-y4w8-KfL1ae2zWg4qnCFC9s/w400-h300/IMG_8760.JPG)
The French counterattack with light armor!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf-WOFJmj1zd_JDYv1fCaO2pqRDYFThXFTldOOCynhjxFc9EIXVP57F616slNeC3W8Eg5R_qunm516Ixsfqwz_tNViZgg3weZsHvn8BAKZ88dr5VY5YYWV7HkNyKXGtIM94wcR7MuQ87Gu-m98IYRTBg_cuV0QkOg64RYmrVpMnEZYNowJp-T0Ki2/w400-h300/IMG_8762.JPG)
The American infantry respond...  To see how it turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/02/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-6.html

The next day the Task Force was essentially provided no orders, as peace talks with French leadership were being carried out.  But Major Reisman was not satisfied to simply sit on his hands, so he ordered his men in vicinity of the invasion beaches and Mehdia to carry out aggressive patrolling (though they were told to stay well clear of the Kasbah and Strongpoint Marie!), while he sent elements of his Armored Reconnaissance Company on an even wider right hook, around the Kasbah, looking for a back door to Port Lyautey.  Of course, it wasn't long until they ran into French defenders, which is our next fight (and last of the landings in Morocco).

V/R,
Jack

Well that clash certainly rocked the Kasbah Jack!  ;)

Be interesting to see what happens next. Please keep up your narrative - it's very well written and more than a little inspirational (not that I have actually had any time to do anything much game related in the last few days).

Cheers
Peter

   

 

Hello, Peter!  Thanks man, I appreciate the kind words.  I've played 13 fights so far, still writing them up but on schedule to keep up with the weekly release, should be able to tide us over until you're gaming and posting! ;)

V/R,
Jack

I'll second Peter's comments!

Thirded :)

Thanks, fellas.

V/R,
Jack

Ouch!

Yeah, it was a tough one.

V/R,
Jack

All,

1430 Local Time
10 November 1942
Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco

Normally this would have been a job for his XO, or even one of the better platoon leaders, but his XO was dead and he was still trying to establish himself as a good leader in the eyes of his men, so Captain Henry, commander of TF Reisman's Armored Reconnaissance Company, was leading a mechanized thrust wide around the left flank of the French defenses in and around Port Lyautey.  Despite a couple days' relatively hard fighting, morale was high as the sense the French, who no one believed were truly the enemy to begin with, were preparing to capitulate and everyone believed the fighting in Morocco was about to come to a joyous end.  Major Reisman was quick to stamp out any such thoughts and complacency, admonishing his soldiers that "there was still a war to be fought," and so he kept the Task Force men busy, to include this scouting party. 

Captain Henry had led the column out at first light, and so far, so good.  They American column had covered many miles without any real sign of French defenders, just a few stragglers attempting to surrender, not a single shot fired.  But the now-seasoned dogfaces were growing a bit uncomfortable, that edgy feeling that something was about to happen creeping in.  Captain Henry felt it, too, and as the column approached an oasis and crossroads with a couple stone buildings present, he halted the column to and moved to get his field glasses on it.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cX4kC4fRh6NALaonsS3xfgOA7srmv4fg2FkLNd1EzsJC0Hu1UkFxiaSGC4EWMWJhdNscJjKcnN4rS2Qz_4FP-LDLI8tGEfzeWGsQN8-6hrvqdZux0qDM3EF4UBY2KVCCmPjYKoGpmz5RI6OObPeM09x0AGRr7NcjPjT0AOKcH9HbfzpSjoWOE8Vj/w400-h300/IMG_8777.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  The hardball roads running north-south and east-west intersect at a crossroads hosting a couple stone buildings on the right side of the table, with a small, natural pond nearby, likely owing to a tributary of the Wadi Sebou flowing to the north.  There are plenty of rocky outcroppings and rocky ground, split by the occasional palm tree, but overall it's pretty sparse.  I tried to cut way back on my use of the hedges as scrub brush, I think my first six tables probably had way too much green for Morocco, but I'll deflect that accusation by stating these fights all occurred near the coast ;)

The only terrain features relevant to this fight are the crossroads/village, 'The Knoll' at left top (just left of the pond), and the twin hills just right of them, which will call Hills 36 (just below the road at far right) and 37 (just above the road at far right).

The US baseline is at left; they have their CO and armored car platoon just off road at far left top, while their Stuart tank platoon and tank destroyer platoon is located at bottom left.  The French are all grouped just east (right) of the crossroads, with rifle squads, their mortar team, and their platoon leader in the village, their 25mm ATG atop Hill 36 (far right, below the road), and their MG team atop Hill 37 (far right, above the road).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax_O5RW8V6Q5nX-caTQMSNVb9YSdi-PH-rsTUPDDUiEgQTbgR0-dIW1J6UiFZ4FZvVYVv3ND50keIoFd8dnKcb9VNDIRA3pBi4FWP8pnsklk81EI-IiwXps2TmnZrdg8eWz7EnKytZltLsViVb-042tgAevL1uhNc1rNAMDeFSpRyrYkOezUCq9Uk/w400-h300/IMG_8774.JPG)
The opposing forces, with US on the left and French on the right.  A little bit smaller of a fight than the first six, but not much.  The Yanks have an armored rifle platoon supported by understrength armored car, tank, and tank destroyer platoons, while the French have an understrength rifle platoon supported by an ATG, mortar, and MG, with reinforcements coming in the form of a light tank platoon and a mechanized infantry platoon.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvwbTrDTo7rJddL_9TZ2VgFF06bWj_CzINSHXfmwW1BahJujL97urF4s4zeuA41Dvgt1nApvbrTdvOKO10V5Q9Wnkh92mPdVDbzuIRynDjyzPFVVRS77o9NvX22VRep_xxNFTSDiMRdnaDKT7OB0cZ3-BgVX39D5qZHGgyqCvUgtYGpJJjzZ_YsTJ/w400-h300/IMG_8784.JPG)
Captain Henry, the commander of Task Force Reisman's Armored Reconnaissance Company, glasses the crossroads and its surrounding environs.  "It's quiet," states Captain Henry.

"Yeah, too quiet," replies Lt Stone, his Armored Car Platoon leader.

"It stinks of quiet," murmurs Captain Henry.*  Nevertheless, he orders Lt Stone to advance; Lt Stone, in turn, informs his drivers and Lt Royals' Armored Infantry Platoon to prepare to move.

*Sorry, I just remember that exact sequence popping up in so many of the WWII comic books I read as a kid ;)

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoAAi5NglOCL7-8od0bha4bAbbX5rQbsWS41v_FX97Iew35xEbJeAYUc36B6nhfxF3C70JefitDfwRvQLXYbR8fgGXiMnKVYasDyvwE2JBHoXInEVDwfCj4OdrVzy7yMwvxYlA8VR8OOXjs7f7fWyFMsmDrSQhgWM4jM0FE92Am9zIAiNSyIJk3ub/w400-h300/IMG_8797.JPG)
Captain Henry (top left) looks on helplessly as his armor is getting shot to pieces by the French defenders.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VmNvaDctXNSzIYu2xTjJxJcIj9vsJRVC17EgS1sP5nNpZuvfIAkkZf-lxTuAKdp34-6N67w3FRsIwBDNuw0GoDjzOWb-y218d9RhtMvQarX6NbveSHhWDDOV1qs1ESVICJ1SndR6Ke5DLgygMviuAeuOLqr3AizmsxxIy9MycXT2IRCtwtr-PlLI/w400-h300/IMG_8805.JPG)
The armored infantry aren't faring much better...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1fuR_frbePnZ0oC3SqzvYhadoUrcjdj9lFu6KQ6ntN60fcfKW9bkAjaC-uHo1yQgNA6jgd0TAjW9TeQ5_DPSEzWHpRKqB83ZmtFjE2WMHu8mYcI80oB2be8TO2zgFUYrD22UThgAZqffFwbSMPQvv4D0ZmR8q4mJ1a3pijuGiGOO7j51CVnUKgdV/w400-h300/IMG_8814.JPG)
And then the French tanks show up (bottom right, with the US armored infantry on the knoll at top center and the US armor between the outcroppings at top left)!

To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/02/hell-on-wheels-operation-torch-fight-7.html

Thus ends Task Force Reisman's war in French Morocco!  Later that evening US forces from the 9th Infantry Division finally captured the Kasbah, and a cease-fire officially went into effect on the morning of 11 November 1942, signaling a cessation of hostilities between the Vichy French and Allied Forces, who quickly became allies in time for the upcoming fighting in Tunisia.

Task Force Reisman spent a few days resting and helping to police up the area and surrendering French forces, but then received orders attaching them to the United States' 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division.  Upon arrival in Tunisia they were instantly placed under British command in a unit being called "Blade Force," headed for a place called "Chewey-Gooey," where they'd gain their first experience of war against the Germans and their Italian allies.

Coming soon!

V/R,
Jack

Cool report Jack

Thanks!

V/R,
Jack

 All,

0830 Local Time
25 November 1942
Near Chouigoui, French Tunisia

Following victory in Morocco, Task Force Reisman was split up and sent to the winds, with some flung out to secure distant objectives (against no opposition), some held back to secure the coast and lines of communication, and others detailed to guard, process, and repatriate POWs, or even to assist in the cleanup of harbors and assist in offloading incoming gear.

Not soon after, high command decided to take a stab at seizing Tunis and Bizerte, in faraway French Tunisia, looking to catch the Germans, who had plenty going on facing off against the British 8th Army in the east, off guard.  TF Reisman was hastily assembled and attached to the US 1st Armored Regiment, though this actually amounted to only a single tank battalion of M-3 Stuarts as the other battalions were busy turning in their M-3 Grants for the new M-4 Shermans and being trained on them.  In any case, TF Reisman was attached to 1st Armored Regiment, which was placed under the command of British Colonel Richard Hull, who now commanded what was called "Blade Force," consisting of the British 17th/21st Lancers (tank regiment) and infantry, artillery, and support elements from the 11th Brigade Group, in addition to the Americans.  These were the right-hand pincer darting into Tunisa, aimed at Tunis, as the British 36th Infantry Brigade was the left-hand pincer, aimed at Bizerte.

The left-hand pincer made better progress, entering Tunisia first and then running into heavy enemy resistance at Djebel Abid, along the road to Bizerte, on 17 Nov 1942.  Heavy fighting resulted in a stalemate, with a renewed attack scheduled for 24 Nov 1942.  This was when Blade Force finally entered the fray, further south, on the road to Tunis, though the left-hand pincer's attack was called off due to torrential seasonal rains.  Nevertheless, Blade Force pushed east, towards Chouigoui Pass, on its way to the city of Djedeida.

Along the way across Algeria, TF Reisman became quite strung out and eventually split into an advanced element consisting of its light tanks and reconnaissance elements, and a main body, consisting of its medium tanks and infantry, as the scout cars, Stuart tanks, and halftracks found the approximately 900-mile road march a bit easier than the heavier Grant tanks and trucks of the infantry companies.  With that, Captain Thigpen, the Executive Officer (XO) of TF Reisman, found himself in command of the advanced element, leading the way into Tunisia and Chouigoui Pass.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKacsMvHvIaTEufprhS3TsF5Dl3j_V6Qa7sTGbN_97pr6hoVPyz8k4sBkGLZmOA4URVxLiUQ8I1Ez6VcyuXNsr8Y_iPKV5jEDERSk0FN_MSCRo82oQ_wjm6VbjOKy26LEn41cvkjYULinVwp02CujdlBNZZDFb8oDeA9Zl8Z-NHdzgNrBOZ9ZIjG5/w400-h300/IMG_8861.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  The objective is to capture (or hold) the crossroads and walled farm in the southeast (bottom right).  The area is well framed by rocky ridges and outcroppings, with scrub and broken ground throughout, interrupted only by the two hardball roads and an olive grove in the center of the table.  The Americans of TF Reisman will enter from the left, while the Axis forces are defending east (right) of the north/south running road at right.  At top right are two rocky appendages rising up out of the desert, which the GIs of TF Reisman quickly dubbed "Two Sisters."

On the far right you can see the enemy's entire baseline filled to the gills with troops and tanks, while on the left you can see the US mechanized force streaming into the valley at three separate locations (top left, far left, and bottom left).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcSOrMaMR3u1Kvyc0URfbDzvqG0ypvA6aZeMh6sj3xvylUpDOC_BOjeopNRWYCF37EkBeWbbxcwhn3ydwgpuJJmX7WNWd42BuvyKRA9VSI_Q57dvJ3XnaLBR04dLdX7gDRq4gD4ilAJC01d-QEQdhUx2gvx9EOw5n_-cixbVwjuNcEDtc3RyVTJv4/w400-h300/IMG_8858.JPG)
The opposing force, with Americans on the left and the joint German-Italian defenders on the right.  The TF Reisman XO has an Armored Infantry Platoon supported by a tank platoon and elements of a self-propelled gun, armored car, and anti-tank gun platoon.  The combined German/Italian force has platoons of Fallschirmjaeger engineers and machine guns supported by an Italian tank platoon and two Italian anti-tank guns.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AywXG0WZ2BbdXvDcNnhdH4eq0DPnhvcaLnARoVCBBCL7aDoFWphgneoCMLLR8NipkgbGsj8Hifq2KuXb06R8ykGeQwae4heNJHaJMbrgSrXEgL-Y3itS_mNPyhTrZwBJBAbySd1Iun3LDeUFY7xSbKyqJFlP6lZ2oEbBV5Q276I1dAQt8A_MoEs7/w400-h300/IMG_8878.JPG)
The American tank platoon advances (bottom right), spotting Italian armor (top left) and opening fire!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBicWLEh83j-buJdXUuKVgSvK9shoAx70UymlLderzgYG3ZrMInVNi0pjgeTffI6hQRkguY0r2-YtYHmL4kYQggIIPbv0q2keEPLNFE0XVKdwG05GEGsr4DqUJ5bTv8U0xrH3VthfB-F2ipx4Timr69UCYdv_DcgZcWfnETmcNAqgSiK2r_9m4BYie/w400-h300/IMG_8879.JPG)
And first blood goes to the Yanks!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7_CSkRKOwQ28LyeEolEUymWDK5yHUK8VlFAT0y9tdU9q2wetiN_nWpbW8Jrkj1idGZA7yw2_DAKc5VVE4_MpuR9bbgbgiajb3T816VyW4DCXTbU_cEwXXHbgYOK1UigZzig1Hd01NiKPbEo81HZRwG2K7K1cJKTi5aaJ4UL5EvmGbT5Zn3aAICQE/w400-h300/IMG_8897.JPG)
The M7 Priests move up and are engaged and quickly demonstrate why they are not meant for direct support operations...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA7Eo4c2dVGY5pTA3pLJk_SNgflZe7gchTcR7n05thWZ_m_t5rAujC88G_s3TqayB5bamuQwbP4ZTjX_mkju9_qEiYqCWAz0-y6d4emk2r4-bLnkSqgJWj3-WjdJtVmxEheUbTvLQwk2XsSAtDdvR3QRFistGF5Xk-DJDrbFKd17leUP3VsdGwPbg/w400-h300/IMG_8900.JPG)
And then the Stukas arrive!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0cg5Rv1lvpQQlTaphUi-PKiwyeLWlN-iv0HQ5-vGV489vS18Ei9uk6f-b_zbuGvYeActVl-WbMc8CL1aiJWkE9rO0vwRDk_47Yiny7jnZ2Sw9V3Pv8R09fq5buqydo9b5lerXGGS6UWwZ8u4CHN79NR4F8SQSjGd0dRPLtEIm4x-oYaJlHygV6AV/w400-h300/IMG_8924.JPG)
As the Armored Infantry advances on the village!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8xyLh3CxRlTN2PwKM2T6qnsDpC4GXP2loKrdO2MoAJYUKmUVa4mS7jQYZsUbSAkYIiFcUMpgYLbzfaAAcKOrj9jA9L87UClT2iFL6lQuO_9Ib_nvByijiW8kwaUlF3aKhOhGoRDFWaLBePwv9OiEmF_SP1DiqfL7ZfGRgizm4Nb6P19XIQpWrTZh/w400-h300/IMG_8929.JPG)
They take heavy casualties...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpb5_Aa7M4NZigzqxyzGacaJJppxTaNVVS8Y6QVVk99HE1cPjcaL5fGeoRzFqig_WD8JUXh_QkilZm-6ME2zWigmnOmjbVsDeCP3BhMAM_JQArmL6ykzAIQz_z8iMYBThyfzQElUd4tUYr-Dg77WpQyoEo1OfoFvq-3MTl7oqzqFdp0rp3a1Wvl-l/w400-h300/IMG_8937.JPG)
It's hot work, but the GIs press home their attack on the village, which devolves into bitter close combat.  To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/02/hell-on-wheels-blade-force-fight-8.html

And with that, we press on to join Captain Henry in his assault to secure a bridge over the Medjerda.

V/R,
Jack

Superb AAR and game as always Jack with your customary excellent narrative 8) .

Thanks, Steve, I appreciate it!

V/R,
Jack

All,

1630 Local Time
25 November 1942
Near Chouigoui, French Tunisia

Following Blade Force's successful advance to, and capture of, Chouigoui Pass, they were quite keen on pressing their advance to the east.  The combined German and Italian forces in Tunisia were spread out and, because most forces in North Africa were in the east, countering the British 8th Army's advance across Libya, had its hands full simply holding open the lines of communication, largely due to the ambiguity of the situation with the Vichy-French forces in the area following the combined British-American amphibious landings in French Morocco and Algeria.  With Axis forces in Tunisia thus weakened, the opportunity for the Allies in the west to seize Bizerte and Tunis was quite real, and so they continued pushing east. 

British infantry of the 5th Northamptonshires quickly seized the town of Tebourba, as armored elements continued pushing east to the Medjerda River and the town of Djedeida beyond.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU0zfaQknlsclr4OHUI0UvVMVdvZKPkilgKvp_XVLhoLH0bY66tricTGth5Ad3o8zEpsZTS7OYmgX0cONMjSKGKDL2qgzqKLPfRS2SnR1vP0WGiQPtUd1Rfe4JHahEK1cPoffDT5CspwD1v5u-pwg68pHzZgl4m_cYRGxNx-Msx4h5KwkEPk7z1ty/w400-h300/IMG_8949.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  The River Medjerda runs north-south down the middle of the table, with various settlements spread across the area, a small oasis just west (left) of the river, with rocky outcroppings and hills dotting the landscape.  Most importantly, there are two road bridges spanning the river, one in the north and one in the south.

You can see the lead elements of the American force entering the table at far left and bottom left, while the Germans are in three separate elements.  Two motorcycle squads and an armored car are at/near the north bridge, two motorcycle squads are at the south bridge, with their supporting armored car further back (bottom right), and the German outpost is dug into trenches between the two bridges (center right). 

The outpost position isn't bad in and of itself, but they don't have any organic anti-armor capability to reach out and halt the Allied advance.  Having said that, they don't have any real AT capability to speak of, which is quite representative (at least as far as I was able to find, mostly descriptions of the US force 'surprising light reconnaissance elements at the bridge') of what happened in real life, except in real life the Yanks didn't have any infantry with them (in the last fight, either).

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb01QsAX5I54VOR2EvCyJT59ouBXFXlCMZsDBRctnwgT20icPL0Hk-PlK5CV8BCAD_6vrTv7rXPIHvEHpAK_MQyoq7mY6FOcuBFz4BMD3vellAwu11tS3_lIEY_dqC4dgegK2kvyKX4eGsvmlFTgLNu1ke3IxLWA4AtAW-tYuzQXjdQge1TAhzp__/w400-h300/IMG_8946.JPG)
The opposing forces, with Yanks on the left and Germans on the right.  The Yanks have an Armored Infantry Platoon supported by reduced platoons of Scout Cars and Light Tanks, with an attached 37mm ATG, while the Germans have a rifle platoon (+/-) and a reconnaissance platoon.

Conceptually, the Germans have a small outpost in the area, babysitting the bridges, and they're being visited by some light reconnaissance elements passing through from further east, on their way west to identify exactly where the new front line in Tunisia is, while Blade Force is pushing east, hoping to secure a bridge to support its thrust towards Djedeida on their way to Tunis.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjp6hWZR6uKs1U2EjRXhc7sY1WjLM-5zuU-H3arYkwoD4Lnqd330URcqK1caP7eBuEbUMcJG08mJ8hVVB9uvys_7V3gyLNTEEvV9AyqKiyhGrN4CXJhiRQVnBIs3Vk5Y7Z7Zsv2TjEYHcTqOYBdgTzBuwCcVLuoWzyc7LtlnztlJ2pJCn3_s4mNlg/w400-h300/IMG_8961.JPG)
The Americans advance (bottom center/right and far left) on the bridges.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ObBoeJ5MsodsQnin48xqIddwBzOphlhzFTGc2q2AduBNNDCjg9a74vi0yc1PZtuffWoxJofU_jRYSQFN8ZqxcIImchGAMJB2IpJ5KrDE4aySjpp2J8wv-t0LCh5IOfpyzpugwS5GMg-rsfhJxV-a_mB0l4i9wLmGUjqohr4NZcK6UUzZUfmEthT/w400-h300/IMG_8965.JPG)
US light armor has knocked out several German recon units and, shrugging off small arms and machine gun fire, rushes the southern bridge.  But just when everything appears to be going the Yanks' way...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKs2izGlvOJZ6jB9hp6JNtdhrtqw4WvxpvaX5m42uDePi9RFVsPQwKixOEVfgYsfUpyqXxOhTtYymML9-qKa1w12hzjEs42b1cCv05r56-fRRddAiNCVseXWKH9swkQSIBKlKZOMNc7xbRWlRmQgz6pyht1Eoa1znBBBxpBJBw8Bp7YLSV3POillH/w400-h300/IMG_8974.JPG)
The dreaded Stukas pounce!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ59aK5Zn0JxFP-vhxzJkJJgGurlWvqszqeAsTGwLVqSuP7GrN104Y5p9Ir_OphQ1nvySLz_TmZbYDgHUXywW8Swi7x1mj1WCEYPNj95eG_1Yc3-6Tpn3WVD37Mxgi9IKe7Rm45kpH1lKyKQrGHTPeST_n5Twkjp6DzaBzGl2BBywDazlRGdmYc6W/w400-h300/IMG_8975.JPG)
To deadly effect!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmZCkTKSjJcLDqoOT42fSIsFLYq2Pl0LZK254jkdk3qVnUA6ju2niKhdcwboBPrzLSXIfSEkDYN5Ev-M2SRyseb-yPc8cEXNzGyk7IGYnBj8o9d8Gqi4FaMe5irfjBakczXsqIppNOqzrS7uBYiiM3u3SbebB_hdZ9wVfa6zyKeadGMCZfBi-3yuI/w400-h300/IMG_8993.JPG)
Nonplussed, the determined GIs fling themselves across the southern bridge.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LWwoXUHvbq1lpR5lt8sWVGVPTuvCtx_r5Y3_uBrVKYr7zI48c-ko4RYBBWMfls23hyCSZbYn-VXlEcuLw1c971zYpO9kjkr67ekEN6MtAfcZeRF0Toe4B6ukdKOFuGEjwMMjgtCSAdIlLVjkem4I-ZqfBRdAHS-NI78oUcOjQirgpCK8dpbVCdJ3/w400-h300/IMG_9005.JPG)
While a lone Stuart, a survivor of BOTH German air attacks (yep, there was another one!), rockets across the north bridge (top right, from far left), intent on rolling up the German defenses...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyj9-43ZMJbfn_thDb_lIoe2jJJ1bIU_3KUs-i_TiAb2t_FXPHbkKYDhZjSokZd1iZeweFrnjvQIDCLi2mEVAGByShQuOgclOQxSwCTsNb2yG9dKMu8wXbzPSmmABZp_hCH-HGS9MZ4vaFT6ZLqmH5OHgP9I9RasZXa3TJQ_jr0lPCHkEf3uDhYnX/w400-h300/IMG_9006.JPG)
But there's no way the veteran Germans don't have a rearguard posted, and Cpl Buchanon nearly wets himself when his tank finally advances far enough to see around the bend...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eEzXVsU88gRB7RGi_M_bQ2z678nwPe8LEWpggyU5VPkgFhWeWmFYg0LWmcioyq2gpW8Joa7YUM2udBQ6UfEGJHo30pQbFrsJ9It9CdsghCxWHHL5v-7e9V9i1WYC6eAvOXMqCrHryTYVWwwAimkcc6hY6Edq-gQG9nKvWx-Q_qTkrF9MFIJNcfP1/w400-h300/IMG_9007.JPG)
The hardened Afrika Korps veterans don't hesitate, setting upon Cpl Buchanon's lone tank with handheld anti-tank mines and grenades.  The fight on the northern flank all comes down to this... 

To see how it turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/03/hell-on-wheels-blade-force-fight-9.html

Urgent matters are to hand, in the form of Panzer IVs, with long 75mm guns, crashing in from the north...

Coming right up!

V/R,
Jack

Looks like its a steep learning curve for Major Reisman's boys against the Africa Korps Jack.....

Loving reading the battle reports, even if I don't comment every time. Looks like you put a lot of effort into your research about the historical background to tie in with Reisman's command (e.g. Blade Forces actions).

I thought Cpl Buchanon must have run into a concealed Tiger for a moment from his reaction  ;D ....but he ended up with a third stripe for his good work.....well done that man!

Keep up the good work.....I hope Reismen is going to request some M16's SPAA tracks to deal with those pesky Stukas...if the Luftwaffe does not arrive their 4 x 50 cals are very useful against other targets.   

 :-bd  =D>  :-bd  =D>

Thanks guys!  I know how busy everyone is, so I greatly appreciate you stopping in and leaving a comment, it really helps keep up morale to continue playing and posting.

And yes, a tough one for TF Reisman.  Kind of looked like a walkover for the Yanks, then those wiley Germans snaked it out.

Yeah, it's been a pleasure reading up on Tunisia, a theater I had very little knowledge of previously, though it's a bit tough as it's not as well documented as many other, more familiar campaigns. 

And good call on the quad-.50s ;)

V/R,
Jack

Though I don't reply as often as I intend to, I really enjoy these AARs, Jack. Keep 'em coming!

As to the half-track mounted 50 cals, my Russians with their M17s can testify to them putting out serious firepower .... but also crumpling like a biscuit tin if they take a well placed satchel charge or panzerfaust round! Still they are Stalin's supposed dictum that "quantity has a quality all it's own" in weapon form :)

Thanks a bunch, Ithoriel!  Yeah, I don't have any halftrack-mounted meat choppers, just the towed ones.  May have to rectify that ;)

V/R,
Jack

All,

1030 Local Time
26 November 1942
Near Chouigoui, French Tunisia

At dawn the tanks of 10th Panzer Division crashed into Blade Force's rear, back at Chouigoui Pass.  Colonel Watters' 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment, bore the brunt of the assault.  Equipped solely with M3 Stuarts, the American tankers did not fare well, as one might expect (according to 29-year old 2nd Lieutenant Freeland A. Daubin, a platoon leader in A Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment, he "...discovered why his unit's 37mm weapons had performed so poorly even at point-blank range.  In the chaos if its first operation, his battalion had been issued training ammunition instead of the newer armor-piercing rounds, which were still sitting int he supply depots of Algiers.").  Nevertheless, TF Reisman was tasked to send any available tanks and tank destroyers back to Chouigoui Pass in order to stem the flow of panzers from the north. 

Captain Avery, the Tank Company commander, immediately grabbed up the tanks he had to hand and began pushing back to the west, towards Chouigoui Pass.  The column briefly became disoriented, so that it actually passed the German column and ended up approaching it from the southeast;* the Germans saw the fledgling American armored force coming and dispatched a small detachment to handle it.

This is a fictional engagement, but it still should have happened with Americans in the east and Germans in the west, but I forgot about that when I set the table up and so I had to make up that part about Captain Avery becoming disoriented and having to turn around, thus attacking from the southeast, sorry ;)

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMP4yEwnxftACl5SjdIb2GSicrDH6ECSnsA8vfFTlcRG5xh_PgmQMtWij1VbEEMLVQ7wpj9UqLA11HW8kM9Ije-ooH1GLvtABoa_IDv2ySa1mshuh5B_aLR_kbOeM5J83Dfn0eP32RR0vA7RxAk7ektXXfIG846ZIe2S_ey6OErF44s8n-U5E-N7gm/w400-h300/IMG_9014.JPG)
Overview, north is up.  There is a walled farm at bottom left (St Joseph's Farm, other elements of Blade Force had fought a battle here yesterday); other than that, the battlefield is framed by rocky escarpments and, broken only by sand dunes (which are impassable to vehicles) and rocky ground.  The US force is broken into three separate elements: three Stuarts at far left, three M3 GMCs at the Walled Farm (bottom left), and the Grant and two Stuarts at bottom center left (just right of the Walled Farm), while the Germans have broken into two different elements, both at top right, but with their right-hand column looking to shoot straight west (left) and their left-hand element looking to shoot straight south (down), looking to conduct a double envelopment of the US force.

This is a straight up tank fight, no infantry or support weapons (well, some US halftracks used as tank destroyers), and no real finesse, just gonna duke it out at point-blank range.  Every now and again I like to do this, but two issues: 1) I really need to do it on a bigger table, 4' x 4' does not cut it (for me) in 15mm, and 2) this is the one area where I feel 5Core Company Command doesn't shine, it just doesn't feel right to me for fast-paced armored actions.  But I think I have a solution, courtesy of my good buddy Shaun.  He and I were discussing the rules and even though we were discussing different facets, he brought up a different mechanism and it hit me that it would (probably) be perfect for tank-on-tank fights: rather than using the regular "Five Men in Normandy"-style activation, I should try the "Five Men at Kursk"-style activation.

Alas, Shaun and I's conversation occurred after I'd already played this, but I've resolved to play out at least one more tank-on-tank fight in North Africa (Kasserine, maybe El Guettar?  Maybe both?  Yeah, probably both!) on at least a 5' x 4' table, maybe even full 6' x 4', and to use 5MAK-style activation.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky-rgXmdwZ9ziuBaa8gvWgAqeayzZrDe07uA8aMMgg1gFbJsiEh4MhDDLz9I2yLni3eh4jtfIQU4Fud6rMQmVhN5HRhlOH5Gf9bxdQjhh2LigDfPcjaBQPRZiJ2Uwm2k933bk8KhCJaF3JY99D0yHFE3pM3MmjtAb-jjvhtKw3lQ8b77711nyZ2cd/w400-h300/IMG_9011.JPG)
The opposing forces, with Americans on the left and Germans on the right.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL5_1fi2-UDl-v6xTx6d0GUw6RS1eCuDlNORrgsxeyzQBaHb7FTktVGsS5p324TK2R-O1t_Kwuv4iqdrHuYDAAkF126W9fZMeIFUVPPSWBPyC6SYjglGZ7PxD3lZnDmHJdS3ORSo0rO3MooGnxVrHaz8hXFOUlG47r4woB7Ne92V3m3B5FrvkgJA5/w400-h300/IMG_9018.JPG)
The opposing forces collide.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrczCYs99MUxOpNO_J-hbD6U0ThqvayDt7yxIROVIPsTrMWFJjSUmsRirKn2IpG9ysvhxOiq2vK20VKC0jNvT1WgYKgJofgT7RyM7a0bfQV1D3Ne227bNGll1leG17km1UrO2KU-RdX1VYobaWdwyzPM-DHvUVLJdza_a4-skpJn0yCe201S9UtHZ/w400-h300/IMG_9031.JPG)
Captain Avery's tank (bottom left) is hit and disabled, but he and his crew stick it out and return fire...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgm-DtYRNsaTu0LxSDB-tilo__NvmRraY8KTlUjhYdtO5wbKQEX9zlWqlH3v0B2jIFT6MZuGpwVtawhFaN6v7VIIC_NMJ1VUWTkZX2jM1Co3zxIahzS60ZYDt1iml4-lQCQ_AK3Y8n--kyMujs4LzqMa6aM0e2Z_rzB2240VlZkqlr4SbCmA6BZY3/w400-h300/IMG_9033.JPG)
Knocking out two of the advancing panzers!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqskET1Lvjxp3HaXetQqHc-JGzd-FQXmGJW2SJa1e2JM6jcJpBLCo_fCA210BGySJZ_F7FKs0fKyGe9YqASWWDmpFO8pE0jZzA8i_Jf4rzNsXDQli0O5STmlqu5JaYDS3ar9OsIfUSncKQ_uxTVLWhLg5YOuj8FtCATS18Jcfh5eQXpOeoqXTMvQw/w400-h300/IMG_9025.JPG)
But the Nazi buzzards make yet another appearance over the battlefield...

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9fP50kRwCrf7fla6geYhGqYjYNKE0BZHGbUmVa0eB28GwEWFF9DPn0wa5s9GPIaqhfbfX_hV6cZowxyn2sRBl6Y4f419zyZ1AR5DvfehnhXfFYfwSSDh0CU_RaUDG9sLk1p9iSbPlTizT5IxHr_HQPSGqtY-T5SWcM2EaMeL_VG0qeRSjtvVMTWt/w400-h300/IMG_9027.JPG)
With deadly effect!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5fdf6_HoMT3n5jXNynqLLOzElBVae7HuuGytWfBrjagqFj9m-71FpkTMDcDSJX87egxSaE47fRncu0sAah9wEiZ1tHYgXzfITXM2vv8uJ53CHdJJIpUJ3NyLyk-FiVS506QLh7q6iViluc0xMSiq71wK8v6dJf5Ka4X6Z_khamWyDS1-m0kVM7uL/w400-h300/IMG_9038.JPG)
But then our man 'Cutthroat,' mounted in his trusty tank-destroying halftrack, goes to work! 

To see how it turned out, please check the blog at:
https://hakunamatatawars.blogspot.com/2023/03/hell-on-wheels-blade-force-fight-10.html

Overall the campaign is not going well for the Allies, but despite Blade Force suffering heavy casualties and being virtually surrounded by a seasoned opponent, high command was still intent on continuing the race for Tunis.  The Germans seemed content to sit tight and let the situation develop, carrying out only light, probing attacks, as Blade Force licked its wounds and reorganized, preparing for the big push, eastwards to Djedeida, which also allowed the British to push more armor further west, back to Chouigoui, in the form of the 17/21st Hussar Regiment.  Two days later and it was time to answer the bell, as the 5th Northamptonshires were stepping off in the attack, with elements of TF Reisman conducting a supporting attack on their left...

Coming right up!

V/R,
Jack

the regular "Five Men in Normandy"-style activation, I should try the "Five Men at Kursk"-style activation
The AARs are always interesting reads but what are the differences between the activation systems?

Hello Hammurabi,

See there, I'm a genius!  ;D  ;D  ;D I knew you were going to ask me that question!!!  ;D  ;D  ;D

From the very next paragraph in the batrep on my blog:

"**Briefly, for those wondering:
-5MIN: when it's your turn, roll 1D6.  If it's a 1, everyone gets to move, without drawing reaction fire, but they're not allowed to shoot.  If it's a 2-5, count your total number of stands, divide it by three, and activate that many stands (with some provisions for 'group moves).  If it's a 6, everyone that's able to fire (good order or pinned and has an enemy unit in line of sight) gets to shoot, but after it's all over, every enemy unit that's able to fire gets to take a shot.

-5MAK: when it's your turn, count up your total number of stands and roll that many D6.  Assign each D6 to a stand and carry it out, in order of your preference.  1s mean that stand gets to move without drawing reaction fire, 2-5 means that stand gets to move and fire, but is subject to react fire, and a 6 means that stand gets to fire (with a bonus, if I recall correctly, and without being subject to return fire, also if I remember correctly, but I'm not sure, it may allow for return fire)."

V/R,
Jack

5MAK sounds like it needs a lot of activation dice :o  :o  :o

Paul,

It can, but I've found that the best games are about 7-10 guys vs 7-10 guys, so 7 to 10D6 for activation and another 3 red D6 and 4 black D6 for shooting.

V/R,
Jack

Another bloody fight for TF Reisman Jack....looks like they need those M16/17 AA halftracks, or as you observe in your blog some P-38 "fork tailed devils" (as the Germans called them) in support.

They lost several tanks, but destroyed 5 panzers, including 4 Mk IV's, which at this time were pretty well impossible for the Germans to replace in Tunisia given that between them the RoyaL Navy and Allied airforces were sinking any Axis shipping attempting to cross the Med to North Africa.

From the US point of view supply is not really a problem...Maybe Reisman's Quartermaster can acquire some M4's to replace the lost Stuarts.......if he has the right connections  ;)   

Keep up the good work  :-bd