March 30th Special Game Day in Bellflower AAR

We had 8 members for our Special Fifth Saturday Game Day at the Guild House in Bellflower:

Guy Jimenez' Americans defeated Dave Nicholas' Germans in the classic gem “Morgan's Stand”.

Hank W.'s Americans defeated Dan Plachta's Germans in “Desobry Defiant”.

Dave Kocot's Poles defeated Peter Stand's Germans in “Rattle of Sabres”.

And Fen Yan took the Americans against my defending Germans in “For a Few Rounds More”. This scenario has the Germans defending the board 3 village with a 2nd rate company of infantry, supported by two SturmTigers with their frightening rocket-propelled 380mm explosive rounds. They also get a couple of tracks with 20L (12 IFE) guns. The Americans get a well led, reinforced company of armored infantry supported by 4 Shermans. They have to cross a lot of open ground under fire, but only have to grab 3 multi-hex buildings. And building M2, the second closest, counts as 2 buildings.

I chose to give up the front wood two-hex building because it's basically a death trap. That meant that I had to hold onto the 2 story stone building (M2) at all costs. I put half my infantry in and around M2, with the MMG on 2nd level and both tracks behind the building to cover the flanks. I HIP'd a HS in the rear of the 2nd floor of M2, and another HS with the PSK in the woods directly behind the building (covering the tracks.) My remaining infantry, including the 9-1 and HMG, in the center of the village, covering all the other multi-hex buildings against an end run. The SturmTigers went on the 2nd level hills behind the village. I put all of my MG's at 1st and 2nd levels, to hit the Americans on turns 1 & 2 and they came through open ground.

Fen brought his attack in in two groups; one heading for the center and the other toward building M2. I got lucky early, catching a stack of infantry with the 10-2 in open ground with my MMG. The 10-2 was KIA, and when the smoke cleared, only a couple of HS were left to rout to the rear. But Fen sucked up that loss and kept coming. More casualties followed, but Fen's Americans battled on, clearing the front building (which I had counter-attacked back into) and them fighting their way into building M2. Casualties mounted on both sides as the Americans fought their way upstairs, with a broken German squad blocking their way. In the end, my hidden HS saved the day when Fen's Americans ran out of time clearing the building, and we called this a German win. Fen handled his troops with skill, and used his abundant Smoke and WP to great effect. We both had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the scenario. We both agreed we'd play this one again any time.

In the middle of the afternoon, a three piece Jazz band set up and started playing. I'm pretty sure it's the first time we've every played to a live music accompaniment. Turns out it was for a birthday celebration for Monica. (She and her husband Charles own The Guild House.) We decided to pass on the after-party, because costumes were required, and we wanted to head to Hambone's for our traditional dinner. Dinner was awesome, as was lunch at 600 Degrees pizza. It was a beautiful day and great fun for all.