First Kampfgruppe von Luck game

Monday night was the first game in the Kampfgruppe von Luck pint-sized campaign using Chain of Command.  Panjo/Pingu had taken the British Para's (in the hope of inspiring some painting) while I got to play as the German's instead of running the campaign.

Here is a brief report, typed up by the campaign master Colin "I'm retiring already" Edgecombe.

The Battle for Le Bas de Ranville – 6^th June 1944

 Paratroopers from 12 Para had landed during the night and been scattered around the French countryside As dawn broke on the 6^th of June on a hill overlooking  Le Bas de Ranville No 1 section took up positions near a crossroads in a wheat field.

The Para HQ section was still missing the Platoon Sergeant and a sniper  team , No2 Section had disappeared completely and the rifle team of No3 section was AWOL.

Soon a German infantry section appeared on the left flank and took up a firing position that covered the crossroads.

Als Erstes Kader arrives, with Lt Rothberg in support

Due to the thickness of the hedges and height of the standing corn the Germans could not see any obvious targets so they went on over watch.

British invaders appear.  Boo hiss!

This stand off was broken when the Para’s  No 1 section opened fire, with little effect.

The Germans immediately responded with their MG42’s and Mausers , which resulted in two para’s going down.

Man Down!  That really hurts.  Hehehe

Another phase of firing from both sides resulted in a rapidly increased level of shock on the German section, countered by the Para No 1 sections NCO going down wounded.  The German senior leader moved up and joined Furst Squad, rallying shock as he arrived.  The Brits used a CoC dice to end the turn and "recovered" their NCO though.

Zweite Kader puts in an appearance

More Paras arrive, but too few to help.

A second German section deployed near the road and added to the fire, which had also increased in reply by the addition of the No3 section Bren team.

Despite causing some casualties the Para’s were being out gunned by sheer weight of numbers, not to mention the 4 MG42's versus 2 Bren guns.

A German Forward Observation Officer controlling some 81mm mortars moved up and started to bring down accurate fire onto the Para positions which were enveloped in smoke and shrapnel.

This was the beginning of the end. The Brits could not move and were pinned and taking casualties.

Boom Boom Boom Boom!

Lt Rothberg looks on as the fire comes in.

The German sections moved up under the cover of the mortar fire which then ceased.

The mortars stopped firing, not intentionally mind you, I rolled three 6's and the smoke gradually cleared. Being already shattered and stunned by high explosives the Brits were in disarray, the German squads both laid in machinegun and rifle fire that caused the remaining Para’s to break and run for the shelter of the village of Le Bas de Ranville.

The Paras had 10 casualties including one Junior Leader and four other ranks dead and one wounded sergeant.

The Germans took only 4 casualties and are now in a confident mood to press home their advantage.

The Paratroops confidence has been knocked but they will not give up easily.

To Be Continued.....

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable game, at least for me.  I was blessed with lucky wound dice though, 2 hits quite often resulted in a kill, which only happened on a 6.  Panjo/Pingu was hindered by his lack of men, with only one and a half squads being available.  Looking forward to the next game, but that won't be for a few weeks now.

Catch you later