The platoon had just enough time to grab some replacements from the depot before being sent back out into the fight. A detachment of engineers were going to be clearing mines from a key supply route as the division was preparing to jump into a full scale incursion into the Hurtgen Forest. 1st Platoon, Baker was tasked with the job - at worst there might be a small German patrol to fend off. It must be obvious by now to the Germans that a large attack is on the way, and they were probably digging in and preparing defenses.
With Red Kingsley wounded, and his squad shaken and full of replacements now, Lt. Rourke thought he should just take 2nd and 3rd squads out. Hennings and 2nd squad were hard, seasoned. Cpl. Frank Malloy and 3rd squad could perhaps be blooded and get some experience against some Jerries.
2nd Lt. Jacob "Jake" Rourke - interested in working his way through the ranks to best provide for his family back home. Bold but inexperienced.
Staff Sgt. Michael "Micky" Delaney - Fond of a tipple, he has seen a lot. Aged 29 he is the old man of the platoon, the backbone, and trusted by all.
Squad leader - 2nd Squad: Cpl. Walter "Walt" Hennings - An aggressive patriot, will stop at nothing to fight for the cause of freedom. Admired and feared.
Squad leader - 3rd Squad: Cpl. Frank Malloy - promoted after the death of Sgt. Bandowicz. Inept and in it for himself, this man is unpopular.
Advancing up the hill would be Hennings and 2nd squad. They had an attached .30 cal team to help pack a punch.
Malloy and 3rd squad would take the less dangerous task of sitting in the field and detering any advancing patrols. Lt. Rourke would head up the hill, but keep an eye out on Malloy in the field.
As Rourke and Hennings charged up the hill, they noticed movement. There was a patrol up in the hills! And they were closer than the Americans would have liked.
Malloy had his BAR team sit tight in the field further forward, and his rifles in another. They would sit at the edge and respond to orders as needed.
The true extent of the German patrol became clear! A rag-tag group. A cobbled together platoon with a couple of rifle squads and a ton of machine guns! Where they had found two MG42s was a mystery, but they were holding onto them. They had even managed to comandeer an Sdkfz 222!
One rifle team and an MG42 targetted Henning's rifle team with a devastating hail of fire!
One man went down in a bloody mist, the rest hit the ground! Cpl. Hennings, hunched but mobile, grabbed them by the scruffs of their necks, kicked, shouted, pointed, and got them back into the fight!
The entire of 2nd squad laid down enough fire onto the German rifle team that they hit the dirt and kept their heads down, heavily suppressed!
Henning's squad took more fire from an MG42 team, taking another casualty! Again Hennings dragged them off their bellies and back into the firefight! This man is a true american hero!
The German platoon leader and his rifle team charged down the .30 cal team, forcing them to head back out of the woods!
Rourke's team took fire from the rest of the Germans in the woods, but nothing stuck. Too many trees in the way. This was absolutely desperate fighting at short ranges.
The Sdkfz 222 trundled around the hilltop, looking to flank the platoon.
It spotted Malloy's squad and opened fire, killing a man and pinning the BAR team.
Rourke kept the desperate close range firefight going in the woods, killing a German but no-one was ready to retreat yet. His radio-operator got on the radio to find out about the progress of the Engineers. They were almost done! He just had to hold on for a little while!
Hennings had his rifle team follow him around the back of the woods in an attempt to secure them from another angle. His BAR team exchanged fire with the Germans and unfortunately took a casualty!
Frank Malloy and 3rd squad held the field and laid down covering fire as Rourke and Hennings led their men down the hill and back to US lines. The brass would be pleased that the mine-clearing was a success. 1st platoon might even get a couple of days' rest before the division jumped off!
In game mechanic terms, Hennings was insane! 2nd squad took a lot of hits from the MG42 and rifle team. They failed seven morale tests across two turns. Hennings led from the front seven times and every time they rallied and passed the morale test. Any time I rolled a 1 he would be dead - but he didn't die!
This wasn't the best fight for the platoon. Luckily Staff Sgt. MIckey Delaney managed to whisper to the correct people and the whole platoon managed to get pulled back from the front line for 4 days. This enabled them to settle in a full complement of replacements, and attempt to get them in any way combat ready. No squads would be shaken or have any negative effects from the previous battles. In fact, Lt. Rourke, on the back of a few successful missions is feeling confident. His morale is increasing! I will allow him to reroll a morale test, or have a bonus on any breaking point tests next battle.
In other news an NPC will be tagging along next mission.
Replacement Points: 7
