Holding the Fort – A Crossfire Scenario and Battle Report

Brett Simpson sent through another small Crossfire Scenario and battle report. This time for “Holding the Fort” where a small German force had to fend off British troops and French resistance forces. It is tiny, there is only one German platoon (although they get a Panther) and two British platoons, which illustrates you can have a good game with Crossfire without a lot of figures.


Holding the Fort – Scenario

The opportunity arose on Saturday for a quick game of Crossfire. As you know, I have been busy painting miniatures in recent days, and so decided to base a scenario around just those figures that were ready for play.

This scenario was played on my dining room table (3′ x 5′) using 20mm figures.

The Situation

A handful of German Infantrymen are left holding the village of Rivoli and its surrounding countryside after reinforcements were sent to help with heavy fighting to the southeast; little do they know that British troops are advancing on Rivoli. In addition, local resistance fighters, well-armed and hidden in the cellar of the Rail Warehouse, await their opportunity to reclaim the village.

Holding the Fort 1 - A rough map of the table
Holding the Fort 1 – A rough map of the table

Key Areas:
1) 2-Squad German Bunker
2) Chateau
3) Winery
4) Rail Warehouse

Allied Force

2 regular British rifle platoons (+1 PC each)
1 PIAT Team (attached to 2nd Platoon)

Allied Hidden Deployment

1 French Resistance rifle section (+1 PC) – armed with stolen panzerfäuste

German Force and Assets

1 veteran rifle platoon (+2 PC)
1 2-squad bunker (German troops inside are able to use their section MG34 as an MMG for 4 dice – but this takes one initiative to set up if not done so before play begins)
1 minefield (open placement)
Barricades (set up on South Lane and East Lane)

German Reinforcement

1 Panther Tank to arrive at the north-western edge of the table after 5 initiatives

The British Objective

Secure the bunker near the Y-intersection of the road, and hold it long enough for reinforcements to arrive (five friendly initiatives).

Allied Intelligence has revealed that the open garden at the rear (northeast) of the bunker is mined.

The German Objective

Maintain control of the area at any cost.


Holding the Fort – Battle Report

The British Advance

The Tommies entered from the woods to the south, with 1st Platoon quickly making its way to the bocage running east-west. They cautiously advanced westward along the East Lane to become locked in a firefight with German riflemen who were occupying the upper floor of the Chateau. Eventually they broke free and made their way along the eastern edge of the hill-line with the view of storming the Chateau from the rear, only to find themselves subject to rifle fire from the Winery. They lost two sections before suffering their final defeat in close combat with the Germans upstairs in the Chateau.

The German Defence

Meanwhile, the Panther arrived from the northwest. Taking one look at the narrowness of the bocage lane, the tank commander decided to head along the western edge of the table, vaguely aware of a firefight taking place near the southern edge of the village and keen to investigate.

Rolling past the Rail Warehouse, the Panther suddenly came under HEAT fire! Barely able to counter-attack, the crew met their maker as a round penetrated the side armour of the tank.

Receiving a signal from the Chateau that all was well there, the section positioned inside the Winery hurriedly made their way down toward the Rail Warehouse where they spotted a group of armed villagers standing alongside the smoking tank and opened fire on them. The villagers fled into the woods.

Holding the Fort 2 - French Resistance Fighters admiring their handiwork
Holding the Fort 2 – French Resistance Fighters admiring their handiwork

The Second Wave

Having made its way to the eastern side of the Chateau, 2nd Platoon broke cover to rush in, hoping to overwhelm the occupants with superior numbers; they lost their PIAT Team in the process, and both their PC and 2nd Section were pinned down by fire, but those who broke through made quick work of the Germans upstairs.

With renewed vigour, the platoon pushed southwest, carefully navigating the garden path through the minefield before storming the rear of the bunker, certain of victory. Overwhelming the occupants of the bunker, they repositioned 3rd Section in the upper floor of the Chateau, about to call in their victory…

Holding the Fort 3 - British 2nd Platoon prepares to storm the Chateau
Holding the Fort 3 – British 2nd Platoon prepares to storm the Chateau

Knock-Knock, Tommy!

Having caused the villagers to rout, Winery Section peered through the hedgerow to see the British walking casually through the front door of the Chateau. Realising that the rest of their platoon must be finished, they made their way alongside the bocage and, without any hesitation or self-concern, advanced on the building. A few stick-grenades, gunshots, and bayonet thrusts later they had secured the Chateau. Not ones to rest, they rushed the bunker and gave the British there a taste of lead and steel.

The Germans remain in Rivoli.

Holding the Fort 4 - German Winery Section advances on the Chateau
Holding the Fort 4 – German Winery Section advances on the Chateau

Conclusion

There really is no telling who the victor will be in Crossfire, and close combat is lethal as can be.

Veterans are tough!

The ability to call in smoke rounds would have been handy (I’d best paint some FOs and/or 2-inch mortar crews!).

The French Resistance made quick work of the Panther, but were smart enough not to risk a direct exchange of fire with the Germans. I wonder if the French and British were ever fully aware of one-another’s presence in this scenario?

Interestingly, the real stronghold in this scenario ended up being the Chateau. The Brits avoided the “sharp end” of the bunker, and not a single round was fired from there.

All-in-all, another great game.

Thanks once again to yourself, Steven, and to Nikolas Lloyd; the two of you have answered a lot of questions for me lately, and I am very grateful for that.

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