Aachen 1944 – Stolberg Sector Scenario

Having played the first introductory scenario I wanted to find out how the game plays solo. Would it be interesting and tense? How much would the game support solo-play? Would the result be a forgone conclusion with the Germans standing no chance to fend of the mighty US forces?

Planning for the Battle of Aachen

With the preset VPs it is quite obvious that the Americans need to attack with their point of  main effort south of the Aachen Forest. The 3rd Armored Division is to attack on an axis from RAEREN towards KORNELIMÜNSTER. 1st Infantry Division will support this attack by covering the left flank of the 3rd Armored by attacking the enemy in the Westwall positions south-west of AACHEN. 9th will support the attack by advancing towards Vennwegen to cover the right flank of the 3rd Armored.

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CROSSING THE LINE – Aachen 1944

When I got notice of this game I ordered it right away. Why, you ask? Well, first its one of the first wargames from a German publisher. I was curious to learn what design idea the developers might follow. Second Aachen 1944 offers an interesting subject seldom treated in wargames. The only other campaign game that I know of addressing the Stolberg Sector comes with the Command Decision miniature rules. Last and by no means least I live in Aachen.

OZEREKYA BREAKOUT TM-3

The Marine Brigade is somewhat short of its objectives. Over night an additional Naval Infantry Company and one depleted Machine Gun Company move from the landing site to reinforce the attack. The scene is TM-3 set in the morning of February 5 1943.

The Soviets call up 3rd Naval Rifle and 1st Machine Gun Campanies, prepare a 130mm Naval OBA preplanned fire mission, dedicate a 100mm Naval OBA, call in Combat Air Patrol and Close Air Support, increase their Sniper density, and dig some entrechments.

OZEREKYA BREAKOUT TM-2

With fresh Naval Infantry Companies moving up from the landing site the Marine Brigade will now renew its attack towards GLEBOVKA. This brings us to TM-2 set in the afternoon of February 4 1943.

The Mission

Soviet 255th Marine Brigade is to clear the road along the Ozerekya Valley as far as the southern outskirts of GLEBOVKA as a prerequesite to the actual Assault of the town itself..

OZEREKYA BREAKOUT TM-1

Having done all pre-game dispositions I can now start the Tactical Mission 1 proper. TM-1 is the starting scenario set on the late morning of February 4 1943. At dawn the Soviet Naval Forces have landed under enemy fire and have now advanced north and reached the town of ABRAU DYURSO in the south-west part of the map.

The Mission

Soviet 255th Marine Brigade is to advance and to take the wooded area north of ABRAU DYURSO as a prerequesite to further advance towards GLEBOVKA.

OZEREKYA BREAKOUT – Soviet Dispositions

This is the first of 8 Tactical Missions to be fought over the excellent Ozerekya Breakout map sheet. The map shows the area south of the Black Sea town of GLEBOVKA towards the Soviet naval landing site in the western Caucasus. In game terms this area is 39 hexes deep and 33 hexes across or roughly some 2 square kilometres. The terrain is mostly a valley confined by hilly terrain on the western and eastern edge. Movement and LOS is restricted by ample woods and vineyards.

The time is February 4th 1943, 06:00 hours. The Soviet Naval Landing Forces have landed 1.427 men and 12 light tanks under heavy enemy fire. Now the Soviet 255th Marine Brigade is to move north along the Ozerikya valley and seize GLEBOVKA.

OZEREKYA BREAKOUT HASL

With the latest addition to my ASL game arsenal, namely the ARMIES OF OBLIVION, I am keen to use those Axis Minors. As I already own the OZEREKYA BREAKOUT pack published by Lone Canuck, I found it obvious to finally give this HASL a try. This campaign is about the landing of Sovjet Naval Forces in February 1943 west of NOVOROSSIYSK to cut of the German First Panzer Army on the Caucasus. Here we will find Russians fighting mostly Romanians and some Germans.