Panzer Grenadier Battles on March 28th:
Spearhead Division #15 - Dillenberg
Legionnaire's Disease?
Author Schoenwulf
Method Solo
Victor United States
Play Date 2016-04-26
Language English
Scenario LCDT001

In the late afternoon of November 9, 1942, units from the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion were ordered to join with a company of M3 Stuart tanks from the 1st Armored Division to intercept and stop a French armored force and secure the town of St. Lucien. Night was rapidly approaching, which compromised the ability to spot the enemy. The Allied armor force was accompanied by infantry and assorted M3 units, with both an M3A1 and a Jeep to assist in reconnaissance. French D1 platoons were based in St. Lucien and dug in just west of town. The Allied Stuart platoons advanced towards town and took fire, while infantry remained east of town. The recon vehicles moved to the south ridges. French Legionnaires engaged infantry that had moved south to the southeast ridge. By 1800, an M3A1 and Jeep MG had combined fire to destroy a French truck carrying a sous-lieutenant and his legionnaire infantry platoons. The other legionnaire platoons disengaged from the superior allied forces and headed north into the orchards. Meanwhile, Stuart platoons had eliminated two more D1 platoons in St. Lucien. Allied infantry and armored vehicles pursued the French troops into the orchards; in the ensuing battle, the Allies lost an M3, while the remaining French commander and his infantry platoon were eliminated. That left the French without any regular leaders, and the remaining D1 platoons in St. Lucien were destroyed by crossfire from Stuart platoons and an M3A1 group. The battle was over with the Americans in control of St. Lucien by 1900 hours.

This first scenario in the La Campagne de Tunisie supplement is a brief encounter that seems to favor the American forces. At first, it would appear that the French are flush with units, but the American forces have greater mobility with their M3’s and recon vehicles. This scenario ended in 9 turns, rather than the allotted 12, as there were no French leaders left and all French armor had been eliminated. Ergo, there was no chance for them to retake the town or any opportunity to use their 75mm gun without a leader to spot in the night conditions. The French ended up losing 26 steps to the Allies 5, a clear American victory.

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