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Combat Commander, Scenario 111 and Scenario 54

Last session Ramon and I have played two short CC scenarios.

First scenario was proposed by another of the club members, Jordi "Dulent", and it was Scenario 111 "The Scheldt" published in C3i # 24.

This scenario reflects a meeting encounter between Canadians and Germans in Belgium and its is played using Map 20. Here is the initial set-up.

Both sides deploy 5-hex deep. Main objective is number 3, just in the middle bottom (close to a white arrow). However, two extra objectives need to be drawn and one of them was Objective # 5=10 VP. In this map, Obj 5 is in the bottom left corner of the map (axis side), so allied will have a really hard task to win the scenario.

As you will see, even in both sides are at Recon posture, Axis proposed a quite defensive position letting Allied all the responsability for the attack. Axis deployed in two groups, one to guard the road and the other the forest (no hills in this scenario), hoping to jump into Obj 3 as soon as possible with covering fire from his HMG (placed at Obj 4). Allied, feeling that the only way to have any chance was to break german position in the forest and run out of the map, concentrated all his efforts in the road.

Germans moved their defense lines up without problems and waited for canadians to arrive into melee.

Canadians went directly towards German leader, to force into melee and trying to let left German side without command. But, all the melees in the scenario were won by Axis player (a lucky day) and even when the second canadian wave arrived, German succeed to carry his second supporting team into the battle.

Finally, Canadians did not succeed to break German lines and this was an easy Axis victory (determined by the initial draw of the random objectives). Final situation:

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As this was a really short scenario, we have enough time to play a secon one in the same afternoon. This time we decide to play Scenario 54 from Normandy Battlepack.

In this scenario, played in the well known Castle Map (map 4), Germans Osttruppen (represented by Conscript counters) advance (Attack posture) into French-Resistance controlled terrain (Recon posture).

Again random objectives should be taken and in this scenario we have seen as exit value points are doubled. Thus, French (me) has a difficult choice for defense. This was the chosen setup:

In this scenario German forces are of low quality (conscript are 6-morale unbroken and an difficult to manage 5-morale when broken) but they have four leaders and HMG and a good Medium Mortar with a Scout. So German place his HMG to enable supressing fire into the Castle and the right house. Then, mortar was in the left house but with the scout in the opposite side to cover terrain. And the main assault group was placed in the line of the two roads waiting to advance towards French lines.

With this deploy, French decided to go into the castle, hoping that the building will provide enough cover to delay German advance. His main strategy was to exchange terrain for time, trying to provoke fire and exhausting cards. The houses at both sides were guarded by squads with satchel charges to protect Germans to come easily into melee. SAS command was in the line of brushes, ready to stop any of the two roads. I have designed dotted lines to represent the "fall back" routes planned by French in case of succesful german advance.

To help French, radio represents American air support so we will expect a lot of Artillery Request/Denied cards played in this scenario.

	At the beginning, both players tried to break enemy units by ranged fire. German, by using his mortar and HMG and French with the P-47 support.
But, with some sniper fire, German breaks and kills the solitary French squad at the rightern house. Now, all this French side is unprotected and German may easily jump into the house and, then, run out off the map.
	Reacting to this unexpected menace, French retired from the castle towards their planned rear positions but one of the squads was already broken and Germans began to play "Rout" orders to push them back. In the other side, main German assault advanced unstopped until they meet SAS Command who proved to be a tough rival in melee and routed first conscript squad.

So, after this fighting the situation was the following and both sides planned to rearrange their forces:

We may see:

German HMG entering the castle and looking for a new field of fire.

Main German assault stopped at the brushes

Right house taken by Germans and free of enemies, so Germans will try this avenue.

French plan was to cover his right flank with the squads exiting the castle.

But then, fortune allies again with Axis and an isolated Air Attack by Luftwaffe breaks French leader and Squad. And continued to play Rout orders ...

Almost everything seemed lost for French. HMG take position in the brush, only one squad to stop the advance in the right, melee fighting in the left brushes ...

... and, in other fire German order, a Time trigger was drawn and time marker advances. Sudden Death was 6 and German will roll for the end of the game (with Allied leading by 4 VP). But he rolled an 8 and battle will continue.

German moves forward, pushing French squad and, finally routing it out off the map. Now Allied leads by 2 VP (after German lose an squad in the brushes) and Germans are one-hex ahead of exiting the map. And a Time trigger is drawn...

And Germans rolled a 9 (they had Initiative card from a prior exchange at melee), keeping the fight alive, exiting the map and winning the funny scenario.

Final situation and casualty track. Ironically, battle ended by surrender of French and no by sudden death.