Chain of Command 2 - Game Report 3

Attack and Defend – 1944

Introduction

For our third CoC2 game Kevin and I decided that we needed to bring some vehicles into play and therefore opted for the "Attack and Defend" scenario with the Soviets attacking on the long table edge.

Situation

With the brief stabilisation of the Baltic Front by the German forces through their successful delaying action, the 116th Separate Infantry Battalion has been ordered to form as a forward detachment and to break through the enemy defences in order to allow the advance to continue. The initial objective is to secure a North-South road through the village of Raczyn to allow Soviet Forces to manoeuvre to the North or South to envelop and bypass German positions. The battlefield was dominated by the road across the front of the likely advance with the village of Racczyn on the northern flank on the other side of the Vikula Stream. The bridge crossing was protected by a pillbox, but there is no evidence that it is currently occupied.

Enemy Forces

Aerial intelligence has produced evidence that the Germans have been reinforcing the sector. There have been indications of support being provided to the Panzer Grenadiers of the 61st Volksgrenadier Division, with anti-tank guns and filed defences being provided to the defenders.

Friendly Forces

Lt Kruskov's platoon has been ordered to provide the advance guard, and he would be closely monitored by Captain Melinkov, the Company Commissar. Commander 43rd Army has directed that armour support is provided and a T34-76 with a scout car has been made available to support the attack. Additionally, the Battalion mortar platoon will provide fire support. The Scout section will deploy to provide flank protection.

Mission

Ly Kruskov is to secure the hill that dominates the North-South road, in order to gain freedom of manoeuvre for the rest of the Battalion.

Post Mission Report

The Platoon advanced with two sections forward. Captain Melinkov coordinated actions with the left forward sections as they approached the road. The second section advanced screening the arrival of the T34, with the carrier taking up over watch positions in the right overlooking the bridge.

A German Panzerschrek team advanced to give fire on the T34, but were brough under effective fire from the carrier and infantry section.

A 50mm anti-tank gun opened fire on the T34 to no effect.

To provide further flank support the Scout Ream deployed from the carrier to suppress the anti-tank gun. Meanwhile the Battalion mortars opened fire to allow the infantry to close on the objective.

As the mortar barrage lifted the infantry sections closed in on the objective.

The anti-tank gun continued to try and hit the Soviet armoured vehicles, all the time under continual fire from the Scout Team.

The Germans reorganised rapidly after the barrage and were able to bring heavy MG fire down on the advancing Soviet infantry.

The right forward section broke under fire and retired to the start-line. The reserve section was brought forward to protect against the enemy advance to recapture the objective.

The German anti-tank gun team recovered their wits and in quick order destroyed both Soviet vehicles. Meanwhile the firefight between the infantry was continuing to see casualties increase on with both sides neither able to advance.

Outcome

The German counterattack managed to secure the objective; the Soviet lost 10 men as casualties, not including the vehicle crew.

Conclusion

A very good game. However, I continue to have concerns on how "objectives" are defined in the game and their role in determining the winner; which I have shared on the TooFatLardies Patreon page where this issue is discussed.