"29, Let's Go!": Turn 3, Delaying action at Arthenay

“29, Let’s Go!”: Turn 3, Delaying action at Arthenay

The US encounters German resistance in the hamlet of Arthenay. The GIs must clear this position before they can progress further along the highway. 

Map

The main highway bisects the map. The German table edge has two farm sheds (one is ruined). It also has a large two storey farmhouse, and a long L-shaped barn with a house attached. The American table side has an orchard and hedgerows. The field to the north is planted with crops. 

Support choices

Germans: Mortar observer (4), HMG (4), adjutant (1), entrenchment (1). 

The Germans also have off-map support. Two Marder III tank destroyers from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 352 are overlooking the highway from an elevated and concealed position near St Germain-du-Pert. 

US: Sherman (6), Sherman (6), 60mm mortar (3), sniper (3), additional BAR for all squads (1). 

Combat 

The outskirts of the hamlet of Arthenay were eerily quiet as the Americans approached. Scouts had spotted enemy movement in the hamlet, although as yet the enemy’s exact position was unclear. But, the US commander thought to himself, it didn’t take a tactical genius to know the two-storey farmhouse was a prime position for a German machine-gun. 

The Americans congregated along the hedgerows. The US commander did not advance his troops, but deployed a powerful base of fire along the hedgerows: 1st and 2nd Squads (with extra BARs), a 60mm mortar, a sniper and a Sherman tank. The US commander was going to utilise his ample supply of troops and ammunition to full effect before advancing into the hamlet. 

At this point German troops began firing from the upper floor of the farmhouse. OLt Kleinmann, also in the upper floor, couldn’t believe his luck: the Americans were all clustered in the pre-registered zone for a 80mm mortar barrage. The mortar observer (crouched beside Kleinmann) relayed firing orders on the field telephone. 

Soon the GIs were cloaked in drifting smoke as mortar bombs exploded around them. US 1st and 2nd Squads were both pinned. A jagged splinter struck and killed the US commander. 

All US troops deployed, along with 60mm mortar, sniper and Sherman. Red markers show area of German 80mm mortar barrage

The Sherman tank was struck by a mortar shell, which startled the crew. They rolled forward to get out of the bombardment, opening up with MG fire and an HE shell at the farmhouse. 

Without warning, the Sherman was struck in the side by a 75mm shell from a concealed Marder III on a nearby hill. The Sherman immediately brewed up with thick black smoke.

[At this point some unlikely rolls occurred: Cam ended the turn with a COCD. I spent a COCD to continue the mortar barrage. Then in my phase I rolled three 6’s - thereby ending the new turn. I decided not to use my last COCD and instead risk rolling for the mortar battery’s continued availability. I rolled a 1!]

The mortar barrage stopped. The observer demanded down the receiver: 'why had the bombardment stopped?' The reply came: 'rounds out, sir!' The observer cursed the ammunition situation.

Burning Sherman victim of a Marder ambush

The now un-pinned US troops began pouring fire at the upper storey of the farmhouse. The German squad in the farmhouse began taking casualties and shock. And its squad leader was wounded by a sniper’s bullet. A second Sherman appeared along the road and added its firepower. 

The German 2nd Squad was deployed along a hedgerow beside the farmhouse. It exchanged fire with US 2nd Squad. It also tried unsuccessfully to spot the US sniper’s muzzle flash. 

German 2nd Squad (JL lightly wounded by grazing shot from US sniper)

US 3rd Squad had arrived, deploying alongside US 1st Squad in the orchard, and had also been firing at the farmhouse upper storey.

The German 3rd Squad ran into the combat area and took up a defensive position within the L-shaped stone barn.

The Germans deployed an HMG into a hastily dug fighting position alongside the farmhouse. The HMG opened fire on US 2nd Squad. 

German 3rd Squad arrives and runs toward the stone barn

German HMG position

US 2nd Squad was taking machine-gun fire from four different MG-42s (including one in the heavy configuration). This was too much incoming fire to handle and the surviving GIs broke and retreated in disarray.

US 2nd Squad flees to the rear

A Panzerschreck team crawled forward and ambushed the second Sherman. The rocket hit the tank dead-on and knocked it out. 

Second Sherman brews up

The GIs continued to pour fire on the farmhouse. OLt Kleinmann was hit and wounded. The troops in the farmhouse had taken the brunt of US fire and it became too much - they fled, carrying their unconscious CO with them.  

Germans in the farm house with lots of shock tokens

On the US left flank, a doughty US Platoon Sergeant took command of GIs in the orchard. He urged them forward; over the hedgerows and toward the stone barn. He knew his men’s nerve was wavering, but he’d noticed the German fire had slackened. “C’mon boys, over that hedge and advance,” he encouraged. 

Both sides had precarious morale. 

The GIs moved to the next hedgerow exchanged fire with German 3rd Squad, which was defending the barn. The greater weight of fire from the GIs was decisive and German 3rd Squad stopped firing and hunkered down. 

US Sergeant next to 60mm mortar

US troops gingerly advance on the hamlet due to slackened German fire

The barn was now blocking German visibility from the other side of the road. The GIs were entering an advantageous dead zone and flanking the whole German position. German 3rd Squad was soon going to be trapped in the barn. It therefore fled the barn and headed to the rear. The remaining Germans in the hamlet followed suit. 

Results

Each side took 7 casualties: 3 KIA, 2 wounded and 2 lightly wounded. 

My outlook went from relaxed to retiring. My CO’s opinion went down one. 

The Americans had taken Arthenay but the Marders overlooking the highway from St Germain-du-Pert would need to be taken out before the American column could safely continue the advance to Isigny.