Scenario 29 In Rommel's Wake

[Scott B]

SCENARIO 29 IN ROMMEL’S WAKE

A CRESCENDO OF DOOM SCENARIO

AFTER ACTION REPORT

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Guderian’s XIX spearheaded the crossing of the Meuse and subsequent advance west.  Opposing them were the French X Corps, consisting of the 55th, 7st and 3rd N.A., along the Meuse and they quickly disintegrated under the weight of the panzers and stukas.  The German XIV Corps followed behind, mopping up and securing the southern flank of the advancing panzer division.

This scenario’s OB is accurate and it is plausible such an action occurred along the Meuse.  However, no account could be found to verify its accuracy. On the 17th, the main spearhead was to the west of Montcornet, miles deep in the French rear, along with almost all historical writings.  Perhaps this scenario can serve as homage to the infantrymen of both sides who fought and sacrificed while the eyes of history were miles to the west.  

OB, GERMAN

16th Army

Von Kleist Group

XIV Motorized Corp (later XIV Panzer Corps, 4/41)

Gustav von Wietersheim

2nd Motorized Division

13th Motorized Division

29th Motorized Division (Falke Division (Falcon)

(Willibald Freiherr von Langermann und Eriencamp)

1/,2 71st (mot) Infantry Regiment

OB FRENCH

Second Army - Général d'armée Charles Huntziger

X Corps - Général de corps d'armée Pierre-Paul-Jacques Grandsard

• 55th Infantry Division - Général de brigade Henri-Jean LaFontaine [4] (Donchery and La Marfee on the Meuse, vs Guderian, 1st, 2nd Pz Divs.)

• 71st Infantry Division - Général de brigade Joseph-Antoine-Jacques-Louis Baudet [5] (Wadelincourt on the Meuse and Raucourt, vs Guderian's 10th Pz Div)

• 3rd North African Infantry Division (South of 71st Div)

  • 12 Zouaves Regiment

RESOURCES

“In Rommel’s Wake.” CRESCENDO OF DOOM. Baltimore, MD: The Avalon Hill Game Company, 1980. https://storage.googleapis.com/archivesqlt/CAJ00029A.pdf

Horne, A. (1988). To Lose a Battle: France 1940. Penguin. (An excellent companion to CRESCENDO OF DOOM.)

Niehorster, L.W.G., German World War II Organizational Series, Vol 2/II, mechanized

GHQ Units and Waffen SS Divisions,(10 May 1940), Germany, 1990

https://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/documents/carl/nafziger/940GEAJ.pdf

INITIAL PLACEMENT AND GERMAN TURN ONE MOVEMENT

French Comments

The French initial units allowed them to wire a bridge with explosives prior to the start of the game.  The plan would then be to blow that bridge at the early stage of the game and then to release those forces for the other bridge.  The second bridge is not ready yet to be blown and this is where the struggle will be.  Can the bridge be demolished prior to the Germans arriving in force to capture it?

German Comments

Technically the Germans are mechanized but not motorized with their bicycles.  Mounted bicyclists suffer a negative one DRM in addition to the negative two for moving in the open.  They can move up to fourteen hexes, including road bonus and advance in player turn.  Fourteen hex distance on the left puts them out in the open and stacked for French turn one, so they decided to go right and use the cover of the forest-road hexes.  

They picked the right bridge, since the other was blown up as they arrived.

GAME TURN TWO TO FOUR

French Comments

In this part of the game, the French are worn down by fire.  The chances of dropping the bridge diminish quickly with each turn. Their only hope is to gun down a large column of Germans moving over the bridge on foot.  Since the Germans are crossing by bicycle and can only be fired on one at a time, it will not happen.  

German Comments

After a brief exchange of fire, the Germans cross the bridge.  They hastily get the armored car across, denying the French access and the ability to set a bridge demolition.  A kill stack covers the adjacent woods.  Next they need to move up the infantry.

The bicycle mounted infantry must receive defensive fire while moving (16.7), no moving back like infantry on foot.  This dilutes defensive fire to a single bicycle instead of all the infantry units traversing the hex.  It feels a bit gamey mounting, pedaling, and then dismounting to avoid the -1 DRM.  However, I still do it.

GAME TURNS THREE TO EIGHT

French Comments

The French realized the hopelessness of their position in Turn 6.  With two armored cars over the bridge, it only takes one more good order squad to get over the bridge for the win.  With several squads to spare the French couldn't possibly stop the rush of bicycles.  They gather the remaining French squads and rush the armored cars.  Predictably, they are cut down.

There is a cat and mouse game being played with this scenario.  Much of that is based on initial decisions.  Will the game be long or short based on the French forces?  Which bridge will the Germans initially approach?  Will the French blow the bridge or try to get the Germans to partially cross before pushing the plunger?  Thanks to Scott for an interesting match.  

German Comments

The French are in a weak position after the charge.  The Germans advance forward and then rush across on the last turn for a win.  They mount the bicycles so the French must fire on them singley, like a vehicle, instead of moving them all back into one hex for a lucky shot.  They don’t have enough shots to stop them all.  

I liked this scenario for the Bridge Demolition, the French blew it sky high. I was also reminded just how troublesome a 2 IFT -3 shot is, with a NMC on ‘8’ or less and a KIA on ‘5’ or less.  The Germans lost a third of their squads to such shots.  It is even worse when directed by a leader.  It is enjoyable in the same way TTS Beta Hasty Assault is, instructional and short.

APPENDIX I - BRIDGE DEMOLITION

Monty and I found the table easier with the rules laid side-by-side for comparison.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

133.72 Should “bridge” replace “hidden”?  A. Yes, any unhidden or hidden DC placed according to 133.7 is not subject to wood or stone bridge modifier on the IFT.  This follows the Example immediately below 133.78. {SB}