The Sanatorium

In a departure from our steady diet of Peninsular Napoleonics, I introduced my friend Alan to WWII gaming last week, playing the Battlefront WWII scenario, The Sanatorium. Battlefront WWII was my go-to ruleset and era of choice for my first ten years or so of wargaming, and it was great to dust off the toys and get them on the table again. This scenario was written as a learning scenario for the ruleset by Richard de Ferrars and is a great match up of a couple of half battalion-sized forces, set during the Battle of the Bulge. It is one I have played a few times before.

A while ago I had taken a shot at simplifying some of the Battlefront rules to speed up play a bit (as much as I always loved BFWWII and all of its intricacies, it is tough to finish a game in a few hours!) but even with my tweaks the fight went on for a while. It ran the allotted 14 rounds and ended with... Well you will have to read the report to see!

It was played on a 6' X 4.5' table with 1/72nd scale miniatures.
 

The scenario map. The Americans begin deployed on the roads and in the woods to the left, while the Germans begin with an engineer company in the Sanatorium and the rest of their forces to the right of the red line. The Germans in Stoumont and Roaut may not venture beyond their deployment zone until Turn 7, setting up an attack/counterattack scenario. The principal objective is the Sanatorium.

1. The Battlefield

Rouat is left bottom, and Stoumont just above it. In the centre is the Sanatorium while at the top are the woods from which the Americans advance.

2. The Sanatorium

Most of the fighting will centre around the Sanatorium, a large building that dominates Stoumont and its vital crossroads.

3. B Company advances out of the woods

Four Shermans of C Company, 740th Tank Battalion lead the advance, but rapidly become bogged down in the soft ground as they leave the road. One of them is put out of action by German AT fire north of Rouat. In the background B Company of 1/119 Infantry Regt. cautiously venture out of the woods.

4. A long shot

5. Moving in for the assault

B Company begins to take some casualties as mortar and machinegun fire search them out.

6. C Company holding back

Meanwhile C Company holds back a bit, sending a couple of platoons forward to seize the buildings south of the Sanatorium. The battalion mortars fire smoke to help shield B Company's attack.

7. Slow going for Shermans

It's slow going for the Shermans on the American left as they try to give close support to B Company.

8. Close combat on Sanatorium

A battered B Company presses home its attack on the Sanatorium while some of C Company clear out the orchard south of the Sanatorium (top left). B Company manages to gain a foothold, but it's tough going.

9. C Company moves towards Stoumont

Meanwhile the rest of C Company advances along a hedgerow towards Stoumont. But they are spotted by the SS Panzergrenadiers of 2 Regiment holding the town, and C Company too starts to take heavy fire.

10. Holding back

Meanwhile the American commander holds back the uncommitted two Shermans, still in the cover of the woods and waiting for the order to advance, as a Panzer IV has been spotted at Stoumont with a clear sight line down the road.

11. Armour advances on American left

12. Panzer in Stoumont

On the outskirts of Stoumont the German Panzer keeps a wary eye on the road out of the forest.

13. KO'd

The German tank is disordered by fire from the American Jackson, and the two Shermans use the opportunity to advance. A second shot knocks it out!

14. Sanatorium falls to the Americans

At this point, with American armour hovering outside of its walls, the German engineer company, reduced to just a few sections, still grimly holds onto the building. The German company commander, Ostuf Sievers (upper left), drives off no fewer than four American attempts to oust his headquarters section.

15. German counterattack

But the remainder of his command is driven out, and as the surviving engineers come streaming out of the Sanatorium, the Germans launch their counterattack, supported by a second Panzer IV that arrives on the Rouat road. However, mixed orders stall the advance (a series of terrible maneuver rolls!) and the American C Company, called off from their advance on Stoumont, manage to seize the mostly empty complex before the enemy can gain a foothold.

16. Close assault on orchard

The Germans have some success in clearing the orchard south of the Sanatorium, but are unable to capitalize on the fact that the building still remains largely abandoned by both sides.

17. Second Sherman KO'd

The German Pak begins to find its range as it KO's a second Sherman. But the German counterattack has stalled.

18. And a third!

A third American tank goes up in flames.

19. Repositioning AT gun

With the American tanks north of the Sanatorium KO'd or out of sight, the German Pak moves to reposition in Rouat. The gun's transport is put of action by a lurking Sherman but the crew bails out and manages to get the gun emplaced on the edge of the village.

20. Back in

With the Sanatorium now firmly in American hands the first German counterattack is driven off. But, with time running out, the Germans organize for a second push.

21. German HT mortar in action

The Sdkfz. 251/2 gives what support it can, but having fired all its smoke in the first attempt, enemy targets are few.

22. Jackson threatened

As the second attack goes in, the Germans infiltrate back into the orchard and close with the Jackson before it can pull back. The SP gun falls to the close assault.

24. Overview of final assault

Lower right, German infantry attack the disordered command tank of the 740th Tank Regiment but are driven off. The Germans succeed in taking the building sector at the bottom left but are repulsed in the bottom centre sector. A failed close assault on one of the three remaining Shermans (upper left) is driven off as well.

25. German AT gun back in action

The German 75mm, back in action, scores a fourth kill on the Sherman south of the Sanitorium, but the remaining Panzer IV, on again off again, bogs down and is unable to get into close support of the German infantry.

26. Time runs out for the Germans

At the end of the allotted 14 turns, the Germans have gained a slim foothold in the Sanatorium but the Americans still control the majority of the sectors, giving them a Minor Victory. Both the Americans and the Germans are on the brink of collapse, with both sides well over 50% casualties after the Sanatorium slug fest, but the Americans held tight with a series of brilliant maneuver rolls as the German took on the thankless task of busting into the complex. 

Half way through it looked as if it would be a cake walk for the Germans but their phenomenal good luck of the first half (or more accurately a whole lot of American bad luck!) collapsed on the counterattack where a number of miserable maneuver rolls left them stranded outside of the building and pounded by mortar fire.

So a narrow win for Alan on his first foray into the world of WWII Battlefront gaming. I think we will be back at it again.

Alcaniz Take 2

Over the holidays Alan, Dawson and myself played through the Alcañiz scenario Brain North has pulled together with a little help from myself. In the process we discovered a couple of bumps in the road that have now ben tidied up. It is based on the Battle of Alcañiz in Spain, May 23rd, 1809, being the first encounter Suchet had with the Spanish after having assumed his new command.

If you would like to see our first play through, it is posted here. This time we had quite a different result, calling the game after Turn 10 as we had run out of time, but with a resolution quite evident. 

Scenario map showing main lines of attack.

 So, after 14 hours of game over two days...

I was slow in getting some photos for the first few turns, but things went sour for the French early. The battle begins with Laval's attack on the Spanish left, meant to be a pinning attack against Areizaga's troops on the Cerro del Pueyo, hopefully drawing Spanish support from their left and centre before Musnier's attack comes in on the centre. 

As Wathier’s cavalry charged forward in support of Laval the Spanish guns in the centre swivelled, scoring some telling hits and reducing Wathier's tracked fatigue score to just three,  essentially putting his cavalry out of service before the battle had started.

Areizaga throws his Voluntarios de Aragon into the chapel and begins to withdraw his division, largely composed of raw militia, back into the high ground where the cavalry cannot operate.

1. Opening moves

Laval tries to clear out the Spanish light infantry in the chapel as he advances both sides (lower right) while Areizaga withdraws into the rough of the high ground (lower left).

2. Storming of the chapel

Laval is killed in the attack and the 1/3 Vistula badly mauled trying to oust Aragon from the chapel. 

3. Poles driven back

With Laval dead his second in command (we called him Gerrard) takes over. Wathier's cavalry, having fallen back and regrouped, advance out of line of sight of the Spanish guns on Laval's left, along with Laval's and Wathier's guns, but the guns are never unlimbered. Gerrard suspends the attack in order to regroup and awaits new orders from Suchet.

4. Areizaga on the high ground

Areizaga has withdrawn deep into the rough high ground, safe from the Spanish cavalry. Suchet notes this and sends new orders to Gerrard.

5. Musnier arrives

At this point Musnier's division arrives, along with Suchet's personal guard. Masses of French march towards the Spanish centre while Musnier's two squadrons of Hussars protect the flank from the lurking Spanish cavalry.

6. Taking cannon fire

But the Spanish guns savage the advancing lines and columns with telling fire.

 7. Spanish cavalry stuck on far left

Meanwhile, on the far left, Blake sends out a flurry of orders to Ibarrola's cavalry to move to the Spanish left and support Menacha and Roca. But the orders all go astray and Ibarrola sits tight, watching from afar as Blake gnashes his teeth in frustration.

8. Roca shifts to his left

Seeing Musnier's attack bearing down on the Spanish centre Menacha and Roca shift, narrowing the gap between left and centre.

9. French attack shifts to the Spanish left

At the same time Suchet orders Musnier to shift his attack towards the Spanish left, hoping 

to outflank the guns. But Musnier's casualties continue to rise as he now tracks to his right across the front of the enemy guns.

10. Wathier's cavalry redeploy to guard Musnier's right

With the Spanish right out of reach in the high ground, Suchet sends Wathier's cavalry galloping to support Musnier's right against the Spanish horse.

11. Laval's brigade shifts attack to the right of the chapel

Meanwhile new orders have arrived for Laval's brigade, now under the able command of the bright young Gerrard (rolled a 4/+1 for Laval's replacement). Ignoring the skirmish fire from the chapel, the French reform to the chapel's right, still seemingly threatening Areizaga but with new orders to attack the Spanish centre trough the dense woods. Suchet rightly judges that Areizaga is so far back on the Spanish right that Gerrard will have enough time to press his attack on the centre before Areizaga can react. At the same time the French guns are brought up and and the two line batteries are combined under Suchet's direct command.

12. Overview

At the bottom left Areizaga is on the high ground of the Cerro del Pueyo. Centre right Laval's brigade under new command forms up to attack through the woods. Top right Musnier advances against the Spanish centre and left.

13. Areizaga creeps forward

With the French massing on his left Areizaga cautiously pushes his troops forward, awaiting new orders from Blake.

14. Spanish centre shifts back

At the same time, seeing the French attack shift to his left, Blake begins to slowly pull back his centre, his guns hand hauled in between salvos.

15. Roca adjusting his lines as he shifts to his right

16. Spanish cavalry finally released

Finally Ibarrola receives orders to attack the French right and moves his cavalry forward in line.

17. And clash with Musnier's Hussars on French right

As Musnier's right flank battalions form square, the 4 Hussards counter charge. A bloody clash breaks both the Hussards and Santiago. Loss of Santiago is enough to send the remaining Spanish horse in retreat, leaving the French infantry free to push forward their attack!

18. Suchet's guard enter woods

Meanwhile, on the French left Suchet has sent his personal guard into the woods to clear it of some pesky guerillas and support Gerrard's attack on the Spanish centre.

19. Followed up by Gerrard's brigade and supported by guns

The French intent is now made clear as Gerrard's Poles move to follow up Suchet while the 14th form a rearguard against Areizaga.

20. Spanish right stalled

Once again the Spanish ADC's have failed to deliver Blake's new orders and Areizaga stubbornly sits tight and holds the high ground as directed. 

21. French attack through woods

The French attack through the woods begins to take shape. Although the small band of guerillas continues to cause havoc, Blake is slow to order Lazan to push a blocking force into the dense woods and the French are largely unopposed.

22. Right flank overview

Back on the French right Musnier slowly pushes his troops forward. Again Suchet's orders to push home the attack are slow to arrive and the French are unable to capitalize on the dispersal of the Spanish horse (in retreat on the right) as they are harassed by Menacha's light troops (next to horse). At the upper left the French are finally crossing the Spanish ditch, but continuing to take heavy casualties from the enemy guns now back in action from their new, deeper position on Las Horcas.

At the very bottom Wathier's cavalry can be seen galloping to Musnier's right.

23. Spanish centre falls way back

In a surprise move the Spanish guns are limbered up and taken to the back of Las Horcas, while Lazan's troops cover the withdrawal.

24. Breaching the ditch

Finally breaching the ditch Musnier's battered battalions find their allusive enemy still a long way away!

25. Areizaga cautiously advances

Back on the Spanish right Areizaga, seeing all of the French but the 14th Line in rearguard disappearing into the woods, starts to swing forward. But still, no word from Blake!

26. Spanish centre realigned

Blake manages to get the centre realigned in their new positions, anchored by the Spanish guns on the left and with Hernandez' grenadiers extended to the right into the woods.

27. Spanish left prepares for the onslaught

Roca, too, angles his line so that now one of Blake's batteries enfilades the front of his position.

28. Volleys exchanged in Spanish centre

The Poles, in the lead, form line, exchanging some volleys with the Spanish before closing.

29. Musnier charges Spanish left

Musnier sends his battalions into the attack on Roca. One of Menacha's battalions, having formed square, still manages to beat off a French column!

30. Spanish left holds

The French are driven back with two battalions routed. Roca's Valencians are also broken, but with Menacha's and Andrani's brigades still intact the Spanish left holds.

31. Spanish centre attacked

Fabre's brigade (Musnier) also presses home their attack on the Spanish centre, in conjunction with Gerrard. In both cases, the Vistula, Suchet's best troops, are in the vanguard of the attack.

The Poles overrun both Spanish line batteries and rout 3/America, essentially breaking the Spanish centre but...

32. Routing French

The attack results in the breaking of Musnier's division. One battalion of the 115 is utterly destroyed in a frontal attack on Menacha's half battery and two battalions are routed as the others begin to break off. 

33. Spanish right intact

With the Spanish right still intact and finally on the move, Suchet finds himself in an untenable position, with the Spanish still strong on both flanks. 

34. Game end

We called the game at the end of Turn 10. Wathier's cavalry had arrived on the Spanish left but, failing to get new orders, were side-lined and dangerously close to being broken regardless as a result of the hits they took early on.

In the end, Musnier’s division is broken, Wathier’s cavalry almost so, so even with the loss of Valencia 1,2&3 Roca’s Spanish left is solid. In the centre, Lazan’s division is now broken while Laval and Suchet’s brigades are in good shape and posed to take Las Horcas. But Arzeiga is untouched and although not being able to begin a counterattack until Turn 12 and still needing to move through the woods, he poses a major threat to the French (but not within the context of the 14 game turns).

Neither side is completely broken, but the French are more precarious although in control of the centre. We decided to call it a draw, but a strategic defeat for Suchet as he is probably forced to retreat at this point.