It's been a while since I've done an RPG, and I'm back with a sequel to an RPG I did a long time ago. In this RPG, you will be commanding platoons of British commandos, infantry, and armor as they battle to gain control of Sword Beach from the Germans during the D-Day invasion.
Let's talk a bit about how the game works. To operate this game I am using a board game called "Memoir 44" to directly act our your actions. Thus, the results of your actions are completely impartial from what I desire. If you are familiar with Memoir 44, I will be using the Overlord rules with some slight variations.
This RPG will be for three players. Each player will take command of a sector of beach, of which there are three: the left flank, the right flank, and the center. Each has their own objectives and their own set of troops to command. Now, your actual commands will come from HQ. However, the troops you choose to order or the tactics you issue will be the main choice. If you receive no orders, you have the choice of:
1. Issuing on the spot orders. Keep in mind that you do not have the overview of the battlefield that the Commander in Chief does, and that you run the risk of falling prey to ambushes and enemy fire, in addition to German attacks. 2. Taking cover. You are safe from any traps as you await further action, but the Germans may move around and attack you.
Now the Germans do not have flank officers, they are playing as a cohesive whole. Therefore, they may move and attack you at will. There's nothing you can really do to stop it, unfortunately. Such are the tides of war.
Let me describe each flank for up for your choice:
Left In command of 4 regular infantry platoons, 3 commando platoons, and 6 tanks. Your objectives are to capture the Casino at the town of Riva Bella as well as an artillery emplacement just outside the town of Ouistreham. Opposing you are 4 German infantry platoons and 2 heavy artillery guns.
Center In command of 2 heavy artillery guns, 4 regular infantry, 9 tanks, and 2 commando platoons. Your objectives are to take Strongpoint Cod and then press forward to reinforce the British Airborne fighting at the River Orne. Opposing you are three German infantry platoons and 4 heavy artillery guns.
Right In command of 3 tanks, 2 heavy artillery guns, 5 regular infantry, and 2 commando platoons. Your objectives are to take Strongpoint Trout and the Chateau just west of the town of Lion-sur-Mer. Opposing you are 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry.
I am only taking 3 people for this RPG. You win by accomplishing your objectives or by eliminating all of the German units in your flank. The Germans win if they destroy ten of your platoons among all three players. Therefore, individually you should do your best! Your character sheet should look like this:
Captain/Major <Character Name> (You may choose to play a Captain or a Major). Sector: Left/Right/Center Commanding Units: <copy and paste units you are in command of here> Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: <copy and paste German units you are facing against>
A map of the battlefield will be posted when I have gotten three people to sign up, and then we shall start.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 2 heavy artillery guns, 5 regular infantry, and 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
Major Orion Stellus Sector: Center Commanding Units: 2 heavy artillery guns, 4 regular infantry, 9 tanks, and 2 commando platoons Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: three German infantry platoons and 4 heavy artillery guns
Notice, gentlemen, that the artillery are actually shared foes. They have a formidable range and will be capable of targeting multiple flanks. Therefore, destroying the artillery is basically a common objective.
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Captain Joseph Slothok Sector: Left Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry platoons, 3 tanks. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 4 German infantry platoons and 2 heavy artillery guns
"Godspeed, men! The hopes of a war lie with you!" The first wave of British soldiers arrives at the beaches to murderous gunfire, a force of 3 tanks and 4 regular infantry. Machine gun fire whips through from the hill ahead, richocheting off of the hedgehogs, while mortar fire explodes, sending a spray of salt water and sand across the beach.
HQ command: Commence an attack with three units. Sitrep: In immediate attack range is a German infantry platoon on a hill, taking cover behind sandbags. Their machine gunners are already plugging away at your men. In the distance behind a bunch of hedgehogs and barbed wire is a set of 2 artillery pieces in a bunker blasting away. Although the beach is at the maximum of its range, as you get closer its fire is sure to become increasingly murderous. Choices: At this point you must clear room for your second wave to come in when they do, or else you and your men will be sitting ducks for mortar fire. Do you:
1. Call your men to move to take cover at the hedgehogs ahead? 2. Advance down the beach and return long range fire up the hill? 3. Call your three tanks down the beach to flank the machine gunners and launch an assault on the artillery ahead? 4. Avoid the MG fire as best as you can, moving east instead to head towards the Casino?
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Major Orion Stellus Sector: Center Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry, 9 tanks Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: three German infantry platoons and 4 heavy artillery guns
"Godspeed, men! The hopes of a war lie with you!" Machine gun fire whips through from the hill ahead, richocheting off of the hedgehogs, while mortar fire explodes, sending a spray of salt water and sand across the beach. Your 9 tanks were supposed to get there first to clear any barbed wire obstructions, but stormy seas have delayed them to come with your first infantry wave of four regular infantry.
HQ command: Commence an attack with three units. Sitrep: Your sector is relatively calm; it is out of range of the machine gunners congregated in the far off bunkers at Strongpoint Cod. A wall of hedgehogs and wire block the way to them, in such a way that your tanks will have very constricted movement in a way that will force them around the hedgehogs. Your artillery and commandos have not arrived yet. The only units that are firing on you are the German artillery pieces, of which their fire is sure to become more accurate as you proceed. Choices: At this point you must clear room for your second wave to come in when they do, or else you and your men will be sitting ducks for mortar fire. Do you:
1. Call your men to move to take cover at the hedgehogs ahead? 2. Move your tanks to the edges of your sector to hopefully assault the strongpoint ahead and crush any wire ahead? 3. Call your three tanks down the beach to flank the machine gunners and launch an assault on the artillery ahead? 4. Advance enough to get out of the tide to make room for the next wave, but far enough from the MG's range
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Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
"Godspeed, men! The hopes of a war lie with you!" Machine gun fire whips through from the hill ahead, richocheting off of the hedgehogs, while mortar fire explodes, sending a spray of salt water and sand across the beach. Your four regular infantry and 3 tanks have arrived on scene, while your commandos, artillery, and the rest of your tanks are on the next wave.
HQ command: Commence an attack with three units. Sitrep: Much to your surprise the beach is quite unguarded. In fact, from what it looks like, Strongpoint Trout is unguarded. However, if they are not waiting for you at the beach, they most certainly are waiting for you in the towns for some deadly street fighting. There are a few hedgehogs and wire ahead, which appear designed to create a narrow bottleneck. Your most immediate enemy is the platoon on the hill to the very east of your sector, as well as the artillery pieces. You're still out of range for the former in the tide, but as soon as you step forth onto the beach they are sure to rain down some hell on you. Choices: At this point you must clear room for your second wave to come in when they do, or else you and your men will be sitting ducks for mortar fire. Do you:
1. Call your men to move to take cover at the hedgehogs ahead? 2. Advance your tanks to the edges of your sector to assault the occupied hill and clear the wire there? 3. Get your men moving towards Strongpoint Trout? 4. Move all the way West to start an assault on the far plateau?
One more thing. Don't worry about other people's paces for their sectors; each sector will be handled independently from here on out. This is a long beach...
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
1. Call your men to move to take cover at the hedgehogs ahead
I would have liked to call 2, but I really don't want to risk my armor, especially this early in the game. 1 seems the safest move until I receive further intelligence on enemy emplacements.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 5 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
3 of your regular infantry rush towards the hedgehogs, drawing fire. The hedgehogs are providing a fine source of cover from the bullets, which is mostly suppressive in nature. However, all of a sudden your east most platoon is bombarded by an artillery strike, blowing apart two of the squads. That platoon only has two squads left. In the meanwhile, the second wave of regular infantry, artillery, and commandos have arrived.
HQ Command: Move out four of your infantry! Sitrep: Your eastmost platoon is at half-strength, and not only is it in range of artillery, it's also within fair accuracy from the MG on the hill. Your westmost is a bit away from Strongpoint Trout, but there's a lot of wire in the way. Most of the Germans seem to still be in town, kept in reserve.
Choices: Put the following choices in priority, from greatest priority to least.
1. Retreat your 2 platoon out of danger back to the ocean. 2. Travel closer to Strongpoint Trout. 3. Let your commando platoons hit the shore. 4. Get the rest of your regular infantry onto the beach proper. 5. Assault the hill attacking the depleted platoon.
Oh yes, pHacon, I forgot to ask. Any questions? You had some questions, but I didn't see it because you submitted it while I was in the middle of that monstrous beginning post.
Oh yes, pHacon, I forgot to ask. Any questions? You had some questions, but I didn't see it because you submitted it while I was in the middle of that monstrous beginning post.
Seeing what you did answered most of them.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 5 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
This is an amphib assault, so I'll try to run through it like the Marines did while island hopping in the Pacific. 4. Get the rest of your regular infantry onto the beach proper. 3. Let your commando platoons hit the shore. 1. Retreat your 2 platoon out of danger back to the ocean. 5. Assault the hill attacking the depleted platoon. 2. Travel closer to Strongpoint Trout.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 5 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
With the coming of the rest of your regulars up the beach, the German platoon on the hill is thrown into confusion by the number of men going down the beach, and casualties are minimal. No damage is done to your depleted platoon yet, buying you some time to advance further. More of your men have taken refuge by the hedgehogs. Your second wave of infantry and commadoes have arrived on the beach proper, but your artillery pieces need to advance onto steadier ground to be deployed. Through your binoculars, you can see that troops from Lion-sur-Mer have moved into the bunkers in Strongpoint Trout, adding a new set of defenders on the beach front.
HQ Command: General assault with all units! Sitrep: Now that you are closer to your attackers, you are within a close assault range from the hill defenders. In the distance, the artillery might be able to be attacked by your tanks, but it's still a bit far for your infantry to attack. Your westernmost infantry unit is close to Strongpoint Trout and taking cover by some hedgehogs, and it will be a matter of time before suppressive fire starts against them.
Choices: With most of your force on scene, you should choose a target to concentrate your forces on, or split your forces and attack two targets at the same time. Choose a choice from each one.
Targets to choose: 1. The unit on the hill. Most of your infantry will be able to attack them, as well as your armor. 2. Strongpoint Trout. It will require you to shift most of your infantry over, but your other infantry and commandos should be able to take them.
How to attack: 1. Lay down gunfire from a distance. This would mostly be suppressive in nature, especially since your opponent has the high ground, but you might be able to force a retreat against the unit. 2. Come in close to attack in close quarters. Your units have been trained well in hand-to-hand combat, and the submachine gunners in each squad should be able to take on the Germans. 3. Remove the wire. This will leave your men open to full attack, but it will prevent the wire from acting as a hindrance against the fighting power of your troops as well as their mobility.
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Captain Joseph Slothok Sector: Left Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry platoons, 2 tanks. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 4 German infantry platoons and 2 heavy artillery guns
(Note: Please copy down the text of your choice so that I don't have to reference it again)
Your tanks across the beach, making it past the line of sight of the infantry on the hill and blasting at the artillery pieces. They are securely protected in a bunker complex, however, and none are destroyed. In the ensuing counter-fire from the guns, one of your tanks are destroyed. In the meanwhile, several of your men advanced forward to take cover at the hedgehogs, drawing machine gun fire. One of your squads are destroyed so far, leaving 3 more in the platoon, not a heavy loss, but a loss nevertheless. The rest of your tanks and commandos have not arrived yet.
HQ Command: Continue the attack with 3 units. Sitrep: At this point you have your tanks to the far east of your sector, your infantry at the hedgehogs right under the hill, and the rest of your infantry back at the tide. The artillery and the hill remain the main attackers.
Choices: Order the following choices in the priority you desire to see them carried out, from greatest priority to least. 1. Mount a close-quarters assault against the units on the hill with your infantry. 2. Move up your commandos onto the beach. 3. Continue the tank assault against the artillery. 4. Retreat your tanks back away from accurate artillery fire. 5. Have your infantry move up the hill to gain some equal ground against the German platoon. Your infantry will be especially vulnerable during this process though.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 5 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons
Target: 1. The unit on the hill. Most of your infantry will be able to attack them, as well as your armor.
Method of attack: 2. Come in close to attack in close quarters. Your units have been trained well in hand-to-hand combat, and the submachine gunners in each squad should be able to take on the Germans.
This may be risky, but if taken, the German emplacement will allow me a great position from which to flank either the town of Lion-sur-Mer, which is now not as well defended, or the German Gun emplacements. (why do I bother justifying my choices?)
Major Orion Stellus Sector: Center Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry, 9 tanks Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: three German infantry platoons and 4 heavy artillery guns
3. Call your three tanks down the beach to flank the machine gunners and launch an assault on the artillery ahead?
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry, 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons (1 down to 1 squad, 1 down to 3 squads)
Your men storm up the beach in force, with your regulars massed against the platoon on the hill and the commandos taking up your right flank, closer towards Strongpoint Trout. Two of your platoons, a fresh one and your depleted one, get there first, inflicting heavy casualties upon the German platoon, who are reduced to a single squad. Although your other squads lay down heavy fire, they manage to retreat to the outskirts of Lion-sur-Mer, although they are down to only three men now. Your men now occupy the hill, with the artillery being the main threat now in your left flank. One of your commandoes who happen to be particularly close to Strongpoint Trout decide to return fire under the cover of hedgehogs, and in the ensuing firefight manage to eliminate a German squad in the bunker thanks to some expert marksmanship. Your armor swings wide around and tries to attack the artillery in the bunker, but their shells whizz over the guns. The artillery, by this time, however, has changed targets to your infantry, and in a fierce barrage manage to catch the depleted platoon out of cover, eliminating them.
HQ Order: Engage in a firefight against the enemy! Sitrep: Taking cover in the town of Lion-Sur-Mer is a full strength German platoon, while the depleted squad still has not reached the town proper. You should be able to gun them down. Alternatively, you can call your tanks and men to fire upon the cannon. Either way your troops on the hill will act as the hinge to which these two assaults will start. Only your commandos are close enough to assault Strongpoint Trout.
Choices: Note also that your artillery pieces are set up and capable of targeting all units at its location. With your hill infantry seeking out targets, during this firefight it should prove more accurate.
1. Try to take out the artillery oppressing your left flank. Note that they are also causing problems with the center sector as well. 2. Assault the units at or heading to Lion-Sur-Mer. You have a very good chance of destroying the fleeing unit, as well as hopefully doing some damage against the garrisoned unit. 3. Open more fire against Strongpoint Trout in the hopes of dealing more damage.
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Major Orion Stellus Sector: Center Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry, 8 tanks Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: three German infantry platoons (1 down to 2 squads) and 4 heavy artillery guns
Your tanks rumble down the beach; however, you find that the hedgehog positions were not quite where the map told you they would be. Instead, they protect Strongpoint Cod quite well from an armored assault on the beach, so in a moment of improvisation you decide instead to attack the units west of Strongpoint Cod. Noticing a unit taking cover by sandbags, your lead tanks open fire on them, blowing two squads of the four-squad German platoon away. Your other tank on your right flank tries to blast at the artillery pieces, but they are too securely bunkered. Luckily, its shots fly wild, as it is distracted by attacks coming in from your allies in the right sector, commanded by Captain Winters. However, a well-placed panzerfaust blast from the bunkered unit next to the dug-in troops manages to blast away one of your Shermans.
HQ Orders: Launch an armored assault with your Shermans. Sitrep: At this point, your tanks are ahead of your infantry support, and it could be dangerous, because they are starting to get into range of the bunkered units, who are well-protected against armor. The artillery pieces are still standing.
Choices: Your tanks are within assaulting range, and it would be best to concentrate fire on a target.
1. Concentrate on Strongpoint Cod. 2. Concentrate on eliminating the sandbagged units. 3. Concentrate on the bunkered infantry. 4. Concentrate on the bunkered artillery pieces.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry, 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 2 heavy artillery guns and 4 German infantry platoons (1 down to 1 squad, 1 down to 3 squads)
1. Try to take out the artillery oppressing your left flank. Note that they are also causing problems with the center sector as well.