Taking the Gembloux Gap: Blitz on Villeroux III (Table 3, Turn 6)

 As the fighting continues along the entirety of 3. Panzer's front, they continue to press for the breakthrough towards the Dyle. Leutnant Bauer's platoon takes a moment to catch their breath before attempting, once again, to open a whole for the armor behind them. They've been briefed that there are signs of an impending French counterattack, and the pressure is on to turn their flank before it can be implemented. As such, 2nd Platoon is reinforced once again with the platoon of SdKfz 221 armored cars as well as a Forward Observation Officer from the battalion mortars. Additionally, the Stukas continue to hammer the front while fifth columnists harass the French behind their lines. Lieutenant Garnier, the buildings in his sector widely turned to rubble under the incessant barrage, has a dug-in 25mm AT gun as well as a dug-in canon de 75mm M1897.

Lt. Bauer's patrols report French movement in the rubble along the north side of the crossroad, as well as in the café, the lone building still standing. They find relatively safe routes forward through the wheat field into the north woods, as well as along the country lane to their rear.

The effects of the multiple Stuka attacks...

...turned the majority of the buildings into rubble...

...which created a continuous defensive line with good visibility

Having run short of time during their last attempt, Lt. Bauer elects to send the cars forward immediately, intent on breaking through the French left flank. He'll secure the woods with infantry and bring up the forward observer to hammer and blind any French defenses along that flank. 

The first 221s arrive. Attempting to break through the hedge, the first one immediately bogs down while the remaining two maneuver further west. Obergefreiter Wahl and his squad press into the north wood and begin to probe towards the edge. Despite the Stuka bombardment, they immediately come under fire from an entrenched 75mm cannon, with shrapnel peppering Wahl. The 75mm is immediately joined by Sergeant Monet's group de combat and Caporal Toussaint's VB grenadiers. They combine their fire with the cannon and begin whittling down Whal's squad.

The 221s race on, while one bogs down in the hedge

The enemy located, Wahl moves his weakened squad over and makes room for Obgfr. Milward to bring his squad in line. They pour fire into the rubble, pinning Toussaint's grenadiers. With the infantry forming a screen, the forward observer joins them, using his radio to contact the battery of 8cm mortars. 

Disastrously for the boche, upon reaching the firefight, the French 75mm wounds Wahl and kills the forward observer while small arms fire kills Milward. Immediately, with both squad leaders killed or wounded as well as a killed FO, the punch has been taken out of their attack. 

The stout defenders make efficient use of the prevalent rubble

With time still available, the German platoon reorients their attack. Instead of attempting to break through the northern flank, they'll redirect the remaining two SdKfz 221s to the south and attempt a hasty flanking movement there. The infantry in the woods puts covering fire down on suspected defensive positions, attempting to suppress any AT gun crews that may be laying in wait.

As the two armored cars begin their race towards the south, a 25mm round passes dangerously close to the lead 221. The round sails overhead, the gun crew clearly rattled by the combined effects of the covering fire and the series of aerial bombardments. They're quick to recover and reload and they get off a second shot, this time pounding squarely into the side of the trailing 221. This quickly puts the lightly-armored reconnaissance vehicle out of action.

The French 25mm gun concealed amidst the rubble 

The lead 221 makes it across the gap...

...though the trailing 221 is not so fortunate

With the understanding that this is likely the last opportunity to thwart the French counterattack, Lt. Bauer orders the immediate advance along the northern flank. He orders up Obgfr. Krüger and has his squad along with Milward's to put down suppressive fire on the defenders entrenched in the rubble, throw forward smoke grenades, then he orders Wahl and his squad to press forward through and around the killing zone. Despite the measures taken to reduce incoming fire, Lt. Garnier's defenders put effective fire on the advancing boche, stopping Wahl's squad in their tracks. Pinned down in the road, they hunker under the murderous rifle and cannon fire. 

Lt. Bauer, desperate to circumnavigate this position, grabs Krüger and his squad and follows in Wahl's footsteps. Under his command, this squad breaks across the road, quickly threatening the flank of the French defensive position. Just as victory seems within the grasp for Lt. Bauer's platoon, the sound of French armor and gathering troops can be heard to their front. The French counterattack is organizing and the German efforts have come too late.

Lt. Bauer leads Krüger's squad past Wahl's pinned men

Out of time, Lt. Bauer halts his assault and withdraws his troops in as organized a manner as they can muster. In their extended position and hasty retreat, the Germans lose six men captured and three dispersed. Milward and three more men have been killed and two are only wounded. Worse yet, Krüger fails to make it to the final rally, likely having been captured in the withdrawal. Lt. Bauer's abortive attack has left him feeling confused, unsure of how to proceed. Lt. Garnier, on the other hand, with his repeatedly successful defense of this position is feeling sociable. His men are feeling good but are wearied by the incessant German assaults, though his CO is increasingly pleased by their success. He lost no men and is now preparing to participate in the localized counterattack along the Gembloux Gap.

This was a tough game: losing one 221 to a hedge, a squad leader and the FOO just before the main effort could go in - the friction was readily apparent. With major timetable pressure, I had to lean as far forward as I could, but ultimately this led to disaster. This platoon was spent here, leaving the Germans with one platoon remaining, an impending counterattack, and a timeline that is becoming increasingly unattainable. A has been playing excellently. She turned the rubble (that I inadvertently created through repeated aerial bombardments) into a stout defensive line, offering cover for her troops and firing positions in almost every direction. She's proved a resolute defender! As usual, this was a fun game, and next up will see the French counterattack back towards the Noirmont position. We'll see you then!

Caleb