Section Leaders:
Fionn Kelly & Madmatt

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Allied Commander - "Claymore"

Turn 5 AAR

LEFT FLANK - Didn't we go through this last time? Come on the action is in the center.

RIGHT FLANK - This is going to get ugly unless we come to some kind of understanding OK bub?

CENTER - HA HA! My messenger pigeons are returning from the battle lines and they are bringing all sorts of news. Seems like Fionn's has been pulling my chain a little in saying that the ambushers were composed of REGULAR troops, when examination of the dead and wounded reveal them to be members of the ELITE fallinghamstertruppen! Bastards wouldn't even accept any first aid from my medics and they died with "da-furher" on their lips....aah well so be it. Another messenger pigeon brings word that the generic GUN marker on the far wooded hill remains visible. The next turn will enable me to put at least 4 60mm mortar crews on that puppy. I can't remember...are those AT puppy-whatever's available in Feb/45? Signalman! Give those pigeons a handful of seed and send them back to the frontlines...the message for all commanders is to continue their advances. 

After the initial pulse of killing that went all in favour of the ambush team, the kill ratio has been moving steadily in my direction. If it wasn't for the mortars Fionn is dropping on the woods I probably wouldn't be taking any casualties. From the shell craters it appears he is either using TARGET WIDE or doesn't have DIRECT LOS for his spotters. The mortars are annoying and at most are delaying the following infantry in BRAVO company from occupying the woods by this turn. The elements of BRAVO that are inside the mortar fire will not be moved! 

I've got LOS for a 105 and 155 spotter from OBJ INDIAN by turn's end and we all know what that means for whoever is left in the woods. CHARLIE company is making extremely good time through the woods and I must force myself to remain in the SNEAK mode mostly. I lost most of my men in the ambush because Fionn caught them while they still were in MOVE. As expected the HW units lag behind the advance and its time for some of them to take high ground LOS positions for the next assault.

Which leads me to tell y'all what is "The NEXT ASSAULT"

Now my plan my children is to continue CHARLIE company's advance to OBJ JULIET. This position will give me LOS to most of the center and right side of Fionn's lines. Especially those forward slope lines and buildings that are likely strongpoints. 

Although OBJ INDIAN is a strong location, it is really but the stepping stone for my ultimate target OBJ KILO! Capturing and holding OBJ KILO will be the job of BRAVO Company. KILO high ground will allow the hammer of ALPHA company to fall on Fionn's right flank. OBJ INDIAN does allow artillery to support ALPHA's break through the bocage and it's first engagements with Fionn's troops but KILO is ESSENTIAL to rupturing Fionn's defenses.

You will note in the picture the BRINGER OF DEATH (105VT flavour), who is about 30sec from sending the remnants of the ambush team to eternity. The second BRINGER OF DEATH (155VT flavour) is just upslope and already targeting OBJ KILO. This is for two reasons. First, to drive any reinforcements or occupying forces on KILO into oblivion. Second, I enjoy the effect of VT on infantry I just can't help myself. After a salvo from the 155VT (~5 rnds) and at least one 105VT (~10 rnds/salvo) directly on KILO and its approaches BRAVO will advance quickly across the scattered woods to the forest edge. They will then form up and crush whoever remains on top at OBJ KILO. There are two other BRINGERS OF DEATH who will occupy KILO when BRAVO completes its mission.