FT109 Hitler’s Lost Iron After Action Report (AAR) Advanced Squad Leader scenario

Victory Conditions

This is the first of a series of thrilling Motor Gun (Torpedo) Boat scenarios that are part of LFT St Nazaire, reflecting action around the world. The ocean’s at level 0, so a beached MGB, bristling with weapons, poses an exciting situation for garrison units with a taste for adventure. All houses are wooden and ground level only apart from the building at the top left that’s highlighted in orange. These MGBs have 14PP rubber rafts to ferry tourists to shore, but if MGBs are willing to risk going aground in the shallows, they can unload directly onshore.

This was Norway 1943, and the Norwegians were conducting a Commando Raid at Strød Island. As such, their 8 morale was fanatic on Ocean-Hinterland hexes. They win in 6.5 turns if they can successfully exit two DCs toting 338s via the space marked on the top of the map with the British roundels.  There’s a +1 LV and Moderate Mist to help those on the move.  

The Strød Island Garrison, who must have thought they pulled a nice assignment on the island in 1943, were 8 2nd-line half squads with 2 LMGs. Plus they had a pair of 105mm ART guns on the stone pier that the Norwegians already knew about!

After Action Report

I pointed my 105mm guns each to a side.  The +1 LV hindrance and the Moderate Mist will at least a +2 to all shots.  However, if they hit, the Norwegians run the risk of drowning half their OB.  So I didn’t think they would come up the middle where the gun(s) need to make a +3 turn to shoot (a flat shot in reality since the boats were -3 targets).  My weak OB and the the MGB’s awesome firepower convinced most of the German Garrison to stay away from LOS to the waterline.   

I had most of my garrison on the left of the map.  I figured the right of the map wasn’t as easy to get through, plus it was more of an Open Ground for commandos to cross from there to the exit space.  I had both of my LMGs and a 7-0 in the middle of the map as a backstop.  They had a stone wall that shield them from those MGBs but turned out the hindrances from Moderate Mist kept them well protected anyways.  

As I suspected, the pair of MGB crashed into shore right away and offloaded their commandos!  My 105mm fired but missed (LOS blocked and Gun malf’d).  One of the MGBs went aground (loud expletives) with a Gun tagging on Acquisitions, a gunfight ensured.  We got a hit but couldn’t get an effect apart from claiming one HS.  Since the commandos went ashore, the Germans wasted no time running backwards from the shore.  

Whilst the right 105mm and the stuck MGB traded shots, the left MGB went for the stone pier since the Germans couldn’t fix the right 105mm.  At 4 hexes, a torpedo splashed into the water and scored a direct hit on the pier!!  Both guns disappeared in a shower of rocks.  

With half the MPh’s left, the Norwegian on the left made it to the top of the map.  The Germans fought to stay in front of them, with the LV & the Mist helping both sides.  One of the LMGs in the middle thought they would go to the big wooden building to help but quickly realised that the battle would move too fast for that.  One HS and three dummies on the right would keep the other half of the Norwegian OB delayed.  Meanwhile the two MGBs tried to find useful purchases.  The hindrances made it impractical to shoot at that distance.  They were there largely to strip German concealment.  

The ‘VC’ stack on the left, with a leader and two DCs toting 338s, was almost at the end zone! The Germans made a dash for it too, with their LMG’s moving into place. The Norwegians on the right moved freely as well, since it was clear that most of the German garrison were on the left. We had to keep any DC toting 338’s at bay for two MPh!!

The left VC stack was 2 hexes from the exit.  The German garrison crowded up that space.  However in the meantime, the right VC stack arrived at the scene.  

There was a lot of movement and loud bangs, but when the action subsided, the Norwegians were still on board! An attempt on the left was thwarted for now, but the Norwegians were still in the thick of it! The right VC stack got closer to the exit, and things were really heating up! 

The Germans made a valiant effort to stack up their two LMGs, but it was for nought. The Norwegians on the left were stopped, but they got the right VC stack off the board! What an incredible game!