Action on the Semille Road - Initial Activity

The Semille Road runs from Le Meux in the south-west, linking to the Aucherre road and bridges across the River Laune.  For Doza to be able to move onto the next phase, it needs to secure Aucherre, Semille and push back Pays forces at Falcieu which are assisting in keeping Dozan troops coralled in Le Meux.

Action on the Semille Road is a clash between the Dozan 18th Battalion "Tombee de la Nuit" and the Pays De Cheval 3rd Battalion - Green Rifles.  Victory for Doza opens the way for the Le Meux forces to break out and assault those that remain in the holding positions.  Victory for Le Pays Cheval pushes back the Dozan attack and allows a counter thrust at Le Meux, designed to retake it and destroy Dozan forces that are stuck, there.

Pre-start card draws determined that the day opened with fog thinning to mist later but reducing the visibility for the first ten moves to just 200m (20cm). On the Dozan side, the overall commander (Major Saul Le Valiere) was a +1 experienced leader and force morale was +1 (all units) whereas the PDC were all standard with a +0 leader (Major Renne Manville) but one company under an impetuous commander.  Fate also decreed that the Dozans would have five opportunities to re-roll a result whereas the PDC would suffer from one set of orders lost or deliberately ignored.

 The Dozan Right - Somua tanks wait to roll

On the right wing, the Dozan tank squadron had approached through the woods but remained concealed from enemy gunfire. One company was advancing behind the tanks while a second deployed around the radio van in a more defensive posture.

On the left, the half track with the HQ company was moving up under cover. Half the force deployed into the trees, half (behind the vehicle) were on board - A note here. I place troops behind buidings and vehicles that they are in otherwise I forget them if I move them off table.

Meanwhile, a good deal of the PDC defence has gathered about St Bartholomews church on the edge of the village of Dessinaut. One company has left its motorised transport to use an advancing Welland tank as cover. Another has set up in the graveyard where an MMG has been mounted up.  The third has stuck its neck out going along the road, using the walls as cover led by the over-intrepid Captain, Gerard Valencario. One of the squads from the advancing company has even moved up beyond the road into a foxhole.

The view from behind the lines.

The second "Welland" tank hung back using an old defensive redoubt on Jurot's Hill as partial cover and a viewpoint. From here, you can see the PDC radio van hidden in behind some sandbags and in the distance, the "Hunter" APC slipping along behind the inn.

With initial activation favouring the Dozans, the Somua tanks roll forward into the fogbank. C Company move in behind them, advancing steadily as ordered while B company advance and set up positions in Valse Wood.  A Company swing right and prepare to move up to the road. With the fog covering the advance, the PDC can hear the sounds of engines and tracks but see nothing.

In the centre, Valencerio's 3 Company have taken a strong central position along the wall and in the foxhole. The forward artillery observer in the daimler apc has also moved up, frustrated by the fog from being able to call in early artillery fire.

1 Company has now established a defence in the church (1 platoon) and graveyard. A supporting Welland tank takes a position using the wall as part cover as it seeks a target.

The PDC have moved a platoon from 2 company into the inn while the remainder remain concealed behind a hedge. The second Welland tank is on its way forward while the motorised units go around to the rear exit of the church.  The PDC are content at this stage but the fog has prevented an early use of artillery to slow the Dozan advance.  On the hill overlooking the road, the Dozan radio van is receiving a stream of information as the HQ company start a wide move to the left intending to head straight at the inn.

Under normal circumstances, the first round of fire between armour and also the long range artillery bombardment would have commenced. With fog restricting vision, the PDC can only guess at strength and disposition of the enemy and do not care to waste the opportunity they have.  The Dozans would prefer to use their superior armour at range but the fog is suiting them as they can advance out of cover unseen and get infantry forward.

Two moves in, then. The next should see the first real action.