Righto Em. Your last move phase is on now with the Valentine having a shot at the Panzer III. Not much chance from that range but worth a try - no effect though. The truck and Bren carrier move back off board to get out of the way. The British section (last one on the right) moves back once more to help cover the Valentine.
The Grant and remaining infantry on the right move onto the ridge to secure the position.
GERMAN DEFENSIVE FIRE.
I won't need a PM from Colonel Hagen n this one as it is so obvious. The Panzer IV uses it's HE capability to eliminate the last British section on the right with a brilliant shot. The Panzer III puts in a last shot at the Valentine with no further result.
The German tanks will have to move away now or they will get too close to the main British lines, plus the Grant is on top of the ridge and will have clear shots at their flanks. The German infantry are in open order and heading back to their lines.
That's about it gentlemen. Here is the last pic.
S6300086.jpg
The Panzers head for home as the British consolidate on the ridge.
I must admit this went for longer than I thought it would, due mainly to the moves and counter moves made by both sides. I will also admit that I purposely made it harder on the German side with initial forces to ensure the flank attacks would happen. This was to show what could be achieved by getting to a weak spot rather than bashing away toe to toe and leaving it all to the dice.
Both sides had their ups and downs and both provided me with some very interesting moves. Some I would not have done as I simply would not have thought of them. I could say how I would have done it but there are two reasons why I won't;
1. It would sound all sage like and good but I would only be speaking in hindsight which is easy to do after the event.
2. I am usually involved in a win about 1 in 4 times with the others being 2 draws and a loss, so telling anyone how I would do things when I have a 25% win rate really isn't worth listening to. I do have a 100% fun rate though which is what counts to me (winning is handy too but I'll take what I can get).
I will post an after action report in the sub forum with particular reference to the participants in this game for the future.
As to the victor, technically the British side of TRDG and Whiterook could claim to have won since they now hold the ridge. However, the losses taken were quite high so the German side under Hagen can expect the British win to be Pyrrhic at best.
CASUALTIES.
German 6 inf sections out of 9.
1 x 88mm gun and tractor.
1 x light tank (Pz II) out of 3 tanks over all.
1 x Sdkfz 232 heavy armoured car.
1 x Sdkfz 251 halftrack.
British A nasty 14 sections lost out of Eighteen (nearly 5 platoons).
1 x Daimler scout car.
1 x Medium tank out of 3.
Thanks for all your hard work and I hope it was interesting along the way. If and when we have enough takers I can get you all started on the next game.