FOW Batrep- British Rifles vs German Schutzen
British Rifles attack German Schutzen under the cover of darkness. Can they achieve their objectives or will the Hun stop them cold?
My buddy Sean and I attempted to make two balanced lists so that Sean could try out the Germans against his beloved British. We rolled for scenario, and came up with “Envelopment” which is an unofficial and very exciting mission (download the scenario here).
As this is my first AAR on BoLS let me briefly explain my AAR philosophy. I choose to be VERY rules light. That is to say, rarely will I mention what dice were rolled or what rules were invoked. I find this makes the AAR more readable, though I recognize it may leave some newer players a bit lost. Please do not hesitate to ask in comments how or why something did what it did.
Army Lists
BRITISH RIFLES
HQ + Sticky Bombs
3 Rifle Platoons at Full Strength w/ Sticky Bombs
Scout Patrol
6 Pdr AT Gun Battery
3 Matilda II
3 Valentines
8 gun RA Battery
GERMAN SCHUTZEN
HQ + Panzerknackers + HMG (which Sean forgot to deploy)
3 Schutzen Platoons w 7 MG teams and 1 mortar
(kamfgrupped the mortars)
Light Panzerspah patrol
10.5cm Battery
3x Panzer III J (early)
3x Panzer IV F1
We rolled off, and the British were the attackers. I elected to do a night attack. Unfortunately I forgot about being able to deploy closer (since it very rarely applies to any missions) which cost me a full turn moving closer. Sean bought 8 barbed wire sections and 2 trench lines.
The board. British on the left. The 6 pounders are being towed by the Valentines, and all 8 25 pounders are limbered up! Advancing under darkness should allow me to get close. 1 Rifle platoon is in reserve.
Sean puts his 10.5cm Battery in ambush. He deployed his Panzer IIIs and 2 Schutzen platoons on the board.
The thin red line.
One of the 6 Pounders has to hoof it.
A Troop moves out with the infantry.
Panzers lie in wait.
Schutzen sit in their foxholes watching the wire.
A mass of Royal Artillery vehicles force their way through gaps in the terrain.
The Valentines roll out!
The British have moved forward (yet are still back of where they could’ve been if I’d used “advance under darkness” grr)
The British continue the advance. The Valentines have no problem getting through the scrub even in darkness.
The Matildas prepare to force through the wire.
Towhooks are useful!
Blurry Panzer IIIs move up on a ridge.
British turn 3 sees the wire all crushed, and a massive general advance.
And wouldn’t you know it, Dawn comes just in time for Sean to shoot me up.
British reserves arrive from the German left flank, but arrive a little early with no support!
10.5cm guns spring their ambush!
Panzer IVs arrive from reserve and race to the front.
The Panzer IIIs sight the Valentines.
Combined fire from the 10.5cm battery and the Panzer IIIs knock out 2 Valentines. MG fire from the Panzers predictably slaughters the towed 6 pounders, killing all 3 crews. The remaining 6 pounders flee the field before firing a shot.
A long range shot from the Panzer IVs knocks out a Quad limber and it’s 25 pounder.
On the British turn, the 25 pounders unlimber and fire on the 10.5cm battery… doing nothing.
British rifles and Matildas advance.
Deep in the German lines, freshly arrived Schutzen move up to assault the British Rifles that flanked their company. The British Rifles have fortunately dug in, and are prepared to fend off the Jerries!
The 10.5cm Guns knock out a Matilda!
The Schutzen assault is bloody! At one point every single team whiffed for both of us (something like 9 dice rolling 1s and 2s).
The British hold the line, completely annhilating the schutzen.
In the center, Rifles assault the guns and take the position.
The lone remaining Valentine inches along the Panzer IIIs’ flank, bailing one!
The British are holding in the center, and the British right deep in the German lines. But the Germans are far from out.
More reserves arrive and are immediately sent to deal with the surrounded British Rifles!
Panzer IVs and Schutzen immediately counter attack the center.
The British force back the armored cars, but at great cost. The platoon holds on but are severely battered now.
Horrible casualties are suffered by the limeys in the center, and the platoon breaks.
The Germans consolidate their lines. Both sides are now down 2 platoons.
The 3rd rifle platoon has finally gotten through the wire on the ridge, though it is likely too late to help.
Keep moving!
The Panzer IIIs move to flank the Valentine. In the rear you can see smoke- the single only succesful bombardment the RA could get off this game (they tried and failed 5 Stonks)
Panzer IVs knock out a Matilda.
It is looking bleak for the British now.
At this point, we had been playing for a long time and I decided to concede to Sean. I had lost 2 Rifle platoons, and the AT guns. Both of my tank platoons were down to 1, and my other rifles were way too far back to do anything. Sean had all 6 of his tanks and was moving them into good positions.
Kudos to Sean for playing the Germans very well. I had some bad luck (my RA never fired a single bombardment- 5 Stonks attempted. That’s 20 dice and not a single 5 or 6). That being said, Sean played very very well and certainly deserved the win. Solid game, and it was fun using such crappy tanks!
