Panzer Grenadier: 1940 — The Fall of France
Developer’s Preview, Part Three
By Doug McNair
July 2009

We finally have light at the end of the tunnel on getting the last two maps for Panzer Grenadier: 1940 — The Fall of France, so here’s the next installment in my preview of the 50 scenarios that come with the game.

Scenario Twenty-One
Red Dusk
15 May 1940, Gembloux, Belgium

The German assault on Gembloux itself had gotten nowhere. Rebuffed by rock-solid Moroccan infantry backed by extremely accurate French artillery, the German infantry paid a heavy price. The one bright spot for them was a point between Ernage and Gembloux where they had been able to punch a hole through the railway line and overrun the hidden antitank guns there. Then word came around midday that 3rd Panzer Division had pierced the line at Perbais and Ernage, and that brought on a new German attack backed by air support. The French began to give way around the Lagasse farm just north of Gembloux, but then the armored counterattack that had been ordered at 11:30 finally began.

Conclusion

The Germans poured heavy fire into the French, whose infantry became separated from their tanks. Some of the latter were disabled by German AT fire or pinned down by German tanks arriving from Ernage to the north. By 1830 the counterattack had ground to a halt, but the Germans had been stopped and ended up withdrawing behind the railway. Unfortunately, as darkness fell on the battlefield the French success at Gembloux was voided by German victory farther south.

Developer’s Commentary

This is a one-board scenario with lots of troops. I lengthened the game to 16 turns since most of the combat will be town assaults, which take time. The French have superior numbers and the only logical victory condition for them is that no undemoralized Germans should be west of the railroad by the end of play, so I went with that.

Scenario Twenty-Two
Furia Francese!
15 May 1940, Between Perbais and Gembloux, Belgium

The French line had repulsed nearly all assaults, but Ernage was a soft spot. German forays had bypassed the small village and pushed onto Cortil Noirmont, where they stopped at 1730. After some moments of near panic, the Moroccans rallied after their divisional commander General Mellier took the field himself to lead the counterattack that had been planned since since 1130 that morning.

Conclusion

General Mellier committed his entire reserve to the counterattack, with the objective of retaking the railway line. The forces moved out early in the afternoon but were slowed by Stuka attacks and German artillery fire. Then as they neared the scene of action, all their Renault 35 tanks were abruptly rerouted to Gembloux. That left their infantry no armor support, but nonetheless the arrival of reinforcements stiffened the resolve of the French units holding the line. Around 2030 in Cortil-Couvent and Cortil-Noirmont, French antitank guns destroyed five panzers in the space of just a few minutes. Then the Moroccans at the front stood up and charged the Germans and forced them to fall back behind the railway. The day ended with a clear French victory, even though both sides had nearly been bled dry. The Gembloux battle was the lone example during the France 1940 campaign of infantry divisions successfully blocking an armored advance.

Developer’s Commentary

A larger scenario on two boards, this continuation of the French counterattack will be tough for the French because they have no armor support for most of the game. So I gave them several ways to win. The French win a Major Victory if at the end of play there are no undemoralized German combat units anywhere west of the railroad OR at least 15 German steps have been eliminated, and a Minor if at the end of play all town and woods hexes west of the railroad are under French control OR at least 10 German steps have been eliminated. The Germans win a Minor Victory if at the end of play at least 15 French steps have been eliminated, and a Major if at the end of play more town and woods hexes west of the railroad are under German than French control AND more French than German steps have been eliminated.

Scenario Twenty-Three
Unstoppable Force
16 May 1940, Stonne, South of Sedan, France

Though the French counterattack the previous day had driven Grossdeutschland from the village, troops and a few tanks from 10th Panzer Division remained there. General Flavigny (commanding the 21st Army Corps) felt he had no choice but to launch a massive counterattack to eliminate the German threat and secure the village. At 0505 hours on the 16th, French artillery began pounding what was left of the village as French tanks advanced again across the plateau.

Conclusion

Commandant Malaguti (commanding 41st Bataillon de Chars de Combat) drove his B1-bis tanks right into the smoking ruins of the village, destroyed a panzer and then sprayed some German infantrymen with machine-gun fire. By 0555 the southern edge of Stonne had been cleared, but the Germans still held the woods near the town. Meanwhile Captain Billotte (in another B1bis), entered the main street of the village from the west and found himself head-to- head with a long column of German tanks. Like tank ace Wittmann did later in Normandy, Billotte simply drove his tank down the German column and calmly destroyed 13 enemy tanks and several antitank weapons. By the end of the battle, Billotte’s tank had taken 140 hits but suffered no appreciable damage. The Germans fled, and by 0700 Stonne was French again.

Developer’s Commentary

Returning to Stonne again, the French still have it too hard. So I increased French numbers and lengthened the game to 16 turns to give them more time to wear down the German defenders. The French player wins if at the end of play both hexes of Stonne and all 40-meter hill hexes (with or without woods) are free of undemoralized German combat units. Any other result is a German victory.

Scenario Twenty-Four
Secure the Flank!
16 May 1940, South of Sauville, west of the Ardennes Canal, France

After breaking out of the Sedan bridgehead, 1st Panzer Division was ordered to strike westward while Grossdeutschland held the line at Stonne. To cover their flanks they sent detachments to secure the bridges east of the town of Le Chesne on the Ardennes Canal. As for the French, poor decision-making by the high command meant that the only units in the area were scattered recon elements and a few tanks.

Conclusion

West of the Ardennes Canal near Sauville, two French “moto” platoons on Simca commercial cars ran into a German motorized column at 0600 hours. Those who escaped alerted the various scattered recon groups protecting the canal line. As German infantry and anti-tank units advanced, more French infantry came from the rear to hold the bridges. The Tannay Bridge was saved at the last minute by the arrival of 16th Bataillon de Chasseurs Portés (riding armored Lorraine carriers), but by then all the bridges were under attack. Around midday Stukas arrived to support the German ground troops, but the bridge defenders held out for the rest of the day and French engineers were able to blow up some of the bridges that night.

Developer’s Commentary

A two-board scenario with the French and Germans fighting for control of the bridges on a long river line. Here it is the Germans who are outnumbered and understrength for much of the game, so I had to skew victory conditions in their favor and give them lots of ways to win. The French win a Major Victory if at the end of play both bridge hexes are under French control AND more German than French steps have been eliminated, and a Minor if a the end of play one bridge hex is under French control. The Germans win a Minor Victory if a the end of play one bridge hex is under German control OR at least 10 French steps have been eliminated, and a Major if at the end of play both bridge hexes are under German control OR at least 15 French steps have been eliminated.

Scenario Twenty-Five
Lost Children
17 May 1940, Montcornet , France

The Germans had achieved amazing success in the first week of the campaign, crossing the Meuse at three different points and advancing westward while severely battering French armored forces. Continuing the advance would expose the southern German flank to French counterattacks, but Guderian pressed on nonetheless, counting on speed and continued confusion in French ranks to prevent any effective response. It worked better than he could have hoped, but the anticipated counterattack finally came from de Gaulle’s 4th Division Cuirassée de Réserve. Although understrength, not fully trained and lacking intelligence on the enemy, 4th DCR was unleashed toward the Serre river crossings at Montcornet.

Conclusion

At Chivres the French destroyed a German artillery column, but then had to leave their heavy tanks at Clermont for refuelling while sending the lighter R 35s ahead to Montcornet. The small German garrison there held off the French attack, destroying seven French tanks and forcing the rest to withdraw. Then some of the French heavy tanks arrived and blasted everything in their path until German dive bombers and 88mm shells drove them off again. The disjointed and poorly planned attack accomplished nothing.

Developer’s Commentary

The first appearance by DeGaulle’s 4th Division Cuirassée de Réserve, the French forces in this scenario consist of tanks with very little infantry support. Though the forces on both sides are relatively small, I had to keep the scenario at the full 30-turn length listed in the original design because the only way the unsupported French tanks can wear down the Germans is by firing at them again and again for a long time until they break. I also skewed the VP schedule toward the French.

Scenario Twenty-Six
To the Bridges!
17 May 1940, Berlaimont, east of the Mormal forest, France

French troop strength on the Sambre River line was so weak that the commanders in the field decided to only defend the bridges. This was the role of the 87th Régiment d’Infanterie de Forteresse, supported by some motorcycle platoons of the 8th Cuirassiers. When word came that the bridges at Berlaimont had been taken by the Germans, these units were sent to take them back.

Conclusion

Desipite their best efforts the French could not muster enough anti-tank guns to do anything about the panzers patrolling the Mormal Forest. But then two Somua tank platoons of de Segonzac’s escadron arrived from Le Quesnoy, and thus reinforced the French drove through the forest (destroying a few light panzers on the way) and reached the outskirts of Berlaimont in the evening. A short and violent firefight erupted between the French tanks, some light panzers and German anti-tank guns. Three Somuas were damaged before the French called a retreat. Combat the following day would be even more difficult, and 4th Cuirassiers ended up being withdrawn to Jolimetz.

Developer’s Commentary

Here’s another scenario where lower-morale French are attacking higher-morale Germans who outnumber them. So, I increased French starting numbers, gave them some offboard artillery and started the scenario later in the day when all their reinforcements have arrived. I then skewed VP schedule toward the French, with each side scoring the same number of VPs per enemy step eliminated but the French scoring double what the Germans score for each town hex under friendly control at the end of play.

Scenario Twenty-Seven
Knightly Combat
18 May 1940, Jolimetz, northwest of the Mormal forest

Capitaine de Segonzac (commanding the first squadron of 4th Cuirassiers) and Hauptmann Graf Schimmelmann (commanding 15th Panzer Regiment) were the sons of old aristocratic families. They fought a duel on the edge of the Mormal forest on the road to Le Quesnoy.

Conclusion

De Segonzac was actually a Somua specialist who had trained his men thoroughly in the use of these excellent tanks. So when the Germans attacked the French position near Jolimetz, some of the Somuas charged them and succeeded in driving the panzers back while destroying several German tanks and AT gun positions. Not one Somua was lost, and firing ceased at noon when the Germans realized that a continued frontal assault would cost them far too much.

Developer’s Commentary

This is a tough one for the Germans since their attack is understrength and French morale is approximately equal to their own. So I tied victory conditions to the fact that the Germans have a decent chance of splitting the French forces and taking a certain number of town hexes. Players score one VP for each enemy step eliminated and two VPs for each town hex under friendly control at the end of play.

Scenario Twenty-Eight
They Shall Not Pass!
18 May 1940, East of Maubeuge, France

The Maubeuge fortified sector was part of the old World War I fortress line along the Belgian border. It had been built along the Sambre River as a kind of secondary extension of the Maginot line. Following the failure of the Dyle plan and subsequent German moves southward to cut the retreat of the French armies, some utterly exhausted French troops were assigned to hold the line along with the garrisons there. The Frenchmen on the line knew that they were just waiting for the Germans to close the noose around them, but their orders were to delay the enemy advance at any cost.

Conclusion

The south bank of the Mauberge was defended by the casemates of Marpent, while on the north bank the mixed collection of French units under Lt. Col. Marioge made a desperate effort to defend the few bridges which had not yet been destroyed. The Germans attacked the southern casemates on the morning of the 18th and took them one by one that afternoon despite powerful defensive fire from the fort at Boussois. Meanwhile, Germans coming from the city of Maubeuge hit the French from another direction. On the Assevent bridge, scattered infantry elements and several tanks resisted several German attempts to cross the river and held the bridge until nightfall. Groupement Marioge held out for several days, but their fate was sealed from the outset. The fort at Boussois was the last of the Mauberge Line to fall, capitulating under massive bombardments and engineer attacks on May 21.

Developer’s Commentary

A medium-sized scenario with the Germans attacking a fortified city from several directions. I gave the French a network of entrenchments north of the river to simulate the fort, and gave both sides more offboard artillery per the conclusion. The Germans do not have a numerical advantage due to a plethora of French reserve troops, so I skewed the VP schedule toward the Germans even though their troops are of higher quality.

Scenario Twenty-Nine
For God, France and Joan of Arc
18 May 1940, Jolimetz, northwest of the Mormal forest, France

At 1300 hours the Germans began their second attack on Jolimetz. Heavy Panzer IV tanks took point while the light Panzer I and II tanks made a wide flanking movement to come at the village from the north. With the village being quite close to the forest, combat would be at close quarters.

Conclusion

The badly outnumbered Somua tanks fought hard but fell to the Germans one by one, and when the crew of a destroyed tank called for a retreat de Segonzac replied calmly “Go back into your tank and continue to fight!” But resistance was useless against such odds, and German infantry began to take the village despite a valiant close-combat effort by Algerian infantry there. At 1600 de Segonzac’s tank was shot through by several shells, and the rest of the Somuas began withdrawing from the village toward Le Quesnoy. They were ambushed by other panzers at the village exit and set afire, and in the end only one Somua escaped. With their tank support gone, the Algerians left Jolimetz at 1700.

Developer’s Commentary

This is the sequel to Knightly Combat, in which the Germans mount the attack they should have made the first time. They have big advantages in numbers and firepower, so I put the full burden of victory on them: They win if at the end of play all town hexes on the French-occupied half of the board are under German control. Any other result is a French victory.

Scenario Thirty
Sidi Brahim Again
19 May 1940, Chambry, North East of Laon, France

Early in the morning of the 19th, the tanks of 4th Division Cuirassée de Reserve plus some units of 3rd Division Légère de Cavalerie rushed northward to cross the Serre River at Crécy.  To the east, 4th Bataillon de Chasseurs Portés and units from 39th Infantry Regiment and 10th Cuirassiers were tasked with holding the right flank of the French advance. On the German side, Colonel Durrstein of the 25th Infantry Division had orders to take the city of Laon as soon as possible, since it was a main supply base for the French armored attack.

Conclusion

Taking his information from the retreating armoured cavalry, Capitaine de Chavannes ordered the 4th Bataillon de Chasseurs Portés to settle down in the small village of Chambry, a few kilometers northeast of Laon. When Commandant Bertrand (CO of the 4th BCP) joined them on the eve of combat, all the Chasseurs knew that the defence would be “at all costs” just like at Sidi-Brahim. The first German attack hit the northern entrance of the village at the same time as a flanking move from the west. The flank attack stalled, but the frontal assault (supported by heavy guns and helped by fires raging in the buildings) was only stopped by the iron will of the Chasseurs.

Developer’s Commentary

A quick one-board scenario in which a mixed French force led by high-morale Chasseurs tries to hold back a powerful German infantry attack. The French have decent numbers but most of their units are of average morale or worse, and will whither under German firepower. So I kept the scenario short at 12 turns and kept the VP schedule flat, but increased German offboard artillery because they have a good-sized force and will need the OBA support to punch holes in the French lines.

That does it for the third set of 10 scenarios. Tune in next time for the beginning of the end, with scenarios covering the defeat of the elite French North Africans in the Mormal Forest, the destruction of Groupement Andre on the Franco-Belgian border, continued attacks and counterattacks around Stonne, and the swamp battles on the Echaut River at Bouchain.

1940: The Fall of France will be available soon. Order your copy today!