This photo shows the battle field. The German’s will be entering from the east (top of the photo) with the Americans defending around the edge of the village. My force consisted of two full PIR platoons, one half-strength platoon, an platoon of PIR Engineers and three Shermans. Pádraic had to full Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier platoons, four StuGs and five Panzer IV Hs.

The battle started in darkness, but that had little effect as the visibility was quite good. Pádraic started the battle with his tanks in play and the mechanised troops in reserve. I started with one of the large PIR platoons on my left flank and the other in immediate ambush (the plan was to deploy them into the edge of the village).

The German’s advanced rapidly towards my left flank, though they were hampered slightly by some vehicles becoming bogged down in the snow. The Panzers began firing into the paratroopers in the woods, while the StuGs fired into the village. Neither caused much damage, as the Americans kept their heads down. Reserves were slow to arrive for both forces, but as daybreak arrived so too did the remainder of the forces. The mounted Germans were focussed on the American left and moved up behind the cover of woods. The Shermans arrived at speed and took speculative shots at the Panzers. The return fire was devastating and the American armour was decimated.

As the Germans dismounted from their transports the Engineers and half-strength PIR platoon arrived to support the paratroopers in the wood. The Engineers took heavy fire from the StuGs as they moved to protect the centre. This was a precursor to a large assault, with a platoon of Panzergrenadiers smashing into the frond of the paratroopers in the wood. The American’s prevailed, but suffered heavy losses. The Engineer’s bazookas destroyed two Panzers and subsequently bailed a third. The StuGs assaulted the now under-strength Engineer platoon, but three were destroyed at the third was abandoned.

The PIR platoon dug in at the edge of the village moved out in support of their comrades. The Panzergrenadiers eliminated up the remaining PIR around the woods while the Panzers remounted and unbogged.

Just as the PIR arrived to hold the objective the Company Commander made the call the fallback. Victory to the Germans.

This was another great game. I made the mistake of saying it was highly unlikely for me to roll on a 1 or 2 with a reroll before making my Company Motivation check, but of course that’s what happened.

I think there’ll be one more game in the campaign. I just need to make some more terrain, as I think Bizory will be the centre of the fighting.

Owen

No related posts.

I’m looking forward to game two of this mini campaign. The last game was somewhat of a stalemate with the Germans slowly pushing the American paratroopers back towards Bizory. That game was set on the evening of the 20th December 1944. This game is set at daybreak early on the following day.

TERRAIN
This scenario uses the Fighting Winter Battles rules (P.244 of Hardback Rulebook). It should have several forested areas (at least in the defenders deployment area) and some snow drifts/muddy areas with roads running through. Some buildings on the edge of Bizory (along the Bizory-Foy road) should also be included.

SCENARIO
This scenario is based on Hasty Assault (P.18 of Das Book) with one additional Mission Special Rule: Dawn Attack (P.7 of Das Book). The American player is automatically the defender.

I’ll play this on Monday and do a Battle Report at some stage during the week.

Owen

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As you can see Fox Company was positioned just north of Bizory and suffered the brunt of the German assault. In ou 1250pt game I commanded the US Paratrooper force that was made up of three plattons of Paratroopers and a single platoon of PIR Engineers. Pádraic’s had a Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier force with two mechanised platoons supported by three Panzer IV Hs and three StUGs. As we were playing the No Retreat mission I had to keep two platoons in reserve and one in ambush, meaning I started the game with just one platoon on the board. The German’s had the benefit of a Preliminary Bombardment (which effects platoons on the board and those in ambush), but was mostly ineffective.

Once the artillery died down the sound of German engines could be heard approaching from the east. Above is the sight my sole platoon had as the remained in a copse of wood protecting an objective. The German vehicles were hampered slightly by the snowy conditions and the poor light, but they trundled forward at a steady pace. I sprung my ambush of PIR Engineers on the right flank, inflicting significant damage to one of the Grenadier platoons, but ultimately the ambushers fled back to the edge of Bizory (depicted by a few buildings and a small intersection in the road).

Quite quickly my Paratroopers in the wood (augmented with the Company Commander, 2iC and two additional bazookas) were facing the bulk of the German force. The all attacked and initially pushed the Paratroopers back out of the wood. On the right the under strength Grenadiers kept pushing towards the Engineers, ultimately wiping them out and taking up position on the edge of the town.

The counter attack around the objective was quite successful, destroying three Panzers and killing one or two Grenadier teams. Their success was short lived and the platoon fled as the Germans pressed their assault. The sole survivor did manage to evade the pursuing enemy.

With both forces down a platoon one of my reserve PIR platoons moved to assault the Grenadiers (and Company Commander) who had occupied the edge of town. The German’s hit them with a withering hail of fire, but failed to halt the assault. The PIR proved too strong for their enemy and destroyed them.

As Pádraic would start this turn in possession of an objective all he had to do was pass that Company Morale check. This tight game was going to come down to whether he could roll 4+ on a D6. He rolled six and the Germans won the encounter. At this point in the game we had forgotten an important rule – forces that have their Company Commander destroyed can’t pass a Company Morale check. Doesn’t really matter as it was an excellent game. I seem to enjoy Flames of War whether I win or lose!

Until next time,

Owen

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3. Flames of War – Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers, Nebelwerfers and StuG Gs If you’re not familiar with the German army from WWII...

This scenario is set on the evening of the 20th December 1944 when the Panzer Lehr infantry supported by Panthers clashed with the 501st east of Bastogne between Mont and Bizory. The Germans bombarded the entire length of the 501st line before the assault began at 19:00.

TERRAIN
This scenario uses the Fighting Winter Battles rules (P.244 of Hardback Rulebook). It should have several forested areas (at least in the defenders deployment area) and some snow drifts/muddy areas with roads running through.

SCENARIO
This scenario is based on No Retreat (P.13 of Das Book) with two additional Mission Special Rules: Night Fighting Rules (P.7 of Das Book) and Preliminary Bombardment (P.218 of Hardback Rulebook). The American player is automatically the defender.

I’ll play this on Tuesday and do a Battle Report.

Owen

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Until next time,

Owen

No related posts.

My main focus in 2011 was campaign play and I see that continuing in 2011. I’ve played campaigns in Warmachine, Horde and Flames of War. I’ve also done quite a bit of painting this year. Here are a few samples -

I didn’t make that much terrain last year. I made the Jailhouse, some Fences and some fortifications for Flames of War. I’d like to improve on that for next year.

I also did the Wargames Audit which was a great exercise. On the back of it I am determined to concentrate on my three core games of Warmachine/Hordes, Flames of War and Malifaux in 2012. I don’t see myself starting any new armies other than adding to my US WWII army. I have good faction coverage in Warmachine (Khador, Mercs and Cryx) and Hordes (Legion) and until I get more games of Malifaux played there is no point adding more models. I have the Puppet Wars models and the Dead Justice crew to paint anyway. My painting list is under control and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.

In 2012 I’m looking forward to extending the Malifaux VASSAL module and getting more Malifaux played. I’d also like to run a Flames of War campaign based on some of the fighting in the Hürtgen Forest. I’m going to focus my Press Ganger activity on a new store that opened in my home town recently. I think the IK RPG may pique my interest in 2011 too, but I’m not really a roleplayer!

Happy New Year,

Owen

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Tonight’s Flames of War game against Peter was great fun. We played the Cauldron scenario with my fortified Hoch und Deutschmeister force defending. I started the game with lots of barbed wire sections, some HMG nests, a Panzer II turret, a platoon of Panzerknacker Rifle/MG troops and my company commander. I kept my three Panzer IV Hs in ambush and the rest of my force (two Rifle/MG platoons, Mortars and Nebelwerfers) were in delayed reserve.

Peter had three platoons start the game, mostly on my right flank – five Stuarts, Pioneers and Riflemen.

The game started with my tanks taking out a Stuart and bailing another. Then I managed to cause heavy losses to the Rifle platoon. Pretty good going. I took pot shots at the dug in and gone to ground Pioneers with my main guns on the Panzers. This offered a side shot to the Stuarts who bailed two and caused the other to break! Things were suddenly looking bleak…

I managed to hold off for a while, but the Stuarts were able to rampage through my army unchecked.

It was a really fun game and finishes out our Infantry Aces campaign (kind of ironic that the tanks had such a strong role in the final game!). It’s been great fun, though both mine and Peter’s Aces were destroyed in this game. I think I’ll dig out my notes on the Hürtgen Forest campaign and prepare something for a few months time.

Until next time,

Owen

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I’ll ditch the fortifications for the next game in favour of some more open play. I think both of our Aces can take advancements again – I’ll stick with the leadership track.

Until next time,

Owen

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Owen

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Peter dug his infantry in around the objectives (on the right flank) and placed his artillery (Priests and 105s) on the opposite side. I decided I was going to focus on that right flank and moved to bring a large Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Lehr platoon, accompanied by my HQ, down it with five Panzer IV Hs in support. My plan was scuppered when Peter’s aircraft and artillery combined to decimate that platoon on turn two. He hit them with everything he had and the platoon promptly failed its morale check (twice!) and fled.

I decided to keep pushing my Panzers forward and succeeded in pushing two platoons back from the objectives, but Peter’s M10 tank hunters arrived from reserve and, coupled with some more effective artillery, pummeled my most valuable unit! Things were not looking good! Peter’s reserves began to arrive in force and mine eventually arrived, but I had lost momentum.
My Nebelwerfers were largely ineffective, but I did manage to destroy a Sherman platoon with some of my grenadiers. Their Panzerknackers proved very effective in an assault, destroying five of the American tanks. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the German’s performance. A fierce exchange of fire on the right flank saw tank hunters from both sides left flaming. Eventually my force was reduced to half strength, forcing company morale checks. I passed my first check, but decided concede defeat. Peter held the objectives very securely and attempting to wrest them from his control would have resulted in my whole force being destroyed.

My attack was indeed hasty!

Owen

Ps Peter won!

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In game two fortunes were reversed when one of Peter’s platoons Truscott Trotted into the face of an ambushing Rifle/MG platoon. They were decimated by the incoming fire. From there he had little chance to recover and the game went my way. We gain a skill having achieved 5 Infantry Aces points each. I think I’ll go the leadership route.

I’ve started constructing my fortifications. Here the list I’m planning to use next (built using the excellent Easy Army) -

Owen

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Owen

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Flames of War

I’ve always been interested in war. It’s a peculiar thing to say as war is a terrible thing that humans inflict on each other, but war and specifically the engineering that underpins warfare really interests me. Flames of War allows me to explore World War II through wargaming. I think I’ve only played two games in the last year, painted one platoon and added some 28mm Paratroopers, but Flames of War is still an important game to me.

This game has inspired me to read deeper into certain campaigns and battles, specifically the fighting around Carentan after D-Day, the slaughter in the Hürtgen Forest, Market Garden and the allied offensive in Italy. Each reading is guided by the armies I own – US Paratroopers and Gepanzerte PanzerGrenadiers (Mechanized Infantry) – and the conflicts companies of these types fought in. In that sense the game really does influence my knowledge WWII.

I have little intention to expand my forces in the coming year or to buy any more books. I have the core rulebook and plenty of expansions. If I decided to only play Flames of War in the coming year (I’m not going to!) I think I’d have more than enough models and books to keep me going. That said, I may add a few discrete things, some Stuart tanks and some regular US infantry. I’ll probably use a different company for the models though, as the Battle Front models are pretty pricey.

I’ll probably play some campaign games over the coming year, but I suspect, like this year, I’ll only play a handful of games.

Owen

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The next mistake we made was forgetting to dig in with the artillery on the first turn. As this the mission had the Mobile Battle rule they did little else on the first turn, so we should have gotten them dug in.

We made other silly mistakes. When my Panzers hit the Priests, as the Priests’ armour couldn’t stop the shot we forgot to make the Firepower checks to determine if they were bailed out or destroyed. Instead we simply marked them as destroyed!

We took our time on the assault on the left, but forgot that defensive fire can pin a mounted assault as the platoon is mixed.

In the end my shooting routed Peter’s three artillery platoons and the infantry I assaulted quit the field (despite winning the assault). My assaulting platoon quit the field as it failed the Sole Survivor morale check. The game ended in a Victory Point win to me.

Next time we’ll play with fewer mistakes and with more terrain!

Owen

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Owen

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• I finished my Panzergrenadier Lehr Mortar platoon for Flames of War.
• I cleaned, assembled and primed some 28mm Warlord Games US Paratroopers. I also started painting them (pictured right).
• I attempted to build more 15mm Southern Italy style houses for a Flames of War campaign. One turned out okay, but I need to rethink how I’m assembling them. The last batch were made purely from DAS air drying modeling clay. For this lot I decided to use a foam structure and then try to ‘plaster’ it. It looks fine, but was a messy process! I need to rethink what I’m doing there.
• I started to reread the Malifaux. I’m skipping the (excellent) background stories and going straight to the rules. I hope to run a campaign for it later in the year.

Pretty productive weekend!

Owen

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I’ve been painting these guys over the last week. I used watered down Devlan Mud instead of the Army Painter Dark Shade dip for the quick shading. The results are about the same, so I might use it in future! I picked up Michael Wittmann’s Tiger tank, so it’ll be next on my painting table, along with some 28mm WWII Paratroopers.

Owen

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Owen

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GAME 2: AFTER ACTION REPORT
Dog and Fox companies had successfully stalled the German advance as they strategically withdrew earlier. This gave Easy time to detach some Bazooka teams for form an ambuscade and prepare a PIR platoon in an ambushing position.
SETUP
For game two the 4′ x 6′ board represented further along Route d’Auvers, closer to Carentan. The road ran lengthwise and was surrounded by hedgerows and fields. Much of the American force was either held in reserve, or was preparing an ambush. The forces that were deployed were dug in in prepared positions and were keeping their heads down. The Germans would enter from the south and attempt to seize key objectives before the American reserves could react. This game was set at about 1500pts with Paul playing an armour supported German Fallschirmjager force and me playing American paratroopers, with some Shermans in reserve.

The German force consisted of -

• Fallschirmjager Company HQ (2 SMG Teams) supported by 2 Panzerfausts and a Mortar Detachment
• Fallschirmjager Platoon with three Rifle/MG squads and a HQ with Panzerfaust
• Fallschirmjager Platoon with three Rifle/MG squads and a HQ with Panzerfaust
• Fallschirmjager Mortar Platoon with four 10.5cm NbW35 and HQ
• Panzergrenadier Platoon with three squads and a HQ with Panzerfaust
• Panzer Platoon with five Panzer IVh tanks (including HQ)
• Assault Gun Platoon with three StuG III G tanks (including HQ)

A combination of elite troops supported by hard hitting and heavily armoured tanks. Given that all of the German force could deploy and did not rely on fickle reserves they presented quite a formidable challenge to the few American paratroopers that would actually start the game deployed on the battlefield.

My paratrooper force consisted of -

• PIR Company Command Carbine Team and 2iC Command Carbine Team with three HQ Bazooka Teams (detached as Ambuscade) and Sniper (held in Ambush)
• PIR Platoon with three Squads (Cmd R/MG, 6x R/MG, 1x 60mm Mort, 1x Bazooka)
• PIR Platoon with three Squads (Cmd R/MG, 6x R/MG, 1x 60mm Mort, 1x Bazooka) (in Reserve)
• PIR Platoon with three Squads (Cmd R/MG, 6x R/MG, 1x 60mm Mort, 1x Bazooka) (held in Ambush)
• PIR Mortar Platoon with two Sections (Cmd/Crb, 4x 81mm Mort, 1x Bazooka) (in Reserve)
• PIR Field Artillery Battery with two Sections (Cmd/Crb, Staff, Obs/Crb, 4x 75mm PH)
• Medium Tank Platoon with four Sherman Tanks (2nd Armoured Division) (in Reserve)

The Germans deployed towards the southern end of the road with the Panzers on the (American) right flank and the StuGs on the left. Each was supported by a platoon of Fallschirmjager. Paul detached several Panzerfausts into an infantry-based tank hunting platoon and deployed them in the middle beside the mortar platoon.

The Americans were mostly in reserve or held in ambush. Only a single PIR platoon and the Howitzers were visible on the battlefield. The PIR platoon was on the left flank with the artillery behind them. The infantry held one of the two objectives, with the other further back in their deployment area (I had plans that my ambushing PIR platoon and reserves that came on would protect it). With most of my army off the battlefield I felt seriously undermanned. All I could hope for was that my reserves would arrive early and the Bazooka ambuscade could stall some of the German armour.

THE BATTLE
I videoed the game took loads of photos. Here’s a turn-by-turn video combining the footage and photos -

AFTERMATH
The American paratroopers looked to be in real trouble for most of the battle. Their artillery and tanks were mostly ineffective against the German armour. The ambuscade bailed out two Panzers, but that platoon soon got moving. Paul’s decision to mount the Fallschirmjager on the tanks proved costly. He lost a platoon before they could even get into the battle on the left flank. The StuGs more than made up for this loss as they nearly rolled the whole flank.

The timely arrival of all of my reserves helped me to plan the battle. The Shermans were intended to repel the Panzers and looked like they ere doing a terrible job of it until the last turn. With three active tanks (one was bailed-out) I scored three hits, bailing one Panzer and destroying two. This was the turning point as the other platoons went on the offensive. The PIR that had appeared in ambush assaulted the second Fallschirmjager platoon and another assaulted the ad-hoc Panzerfaust platoon. This was enough for the German morale to be tested and again Paul’s dice failed him.

It was a fun game, but I think had Paul been more aggressive with his armour he could have overwhelmed my forces as the reserves were still arriving.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS

Standard disclaimer – I am not a historian and I do not claim that everything written in this article is factually accurate, although I strove to ensure that it is. The battle report is fictitious and does not represent the events of the 13th June 1944.

Owen

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• I started the year with posts about my MkII project, the Privateers. This was an interesting painting project as I’d acquired the start of the army from Ugo, the best painter in our club. I wanted to emulate his style, so it was a bit of a learning curve. I think it worked out pretty well …
  
  
• Next up I tried to learn to play Hordes (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4). This is still an ongoing project!
• I wrote an attrition-based campaign system for Warmachine and Hordes called ANNIHILATION. This proved to be a lot of fun and puts a strategic element into every game. Here’s a link to the final set of rules.
• I had fun converting my own character ‘jacks too having created alternative versions of Deathjack and Beast-09.
  
  
• This year also brought my first foray into Malifaux. I’ve only had a few games of it, but it’s fun. The miniatures are lovely to paint too.

• There have also been a few Flames of War posts, but not nearly as many as I’d have liked.
  
  
• I became a Press Ganger, but haven’t had much time to dedicate to it, though I did write a couple of introductory articles (Warmachine Beginners Battle Report Part 1 and Part 2). Hopefully more in 2011…
  
  
• I started a Circle Orboros proxy force, but have only painted a few beasts so far. The Pureblood proxy is my favourite so far. Again, something I want to progress this year.
• The Scourge Bringer campaign in Orlando was one of the gaming highlights of 2010 for me. I met up with Clay and Dan in mind November and we had a fun day of Warmachine and Hordes. I was so much fun that it has spawned a campaign series that I hope to continue through this year.
• To round out 2010 I started updating my Legion of Everblight forces.
  
  
• On top of all that there was a smattering of battle reports and hobbying articles.

Thanks for reading in 2010. Let me know what you’d like to see from farfaraway.org in 2011.

Owen

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With the addition of these platoons my German army is starting to get quite large. I can now field a full company of Gepanzerte Panzergrenadiers (armoured, mounted grenadiers)! These Panzergrenadiers are transported to battle by their (lightly) armoured and MG armed 250s. I’ve written a painting guide for these before, so I won’t bore you by repeating it here.

Owen

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Anyway, they’re very easy to paint – I sprayed them with Army Painter Green, base coated them in Vallejo Russian Uniform, highlighted with a small amount of Bleached Bone added, painted the tracks with Boltgun Metal, and then picked out the other details with browns and beiges. I used Army Painters Dark Shade as a paint on dip, applied the decals and then sprayed them with the Army Painter Matt Varnish spray. That sounds like a lot of work, but when you’re painting 6 tanks at once you fly through the steps. Here’s a close up –

I’ve also been adding to my Late War German army. More on that later.

Owen

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The image right represents a very simplified view of a heavily forested battlefield. It has a track running through the centre of the forest and a fire break running through one part of the forest. Forest Verge and Deep Forest are represented by the lighter and darker green respectively.

The following rules assume that the majority (75%+) of the battlefield is covered in forest of varying density. The remainder of the battlefield is made up of fire breaks (man made clearings to prevent the spread of fire), tracks (mud tracks used for moving through the forest), streams and small clearings.

The forest is the most important feature and is made up of two different types of wooded area – deep forest and forest verge. The verge is very dense as natural sunlight can penetrate to the forest floor allowing many species of plants to grow. The deep forest has less ground cover than the verge, but the almost impenetrable canopy allows very little light to reach the forest floor causing highly variable visibility.

The tracks and fire breaks through the forest are highly dangerous areas to be in. The will usually be heavily rutted, either muddy or covered in felled trees/fresh growth, and quite difficult to navigate. The coordinates of critical points may also be known to artillery covering the area. Streams will attract a lot of vegetation and will be also very difficult to cross.

TERRAIN RULES

Deep Forest The deep forest presents a challenge to all troop types. It’s variable light and varying density means that even within a small area the fighting conditions vary wildly. It is treated as Difficult Going (i.e. Bog Down on a roll of a 1) for fully tracked vehicles, who must re-roll successful Bogged Down tests to free the vehicle (to represent that getting stuck in a forest is difficult to get out of). Deep Forest is Impassable to other vehicles. Additionally, Deep forest has rules that are very similar to the Night Fighting rules (P.154). All Night Fighting rules are observed in deep forest with the Night Visibility table changed to -

DEEP FOREST VISIBILITY
1	4″/10cm
2	6″/10cm
3	8″/10cm
4	10″/10cm
5	12″/10cm
6	16″/10cm

Forest Verge The verge is treated like Forest terrain as described in the Flames of War Rulebook with the following modifications. Visibility is limited to 4″ in and out of the Forest Verge. It is also treated as Very Difficult Going (i.e. Skill Test to avoid Bogging Down) for fully tracked vehicles. As with the Deep Forest, once Bogged Down it is hard to get going again, so successful Bogged Down tests to free the vehicle must be re-rolled. Forest Verge is Impassable to other vehicles. Additionally, Infantry and Man-packed Guns treat the Forest Verge as Difficult Going. If they fail the test (on the roll of a 1), they do not become Bogged Down, but stop immediately or just before they enter the verge. This represents them being unable to find a way through the dense foliage.

Forest Tracks Tracks through a forest tend to be heavily rutted from overuse. They count as Difficult Going for fully tracked and half-tracked vehicles. It counts as Very Difficult Going for all other vehicles, but they are able to enter it if desired.

Fire Breaks Fire breaks follow the same movement rules as Forest Tracks, but also provide Concealment to Infantry and Man-packed Guns (even if they moved).

Forest Streams Forest Streams count as Very Difficult Going for full tracked vehicles and Impassable for all other vehicles. As with the Forest Verge, once Bogged Down it is hard to get going again, so successful Bogged Down tests to free the vehicle must be re-rolled. Additionally, Infantry and Man-packed Guns treat the crossing of a Forest Stream as Difficult Going. If they fail the test (on the roll of a 1), they do not become Bogged Down, but stop immediately and do not cross the river. This represents them being unable to find a safe way across.

FOREST ARTILLERY RULES

Tree bursts, were the artillery round is timed to detonate above the ground thus causing thousands of tree splinters to shower their target, are a significant danger when fighting in forested areas. In order to represent this all unarmoured targets (including Infantry, Guns, Unarmoured Vehicles, etc.) subtract 1 from their save roll when hit by a Bombardment in either Deep Forest or Forest Verge terrain. This only applies if the target is not Dug In (P.81).

Additionally, any Observer Team spotting for an artillery platoon may do so to any enemy team within 16″, even within the forest. However, if they do not have line of sight to that enemy (either because of the variable visibility of the Deep Forest or the limited visibility of the Forest Verge) there is an additional +1 modifier to range in. This represents them speculatively calling in artillery bombardments based on the slightest movement or sound.

There are more scenario specific rules for artillery fire coming from troops defending a forest below.

DEFENDING IN A FOREST

It is assumed that defenders in a forest have had sufficient time to calculate the coordinates of crucial areas in the forest and clear a field of fire for their weapons. In order to represent Clear Field of Fire this Mortar and Gun teams may fire bombardments even if within Deep Forest or Forest Verge. However, any enemy within 8″ of them may see them clearly regardless of the Deep Forest Visibility or limited visibility in Forest Verge. However, any artillery platoon may also be deployed ‘Across the Volga’ (P.225 of the Flames Of War rulebook).

Additionally, the defending force may add up to four Pre-ranged Markers to their army list. These cost 15, 25 or 40 points for (predominantly) Conscript, Trained and Veteran forces respectively. Each pre-ranged marker must be placed on the battlefield during the defenders deployment. These markers may not be placed within Deep Forest or Forest Verge terrain. During the game a defending artillery platoon may bombard any one marker providing any platoon commander unit (from any platoon) can draw line of sight to it. No artillery platoon may use the All Guns Repeat! rule to repeat the bombardment on a marker and must Range In again in subsequent turns if they wish to hit the same marker again (provided there is still a friendly platoon commander unit with line of sight).

ATTACKING AN ENEMY IN A FOREST

Attacking a defended forest is a challenging prospect. There are no additional rules that benefit attackers explicitly, but adjusting the relative ratings of the different forces and altering the army sizes (in the attackers favour) may help offset the defender’s bonuses. Also, any attacker artillery platoon may be deployed ‘Across the Volga’ (P.225), but again to reflect the difficulty of targeting an enemy in forests they suffer an additional +1 modifier to the Ranging In roll when try to hit a target in either Deep Forest or Forest Verge terrain.

Owen

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Hürtgen Forest (517th PRCT)

The Americans had greater numbers, more armour, better mobility and almost total air superiority [2] than the German defenders, but all of these advantages were negated by the impenetrable forest. The infantry were channelled into MG covered and mortar zeroed fire breaks as moving through the steep gradient forest was impossible at times; the tanks and half-tracks were restricted to the few tracks that existed and quickly became bogged down or fell victim to the Panzerfausts; and the P47s could not spot the enemy through the fog and canopy of trees. All of these elements coupled with the well trained and organised defenders gave the forest a formidable reputation amongst the Allied troops. The early battles did not go well for the Americans [5].

The strategic importance of the area only became apparent to the Allies after they were already embroiled in this most difficult of fights. Several dams, the largest of which is the Schwammenauel Dam, lay within the forest. The German forces sought to retain control these dams as, if necessary, they could take the extreme measure of opening them. This would flood the area downstream swamping any advancing Allied forces and severely hampering their movement towards the Rhine. The Ardennes Offensive (The Battle of the Bulge) in December 1944 severely delayed the taking of the Hürtgen Forest and it wasn’t until late February of 1945, just prior to the Rhine Crossings that it was under Allied control.

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND
This Flames of War campaign is set on the 5-7 February 1945 just southeast of the village of Bergstein. Operation GRENADE, Montegomery’s 21st Army’s push across the Rhine, was about to kick off and it was imperative that the Schwammenauel Dam was secured in order to prevent the area downstream being flooded.

After dark on the 5th February the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team were tasked with advancing towards the dam from the direction of Bergstein [4]. Almost immediately they found them selves in a bad situation. They were in the middle of an artillery zeroed minefield trying to advance towards an enemy they couldn’t see. The attack was abandoned and the following the morning the Engineers from the 596th began clearing the minefields. They were under almost continuous fire for 36 hours, but somehow managed to clear a path through the minefields. On the 7th February, with diversionary attacks mounted by other American forces in the area the 517th resumed their attack.

The Flames of War campaign I am writing (and will hopefully post soon) represents the difficult conditions (dense forest, no air cover, heavily fortified enemy, minefield, concertina wire, etc.) these men fought under in trying to secure dams in the Hürtgen Forest.

REFERENCES

1. MacDonald, C., B., The Siegfried Line Campaign, Center of Military History, United States Army, p323, 1990. (Available Online)
2. The Battle of Hürtgen Forest, Wikipedia. (Available Online)
3. Gavin, J., M., Bloody Huertgen: The Battle The Should Never Have Been Fought, American Heritage, December 1979,
   Volume 31/Number 1, pp32-44, 1979. (Available Online)
4. Archer, C., L., Paratroopers’ Odyssey – A History of the 517th Parachute Combat Team, Chapter VII: Nightmare and Dawn, 1985. (Available Online)
5. Wargaming Hürtgen Forest (Available Online)

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