Skirmish at the Roadblock
Game setup here.
Figures in 28mm scale from Old Glory, Artizan, vehicles from Solido 1:50.
Game players studying the terrain, Vittorio and Mauro, germans on the left, Leonardo and (oops I forgot) americans on the top and left. Renato, the american captain, does not appear on the photo.
The american side of the table, the roadblock is visible on the top right. terrain is mainly low hills and Bocage. Some wheat fields.
A close view of the village and the roadblock. A pillbox on the hill is dominating the approach.
Some more details of the pillbox.
On the german left some fieldworks will probably hold some infantry.
The game begins with a salvo of an M7 Priest battery delivering smoke to screen the approach.
the armored platoon on the german left reaches the canal. Infantry dismounts.
No germans are present in the wood nearby, the american platoon is capable of reaching the enemy positions without receiving long range fire. The german defenders are able to kill some GIs but they are overwhelmed.
A Somua tank in german service arrives and starts an engagement with the US Recce armor.
One M8 is destroyed by german artillery, a section of 120mm mortars, the second M8 sustains a withering fire from the german MGS and the commander is killed.
On the german right a feint attack has been developed by the americans, but the german understand the trick and start move armor in support of their left flank.
The americans start approaching the village, snipers firing! A heavy support from the M3 heavy machine guns are screening the advance.
The bunker is heavily defended, even if a previous lucky shot from one of the 37mm M8 is able to hit an HGM gunner.
America advancing along the hedgerow. At this point the german captain starts firing from the first floor of the house in the forefront and is suddenly killed together with the all the command squad by the fire of the full armored platoon.
Germa armor starts to engage the 57mm AT gun on the central hill, one gunner is killed.
the Somua is attacked by an M8 and the 57mm AT gun, just causing the bottom up. A bazooka scores a full penetrating hit on the flank. The tank explodes in flames.
The americans are on the rear. A mortar emplacement is found hiding behind the village houses. The americans reach the roadblock itself, but just for a brief period. Germans defend the place stubbornly and they are not dislodged ate the end of the game, even if they reach the army breakpoint due to about 60% losses.
The game ends with one objective held per side, and the most important roadblock contested, it is a heavily fougth draw.
The photo on the bottom shows me writing the battle report. Happy gaming!
