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In ‘Storming the Reich’ observation is based on a terrain chart listing the different types of terrain involved and the distance from the observing unit / vehicle. A 10 sided dice roll tells whether observation takes place, and the chances of success depend on the type of unit / vehicle trying to observe. A dedicated reconnaissance unit, has the best chance, an enclosed armoured fighting vehicle the poorest.
Luckily for them the Stuart tank commander is on the ball (classed as an above average commander). He at first hears the rumble of German armour. He then spots the lead element of the German column which in this case happens to be a German Panther tank, which is moving along a road parallel to the American column towards the junction. He radios the information, starts his engine up and cautiously reverses out of view, before the advancing German forces spot him.
The column of M10 tank destroyers which were following up the reconnaissance company, having been alerted by the lead Stuart tank, following the radio phase of the game sequence hurriedly deploy off the road to their left, out of sight of the Panther tank , and take up positions in a hedge lined field covering the expected line of the German columns approach, the American forces player declares they are going in to over-watch mode (which will allow them to fire in the opposing German players turn).
The Panther tank is still unaware of the deploying American forces so continues towards the junction. The deployed M10’s see the approaching Panther tank. Their gunners begin to track the beast, the Panther is side onto them, this will give the M10’s their best chance of knocking it out. The M10 company commander gives the order ‘FIRE’ ! All four M10’s fire.
Once again a die 10 is used, and a number of shooting and target modifiers are added and subtracted from the basic requirement score to hit. The first two shots were hurried and go well wide of the Panther, the other two shots are more successful (thank the dice gods). Having established a hit, the gun penetration factor (which varies according to range) is cross referenced against the facing armour class of the tank (which in ‘Storming the Reich’ consists of four armoured categories). Luckily for the M10’s both hits strike the Panthers more vulnerable side armour. Both shots penetrate the hull using the anti-tank fire system and set off the Panther tanks ammo which sends its turret spiralling into the air, a kill.
The following German panzer grenadier hanomag halftrack seeing the panther erupt in flames, swerves off the road into a gap in the hedge and screeches to a halt. Its panzer grenadiers jump out and take cover in the hedge rows, and await orders. Confusion grips other elements of the German kampfgruppe, as the column grinds to a halt. The American armoured infantry following up the tank destroyers, pull off the road behind the deployed M10’s.
The next decision and dice rolls by the German player will be critical, At this stage the German player is not even sure as to what knocked out the burning Panther, He elects to try and observe the M10’s using the dismounted panzer grenadiers which are positioned in the hedge row, he consults the observation table and applies the relevant modifiers, and rolls the dice, he rolls well, they spot the M10’s.
The turn sequence then passes on to the radio and change of orders phase, The German Player is faced with a dilemma, one the American forces appear to be already deployed, two at what strength (he already knows he’s facing at least a company of M10’s), and three the burning Panther tank is effectively blocking any vehicular movement towards the village. He makes his decision and urgently issues new orders to the rest of his column. He orders the Panzer Grenadiers still in their hanomags at the rear of the column together with a supporting Panzer 4H tank, to back track down the road, and take the alternative road to the village, he orders the dismounted grenadiers to take up defensive positions in front of the deployed M10’s.
Unfortunately for the German player, the American recce M5’s in their observation phase see the Germans back track down the road, they report this movement to the American commander, He to now has a dilemma, what are the Germans up to, are they retiring , are they attempting to out flank him, or are they going to the village by another route ? He formulates his plan and issues orders, the armoured infantry together with the Sherman tank support are to continue along the road towards the village, and occupy it, the M10’s are to remain in position and cover the flank of the advancing American forces, the recce company is given carte blanch to do as its company commander see fit.
The race for the village begins. The Americans arrive first and the infantry quickly deploy in and around the important junction. The Sherman tank boldly deploys in the centre of the road junction and covers the only other road that the Germans can approach the village from. The lead German Hanomag of the approaching German column edges round the hedge lined road straight into view of the waiting Sherman tank, it fires, from this range it could hardly miss, the AP round strikes the thin front armour of the German halftrack, and completely destroys the engine block, causing the grenadiers to hurriedly dismount from the immobilised vehicle.
The rest of the Panzer Grenadiers dismount from their halftracks and start to approach the village, contact is made, a fierce fire-fight develops. Meanwhile the M5 recce commander having observed no more movement by the burning Panther tank decides to chance his arm and orders his company to advance through the gaps in the fields towards the burning German tank.
This move is observed by the deployed flank guard panzer grenadiers, they ready their panzerfausts, the lead M5 light tank gets over confident, and gets within panzerfaust range, the German player elects to fire the panzeraust. He first has to roll on the morale chart to see if his troops have the nerve, they are veteran troops, and are in cover, so they count a number of benefit modifiers, he rolls his dice they easily past their test and let the M5 have it. The M5 is struck, the heat round penetrates the armour and destroys the vehicle, the rest of the M5’s take a morale test, which they pass, they immediately open fire with everything they have got on the hedge row, and of course make sure they don’t get within panzerfaust range.
The panzer grenadiers start to sustain casualties and fail a subsequent morale test. The morale system in ‘Storming the Reich’ of course once again uses the ubiquitous die 10, a roll is made and the relevant modifiers are added and subtracted from the base score. Once the final score as been obtained the morale result chart is consulted which gives the result, which may be ‘follow orders’ or it could be an adverse compulsory reaction such as ‘retire’ or worse. In the panzer grenadiers case it’s a compulsory retire, so in effect they realise that their days are numbered, so decide to withdraw.
Meanwhile the hotly contested fight in the village, is reaching a critical point, both sides are taking heavy casualties but the American infantry have the ground advantage. The German players realises that his flank is about to go, decides that his forces in around the village are in danger of being cut off, so decides to withdraw. A number of rear guard fire fights ensue, but the American player decides not to force the decision being satisfied that he has achieved his objectives. The rest of the Germans make good their escape. The game is declared an American victory, having checked the chapter regarding victory conditions and competition games.
The above extract was a stylised account from a game played at the Guards Wargames Club one Thursday evening using the new rules ‘Storming the Reich’.
The rules are designed to encourage players to use the correct troops for the job, if the lead element of the American forces had been a Sherman tank the initial contact may have been very different as it would have been unlikely that the Sherman would have spotted the German Panther, using the games observation system. Was the result simply down to the dice, or did tactics and correct use of the available troops play their part, you decide.
Key to map and battle incidents
Battle Report Normandy Summer 1944
The scenario takes place in the American sector of operations in Normandy France in the summer of 1944, the action centres around the time when the German lines are beginning to crumble due to the constant American pressure and the transfer of vital German reinforcements to the British sector.
The encounters features a mixed American combat group made up of M5 Stuart Light tanks, M10 tank destroyers, and American motorized armoured infantry with Sherman tank support, which have orders to probe the area and if possible seize the vital small village near to Saint-Lo with it important road junction. The German opposition forces are made up of a hastily formed kampfgruppe of Panzer Grenadiers in Hanomag halftracks, with Panther and Panzer IV tank support, their orders are to plug the gap in the collapsing German lines, and prevent the village falling into the allies hands.
The reconnaissance company of M5 Stuart light tanks cautiously edges down a hedge lined country lane. They are the eyes and ears of a mixed American combat group trying to seek a gap in the German lines. Unbeknown to them a kampfgruppe of Germans panzer grenadiers with Panther tank support is quickly trying to deploy in the area and fill the gap left in the crumbling German lines. The lead Stuart tank stops in a gap in the hedge row turns off its engine and observes a hedged road off to its left.
These pages will feature accounts of the games played using the web site rules by wargamers at various clubs, and details of the scenario ie forces, type and maps will be featured in the free down load section(so that people can recreate/play the battles etc)