Hills Suck...

FIGHTING OUR WAY OUT OF THE HILLS

The other day I got in another game of WWII Micro Armor with Mark. I was the Americans launching an assault on a small French village from a series of hills to the north of the town, while Mark was a very small German force trying to delay the Americans long enough for other German units to escape.

I set up in a staging area back in the hills, while the Germans set-up anywhere in the village. The American objective was to push through the German lines as quickly as possible and get as many units past “Phase Line - Green” (a road running through the village parallel to the American front) before the end of the game. The Germans objective was to hold the Americans shy of their Phase Line for as long as possible. For rules we were using the Combat Cards.

The American Attack Moving from Left to Right

The game started out beautifully for the Americans – if you are a fan of chaos and confusion. The rocky, hilly terrain proved a nightmare for launching an attack from. Units had trouble getting clear of one another, as well as getting to their jump-off points for the attack. Then a wave of panic spread through the American forces about an imminent (but non-existent) enemy spoiling attack, which resulted in numerous commanders relocating their command posts further to the rear creating more chaos. 

The Americans Finally Getting Out of the Hills

Finally, and despite sporadic German sniping fire, the Americans were able to get their act together and start mounting their attack. Unfortunately, the primary axis of advance for the American attack along the northern edge of the front became bogged down by an aggressive Panther tank which wreaked havoc on the spearhead. 

German Defenders on the Northern End of the Village

Fortunately for the Americans, on the southern edge of their front the artillery came reigning down fast and furious on the German positions, disrupting their defensive plans and giving the Americans an opportunity for a daring dash through the German lines. The Americans, desperate for any kind of an opening, seized the moment and sent everything they had through the gap in the German lines (was that a kitchen sink that just went by?). And they needed all of it! 

The Americans Poised to Assault the Village

Realizing that he was in trouble, the German commander quickly responded by beginning to reposition his remaining Panther tanks to counter attack the American breakthrough. However, in a very fortuitous break for the Americans…er, I mean through excellent planning, time ran out on the Germans. The game time was up and victory points were awarded, which resulted in a very narrow victory for the Americans.  

The Final Assault Into the Village

In reality though, the push through the German lines had cost the Americans so dearly that a couple more turns would have resulted in the Germans sealing the breakthrough and essentially ending the American’s hopes for a breakthrough this game.

All-in-all it was a great game which really went back and forth! I am left with an excitement for the next game and a chance to apply the lessons I learned from this game.

(UPDATE: I was so motivated after this battle, I prepped and finished another platoon of American infantry, Sherman tanks and M3 halftracks after this game in preparation for the next battle.)

 Until next time…

Happy Gaming!

Dan