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Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  0 %

When the allied forces began to advance rapidly into German-held territory following the Normandy landings, Metz became an important location for the German command to organize its defenses and attempt to contain the allied advance. The defense was undertaken by the German First Army, commanded by General Otto von Knobelsdorff. The number of German troops positioned in the vicinity of Metz was equivalent to four and a half divisions. By the end of August 1944, the German forces had managed to contain the allied advance and the newly introduced United States Third Army had come to a halt in face of the German defenses, resulting in a pause of operations in the western front. Armoured cavalry elements of the United States XX Corps, while on a reconnaissance operation in the direction of the Moselle, made contact with elements from the 17th Waffen SS Panzergrenadier Division on September 6, 1944. On 18 September, Panzer elements made contact with US reconnaissance units again. The US forces had not expected the German forces to be in the area, and had to bring together their units that were spread out. Several small scale attacks were made by the US forces after this encounter. The first attack was launched by the US 5th Infantry Division, in which they attempted to capture a bridgehead to the north of Metz. This attack was repelled by the German forces, as was another attack on the city that followed. In another attack, the US forces captured a small bridgehead across the Moselle to the south of Metz. By the end of September, German forces positioned to the north were relocated in the southern area of Metz. Following this new development, the US XII Corps launched another attack but was countered by the German defenders. In the following two weeks, the US forces limited themselves to small scale attacks in the periphery of the city.

 

  American German
Division 1

6 Squad Bases
- 13 Regular Infantry
- 8 Elite Infantry
- 1 Officer
- 1 Machine Gun Crew

1x Flamethrower
1x Engineer

5 Squad Bases
- 15 Regular Infantry
- 1 Officer
- 2 Machine Gun Crew

1x Medic

Division 2

6 Squad Bases
- 20 Regular Infantry
- 2 Officer
- 1 Mortar Crew

1 M3A1 Half Track

1x Medic
1x Engineer

4 Squad Bases
- 11 Regular Infantry
- 2 Elite Infantry
- 1 Officer
- 1 Machine Gun Crew

1 Opel Blitz Truck

1x Medic

Strategy Decks Command 1
Morale 1
German Reinforcements 1
Ground Support 1
Starting Strategy Cards 2 2
Operations Cards 006 Merciless Assault -
Deployment Zone Any green hex Any grey hex
Starting Initiative   Initiative Token
Objective Capture the objective on board 9A by the end of round 7. -
Rounds 7
Actions per turn 3 3
Reinforcements - German reinforcements will arrive on the "R" hex.
Special Rules - -
Terrain Features The stream is deep.

 

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alecrespi replied the topic:
1 year 5 months ago
Grand Stone (Mar 2, 2011)

This is a scenario which I find promesing.
I haven't played it, but I have read it and have a few comments.

At first glance, it might seem somewhat borring. The US is attacking, the german defending, the US has a slight number advantage. Bla bla. You have seen it all before. But then I looked at the map, and realise, the germans have to move into defensive positions first turn. Thats not very typical. Secondly you will notice a lake, a river and an tank trap bloking the US path. A very well placed tank trap! Further up the path there is an other river with a comand-point which is very tempting for the US. But, then you meat some barbed wire. And if the germans has a MG in opfire when the US try to take the second bridge, well, then it can be nasty. Secondly for the germans a though descision has to be made. How much should they protect the left, and how much to the right. Likewise, the US has multiple options: attcking to the left, sneeking through the forrest or charge the command point and reinforcement hex to the right. Note if the US occupy the right flank, germans cannot call in reinforcements. The germans do want to protect that flank, but it might not be that interesting for the US to attack there. (unless ofcourse its not defended)

When it comes to balance, some notes are given:

- Both US division has 6 squads while the german has 4.

-The US has more elites, and more and better specilizations, including one flame-thrower which i find very powerfull.

-In adtiont the US has one half-track.

-The US has a single mortar. Single mortars are nice but not an extremly important game peace.

-The germans on their side has 3 MGs. For a defensive side, this is quit a lot.

-7 rounds is not than insanely long, and time may suddenly play on the german side.

When it comes to cards the the germans gets reinforcement deck and ground support. Reinforcements is a powerfull deck, but with only max two command available and being forced to protect that hex, its not that insane powerfull. The US gets moral and command, and espesially morale is a powerfull deck, maybe on par with reinforcements. Due to the US having potentialy 3 (or maybe even 4) command, the US will have the initiative most of the time.

All in all, this looks like a nice scenario.