Dozan Invasion of Pays De Cheval, Scenario #3 Assault on Aucherre

The decision tree has not proved in the least complex, so far. With Dozan victories at Semille and Le Meux, only a clear EIA/PDC victory could delay matters by bringing in forces at Falcieu. Anything less would now trigger Advance on Semille and the end of the second phase of this invasion.  Pantinole had now been seized by Dozan forces and was set up as forward Battalion HQ.

The key to Aucherre was a large farm complex just outside the town and overlooking the road from the south (and west). This has been used as the HQ of the PDC 4th Battalion since the initial retreat from the border.

Now considerably re-enforced, it controls the road from Aucherre to Semille. A minefield lies south of the complex then an orchard in which now stand machine gun positions. A Dozan reconnaisance mission had moved up just after dawn three days earlier, intending to probe and report back but it was so badly shot up, the report from the few who escaped convinced the Dozan command to halt the advance on the farm immediately.

Concerned that they might lose more armour and supporting vehicles than was justified, the Dozans held back forces and settled to building a temporary airfield a few miles south-east of the target.  Lieutenant-Colonel Jules Le Savage, normally in command of the Dozan 6th Battalion "Les Aigles Noir" had passed overall command of this scenario to Brigadier-General Francois Margot-Jauvin.  The criticality of this strategic position had resulted in the deputy commander for the whole PDC theatre to have been put in charge of this assault. Margot-Jauvin was one of the architects of the new Dozan military.

Standing on high ground some three miles behind the active line, the general turned to Le Savage; "I am glad your men have this task.  I'm confident they can do what must be done.  As we agree orders, you can relay them down the line.  Who've you got down there?"
Le Savage took a deep draw on his cigarette and walked a few paces;
"Major Charles Colm and Captains Nicholas De Chevney and Ralph Thibault. All sound men. Colm is careful but thorough. De Chevney's your man for taking risks.  Their companies have all performed notably, to date. This target is much tougher. I do have concerns that withholding the armour is being over protective."
"The enemy cannot know how little we really have at our disposal. It must look like we are always able to produce fighting vehicles when needed. A frontal assault by our armour could result in unacceptable losses and blunt the whole initiative."
Margot-Jauvin chewed his moustache, slightly and fiddled with his cap; "In a few weeks, we will get more supplies coming through. Until then, we must fight with what we have at our disposal. I have sent for whatever can be spared from the remaining pool."

"Then perhaps we should switch to a night attack," suggested Le Savage. "Considered it, but decided against. Our air superiority is what will win us this battle."

In the farmhouse within the Aucherre complex, Colonel Maurice Tateau finished his breakfast of eggs and brioche. Wiping his mouth with his serviette, he waved a hand vaguely; "This time, the Dozans will not break through so easily.  They lost a scout vehicle in the minefield as well as the squad they sent in as reconnaisance from the lane."

"we should not underrate them," replied Lieutant Paul Messigne, "they have won every encounter of any scale, so far. We must be watchful and defend with fervour."

At that moment, the drone of aircraft was heard approaching. "Now we shall see what they make of our flak and machine gun tower.  Not so easy when you have  someone firing back, eh?" Tateau raised his voice over the sound of the aircraft. They looked up. A whole flight of Dewoitines screamed down towards the farm.  In reply to their machine guns, the flak battery opened up and machine gun fire from various spots threaded up to meet the incoming aircraft.
There was a loud report and thick oil and smoke started to stream from the engine of one of the dewoitines,
"You see, victory to us, this time. That plane is doomed. Ha, see if you like it when we hand it out for a change." shouted the Colonel.
Then he and the others were flung to the ground as the bombs from the dewoitines hit home. There was a massive flash and a pillar of fire as the first missed the flak but flew over the hedge and hit a fuel bowser. The second was on target and another explosion was followed by whining and clattering as shells in the storage cases were hit and fired in all directions. The flak battery was lifted into the air and spilled backwards off its mounting as the explosion ripped through it. Another bomb hit home in the same yard sending more tangled parts and bricks skywards.

 First air attack hits home

The Dewoitines had taken out a truck with mounted lmg, damaged a pillbox, destroyed the flak battery and a fuel bowser into the bargain. Note one aircraft trails smoke as it heads downwads to crash a couple of kilometres further on, in a field.

This was followed by Dozan planned artillery firing.  Possessing two batteries of 155mm guns (off table), the Dozans forward observers had already set initial planned ranges. Shells now fell in the road at the head of the farm lane and on the edge of the orchard near a currently abandoned gunnery position.

As PDC and Nordovician troops ducked for cover, (C)astellan Platoon moved in on the farm with the Schneider Half Track carrying half the platoon and the others using it as cover. The howitzer watching the lane fired and hit, a glancing blow only with the shell exploding clear of the vehicle but enough to shock the crew who were suppressed and screeched to a halt while the gunner looked to see where the shot came from.  As the men poured out and around from the halted vehicle, the damaged pillbox opened up on them but a volley of grenades and a shot from the Schneider finished that one off, leaving smoke pouring from the fortification.

The initial assault meets stiff resistance

The second pillbox was also firing, now, C platoon taking 2 bases from MMG fire inflicted.

(B)aille Platoon now followed that lead, their half track advancing on the farm with those not inside charging at double pace towards the walls of the farm which would provide some cover. The half track was struck a glancing blow by the 2pdr in the farmyard dropping a shell very close. Teams unloaded and the Schneider returned fire but caused no casualties.

At this point, the PDC command were still quite confident that despite losing the flak, their defences were holding well. It looked like the cost of the assault would be too high for the Dozans to sustain it. If the guns could follow up and knock out two half tracks, the tide of the battle would certainly turn in the PDC direction.

Two half tracks are hit as they move in but another air attack heads in

The Dozans then released their second air assault, led by an Liore et Olivier medium bomber escorted by a Morane Saulnier.  That put paid to the howitzer behind the corn field. Another hit on the fuel store caused another explosion and a thick pall of smoke began to drift downwind (south) across the farm.

Smoke from multiple targets drifts as the attack continues

A(erial) platoon had begun to advance on the Orchard, meanwhile, supported by a 

Panhard APC. Behind them, the command HQ unit moved onto a ridge to watch the outcome of this clash.

The chattering of the machine gun tower sent men running as shells rebounded off the Panhard which fired but failed to damage the tower at all.

Dozan HQ unit moves to a vantage point

PDC 3 platoon then opened fire from their position in the field as the Dozan D Platoon (borrowed from seperate Battalion) advanced to use the wall as cover. D platoon then assaulted the pillbox but lost a base of casualties.

Dozan D Platoon take casualties on right wing

In the orchard, the PDC artillery tried to slow the advance with their battery behind the farmhouse but to no effect. Fighting was getting heavier there and now PDC HQ elements moved across the river with a thought to outflank the advancing Dozan left.

As smoke continued to drift south, the farm was under pressure

Despite efforts from the PDC platoon in and around the lane, the Dozan advance continued and now men were swarming about the rear gates of the farmhouse. The 2pdr was knocked out and as smoke drifted south over the farm, it was obvious that the Dozans were still making progress despite the heavy fire.  Long range artillery called in by the Dozans was helping extend that pressure and now, the call for further air strikes had been made.

 

Pt 2 of the Assault on Aucherre coming very soon :)