[crewman]

Steiner and I restarted our Grand Campaign with new settings ... 15 mins and Morale "off".
Previous results from first 7 battles (with 20 mins and Morale "on") can be seen here:

http://www.closecombatseries.net/CCS/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11191
 
We have agreed to use the following house rule:
Under certain conditions a defender will not cause disbandment of enemy BG by control of all Victory Locations:
1. Attacking BG entering map has only one VL
2. Is first battle since attacking BG entered map

With this rule, a defender is not allowed to cause disbandment of an attacking BG by taking control of all VL's, but can cause disbandment by destroying all enemy units.
This allows the attacking BG to retreat next turn, if the entry location and/or opposing BG are deemed too difficult to sustain an attack and may result in disbandment
But if the attacking BG remains on the same map for a second battle ... then the defending BG is allowed force disbandment by taking all VL's


Some edits made in 7.3 were specifically done for the purpose of getting Allies off the beaches more quickly. it's my belief that this will resemble history better and make it more interesting and increase dynamic strategic possibilities.
Unfortunately, when playing with Morale "on" ... the Allies still fail to gain as many inland VL's off the beaches as I expected.
But, as you can see below ... with Morale "off" the Allies have more success.
There are still enough German units in beach BG's to stall the Allied advance off the beaches ... especially when tanks are tracked, immobilized, or knocked out by ATG's

below is a brief description of each battle:

1. Merville  June 6, 00:20 turn 0: 5 teams were moved up right side of map to clear this flank and setup attack positions. An enemy team or two was engaged at top hedgerow and destroyed. 2 mortars then began smoke into field Allied side of two buildings in front of bunkers. Several teams were already exchanging fire with German MG and rifles in those two buildings from Allied teams in buildings at bottom right.
Once smoke was placed ... a three pronged attack launched from the top and middle of hedgerow and buildings area. MG was knocked out, but was a costly attack and taking fire from many directions.
Next bunkers and VL's were captured, but few teams were left to finish the attack on the top right VL houses and time ran out.

2. Pegasus  June 6, 00:20 turn 0: 2 mortars placed smoke in front of bridge and house. Several teams directed fire at gun pit to suppress 5cm gun while a few more teams rushed the gun and knocked it out. At the same time 5 or 6 teams ran across woods and road into central field VL location and destroyed German team/teams behind aircraft. The remaining VL's were captured using suppression fire and assaults. Steiner reported 50% of his units ran out of ammo.

3. Gold  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: Teams moved forward off beach towards hedge and received fire from MG pit. Two teams and tank fire destroyed this unit while Crab tanks detonated mines on the road. One Crab moved into position in hedge at top of hedgerow and exchanged fire with 2 5cm guns in far bunkers.
2 mortars placed smoke between house and hedge which signaled the advance of a Crab and Churchill Flame up the road towards the house while simultaneously 6 inf teams rushed the bottom section of map. German MG's and 5 cm Guns did a lot of damage along with inf teams and sniper fire. Artillery barrage was sent to closest 5 cm Gun as a Crab moved to take left most VL.
A Crab further back was knocked out by 5 cm Gun. Second inland VL was captured but German units remain for next battle.

4. Juno  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: Steiner had units set up in various crossfire directions pinning down the infantry attack even with the help of 2 mortar's smoke. Allied infantry was densely spaced to avoid mines which caused losses from mortar fire. One Allied tank was tracked on beach, one immobilized by infantry while close support house attack, one knocked out by hidden 5cm Gun.
Without tank support the attack stalled and Allies failed to capture inland VL.

5. Courseulles  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: Churchill support tank knocked out immediately from 5 cm Gun of left bunker near beach. Two DD's and infantry crossed bridges and captured two inland VL's. One DD was immobilized by German infantry in close house fighting. German teams still need cleared out next battle.

6. Sword  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: 2 mortars put down smoke while tanks and infantry advanced. All three tanks were tracked on seawall while under move orders. Battle stalled, and Allied infantry took big losses from 5 cm Gun and MG fire.

7. Ouistreham  June 6, 07:00 turn 1:  Allied infantry teams advanced across a route directly to capture inland VL. Close support tank was knocked out by 5 cm in bunker at corner where only road access to VL opens to bunker field. DD Sherman took position beside this knocked out tank while infantry approached hedge near VL. Tank knocked out Gun and infantry capture VL. Still pockets of German MG's and teams to clear next battle

Stratmap image shows postion of BG's after 7 battles and German BG's arrival to Stratmap positions ... and will be used to predict their arrival to the front. Adjustments will be made to their positions as BG's are engaged.

Steiner kindly reminded me I forgot to move AB BG's that captured VL's inland, and offered to redo the move turn. I was thankful and moved to Ranville, but hesitated to move from Merville to Bavent. I got disbanded there from him in a previous Campaign and don't like the extremely small entry VL and surrounding buildings for enemy to fire from. Perhaps a wasted opportunity, but now I'll clear Merville and consider options.

[crewman]

8. Merville  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: Two or Three Germans teams cleared from top right group of building. note: decided to stay of this map and take control of all VL's ... which allows supply through this map attack route, in case supply through Ranville is broken or not established. Doing this gave up opportunity to attack Bavent against only Static troops.

9. Ranville  June 6, 07:00 turn 1: Allies facing another German Static BG. Entry VL was small but some cover. Five teams captured two central VL's meeting resistance from a couple of German teams. Three teams moved towards large manor type building and came under fire from inside the building and from a half track in front road area. Simultaneously, scouting along river bank found enemy fire at both ends of hedgerow ... but important enemy side hedges were captured at left side for staging next battle. At one point the manor VL was captured, but German troops moving in from left hedges and half track and MG fire was too much, Germans regained that VL.

10. Le Hamel  June 6, 07:00 turn 1:  Two mortars put smoke in front of main bunker, which was where 5 cm Gun was located. Two Crab tanks moved inland directly while a DD fired at bunker. Artillery hit bunker, but 5 cm Gun survived and knocked out beach DD. Two infantry teams followed Crab tanks as other teams moved into closet trenches.  A Crab tank cleared a sniper in hedge and took inland VL. Both Crab tanks now moved to support beach infantry from above, but 5 cm knocked one out. Crab that remained went on to capture other inland VL, and infantry on beach was pinned in trenches with little further progress.

[stiener]

Nice AAR David.....cant wait for my Panzers  :D

PANZERS MARCHE!!!

[crewman]

Strat moves June 6, 15:00:
note: German positions further back are just speculation on my part, based on BG arrival locations and my prediction of where they are being moved each turn. I'll correct these positions when contact is made.

Of interest is situation of KG Meyer at Creully. For version 7.3, three German BG's were moved back one map in order to better represent the historical situation around Bayeaux. As you can see KG Meyer faces an important battle and decision of what to do next move turn. Meyer can stay at Creully and try to hold the line, or move backwards into Bayeaux to engage the 231st for a meeting engagement, or move into Thaon, absorb the Static units there and hold the line at that map.
Either way, Meyer is tasked with holding the line at some point ... until other German BG's arrive.

From what I've read ... KG Meyer was a reinforcement Battle Group and situated on the far side of Bayeaux in relation to the beaches. Meyer received orders to move towards Omaha beach as landings began there. While on route, Meyer received new orders to return to Bayeaux area and engage British landings in the area of Creully.
I battalion, ten StuG's, three ATG's, and 6 IG's moved back towards Cruellly while II battalion and 14 Marders continued to Coleville at Omaha.
A radio log record confirms this and an Allied report states seeing StuG's near the area of Cruelly.
Meyer's infantry had marched with little or no rest/food for a long time and Allied air strikes were hitting German movements along roadways.
It's said that the Meyer Battle Group was completely destroyed during evening/night of June 6th and Meyer killed.

[crewman]

11. Port Bessin  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Only five or six German units here ... should have been easy to clear map. Scouting found sniper and infantry team in two structures at bottom right area, while 2 tanks and infantry moved for primary objective ... inland VL. Flame Croc moved too close to building where sniper/infantry was located and got immobilized by some type of AT weapon. Two more infantry teams were diverted to this area and smoke put down. But steep slope and constant enemy fire stalled assault and caused losses.
Similarly, infantry was slowed on approach to VL, but tank rolled in to capture it. Time ran out before area could be cleared.

12. Gold  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Movement off beaches by the first Allied BG, puts new arriving BG back on the beaches ... but with captured ground turning neutral. A persistent enemy held off for a while, but was outnumbered.

13. Juno June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Back on the beach but access to some previously captured ground. Advances to center building without enemy fire. Three infantry teams sneaking in cabbage field took fire as they neared the inland VL. MG fire from top house and beach trench began. Vickers put into action against beach MG as well as a rifle team, and 5 cm Gun spotted firing in top most hedge. Artillery knocked out Gun, and three tanks supported infantry into inland VL and top house. One Sherman knocked out by infantry AT. Extremely difficult to destroy enemy units in hedges, and required close assaults to get it done.

14. Cour  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Again back on beach and BG arriving used five armored cars to help infantry recapture VL and destroy enemy positions.

15. Sword  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Started at beach but had access for a tank on ramp off beach. Several infantry placed beach side of upper buildings. Smoke put down and two Shermans (no Crabs available) and infantry retook houses at bottom area. One Sherman got tracked on seawall. Upper building were captured and then all infantry teams as well as a Vickers sent to taller buildings and all fired at 5 cm Gun at top left VL and MG at lower VL.
Once Gun was suppressed, two Shermans exchanged fire until after five or six shots ... the Gun was knocked out.
Time was running out, so tanks began route across field with mines four deep. But without Crab tanks, the Shermans had to try a route along creek and minefield ... which was successfully carried out using way points.
Sherman arrived at top VL with less than minute and half left for time, but MG at lower MG survived.

16. Ouistreham June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Had to recapture ground and root out MG's and infantry in tough bunkers. Finally made it to inland VL after clearing all but one VL. Twenty more seconds was needed for an Allied infantry team to capture last VL.
Steiner reported that 2 soldiers survive in bunker near VL.

[stiener]

my 2 cents.......
IMO its now a easier for the allies to get off the beaches, but not overly easy. the germans can still put up a good fight and stall the allies in some places. just having the germans stay on the map for a second battle messes up the allies ability to move off 2 BG's inland...they are only able to move the primary BG inland in those cases.

in the original ver. 6.0 it was easy for the Germans to delay the allies on some beaches up to 2 to 3 turns.

but as David says... the minor changes he has made to the static bg's, appear to have the desired affect, and more historically accurate.

the affectiveness of the german 50 mm a/t gun that the german static BG's have is a mixed bag. in some cases it can be very deadly, so reducing the numbers of these by 1 gun on some beachs and taking the 88 flaks out of port e besson as david has done is a good move IMO.

not sure how im going to handle Bayeux as david mentions. this is the 1st time ...obviously ....that the germans are faced with this dilemma. the allies are potentially going to be able to march into Bayeux this following turn...out of supply but still able to march in.
the german has to decide where he is going to try and make his defensive line and how important bayuex is to that line. if meyer pulls back into Bayeux with his now limited resources, he leaves a hole in the line at Cruelly and Thoan that could take up to 3 turns for the germans to get a BG to, to plug the hole. altho Thoan still has a static BG in it and if Meyer pulls back to it, he is good shape to hold for awhile?  
allot will depend on how the rest of the german static BG's do in the next battles, and if ive made a statigic blunder in the moving of my reinforcements.  

bayuex its self as a map is a bit of a conundrum. because it is a strategic hup with 7 entry and exit roads, it becomes a map that is hard to keep the enemy off. more on this map later........

so far im enjoying this GC with my intrepid tea drinking canuck opponent   and so far I think it is more historically accurate.

PANZERS MARCHE !

Oberst Steiner

[crewman]

17. Creully  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Allies enter Creully at bottom right. Two tanks tracked immediately even before being moved. Tanks were placed to close to hedgerows and bushes around house, due to small area to deploy them. Also keep in mind there is possible problem of being trapped in fields because some gateways are too small for vehicles to pass through. A disappointing start but plans revised and attack continues.

Battle plan was to scout top field to access enemy strength, and attempt to capture Bayeaux VL (at central top of map) if resistance was weak to medium. But if too strong, then regroup and push left for Thaon VL.

Closest two upper fields were easy to clear. Made contact with enemy teams when moving through group of three buildings, but captured and then taking fire from building and hedge across road. StuG spotted further down the road to left waiting for anything to emerge. Flame tank moved along top dirt road to help support infantry, but was knocked out by 7.5 cm ATG in hedge across from intersection. Large infantry assault began route across road at top right VL into field. Two teams worked there way down hedgerow and knocked out 7.5 Gun and the rest broke through to VL in two waves. Suspected enemy could have held VL here, but perhaps had other units protecting Thaon VL. Important battle that keeps KG Meyer from moving into Bayeaux and allows supply to flow through.

18. Basly  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Objective was to capture Hemanville VL if possible. Entered map at top right VL and moved three tanks in center grass/buildings area to support infantry. Collective fire pushed enemy team out of church, and then infantry moved into top field in three groups towards top VL. Two tanks crossed into same field in support. Enemy fire from several locations and tough fighting, but attack progressed well as VL captured. Infantry tasked with keeping momentum to capture top left field areas and attempt Hermanville VL. Attack stalled as enemy moved in to support a defense of this area. Allied tank brought around crossroads to support attack from behind, but knocked out by 88 ATG. VL captured at one point as time ran down, but was lost. Two other tanks knocked out by crossfire from two 88's protecting road to VL.
Costly battle for Allies but ground captured to help set up next battle here.

19. Benouville  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Allies start cautious attack from bottom left VL, but find little resistance ... so move fast to find contact points. Primary objective is Supply VL into Pegasus, and that's where enemy held ground and fighting intensified. Two other patrols sent to find enemy strength in areas top right and center fields.
As soon as, Pegasus VL was captured ... units were sent to gain as much ground as possible. An Allied tank knocked out at top road from a Marder in ambush defending inland VL's across field.

[crewman]

German Static BG's have less units but are still tough and require hard fighting to gain ground. In my opinion, having Morale "off" has been essential for Allies to keep momentum ... before full roster German mobile BG's arrive to the front lines.

[stiener]

you didn't post the AB fights at ranville and bavent bro.

[crewman]

hi Steiner, didn't forget ... just posting as time permits :)

20. Bavent  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Entry deployment at bottom right was small, and up against a full BG with SPG capabilities. A 6 pdr placed in hedge to cover bottom road along with cmd team and infantry. 6 pdr and 75 mm with infantry placed in small hedge in front of tall wall and facing up road towards top of map. Three infantry teams sent into field moving up towards hedge and buildings and met with intense fire when nearing hedge. Teams pulled back to middle of field. Germans began first series of attacks to knock Para off this map. Germans infantry poured over hedge from buildings area and Allied guns targeted German infantry crossing road into same field with small smoke cover. More Allied infantry moved up to center of field combining efforts with first three teams. Para held center of field after furious battle raged, and then German infantry pulled back to houses. At same time a 10.5 cm SPG hammered the hedges from the courtyard through the entryway, but had limited line of sight. A couple of attempts by infantry coming over the wall to take the Allied pair of Guns outside the gateway were repelled, but at high cost. One Gun eventually knocked out by a SPG. A 5 cm half track shot up the area also from the vertical road leading towards top of map. Para will have hard time maintaining ground here and will have to decide whether to stay or pull back off this map next move turn.

21. Ranville  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: A second Para BG landed on this map, but deployed in same ground as gained by initial AB BG. I realized later that the initial AB was on top in the Strat map and therefore the in coming BG deployed in this manner. If I had put the incoming BG on top (in service) ... then it would probably be dropped in a random location somewhere on map.

A 6 pdr placed in hedge at top left aimed at inland VL. A 17 pdr put in hedge to right of manor aimed at end of buildings to right of same VL. Three infantry teams moved into manor as battle began and received fire from buildings and hedge across field close to inland VL. Mortar, ATG's, and infantry sent fire back and slowed returning fire from German teams as they moved back. Simultaneously, two groups of infantry teams on different routes moved to capture VL at top right of map. Steiner usually places teams in pockets around the map, making it difficult and time consuming to capture VL's ... and usually requires and assault by at least two teams to destroy enemy units. Top right VL was captured by one group as the other group moved fast across the open field towards right side middle VL's and took fire from far left buildings.
Smoke laid down in front of left VL. and five infantry teams rushed to VL. VL captured but teams kept on road side of hedge which got the attention of a MG half track. As half track neared the hedge ... the Allied ATG knocked it out, and infantry moved through hedge and attempted to enter buildings under heavy enemy fire. At far right, both infantry groups worked together to root out pockets of infantry. Tough fights and hard to clear map.

22. Hamel  June 6, 15:00 turn 2: Entering again from beach and lost an Achilles soon after battle began. Two armored cars and infantry moved to clear bunkers and trenches under cover of mortar smoke. Tough fighting and superior Allied numbers cleared the beach and eventually all other VL's were captured but against determined resistance.

June 7, 07:00 Strat moves next.

[crewman]

June 7, 07:00 Strat moves:
Of interest ... KG Meyer moved out of Creully and most likely forming part of a German defense line at Thaon. Two Allied BG's arrive uncontested at Bayeux and other Allied BG's move inland off beaches. KG Oppeln arrived at Benouville.
Magny and Ouistreham remain German territory by Static BG's and require future arriving Allied BG's to move through and clear.

[crewman]

23. Port Bessin  June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Several German infantry teams cleared from this map.

24. Sword  June 7, 07:00 turn 3: German MG team cleared, but Sherman knocked out in mine field ... probably due to lack of more precise waypoints.

25. Tailleville  June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Allied primary objective was VL to Thaon. Several infantry teams sent to lower area of map and Sherman provided cover as infantry moved towards central map.
Two M10's drove up road and around central buildings with infantry at their right side in fields and buildings. Pockets of enemy MG and small weapons fire dealt with until arriving at hedges near Thaon VL. A short delay while infantry formed into two assault groups. VL was taken with heavy fighting and German ATG knocked out in location close to left side bottom VL, which was better positioned to ambush lower road. Time ran out as tanks and infantry pressed into next VL, but German's held.

[crewman]

26. Basly  June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Objective Hermanville VL (left side of map). Positioned lots of infantry teams in hedges and buildings in top left of map ... a Sherman behind cover and midway at back of street buildings. Battle started with few contact points of enemy fire. Moved infantry across a horizontal line towards VL, and found enemy positions as well as shell fire from an 88 hitting a rifle team in building at side of VL road.
During this time, three infantry teams and a tank tested enemy strength towards bottom right of map, and cleared a couple of resistance pockets along way. They pushed through and a Piat Group snuck in field to attack one of two 88's from behind, paired with another team moving to hedge in front and side of same ATG. Mortar fire had suppressed and taken out some crew of other 88, and now this one turned in direction of crawling Piat team.

At this time, all infantry top side of VL were sent in to take position and met several or more teams in close fighting. Flag turned neutral for a couple of minutes until Allies finally took control and destroyed most enemy there. Fire from two directions and a Sherman closing, allowed the Piat team to overrun the remaining 88.

27. Bieville  June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Allies enter at right middle VL and determined the priority objective (VL at opposite side) would be very difficult and too costly to capture in one battle ... and knowing powerful German BG's are soon to arrive in this area. Therefore the goal was to establish a line across the map to prevent exposed flanks in later battles and if possible, push towards ground at bottom left of map.

Movement down road into village crossroads found enemy fire from multiple locations, and these teams moved behind back of buildings for cover. A left sweep across top of map with a tank and a few teams was slowed by enemy MG and small arms fire. But combined action of fire and cover with infantry and tank captured some ground and established the top section of line.
Five or six infantry teams (in two groups) moved down the right side with support of two M10's. Manor buildings cleared of two or three German infantry teams, and then three Allied teams sent running across field to left hedges. Steiner spotted this and sent available German units from central village locations to set up and fire into field. One M10 sent across to building/VL across field. On arrival, it was immobilized by infantry inside of building and Allied infantry was pinned in center of field and couldn't provide back up. An artillery barrage was directed at buildings where fire into field was coming from, and Steiner later reported three teams destroyed from shelling. M10 exchanged fire for short time, but eventually bailed.

28. Benouville June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Was not expecting KG Oppeln to arrive here, and previous battle left German deployment surrounding much of the Allies supply VL. A poor choice of strategy on my part last battle here.
Allies BG arrived in with few little extra points and faced a possible five or more Pz IV's with two Shermans, and a 17 pdr ATG.
Allies decided to pull back and defend bottom right supply VL. Battle started with German fire power shelling and directing MG fire at possible ambush locations on route towards Pegasus. An Allied rifle team sent on patrol to find enemy presence in top right area, but found none and took that area VL ... then set up in hedge covering center field. A Sherman moved from an ambush position further back to join them.
Realizing the German attack was pointed in direction of Pegasus ... units were brought forward, but still behind cover. An intense short battle of opposing infantry, two or three Pz IV's and a Sherman finished remaining time. Germans capture Pegasus and cut supply to AB on other side of bridge.

29. Bavent June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Allies placed four 6 pdr's to help keep back the determined tough German BG.
Intense German assaults one after another throughout the entire battle. AB units were able to keep from being overrun, but costly for both sides.

[stiener]

things are going to start heating up for the intrepid tea drinking allies soon. the one sided beach battles are all but over.....now the hedge rows are mine  
Hitler has ordered the Panzers to push them back into the sea!

PANZERS MARCHE!

[crewman]

30. Ranville June 7, 07:00 turn 3: Last of "turn 3" battles, KG Luck arrives at Ranville with armor. Airborne have difficult choices to make, since German's have deployment deep into right side of map as well as buildings close to Allied supply VL at top left and large open fields between the two areas. Airborne have to keep supply VL protected as priority one, but decide at what proportion to defend previously gained ground at right side of map.

Battle started with German infantry moving through woods and buildings towards right side VL's, and soon a Pz IV seen approaching from bottom right road area. German infantry was held back by Co. Cmd, Bren, and Vickers positioned in two buildings, while a second attack emerged towards church from bottom area. More German infantry showed their presence and the Pz IV began ripping up buildings as it rolled forward.
Unfortunately the Airborne units here were separated from help from other units, but an artillery strike was called in to help their worsening situation. Artillery knocked out a Pz IV and destroyed some infantry, but was unable to hold back the attack, which saw another Pz IV and 10.5 cm SPG. An Allied 75 mm howitzer in woods behind church, and rifle team in church, anchored the last defense position ... but the 75 was knocked out as the entire area was overwhelmed ... resulting in loss of all AB units there. The 10.5 cm SPG was destroyed as it approached to cross the field by a 6 pdr ambushing from further back.

[crewman]

June 7, 15:00 Strat moves:
Allied Command received intelligence report of potential mole leaking information to enemy ... therefore, Strat reports will contain only information about Allied front line BG's as well as predicted locations of German movements behind front lines. Full Allied BG info will be available for each turn ... after several turns have past, and information deemed no longer useful to German strategic planners.      

[crewman]

31. Ouistreham June 7, 15:00 turn 4: Since only two German soldiers survive here ... Steiner suggested placing them near and ending battle quickly, since stalling Allied BG's had already been accomplished by this static BG and no need to waste time. Allies agreed and clear map.

32. Tailleville June 7, 15:00 turn 4: Similar situation here as above mentioned, with exception of more German strength ... 5 infantry teams. Steiner suggested a pre-staged area of battle at Hermanville VL. Allies agreed, and remaining German teams put in tough fight. Of note, three soldiers ran out of building throwing grenades at tank. Sherman reversed to get distance from attackers, but was immobilized.

[pvt_Grunt]

[crewman]

Thanks pvt_Grunt ...

33. Bieville June 7, 15:00 turn 4: Allies had a bit of a point issue this turn, cause was only able to get a Sherman and two 6 pdr's, and had to have one less active roster slot to acquire that. Need to be aware of points getting low from previous battle and if there were big losses to account for. And also swap front line BG's if map has stacked BG's.

Allies are up against a powerful Armor Pz IV BG here ... so with a shallow roster for this battle, Allies form a tight defense near top right corner of map and central crossroads area. One 6 pdr placed in hedge to cover bottom field with rifle and cmd teams. Second 6 pdr sighting down to the crossroads and also able to traverse right and cover top field. Sherman roaming to secure any breakthrough while infantry out of direct fire lines, but close behind.
Battle started with Germans coming from top left, but a cautious attack. Allies stayed patient and gave up some ground, but fought back enough keep any major break in lines. Sherman shot up enemy infantry from crossroads area, but not going into sight of Pz IV coming down top road. Sherman's presence was enough to hold Pz IV's movement, so Sherman moved to top field where German infantry were pushing through. Central buildings had infantry exchanging fire from buildings, while Sherman shot at some hedges near top and then moved down into center field cabbages to shoot at infantry in buildings on other side of hedge. Ambushing German Pz IV had line of sight through pathway in hedge and Sherman destroyed with less than two mins remaining. Allies will swap BG's next battle here and rebuild points for this BG.  

34. BenouvilleJune 7, 15:00 turn 4: Allies load up with a combo of five tanks ... Shermans, FF, M10 17 pdr. Two tanks  at top right of central field wait for infantry to recon left couple of hedges and a Vickers in center house covering left into field. Field is clear, far diagonal house has MG. Infantry find Pz IV in next field and Piat Group brought up to prepare a shot, at same time two tanks move in to approach hedge for simultaneous shots. Several shots exchanged as Allied tanks find line of sight through hedge. Pz IV goes up in smoke before Piat is ready to fire. MG in German top corner VL hold out against two infantry teams assaulting, when another Pz IV pushes into next left hedge and is knocked out by same pair of Allied tanks, then making their way to top of vertical road running down to Pegasus VL.
A Pz IV is waiting at T section of road and guns blaze, but only one Allied tank can get line of sight. Pz IV knocks out M10 while Sherman tries for position.
Time is running out, so three tanks and infantry in hedge area near Pegasus VL make a push to capture. These tanks and infantry had stopped at couple of German infantry probes into hedges. Mortar smoke sent in and an Artillery barrage unloaded at area near VL. Tanks cross by an opening in hedges and took fire form waiting Pz IV and ATG half track. Two Allied tanks swung their turrets and fired, but FF was destroyed. Two tanks able to round building to find a waiting Pz IV. Sherman got hit, but time ran out.
Two Pz IV's destroyed, two damaged and three Allied tanks destroyed ... maybe one of those just damaged.

[crewman]

35. Thaon June 7, 15:00 turn 4: Allies enter map at right side center VL and engage KG Meyer. Allies deploy four M-10's and large group of infantry between two tree lines. Enemy infantry pushed back out of houses directly ahead. Two M-10's move in close to buildings as infantry get into first buildings and take fire from across the road and houses further up the map.
A fifth M-10 and infantry guard the rear flank behind hedge is hay field ... it gets MG fire from across field building, but returns fire and does some damage to their crew as they pull back.

Infantry gets stalled near center road from German MG's and infantry and gets some shelter behind buildings. An M-10 hooks around bottom of buildings to help support but gets knocked out quickly by ATG in hedge across road.
Two infantry teams move backwards through tree line, get some cover from buildings and rush towards corner building VL ... but some are taken out by MG fire slicing through spaces between houses.
A StuG seen across the road to left another StuG up the road towards top of map. Time running down, so Allies set up a final attack. An M-10 loops around from back of tree line and moves left towards center crossroads. M-10 in hay field move up map with a rifle team. Infantry move back into buildings near tree lines and two M-10's move into gap between groups of building to engage StuG. Multiple shots exchanged, but M-10's knock out StuG and move into road and face second StuG ... several shots fire but time runs out.

36. Hermanville June 7, 15:00 turn 4: Allies have reasonably good VL cover to start battle, but are up against more tough armor and infantry with AT capabilities and lots of MG's.
A patrol sent down bottom of hedges from right to left, receives fire from waiting Pz IV. A Piat group sent to sneak into position. Several infantry teams sent sneaking into cabbage field, while other infantry test strength in buildings left of Allied VL ... finds fire from several directions and pulls back.
M-10 moves left across center road to suppress enemy infantry in buildings further up road. M-10 goes up in smoke, taking shell from 88 in hedge across cabbage field. Mortar sends shells and immobilizes Gun after many rounds, Sherman finishes it off from position in center hedge. Piat Group get close to Pz IV undetected while infantry crawling in field are spotted when half way across and take fire. This signals tanks to break cover and move towards bottom road and go for VL. Piat sets up, fires, and knocks out Pz IV. Artillery barrage called in to soften target area ...unfortunately, two Allied tanks get tracked moving out from their cover, but two tanks turn the corner in direction of VL. One of them gets tracked while side facing enemy 88 (in hedge in front of VL) and is destroyed. 88 gets hits but still fires. Time runs out.