Edge of the Ardennes 1940
Brian designed this scenario I hope I and the pictures can do it justice it was a really interesting game....lots of fun! a fictional account loosely based on the Blitzkreg of 1940.
German:
The germans had to take the bridge on the edge of the Small Belgium Hamlet on the edge of the Ardennes to do this they planned on landing 1 Batt of German Falls. near to the bridge. a armoured relief column was to support them in this role once it broke free of the forest.
Belgians:
had an infantry batt and 2 detachments of T15s to hold the hamlet and slow the German progress through the forest.
French:
Had to hold the bridge or blow it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. to do this they had one full batt of French Crack Infantry determined not to give an inch to the horrible Hun!
So the stage was set:
German:
The germans had to take the bridge on the edge of the Small Belgium Hamlet on the edge of the Ardennes to do this they planned on landing 1 Batt of German Falls. near to the bridge. a armoured relief column was to support them in this role once it broke free of the forest.
Belgians:
had an infantry batt and 2 detachments of T15s to hold the hamlet and slow the German progress through the forest.
French:
Had to hold the bridge or blow it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. to do this they had one full batt of French Crack Infantry determined not to give an inch to the horrible Hun!
So the stage was set:
The French set up either side of the bridge with there cmd based in the centre of town.
The Belgians set up in the woods( hence very little photos of the Belgians......you couldnt see the blighters!)
The armoured column raced down the road chasing a fleeing truck and car loaded with French Infantry fresh from a bloody fight!
The French were waved through the hamlet and the armoured column started to receive heavy fire from both sides of the road. men were falling from bikes and trucks all along the road but nothing stopped the armoured column from its advance.
In the meantime the German Falljs burst from the side of the wood and race to the hamlet( not the bridge as the allies had expected!!)
In the meantime the German Falljs burst from the side of the wood and race to the hamlet( not the bridge as the allies had expected!!)
The Belgians were exacting a heavy toll on the Germans from both their infantry and their T15s which proved difficult to pin down.
Neverthless the German armour elements make it to the bridge and briefly engage the infantry in the town that had left the safety of the farmyard to race across the otherside of the bridge. A decison the French Cmd regretted immediately as it saw a full batt of German Paras surronding the farm yard.
Meanwhile the fleeing French stop on the bridge and start examining the charges.........strange, very strange!!!!
The Paras at the courtyard get very brave and start to assault the farmhouse taking heavy fire from across the street.
The Belgians had been in the woods fall back to support the French and their numbers start to tell on the Germans who are falling like flies... The 105 Belgian Howitzer also starts to pour fire down on the Brave Paras!
Some armoured cars make it across the bridge but do not moe down the French on the bridge. The French Guarding the far side suddenly open fire on the French on the Bridge they eventually realised that these French were not French but in fact German Brandenburgers!!!!!!!! But is it too late!
The germans with support are on the bridge but have little support and start to take heavy casualties.
Finally the Paras take out the cmd and just in time as the Belgiums start to reach the hamlet and farmyard. The T15s start to take hits But it looks like the Germans are surrounded.
Finally the Paras take out the cmd and just in time as the Belgiums start to reach the hamlet and farmyard. The T15s start to take hits But it looks like the Germans are surrounded.
But word reaches the French on the far bank that their cmd has been over run and their cmdr has been killed, they start to faulter (failed their moral role) and run. The the complete suprise of the Germans on the bridge they see the French running for it and relieved as they were on their last legs. The PAras hold the farmyard and the armour finally arrives in support.
Objective complete but but with a heavy cost and they still have the Belgium forces in front and the French are sure to return..................next time can the Germans Keep the Bridge long enough for renforcements to arrive!!!!
