August 27, 1944: It was 7:40 AM and Captain Cole’s L Company of the 3rd Battalion found themselves on the outskirts of the small village of Allan in Southern France. The rest of the 3rd Battalion was still 5 miles back and just now passing through Bois des Mattes. L Company was all alone. Not having seen any sign of enemy activity, Captain Coles ordered a recon in force. As soon as they stepped off, they began receiving enemy small arms and mortar fire. A pit immediately formed in Cole’s stomach as he realized that L Company might have bitten off more than it could chew.

Mission Objective: Mission ends if at the end of any game turn the Americans control 10 Building Points [see MSR 1.0, Building Points] out of the possible 12 in Sector 11, or when either side exceeds its Casualty Differential Limit, or when the Final Score is ≥ 51.

American Forces: Baker Infantry Co., and (4) tanks from Able Tank Co., 1st Tank Plt., supported by 2 MG sections and 1 60mm mortar section [24 steps]. German Forces: 1. Kp., 3rd Infantry Plt. (plus 1 section from the 3rd Infantry Plt,) and 1 Panther from 1. Kp., 1st Tank Plt., supported by 2 MG sections, 1 LATW section and 1 8cm mortar section [10 steps]

This mission was played solo and to create a little surprise of where the Panther was, 3 possible locations were recorded and the Panther along with 2 Concealment markers were placed in a cup. When the Germans wanted to activate one of the locations (or if revealed as a hidden unit in one of the locations), then a chit would be drawn. This also made deploying the US a little more realistic as they couldn’t plan for where the Panther would be.

The Germans took up positions mostly in the woods surrounding the village with a couple squads providing stronger points of defence in the village to fall back on. The US deployed with 1^st platoon on the east with a couple of Sherman’s, 2^nd Platoon in the centre, and 3^rd Platoon on the west with two Shermans. Both sides also had the ability to call upon support from a mortar section.

7:49 AM: Lt. Jones’s of the 1^st platoon requested smoke from the company’s 60mm mortar to screen his left flank as the platoon advanced towards the woods ahead supported by two Shermans. As the platoon entered the woods, 2^nd squad was disrupted by fire from a concealed German infantry section. As the Shermans advanced, one of them moved into the sights of the concealed Panther and was reduced to a flaming hulk.

Jackson’s 2^nd platoon advanced over open ground toward the woods in the centre with covering fire from its supporting MG section. In spite of heavy fire from the Germans dug in along the wood line, all of 2^nd platoons’ squads advanced in good order. The German section in wood line were beginning to feel the pressure. Meanwhile, Phillips’ 3^rd platoon advanced from the woods on the left flank with support of the other two Shermans. But shortly after leaving the woods, 1^st and 3^rd squads were caught in the open under an intense mortar fire. 1^st squad suffered casualties and the 3^rd disrupted. The Sherman’s split with one flanking the church occupied by Lt. Haupt and a MG section. Still in the open, Phillips and his 2^nd squad followed one of the Shermans closely for some protection.

7:58 AM: Lt. Jones and the 1^st platoon continued to receive small arms, MG, and tank fire from the woods to his front. Although the enemy fire was heavy, his platoon was holding up fairly well. Most of the platoon was able to return fire and when disrupted recovered effectively. The remaining Sherman in support was a little tentative after watching its buddy go up in flames, but was successful in disrupting a German section.

In the centre, Lt. Jackson’s 2^nd Platoon continued to apply pressure overrunning the German section defending in front of the wood line and then maneuver into position to support the other two platoon’s advances. In the process, 2^nd squad was disrupted.

On the left, Lt. Phillips and the 3^rd platoon managed to recover from the mortar barrage and with the two supporting Shermans on the left, poured heavy fire into the church forcing Lt. Haupt and the MG section to hunker down. Lt. Haupt, informed of the pending calamity in his centre, sent 3^rd squad to reinforce the position.

8:06 AM: In spite of the heavy enemy fire, Lt. Jones and the 1^st platoon was able to silence the German MG and force the German section to withdraw. As a result, Jones and the 1^st and 2^nd squads were then able to advance, taking up positions in the building abandoned by the German section.

Back in the centre, Lt. Jackson and his men were forced to hunker down, exchanging small arms fire before finally disrupting one of the German sections. Both sides exchanged mortar fire but to no effect.

With the two supporting Shermans providing heavy covering fire, Lt. Phillips and his men were able to assault the church defended by Lt. Haupt and the machine gun section. After a desperate defense, Lt. Haupt and the MG section retreated to a position in the centre of the village and the MG section disrupted. Shortly thereafter the disrupted German MG was eliminated by the heavy fire from the two Shermans.

The two Shermans now attempted to take on the Panther. One Sherman crossed through the wall at the church, getting a shot off and drawing the Panther’s attention which immediately returned fire against the Sherman crossing the wall. But in doing so, the Panther was enfiladed by Sherman emerging from the woods on the Panther’s left. The enfilade shot destroyed the Panther, though it came at a price as the Sherman drawing the Panther’s attention was also left as a smoking wreck.

8:14 AM: The Germans manage to briefly take the initiative allowing them to recover some of their disrupted units. In reaction, the Americans continued to apply pressure and shortly thereafter regained the initiative.

With covering fire from a supporting MG section and nearby Sherman, Lt. Jones and the 1^st platoon assaulted the German MG section in the woods that had just recovered. Lt. Jones and the 1^st platoon completely overwhelmed the German MG section. Flushed with success, Lt. Jones then led 2^nd and 3^rd squads in a subsequent assault against the dug-in German section still holding the woods to their front while the 1^st squad provided covering fire.

The German units under assault unleashed withering fire against Jones and his men, disrupting one of the assaulting squads but losing the assault and they were forced to retreat. The American MG section maneuvers into the woods to get into position to provide cover fire while one of the remaining Shermans maneuvers to the rear of the village.  

Jackson and the men of the 2^nd platoon continue to receive small arms and mortar fire, which suppresses their ability to maneuver. Finally, the platoon’s well directed small arms and mortar fire disrupts the German squad holding up their advance allowing the 3^rd squad and the MG section to take up a position behind the wall.

Meanwhile, Lt. Phillips after finally regrouping his men after the assault on the church sends 3^rd squad to occupy one of the buildings on the left flank. Despite the suppressing fire from the other remaining Sherman and  Phillip’s 2^nd squad, the 3^rd squad takes casualties and disrupts. Phillips holds his position and directs another section to occupy the church.

Although the net is now beginning to close on the remaining Germans, Captain Cole realizes that time is running short and in spite of the risk, pushes his men forward for the final assault.

8:20 AM: Lt. Jones moves to help recover his 3^rd squad while the remainder of his platoon and one of the remaining Sherman’s begin to clear the buildings at the rear of the village.

In the centre the German section and crew wielding a Panzerschreck fall back deeper into the village after seeing the concentration of American forces preparing to assault their position.

The American MG section behind the wall opens up providing cover fire for the pending assault by elements of Jackson’s platoon.  Lt. Jackson and his 1^st squad assaults the German squad in the building to his front while a squad from 3^rd platoon envelops from the left. Jackson’s 2^nd and 3^rd squads maneuver across the road in an attempt to occupy one of the vacant buildings. Although both squads were able to occupy the building, 3^rd squad suffers a casualty and is disrupted. The enveloped German squad loses the assault and retreats undisrupted to one of the unoccupied building toward the rear of the village.  

The attack on the left flank has temporarily stalled and Lt. Phillips decides to wait for the Sherman as it makes its way around the woods. While waiting Lt. Phillips attempts, but is unsuccessful in getting one of his disrupted sections back in the fight.

Back in the center, Lt. Jackson’s 2^nd Platoon digs deep once again for the final push. Jackson decides to split his force against the last two German positions (though only one more building is required to end the scenario). Jackson along with 2^nd and 3^rd squads assault Lt. Haupt and his squad in the farmhouse to their front, but quickly lose the assault and are sent packing back to the church to regroup. In the adjacent building, the American 1^st squad with some help from some well-placed covering fire is able to dislodge the German section who suffers a casualty as it retreats past units of the 1^st platoon who have now entered the village from the rear.

8:23 AM: Mission is successfully completed after 43 minutes of action with the Germans losing one more step (4 CP) than the Americans. Final score is 39 [43 minutes less 4 casualty points for the German step loss]. Baker company was able to take the village within Battalions expected time frame with a score of 39!!

They gain a victory by just 1 point!! 

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