Panzer Grenadier Battles on May 2nd:
Army Group South Ukraine #5 - Not as Planned Broken Axis #20 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 9: Day of the Gunners
Army Group South Ukraine #7 - A Worthless Diversion Broken Axis #21 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 10: The Lion's in Town
Army Group South Ukraine #8 - Panzer Lion I: The Main Thrust Broken Axis #22 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 11: Valley of Fire
Army Group South Ukraine #9 - Panzer Lion II: Targu Frumos Grossdeutschland 1944 #18 - Mount Hushenei
Army Group South Ukraine #10 - Panzer Lion III: A Promising Start Grossdeutschland 1944 #19 - Tank Battle at Ruginoasa
Broken Axis #15 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 4: Questionable Effort Panzer Lion #1 - Those Brave Boys
Broken Axis #16 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 5: Failure on the Flanks Panzer Lion #2 - Corntesi Town
Broken Axis #17 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 6: Primary Objective Panzer Lion #3 - Facuti Town
Broken Axis #18 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 7: Târgu Frumos Panzer Lion #4 - Polieni Town
Broken Axis #19 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 8: Combined Arms Panzer Lion #5 - Clearing the Valley
Well it is the title of the game...
Author Matt W
Method Solo
Victor United States
Play Date 2011-11-26
Language English
Scenario GofB004

If you want to be picky, it is the title of the supplement but what the heck, poetic license, eh? In this one, two bloodied American battalions are caught in the open by a spirited German counterattack, the Nisei to the west and the 3rd to the east. To add to the disaster about to befall them the German reinforcements arrive immediately from the western edge of the battlefield.

Important to keep in mind is that the original goal of the American force (see scenario #3) is to reach the high ground to the north. In scenario #4 there are three German objectives; to retain the high ground to the north and take the three hex hill in the Nisei area, cause at least 2 more step losses on the Americans than they experience themselves and drive all the Americans south of the road on the southern portion of the battlefield. The Germans set up for a west to east sweep, leaving two companies to keep the 3rd off the hill to the east.

The battle with the Nisei is particularly grusome as they are slaughtered in the open. The Germans do take some losses but by turn four the Nisei have lost 12 steps to the German 6, and nothing happens in the ensuing turns to change that. One brave platoon, however, makes a dash for the high ground after the Germans had left it relatively ungarissoned. While they made it to the hill, two turns of 56 factor OBA managed to leave them terribly dazed and a company of Germans saw to it that they no longer were on the hill, or anywhere for that matter.

This brave dash, however, was seen by their compatriots of the 3rd and when the German assault reached their positions their western company put up a spirited defense and their eastern company lauched a true assault towards the German defenders of the high ground. Kind of a Marshall Foch at the Marne moment as their situation was dire and attack was probably the last thing on the minds of the Germans. A true "Go For Broke" moment, even if the units wern't Nisei.

Those who noticed that the Americans won the scenario by now realize that this assault was successful, at least from a game perspective. The position gained was tenuous and the attackers had lost 60% of their strength but they had gained the hill and withstood two strong counterattacks. Time ran out and the Germans had only reached one of their three objectives (losses). Two more turns would probably suffice to root the Americans off the hill but, alas for the Germans there were not two more turns.

An interesting puzzle for the Germans. I probably should have left another platoon or two in the east to avoid the counterattack but the defense actually looked plenty strong enough and there was no guarantee that the reinforcements would arrive as soon as they did (although within the first three turns is quite likely, they are not guaranteed until turn 5) so the force in the west needs to be able to begin the attack by itself.

In any event, it was a scenario that seemed likely to carry a 3 until the drama at the end. I give it a "4", given the fact that there are options for the outgunned Americans.

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