"Die Letzte Hoffnung" CM:BN AAR - Now with 0% more community participation! -

[Dowly]

Might as well start this now. So, this comes from the same guy who made
"Devil's Descent" and is again a story-driven campaign where you get to make
the decision(s) for me.

Of course, there will be SPOILERS, so don't read this if you're planning on
playing through the campaign in the future.

This time, the campaign is from the German side during "Operation Lüttich"
and is played with much larger force than in DD.

There appears to be a great wall of China equivalent wall of text before
the first mission so, I'll post the narrative in 4-5 parts over a day or two
to make it less exhausting to read.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Campaign Briefing

Situation

0800 6 August 1944, 116. Panzerdivision HQ, W of Sourdeval

The US First Army has crushed our positions to the west of Saint-Lo with a
massive assault. They have been pushing us very hard ever since. The lines
have stabilized temporarily around Mortain as the US Third Army pushes south
around our flank. While we are in danger of encirclement, the Third Army's
rapid advance has in turn left their own flank wide open.

To exploit the situation, our 7th Army is beginning a massive counterattack
with the objective of cutting off the enemy advance by seizing Avranches.
We are launching an attack with the 1. and 2. SS-Panzerdivisions attacking
in the north towards Juvigny-le-Terte and Chérencé-le-Roussel, respectively.


Mission

Your task is to spearhead the 116. Panzerdivision's advance, leaving the
armored units of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 60 to exploit the initial penetration
of American lines. You will attack with the objective of reaching Chérence-le-Roussel,
and, once that village is secured, you will hold the road open while the remainder
of the division advances on Avranches.


Friendly Forces

Your command consists of 1., 2., and 4. (Heavy) Panzergrenadier Kompanies (Motorized)
of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156, as well as a Panther platoon and a Panzer IV
platoon from Panzer-Regiment 16. You will also be supported by the divisional
artillery and Panzer reconnaissance battalion as available.


Enemy Forces

Enemy forces in the vicinity come from the 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment
as well as the 746th Tank Battalion. Hopefully they will not be expecting an attack.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Characters

PERSONNEL OF KAMPFGRUPPE MAGSBURG, 116. PANZERDIVISION

OBERSTLEUTNANT von Magsburg, CO I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156
Von Magsburg comes from a noble family and has spent most of his life in Berlin.
Von Magsburg joined the army in 1925, and his two sons followed him into the army.
Both were promising junior officers who died on the Eastern Front; his youngest
died at Kursk in 1943, and his eldest has just perished. Von Magsburg himself
was severely injured in late 1943 and has only just finished his recuperation.

MAJOR Klein, XO I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156
Klein grew up as a factory worker in Munich. He joined the army in 1933, and rose
rapidly through the ranks. Klein has fought extensively on the Eastern Front
and has a massive facial scar to show for it.

HAUPTMANN Leifheim, CO 1./I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156
Leifheim, and Austrian career soldier, is a veteran of North Africa; he was one
of the last officers to be evacuated before Tunisia fell. He has also fought
with distinction throughout the Normandy campaign, and has more experience fighting
the western Allies than any of the other KG Magsburg officers.

HAUPTMANN Wohnhas, CO 2./I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156
Wohnhas is the youngest company commander in the 116. Panzerdivision. The only combat
experience he had is against the British earlier in the Normandy campaign.
Wohnhas has a particular hatred for the western Allies.

OBERLEUTNANT Behn, CO 1./1./I./Panzer-Regiment 16
Behn is an experienced armor officer from Frankfurt. He has already become a
tank ace from the battles around Caen.

OBERLEUTNANT Peters, CO 1./1./II./Panzer-Regiment 16
Peters, a relatively young armor officer from Leipzig, appears to be sullen
and slightly erratic.

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Narrative 1/4)

0800, 6 August 1944, 116. Panzerdivision HQ, W of Sourdeval

"Heil Hitler! Oberstleutnant Dieter von Magsburg, reporting for duty!"
Von Magsburg snapped a crisp Sieg Heil to the Major General standing by a large
table across the room. The Major General sighed and replied with the army salute.
Von Magsburg grinned and replied with an army salute of his own.

Now smiling slightly, the Major General shook von Magsburg's hand. "Good to meet
you, Oberstleutnant. Generalmajor Hans von Nordheim. No trouble with the Jabos
on your way in, I take it?" The lieutenant colonel shook his head. Von Nordheim
gestured to the table. "I'm afraid your holiday in that hospital bed has come to
and end."

Von Magsburg stiffened a little as the pair walked toward the table. "It was no
holiday hearing that my son was killed by the Russians."

"Yes, I heard about your boy, I'm sorry." The pair arrived at the table.
"Unfortunately, fighting the Amis is just as hard as fighting the Russians,
and we've got a lot of work to do." He pointed to a series of arrows drawn
on the map. Von Magsburg quickly focused on the line emanating from the 116.
Panzerdivision, starting at Sourdeval and ending at Saint-Pois. "Seventh Army
is in full retreat after the major Allied offensive that broke through our
positions at Saint-Lo last month. OKW has ordered us to counterattack towards
Avranches in concert with the SS Panzer divisions holding down our southern flank.
You will lead our Kampfgruppe in our division's vanguard."

"Very well, sir. When does the attack start?"

Von Nordheim cast an apologetic look at his newest subordinate. "Midnight."

Von Magsburg stared at his division commander in disbelief. "Tonight?"

Von Nordheim nodded and replied sternly, "I'm sorry, but the officer who was
supposed to lead the attack was killed yesterday while reconnoitering the route.
The good news is that his executive officer, Major Klein, is very thorough,
and all of their planning and preparations should help you pick up where he left off."

"I'll get it done, sir," replied von Magsburg resolutely.

"Good." Von Nordheim walked von Magsburg over to the wall, where the division's
unit structure was laid out. "You're in command of what's left of I. Battalion,
Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156. Your Kampfgruppe consist of two motorized Panzergrenadier
companies, supported by the battalion weapons company, a Panther platoon and a
Panzer IV platoon. You'll be reinforced by divisional reconnaissance assets and
artillery as available."

"Are they at full strength?" asked von Magsburg, knowing full well that the division's
units had been chewed up by the constant fighting against the British.

Von Nordheim cast a knowing glanceat von Magsburg. "They are now," he replied grimly.
"We gutted the survivors of 3. Kompanie to get 1., 2., and 4. Kompanies to
full strength. The tank companies are in even worse shape; you're getting 5
of the 28 Panthers left in the division, and 5 of the 22 remaining Panzer IVs."

"Well, they'll have to do. What's my Kampfgruppe's role in this attack?"

"You'll be spearheading the division's drive for the first phase of the attack.
It'll be your job to punch through the American front and hold the crossroads
at Chérencé-le-Roussel open for the rest of our division. Once we're past their
first line of defense the armored boys in the Panzergrenadier-Regiment 60
Kampfgruppen will handle the exploitation." Von Nordheim looked at his watch.
"I'm afraid I need to go to a conference with General von Funck. Major Klein
will fill you in on everything else." The two exchanged salutes.
"Dismissed."

***

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Narrative 2/4)

0945, 6 August 1944, I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156 HQ, W of Sourdeval

"Heil Hitler!" The scarred officer in major's uniform waited for von Magsburg's
response.

"Heil Hitler," von Magsburg replied unenthusiastically. "Major Klein?" he asked,
extending his hand.

Klein shook von Magsburg's hand suspiciously. He did not seem to approve of
von Magsburg's lack of enthusiasm for the Nazi salute. "I see General von
Nordheim has briefed you."

Von Magsburg ignored the suspicion in Klein's demeanor. "Not well enough.
Is the Kampfgruppe assembled? I'd like to meet the rest of my subordinates."

Klein shook his head. "The troops are all assembled, but the company and platoon
commanders are either on leader's reconnaissance or dealing with supply issues.
They'll be back by 1030, though."

"That'll have to do. All right, we're attacking tonight at midnight. That's about
all I know. Tell me more about the terrain and the enemy dispositions."

"Of course, sir." Klein took a large map out of his coat pocket and laid it out
on the hood of their Kübelwagen. "The road we'll be pushing down is a relatively
straight shot to Chérencé-le-Roussel. The terrain along the route is generally
open and has a lot of large fields, but we'll occasionally need to push through
villages and forests. The Americans have the 1st Battalion of their 39th Infantry
Regiment established along the route. The American infantry lacks èlan in
the attack, but they are distressingly tenacious defenders. Hopefully, though,
they won't be expecting an attack."

"We can't rely on hope-based tactics, Major. I don't want us to underestimate
them. Where's the front line?"

"The Americans are defending a factory complex only a little way down the road.
It's not particularly valuable but it and a nearby dairy farm dominate the road
and they'll need to be cleared before we can push the rest of the division through."

"Got it. What's the plan?"

"We're going to attack with no artillery preparation. For one thing, we're short
on ammunition, and it will help us surprise them. We'll lead with Hauptmann Ingo
Leifheim's 1. Kompanie, supported by Oberleutnant Behn's Panther platoon and
Oberleutnant Peters' Panzer IV platoon. While we're mopping up the factory complex
and the farm, we'll send some scouts down the road and see what the American
defenses are like further on."

"Sounds good. What's the timetable for our advance?"

"HQ wants us in control of Chérencé-le-Roussel by 0700 at the latest."

"All right, shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything else I should know?"

"That should be everything." Klein thought for a bit, and then added, "The weather
tomorrow is supposed to be very cloudy if not foggy, it should help protect us
from the American planes."

"Excellent. Dismissed, Major."

***

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Narrative 3/4)

2300, 6 August 1944, I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156 HQ, W of Sourdeval

"Load extra HE, boys, we're going up against some Ami infantry tonight," said
Lt.Behn as he strolled around his Panther platoon in the grim darkness.

"Your men all ready, Oberleutnant?" asked von Magsburg, approaching his leading
tank platoon's assembly area.

Lt.Behn snapped a crisp army salute. "Yes, sir. Just making final preparations
and checks now."

"Good to hear. We're going to need your boys to fight well tonight."

"Don't worry, sir. You can count on my Panzertruppen."

"Good luck," von Magsburg said as he shook hands with the Frankfurter tank
commander. He began to walk away when he heard the telltale sound of a Kübelwagen
approaching. He squinted in the darkness, and was surprised to see that the
passenger was Generalmajor von Nordheim. Von Magsburg and Behn saluted.
"Good evening, sir." As von Nordheim approached, it was clear that the major
general was in a foul mood.

"No, it damn well isn't, Oberstleutnant," the divisional commander spat, tearing
his gloves off. He straightened up and softened his tone. "I'm sorry, von Magsburg.
Didn't mean to take it out on you. I've got some bad news, though. Apparently,
our division's deployment has 'delayed' 2. Panzerdivision, so the fact that
they're not going to be ready for another six hours is somehow OUR fault," he said
ruefully. "I've talked it over with my other officers, but I've waited for your
input to make a decision. Should we delay our advance ot coincide with theirs?
That'd delay our start time to 0500."

"It'd give us more visibility during the attack." Von Magsburg thought for a little.
"Is the weather report holding out?"

"I should think so; I imagine the morning will be pretty socked in."

"In that case, we should still be safe from the Jabos. Let's wait and make a concerted
punch with the 2. Panzerdivision."

Von Nordheim nodded. "I would have attacked now, but I trust your judgment.
Very well, we'll wait for them. Let your boys get some more rest."

***

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Narrative 4/4)

0445, 7 August 1944, 116. Panzerdivision Start Line, W of Sourdeval

"Fifteen minutes, make your final fuel and ammunition checks," said Behn to
his XO in almost a whisper. The entire Kampfgruppe was assembled and ready to
move out. Aside from the tankers and truck drivers, all 408 pairs of eyes were
glued to the south, watching the flashes and listening to the rumbling of the
SS Panzer divisions' artillery hammering the American positions around Mortain.
The soldiers had already finished whispering their prayers, glancing one last
time at the pictures of their wives, girlfriends, and families, and reading once
more the last letter from their sweethearts. Now there was nothing left to do
but wait and suck fervently on their unlit cigarettes.

Once again, a Kübelwagen approached from the east, and once again, it contained
von Nordheim. The divisional commander's attitude had clearly been improved by
some sleep.

"All ready, von Magsburg?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, good," said von Nordheim distantly. An awkward silence prevailed for a
few seconds, punctuated only by the scream of a Nebelwerfer volley to the south.
"Can I speak to you privately, Oberstleutnant?"

"Of course, sir," replied von Magsburg, following his commander to the side of
the road.

After a short pause, von Nordheim began. "I just wanted to say one last thing
to you. You know what our mission is. You know what your Führer expects from you.
But that doesn't convey the importance of what we're doing here. To be honest,
this attack is the probably die letzte Hoffnung, the final hope, for Seventh Army."

Von Magsburg nodded grimly. "I know, Generalmajor. I know."

Von Nordheim clapped his hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "Well, don't let me
keep you then. Good luck."

As von Magsburg approached the head of the column once again, Behn showed him the
thumbs-up from the hatch of his Panther. Von Magsburg returned it. With a roar,
Behn's Panther started up, and the big cat rumbled off into the night.

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Part 1/4)

Situation

0500, 7 August 1944

The 116. Panzerdivision is beginning it's assault towards Chérencé-le-Roussel.
Kampfgruppe Magsburg is in the lead. The SS Panzer Divisions to the south began
their attack on schedule, but owing to the delay of the 2. Panzerdivision's attack,
the 116. Panzerdivision has also held it's assault until now; the two Wehrmacht
Panzer Divisions will be attacking simultaneously on the north flank of Operation
Lüttich.


Mission

Kampfgruppe Magsburg is to clear the factory complex and the dairy farm of American
forces no later than 0600 in order to open the road west.


Friendly Forces

Before the Kampfgruppe arrives, two reconnaissance elements of PSW 234/1s and Puma
recon vehicles will identify enemy positions for the Kampfgruppe to attack.
Your Kampfgruppe is leading with one motorized Panzergrenadier Company (1. Kompanie),
supported by the Kampfgruppe's Panther platoon and Panzer IV platoons. No offboard
support is available. The company will arrive by platoons at 5-minute intervals.
You will also be supported by a squad from the battalion's pioneer platoon.


Enemy Forces

The enemy consists of American infantry. They are not believed to have any heavy
weapons or artillery support. They should not receive any air support in the dark.
Their positions may have been strengthened by foxholes, antitank obstacles, and mines.



I start the mission with a small recon force, so let's put them to use.
"Recon A" heads to the southwest to take a peek at the road and the dairy farm.
"Recon B" secures the immediate area to my front.
Hopefully, the Americans are trigger happy and expose their positions.
Graciously, earlier recon have given me some intel about the enemy positions.


"Recon A" takes a look at the road, but spot nothing.


Same with the dairy farm. I keep "Recon A" here to provide fire support towards
the farm.
"Recon B" also reports no contacts.


OOooo! Toys! Erhm.. Leifheim's 1. Company and Behn's Panther platoon finally arrive.


I immediately order 2. Platoon to send scouts ahead to the factory.


Surprisingly, there appears to be no Americans on the northeast side of the complex.


The rest of the platoon moves up.


With the forest more or less secured, I order 1. Platoon to join the 2. Better be safe.


Scouts check out the building by the factory hall, again, no contact. Rest of the 2. Platoon then occupies the building.


I also send scouts to take a look what lies around the corner.


Oh my.. we seem to have a bit of an traffic jam developing here..

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Part 2/4)


Vehicle crews are known to be blind as a bat in CM, so I bring one of my FO teams to check the road. Nope, still no one home.


2. Platoon occupies the rest of the buildings.


I decide to pull the Panzer IVs from the reserve and form a line between the "Recon B" units.
I move 3. Platoon to the forest by the road, I really want to know what those '?' marks are at the bend.


3. Platoon unloading from their trucks and heading into the forest.


Things heat up at the factory as the Americans open fire at the 2. Platoon, who quickly return the favor.


With the help from the 3. Platoon.


And soon the opposing side's guns fell silent. Everyone's either pinned down, retreating or dead.


Now that the enemy is counting floor tiles, I send 1. Platoon to circle around them.


"20 reichsmark says you can't hit that running Ami!"


"Verdammten!"


1/1 attacks!


1/1 retreats...


Scouts are sent from 3/3 to try and get some intel about the enemy by the road.


Aaaand 1/1 attacks again! (without the retreating bit this time)


A-HA! 3. Platoon's scout spots an ATG ammo bearer team. That other '?' must be the ATG itself then.



My men are wee bit trigger happy with their 'schrecks.

[Dowly]

"Getting Rolling" (Part 3/4)

I move one squad across the road to flank the ATG position, while the rest provide covering fire.


Now that I know they got ATGs, I start ordering mortar strikes on the '?' marks that seem like logical spots to have ATGs in.


Meanwhile at the factory, the last remaining Americans try to make a run for it, but are gunned down by.. Stormtroopers?


The ATG position by the road is quickly overwhelmed by the 3. Platoon's assault.


But another ATG is spotted on the far side of the housing area.


I concentrate all my troops on taking the area and eliminating the ATG.


As the ATG threat slowly dissipates, I move in the Panzer IVs. I plan to use them to support the attack on the dairy farm.


This "John Wayne" drove off an entire squad...


But then he took an grenade in the kne- head.


The second ATG position is abandoned by the enemy.


1. and 2. Platoons move up and take over the housing area.

[Oberon]

If they were Stormtroopers the Amis would have just walked away unharmed.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Oberon

If they were Stormtroopers the Amis would have just walked away unharmed.

That's a very good point.

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"Getting Rolling" (Part 4/4)

Mortars barrage the dairy farm as I assemble my troops to attack.


Third ATG is eliminated (the '?' mark I ordered mortars on earlier)


With no visible AT threats, I move the Panzer IVs to the east side of the farm and have them fire at the buildings for the time it takes 2. Platoon to get there.


No resistance is met as 2. Plt enters the farm.


Majority of the farm looks to be abandoned, so I order one Panzer IV to guard the yard while the infantry starts to clear the buildings.


Room..


..by room.


Their defences fall apart and they begin to retreat.


With not much luck.


Wow. That was a long one. Played too carefully maybe, but I didn't want to risk my armor as I really didn't need to use them.


----------------------------------------

"Decisions"

0600, 7 August 1944, Road E of Brouains

"Bad news, sir," reported Major Klein. "Our scouts took small arms fire pushing
down the main road. Then we sent them into the village called Brouains to the west,
and they took fire there as well. The Amis appear to be well dug-in along both routes."

"Not ideal," understated von Magsburg. "Any intel on either route? We're going to
need to attack down one of them."

"We have some aerial photographs taken a few weeks ago." Major Klein handed von Magsburg
a photograph with some lines drawn in blue grease pencil. "Route A takes us through the
forest to the north. The road itself is the main road and it's paved, unlike Route B,
a gravel road that takes us through the town of Brouains. The problem is that the terrain
to either side is heavily wooded, making some perfect ambush spots. If the Amis are dug in
there as deeply as they seem to be, it'll be a knife fight in those woods. Of course, Brouains
will mean urban combat, which is no picnic either."

The company and tank platoon commanders had gathered around the battalion officers during the
discussion. The calm, collected, and experienced commander of 1. Kompanie, Hauptmann Leifheim,
took a long look at the map and said, "I'd want to stay out of the woods if I were you, Oberstleutnant.
We can't use our tanks very well unless the enemy is out in the open."

Lt. Peters, the dour and somewhat shy commander of the Panzer IV platoon, replied, "But they could
be equally useless in the town. I say go on the better-Route A."

The young, aggressive commander of 2. Kompanie, Hauptmann Wohnhas piped up. "Why not just drive
up both routes and kill all the bastards?"

Taken somewhat aback by Wohnhas' apparent bloodthirstiness, von Magsburg paused for a second.
"Well, I suppose that's an option." Regaining his composure, he looked at the map again.
"The first decision we need to make is whether or not to split our forces. Thoughts?"

Wohnhas replied, "You already know what I want to do."

Leifheim declared, "I disagree with splitting up. Our doctrine for armored units emphasizes
concentrated, powerful, single thrusts."

Klein spoke up next. "However, take a look at the map. There's a crossroads just to the west
of Brouains that is an absolutely key position for anyone trying to control the road to Chérence-
le-Roussel; it's sure to be defended strongly. If we can launch two thrusts, each of which
is strong enough to overwhelm the forces in front of them, we could hit the enemy at the crossroads
from two sides."

Von Magsburg looked to Peters, who simply shrugged. Von Magsburg then looked to Behn, who replied,
"It's your call, sir."

Von Magsburg nodded while thinking to himself. "All right, here's what we'll do..."

1) Keep the Kampfgruppe concentrated
2) Split up the Kampfgruppe and attack Brouains as well as the road to the north

[Narko]

2) Split up the Kampfgruppe and attack Brouains as well as the road to the north

[Arclight]

"Divide and conquer"; stick together. Would prefer route B: urban is not ideal for tanks but you get better lines of sight down a street than through a forest.

[Oberon]

A very tough call. Fight two hard battles now to fight an easier one later, or fight an easier one now to fight a tougher one later.

I'm with Klein on this one, split and attack. With any luck the Amis won't expect you to attack both routes and will be weaker on one than the other (probably weaker in the town due to its easier defence). Once you've pushed them aside you can then launch a pincer movement on the crossroads which will help you overcome the defences there.

Viel Glück!

[Dowly]

Split it is.

------------------------------------

"Around the Bend"

0600 7 August 1944, Road E of Brouains

"Let's send the whole Kampfgruppe to the north. Your company's in the lead,
Leifheim, get moving. Behn, get your tanks rolling along with him; Wohnhas and
Peters, be ready to back them up as soon as possible."


I've read that two dozen times and I'm still equally confused.
The briefing itself mentions the other half of the KG going the other way,
but would be nice to know how exactly the KG was split up.

[Oberon]

If it's anything like some German strategic and tactical decisions of the time, it's done by going "Einie, meinie, minie, mo."