Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Panzer Pioneers vs Wiking Panthers in Counter Attack



Massive Carnage!

This battle was again a 1650 LW match up in preparation for the Nov tournament to be held at Perkins Hobby House. I played against Ian who was running Wiking Panthers. We rolled up Counter Attack, which worked out well because I wanted to play a mission I wasn't as familiar with.


Panzer Pioneers
  • OC and 2IC Fausts
  • Full Pioneers with faust and supply vehicle
  • Full Pioneers with knacker and supply vehicle
  • 2 x Tiger IEs
  • 3 x Nebs with PaK 38
  • 3 x Panzer IIs
  • 4 x Marder IIIMs
Wiking Panthers
  • OC and 2IC Panthers
  • 4 x Panthers
  • 5 x Panzer IV Hs
  • 2 x 8-Rads
  • 2 x AA trucks





SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

Objectives are beside the wheat field and church in the near quarter and between the woods and hedge row

AA trucks ready to protect the tanks flank

Recce and the 2IC ready to roll out

Panthers and Panzer IVs ready to roll out

2IC supervising the defencsive position

Nebs dug in under the watchful eye of the old man

The front line positions of the Pioneers

The Pioneer platoon ready to get to the other objective

UNITS IN RESERVE
Panzer Pioneers
  • 3 x Panzer IIs
  • 2 x Tiger IEs
Wiking Panthers
  • Nil


DEPLOYMENT SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: I deployed both Pioneer platoons with their supply vehicles and held the Marders in ambush. Unfortantly this mission was going neutralize all of the half tracks in my army when I chose to deploy their platoons. I kept the Panzer IIs and Tigers off the table ready to flank the Panthers.
Wiking Panthers: After doing an initial map Recce Ian desided to push for the undefended objective. This led him to deploying his Recce and all his tanks on the one flank with the AA trucks acting as a guard to protect their flank.

TURN 1

8-Rads advance to deny the prime ambushing location

With a throaty roar the armour moves out

Tigers arrive from reserve turn 1 and destroy an 8-Rad

Pioneers double forward behind the wheat supported by their supply truck

Nebs drop smoke to blind the enemy

PaK 38 and Marders knock out an AA truck

Tigers storm into a position of cover

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • 1 x AA truck


TURN 1 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: Everything that could engage the AA trucks did, knocking one out. The Tigers knocked out the 8-Rad but will quickly be surrounded if I don't find away to destroy some of the oncoming armour.
Wiking Panthers: Main colum is advancing well. Minor losses in the two small platoons which will bleed victory points but won't hurt in accomplishing the mission.

TURN 2

The armour colum is ready to drive to either side of the Tigers to get flank shots

2IC moves up to support the remaining Recce call sign

Both the Pioneers and Tigers double to get to the objective and prepare a defensive position

The Marders hunt down the remaining AA truck

The right flank begins moving surrond the advancing tanks

PaK 38 and Pl Comd move to bring the gun to bear

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • AA truck platoon


TURN 2 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: Moving as fast as I could I brought forces to the objective trying to stop from being surronded. The double timing could prove costly next shooting step.
Wiking Panthers: The 2IC and 8-Rad continue to hold the centre of the table and hold the Marders at bay.

TURN 3

Lucky 5's keep the Tigers alive!

Tigers move to support the Pioneers as they dig into the objective

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • AA truck platoon


TURN 3 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: I was able to get to the objective and dig in on it. THe problem I now face is 9 tanks all of which can penetrate the Tigers armour.
Wiking Panthers: Although the Tigers survied for another turn it is unlikely they will be able to do that again. With only wire protecting the one flank it will be easy to over run the objective with all the armour.

TURN 4

The mailed fist continues to close on the defenders

The OC and 2IC protect the remaining 8-Rad

Marders and infantry advance, but is it fast enough?

Panthers draw a beed on the Tigers and destroy them both!

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
  • Tiger IE platoon
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • AA truck platoon


TURN 4 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: Despite setting up a great defensive position, the Tigers are blown apart by the Panthers leaving the Pioneers alone on the objective.
Wiking Panthers: The OC and 2IC are keeping the Marders on their toes and stopping them from being able to bring their guns to bear on the flanks of the Panthers.

TURN 5

Marders continue to push against the flank

PaK 38 in position a turn too late

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
  • Tiger IE platoon
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • AA truck platoon


TURN 5 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: The fight is going to culminate on the other side of the table and I will only have one platoon vs almost all of Ian's army. Things aren't going to go so well next turn.
Wiking Panthers: The OC and 2IC continue to isolate the Marders and stop them from playing a larger role in the battle. The IV Hs and Panthers will be able to assault the objective next turn.

TURN 6

When the dust clears it is too much for the Pl Comd who quits the field

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers
  • 1 x Infantry stand
  • Tiger IE platoon
  • Pioneer platoon
Wiking Panthers
  • 1 x 8-Rad
  • AA truck platoon
  • 2 x IV Hs


TURN 6 SUMMARY
Panzer Pioneers: The combined fire of both platoons followed by the assault was too much for the Pioneers. They did take down 2 tanks in the process but it wasn't enough.
Wiking Panthers: Guts used as axle grease, check!
The game ended with a 5-2 for Ian. It was well played on both sides and there were a couple things I would do differently. I needed to set up so that the other Pioneer platoon could support both objectives if required. The wire I had protecting the far objective should have been mines. The obstacles in front of my position should have had gaps in them so I didn't have to travel all the way around them. All in all it was a great learning experience. Stay tuned for the next AAR hopefully I'll get it out in the next couple of days.




Generated by WWPD's BatRepper Software.

2 comments:

  1. Great report and pictures of our battle Drew! It was a mistake to put my AA as a flank guard. It worked but cost me a VP. The 2IC Panther could have handled that task alone.

    My dice were hot when I needed them! BTW, I think the mission was Counter Attack.

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