Flames of War - French versus Rommel!

I've been collecting the Battlefront French since they were released but sadly the number of Early War games I have played with them can still be counted on one hand. This battle would be #5!

This weekend my 17 yr. old Son Jake and I busted out the Flames of War board and got in a game of Early War!

My Son took his Panzer Company, with only 4 platoons. However his force was lead by Rommel himself! granting any Platoon Rommel joins with 3+ Motivation and a re-roll on Stormtrooper! This would cause me no end of trouble.

HQ: 2 x PZ 38(t)
5 x PZ 38(t)
4 x PZ IIC
Kradschutzen Platoon (Motor Bikes)
88 Luft Anti Tank platoon

I took a French Recon Company with

HQ: 1 Hotchkiss H35
5 x Panhards (Armored Cars)
3 x Hotchkiss (short barrel)
3 x Hotchkiss (short barrel)
4 x Somau S-35
4 x Laffly  47mm AT Trucks
1 x Infantry Platoon
4 x 105mm Arty Battery

We rolled Free for All as the mission. I used the French special Rule to deploy the objective 4" closer to my side.

here's the table...

Setup:   Jake deployed his Motorbikes on foot, surrendering the initiative and deciding to dig them in on one of his objectives. They would be backed up by the Panzer II (c) platoon.   On my right flank he would protect that objective with his Panzer 38(t)s.  His 88s were placed in the middle to over-watch both objectives.

I placed a Hotchkiss Platoon and an Infantry platoon on my Left Objective.

Left Deployment zone - Hotchkiss's have re-conned forward

I placed the Panhards on the road so they could drive up the middle.

On my right I stacked everything else, Somua's, Hotchkiss, Laffly Trucks all raring to go.

On the right - Hotchkiss recon forward!

Opening Moves...  Recon moves make me pretty mobile. The most exciting thing in the first turn is the Panhards racing up the road and machine gun one of the 88s before it can dig in.

I went on the offensive early, moving all my armor up on the right flank. I liked my odds against the Panzer 38(t) swarm.

Viva la France!!! Moving out!

The Germans counter...

Sneaky Germans use Stormtrooper to deny French shooting

French tanks move into position.

It was a cat and mouse game on the right flank, with the Panzers doing their best to stay hidden. Rommel's stormtrooper re-roll was essential, meaning he gave the French very few shots in return.

The Laffly trucks, ( one of the few french units that can move and shoot!) takes on the Panzers!!!

Laffly trucks right before being gunned down.

But the attack is a failure, Panzers are bailed but the crews bounce right back in. Rommel giving them a 3+ Motivation!

In the middle the Panhards trade shots unsuccessfully with the Panzer IIc... I can't make a firepower to save my life, but then neither can the Germans!

Bail tokens for everyone!!!

Back on the left side, the Hotchkisses move out, are forced to Reorganize, and move back in.. .again bails all around but very few tanks are destroyed.

The Germans launch a risky assault to chase away the Hotchkiss tanks...

And it goes poorly.

Two turns sees the Infantry wiped out. The way to the objective looks open! This would be deceptive, as the Hotchkiss tanks would spar with the Panzer IIs for the rest of the battle.

Charge forward!

On the Right I have to push the issue. I pull up to the hedges, hoping that the Germans will whiff their shots and then can't stormtrooper too far away!

German fire is heavy but crucially the 88 misses with all three shots! thank you Mr. Hedges. I manage to kill several 38(t)s and hose down the last 88 with MG fire.

Finally getting some 38(t)s into the gunsites

Sneaky Germans re-deploys with Stormtrooper

I'm not having enough luck hunting the Germans in the hedges and need to force the issue. I'm losing tanks at an alarming rate. I push my remaining tanks onto the objective!  He will have to expose his armor to contest!

Swirling armor battle... man those 38(t)s are fast.

HA! now I am killing 38(t)s but I'm also losing tanks at an alarming rate. After 4-5 turns of trading shots I'm down to a single Somau and the Company HQ Hotchkiss... Jake is down to the Platoon Commander 38(t) and Rommel...

 In my last turn I manage to kill the last 38(t), Rommel hops into his tank... Yeah! the Germans have no way to contest

  [Note: upon further investigating we learned that Jake did NOT have to have Rommel take over the other tank He could have sacrificed Rommel to keep his one remaining platoon Commander contesting]

On the German players turn the Panzer IIc Platoon proves to be the key to German Victory. They bail the remaining Hotchkiss tank on the left flank, causing a morale check which I fail, which puts me below half of my starting platoons and I fail Company morale!  curses!!!

The Germans win a very close, and fun, game 4-3...

Lessons learned:

I learned I hate Rommel. His special rules are awesome and save the Germans on several turns. Re-rolling Stormtrooper is huge!

It wasn't until I parked on the Objective and MADE him come to me that I had a chance.  My Artillery was useless in this battle, it was out of position and I kept forgetting to move the observer into better positions.

All in all a really fun battle. Early War means a lot less kills and a lot more bailed out tanks. I'm looking forward to playing more Early War battles.