AAR 6/10/2012, 113th v 2.SS

SITUATION JUNE 10th, 2012

In combat against the 2.SS "Das Reich" Panzer Division, the 113th met their enemy in a meeting engagement on the map Bridgehead for a realism match consisting of one round.

The objective was the central objective of Husen Junction; the town itself unimportant to the efforts of both sides due to its compact nature and surrounding geography, namely, forested high ground to its North, East and South. The main combat centered around such hilly terrain.

REPORT OF ACTIONS

The general plan going into action was to play reactionary with our armor; keeping both Shermans in reserve on the hill to the South, to cover our rear and right and be prepared to rapidly react to the enemy Panzers as they were spotted. The theory would provide dividends, but was hampered by the blatant misconduct of our Tank 2. Due to the efforts of Tank 1, and the indiscipline of Tank 2, we would be able to destroy one of the enemy Panzers, but unable to gain complete armor dominance.

The Rifle section's tasks were centered around taking or suppressing appropriate high-ground. C6, the nearest high-ground, was approached by 3rd Squad and Sgt. Dreek, tasked with setting up an observation post. En route however, they spotted a small flank hugging the edge of the map, consisting of two enemy squads and one of their Panzer IVs. 3rd promptly came under heavy fire and expertly disengaged. First squad, out on the right flank and prepared to move on the high ground at D4 was similarly disengaged, but not before trading fire with a small enemy outpost that resulted in 1 kill and 1 death. At this point, we were at serious risk of losing the initiative, with the majority of our platoon now stuck around our reserve position. The priority centered around fixing the spotted enemy flank and destroying it. Unfortunately, Platoon HQ became too focused on small-time reconnaissance that precious time was wasted, and 3rd lost a majority of its strength by frittering away men on one-man reconnaissances. This would severely undermine our later combat effectiveness.

Regardless, the enemy flank was spotted, halted and in a defensive posture (a hint that they were aware of the danger they were in) around co-ordinates A4. A plan was quickly drawn up to attack them in their heavily forested area dismounted, to fix with 3rd and move swiftly to their right flank (the high ground at C6) with 2nd to engage and destroy the infantry. Once the supporting infantry were swept away, Pfc. Patton, commanding Tank 1, was to move in and destroy the lone Panzer. This was done basically to plan, with 3rd suffering enough casualties to essentially make it combat ineffective, however, in the process the enemy lost a third of its force. Tank 1, after successfully engaging the first enemy Panzer, swiftly came under fire from a second, and began a lively exchange of fire. Luck however, was on the German's side. The Panzer IV stunningly bounced 2 shots at combat-range, giving it just enough breathing space to finally line up an accurate shot to knock Tank 1 out of-action.

By this time, the Platoon's options had run out. The remnants of 2nd and 3rd, who had performed so magnificently in destroying the enemy flank, were asked to cling on to the high ground at C6 and hold the Panzer's attention. Confident that they were in good defilade, Pfc. Saunders (2nd Squad, acting) held his ground with few losses for the entire time. The axis of the attack shifted right, with 1st and tank 2 to conduct an attack along the river-bank and to the rear of the known Axis position. Incredibly, 1st squad's Half-track had de-spawned during combat, leaving them to conduct a very risky foot-march with the Sherman in the lead. It would be Tank 2s utter lack of common sense however, that would result in 1st squad's destruction, and our defeat. Tank 2, while conducting this flank, would choose poor terrain to traverse, getting itself stuck. Incredibly, and to Platoon HQ's dismay, a crewman would dismount and get himself run over by the stuck tank, revealing our flank to the enemy.

This is a bitter defeat for the 113th, there are few lessons to learn for the Rifle Platoon, who conducted themselves so magnificently throughout the scrim, in essence without armored support. A combination of frittered-away strength, bad luck and sheer stupidity is to blame for our defeat, not bad tactics or any masterful display from the enemy (solid as their performance was). The results of this scrim lead to the immediate transfer of Pfc. Fox (commander of Tank 2) to the Infantry, and a serious re-training program of our Tank Platoon. Platoon HQ wishes to thank Sgt. Dreek, Pfc. Saunders and Cpl. Masterson for their efforts in leading the infantry. Everywhere they met the enemy in an equal fight they came off the better, but without the crucial armored support, their efforts were doomed from the start.


Signed,
2nd Lieutenant Victor Rinaldi
C Troop, 113th Cav Sqdrn, 113th Cavalry Group
XIX Corps