After Action Report #3
March, 1940
French Counterattack
Reported by Rune

France, 1940, the Bosche have penetrated to the river and have even crossed to our side. Our plan, to advance in a two prong attack, down the hill to stop them in their trenches. We must also take the bridge crossing on our left flank.

We have 2 squads of infantry, and armour car, 3 Renault tanks, 2 Somua tanks, and a headquarters detachment.

I divide my forces by sending a squad and a Somua to the bridge while the rest attack the trench line from a distance. Shortly, German fighters show up and strafe my Renaults, to little effect .

Disaster! The squad heading toward the bridge is cut down in high grass by a machine gun, while the Somua engages an anti-tank gun.

A duel develops when suddenly the Renault spot German tanks heading their way, along with two dots along the horizon which means more German air power!

As they get closer, the dots turn out to be Bf-110s and make several runs against my units, causing havoc! The German air power is quickly decimating my troops! My Renaults wisely retarget from the tanks I had them shooting at, to the anti-tank guns near the trenches. Good thing they over-ruled by command, as armed with machine guns, they would have little effect on the German tanks.

In the meantime, the loan Somua is joined by a Renault I send to help it. The Somua continues the gun duel, and I bring the Renault up to help when it is lost with its crew. However, it was enough time to close the distance in its battle with the AT gun, and it shortly wipes it out! However, German infantry has flanked and passed the tank as German tanks cross the bridge!

My lone Somua ‘s crew bails after being hit by multiple tanks. The crew escapes with slight wounds.

I get reinforcements! Three Somuas advance as my remaining infantry fight for their lives against the advancing Germans. Here you see both my infantry trying to hang on and the advancing Somuas!

Luck continues to go against me, as more German planes make a bombing run and take out 1 of my Somuas, as the other two are overwhelmed by the advancing German tanks. The only chance I have are two additional field guns I unhook and start to man, when suddenly German infantry and tanks come over the hill and slaughter my troops before the guns can come into play.

Soon it is over…my remaining crews and infantry withdraw, and the Germans advance , while I suffer a total loss.

Lessons learned:

1. Dividing up my starting units was a mistake that cost me dearly.

2. Keep the Renault from attacking the German armour. Their machine guns are better used against German infantry. The Somuas are decent tanks, but must be used in co-operation. Used alone, they are soon over-whelmed by sheer firepower.

3. The AI is no pushover, they pulled a nice flanking movement on me that I didn’t expect.

Rune