Race For The Rhine: Part 5 - Round 3 Results & Round 4 Fixtures

Round 3 and Ian and Paul began the hostilities with a clash between Ian’s Panzerkompanie and Pauls Guards Armoured Squadron.  On this occasion not even Paul’s newly returned infantry could make the difference as Ian’s panzers rode rampantly to victory; 5-2, an excellent start for the Germans!  The second battle came as my panzergrenadiers defended a river and a small village (kindly provided by Luke and 4Ground) against old foe Aidan’s British rifle company.  The British found that getting into the well defended village was easier than staying there, and with casualties spiralling and time running out a draw was declared.  It was in the Germans favour however, with the loss of their pioneers balanced out by the loss of the British universal carriers and HMG platoon; 3-2 to the Germans.

Elsewhere a victory for either side in one evening balanced the books, as first Dennis’ panzer IV’s put Red’s Cromwell’s very thoroughly to the sword, and then Martin’s American armour thwarted David Astburys efforts through cunning use of the near invulnerable jumbos, and then having the nerve to claim the objective.  The tide turned against the Germans as Pete stepped up to the table and maintained his unenviable record of losing 6-1 in every round; this time it was Andy’s American paratroopers who were the beneficiaries, although it was hardly clear cut with the Yanks Sherman platoon living a seemingly charmed life against the best that the SS could throw at them.  Another of the great German hopes; Blue Team Dave, stepped forward to steady the ship, but promptly fell over his shoelaces and James’ Tank Destroyers claimed another victim, taking their CO to joint top of the leader board at the same time.  With the first six games over the allies were sitting pretty, a whole 14 victory points clear at the top.

The last two battles saw one of the German heavyweights in action; Ben and his SS Panzergrenadiers against Phil’s controvsersal Canadians. In a game punctuated by Ben’s expletives over Phil’s crocodile flamethrowers Phil came out on top in a draw (3-2) purely because he had 9 platoons in his starting lineup.  The final battle was to be between James Taylors Sturmkompanie and Luke’s US Para’s, but with James indisposed I took command.  My choice of StuG’s going down well until Luke’s Shermans shot them up, but the Shermans went the same way, and both sides dug in and settled for a stalemate.  A newcomer; Andy Bate, subsequently took over James’ army for the final round.

Round 4 Preview

The allies hold an overall 17 point lead, which appears to be unassailable for the Germans who did well in round 2, but not so good in round 3, and round 1 is best consigned to a well-known comedy home movie clips show.  The overall campaign leader race looks of more interest, with the Allied duo of Martin and James tied at the top, closely followed by the great German hope Dennis, and just behind him the Canadian Phil.  Meanwhile at the foot of the table Pete is hoping to avoid the wooden spoon.  Plenty of fighting to do before the inevitable awards ceremony! 

All battles to have been completed by end of play on Thursday 20^th of March please, no overruns this round or 6-1 penalties will be handed out!

Tables & Fixtures

Player	Company	Round 4	Average % Loss	Points Total
Martin	7th Armoured Division	0	3.2	15
James Underwood	US Tank Destroyer Company	0	19.3	15
Dennis	Panzer Kompanie	0	11	14
Phil	Canadian Assault Infantry	0	9.5	13
Ben	SS Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	7.1	10
Red Pendrigh	Guards Armoured Recce Company	0	36.9	10
Luke	US Parachute Rifle Company	0	15.8	9
Rick Andrews	Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	23.2	9
Andy Canham	US Parachute Rifle Company	0	9.1	8
Aidan Holman	British Rifle Company	0	9.4	8
Blue Team Dave	SS Panzergrenadierkampfgruppe	0	10.3	8
David Astley	Panzer Kompanie	0	25.8	8
Ian Shaw	Panzer Kompanie	0	59.3	7
Paul	Guards Armoured Squadron	0	26.8	6
Adam Bate	Sturn Kompanie	0	49.3	6
Pete Derrick	SS Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	18.6	3
Position	Company	Round 4	Average % Loss	Points Total
Martin	7th Armoured Division	0	3.2	15
James Underwood	US Tank Destroyer Company	0	19.3	15
Phil	Canadian Assault Infantry	0	9.5	13
Red Pendrigh	Guards Armoured Recce Company	0	36.9	10
Luke	US Parachute Rifle Company	0	15.8	9
Aidan	British Rifle Company	0	9.4	8
Andy Canham	US Parachute Rifle Company	0	9.1	6
Paul	Guards Armoured Squadron	0	26.8	6
Position	Company	Round 4	Average % Loss	Points Total
Dennis	Panzer Kompanie	0	11	14
Ben	SS Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	7.1	10
Rick Andrews	Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	23.2	9
Blue Team Dave	SS Panzergrenadierkampfgruppe	0	10.3	8
David Astbury	Panzer Kompanie	0	25.8	8
Ian Shaw	Panzer Kompanie	0	59.3	7
Adam Bate	Sturm Kompanie	0	49.3	6
Pete Derrick	SS Panzergrenadier Kompanie	0	18.6	3

Aidan's British Shermans try and break into Rick's German-held village.

Reports from the field:  Aidan on his British infantries attempts to oust my panzergrenadiers:

The Shropshires met some more grenadiers this week, though these ones had more of a tendancy to skulk around in buildings that had large building busting guns hiding behind them.  A night attack was planned (Im still unsure if its any use as a rule, on the one hand you have less firepower, but on the other your slow infantry actually have a shot at reaching the enemy objective on time...), and the Shropshire Lads advanced, with Carriers leading the way and the shermans towing the 6pdrs to put them in a good flanking position on the right. Crossing the river (Rhine?) without a hitch the outlying enemy positions were probed for weakness. Initially the two buildings and a wood crammed with infantry appeared to be pretty well defended with crisscrossing lanes of defensive fire causing casualties on the leading Shropshires. However the 6pdrs and Shermans were soon in position, and combined with well directed HMG fire and Mortar barrage all three German platoons were pinned, allowing the assault to go in! One building was cleared, and the Pioneers, scourges of a thousand battlefields, were annihilated!  However it was not without cost: the Carriers and HMGs were lost, and with massed german armoured cars and assault guns arriving the attack ground to a halt. The Buildings which had been so effective at protecting the Germans proved to be death traps for the British, as Bunker Busters and Breakthrough guns smashed them to pieces! The Shermans continued their outflanking manoeuvre under cover of the 6pdrs, fully expecting the Fireflies to be able to remove the threat of the Brumbars and allow the infantry to clear the objective, but despite repeated barrages ( with rerolls to hit and AT13!)the dastardly Jerries passed all their ruddy armour saves!

Time was up, and a draw (3-2 to the jerries) was declared.

A very scenic line of trees, masking the horrible damage being handed out to Red's Cromwells by the panzer IV's.

More painful for the Brits from this angle however.

Reports from the field - Red’s British Armour on facing Dennis’ Panzer IV’s:

“ I was set to face Dennis, a PanzerKompanie was stated as the list and so I called up my anti-tank units.
Once I had my core platoons and the SP AT (Achillies) down I had only enough points for priority Typhoons and some Bren Carriers.
The mission was No Retreat with me as attacker.
Fair enough.
I tried pulling the objective as far out into the open as I could.
Dennis stuck down two groups of PzIVs with a couple of AA guns.
I loaded the bulk of my force on my right flank facing the closest objective with the Bren carriers and 2IC on the left to draw off and hold as much of the enemy as they could by threatening the rear objective.
1st turn, I spread out into position to fire on the panzers ahead but couldn't due to being just shy of 16" from the enemy.
I never got the needed shot, Dennis sprung an ambush on my flank and took a platoon and a half there and then.
His reinforcements were showing up straight away, leaving me facing a rapidly growing number of guns. 
Quick change of plan, switch flanks and try to draw the panzers out of position.
Phase 1 almost came off, I outflanked the ambushing panzers and took out 2 of them, the survivors retreated to the left flank.
The panzers on the close objective remained in position however and I had no luck in shooing after that point until the last turn when the 2IC got behind a Panzer and claimed my 3rd & final kill.
By this point I had been reduced the the 2IC and a Bren Carrier when I finally failed my Co. Morale.
Toyed with the idea that I might have started with everything on the left then switched but the Achillies would have needed to be on the right to start.
The Typhoons proved disappointing yet again.
I just wasn't expecting the ambush to be as devastating as it turned out...”

Blue Team Dave's Panzergrenadiers coming a cropper against James' tank destroyers.

More of James' yanks; Shermans and a jumbo.