Saturday 21 May 2016

Assault on Aucherre PT2

Despite a strong defensive setup, the PDC was again proving unable to hold the better equipped and co-ordinated forces of the Dozans.  Better secondary firing and assault might have cost the Dozan advance all its half tracks but after being suppressed, they were allowed to pull away, again. The Schneider with its powerful 37mm gun and 7.62 MMG with full cover, button-down top has proved more like a tank than personnel carrier.  Indeed, it was designated as an armoured car by the Dozans when built.
Moment of concern for B Platoon
Above was a typical moment in the series of battles fought between PDC and Doza. The Schneiders will take a light hit but unless gunnery is accurate enough to finish the job, they are soon off again, causing damage. A soft half track would have been lost much more easily.

Undeterred by the inadequate defences, the Dozan assault began in earnest.  The orchard soon fell to the advance although not without more losses on both sides.
Firstly an assault through a side gate
Then the full out attack down farm lane

Despite resistance that laid low a couple of the attacks on the farm, the push up farm lane proved too much and after a last round of firing from the PDC LMG units in and around the inner yard, the farmhouse was overrun.
Meanwhile, frustrated by the machine gun tower in the orchard, multiple air attacks were launched, culminating in the destruction of that installation, allowing A platoon and HQ units to advance through the now quiet orchard.
Dewoitines take light damage and pull out

Medium bomber finishes the job

 And moments later, radio from artillery HQ instructed PDC 3 Platoon and their guns to pack up as the HQ hitched up and headed out.  Behind them, the Dozans had begun a mop up.
Another victory for the Dozans.  With the fall of Aucherre, the road to Semillon lay open. Unless the PDC and allies could now hold the industrial town, then the capital, Verdoune would be left open and the Pays De Cheval must surrender their country up as fallen.  Analysts predicted it would be over within a couple of weeks. The PDC and East India Federation had shown nothing that would stop the Dozan advance.

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