Mega-Memoir part 2

Continuing in our exploration of merging aspects from both Megablitz and Memoir 44 last time we examined the French defense of a streamline in 1940 with the 18th Division d'Infantrie deployed and awaiting the enemy.  One feature that we like about Megablitz is the SMART orders system.  The acronym covers Static, Mobile, Attack, Retreat and Transit options and the movement allowance for each is covered by a simple table.  It does bear some close examination but in effect if you want to run away you will move faster than your pursuers in the long haul (nice feature) and in order to engage in combat you have to move from a Mobile mode to a Attack mode which causes you to slow slightly and prepare a planned assault.

Since all movement is simultaneous (a very liked feature) it does behoove you to work alongside your opponent as you work each turn on the table because troops with different orders will move at different speeds and con not contact each other unless there is a Attack order in place on one side or the other.  I find that moving through the narrative of the game begins with a close attention to the movement phase.

Now our German attackers come from the 2d Panzer Division supported by the 13 Infantry Division (Motorized) and in the first shot below you see their first movement under a Mobile order chit for the whole division.  The recon units (with a green r on the base) screen the troops and seek to find the enemy while the rest advance on a narrow front along the road network at the 5kph rate in the table.

The 13th I.D. also advanced to the right on a Mobile order to secure the flank of 2d Pz. Div. and prevent any sorties by the French on that flank.

On the second turn (hours 3 and 4 of the daylight turns) the 2d Pz. Div closes towards the bridge and crossing over the stream, but is still in M for Mobile mode.  The French artillery now had range but not visibility to strike at any but the very lead elements but decided to withhold fire until the base of the thrust by the Germans was confirmed (or as I forgot to fire them)...

Our French General decided on this turn to place his reserves onto a Mobile order sensing that he would need to bulk up his forward defense at some point.

And on daylight turn 3 (hours 5 and 6 of daylight), the 2d Pz. Div. advanced into a hasty attack on the French forces primarily from the village at the bridge and to their left, thus opposite the heights along the stream.

The French General divided his reserves, sending 1 battalion to cover his right flank on the heights (which was a totally unfounded need since the Germans could not cross there) and two battalions to extend his line along the stream to the left of his position (again a somewhat poor choice since they were not supporting the existing front, merely extending its length and the Germans could not cross there either). 

So one of the things commanders need to do is hold onto their reserves and be able to exchange troops who have been shot up with the reserves.  More of that in another installment perhaps?

The 2 advancing battalions of motorized infantry came across the minefields leading to the bridge with only one infantry hit (each unit crossing gets attacked with one die while transiting the minefield until it is cleared by engineering personnel).

Then the French infantry fired out causing 2 hits (grenade and a infantry symbol) on one unit.

And then the other infantry caused two hits and a retreat result on the other unit.  Not a promising beginning to this hasty attack by the Germans.

Here is the view of the initial thrust from the German side

On the French side note the extended line but no loses to either side since the German recon units can not be 'hit' they must be driven away by forward motion of troops.

Here are two views from the French side of the situation

The French artillery now fire and one unit rolls 3 hits and a retreat, basically destroying one of the German motorized infantry battalions

And then the other unit makes 3 infantry hits....tough going for the Germans.

The German return fire due to tactical doctrine, allows them to shoot with not only the infantry in contact, but also the tank units directly behind them and supporting them get to fire.  This is a German training specialty at this stage of the war.  The French tank doctrine requires the tank stands to be in contact before being able to fire.  The losses are serious killing 2, 2 and 3 his on the three French infantry defending the area near the bridge.  Since they only take 4 hits to be destroyed  it would have been nice to have the reserve battalions nearby to exchange them with the front line troops...

So after three turns or the game and 6 hours of movement to combat and combat the Germans have lost half of their motorized infantry component and have not secured the bridge or the town.  The French defenders have been hurt but not devastated by the assault and still have their artillery and AT support in hand.  Time for a rethink by both sides.

Options available to both sides include calling up reserve and Corps level artillery assets (easier for the French perhaps since they are static).  Both sides could call for air support (probably favors the Germans due to doctrine, they have better and more direct support arrangements and FAOs). 

But the issue I see is that the German structural organization only gives them 4 battalions of motorized infantry and four battalions of tanks in these 1940 Panzer Divisions.  They pack a nice punch but are fragile if their infantry gets thrown in too soon as happened here.  Better perhaps for the Germans to call in air and artillery while they advanced upon the town, causing some hits to weaken the French before sticking their nose in?  I have alluded to the French mistake in premature commitment of their reserves already.

If the Germans can quickly push through the bridge/town the supporting elements of the 9 battalion strong French infantry division could not stop them.

Perhaps time for a second stab at this scenario?