AAR: Gavin Take (181)

SITREP

Originally published as tournament scenario T1 in The General (issue 24-2, 1987), Gavin Take is one of the classic, early ASL scenarios, which is now included in the module Yanks. The 82^nd Airborne was tasked with securing several key bridges following the D-Day drop. One of these bridges was at Chef-du-Pont. General Gavin organized a pickup force to take care of this bridge himself. With elements of the 507^th PIR split into two groups, he marched on Chef-du-Pont by closely parallel but different routes.

The Players

Scott – Americans – Attackers:
507^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division

Neal – Germans – Defenders:
Grenadier-Regiment 1057, Luftlande-Infanterie-Division 91

After Action Report

Location:
Chef-du-Pont, France

Date:
6 June 1944

ROAR Balance (all versions)	Archive Balance (all versions)
Americans 300	Americans 109
Japanese 299	Japanese 103

Download the VASL .vsav setup file.
Download the VASL .vsav setup file.

Neal (Germans)

Playing as the Germans, I started the day feeling pretty good. I usually play the Germans pretty well. They’re the nationality that’s the “Jack of all trades, master of none” … solid in every aspect, but not exceptional at any one thing.

My defenders were cozy and concealed in their positions, awaiting Scott’s inevitable American advance from Utah Beach (beyond the top edge of the playing area). I placed my MMGs, MG42s (LMGs) and squads strategically around the village’s center, specifically in building levels with decent fields of fire, intending to slow or halt Scott’s advance right from the start but leveraging the protection of stone buildings. I left my flanks fairly open, which would become a problem later.

Things began smoothly enough, my machine guns chattering merrily at Scott’s approaching paratroopers. However, Scott popped smoke grenades with his paratroopers, making my early shots more like fireworks—pretty, but ultimately harmless. My initial strategy involved a balanced approach: holding the Americans as far forward as possible while cautiously considering a push to get some of my own units off the bridge hex (Q10) if opportunities presented themselves.

But then disaster struck on my right flank. Gavin, the legendary American leader with his dreaded 10-3 leadership, led his squads in a charge that shattered my defenses. My right side collapsed faster than a poorly built IKEA bookshelf. Panicking, I realized I had left the road leading to the bridge completely open. As Scott’s Americans casually strolled down the road without even a glance in my direction, I could only facepalm in shame. My critical oversight in leaving that flank exposed turned into a tactical nightmare.

Desperate attempts to reposition units and rally broken units proved too little, too late. Even my brave leader “Dieter” fell heroically (or tragically—perspective matters), leaving poor “Hanz” and “Franz” scrambling to cover the rapidly crumbling defense line. The initial concealment and well-placed machine guns provided solid defensive potential, but my inability to quickly rally and reposition broken units hampered any defensive flexibility.

At the final stand, my best hope rested on a few mediocre shots, but the fickle dice gods laughed at my futile attempts. Even with great die rolls at the end I’m not sure I could have salvaged this one. With the Americans holding firm control of the crucial bridge hex, my defenders threw in the towel, shaking fists at the empty road that cost us dearly.

Scott (Americans)

Taking command of the American paratroopers, I felt confident—especially with Gavin, my unstoppable 10-3 leader (Obi-wan power on the battlefield!). I split my forces into two groups: “Gavin” and “Maloney” pushing directly into the village, and “Osterberg” flanking from the west. My primary tactic was aggressive smoke usage, covering risky road crossings and minimizing Neal’s defensive firepower.

Initially, his machine gun fire caused a few shaky moments, breaking some squads on entry, but overall, I felt momentum was on my side. My flanking effort on the west stalled slightly but achieved its main goal of dividing Neal’s attention, effectively diverting his forces from reinforcing the crumbling right flank. However, I later realized that bringing Osterberg’s flanking force more centrally could have further accelerated my decisive advance.

Then came my big breakthrough. Spotting Neal’s unguarded right flank, Gavin and his troops strolled confidently down the main road toward the bridge, practically whistling as they went. Neal’s strategic oversight allowed me to split his forces and severely disrupt his defensive integrity, highlighting the advantage provided by my superior leadership and disciplined maneuvering.

Neal’s final desperate defense near the bridge did cause a little stress, but with careful maneuvering (and superior numbers!) and one heroic last push, I secured the victory hex. My troops managed to pin Neal’s remaining squads, holding the bridge firmly and forcing the Germans into an unwinnable position. My aggressive use of smoke, Gavin’s exceptional leadership (Obi-wan!), and exploiting Neal’s tactical error ultimately sealed the American victory.

Debriefing

This scenario reinforced the critical tactical lesson: always cover your flanks, folks, or suffer the consequences and defeat. Scott’s clever use of smoke and Neal’s failure to guard a key route dramatically shifted the battle’s momentum. The scenario was thrilling, humorous, and surprisingly close (nope), highlighting how easily one tactical error can shift the entire course of battle.

In the end, the Americans emerged victorious, Gavin proudly leading his troops over the Chef-du-Pont causeway, while Neal vowed never to leave a road unguarded again—at least until next time.

GET TO THE CHOPPA…!!!

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