Hidden Tiger, Crouching Churchill Mega-Battle

Hidden Tiger, Crouching Churchill Mega-Battle with Jacob Markson Six players and 600 points of Late-War madness met on a 6’X12’ western Europe themed board. We used a modified version of “Into the Unknown” (the deployment looked cool), with the objectives placed being used to determine end of game and Fog of War cards being used for points. With the goal to score as many points as possible and then secure the originally placed objectives. We also decided to not include any Tiger tanks or Churchill tanks as they are the most common used tank in our area of operations. This was a fun twist which pushed us to create different lists

German forces contained of mix of Panzer III and Panzer IV forces supported by a Grenadier company. The allies would show up with a Sherman company, infantry company, and were paired up with a British Cromwell company.

German Deployment	Allied Deployment

Background Allied and Axis forces were making a push to secure ground. The Allies were advancing to capture two river crossings that lead to an industrial park. Securing these two points to greatly accelerate the war effort. Axis forces were making a counterattack to secure a recently lost town. Due to the open ground between both sides, this would be tank battle for the history books. As the Germans crossed the river, leaving their AA bubble, and entered the farmland the RAF wasted no time in launching sortie after sortie. The larger tanks were magnets for the air power which left the lighter Panzer III and Panzer IV mostly untouched. An SS tank company advanced across the river straight into the American armor. This resulted in almost a one for one exchange. At the southern crossing British Cromwell tanks engaged in a duel with a mix of eastern front and training tanks (the group thought my force looked like a Hermann-Gӧring due to odd mix of Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks). Both sides launched into the teeth of the other which resulted in the German forces beginning a tactical retreat on the southern front and mixed Panzer reinforcements pushing though on the northern front. Neither side was able to claim victory and the battle was fought to a standstill. As the sun set both sides withdrew for the day, there would be more fighting to come. German high command has placed high importance on a thicket that lies between the roads, from that position AT guns could overwatch both routes. With the same thought in mind, the Allies plan to set up a forward HQ in a nearby farmhouse to in order to coordinate future operations.

Turns 1 and 2: Both sides quickly advanced forward attempting to jokey for the best position. RAF makes itself known, though thanks to ruined factory the rockets either land short against the building or long into the nearby river.

Turns 3 and 4: After a couple of skillful kills by a lone Ferdinand tank, the RAF manage to score direct hits on the tank destroyer. German infantry advanced forward claiming their objective, they would soon be hard pressed by Allied artillery. On the norther front, tanks from both sides line up to engage. In the rush, neither side lands a solid hit.

Turns 5 and 6: The Sherman tanks supported by a tank destroy unit fired relentlessly into the aggressive SS Panzer IVs. In matter of moments the SS tanks exploded, with only a few Sherman tanks burning. If it were not for a trio of Panther tanks, the northern flank would have fallen. To the South, the Ferdinand crew sets to disabling their tank. Flame tanks move forward to engage enemy armor while Cromwell tanks and a mix of Panzers exchange rounds with no success. Both sides have achieved their minor objectives and now try to press the advantage.

Turns 7 and 8: The Sherman tanks supported by a tank destroy unit fired relentlessly into the aggressive SS Panzer IVs. In matter of moments the SS tanks exploded, with only a few Sherman tanks burning. If it were not for a trio of Panther tanks, the northern flank would have fallen. To the South, the Ferdinand crew sets to disabling their tank. Flame tanks move forward to engage enemy armor while Cromwell tanks and a mix of Panzers exchange rounds with no success. Both sides have achieved their minor objectives and now try to press the advantage.

Left Side Image: The fate of my Ferdinand. We tend to roll the die and re-roll at the same time for reference. Rolled snake eyes for both my remount test and last stand test. Even my commander’s stellar leadership could not keep this tank on the board!

The Final Turns Re-enforcements from both sides pour into the area. This causes both fronts to stall out with the Allies having gained ground. The northern flank was in favor of the Germans, they could now advance, but would have to divert assets to the southern flank if they wanted to hold it. The Allies have poured almost everything into the weakened southern flank and only a couple desperate German tanks stand in the way of the combined Allied might. This was a really enjoyable game and great experience. Without Tiger tanks and Churchill tanks this fight was crazy interesting to watch and play. The dice went back and forth on who they were supporting which made for interesting turns.  ~Jacob