Problem:
Defeat a high-morale enemy force located on high ground within
a short time span (3-6 turns), taking a minimum of casualties
in the process.
Terrain Analysis:
Although the terrain appears to favor the defense (high ground
with seemingly open fields of fire), a closer looks indicates
that most of the defensive locations available to the paratroopers
possess sizable blind spots. Point 226 itself, although providing
an all-around field of fire, prevents defenders on surrounding
hillsides from combining their firepower, save for very limited
arcs of fire.
In addition to this, because the ground drops off abruptly in
the 39.xx hex row, hexes 39.24-39.23-39.22 cannot be observed
from Mt. Euncona itself. This area provides an excellent jump-off
position for the eventual assault on the fort and surrounding
hexes.
British Setup:
All British infantry units (seven) setup in move mode. They will
move aggressively on Turn #1 and should not fear German fires.
There are only two German units capable of firing on British units
on Turn #1, and doing so would allow the remaining British units
to maneuver unimpeded, a situation fraught of danger for the German.
The fire support units are in fire mode and will be called upon
to remain in this posture and fire every turn of the engagement.
British Objectives:
The British player must maneuver so as to obtain crossfire shots
at the defenders, from close range, to maximize their casualties
and force morale checks. There is a single British unit with high
firepower and excellent morale: the Kents 7-6-2. This unit must
be earmarked for the eventual assault upon Mt. Euncona, maneuvered
into position and launched without taking any casualties.
To benefit the most from their (limited) artillery support, the
British must maneuver one or two units within three hexes of Pt.
226. This will be accomplished by the judicious use of mortar
delivered smoke. If smoke is delivered @ 40.24 on Turn #1, the
unit @ 39.27 can climb up to 39.25 without drawing fire.
On Turn #1, the remaining units maneuver as in Figure 2 to obtain
cross fires on Pt. 226. Presumably some will take casualties and
go to ground (suppressed), but this is deemed acceptable given
the time frame imposed on the British.
Next, a fire storm of shot and shell is delivered on the hilltop
positions, using 9FA battery in rapid fire (using up all three
HE available). Normally I would prefer to ‘prep’ the defenders
firing normal battery fires in three consecutive turns to maximize
the number of die rolls, but in this situation time is of the
essence. Firing HE on an enemy position is good, however, it pretty
well precludes any type of assault by your own troops (unless
you order them to walk into the maelstrom).
Depending on the results of this prep fire, the British will either
execute small arms direct fire to cause further casualties, or
they will use the suppressed status of the defenders to move in
closer for a Turn #3 and #4 climactic finale. This is where experience
will serve the British most: is the enemy sufficiently weakened
to allow British units to maneuver at close range, or are they
still too strong to allow this?
Support Fire:
The fire base units on Pt. 81 have but one duty to perform: prevent
the unit @ 42.21 to use the road to move speedily, and to provide
overwatch fire. The 3” mortars will provide timely and accurate
smoke in order to isolate German defenders and provide blind spots
which British units can exploit.
The Big Push:
If Turn #2 saw the Germans being sufficiently weakened by artillery
and small arms fire, Turn #3 should see the British formations
closing in from all directions to deliver the Coup de Grace, or
maneuvering within 1-2 hexes of German defenders. What should
follow is a series of close-in cross fires designed to suppress
hill top defenders to allow the Kents (7-6-2) to assault the fort
and the commanding heights. Once this is achieved, the rest becomes
mop-up operations.
German Response:
Faced with this onslaught, the German defenders have but two basic
choice: die in-place or execute a skillful delaying action.
Option #1 involves moving the 42.21 unit to another hillside position:
41.23 or 43.23. The German should always hold its fire if playing
first. They do not possess sufficient firepower to hurt the British.
Their objective is to survive long enough for the ‘cavalry’ to
rescue them in the nick of time by driving the assaulting British
units to ground (using overwatch fire). This option is predicated
on the German’s high morale and on the hope that they will not
be seriously hurt by the artillery and small arms prep fire. In
my opinion this is a risky, and costly, proposition.
Option #2 is a skillful delaying action. This is accomplished
by abandoning Pt. 226 on Turn #2 (if going last) or Turn #3 (if
going first on Turn #2). The German sets up shop on the reverse
slope: 42.24-43.24-43.23. This will ensure that a minimum of direct
small arms fire will be received from the British assaulting from
St. Giorgio while forcing the British to go ‘over the top’ at
minimum range from German weapons. This will minimize German losses
during the first three turns, allowing them to (hopefully) hold
on. This is my preferred solution. The key lies in the timing
and extent of the withdrawal.
If air power shows up, it must attempt to cripple/suppress the
Kents platoon (7-6-2) to upset the British.
British Counter-Response:
When faced with the reverse slope defense, the British must maneuver
quickly around both sides of Mt Euncona to reestablish cross fires
and to bring as much fire power to bear, as quickly as possible.
The same general approach will apply, save that one or possibly
two extra turns will be spent maneuvering. There will be little
time left then for finesse or delay: the British must bring about
close range firefights, terminated by one or two assaults by whatever
troops are available. Expect losses to be higher in this case.
Flexibility:
I have avoided giving absolute directives since so much depends
on the vagaries of war. For example, will the mortars deliver
smoke when and where needed? What will the artillery achieve?
Will it land where targeted or will it drift onto attacking British
units? Will the British small arms cross fire be effective in
neutralizing defenders? Will the German paratroopers morale hold
up?
As the shots are delivered and opportunities arise, the British
must have units in move mode ready to exploit them. At least one
such unit must exist on each side of the hill. The British must
accept inevitable losses while maneuvering aggressively in the
face of determined German defenders, otherwise the close range
fire fights and assaults necessary to victory will never develop.