I’ll outline briefly my approach to a solution for this problem, will then discuss the advantages and disadvantages for each side and then provide a more detailed discussion of the attack.
APPROACH
As I see it the key to the support of the German line is the center hex, the top of the mountain Once these units are suppressed or destroyed each of the other hexes is in effect isolated and can be dealt with independently. Suppression of mountain top hex becomes central.
To do this one must get units close enough to spot for accurate artillery fire. Here using the 3 in. mortars to fire smoke should do the trick allowing units of the A & B Kents to advance into the 3 hex spotting range.
So, once the Brits lay down smoke and move units into position they then spot for the artillery which suppresses the mountain top. This opens up British moves against the southern German unit and the northern unit. The A & B Kents move up the mountain in such a way that they get the two central German units in crossfire. The heavy weapons and Kents move against the southern unit.
Once casualties and suppression weaken the Germans, assaults are initiated to clear the Germans from the slope and mountain top.
Throughout the operation (at least until the assault phase), to minimize the effect of any Luftwaffe planes which might appear, the infantry are kept spread out. The infantry weapons provided for the Brits need to stay stacked to provide overwatch, an inviting target…
FORCE ANALYSIS
British
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Germans
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
NARRATIVE
0740
All British units begin in move mode. British units move to jump
off points. A Kents go to the base of the west side of the mountain
in the 38.xx row. The Kents unit moves along the stream to about
38.21, staying out of range of the southernmost German unit. The
Bofors, MG, and 2 lber move to 39.19 & 38.19 and turn into fire
mode. The B Kents wait while the 3 in. mortars fire smoke into
42.25 and 43.25. If smoke lands on the targeted hexes B Kents
move up the mountain behind the smoke screen in such a way that
the summit will be in view within three hexes. If smoke doesn’t
land in a useable pattern B Kents move around the base of the
mountain to the NNE in preparation for a good smoke screen.
German response. Sit tight. They can’t see anyone if the Brits have been careful in their movement and so they also can’t fire. Since the Brits are moving to attack from three directions there is little the Germans can do as far as moving to meet one overwhelming threat. They are forced to remained spread out in line. If they get air support they could go after the infantry weapons. Not much to do about that.
0800
(We’ll assume good smoke and corresponding movement by B Kents
in the 0740 turn. The B Kents would move up the mountain forming
a line from 42.26-44.25 and would turn to fire mode.)
B Kents call in HE on the summit (42.23). A good fire has a good chance of suppressing the mountain top hex. This frees the mortars to fire smoke in front of FJ-1-1, 41.21 and 41.22. The Kents unit moves up behind the smoke within 2 hexes of 42.21 and turns to fire mode. B Kents fire SFA into 42.24, with the goal of suppressing this unit. Once done the A Kents move up the mountain. The move into the 40.xx column between 40.24 and 40.22 so that their fire will give crossfire modifiers in the 0820 turn.
German response: IF all goes perfectly all three stacks will be
suppressed or out of LOS of the Brits, allowing them little or
no actions. This is not likely, so there will probably fire from
the Germans which will generate overwatch for the Brits infantry
weapons. Of course the opportunity to retreat still exists down
the mountain to the ESE. This could be offered to the German commander
:-> .
0820
The HE mission goes into the summit of the mountain. The mortars
could be fired into 42.21 or as needed. B Kents and A Kents fire
into 42.23 and 42.24 in such away that they get crossfire modifiers
for fire and morale rolls. The Kents unit fires into 42.21 with
the weapons in overwatch.
German response: Again, if the battle goes well, the Germans will be suppressed and taking casualties and with luck, routing away or dying. If not, they will be firing at the Brits as they carry their attack. There is little room for movement at this point since all movement would come under powerful British overwatch. And besides, where would they go? Do they attack the B Kents? Then what of the A Kents? Do the Germans turn to face the A Kents? Maybe, but what of the B Kents behind them? The German is in a tough spot if found in this position.
0840
The last turn for HE into the mountain top. (Or if the mountain
top is cleared, into 42.24). Hopefully by this time casualties
on the German side will create deep morale problems in both the
mountain top hex and the hex to the north. This would allow the
Brits to turn two units from each of the A and B Kents to move
into assault position, covered by the remaining fire mode unit
in each company. The Kents unit, if the FJ-1-1 unit in 42.21 is
suppressed or paralyzed can advance into assault combat too.
0900
Clean-up and preparation. Finish taking the mountain top by moving
into assault with the rest of the B and A Kents. Some units from
the A Kents may move to help the Kents unit if the Germans in
42.21 prove to be a tough nut to crack. Mortars would be used
to help suppress and cause additional casualties. If a position
has been cleared, the Brit unit can either lend a hand to the
others still fighting or could begin to prepare defense positions.
0920
Prepare for the inevitable German counterattack!!
I’ve run this attack through a number of times and it works, most of the time. Like all plans, once you come into contact with the enemy, anything can happen.