Bolt Action Battle Report - The Phoney War - German Reconnaissance Patrol - Part 1: German attack

As a first scenario for the newly created German army would be a patrol into French held territory rather than following the Scenario 1: Reconnaissance patrol clash in the battle of France book I opted for Scenario 10 from the main rule book: Hold until relieved. The German patrol would stumble upon a French artillery position deployed in an abandoned village. The forces would be approximately 1,000 points a side. Both sides would be selected from the early war selectors. Both forces would start off of the table with at least half the force required to come on in the first way. The German commander would be their sides intelligence officer and the French would also have an intelligence officer. 

Picture: German patrol ready for the off!

“It was, but a few days since Britain and France had declared war on Germany. The German army was focused on its attack of Poland that the German western border was ill equipped to deal with any direct attack should the French launch from the Maginot line. The German forces manning the defences waited. Europe was at war! However, on a rather warm September morning the French border seemed at peace. The slight wind rustled the nearly ripe corn that bowed lazily back and forth. The world did not seem to worry here just yet, the phoney war had begun.

The men of Lieutenant Sheer's platoon were encamped at the small settlement of Bedersdorf a few miles from the French border. Having pushed forward from their barracks on Siegfried line the platoon had been ordered to observe the French defenses.  Brauman and Sheer pored over the maps that lay scattered over the old farm house that acted as their temporary headquarters. Several points were marked out and Brauman had penciled in a line near the French border “The Maginot line Captain – Frances impenetrable fortress!” Brauman proclaimed “a connected series of concrete forts it is impervious to all forms of attack”. Brauman paused for effect, waiting Sheer’s comment, but instead he was silent. Brauman continued “While the enemy dithers we do not have the resources to undertake any operation and we are unable to sustain any concentrated assault. High command suspect this inactivity on the front suggests they are building up of reserves. They expect an offensive into the industrial Saar region within the month. It is imperative to collect what information we can!”. Sheer nodded “ We will leave at first light Colonel”. With that Colonel Brauman poured two small glasses of schnapps from his travel flask. Offering one to Sheer he raised his - “good hunting Captain”. With that Sheer raised his in reply and downed the contents. Brauman return to his study of the maps, Sheer clicked his heals and left”

Picture: Air photos of the abandon village where Sheer's men would soon encounter a French patrol.

"Sheer's patrol had set off a first light. The roar of trucks, half tracks and tanks startled some roosting chickens, but otherwise they had set off without event. It wasn't long before they were approaching the French border. At a signal the men were on full alert, the Panzer's turret transverse menacingly back and forth, and the half tracks machine gunners scanned the horizon. The patrol progressed towards an abandon settlement. Ever vigilante they moved into the shadows of the ruined buildings..."  

Picture: French force 

The game began with the French pulling the first order dice out of the bag. The Char-B1 rumbled onto the battle field blasting wildly at the German advance. The German's split into two the more heavily armoured engineers supported by the Panzer IV came down the German left flank while the the several trucks of infantry moved into the edge of the village on their right. The German mortar started to bombard the French artillery in the centre - BOOM! - a well aimed shot exploded in directly next to the 75mm killing two of the crew. Shaken the remaining men fled. 

 The second turn saw the the tanks trading shots and bouncing off of each others armour. On the German right the mounted infantry's truck moved further into the village. French infantry crouching behind the ruined upstairs walls took their opportunity to pour fire into the German Truck. Machine gun fire peppered the trucks side. The men huddled down inside - bullets ripped into the tires causing the truck to crash killing two men. The rest of the squad dazed, but unhurt, returned fire. From point blank range the walls were of little protection as five Frenchmen fell - the remaining troops stood firm.

With little else to shoot at the German artillery go into ambush. The French artillery observer also called in a artillery barrage onto the German left pincer that were getting closer to the central objective.

The French reinforcements had largely arrived by turn three and so too did their artillery barrage! The shells screeched over the heads of the French. BOOM! BOOM! the shells landed amongst the advancing Germans, however, as the smoke cleared it was evident that damage was minimal. The French were struggling and the Sniper team having previously suffered a pin FUBAR'ed its order test and retreated to cover. In spite of all the smoke on a few pins had been taken. One of the German rifle squads had got up behind the French defending the ruined buildings and started pouring fire into them. However, to their credit the French held firm. 

However, the Char-B1 had more success and a well aimed shot sees the turret blow off of the Panzer IV. The French infantry on the other side of the village also started to advance. Buoyed by this success the French counter had begun....