Background
Continuing our playtest games of Donner and Blitzen, I decided to try some west front action. This time around it would be the British attacking the Germans in Italy. The Germans had to hold both of the rear exit roads to win the game. The British needed to get a breakthrough and clear of of the roads.
The German forced consisted of an under strength Grenadier Regiment of three battalions of infantry and an attacked Marder company. The British force was an infantry Brigade with an attached Infantry Tank brigade (Churchills) and Sexton Regiment.
The Germans deployed one infantry battalion to the left flank to cover the river bridge (the river could only be crossed by infantry). The second battalion was deployed to cover the town and right flank. The third battalion was deployed behind the main line to provide a fall back point or reinforce one of the flanks as needed. The regimental assets were deployed back along the hill line to provide supporting fire over the entire battlefield.
The British moved onto the table with one infantry battalion on the right and the other on the left. The Churchills came up the middle to support either flank as needed. The artillery set up behind the right flank to maximize observation.
The British forces advanced cautiously across the front, however, in too dense of formations. This allowed the German infantry guns to make their presence felt.
Once the British had got within range, they tried so sweep the Germans out of their forward position with weight of steel in the town.
At the same time, the other flank did the same against the Germans holding the bridge
The Germans fell back into the town to consolidate their position, causing heavy casualties in the process. Both sides braced themselves for the next push. However, the German defense was too stalwart and the British attack on the town was spent.
At first, the situation at the bridge looked promising, as the German morale began to crumble for the British attacks. However, the Brits pushed forward to recklessly and allowed the Germans to rake their lines with heavy fire. This was too much and the British were forced back. With all attacks driven back, the Brigade failed its morale and had to call off the attack. The Germans managed to hold!
– Manteffel