OAF 20.3 "Surprise Encounter"

Scenario published in ON ALL FRONTS, issue #20. Modifications/clarifications made from its published form; Updated 080812

September 16, 1944: In a heavy fog, the 1st Battalion 357th Infantry launched another attack at the St. Privat-Metz road. The heavy fog provided cover from the enemy gunners of the 1010 Security Regiment. As the two companies detailed to spearhead the attack were forming up, they were hit by a detachment from the Officer Candidate Regiment which was part of a mobile striking force designed to prevent an American Breakthrough. The ensuing confrontation was fast and furious, culminating in hand to hand combat, after which the Germans Withdrew.

VICTORY CONDITIONS: The Germans must eliminate 6 U. S. squads or occupy both hexes of building 3R6 by thee game's end or it is a U.S. victory.

BOARD LAYOUT:

NORTH

SCENARIO SEQUENCE:

U. S sets up first	1	2	3	4	5	6	END
German moves first

AMERICAN FORCES:

AT START:Advance element of the 1st Battalion, 357 Infantry set up on board 3 between rows V & M inclusive; and rows 3 & 7 inclusive.
1x9-1; 1x8-1; 1x8-0; 1x7-0; 4x847; 8x666, 2xDC, 3xMMG, 2xBAZ, 2xFT, 12x?

GERMAN FORCES:

TURN 1: Elements of the Officer Candidate Regiment, 1010 Security Regiment, enter Turn 1, east edge;
1x9-2, 1x9-1, 1x810; 3x838; 6x467; 3xLMG; 1xMMG; 8x?.

SPECIAL SCENARIO RULES:

OAF20_3.1: TERRAIN: Wheatfields are in effect.
OAF20_3.2: No more than 2 U. S. squads may set up in the same hex at the start. Leaders my stack freely.
OAF20_3.3: German units may enter and move freely under concealment counters. Any stack entering under concealment counters have their movement allowance restricted to 4 MP's.
OAF20_3.4: All concealment counters are removed after turn 1.
OAF20_3.5: Any unit entering close combat my utilize a -1 DRM from their initial close combat DR. This DRM does not apply is such a unit combines with units in close combat in the previous CCPh. This DR is not cumulative.

AFTERMATH: When the Germans finally withdrew, they left the 357th shaken. The 357th lost 72 men, losses they could ill afford.

CREDITS: This scenario published in ON ALL FRONT, Issue 34. The scenario was designed by Bob Safin and won 3rd place in the OAF 1984 scenario design contest, Squad Leader level. No rights are assumed by Wargame Academy.