Chain of Command 2 - Game Report 8

Patrol Action Winter 1944

Introduction

For our final practice game before Big COC with Harry and Paul, Kevin and I thought it best to run through the Patrol Scenario once again. Kevin decided to use similar but not identical terrain for this game as he intended to use for the Big COC game, of course for that it would be a little wider.

Situation

The primary battle lines have been stable for a week. However, there has been active and aggressive patrol action across the Battalion front. The Brigade Commander is most concerned about a road line that runs parallel with the main front line, and a track which crosses it a crossroads some 500m in front of the Battalion positions. The area is dominated by hedges and small fields which will provide adequate cover for the enemy to infiltrate the British positions. There are indications that the Germans have increased their strength, and the Brigade Commander has ordered the Battalion Commander to seize and hold the crossroad junction.

Enemy Forces

It is known that there the although the overall German army is weakening in its resolve that it has scrapped together a number of Volksgrenadier battlegroups to reinforce their position. There are no reports of armour in the local area but this cannot be taken to be a certainty.

Friendly Forces

Lt Arthur Browne has been order to take his of D Coy forward to seize and hold the crossroads. The Battalion CO has provided a sniper to provide support to the patrol action.

Mission

Number 10 Platoon is to seize and hold the crossroads.

Post Mission Report

With the track leading to the crossroads as the axis of advance two sections were committed on each side of the track, with Number 1 Section on the right which managed to advance through a small copse to the edge of the road to the right of the crossroads.

With Number 2 Section on the left. The Section Commander placed the gun team on overwatch as he led the rifle team on an advance into the Hop Graden to their front, which was in a field to the left of the track and adjacent to the crossroads.

Number 3 Section was brought on along the main axis, while Lt Browne moved forward ready to move Number 1 Section across the road in order to flank the crossroads.

From Number 2 Section's position on the left it was clear that the Germans were advancing in strength against the road line and their left flank.

Meanwhile Number 3 Section was sent down the track to cross at the crossroads at the dash. Before they could do so they and Number 1 Section came under withering fire from the hop field on the far side of the junction.

The Germans now caught Number 1 Section from both front and flank, the Rifle Team were pinned down by the weight of fire. The hop field was fast becoming a very un-healthy place to be!

Lt Browne withdrew Number 1 section to join with Number 3 Section defending the hedgerow.

Meanwhile Number 2 Section was able to hold the hedgerow along the road and prevented the Germans from advancing in that direction.

Outcome

The Germans decided to withdraw and not context the crossroads leaving the British in sole possession of the position.