Monday 17 January 2022

The Left bank 1916 part 9 - the thin red lines

The German Jager battalion in reserve.  Note the telephone lines made from red wool.
German troops in position on Artillery Hill.  

 Day 2 - the German defence plan:

1/32 will dig in on Dog Hill - first priority for pioneers

2/94 will dig in on Artillery Hill (should be able to reuse some of the French defences) - second priority for pioneers

1/94 will dig in on Telegraph Hill - third priority for pioneers

 an MG will be attached to each of 1/32 and 2/94, positioned to allow a crossfire as per the map (so left flank of 2/94, right flank of 1/32)

 The Jagers and Stormtroops will move to reserve positions as marked - essentially on the reverse slope and offset to the left and right respectively. If they have time, dig in as much as possible.

 Final Protective Fire locations 'Anton' and 'Bruno' are marked.

Own positions are also pre registered in the event of a counterattack - Dog, Artillery, Telegraph.

Fire called by telephone ideally, or if needed by flare.

If the guns need to be on table, just back in the valley somewhere one gun behind each regiment, ideally where they can see the ridgeline if direct fire is required.

 The Telephone team will establish an exchange (red circle on map) behind Telegraph Hill and run a wire forward via Telegraph Hill to Artillery Hill. A second wire will run via JG/94, Stosstrupp and then to Dog Hill.  If there is time, run a third wire to any on table artillery positions but I doubt there will be.

 The Field Hospital can keep up the good work!

Dog Hill with it's new German garrison.
The Germans brought forward a field battery.


French PLAN B

Clear I/211 (Artillery Hill) position first, using all artillery, then take on I/215 (Dog Hill)

 Turn 1 - Aircraft bomb position formerly held by  I/211

 Turns 2 and 3 – both batteries fire on I/211’s position.

 Turn 4 –both  infantry battalions enter on southern edge due south of I/211’s position. Artillery continues firing on previous target.

 Turn 5 – infantry advance on their objective. Artillery continues to fire.

 Turn 6  and 7 - both battalions assault I/211’s former position.  Both batteries fire on I/215’s former position.

 Turn 8 and 9 – leaving one company to garrison the I/211 position, the rest of the infantry move to I/215’s position. Artillery keep firing

 Turn 10 –Artillery cease fire. Infantry assault  the I/215 position.


Next time we'll see what happened when the plans were executed.

10 comments:

Martin Rapier said...

The best laid plans of mice and men....

tradgardmastare said...

I do like the look of the game Tim.

Brad DeSantis said...

Nice clear objectives Tim, but in the heat of battle we'll see how it turns out! I like the idea of the telephone lines, it adds a new dimension to the game! The camo on that cannon is awesome, nice job!

John Y said...

Love the telephone lines! I just watched Lost Battalion the other day and the integrity of the lines plays a role. Hadn't really thought about how to achieve that in war game - I might have to "borrow" this idea!

Chris Kemp said...

The camouflage on that gun is eye watering, Tim. I love it!

Regards, Chris.

Tim Gow said...

Martin Rapier
It was very entertaining to compare opposing plans!

Tim Gow said...

Tradgardmastare
Thanks - an excuse to roll out all sorts of unlikely stuff!

Tim Gow said...

Brad DeSantis
You know what they say about plans and the enemy!

Tim Gow said...

John Y
Speaking of ‘borrowing’, I’d better return the ball of red wool to Mrs G…..

Tim Gow said...

Chris Kemp
Like a lot of my camo painting, it looks far better than it has any right to!