Part 7 - Remote Commanders WWII D-Day game

The Road - Turns 1 -4

Events on in the center of the line could be overlooked, the Road to Murs Blanc (designated Road 6 on the maps) swung south east past the Airfield and eventually on to the town itself.

Soon after the battle at the Village of Arret de Cheval had started, Captian Schorner the garrison commander of Murs Blanc was alerted to American movement on the main road leading to the town. He ordered his Nashorn platoon to take up a good firing position in the town to cover the road. The german gunners waited patiently for their targets to get into optimum range.

An Infantry half-track is the first victim of the German 88s.

Since landing on the Beaches Captains Kelso and Tyler had been effective at moving together, the Tanks ready to take on enemy strong points and the Infantry ready to support the tanks. As the approached the Airfield they could see the town in the distance. Both Tyler and Kelso were very awar of the bocage near their flanks and proceeded with caution.

As they moved down the road they could see a large smoke screen obscuring the airfield to the Southeast, that was the signal for the rangers to assault and them to provide armour and infantry. Baker Platoons half-tracks were hit badly buy a yet unknown enemy, smoke and confusion hindered any chance of spotting the shooter. The transports crew tumbled out of the wrecked vehicle surprisingly unscathed. Tyler's tank commanders scanned the woods and town for any sign of German Anti-tank weapons nothing could be seen.

Lindermann had already moved his infantry off to protect the town but he did leave his Anti-tank guns to cover the road. As the Americans moved closer the gunners opened fire, scoring a hits on a second half-track platoon.

Kelso ordered his troops to alight from their vehicles, it was clear to him that the road was covered by German AT guns. Tylers Sherman's moved forwards to protect the Infantry, this proved to be a fatal mistake. The Sherman's ran head long into the combined fire from 4 PAK40 guns and a Platoon of Nashorn tank destroyers (hidden in the town). With great determination and courage the Sherman's mamged to take out the PAK40s, but were left open for the deadly German tank hunters

Schorner's Nashorn crews wasted no time, the seen the Sherman's break formation and go after the PAK40s in the woods.

Tyler pushes forwards after a brief firefight with a German PAK 40 in the woods.

 Within minutes the German anti-tank fire had reduced two platoons of Sherman's to burning wrecks. Kelso was unable to do anything other than watch as his fellow Americans were shot apart. Desperately Tylers gunners fired at the town, tying to land any kind of shots to dislodge or disrupt the incoming fire but to no avail.

As General Von Bock arrived in the town this situation on the road was the least of his concerns. The airfield had fallen and the Village stood ready to be overrun. Despite Schoner's action holding the raod he needed his subordinate to reinforce the village. News was coming to him that more American forces were spotted in the area. With that German fire from the town ceased and Von Bock moved to the Airfield.

Unsure of what had happened to the German guns, Tyler and Kelso could now complete their mission and support the Airfield battle. The had been caught in the open on the road and that had slowed them down all day, casualties were high and morale low.

Gunson Deploys his company and approaches the village from the north

McBride now throws in his reserve, Gunson deploys his mechanised formation near the village on Road 1. as the battle rages in the east and west now the American commander comits to the final attack. This will either break the German resistance or be sacrificed on the accurate and deadly German guns. Either way the battle will be over by the 8th of June, the butchers bill will be counted later.   

Next up,  Turn 5 and 6. Battle is really heating up now.