Sunday, August 17, 2025

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.

If you would like to explore all my scenarios you can find them here: Wargame Vault - MGK Military Simulations - The largest wargame download store



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