US Paratroopers on D Day: A Chain of Command Battle Report | Storm of Steel Wargaming

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

I would really appreciate it if you'd consider supporting me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/stormofsteelwargaming or buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/stormofsteel

[@axisandaliens]

From one solo gamer to another, this was a fantastic report, thank you!

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrismikucki9107]

Well done Alex! I think these chain of command reports are very entertaining and hope you keep them up! Also okay to love units you’ve just painted!!!!

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers Chris! Much appreciated! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@thomaschase7097]

Thank you again for sharing. Great looking board again. My experience is that elites always dominate, unless you field a powerful HE, and/or more infantry, and avoid close combat.

[@thomaschase7097]

Flamethrower is good vs elite too

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers Thomas, glad you enjoyed the video and game. Yeah, maybe I should have added more infantry rather than the tiger. Ah well, next time.

[@BernardK]

I ran 2 CoC games at Historicon last weekend. Two platoon of US paratroopers versus 2 Platoons of regular German infantry. The first game was a decisive German win, the second was a narrow US victory.

[@thomaschase7097]

@@BernardK Thanks for sharing. What type of support did the Germans take for the Force Rating difference? I have been playing infantry and tank platoons (3 tanks FR 21) vs. same on other side. Not enough painted troops yet for all infantry. Just played a game of British Paras vs. German, all regulars, using the single LMG section format for the Germans, and Paras dominated for first time as regulars. To maximize play time I use max force morale. Caveat is that if infantry goes to zero FM, tank platoon withdrawals by default. Look forward to hearing from you.

[@BernardK]

@@thomaschase7097 Here is the scenario write up for the Hostoricon games. Background The forces involved in this scenario include elements of the US 82nd Airborne Division (and some 101st Airborne that were scattered in this area) versus the German 91st Air Landing Division, specifically the 1057th Infantry Battalion and the 100th Panzer Replacement and Training Battalion. The latter was equipped with outdated German and captured French tanks. The battle occurs during the morning hours on June 6th, 1944, D-Day. The bridge crossing the Merderet at La Fière is of critical importance to both the German and US operations in this area of Normandy. The struggle for the La Fière bridge began with the 82nd Airborne Division’s nighttime drop as part of Operation Neptune. The paratroopers reached the bridge and after intense close combat secured both ends of the causeway over the inundated land. This is the part of the action we are playing today. Soon, however, a heavy German counterattack with armor support pushed across the causeway and back to the bridge. Two armored assaults were attempted, but both were repulsed, with the bridge never leaving American control. Later on with the arrival of infantry and tanks from Utah Beach the La Fière crossing was fully secured. The Allies soon after began the advance up the Cotentin Peninsula and deeper South into France. This scenario represents the first US attack to capture the farm and bridge. The farm at La Fière dominates the bridge and must be cleared of German troops. Winning the Battle To win the battle, the American must capture the Manoir House (no Germans inside) and hold it until the Germans withdraw or are forced to withdraw due to loss of force morale. One German Jump-off Point must be in the Manoir House. The Germans win by holding the Manoir and forcing the US player to withdraw. Patrol Phase This Game is a blend of several scenarios in the main rule book. The US are on the north or east side of the map, the Germans are on the west side. Each US player deploys 3 patrol markers on the north or east edge. Each German deploy 3 patrol markers in any farm building of the Manoir. The US player rolls 1D6 before the Patrol Phase begins. On a roll of 1 or 2, the US immediately takes two moves with his Patrol Markers. On a roll of 3 or 4, three moves are taken and on a 5 or 6, four moves are taken. Special Rules Command dice Each US player has 6 command dice. Each German player has 5. One player from each side will be designated the senior commander. Only that commander can end the turn with 3 sixes on their command dice. The rules of Big Chain of Command apply, which mostly affects force morale from bad things happen on friendly platoons. Foxholes The Germans had prepared a few dug in positions around the farm. The Germans may add entrenchments at the cost of one support point per entrenchment per team. Hasty obstacles The Germans were surprised by the US airborne invasion. Nevertheless they prepared some hasty obstacles using furniture from the manoir. They can place the furniture obstacles anywhere they wish within six inches of the farm buildings. The obstacles provide soft cover when units take fire behind it. They do not block line of sight. These must must be emplaced after the jump off points have been determined, but before the first turn. General Gavin General Gavin, Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, is available to the US player at no cost. He acts as a senior leader to whatever platoon he is with. If he is wounded or killed, roll on the bad things happen table and triple the result. Terrain Notes As with most of Normandy this area is dominated by hedges that divide the French countryside. While not the sturdy bocage that will be encountered later these hedges still present a challenge to cross and count as medium obstacles. Units within 1” of the hedge may see through it and be seen by enemy units on the opposite site. Units being fired upon through a hedge count as having light cover. All of the woods in the game are light and provide light cover. Visibility extends through 4 inches of these area. If both target and firer are in the same woods, inter visibility is 8 inches. All of the roads in this campaign are country dirt tracks. They are wide enough to allow two armored vehicles to use them at a time. However, the shoulders are passable except at the bridge. All buildings in this area are made of stone and other conventional materials and count as heavy cover. Low stone walls are impassable to vehicles and count as medium obstacles and heavy cover. The most notable feature of this area is the inundated fields that surrounds the elevated causeway. The Germans, in anticipation of the invasion, flooded many areas to disrupt Allied operations. This water counts as Really Heavy Going. Troops caught in this terrain count as being in the open, with no ability to go Tactical nor move At the Double. No vehicles may enter the inundated fields.  German Forces The German player has 10 Support Points available. Each platoon gets 5 command dice. German Support List One Point Each Adjutant Medical Orderly Entrenchments for 1 team" Two Points Each Senior Leader Three Points Each None Four Points Each MMG on Tripod, 5 crew Five Points Each None US Forces The US player has 5 Support Points. Each infantry team has gammon bombs, AP Strike of 4. US Troops are Aggressive Fighters (extra dice in close combat). The US platoon has 6 command dice. 1 Point Each Adjutant Medic 2 Points each Bazooka Team, two crew Chain of Command Dice 3 Points each None 4 Points each MMG on Tripod Mount, five crew 5 Points Each M1 57mm Anti-Tank Gun, five crew and Junior Leader

[@andyshaw5378]

Really good, enjoyed the patrol phase and seeing your paras in action. Just need to do the unit decals on mine. Shame the bazookas didn’t get a shot at the tiger

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers Andy, glad you enjoyed the game!

[@scruggs6633]

What program are you using for the patrol phase overlay? Looks really cool.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Its linked in the video description, buddy.

[@scruggs6633]

@@StormofSteelWargaming Doh! Watching on mobile, the related videos section compresses the description box. Thanks!

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

@@scruggs6633 no worries!

[@j453]

Great bat rep, thank you 👍👍

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@aaronjones2117]

This looked fun! I might have to make a force of American Airborne once I finish the British Paras and German Paras I have on my to do list. You wouldn't happen to have any tips for painting Denison smocks by any chance?

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers, it was! I'm afraid I don't. I do have a painting guide for the American Paras lined up for release at some point, but not British paras.

[@thomaschase7097]

For the british Para camouflage jacket I have used English Uniform base with Reflective Green (AKA Medium Olive) and Green Ochre. Technically I think a more brown color is correct vs. English Uniform. I'm lazy and because I base them in English Uniform I go with that. This is in reference to Vallejo paints.

[@aaronjones2117]

@@thomaschase7097 Thanks! I'll try that. Maybe I'll sub the English Uniform for Flat Brown

[@johnvacher4225]

Hi Alex. Another great game. Where did you get your hills from please?

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it, they are from S&A Scenics

[@paulbenson9015]

Love the table, well done👍

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks

[@David_R434]

Great looking table I was wondering where you got the morale trackers.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thank you, the trackers are from Sabotag3d.

[@David_R434]

@@StormofSteelWargaming Cheers

[@andrewbarsony4446]

@Storm of Steel, Great solo bat rep! Enjoyed the whole battlefield scenery. Who makes those roads? Thanks.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thank you! The roads came from Miniature World Maker, they are Australian, but I got mine here in the UK from Magister Militum. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@andrewbarsony4446]

@@StormofSteelWargaming Thanks heaps for the quick response! It's always a big plus, when the YT, Content Creator, has the time to respond back at questions from his/her, subscribers/audience. I'm one of your subscribers! Cheers.🙂👍

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

@@andrewbarsony4446 No problem buddy! Thanks for subscribing, it's really appreciated!

[@DE-rd1zl]

Great stuff. Love the terrain. The fences...are they home made or purchased? Definitely needing to get more terrain for my battles that I need to do :D

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thank you! The fences are mdf and I purchased them. I can't remember for the life of me where from though, but there are lots of options out there that are cheap and quickly fill up a table.

[@andytyrrell5153]

You need to play against someone as you kind of know what tactics the other side are doing. Nice table.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Chain of Command is perfect for solo play as you don't know what the command dice are going to do.

[@sergeyageev7139]

Miniatures 12 mm?

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

15mm

[@BernardK]

Nice game, not much fun for the German. Note US 60mm Mortar gets three shots.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it.