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, 4 regular infantry, 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads)
Ah yes, I updated the Commanding units but not the units lost. My bad.
It is a very decisive action from you. Steady marksmanship from the platoon on the hill, coupled with armor support manages to efficiently dispatch the artillery from the bunker. Meanwhile, your artillery fires on the fleeing unit, and the barrage is lucky, wiping out that platoon. Your commandos, meanwhile, continue their one-handed assault on Strongpoint Trout, creating such a powerful supressive fire that they are forced to retreat in panic and regroup. One of your units are out from cover in the advance, but they emerge from the disorganized enemy fire unscathed.
HQ Command: Command one infantry platoon to sneak behind enemy lines and conduct a hit and run attack. Sitrep: At this point there are three German platoons left opposing you. One is located in Lion-sur-Mer, one is in Strongpoint Trout, and the other has moved out from the chateau to take a hill just west of the plateau.
Choices: While the rest of your men lay down smoke and suppressive fire, one of your infantry platoons will sneak behind and hopefully deal a decisive hit-and-run attack on the enemy. With this, your platoon should also be able to capture the chateau, which has now been left unguarded. Choose wisely!
1. Use your commando platoon to assault Strongpoint Trout, then capture the unguarded chateau to complete an objective. 2. Use your regular infantry to assault Strongpoint Trout, then occupy the far side of Lion-sur-Mer or capture the unguarded chateau to complete an objective. 3. Use your regular infantry to assault the troops garrisoned at Lion-sur-Mer at close quarters, then flank behind to hopefully set up an attack on Strongpoint Trout. 4. Use your commando platoon to assault the second hill platoon, then capture the unguarded chateau to complete an objective.
Wow, that worked much better than I thought it would!
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry, 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons. Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads)
4. Use your commando platoon to assault the second hill platoon, then capture the unguarded chateau to complete an objective.
Can't have anyone shooting at me from behind while advancing west, can I?.
I'm starting to wonder if I might be left to try taking the entire beach on my own, KoS and Orion seem to have forgotten about this, and I doubt I would survive a march to the east with two more Heavy Artillery guns still in place.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 2 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 1/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads, 1 down to 2 squads)
If you finish your campaign and they haven't replied back since, I'll let your men move from the right sector over to the next sector, which is the center. If Orion shows but not KoS, I'll let you command his left flank sector.
The plan works well. Under the cover of smoke your commandos assault the units on the hill in close-quarters combat, bringing them down to 2 squads, then steal away to regroup at the chateau, capturing it to complete one of your objectives. In the resulting counterattack, however, the units in Stronghold Trout and the hill combine to inflict casualties on your commandos, reducing them to half strength. Meanwhile, your men who have emerged from their hedgehogs to go for Lion-sur-Mer are taking casualties. Your tanks are advancing towards Lion-sur-Mer to offer support. Through the radio, the battleship lets you know that their naval guns are on the ready for a naval bombardment on land at your command.
HQ Order(s): Either call a naval barrage on a target or move out 4 infantry. Sitrep: Your commandos at the Chateau are busy defending the Chateau now. You should seek to cover them in some way, either with the bombardment or by reinforcing with infantry.
Choices: If you choose the naval barrage, choose a target: 1. The platoon on the hill. 2. Strongpoint Trout 3. The units at Lion-sur-Mer
If you choose to move out, you have a couple of tactical choices: 1. Divide your forces to occupy the infantry at Lion-sur-Mer, while using your second commando platoon to attack Strongpoint Trout. 2. Fall with all your weight on Strongpoint Trout, ignoring Lion-sur-Mer. This may leave you vulnerable to their fire. 3. Concentrate the attack on Lion-sur-Mer and then reinforce the chateau area. 4. Have your commandos in the chateau cut their losses and escape to the forest in the rear.
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
2. Concentrate on eliminating the sandbagged units.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 2 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 1/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads, 1 down to 2 squads)
3. Concentrate the attack on Lion-sur-Mer and then reinforce the chateau area.
I will still be able to call in a naval bombardment, later, right?
Sorry for the delay, but I just got back from my church's Good Friday service...kinda late out, but I'll get a good update tomorrow. Just letting you guys know.
Major Orion Stellus Sector: Center Commanding Units: 4 regular infantry, 8 tanks Units Lost: 0 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: Two German infantry platoons and 2 heavy artillery guns
The tanks rumble forward, overrunning the wire ahead and clearing a clear trail for your infantry to come through later. Quickly they steamroll the infantry troops down, coming to assault the bunkers. The shells they fire simply bounce off the bunker walls though; the infantry are quite well protected. They counter attack with Panzerschrecks, knocking out two more of your tanks. Without infantry back up, your tanks will be mired among the bunkers and be destroyed. In the meanwhile, a commando unit and two regulars have moved up the beach to reinforce the assault.
HQ Order: Move in four of your infantry platoons, or call a Close Assault with your tanks against the bunkers. Sitrep: At this point, much of the obstructing wire has been cleared. Your only real enemies are the bunkered infantry; Captain Winters has handily destroyed the artillery on your right flank, with the left flank artillery being distracted by Captain Slothok's units. However, these infantry are at full strength and proving to be great shots with their Panzerschrecks.
Choices: Regardless of which one you choose, the command you did not choose to follow can be saved for use at a later time.
If you decide to move out your infantry: 1. Concentrate your forces on Strongpoint Cod. 2. Concentrate your forces on the second bunker. 3. Concentrate on moving the rest of your infantry up the beach. 4. Keep cover at the hedgehogs.
Your tanks are already in position in close combat, so there aren't choices to give in way of Close Combat. Your rallying will give them an extra morale bonus against the bunkered units.
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Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squad), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 1 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 1/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads, 1 down to 2 squads)
Your infantry moves up around the outskirts to assault Lion-sur-Mer, forcing the Germans back deeper into the city. with withering fire. They do not suffer many casualties, however. Your commandos are looping around to attack the hill units from the rear (which was their front) as they deliver some accurate sniper fire at your men in the chateau.
HQ Order: Move any 4 of your units in a "Direct From HQ" free order, or use your naval barrage that you saved. Sitrep: The Lion-sur-Mer platoon has retreated deeper into the city, with one of your platoons deep as well giving chase. You have two other regular platoons close by ready to flank, as well as your tanks (note that tanks fighting in an urban setting are cramped and do not fight efficiently. The hill and Strongpoint Trout are still sniping away your men at the Chateau, and if they manage to eliminate your unit you will likely have to recapture the chateau again.
Choices:
If you choose to assume direct command, prioritize the following: 1. Have your flanking commando force attack the weakest unit (i.e. the depleted hill platoon) to help relieve the chateau force). 2. Continue the Lion-sur-Mer assault. 3. Retreat your chateau commandos for the time being. 4. Get some artillery fire on the German platoons.
Your naval barrage choices remain the same. If you do not use it at the moment, it will be kept on reserve for you.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squad), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 1 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 1/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 3 squads, 1 down to 2 squads)
3. Retreat your chateau commandos for the time being. 1. Have your flanking commando force attack the weakest unit (i.e. the depleted hill platoon) to help relieve the chateau force). 4. Get some artillery fire on the German platoons. 2. Continue the Lion-sur-Mer assault.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squad), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 3 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 2 squads, 1 down to 3 squads)
Your commandos withdraw from the Chateau, out of sight from the assaulting platoons, and in that instant the hill platoon charges away from the grasp of your flanking party and back to the chateau, pinning your commandos in a tight spot. Meanwhile, Strongpoint Trout has turned around to harrass your commandos, eliminating a squad. On the Lion-sur-Mer front, the urban fighting is intense, but you manage to push out the Germans, who escape into a nearby forest with only a squad.
HQ Order: Continue the attack with 3 units or call in your naval barrage. Sitrep: The Lion-sur-Mer force has been forced into a nearby forest, heavily depleted. Strongpoint Trout is still up and running with most of its members. The hill platoon has relocated back to the chateau, and is pinning down your escaped commandos.
Choices: If you choose to attack (choose 2 choices): 1. Stage a commando assault on the chateau in the hopes of recapturing it. 2. Focus your men on Strongpoint Trout. 3. Focus on taking out the last of the Lion-sur-Mer force taking cover in the forest. 4. Reposition your artillery pieces so as to be in better range against Strongpoint Trout.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squad), 2 artillery pieces, 2 commando platoons (1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 3 squads). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 2 squads, 1 down to 3 squads)
Kind of a Kobayashi-Maru here... 1. Stage a commando assault on the chateau in the hopes of recapturing it. 4. Reposition your artillery pieces so as to be in better range against Strongpoint Trout.
I would've called the barrage on the chateau if I was sure of the accuracy, but I don't want any friendly fire statistics. Let's hope that the commandos can take out the hill platoon without too many casualties, the force in the forest can wait, as they shouldn't be harassing my infantry too much while running away.
Captain Winters Sector: Right Commanding Units: 3 tanks, 4 regular infantry (1 down to 2 squads, 1 down to 3 squads), 2 artillery pieces, 1 commando platoons (1 down to 1 squad). Units Lost: 1 Objective Status: 0/2 German Units Left: 3 German infantry platoons (1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 1 squads, 1 down to 3 squads)
Sorry I haven't updated in a while.
Your commandos storm over, pushing out the Germans from the Chateau but not completely destroying them. However, in such close quarters the Germans from Strongpoint Trout send a counterattacking party down to help relieve the Chateau party, an attack so sudden that it wipes out a platoon of commandos and severely damages the second, who retreat to the safety of the hill. Your regulars on your left flank quickly eradicate the Germans hiding the forest, rushing to aid your beleaguered commandos to your right. While they are doing so, a strafing party of German fighters streaks by, machine gunning down a squad's worth of men. Still, the casualties are fairly light for the sudden attack.
HQ Command: Continue the attack with 3 units or call in the bombardment. Sitrep: Right now there are only two German units left, but they are both occupying your objective locations, and they will most definitely fight to the last man. Your infantry are far enough away from the barrage to not be affected, and your commandos on the hill are spotting for you, so it should be fairly accurate. Choices:
If you choose to attack, prioritize the following: 1. Move your armor down to support your infantry. 2. Call in some artillery support on Strongpoint Cod. 3. Move in your beach regulars to bear against Strongpoint Cod. 4. Move in your regulars north of Lion-sur-Mer to assault the Chateau, then Strongpoint Cod. 5. Move in your regulars north of Lion-sur-Mer to assault Strongpoint Cod, then the Chateau.
If you choose to call in the barrage, you have two targets: 1. The chateau. 2. Strongpoint Cod.
