St Nichols Farm

AAR by Gary and the Editor.

Players
British     : David Taylor, David Brown.
German  : David Maltman. 
Umpire   : Gary.

Using Panzer Grenadier Deluxe in 15mm.

First report from the unbiased umpire.

I put on the 'St Nicolas Farm' scenario with Panzer Grenadier Deluxe as scheduled.

Game was played by 3 of our many Daves, with Dave M taking Germans (as he arrived first and had time to plot hidden units) against Dave T and Dave B as attacking British.

After brief outline of core rules we got straight to it and a super game it turned out to be and managed to play full 14 turns of scenario as it went right to the wire.

Highlights saw Germans having a run initiative in early turns and 2 Shermans brewed.

One was taken out by Pak40 the other was flanked by a Panzer Shreck team (a combo of moves, exploit movement and the won initiative), the remaining Sherman was later damaged and then retreated off table

British seemed incapable of activating much in first turns or if they did their shooting was abysmal (something which Dave B in particular suffered from all game).

However Germans were forced to move (and reveal) a Platoon deployed in 'lesser' farm as Brits not deployed anywhere nearby, and whilst this cost Shermans (as Panzer Shreck included) it did mean this Platoon was far from later action at St Nicolas Farm itself.

British Artillery had accurate but marginally effective first stonk on this advancing Hun Platoon.

However second stonk on orchard at St Nicolas Farm devasted a Platoon of defenders (2 Dispersed and other Disengaged).

This opened up things on this flank for British who advanced into orchard (an exploit move and initiative wins helped here) and then assaulted into the farm itself, initially losing but ejecting the defenders (an MMG and single Section) at second attempt.

Brits were firmly in control of farm with no Germans in numbers nearby to re-take (and reduced to firing Panzer Shrecks at buildings), however the British losses were such that Huns could win by breaking British force.

Indeed both sides were rolling Force Morale Tests for 25% casualties and indeed on last turn the British were a single loss from defeat however they managed to Rally 3 Suppressed units which was just as well as Dave T rolled a mere 3 on their last Force Morale check which would have seen these units Rout and would have given game to Germans.

However by skin of their teeth the British won by controlling the farm at game end.

Forces : 

British.

• 5 Infantry Platoons ( each off 2 rifle sections and an LMG section ).
• 2 MMGs.
• Mortar.
• 3 Shermans.
• Dingo AC.
• Command units.
• 2 Artillery barrages.

Germans.

• 3 Infantry Platoons  ( each off 2 rifle sections , 1 LMG section and a single Panzer faust shot ).
• 2 MMGs.
• 2 Panzer Schrecks.
• Pak 40 anti tank gun.
• Command units.

Table at start (Germans all hidden)

British massing on left to assault St Nicolas Farm

Shermans in trouble in centre near small rise as British infantry boldly approach St Nicolas Farm (German defenders of orchard having been dealt with by artillery)

Pak40 visible on extreme left and the PanzerShreck on edge of wood in upper centre

First British assault on farm has been repulsed but second wave ready to try again

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Now the report from the very biased German commander, Hauptman Malzmann.

Map showing the positions of our brave Wehrmacht soldiers occupying the farms and hedge rows of St Nicholas.

I spread the platoons evenly across the battlefield not knowing how the British would attack and not wanting to group too much as the British artillery barrages 

In the early morning we were woken with tank rumblings from the west. The Tommies are comming. As you can see we are all nicely hidden waiting for their arrival.

The British completely ignored the left side of the battlefield. Most of the infantry going down the right toward the farm and 3 tanks and an infantry platoon occupying the centre. The Dingo came up the main road. The British spotted the PAK 40 which immediately fired on a Sherman which true to its nickname brewed up.

The British used their first barrage which was fairly ineffectual, but the PAK 40 ended up with low ammo due to a poor rally roll

Started moving troops from the left flank into the centre. The arrows on the map shows the routes of the 3rd platoon which took out a British platoon on the central wood. At the same time Corporal Shultzs Panzer Schreck took out the second Sherman and then used every opportunity to move right, driving the last Sherman back. I shall be putting him forward for an Iron Cross.   

Meanwhile on the right flank 4 platoons, the Dingo, an MMG and the mortar assemble to assault St Nichols Farm. Only one platoon , an MMG and a Panzerschreck squad against them.

The British use their second barrage to good effect pushing back the platoon back. They start to move forward with little opposition.

In the centre the PAK 40 hits the Sherman and forces it to retreat off the table. Corporal Schultz keep moving left to attack the Dingo. Platoon 3 follows on behind him. See map for the routes taken.

The British assault the farm and either kill or push out all the German units.

Platoon 1 tried to recapture the farm, but where killed.

The final moves where attacks by machine gun and PAK 40 against the remaining British in the farm and the wood, but to minimal effect.

With the British firmly in charge of the farm and night falling we withdrew what was left of the company. 

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Photos curtesy of Gary and the Editor.