8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division vs Italians in Hold the Line

The 2IC lurking at the edge of town! This was the first game in Paths of Glory held at Perkins Hobby house. I was lucky to draw against Twinlinked from the Dice Devils GC who I played with when I was in Ottawa. The mission was Hold the line and because we were both playing tanks we rolled off and I ended up being the defender.

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK OC in III M 2IC in IV G 4 x III Ms 4 x III Ns 3 x Nebs 2 x 8-Rads Limited Stukas with bombs

Italian Compagnia Carri OC in M14/41 3 x M14/41 3 x M14/41 3 x M14/41 1 x Carro and 4 x Semovente 75/18 3 x AB41 Armoured cars 2 x Lancia da 90/53 Bersaglieri Platoon

SETUP AND DEPLOYMENT

Only the 2IC deploys near the objective the platoons of tanks are in ambush

The Carri are line abreast ready to advance on the seemingly alone 2IC

Book ended by tanks the Bersagilari are ready to advance

On the far flank the final platoon of M14/41s is ready to advance

All that stands in the way for the Italians is a lone Panzer, or is it.....

The AB41s is ready to wrestle the objective from the 2IC

UNITS IN RESERVE
8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK Nebs 8-Rads	Italian Compagnia Carri Nil

DEPLOYMENT SUMMARY

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK:The 2IC was deployed to make sure that the fleet Recce couldn't use the road and win the game in the first turn. Otherwise, there is a fair amount of terrain to launch my ambushes from. Italian Compagnia Carri:The Italians load up heavy on the left flank with the majority of the tanks and slightly weaker on the right.

TURN 1

Giving up protection for speed the 41s flank the 2IC in an attempt to end the game early but only bail him!

His wrath destroys two and fire from one of the III Ns bails the final one causing the platoon to flee

The first ambush is sprung!

The III Ns open fire and destroy two M14/41s while the remaining one passes his motivation to continue fighting

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK	Italian Compagnia Carri AB41 Platoon

TURN 1 SUMMARY

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK:The III Ns and 2IC hold the tide initially, the Semoventees are coming and will be able to punch through the front armour if I let them. Italian Compagnia Carri:The ambush was dangerous hopefully the second one doesn't cause the same level of problems.

TURN 2

The III Ns open fire with their machine guns cutting down the Italian infantry by 4 stands

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK	Italian Compagnia Carri AB41 Platoon 4 x Infantry stands

TURN 2 SUMMARY

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK:The III Ns manage to pin the infantry and otherwise hold still. The 2IC moves back to cover the gap once the Semoventees break into the open. Italian Compagnia Carri:With Recce destroyed and another ambush waiting, its going to be an uphill battle.

TURN 3

The second ambush is sprung....

and manages to bail almost the whole platoon

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK	Italian Compagnia Carri AB41 Platoon 4 x Infantry stands M14/41 Platoon

TURN 3 SUMMARY

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK:The second ambush only managed to bail a bunch of the Semoventees. If they remount they could make short work of the III Ms. Italian Compagnia Carri:Luckily the Semoventees survived and can now bring the pain. The infantry are still pinned but are digging in.

TURN 4

Half of the Semoventees remount and destroy a III M!

The return fire from the III Ms and the 2IC destroy 2 Semoventees and force the platoon to flee

A M14/41 platoon attempts to flank the III Ns only to be destroyed in the return fire, the Italian OC is destroyed as part of the platoon

With the OC and more than half the platoons destroyed the German Panzers advance on a crumbling foe

COMBAT CASUALTY SUMMARY
8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK 1 x III M	Italian Compagnia Carri OC 4 x Infantry stands M14/41 Platoon Semoventee Platoon M14/41 Platoon AB41 Platoon

TURN 4 SUMMARY

8th Panzer Regiment, 15th Panzer Division DAK:The stationary fire from the III Ms took out a platoon and the III Ns took out another dropping the Italians below half. With the OC dead the game ended the beginning of turn 5. Italian Compagnia Carri:Panzers in ambush!!! Somethings just aren't right, at least they weren't Tigers. Had the shoe been on the other foot there is no doubt that the Italians in defense would have fair better.

Twinlinked went for the quick win and it cost him. Without Recce to push back my ambushes I was able to launch them almost anywhere I wanted. I think we both learned a lot from the game and had a chance to wander around and look at the other armies. I ended up with a 6-1 but there is no doubt in my mind that had I been attacking this would have been very different, and I could totally see myself making the same mistake looking for the quick win.Stay tuned for another 2 AARs from Paths of Glory!

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