The Lost Battalion
Recommendations: 232
About the Project
A game of Blood & Valor. US figures are a mix of Great War Miniatures and Phalanx Consortium. German figures are by Atlantic Wargames. The narrative is loosely based on an actual incident involving the US 77th Infantry Division (Liberty Division) and Major Whittlesey’s famous Lost Battalion. 150 points. Scenario 1: Demolition. “Our Air Service managed to drop us supplies. Unfortunately they dropped them outside our perimeter.” Major Whittlesey looked over his glasses at the Lieutenant. “Assemble a force and retrieve as many canisters as you can.” “Yes sir! Sgt Blackburn, have 1st and 2nd squad assemble. Capt McMurty, my platoon is below half strength. Can I ...?” “Done, Lieutenant. Cpl Dolan, join the Lieutenant’s foray.” Dolan just nodded and signaled his squad. “Sgt Blackburn, do you still have that shotgun?” “Yes sir, about the only weapon we still have plenty of ammo for.” “We might need to get close to those Germans and fight for those canisters. Take a couple of steady men and be prepared for close quarters fighting.” “Sir!”
Related Game: Blood & Valor
Related Company: Firelock Games
Related Genre: Historical
This Project is Completed
Advance!
Left flankThe Lieutenant signaled the spotter and the last of the battalion’s mortar rounds drop on the advancing Germans, disrupting their progress. He then waved forward Sgt Blackburn’s team and 1st Squad. Both took off at the run advancing toward a copse of trees where at least one canister was.
The Center Holds
2nd Squad 2nd squad is pinned down by accurate German fire but avoids taking casualties.
Fire and Maneuver
Forward!Cpl Dolan’s squad engages their German counterpart then go over the wall and advance toward a canister.
Sgt Blackburn was a lion
Sgt Blackburn considers the situation Sgt Blackburn’s men seize the first canister! But then are immediately engaged by a German machine gun and some advancing stormtroopers. They weather the hail of fire and 1st and 2nd squad deal with the storm troopers cutting them down to size. The machine gun team opens up again and Sgt Blackburn is alone! He takes a handful of grenades, throws a few to distract the storm troopers then advances, slam firing his shotgun into the stormtroopers before engaging them with his bayonet. This keeps the Germans distracted for awhile, so unexpected was the assault but they eventually recover and Sgt Blackburn goes down in a hail of fire.
The Center is threatened
Demo charge set! The German commander rushes forward and puts a demo charge on the remaining canister. The Lieutenant rushes forward waving on the remainder of the platoon. Can they get there in time?
End Game
There’s only one way this ends. 2nd Squad just ignores the incoming fire and forces the German commander back. 1st squad seizes the opportunity to rush the objective and dismantle the demo charges. They do dismantle the charges but get forced back in turn by combined machine gun and sniper fire. The Lieutenant goes down too. Cpl Dolan changes direction and leads his squad to the undefended canister while 2nd Squad lays down fire. But it’s too late, the Germans have the last canister surrounded. There’ll be no more supplies for The Lost Battalion.
