Counterattack at Arracourt | Normandy Wargame

On September 22nd, under the cover of a dense fog, German panzers launch a furious counterattack against Patton's 3rd Army near Arracourt. It's an impressive concentration of German equipment, but the troops are raw and inexperienced. The historical operation is a complete disaster for the Germans, but can our players today rewrite history? How long will the fog linger to shelter the panzers from American air attacks? Find out NOW, on Little Wars TV!

A free PDF copy of our Fistful of TOWS Arracourt scenario is available on our website under the "Free Stuff" section. Just head over and download this one, plus dozens of other scenarios spanning all eras of military history.

You can also watch our rule review of Fistful of TOWS if you want to learn more about the rules we played in today's Quick Strike AAR. A detailed review is available here:

[kimchapman]

HOW DID I MISS THIS VIDEO!!! 😮

Great job by Savanah

We played several "remote commander" games several years ago, they quickly became our favourite style of game, the fog of war creates itself and communication skills are so vital, it was funny when one player sent "I have large enemy formations to my front" and his CO replied "Great, who are you? Where are you? And where the hell is your front?" 😂😂 I chuckled for ages over that one 😁

[lokkobold]

Love the family time episodes! Nice to see a bold, aggressive command style as that can be hard with remote command. Not falling to indecision due to the fog of war

[Funkadelic]

I love the work you do with simulating the difficulties of command and battlefield intelligence. Ive always want to play in a game with a simulated command structure and I love that you used a remote commander with limited information.

[JimJonesKoolaid]

“Neat!” Lmao I just imagine someone like Patton responding to a report with that line. Great stuff guys!

[reglavcor]

Loved Savannah's analysis of not being able to see the battlefield.

[baliusd]

That was a great Quick strike. I really like the remote command. Added true strategic fog. We did something similar with Gettysburg campaign for the maneuvering to the battle field but not the table. Good luck to Savannah at the academy!

[aydincurtis]

I love these AAR's, also I think you should do a siege of Vicksburg or Shiloh game.

[j.b.macadam]

Very Nice game! Chal, you must be very proud of Savannah. She has obviously been watching and learning from both you and your group, and has a firm grasp on military tactics. I believe Savannah has a bright future in the Air Force! Thanks for the video, and from this old Soldier, thank you Savannah for you service!

[davefranklin]

Enjoyable video and interesting scenario. MANY years ago at a Genghis Con in Denver, I played in a modern (WP vs. NATO) wargame that was sponsored by (IIRC) an Army reserve/national guard unit that involved remote commanders who sat at the top/last row of a large lecture hall, and communicated to the on-scene players down on the floor over Army comm gear. I was the NATO commander - fairly frustrating not having the "10, 000 ft tall general" view/control that wargamers typically have. Hope Savannah is enjoying her stint at the AFA. Seemed appropriate as an AFA cadet to have focus on bringing in the CAS to influence the battle! I live in COS, and one of my wargaming buddies is in the physics dept. I'll have to ask him if he knows her!

[haroldmorgan]

Our Thurs. night group did Arracourt a while back on a ping-pong sized table using "Tide of Iron" game vehicles/infantry/guns/etc. (about 19mm) & "Storm of Steel" rules (card-driven). Our advanced CCA was in a village being attacked by 2 Ger. Brigs at about 2:1 odds in the fog (reduced ranges/sighting) on the other end of the table while the rest of Allied forces (CCB, CCR) were at a larger town at the other end of the table ! While CCB & CCR were trying to cross the river to come aid CCA being attacked on 3 sides the Ger. Brigs pressed their advantage of numbers and set-up ambushes although they had no artillery support and the US did !! After losses CCA fell back out of the village to meet the US advancing relief column and when the fog cleared US air attacks forced the Germans back with heavy loss !! :-)

[Anvilarm]

Fog and remote commander? Wow! Well done. I would love to have seen a longer version of this AAR.

[andypickard]

Excellent Quick Strike. The remote commander did a great job!

[gavinpearson]

Really interesting to see two different approaches to the fog of war - one side with a remote commander & the other with random units!

[russby]

Savannah kept making laugh with her responses! I really like the idea for high command.

[StormofSteelWargaming]

Great video guys, really enjoyed this one. I particularly liked the remote commander idea and the fact the Germans didn't know what their blinds were as well. Good luck Savannah (I hope I've spelt it correctly...) at the academy!

[jovialdude]

Agree with so many previous comments on another great Little Wars video which provided not only entertainment but also ideas to emulate.

Most of all, Savanna, thank you for your service to our country.

[andymoore]

Imagine Patton responding to a situation report with the single word 'neat'!
The use of an off site CO has huge potential to add realism. In hindsight rather surprised we did not see more of the concept during Covid lock downs.
Maybe a bureau of volunteer off site COs with a bit of time to spare now and again could be established to develop this concept.?

[mattblowers]

You should be proud of your daughter. Your post-game interaction made the show.

[minitzonthesun]

Great video! Chal must be one proud father. I am impressed. My heart swells thinking about my daughter taking interest in the hobby and the history, but she's only 2. Thank you all for your content!

[davidwasilewski]

I love games with command friction. Feels much more realistic!