Background
The Battle of Hannut was a Second World War battle fought during the Battle of Belgium which took place between 12 and 14 May 1940 at Hannut in Belgium it was the largest tank battle in the campaign. It was also the largest clash of tanks in armoured warfare history at the time.
The primary purpose of the Germans was to tie down the strongest elements of the French First Army and keep it away from the main German attack by Army Group A through the Ardennes, as laid down in the German operational plan Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), by General Erich von Manstein. The German breakout of the Ardennes was scheduled for 15 May, five days after the German attacks on the Netherlands and Belgium. The delay was to entice the Allies into believing the main thrust would, like the Schlieffen Plan in World War I, come through Belgium and then down into France. When the Allied armies advanced into Belgium according to the Dyle Plan, they would be tied down by German offensive operations in eastern Belgium at Hannut and Gembloux. With the flank of the First Army exposed, the Germans could thrust to the English Channel which would encircle and destroy the Allied forces. For the French, the plan in Belgium was to prepare for a prolonged defence at Gembloux, about 34 km (21 mi) west of Hannut. The French sent two armoured divisions forward, to conduct a delaying action against the German advance and give the rest of the First Army time to dig in at Gembloux.
The Germans reached the Hannut area just two days after the start of the invasion of Belgium but the French defeated several German attacks and fell back on Gembloux as planned. The Germans succeeded in tying down substantial Allied forces, which might have participated in the Battle of Sedan, the attack through the Ardennes. The Germans failed to neutralise the French First Army completely at Hannut, despite inflicting significant casualties. The French once again scored tactical successes at the Battle of Gembloux from 14–15 May. In the aftermath of that battle, although seriously damaged, the First Army was able to retreat to Lille, where it delayed the Germans in the Siege of Lille and was instrumental in the re-embarkation of the British Expeditionary Force, French and Belgian troops at the Evacuation of Dunkirk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hannut
The Game
German forces are tasked with engaging French formations around Hannut and drawing the French armored reserves into battle. Terrain is made up of flat plain with feilds, villages and small woods throughout.
Scenario Rules
- The fame is played long ways on the table.
- French forces are to deploy up to the center line of table. German forces deploy second and may not deploy within 16″ of French units.
- All French forces except Somua 35 tanks (which must be held as delayed reserves) deploy on the table. French may only use units from DLM and Infantry divisions (no Char B1 tanks).
- Germans forces on table may only include light tanks (PzI and PzII) and armored cars. All other units enter the table on turn one. Germans may not use Pz35, Pz38, StugIII or PgPzI.
- French and German forces randomly choose their winning conditions (each side does not know the other side’s objectives). Victory will be determined by the side with the most points.
- German 1 – Engage: 2 points per village seized and French reserve that enters play.
- German 2 – Breakthrough: 2 points per village seized and for every German unit exited off the French table edge.
- French 1 – Hold: 2 point for every village held and 2 points for every French reserve not deployed
- French 2 – CounterAttack: 2 points for every village held and 2 points for every German unit destroyed.
Forces:
The French force comprised three companies at 1,500 points each: A Tank Squadron (three platoons of H39s, AMR section, S-35 platoon (in reserve), two infantry platoons, a 25mm AT battery and a 75mm artillery battery (all deployed on the French right). Another Tank Squadron (two S-35 platoons (in reserve), 75mm artillery battery, Infantry platoon, air intercept support and two H39 platoons (force deployed in the center). The final French formation was a reserve Infantry Company (three infantry platoons, HMG platoon, mortar platoon, AT platoon, 75mm artillery battery and a 105mm artillery battery (all deployed on the French left flank). The two French mech units were rated Confident Trained and the reserve infantry was rated reluctant trained.
The German forces consisted of three Panzer Kompanies at 1,500 points each. On the left was a Light Company with two PzI/PzII platoons, a 231 section, a PzIV platoon, Pioneer platoon and a section of 88mm ATGs. The center Panzer Kompanie had two PzIII platoons, an infantry platoon, a Pz II platoon and Stuka support. The right flank company contained two PzIV platoons, a PzII platoon, a light armored car platoon and 105mm artillery in support. All German units were rated as confident veteran,
Battle Hightlights
The French selected the CounterAttack objective. French forces deployed on the back side of the table defending each of the villages. The also deployed pickets forward to restrict the German deployment. The plan was to hold off the initial German assault and then counter attack and crush the German right. The Germans selected the Engage objective. The Germans deployed across the board, to keep the French pinned across the front, with the hope of overwhelming the French right, to draw the French reserves forward.
Turn 1: The Germans moved forward and engaged the French pickets, while the German artillery and air power attempted to soften up the French artillery. The French held their position and began bombarding the forward German armored units, but with little effect.
Turn 2: The German left started a flanking maneuver to unhinge the French armor facing it, hoping to destroy it as it redeployed. With some lucky gunnery, the light panzers were able eliminate the French forward platoon. In the center, the Germans moved up cautiously and began hamming the two of the French 75mm artillery batteries. On the right, the Germans moved forward and engaged the forward facing French Infantry, loosing their armored car support in the process. The French began shifting their forces to meet the various threats and continued to rely on their artillery, which provided nominal support.
Turn 3: The German left was able to clear out the remaining French armor to its front and assault the first defended village, sweeping the remaining french out. In the center, the Germans finally silenced the majority of the French artillery and started to move onto one of the villages in their attack area. The French on the right fell back into the center with their few remaining units, hoping for reserves, which did not show. The center was silent as both sides began jockeying their forces for advantage. The Germans on the right continues their frontal assault on the French infantry, slowly grinding towards the village on the far right.
Turn 4 and 5: The Germans on the left flank swept forward to consolidate their forces and to begin their attack into the French center. The German center company began moving their infantry up to approach one of the villages. On the right, the grind continued, with both sides taking losses. The French tried to harass the German right flank units to slow down their advance, but to little effect. However, the cavalry had finally arrived on turn 5, with three platoons of S-35s. These were sent into the center.
Turn 6: The German left continued to sweep the flank and was able to meet up with advancing center infantry to begin clearing the next village. At this point, the firepower was too much and the French right company quit the field (taking its S-35 platoon with it). The French sent every tank they had forward to try to overwhelm the German center company. This turned into a long range duel, with neither side getting the advantage.
Turn 7, with the French right eliminated, the Germans began concentrating on the French Center, with the center company attacking from the front and the left company swinging around the rear. The French desperatly tried to wing their forces to protect their rear and push the Germans out of the village to secure their flank again. However, it was to no avail, as the defending pioneers and supporting PzIV section made short work of the attackers.
With time running out and the French spent, the game was determined to be a German major victory based on victory points.
– Manteuffel