Night Sortie

West of the Mormal Forest, France, 21 May 1940

Moroccans withdraw at night whilst being attacked from multiple directions

On 10 May, the 5th North African Division had advanced into Belgium as the southern division of the French defensive line along the Dyle River. When the French withdrew, the division withdrew south and was caught up in the maelstrom of the 9th Army's withdrawal as Hoth's XV Motorised Korps swept through the Mormal Forest. Surrounded, the Division Commander decided to withdraw further from the Forest to the Escaut River at Cambrai, knowing that German motorised and panzer troops were already astride the withdrawal route.

The stage is set for a difficult withdrawal at night that needs to break through a German force blocking its path and get off the board before daylight allows long-range fire.

Health Warning: before reading further I think I should note that I enjoyed constructing the terrain board, which I think looks pretty good; I enjoyed deploying lots of Moroccan infantry, but the game itself I would give myself a reasonably solid 'fail'. Read on if you must!

To give some further context to the game, the screenshot above shows the terrain between Cambrai (west) and the Mormal Forest (east).  The operational mission was to withdraw from the Mormal Forest to the Escaut River, which can just be made out flowing through the dark green foliage north-east of Cambrai. The game features the first eight kilometers of the withdrawal; the board area is shown by the red rectangle.

Some further views of the board explaining the location of key features.

The eastern edge of the board looking south. The village of Ghissignie is in the centre foreground, the Grand Gay Farm and the railway station are in the midground, and the outskirts of Salesches is in the right background. The French withdrawing troops will enter the board from the east/left.

The centre of the board looking south towards Salesches and Neuvill-en-Avesnois in the background.

The western end of the board looking south. The towns of Vertain and Romeries are on the western edge to the right and are the exit objectives for the French.

The eastern end of the board again, this time looking north past Poix-du-Nord past the railway station towards Louvignies-Quesnoy.

The centre of the board looking north across the twin villages of Neuville-en-Avesnois and Salesches. 

The western end of the board looking north with Vertigneul in the centre and the villages of Romeries and Vertain on the left.

The Forces

The French have a very large force of four infantry battalions and an artillery battalion. This is both a blessing and a curse as the French have to move this force across the board and exit. From the bottom to the top are the Regimental Headquarters and Weapons Company of the 6th Moroccan Infantry Regiment, 5th North African Infantry Division, then its three infantry battalions and then I Light Battalion of 12th Artillery Regiment. A company of H35s from 38th BCC is in support. A further battalion will enter on Turn 7.

The Regimental Headquarters, and the 25mm AT gun and 81mm mortar from the Weapons Company.

Two of the Infantry Battalions. The Moroccan Figures are from FAA Miniatures.

The three batteries of the I Light Battalion.

The German force from 4th Panzer Division is a very different force. It is fully motorised offering the German player a significant advantage in mobility.

A motorised infantry battalion from the 76th Motorised Infantry Regiment and an attached Motorcycle Company from 20th Reconnaissance Battalion will enter first from the west astride the French withdrawal route.

A mixed battalion of a tank company, engineer company and 88mm Flak battery will be available once the French are identified. A second battalion may also become available.

The Game

The French withdrawal begins. The H35 company leads the first infantry battalion on to the board through Louvignies-Quesnoy.

A closer view of the tank company.

The second battalion and the Weapons Company withdraw on the southern route through Englefontaine.

The Machine Gunners hump their weapons through Englefontaine.

The withdrawal continues as the two columns converge on the railway station. No sign of the Germans yet.

Moroccan machine gunners. Machine guns have an amazing habit of getting heavier and heavier the further you carry them.

The southern column continues its withdrawal. The mortar team are also starting to feel the weight of their weapons: never believe any label that says: 'man portable'.

Another view looking north as the two columns converge at the railway station.

The H35s continue to lead the northern column while the southern column takes the cross-country route direct to Salesches.

Like something out of the Napoleonic wars, the artillery battalion enters on the northern withdrawal route.

In contrast to the French horse-drawn teams, the Germans enter their motorised troops. The main body heads direct to Neuville-en-Avesnois while a detached company heads north to place a block in the vicinity of Pont a Pierras. 

Another shot of the two French columns in the vicinity of the railway station.

The French need to control the routes through Salesches and Neuville-en-Avesnois and so the tank company leads the northern route through Salesches while the southern route head around Salesches towards Neuville-en-Avesnois.

A short explanation of some of the key night rules in the Command Decision rules might be in order. Maximum observation range is 4"/10cm; Troop Quality is reduced by one for firing and two for Morale; and there is no rallying during night turns. 

The Artillery battalion continues to withdraw.

A German company dismounts and prepares to establish a defensive block just east of Pont a Pierras to try and prevent the French using the northern route.

The Germans also dismount just west of Salesches to contest the French. It is becoming obvious that the initial fight will be for passage through Salesches and Neuville-en-Avesnois.

The first contact: the H35 company confronts the dismounted motorcycle company on the western outskirts of Salesches.

The southern column withdraws around the southern edge of Salesches towards Neuville-en-Avesnois while the northern column follows the tank company through Salesches. The French tanks will attempt to break the morale of the lead German troops while the French infantry will attempt to use the limited visibility at night to infiltrate past the Germans.

Another shot of the initial contact between the German motorcycle company and the French tank company. The French tank company fires with limited effect in the urban areas and has no real effect on the motorcyclists. In the morale phase the French tanks throw the worst possible result and immediately become Demoralised. A bad start for the French, particularly because the tanks cannot be Rallied until daylight.

The Germans move forward into Salesches.

The French columns begin to slow as the lead troops try and find a way around the Germans.

The German motorcycle company occupies a town block in Salesches and exchanges fire with the lead company of the northern column trying to skirt around the northern edge. The lead company is Shaken and withdraws to the north.

The French lead company manages to avoid the German troops in Neuville-en-Avesnois but the Germans attack the following Weapons Company. The French roll badly again in the Morale Phase and the Weapons Company is Demoralised.

One French company has managed to infiltrate through Neuville-en-Avesnois and moves as swiftly as it can away from a nearby German machine gun team. Luckily, it is still dark so the MMG cannot see it. But dawn is only a few turns away.

A German infantry company is now static in Neuville-en-Avesnois blocking any further advance by the southern column.

The Northern route reorientates away from Salesches and looks to either cross the stream near Mesnil Farm or closer to Pont a Pierras. But night is almost over, and the daylight will allow the German MMGs and mortars to come into play.

The lone company and reconnaissance platoon that managed to infiltrate through Neuville-en-Avesnois continue to withdraw, conscious that dawn is coming.

The French pause in Salesches and Neuville-en-Avesnois conscious that a delay is necessary until dawn to Rally the tanks (in particular) but also aware that waiting both burns time and allows the Germans to fire from greater range. A wicked problem for the French.

 

An overhead view of the two French columns stuck around Salesches and Neuville-en-Avesnois. The French player is stuck with the choice of either continuing a difficult withdrawal as the sun rises or finishing off the left-over ham from Christmas dinner. He wisely chooses the latter choice and concedes the game with five turns to play.

A tricky problem for the French in this game, and they do need a lot of luck to go their way. While 'hope' is never a method, a few better rolls for the French and some bad ones for the Germans, particularly for Morale, might have allowed the French to withdraw further. But time would also have allowed the Germans to bring on additional forces. So not much fun for the French - at least the ham tasted good.

I hope you at least enjoyed the terrain and some unusual troops in play. This scenario is from my French pack amongst which you will even find some balanced scenarios!

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Valley of Death, Voreppe, France 23 June 1940 Panzers Advance in Difficult Terrain

  Valley of Death

Voreppe, France, 23 June 1940

Panzers Advance in Difficult Terrain

By the last week of June 1940, the Germans were largely in pursuit mode. Even though an Armistice was signed on 22 June, it would not take effect until 25 June, so the Germans continued to push as hard as they could to gain as much of France. One such action was at the town of Voreppe. This town was on the road to Grenoble and would allow the Germans to link up with their new Italian allies. Hemmed in as it is by high mountains on either side, Voreppe was in a natural bottleneck. This was very different terrain than what 3rd Panzer Division had encountered in Belgium and northern France.

The French put together a motley force to defend the town. The force consisted of some poorly trained reservists from the 63rd Infantry Division, a collection of engineers and antitank gunners, and even a battery of two 194mm tracked Canon de 194 GPF.

The Terrain

The board is 3m x 2m in size, representing an area 6km x 4km. This view is towards the east and represents the general axis of the German advance. In the foreground is the open area to the north of the Isere River. In the background to the north or left is the mountain mass that includes the Grand Bois and to the south or right is the town of Voreppe.

This view is of the German start area looking south. There is an airfield with a few abandoned French aircraft, and the Isere River skirting the other major mountain feature, the Dent de Moirans

A view looking south towards Voreppe and the area that the French will defend. In broad terms, the French have to stop the Germans from clearing Voreppe and continuing their drive south.

A view looking towards the north across the Isere River and towards the village of Les Balmes in the centre foreground. This is the area from left to right that the Germans will have to cross in their advance to Voreppe.

A close up of the town of Voreppe looking north. 

A view looking west from Voreppe along the railway line.

A view looking back the other way towards the east, and the general axis of the German advance. It will be readily apparent how constricted the terrain is between the river and the mountains to the north.

Final view looking south across the Isere River to the other major mountain feature. French observers on this mountain will enjoy unimpeded views of the German advance.

The Forces

The German force is from the 3rd Panzer Division. All are Veteran Morale 9 and form an excellent combined-arms team. Here is shown the headquarters of 3rd Motorised Infantry Brigade, an attached light tank company from 6th Panzer Regiment, an Engineer Company from 39th Engineer Battalion, and the Battalion headquarters and one of the batteries from 75th Artillery Regiment

A second view of the force described above.

The other two batteries from the artillery battalion.

The headquarters of 3rd Motorised Infantry Regiment. the advantage to the Germans of having both the brigade and regimental headquarters is both the staff stands, allowing flexibility in command, and the ease with which troops can get back in the fight if they falter. Additionally, the Germans have the welcome off-board support of two 150mm batteries and a mighty 210mm howitzer.

Under command of the regimental headquarters is a battalion of motorised infantry, with two infantry companies and a support company.

The French force is at the other end of the spectrum, being only Trained with a Morale of 5. Here is the Regimental headquarters, its staff telephone wagon, and regimental mortar. They have attached a very useful motorised 47mm anti-tank battery.

Another shot of the force described above.

The French also have an infantry battalion of two companies, two 25mm anti-tank batteries, a 75mm battery and an engineer company

The rather impressive 194mm tracked canon de 194 GPF is in support from offboard. This is a Retrokit model.

Deployment.

The French set up first. The broad plan is to make use of the natural chokepoint formed by the terrain and delay forward, before withdrawing into Voreppe for a final stand. One of the infantry companies, supported by two 25mm antitank guns, is deployed in the village of Les Balmes. The battalion command stand is behind this company, as it will almost certainly need help getting back to Voreppe.

The other company is just forward of Voreppe.

The engineer company is on the forward edge of Voreppe. They will lay their quota of mines before withdrawing into the town.

The 45mm antitank gun and the 75mm gun are on the outskirts of Voreppe between the two infantry companies to stop a panzer rush at the town and to provide a firm base for the infantry companies to withdraw through.

The French also have an artillery observer on the Dent de Moirans with a splendid view of the whole avenue of approach the Germans must use.

The only German forces that start on the board are the three 105mm artillery batteries that set up in the north-western corner.

The game.

The Germans begin with a bold move by their Brigade and Regimental motorcycle platoons. They race along the northern edge of the board as far as the farm just to the NW of Les Balmes.

This takes only half of their move, and they spend the second half dismounting.

In an equally bold move, the engineer company follows the motorcyclists and quickly dismount before they attract any French artillery fire.

A view south showing the relationship between the German's opening move and the French infantry in Les Balmes.

The motorised infantry is a little more circumspect and begin the advance along the main road to Voreppe dismounted.

The tank company advances along the axis of the railway line.

Another view of the tank company advancing.

Turn 2 and the motorcyclists and engineers begin flanking the French infantry company in Les Balmes. The French infantry play a record by The Clash: 'Should I stay or I should I go'? The timing of their withdrawal will be crucial.

The French artillery observer on the Dent de Moirans tries to establish comms with the 194mm GPF but is unsuccessful as the German infantry advance along the main road.

The German tank company continues its advance along the railway line.

The French infantry in Les Balmes believe that discretion is the better part of valor and withdraw towards Voreppe. Unfortunately, they can't quite make it to cover, and long-range fire rips into them through the orchards.

One of the antitank guns does reposition and joins the other infantry company forward of Voreppe.

French artillery from the 194mm finally gets on target amidst the dispersed German infantry causing some initial casualties.

But the French infantry attempting to withdraw from Les Balmes also feel the weight of the German artillery and take casualties the French can ill afford.

The German engineers and motorcyclists continue their flanking advance through the foothills of the mountains. They identify an obstacle blocking a road, but it is of no consequence as the Germans are taking the most direct route.

The German tank company advances cautiously, respectful of the French guns in front of Voreppe and timing their approach to coordinate with the German infantry.

A German motorcycle team does identify a French mortar team in the mountains, so chases after it.

The other motorcycle team and the engineers continue their stealthy approach to the north of Voreppe.

The German motorised infantry clear an empty Les Balmes and continue their advance to Voreppe.

The French engineers have finished laying a minefield on the outskirts of Voreppe and now reposition into the town for the final fight. The French infantry battalion commander also begins reassembling the infantry company that was hit by artillery as it withdrew from Les Balmes.

The French engineers are now inside Voreppe. Just visible to their west is what is left of the initial French infantry company.

The French in Voreppe position an antitank gun. The German engineers approach from the north.

The French unleash their 47mm anti tank gun, 75mm gun and their 194mm against the German tank company. The French do the best they can - which isn't much. One Pz II is destroyed and a Pz I sent back. The French forward guns die quickly at the start of the next turn with German return artillery fire.

It is the German infantry and engineers who are making the big moves. While the French infantry company on the outskirts is engaged...

...the German engineers enter the town from the north and confront the French engineers.

Superior German morale makes the difference, and the Germans have their first foothold in Voreppe.

Disaster for the French! Both their engineers and infantry roll poorly in the morale phase and are Demoralised. 

The German engineers move swiftly through Voreppe to take advantage of the crumbling French morale.

The French are backed into a corner, trying desperately to get stands back into the fight. The German engineers are relentless, even making use of their flamethrowers. 

With the French guns destroyed, the German tank company advances to Voreppe.

The panzers might look good, but this has been very much an engineer and infantry victory for the Germans, with their tanks in a supporting role.

At the end of Turn 10 the French player concedes. With two turns to play it is clear that the German player can both clear the whole of Voreppe of the remaining French headquarters and support personnel and get at least the tank company off the board.

Aftermath

Great terrain and a challenge for the German player. Not much fun for the French as Trained troops with poor morale can hardly put up a fight. Full credit to the German player though as he conducted a classic combined arms advance with his tanks distracting the French whilst his engineers slipped through the woods to flank the French. 

I hope you enjoyed the photographs and the write up. I would appreciate any comments.

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