BATTLEFRONT: The Ridge (Playtest)

[MAGNA]

British defensive fire phase.

Everything capable fires. On the right flank this doesn't have much effect due to ordering problems and the increased range.

The centre front German section is suppressed by some good shooting.

On the left things are hotting up. The German section in the rocks at the left of the ridge will now be impossible to hit. Why? Because it isn't there anymore. A brilliant combination of shots saw it disordered then eliminated.

The Grant fires again at the tough little Panzer II and manages to provide a smoke screen for the other German tanks. Unfortunately for them the smoke is coming from the Panzer II brewing up.

One section eliminated and one tank as well. All on the left flank. Good shooting from the tea merchants.

This game ain't over yet folks!!

British artillery and offensive fire next. Tally ho chaps but watch out for an upset Afrika Korps.

[TRDG]

Hey there my British drinker, you got some good dice rolls again from how long ago did ya roll them........

Cheers, I will cut orders today-tonight for you in celibration!!!

Tommy

[TRDG]

Done and done, orders cut and sent for the sand wars!

Cheers,

Tommy

[MAGNA]

British artillery Phase.

The big 5.5's don't respond at all to a call for fire. Must be at lunch.
The 25lbers all come in though, right on top of the troops around the remaining tanks. The section between the two tanks is disordered badly, while the rest escape damage.

The mortar drops a load of smoke in front of the centre section in the rocks, also blocking the view for any flank shots from the Panzer III.

British Fire Phase.

Everything that is worth firing does so with little result. The Grant is a bit up and down on it's shooting today.

Movement Phase.

Due to reorder rolls, the troops on the left side of the ridge just manage to reorder themselves but cannot move.

The badly disordered units on the right flank roll brilliantly thanks to Captain W. Rook and actually reorder completely. Ready to roll again.....

It is now the German defensive fire Phase. A couple more losses on the left flank and it will be almost impossible for the British - still the Germans have been known to miss occasionally.

[TRDG]

Not to worried, are there specific rules for when the British actually have to pull back like a dice roll if under half strength, or at your discression Magna?

Cheers

Tommy

[MAGNA]

here is no specific pull back rule but the reorder / movement rolls usually determine such things. As an element loses units it's chance for reorder / movement reduces accordingly. 25%, 50%, 75%, losses all give an increasing penalty as you go. The British troops have just managed to rally this time but a couple more losses could tip them into the abyss of panic and go back.

I suppose you could say it is self determining and gets rid of the unrealistic side of things where you could have one unit left out of a whole company and keep attacking anyway. The chance is there under the rules but only a very small one.

W'ell have to see how accurate the Germans are with their def fire and their next moves firing.

[TRDG]

Good to know there Magna, thanks, we will wait and see how the British drinkers do on their reorder rolls if they get hit that is........

Cheers

Tommy

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by MAGNA

Unfortunately for them the smoke is coming from the Panzer II brewing up.

That hurt! I never thought that at the beginning of the game this little PanzerII would cause so much carnage. Ah well, the battle continues, put down your tea cups Tommy, it's about to start to rain in the desert.

Heil der Afrika Korps

[TRDG]

We will see my "German" friend!!!

Are not the Germans getting tired of the sand and burning Pz smoke in their "remaining" faces??

Cheers, we have some good coffee over here if you want to give it (The Hill) up, our arty spotters need it to spot in a barrage for Rommel when he comes into range to check out your units status........

Tommy

[MAGNA]

German Defensive Fire.

The German units on the right flank open up on the British infantry out on the right of the board. One is disordered.

To the centre and left flank - the closest British infantry have everything thrown at them. The section in the centre is hit by a kitchen sink among other things but it wasn't loaded so they are only suppressed.

Apart from that the British were very lucky. It could have been a disaster.

Now comes the German artillery, offensive fire, and movement.