TUNISGRAD, NORD AFRIKA 2 "DAS ENDE"

 A GENERAL PETTYGREE BATTLESTORY

IN TWO CHAPTERS

Date: Spring 1943 
Location: North Africa, Northeast Tunisia Near Bizerte
Situation: Von Recker's Last Stand
Imagineered From History Using What We Have

Tabletop Game Using Home Rules and 28mm Miniatures

Players: Chuck The Lucky and yours truly, Bill P.

See Chapter 1 here

https://northafricancampaigning.blogspot.com/2021/04/tunisgrad-nord-afrika.html

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Chapter 2 "Das Ende"

Colonel von Recker and General Pettygree continue conversing about the Battle of Metline.

North Sector

"By the time the Americanische 1st Armored Division's...."

"Vanguard arrived and approached the north and south Metline heights, we were deployed and waiting for them."

"Everyone was carefully concealed within the ancient Carthaginian temple ruins or behind rises in the ground."

"For a time near the north sector ruins, their tank commanders stood in open hatches peering through binoculars until they thought differently. Perhaps they saw movement on our part." 

"Whatever it was, they suddenly disappeared below slamming hatches closed above them resuming forward movement."

"As they trundled forward our defenders began to show themselves preparing to fire. We engaged with the Marder and anti-tank gun to no effect."

"The Americans rushed forward like cavalry outflanking us. Our infantry did execution among the Yankees but that was not enough. It was at this point that....

"Kapitain Boelke summoned his courier."

"Kurt, tell Colonel von Recker, we are outflanked, the Marder is destroyed, our shells are defective and we're falling back --- to prevent capture. Schnell!" 

"It was not long before Americanische panzer and motorized infantry ascended and occupied the height. Boelke managed to escape with his infantry and somehow hooked up the anti-tank gun bringing it back to our final defensive line."

South Sector

"The southern height we initially occupied fared worse. Our infantry prone behind dirt mounds (not shown) were hit by high explosive rounds and immediately retreated below a distant crest. Our remaining Marder was pummeled by the Americans."

"The Marder as well as our only remaining armored car were lost at this point. Our defective shells and accurate enemy firepower  stunned us. The Americans were thought to be green and therefore ineffective. This was not the case. However, their infantry suffered a high rate of casualties from our infantry."

"They rushed forward causing our previously concealed infantry to rapidly fall back to our final defensive position mentioned moments ago.

"There was only one card left for me to play."

"Schuelemann's Panzer Mark VI Tiger appeared stopping the American advance. This allowed us to regroup behind the Metline rivulet. The Americans needed to regroup as well."

DAS ENDE (The End)

"Once again our survivors were carefully concealed as...."

"The Americans came toward us."

"Even crossing the bridge that our Tiger could not cross without collapsing it."

"We were waiting for the right moment to open fire with a Mark IV held in reserve and the redeployed anti-tank gun."

"The Sherman was hit and...."

"Taken out of the fight. Minutes later...."

"Our Mark IV was knocked out."

"Schuelemann's Tiger suffered a lucky strike."

"More Americans came from the ruins  eventually...."

"Easily crossing the stream to...."

"Overwhelm our last heavy weapon."

"More enemy came forward."

"Boelke rallied his men but it was the end. There was nothing more to do for honour and comrades. Surviving and captivity was all that was left." 

SURRENDER

"As an American P-40 flew overhead, we assembled in Metline."

"For terms and departure."

"Terms were naturally unconditional."

"One of the American panzer crews decided to...."

"Take a look at the Tiger. I later learned they were amazed by it."

So now for me this wretched war and madness is over. It was soon time to depart but not before I was given the kind opportunity to change into my more formal uniform. General Pettygree that is the story of Metline." 

CLOSING REMARKS

Metline was a two-player, two-session tabletop game for Chuck The Lucky and myself. We used my home rules featuring fast movement, easy fire mechanisms and a feature to end the battle to redeploy without the necessity to move units doing so and spending precious time too. The latter is what happened after Schuelemann's Tiger appeared. We stopped the game and redeployed all forces.

Fog Of War Funny Thing! I utterly forgot about the Mark IV Panzer until von Recker redeployed east of the Metline Stream. How's that for game fog of war folks?

Not a big game but it was stimulating, fun and offered an opportunity to use 28mm collections not often used.

Thank you for looking in. I really appreciate you doing so.

Your comments are welcome, if you please, below.

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TUNISGRAD, NORD AFRIKA 1

A GENERAL PETTYGREE BATTLESTORY

IN TWO CHAPTERS

Date: Spring 1943 
Location: North Africa, Northeast Tunisia Near Bizerte
Situation: Von Recker's Last Stand
Imagineered From History Using What We Have

Tabletop Game Using Home Rules and 28mm Miniatures

Players: Chuck The Lucky and yours truly, Bill P.

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Chapter 1

"On 9 May 1943 all German forces in northern Tunisia surrendered to our French and American allies. From north to south these were the Corps d'Afrique, 9th Infantry, 1st Armored, 1st Infantry and 34th Infantry Divisions. Opposite the 1st Armored was a mixed Wehrmacht force commanded by Colonel Konrad von Recker whom I had met before the war at the Berlin Olympics. He will be here momentarily to give us an understanding of his last stand near the small port of Metline ten miles east southeast of Bizerte."

"I wish these were happier circumstances for all of us Konrad. Would you mind giving my readers an account of your recent action?"

"Ja, desperate times surely and for me this madness is thankfully over."

"By mid-April General Bradley's II American Corps with the forces you mentioned had shifted to northwestern Tunisia to commence operations versus the Fifth Panzer Armee of which I was a small part. After the Allied attack commenced, we held as long as possible but could not withstand the pressure due to low supplies and reduced ammunition. We gradually fell back farther to the east. Frankly, many were looking over their shoulders to be evacuated by sea or air believing the war in Nord Afrika would soon end."

   

April 1943

"My command arrived in Metline using our last fuel reserves. We did manage to save enough to maneuver our armored vehicles for a brief battle if needed though."

"A few cars, trucks, infantry, Marders and one panzer."

"Our orders were to hold as long as possible. If ammunition became exhausted, we would have no choice but to surrender. Better to surrender to the Americans than the Soviets on The Eastern Front. We wondered if rumors about a disaster for the Sixth Army at Stalingrad were true. For us this looked the same. We named our version, Tunisgrad!"

"Then an Americanische reconnaissance plane looked us over."

"Heading for...."

"The insignificant port of Metline. We had been spotted. Necessary defensive measures needed to be taken at once."

"A last stand was possible west of the port on two rises of ground split by the road. The northern hill already occupied by some of our force was topped by an ancient ruin."

"The southern hill was more open but protected by ancient Carthaginian dirt mounds. The Americanische plane surely observed everything."

On April 8, 2021, the American 1st Armored Division vanguard arrived.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Chapter 1 provides the background for the two chapter short story, Tunisgrad. Chapter 2 will reveal what happened.

2. Half the game was played April 8th. We will resume soon playing to a conclusion.

3. Thank you for looking in. General Pettygree always welcomes your comments and sentiments should you oblige him with your approbation and time.

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Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

6th BIG Battle of Britain Briefing

BIG Battle of Britain #6 

Saturday 11 August 1940/2018
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4:00 pm: Early Bird Arrivals
4:30 pm Official Arrival Time
5:00 pm Aircraft in the air; sooner hopefully.
10:30 pm Finish turn in progress
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Scenario: "Kanalkampf

Venue: Home of Bill/Dorothy Protz, Brown Deer, WI
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CHOW

Please bring a small chow or beverage item to share.

Dorothy is preparing Swedish meatballs again.

We'll eat on the run turn by turn.

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DICE

Bring your favorite six-siders.

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CAMPAIGN

Chuck S. and Bill P. will track pilot and aircraft losses.

Reasons: 

Fun.

Experience attrition.

A little more historical immersion/play.

The next BoB will be affected by aircrew and aircraft losses.

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IS ANYONE DROPPING OUT?

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ROYAL AIR FORCE

1 Bill Protz

2 Lewis S. (Bring move templates and 1x Blenheim or more)

3 Jim H.

4 Dan E. 

5 John B. (Bring splash markers)

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LUFTWAFFE

1 Chuck S. {Commander in Chief}

2 Nick K. (Flying bombers)

3 Dave G. (Flying bombers)

4 Chuck L.

5 Bob B.

6 Todd C.

First Row Left to Right: Chuck S., Todd C., Bob B., Nick K. and me Bill P.
Second Row Left to Right: Chuck L., John B., Dave G. Lewis S. Jim H. and Dan E.

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RECONNAISSANCE PHOTOS
     Click on images to make them larger.

West Sector/Extreme Right: Southern England Main Table.

Looking south to The English Channel.

France is in the far distance.

 West Sector: Southern England Main Table.

Looking south to The English Channel.

France is in the far distance.

Previous image is to the right.

Center Sector: Southern England Back Table.

Looking south to The English Channel.
France is off the top of the image.

Center Sector: The English Channel Main Table.

Looking south into The English Channel.
Notice scattered convoy CW 9.

France is in the far distance.

East Sector: Southern England Back Table.

Looking south into Dover Harbor and The English Channel.

France is in the far distance.

East Sector: Southern England Main Table.

Looking south into Dover Harbor and The English Channel.

France is in the far distance.

East Sector: Southern England Between Back and Main Tables.

Aircraft may "jump" from left to right and back without expending movement rate.

Another Free Fly Over Gap is on the Luftwaffe side of the gaming area too.

Allows a 2' wide expansion of gaming area.

CLOSING REMARKS

(1) This is our 6th BIG Battle of Britain. 

(2) Long flights and returning home to base with "frantic" combat in between.

(3) A new emphasis is being placed on air crew and aircraft losses, retention and repair. The next (early 2019) 7th BIG BoB will find squadrons looking different due to action in the 6th BIG BoB. Chuck S. and I have introduced this so games have more meaning long term. This is a new and evolving concept. For me I'm thinking RAF pilots should return to their same squadrons in 2019. Thus, throwing away aircrew and aircraft as if tomorrow does not matter will be harmful six months from now.  

(4)  Comments and questions are welcome.

(5) Good luck!

(6) Thank you sincerely in your interest to fly in our 6th BIG Battle of Britain.

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4th BIG Battle of Britain Game

PILOT BRIEFING #2 {FINAL}

 

Date: Saturday August 26, 2017

[I] SCHEDULE
3:00 pm             Tom C. and Lewis S. Meeting
4:30 pm             All Pilots Arrive {Okay to arrive a little earlier}
4:45-5:00 pm    Turn 1
11:00 pm           Finish Turn In Progress If warranted

Need to arrive late or leave early? We'll adjust your mission(s).
Need to cancel? Please tell us a couple days before the 26th.

[II] PLEASE BRING
Small snack or beverage to share; ethnic if doable/easy
Metric Tape Measure
John B.: Your RAF Aircraft
Matt L.: Your RAF Aircraft
Keith J.: Battle of Britain Music Record if doable/easy
Chuck S.: Pipe Cleaner Damage Markers and 1-2 AA

[III] LET'S FLY 12 TURNS --- HOW? --- PLEASE:
1. Stay on task.
2. Watch developing situations making your next plans concurrently.
3. Then you will be ready to move quickly seconds later.
4. Save rules debates, soliloquies and long history conversations for later.
5. No game stoppage for a 1/2 hour chow time. Eat when you are pausing.
6. Maybe maintain formations for an extra turn or more.
7. Shooters: Throw dice for more than one plane by dice color at the same time.
8. Defenders: Gather defense dice for more than one plane by color early. Don't wait.
9. Mark damage with bright ink pens on aircraft damage charts.

[IV] 1940 Formations
Luftwaffe Fighters: Finger 4s and Pairs.
Luftwaffe Bombers: Kettes of 3 aircraft and Pairs. {Bag The Hun p. 61}
RAF: Vics {V Formations} of 3 aircraft.
Movement stands need not always be touching but should be close.

Luftwaffe Bomber Pilots: Nick K., Keith J. and Bob M.
Other Luftwaffe Pilots: Chuck S. {Flight Ops.}, Bob B. {Asst.} and Dan E.

RAF Pilots: John B. {Flight Ops.}, Lewis S. {Asst.}, Matt L., Chuck L., Jim H. and Bill P.

[V] Rules
1. Bombers will not veer out of formation because Air Gunners fire poorly.
2. Aircraft suffering a second D4 loss? You are done. See Chart 15.
3. Any MG Jammed: May still fire 50% of dice rounded down. See Chart 12
4. Bomber MG Jammed: Don't have to fly straight/level to unjam. See Chart 12.
5. Low on fuel? Turn for a friendly field so you can get there.
6. Heavily damaged? Pilots historically turned for home. Please do so.
7. No kamikazes.
8. Bogeys remain undetected if shooting from behind. Otherwise put out the planes.
9. Bogeys will be represented by large pieces of paper. Poker chips are out.
10. Let's have companionable fun.

[VI] Zones
1. East: Holland {NEW} to the Hyde River.
2. Center: Calais to Brighton Beach Area.
3. West: Le Havre onto Main Table near the stairs.
4. Luftwaffe: 2 Pilots per Zone.
5. RAF: Ditto but there may not be enough players so one per zone minimum.

[VII] Questions? 
Please contact Bill P.
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4th BIG Battle of Britain Tour

4th BIG Battle of Britain Game

PILOT BRIEFING #1 
{Please Take This Tour With Red Flight}

Game Date: Saturday August 26, 2017

Main Table Northeast Corner Looking Southeast --- Port of Miniver

Holland Is Far Away Off The Top Of The Photo

 Red Flight Still Headed Southeast --- Port of Miniver Is Behind Them

Red Flight Rounds The Lighthouse At St. Margaret's At Cliff

Now Headed West Along The Southern Coast of Britain
Approaching The River Hyde

The Foe Is Not Navigating Along The Hyde To Industries Inland Yet

Red Flight Continues Westward

Brighton Beach Is Ahead

All Clear At Brighton Beach For Now

Calais and Luftwaffe Airfields Are To The Left Across The Channel

No One Is Bathing At Brighton Beach Due To A Raid On

The Radar Installation

Continuing Westward

Red Flight Arrives At The Main Table's Southwest Corner

Turning North At Rocky Point
Landing At Kenley, Main Table Northwest Corner Above

Center Of The British Back Table At Tangmere Field
Village of Whitchurch Is Farther North

British Back Table Extreme Southeast End
Port of Dunstable

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Thank you for flying Combat Air Patrol with Red Flight.

2. Almost everything is imagineered. Easier/faster that way.

3) Prodigious thanks to pilots adding terrain to mine. Chuck L., John B., Lewis S. and Chuck S. 

4) A very important and final briefing will occur several days before the game --- right here.

5) Your remarks are welcome at Comments below.

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