Gary Quick

Setup:
(Move mode = m, Fire mode = f)

BKents1: 43.28f
BKents2: 41.28f
BKents3: 39.27m
AKents1: 36.24m
AKents2: 36.23m
AKents3: 37.22m
KentsL: 36.22m
KentsSupport: 36.19f

Analysis:

The key to this mission is that by employing maneuver tactics, the
British forces can isolate the German stacks with respect to each other.
Supporting stacks in 42.21 and 42.24 cannot support each other due to
placement on opposite sides of the mountain crest. Therefore, by
choosing to attack one side or the other of the German defense, about
1/3 of the German firepower will not be a factor until the assault is
well underway.

Examining the positions and LOS more closely, one finds:
1.42.21 in behind a ridge in 41.22, making him out of sight to most of the ground on the North and West of Mt. Euncona.

2. 42.24 has a blocked LOS to the south side of Mt. Euncona.

3. 42.23 is on the eastern face of Mt. Euncona, and with more of the peak in 42.24 and 41.24, this position has a blocked LOS to the northeast face of Mt. Euncona.

Plan:

Given the above LOS restrictions, an attack up the northeast face of the mountain with strong support to the North has the greatest chance of success. This means the assault force should be able to reach the peak with a minimal amount of casualties and problems.

The general plan is to maneuver the AKents force into position on turn 1, with support from BKents. On the 2nd and subsequent turns, both forces will attack, sweeping across the objective from North to South.
Mortars will be used the first turn to provide cover (smoke), and on 2nd turns and later, supporting mostly by helping suppress the enemy positions.

Enemy:

I anticipate 4 possible German responses:

1. The Germans concentrate forces once the assault begins. This might take the form of the force in 42.21 moving Northward. KentsSupport is positioned with the assignment of keeping the force in place. KentsSupport will have at least two overwatch shots if 42.21 attempts to move, with a good chance of causing at least a suppression result, halting movement.

Another way to concentrate would be for 42.24 to move to the south side of Mt. Euncona. This might make the assault for the peak a little more bloody, but would basically give a free approach. In this case, a little extra time would be spent moving all units up the mountain to provide close range support for the assault.

2. The Germans to move away from Mt. Euncona. Given their orders, it is an unlikely choice, and we accomplish our objective if it occurs.

3. The Germans counterattack our assault on the hill. In order to be prepared for this option, some assault units will take up supporting fire positions as the assault rolls in. I believe, that although unpredictable, this option helps us reach our objective, as it brings them to our side of the mountain, where our superior firepower can be brought to bear easily.

4. The German remains in his positions, awaiting our assault.

The plan above assumes the Germans will choose option 4. However, the plan also is prepared for a different German response. Tactical implementation of the plan takes these alternatives into consideration, and is prepared to deal with them, should they occur.

Assault:

(The turn details below are in a numbered instruction list format, with
several decision points. Turns are labeled A, B, C, and D which
hopefully will coincide with turns 1, 2, 3 etc.)

Turn A

1. Battery fire to 4223, spot from KentsSupport (Although probably more
a nuisance to the Germans than anything else, it does have some chance
of causing damage. Even if the mission scatters, it is most unlikely to
affect my units, and if it does cause enough problems, the assault can
be delayed one turn.)
2. Mortar #1: Smoke mission to 41.24.
Success? Go to 4
Fail? Go to 3
3. Mortar #2: Smoke mission to 41.24
Success? Go to 4
Fail? BKents1& BKents2 fire versus 42.24, then end turn. Repeat Turn
A next turn.
4. BKents1 & Mortar #2 (if not already fired) versus 42.24
5. AKents1 to 40.24m
6. AKents2 to 39.24f
7. AKents3 to 39.26m
8. KentsL to 39.25m
9. 42.24 Suppressed?
Yes

No

(The order matters, as I want BKents2 available for overwatch on 42.24.)

10. If moving second in turn: KentsSupport versus 42.23.

Comment: BKents1, 2, and 3 are prepared for a counter by the Germans on the north side, while AKents2 and KentsSupport are prepared for one on the east side. Also, if given the choice, I would select to move second this turn. BKents3 and mortars are prepared w/overwatch if 42.24 moves south.


Turn B

1. Battery fire to 4221, spot from KentsSupport (Although probably more a nuisance to the Germans than anything else, it does have some chance of causing damage. Even if the mission scatters, it is most unlikely to affect my units, and if it does cause enough problems, the assault can be delayed one turn. Btw, the chance of the mission landing next to my units is <1%.)
2. BKents3 & Mortar #1 versus 42.24
Suppressed: Go to 5
Not Suppressed: Go to 3
3. BKents2 & Mortar #2 versus 42.24
Suppressed: Go to 5
Not Suppressed: Go to 4
4. BKents1 versus 42.24
Suppressed: Go to 5
Not suppressed: Wait for next turn and repeat turn B.
5. KentsL assaults 42.24
Succeed: AKents1 to 41.24f
AKents2 to 40.23f
AKents3 to 41.25m
BKents1 to 43.27f (if not fired)
BKents2 to 42.26f (if not fired)
Go to 8
Fail: Go to 6
6. AKents3 assaults 42.24
Succeed: AKents2 to 40.23f
AKents1 to 41.24f
BKents1 to 43.27f (if not fired)
BKents2 to 42.26f (if not fired)
Go to 8
Fail: Go to 7
7. AKents2 to 40.23f, AKents3 to 41.24f, BKents1 to 43.27f (if not fired), and see comment below.
8. If moving second in turn: KentsSupport versus 42.23.

Comment: Some units remain prepared for a counter by the Germans on the north side, while AKents2 and KentsSupport are prepared for one on the east side. If given the choice, I would also select to move second this turn. KentsSupport also is providing overwatch for units moving next to 42.23.

The assault also depends on 42.24 being somewhat weakened by the multiple fires directed against him. If he doesn't have at least a couple of hits, I would instead move the assault units up next to him and spend a turn using very close area fire attacks against 42.24 before assaulting or moving onto Turn C.

If both assaults fail, my units will move closer to 42.24, and spend an additional turn firing at 42.24, moving up closer, and recovering from failed assaults. Then the assault will continue with turn C.

Turn C

The objective this turn is to use units adjacent to 42.23 to provide covering fire as additional units move up. Then units adjacent to 42.23 SFA in conjunction with mortars. If required, AKents3 would be the initial assault force, and if necessary to be followed by the units of BKents. Given the choice, I would move first this turn.

Once 42.23 is taken, the mission is pretty much over, with the mopping up operations continued in Turn D.

Turn D

Mopping up will proceed with units closest to 42.21 and KentsSupport providing multiple SFA fires to induce suppression, with other units moving closer for better firing positions. Turn sequence doesn't matter, as the mortars can be called in to provide overwatch fire if necessary.

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