Reply To: Mouen- by the book or tweak?

[Dylan Jones]

In my experience of playing the scenario with RFR  the best options for the British include:

 

1) Setting the arty OP up early in the building marked “H” in Cheux that can overlook everything. After that you’re of course in the lap of the Gods regarding availability rolls for the arty (which is IMHO your likely battle winning weapon in this scenario).  As an aside, we find the smoke availability roll in RFR unrealistically harsh for all sides. If you play rules-as-written smoke rarely arrives. I would be tempted to try using the barrage rules in RFR Extra supplement in this scenario for the attacking Brits.

Regardless, I get every asset that can possibly deliver smoke into position as soon as possible (including the infantry 2″ mortar and 3″ mortar) and don’t advance over open ground until I’ve got a smokescreen set up. If this means a few turns of not advancing so be it. I’m not here to provide easy targets for the Germans.

2) Armour. I keep the Firefly back in overwatch awaiting the appearance of the Panther while the two 75mm Shermans (I guess Cromwells in your game?) lead the infantry who remain within 6 inches of them to provide mutual support. I use the Stuart and the carrier platoon in an advanced role to try to flush out German defenders by spotting them (yes, this may be recce by death).

3) Flank attack. As others have suggested, I attack down one flank to concentrate my firepower against hopefully only a subset of the German force at a time. The obvious flank is the eastern flank (right-hand side of the map) given the Germans have to deploy part of their force facing west toward Colleville. At minimum the Germans will have to reposition to meet my thrust (and they can’t ambush fire if they’ve just been moving).

4) Victory.  You only (!) have to get two units within 6″ of Mouen to win. Don’t try to get into the BUA, just get near it. Use the MMG platoon in overwatch (4xD6 if stationary).