Schrodinger's Panther

We played this scenario at the latest wargames night in the office. It's based on the patrol scenario from the Chain of Command rulebook. The situation is in recent fighting, a Panther tank was knocked out in what is now No-Mans Land. The Germans are sending out a patrol to escort some Panzer crew to repair it and get it back to their lines, while the American have sent out a small force to destroy the tank. In the case that the Panther becomes operational, the Americans have a Sherman on standby, which will remain out of the vicinity to avoid alerting the Germans to the American activity. 

Panther 112 in the graveyard during the morning's fighting. It would be knocked out as it withdrew along the road to the left of the picture.

The final twist, which both sides were unaware of, was that the company commander of the next American company in the line was concerned about the possibility of the Panther being retrieved so had ranged in a mortar battery on its position. In the event he heard engine noise from its rough position he would order the area bombarded, although it being nighttime, the deviation from the target could be large.

GEHEIM

Kampfbericht, Befehlshalter 116sten Panzerdivision
Bericht fur Aktion am: 11ten Juni 1944
Hauptoffizier der Aktion: Leutnant Torsten Weitzman

Bericht:

Following the fighting in the morning of the 11th of June, in which one of our Panther tanks was knocked out, my platoon (3 Platoon, C Company) was ordered to escort a group of Panzer crew to salvage the tank, which was stranded between our and the American lines. In this action we were accompanied by Feldwebel Frischer from the Company command.

We left our lines at 2130, moving up the road in tactical column. When we reached the vicinity of the tank it became apparent an American patrol was present, possibly having the aim of destroying the Panther, or retrieving maps or other intel from the wreck. (Note: Interrogation of prisoners appears to indicate the Americans were not just conducting a routine patrol).

German forces move towards the tank, escorting the repair team.

As we advanced, we heard an artillery piece, probably an anti-tank gun, firing. At least three rounds were fired, aimed at the Panther. The first round was fired before we were in position and we are unaware of what effect it had, two more were fired as we approached. One round missed, and the second was deflected by the Panther's front armour.

Section 1 rapidly advanced to take positions south of the Panther, while Team A of Section 2 moved up to the north of the tank, both groups using the bocage and walls as cover, allowing the Panzer crew to reach the vehicle, at which point they began repairs, aiming to get the weapons systems working to provide support against the American troops.

German and American troops make contact as the repairs on the tank begin.

Team B of Section 1 moved up to the Panther, aiming to cover up the main lane past the graveyard, providing security for the repairs, at which point they came under fire from an American machine gun position, which devastated the squad, killing three of the four men. Mortar fire from the vicinity (probably a 60mm mortar) also hit the team, and the survivor withdrew rapidly. Obergefreiter Freibel reorganised his section as a single unit of 6 men. This combined force then moved into a small gully, spotting and engaging in a firefight with an American squad moving along the graveyard walls, inflicting at least some casualties. 

Team A Section 2 moved to the bocage to the north of the tank, spotting what appeared to be another American squad moving in the vicinity. Their appearance appeared to dissuade the Americans from moving through that field.

In an attempt to outflank the American machine guns, I deployed Section 3 to the north of the lane in the bocage, and they began a cautious advance before events overtook this move.

The two American infantry squads made a sudden, rapid advance up the lane towards the Panther, using the cover provided by the hedgerows to avoid incoming fire in the main. Team A Section 2 reacted, moving to enfilade their advance with fire, but was caught in a vicious hand to hand fight with at least 16 Americans. 5 Americans were killed in the fighting, and an NCO was wounded, but Team A Section 2 were killed to a man, along with Obergefreiter Peter Gruber. Finding themselves suddenly exposed, the Panzer crew retreated towards cover and Team B Section 2 rather than face the Americans.

American troops rush the first line of security around the tank, overcoming them in a brutal fight. But can they summon up the strength to overpower the remaining defenders?

The Americans then attempted to charge the remnants of Section 1, but only one squad appeared to be able to summon the required resolve after the bloody fight with Section 2. This squad hit Section 2, killing three men before being overwhelmed. Before Section 2 could shoot at the other American squad, under considerable urging from their NCO, they charged into contact. Fortunately, they were clearly exhausted and demoralised, in the ensuing fight they were rapidly overcome, with the only loss in that fight being Feldwebel Frischer who was knocked unconscious.

The last desperate push by the Americans is beaten back by Section 1, who are bloodied, but hold their ground.

Any remaining American forces, such as the machine guns that hit Section 1, withdrew from the area at this point and recovery of the vehicle was achieved by 2213.

During the action, our unit lost 10 men killed or wounded, including one junior NCO. We killed or wounded at least 20 Americans, taking several of the wounded prisoner. Two of the American dead were identified as NCOs. In addition to driving off the American patrol, we were able to recover Panther 112 and it will be available for use again.

I request that my platoon be rotated off the front at least temporarily to allow my wounded to recover and for the unit to be reorganised to compensate for our losses. Replacements, particularly for my lost section leader, would be extremely valuable to improving the unit's combat readiness.


The scenario was a good success to my mind, both players had a good time, even if the American player did find his dice to be uncooperative. A couple of points did emerge from the game however. Firstly, the Panther was incredibly tough, and was next to impossible for the Americans to destroy. I think in future I'd use the modified armour penetration rules in the Advanced Rules section as long as the tank is unmanned, as I assume it's easier to concentrate on getting a perfect shot on a tank if it's not fighting back, and once it starts moving or shooting staying alive becomes a significant distraction. Secondly, the German Panzergrenadiers are really heavily armed for this scenario, as the fighting was naturally funneled towards the tank, so it would probably be better to use the regular infantry platoon.