J88 – ESCAPE TO WILTZ
Chris Wendel defending as the Germans
Legion attacking as the United States
ROAR (U:G – 21:29) – 2nd June, 2007
Prologue
This is the type of fluid scenario that I really enjoy. I’ve played it four times, so, this game with Legion is my fifth stab at it. I’ve won both times as the Americans; and, I’ve lost both times as the Germans. All four games have been very close. So I took the Germans again to see if I had learned anything from my previous games. Basically, the Germans have to race from the East as quickly as possible to try to harass the US troops and hopefully lure them into slugfest that will delay their exit in the West. I believe that the Americans have to move quickly to the exit area; but must try to shield the majority of their soldiers from the onrushing Germans. I believe that this can be very tricky for the U.S.
THE GAME
Opening German Move and Strategy (German Turn #1)
The northern-most group consists of multiple HS’s and one 4-4-7 with LMG that will stay primarily to the north and nip at the tail of the Americans moving to the West. The middle group is stronger and will seek to cover the small village around 17R4 and the stone wall along 17Q6-7 as these may be areas the Americans may use to blunt the rapid German advance. The southern-most group is the largest and the strongest and seeks to move rapidly along the 39G10–Q10 road to try to cut off as many American troops as possible. We will see how Legion responds.
U.S. Turn #1
Legion’s initial move surprised me because he made no attempt to shield his units from the rushing German forces. For my next turn I should be in a good position to challenge the entry of his turn #2 forces.
German Turn #2
Now my northern troops sprint toward the American entry point. With my advances during APh, the Germans are in good position to really hamper the entry of the second wave of U.S. troops. It’s not a strong group, but it should delay and disrupt the Americans. I was also able to position a LMG with a squad to lay down a fire lane when the Americans try to enter.
U.S. Turn #2
I am sure that Legion is happy with the entry of his units this turn. The German fire lane and RF placement was exactly as planned. I was able to break two HS and one squad and have another HS tied up in melee. That’s not too bad; but, in this scenario the German needs to focus on the first group of American entrants. That leads to the next German turn.
German Turn #3
Looking at the board at the beginning of this turn shows why I love this scenario so much. There are a lot of options for the Germans. They need to remain aggressive almost to the point of recklessness. They must place each American unit in a quandary about shooting or moving…
Most of my movement is directed at obtaining a good position to advance into during AF and to prevent the Americans from shooting at me. I don’t think he will have many DF opportunities. Loss of concealment with my middle stack was unfortunate, but unavoidable as the Germans must keep the pressure on. With my APh positioning, I have provided multiple targets for the Americans. But, the U.S. troops are out in the open and will feel the pressure to move and find cover. I’m hoping the Germans don’t get too shot up with his Prep Fire.
U.S. Turn #3
Legion’s units are in the open and have elected to shoot it out. I agree with that strategy and the Americans had reasonable success, especially knocking out my 8-1 leader with MMG in the wooden building. The Germans are still able to bring a fair amount of firepower on the Americans in the open. But, alas! The Germans missed the mark and had no impact on the enemy. Legion must feel that he has really lucked out so far. How long can his luck hold? That is the question!
German Turn #4
By my calculations, the Americans already have 19 exit points close to the Board 39 exit point. While I am not conceding that all 19 points will exit successfully, I believe I should focus my strategy on preventing the other 9 VP from getting anywhere close to the exit area. These additional 9 VP have to come from the five squads and three leaders in the open on Board 17. They are a powerful concentration of firepower, so I can’t go toe-to-toe against them in a shoot-out. I’ve taken some judicious Prep Fire; but, I plan to use the MPh to position my MG’s to lay down fire lanes when it comes time for the Americans to move in their half of the turn. Again, I hope to place the Americans in that quandary of shooting or moving.
U.S. Turn #4
The Germans are devastated by highly effective prep fire. I’m not sure why his AFV in 17F10 did not shoot at the HS with the PSK. This prep fire success significantly neutralizes the advantage the Germans got in turn #2 when the US failed to provide cover to his entering troops. Fortunately, the FF and DF for the Germans was fairly effective as the PSK attack on the AFV in 17F10 was successful. That three point exchange will make victory that much harder to attain. Additionally, the Americans are starting to feel the pressure of time as they try to get closer to the exit point.
German Turn #5
Very effective Prep Fire on the 10-2 leader stack in 39GG7 should slow him down considerably. German movement directed toward positioning units to lay down fire lanes as the Americans begin to sprint toward the exit. The Germans didn’t show much to allow for effective DF.
U.S. Turn #5
American prep fire from 17L0 effectively eliminates my LMG in 17O3 and illuminates my folly for placing him there. The American 17L0 stack can’t possibly make it off the exit by game’s end, so I should have been more conservative with that LMG. It will still be very difficult for the Americans to get enough units to the exit. The Germans also had some luck with pinning several American squads; which virtually guarantees that they won’t make it to the exit area.
German Turn #6
With this turn, the Germans are trying to gain position to shoot any other Americans trying to get to the exit area. Not much else is happening. Things are looking good for a German victory in this scenario.
U.S. Turn #6
Legion is now trying to make his best effort to get off as many units as possible. However, he faces formidable German resistance and loses his last AFV to a lucky PSK FF as he tries to OVR my main stack of units guarding the exit. This could get a lot bloodier!
Legion finally resigns.
After Thoughts
The fatal flaw for the Americans in this scenario was not shielding their second wave forces. If the American does this effectively, this scenario becomes very close and is usually decided upon in the very last turn. And I am always amazed how differently each player manages his forces. That’s why I never grow tired of this scenario.