San Salvo, panzer counter-attack, with BGI

The third of our San Salvo series of games, with the Germans launching their evening tank attack to retake the ridge and town after loosing it in the afternoon. In this scenario, the attacking Germans get 10 Panzer IVs and 3 StuGs in reserve, with a panzer grenadier platoon and 2 fusilier foot patrols in support, aided by off-table mortars and single 1st priority artillery request (and bits and pieces).

The Inniskillings will defend the ridge with 3 dug-in infantry platoons, with 2 6 pdr guns dug-in and off-table 3” mortars. In reserve are 2 more 6 pdrs and the carrier section (no tanks). The artillery support is 2 priority requests to help throw back the panzers. 

Overview, panzers come in two attacks, left and right. 'Skins hold the high ground (near edge) and town.

After deployment, we bombed-up the panzers with ammo (largely HE), selected PRTPs and were ready for the off. The scenario rules mean that after Turn 7 it can become a night fight (it’s evening), so no time to waste for the Germans. The panzers set-off, with two attacks, one aimed at the town on their right, the other the ridge, on their left, through the large olive grove. Both had tanks leading with the infantry moving up behind, having disembarked from their trucks and rushed up to find cover, over the stream.

The German fusilier patrols, forward deployed, hunkered down on reserve move, ready for a rush, but suppressing fire kept getting their heads down.

Early mortaring was wild (3 in a row!), and did little for either side. Some long range HE fire also had little impact on the ‘Skins lines, and so the first turns were relatively quiet. Then, the Germans got rolling, now over the stream, and pushed forward, calling in their only priority request of 2 x 170mm howitzers, crashing into San Salvo and wiping out a Vickers MG team with a direct hit and pinning the forward aid post at the back of town.

On the German right, the first panzer platoon traded fire with the dug-in 6 pdr and its loader team, but its return fire KO’d 1 panzer and next turn, scored 2 hits and KO’d 2 more, the whole attack stalled as the panzer burnt, medals all-round for those gunners.

The left attack was going better, the panzers moving up and HE shelling, as the grenadiers crept up, using the trees and tanks as cover and not firing (best to stay hard to see, let the tanks do the work, until the final push into the assault). Mortaring added some pinning, and a big 25 pdr stonk of 4 guns when wild, and impacted well to the rear (phew!) but pinned some supporting stuff (the ammo truck, Pak-38 being used for HE support fire at long range). One Panzer IV was abandoned after being pinned, then hit by a mortar shell, but the three StuGs arrived and moved up to add to what had become the main attack.

On the right, three more panzers came across the stream (third platoon), via the little bridge (hope they checked it weight bearing capacity), to restart the action here, and the infantry, hiding behind stone walls waited on ambush fire for the fresh tanks, including the FHQ in his own PzIV, to lead. By luck, a HE hit on the deadly 6 pdr caused 2 losses and the rest of the crew ran for the rear (medals rescinded). Pressure was increasing, time to go, go, go!

The Germans launched their attack on the right, fusiliers rushing up (and 250 team), as MG-42s laid down suppressing fire into town. They assaulted the first building and took it, wiping out a rifle section, and the PIAT team, lurking on ambush fire to target an unwary panzer, was also lost. The edge of town was in German hands and the panzers rolled up behind, MGs blazing away.

The pressure was also on the right, the StuGs using a steady advance, rolling forwards with HE flaying the ridge, but the ‘Skins held firm and hit back at the German infantry, a few good spots and one MG team, then a rifle zug were lost… this main attack was short on infantry support now.

With the pressure on, the British reserves arrived in timely fashion, and raced for position, two more 6 pdrs towed in behind M5s and the carrier section, which raced to the front down the hill, to counter the German foothold in town. They did well, trading fire and driving the Germans out, until a second grenadier squad arrived and wiped out the small teams. A Panzer IV reached the main street, with 3 parked carriers as easy targets, but all three quickly fled the tabletop before the 75mm AP shells could wreck them. The ‘Skins send another section down the street and their fire wiped out the grenadiers at close quarters, it was getting bloody here, a hotspot.

On the ridge, a 6 pdr had been KO’d  and German accurate mortaring got another, so only 1 left, and a single PIAT, the AT defence wasn’t looking strong, but the German tanks were low (or out) on HE and their infantry support had  been largely destroyed. They could not get too close to enemy infantry with no support, so stalemate, which for the defender, is good enough.

Now, after 12 turns, night fell, and we checked the BR situation. Time was up, and the Brits had 10 BR left, with the Germans on 12… very close. We called it a draw (maybe a very marginal German win), the Brits had little left to stop the panzers, but in turn the tanks couldn’t close in… maybe they’d pull back, re-arm and come again, and then win it… but there was no time for that. Great fun… in fierce heat (actual weather), we’d sweated it out for an inconclusive result, draw!

San Salvo town.

German view, across the small stream and the road up to town.

Returning from photo-recce... no air power showing today.

German deployment, up to the stream, but with the recce already across. 

Fusilier patrol and 250 team, lurking in vineyards, ready to make the last push for town, when the tanks arrive.

Panzer Grenadier platoon arrives, using the farm as cover to disembark behind, this is as far as the bus goes, now walk. Third panzer platoon wait in reserve closeby.

Panzers Vorwarts! First platoon on the right, lead off, if slowly through the marshy ground.

Waiting for them, dug-in on the edge of San Salvo, the 6 pdr crew lines them up 'Wait for it!'.

On the left, second platoon roll through the big olive grove, the grenadiers will follow just behind.

First platoon is quickly destroyed by lethal 6 pdr shots... we need more tanks! First assault decisively defeated. 

Here come third platoon, as the grenadiers hunker down in cover, and let them go first.

View down the ridge from the 'Skins dug-outs, holding their right, with ambush fire.

The panzers and StuGs arrive, hammering the infantry with HE, but they are dug-in well, and hang tough, even as ammo runs low.

Reinforcements, new 6 pdr moving through the streets to aid the far side, passing the pinned ambulance.

Carrier section speed in and disembark, a counter-attack against the Germans now on the edge of town, just before the carriers all speed off again - due to, err, panzer coming with a big gun!

Here it is, reaching the edge of town, MGs blazing (out of HE shells, but AP ready for those carriers).
Germans in the first building, but not for long.