Echo put out the call for an opponent and I answered. We're fighting a medium sized attack/defend where I am playing the role of the defending Germans. I've been tasked to defend three farm complexes from the advancing Americans.
SETUP
Here is an overhead view of the battlefield. The red arrows are where I expect his main advances to come from. The yellow are a less likely avenues of approach, especially the one on my right flank. As you will see later on, that is uphill and his men would not have a lot of cover as they approach.
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My forces consist of...
4x Infantry platoons
1x Heavy Weapon platoon (2x MG42, 2x 81mm mortar) with 2x MG42 and 2x 81mm mortar attached
2x Pak40 ATG with 1x LMG
1x Panzer IVH
Casa Mazzarro is the closest farm to the Americans and also the middle farm. I expect Echo to move his men forward along the road using the other buildings for cover and hit Cassa Mazzaro with at least a platoon and support weapons and armor. My plan for the center is to put up some resistance at first and make him bleed a bit before pulling my men out. I don't think this farm is well suited for a solid defense. Instead I want to create a bit of a bulge in the American advance and then hit them from both of my flanks. To defend this farm I have a single platoon of infantry.
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Casa Guardice is on my left flank and I expect this to be the other farm where a lot of heavy fighting will occur. I expect the Americans to come through the woods and a possibility of armor to swing around from behind it as well. That is why I have placed my Panzer IV here. Also defending this farm is a platoon of infantry supported by a MG42.
The Pak40 in the lower right corner is hidden from the woods on the other side of a hill and is providing cover fro Casa Mazzaro. My ATG should have some great flank shots on any armor that Echo may bring into the center. In the top center I have a squad of infantry along with my battalion XO who will be moving into the woods to act as scouts and a forward element to engage the approaching Americans. I have a TRP there and when I know the Americans are close I will be calling in some mortars.
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Masseria Albasina is the rear most farm and on my right flank. There isn't a very good approach that provides a lot of protection so I don't expect Echo's main advance to threaten this farm at first. I have a platoon of infantry along with a couple MG42s to provide defense of this flank. The Pak40 is able in a position to fire on the center farm as well as the right flank if Echo does move this way.
The mortar unit on the right is on the very top of a hit and while somewhat exposed will also be able to provide some excellent direct LOS fire on advancing Americans.
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There is a fourth farm, located between Casa Mazzarro and Casa Guardice where I have positioned a couple MG42s, the LMG, and an 81mm mortar (just off picture to the right). These units are given covered arcs and for now are just observing and waiting for a good chance to shoot up the Americans. In the top left of this picture are my units that are going to advance into the woods to engage the Americans. I have a tank hunter team hidden behind the bridge and just to the left of them I have an infantry squad that will move towards Casa Mazzarro as my defenders there pull back in order to flank the Americans. There is also a TRP in the gully so that if Echo tries to move men up that way I can quickly and accurately take them out.
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SETUP
Here is an overhead view of the battlefield. The red arrows are where I expect his main advances to come from. The yellow are a less likely avenues of approach, especially the one on my right flank. As you will see later on, that is uphill and his men would not have a lot of cover as they approach.
My forces consist of...
4x Infantry platoons
1x Heavy Weapon platoon (2x MG42, 2x 81mm mortar) with 2x MG42 and 2x 81mm mortar attached
2x Pak40 ATG with 1x LMG
1x Panzer IVH
Casa Mazzarro is the closest farm to the Americans and also the middle farm. I expect Echo to move his men forward along the road using the other buildings for cover and hit Cassa Mazzaro with at least a platoon and support weapons and armor. My plan for the center is to put up some resistance at first and make him bleed a bit before pulling my men out. I don't think this farm is well suited for a solid defense. Instead I want to create a bit of a bulge in the American advance and then hit them from both of my flanks. To defend this farm I have a single platoon of infantry.
Casa Guardice is on my left flank and I expect this to be the other farm where a lot of heavy fighting will occur. I expect the Americans to come through the woods and a possibility of armor to swing around from behind it as well. That is why I have placed my Panzer IV here. Also defending this farm is a platoon of infantry supported by a MG42.
The Pak40 in the lower right corner is hidden from the woods on the other side of a hill and is providing cover fro Casa Mazzaro. My ATG should have some great flank shots on any armor that Echo may bring into the center. In the top center I have a squad of infantry along with my battalion XO who will be moving into the woods to act as scouts and a forward element to engage the approaching Americans. I have a TRP there and when I know the Americans are close I will be calling in some mortars.
Masseria Albasina is the rear most farm and on my right flank. There isn't a very good approach that provides a lot of protection so I don't expect Echo's main advance to threaten this farm at first. I have a platoon of infantry along with a couple MG42s to provide defense of this flank. The Pak40 is able in a position to fire on the center farm as well as the right flank if Echo does move this way.
The mortar unit on the right is on the very top of a hit and while somewhat exposed will also be able to provide some excellent direct LOS fire on advancing Americans.
There is a fourth farm, located between Casa Mazzarro and Casa Guardice where I have positioned a couple MG42s, the LMG, and an 81mm mortar (just off picture to the right). These units are given covered arcs and for now are just observing and waiting for a good chance to shoot up the Americans. In the top left of this picture are my units that are going to advance into the woods to engage the Americans. I have a tank hunter team hidden behind the bridge and just to the left of them I have an infantry squad that will move towards Casa Mazzarro as my defenders there pull back in order to flank the Americans. There is also a TRP in the gully so that if Echo tries to move men up that way I can quickly and accurately take them out.
