The Great War Mini Tournament 5 - French

Just checked the running results table. 2 blocks difference between me and Togan on 16 games Round Robin. Crazy

Indeed it is a very slight margin after 16 games. Hence such a great game )

Scenario 243 - Verdun (Samogneux) - 24 February 1916

Mark McG (Germans): 7 medal 15 figures lost
EZPickens (French): 2 medals 21 figures lost

Germans swung around the left flank, and in a rather key event, scored an early hit of the French MG unit, which allowed the Stretcher Bearers to carry it off. This made the German assault onto Hill 344 very much easier, coupled with John having no cards for his right flank.

Once on the hill, and the French defeated or fled, firepower softened up the village, and a Rush and Rotation put a big of German strength into the village, eventually defeating the French in the centre. Figure count shows this was a harder tussle than the medal count indicates.

Scenario 246 - Verdun (Le Mort Homme) - 13-20 March 1916

EZPickens (Germans): 3 medal 13 figures lost
Mark McG (French): 6 medals 17 figures lost

No Man's land shelling did very poorly here, completely missed the wire. This made the German approach difficult, and gave the French enough time to play 3 Recon cards for 3 medals. German assault on the 2 flanks was successful, but the cost of 3 units each was enough for the French to snatch a victory based on the Recon card medals.

First time I've sen the FOO actually used, but the die rolls were spectacularly scattered, causing no on target hits and only 1 hit.

Scenario 246 - Verdun (Le Mort Homme) - 13-20 March 1916

Viridovilas (Germans): 6 medal 16 figures lost
Mirko (French): 2 medals 22 figures lost

After a few opening moves without much casualties on both sides, Germans suddenly decided to attack on their far right flank, being lucky enough to find their opponent unable to properly manoeuvre on that side (no left flank cards in hand!). In such situation, the French army fate was already written…

Scenario 248 - Verdun (Malancourt) - 20-22 March 1916

Mirko (Germans): 0 medal 21 figures lost
gotigerssc (French): 6 medals 5 figures lost

Tough sledding for Mirko in this one. No matter what the Germans did the dice would not roll their way. When the French needed a flag they got it. When they needed a burst they got it. Four or either five German officers fell in the assault. French were also able to claim two medals on recon cards. Best of luck to Mirko in his remaining matches!

Scenario 245 - Verdun (Across the Meuse) - 6-9 March 1916

Viridovilas (Germans): 2 medal 21 figures lost
gotigerssc (French): 7 medals 10 figures lost

Very difficult scenario for the Germans - especially with less than great cards. NML rolls were good but a early Mata Hari Spy denied the Germans two good cards (Direct from HQ and Infantry Assault). Luck favored the French as we were able to play the Storm of Fire and Mortar Barrage combo twice. Plus two medals came from recon cards although I had to use counter attack to get one of those. French initially ceded the Bois des Corbeaux only to retake it by the end of the battle.

This completes my matches for the tournament unless I make the playoff (assuming we will do one?). Best of luck to Max the rest of the way. A great competitor.

Hi Guys,
we are just couple of games from finalizing the Initial Round and before starting play-offs (my understanding is that we agreed on them). Kindly please try to play them ASAP!

Mark,
can you update the table so as July starts we can have current status of tournament?

I've done a table update, but really it was just 2 results to add.

Scenario 245 - Verdun (Across the Meuse) - 6-9 March 1916

Mark McG (Germans): 7 medal 12 figures lost
theimann (French): 2 medals 32 figures lost

Germans got off to a good start, with some early casualties among the French Special Personnel, French artillery did nothing to hold back the Germans, who swept into Bois des Corbeaux virtually unchallenged. The French rebounded, occupying Bois des Cumieres, and after a intense exchange of fire, surged back into Bois des Corbeaux. Here a bitter melee ensued, with the rest of the battlefield virtually unnoticed.

Germans had the best of the die rolls, as exhibited by the figure loses.