Hill 70

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Lens, France 24 September 1915 You are Major Gause, you command the third battalion of the 178th Infantry Regiment - Labelled 178th(3) on the map below - of the Imperial German Army. You are supporting the other two battalions of your Regiment that are deployed in the Front Line of trenches south west of Loos. Your battalion is in reserve, occupying the mining town of Lens, France three miles southeast of Loos. Other Regiments are to your north - the 22nd and 11th Reserve Infantry Regiments, each consisting of three battalions. In support of the First Line of defences is the Second Line and a Redoubt on Hill 70 which are only lightly manned. After the Second Line there are no further defences - just the green fields and beyond! [[Continue|22:00 - Expected Attack]] <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Map-Hill-70-Situation-0600-re.jpg">

Lievin Road, Lens 04:30, 25 September 1915 The battalion starts to assemble as ordered. All the men seem alert and expectant. There are no late arrivals. You notice there are enemy airplanes flying overhead and the occasional enemy heavy shell explodes nearby. Your battalion has about 800 men sub-divided into four Companies. If they assemble as one group you might seen by the spotter airplanes, who will report this to their artillery. Do you order the men to: <<link [[Form up along the Lievin Road|04:45 - Lievin Road]]>><<set $Strength to $Strength -1>><<set $Morale to $Morale -5>><</link>> [[Disperse amongst the side streets|04:45 - Side Streets]] <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Orbat-3Bn-178Regt.jpg">

Lievin Road, Lens 06:30, 25 September 1915 The men are tired after standing for nearly two hours in the drizzle without a break. <><<set $Morale to $Morale -10>> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Morale </td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> </table><> Orders arrive: "Stand down, but be ready to stand to arms at a moments notice." Do you order your men to: <<link [[Go back to their billets|06:45 - Go back to their billets]]>><<set $Morale to $Morale +5>><</link>> <<link [[Fall out in the street|09:00 - Fall out in the street]]>><<set $Morale to $Morale -10>><</link>>

HQ, Lens 10:30, 25 September 1915 A messenger finds you and hands you a sealed order. "The Battalion will move at once by the quickest route to the northern exit of CITE ST. LAURENT" [[Continue|10:30 - Move out]]

Lievin Road, Lens 09:00, 25 September 1915 Finally the drizzle lifts, but leaves the men wet, and tired. The sound of the battle rages on. The sound of the bombardment is joined at about 07:00 by the constant rattle of rifle fire, and the tack tack of machine gun volleys. The British assault on the First Line must be underway! At 09:00 you notice that the bombardment is getting closer, lifting from the First Line and starting to fall on the Second Line. More shells are also landing in Lens. The battalion cook asks permission to serve the men hot coffee to the men. <<link [[Yes, great idea|09-30 - Yes]]>><<set $Morale to $Morale +5>><<set $Strength to $Strength -2>><</link>> <<link [[No, the men will crowd together and be vulnerable to shell fire|09:30 - No]]>><<set $Morale to $Morale -10>><<set $Strength to $Strength -2>><</link>>

???? ??:00, 25 September 1915

<table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Ammunition</td><td>= <<print $Ammunition>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Morale</td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Strength</td><td>= <<print $Strength>>%</td></tr> </table> Some of your actions will be enabled or disabled according to the current score of your game factors.

<<set $Ammunition to 100>> <<set $Morale to 100>> <<set $Strength to 100>> <<set $Formation to "Half Company Column">> <<set $Status to "Resting">> <<set $DefendStL to 0>> <<set $Recce to 0>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 0>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 0>> <<set $Time to "06:00">> <<set $Repeat to 0>> <<set $Late to 0>>

Lievin Road, Lens 06:45, 25 September 1915 The men go back to their billets and have hot coffee and fresh bread rolls. They are ordered to keep their packs and rifles to hand and be ready to deploy. Morale = <<print $Morale>>% You are also tired and hungry but anxious to react to the next order as quickly as possible. The noise from the front has intensified, from the Front Line you can hear machine gun and rifle fire. The shelling has shifted to the Second Line. Do you: [[Go to the Officers Mess|06:45 - Watch Battle]] [[Go to your HQ|07:00 - HQ]]

Lievin Road, Lens 04:45, 25 September 1915 One heavy shell hits the roof of a nearby building. A shower of debris and red hot shell splinters falls onto your assembled battalion. One man is killed and four are wounded. <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Strength </td><td>= <<print $Strength>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Morale </td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> </table> <> [[Continue|06:30 - Stand Down]]

Lievin Road, Lens 04:45, 25 September 1915 You order all the Companies to form up in the adjoining side streets. A heavy shell explodes in the roof of a building to oneside of the Lievin Road. Only one man is lightly wounded. [[Continue|05:00 - Visit Decision]]

Lievin Road, Lens 05:15, 25 September 1915 You visit each Company and check they are alert and not resting. You needn't have bothered as your men are keen and alert. Your officers are a little disappointed that you did not trust them. You go back to your HQ. [[Continue|06:30 - Stand Down]]

Lievin Road, Lens 05:15, 25 September 1915 You remain with your HQ and keep your small HQ staff - Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel, Corporal Diese, and four runners - with you. [[Continue|06:30 - Stand Down]]

<> <<set $Morale to $Morale -1>> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Morale </td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> </table> <>

Lens to Cite St. Laurent Road 10:30, 25 September 1915 Your men form up rapidly and march off to the sound of the guns. Formation = <<print $Formation>> You anxiously watch the enemy airplanes overhead. As your men move quickly along the narrow streets up the hill towards Cite St Laurent, several incoming shells explode near your men causing some casualties. Strength = <<print $Strength>>% [[Continue|10:30 - Recce Decision]]

Lens to Cite St. Laurent Road 10:45, 25 September 1915 Your men start to form up in single file. Each Company of nearly 200 men takes sometime to form up, but you know it will be worth it as you will provide a much smaller target for the British airplanes to spot. Formation = <<print $Formation>> You are concerned about the situation at the front. What will you find when you get there? You wonder if you can risk leaving your men to advance whilst you double forward and do a personal reconnaissance. Or could you leave Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel in charge? Though young, he is a good man; though a bit impetuous at times. What do you do? <<link[[Personal Recce|10:45 - Recce Result]]>><<set $Recce to 1>><</link>> <<link[[Don't Recce|10:45 - No Recce]]>><<set $Recce to 0>><</link>>

Southern suburbs of Cite St. Laurent Road 11:00, 25 September 1915 Your men move at the double in their Company columns across the gaps along the road from Lens. <> <<if $Recce neq 1>> <<include [[Scene - Hill 70 mg surprise]]>> <</if>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -10>> <<set $Morale to $Morale -10>> <> As your battalion moves across the two sections of open ground, it takes a lot of casualties from long-range machine gun fire, in addition to the occasional artillery shell. The machine gun fire is particularly effective because you are in dense Company columns. Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Morale = <<print $Morale>>% The men are now at the southern edge of Cite St. Laurent and need to move through the town. The town is now mostly just piles of rubble and the machine gunners on Hill 70 are able to fire at any target moving through it. Your battalion is also slightly disordered. Formation = <<print $Formation>> Looking back at the trail of casualties, and then at your men, you decide that you should: <><<link[[Use Company columns, and move at the double|11:15 - Column to St L]]>><<set $Formation to "Company Column">><</link>><> <><<link[[Use half Company columns and move in rushes|11:30 - Half Companies and Recce]]>><<set $Formation to "Half Company Column">><</link>><> <><<if $Recce eq 0>> <<link[[Reform and rest your men, whilst you recce ahead|11:30 - Reform and Recce]]>><<set $Status to "Resting in cover">><<set $Recce to 1>><</link>> <<else>> <</if>><>

Southern suburbs of Cite St. Laurent Road 11:00, 25 September 1915 <> <<if $Recce neq 1>> <<include [[Scene - Hill 70 mg surprise]]>> <</if>> <> Your battalion manages to cross the two patches of open ground in good order and only takes a few casualties from the machine guns which cannot traverse rapidly enough to keep up with men rushing from cover to cover. Only one or two men are hit by shell fire. Formation = <<print $Formation>> The men are now at the southern edge of Cite St. Laurent and need to move through the town. The town is now mostly just piles of rubble and the machine gunners on Hill 70 are able to fire at any target moving through it. What do you order: <<link[[Use Company columns, and move at the double|11:15 - Column to St L]]>><<set $Formation to "Company Column">><</link>> <<link[[Use half Company columns and move in rushes|11:30 - Half Companies and Recce]]>><<set $Formation to "Half Company Column">><</link>> <> <<if $Recce eq 0>> <<link[[Reform and rest your men, whilst you recce ahead|11:30 - Reform and Recce]]>><<set $Status to "Resting in cover">><</link>> <<else>> <</if>> <> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1200-r.jpg">

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:30, 25 September 1915 Your men move in short rushes, from cover to cover, through the gardens and back alleys of Cite St Laurent. The British machine-gunners are not able to effectively target them. You only take a few casualties. The Battalion reaches the north edge of Cite St. Laurent. <<print $Status>> in <<print $Formation>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -2>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% <> <<if $Recce neq 1>> <<include [[Scene - Recce]]>> <<elseif $Right eq 1>> <</if>> <> <<include [[Scene - Cross To Second Line]]>> [[Continue|11:30 - Deployment Plan]]

Northern Edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:30, 25 September 1915 Your men rest in the ruined houses and gardens on the southern edge of town. A few shells are still landing nearby, but there is no heavy fire directed at you. <<print $Status>> in <<print $Formation>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +10>> Morale = <<print $Morale>>% <<set $Strength to $Strength -5>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% <> <<if $Recce neq 1>> <<include [[Scene - Recce]]>> <<else>> <</if>> <> <<link[[Move dispersed and cautiously, in half Company columns|11:45 - Disperse]]>><<set $Formation to "Half Company Columns">><</link>> <<link[[Move quickly and under control, in full Company columns|11:30 - Arrive N St L]]>><<set $Formation to "Company Columns">><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1200-r.jpg"> <<set $Late to $Late +1>>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:15, 25 September 1915 Your men move through main streets of Cite St Laurent in controlled Company columns. The long-range machine-gun fire is very effective against your dense columns, even though the men are moving very quickly. You take quite a few casualties. Formation = <<print $Formation>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -15>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% <<set $Morale to $Morale -15>> Morale = <<print $Morale>>% <> <<if $Recce neq 1>> <<include [[Scene - Recce surprise]]>> <</if>> <> [[Continue|11:15 - Deploy decision]]

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:45, 25 September 1915 Your men move through the gardens and back alleys of Cite St Laurent in short rushes. They do not attract much accurate machine-gun fire, and only take a few casualties. Formation = <<print $Formation>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -2>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% They start to arrive at the northern edge of the town, as ordered. [[Continue|11:30 - Deployment Plan]]

Second Line trenches 13:00, 25 September 1915 <<if $Late gte 1>> <<include [[Late Consequence]]>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +5>> <<else>> <<include [[Early Consequence]]>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +10>> <</if>>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 12:15, 25 September 1915 Your men are eager to get to grips with the enemy and move rapidly forward. As they leave the shelter of the houses of Cite St. Laurent they start to take a few casualties from long range machine gun fire coming from Hill 70. They quickly get into the shelter of communication trenches and move to man the Second Line trenches. They bolster the tired remnants of the 22nd Reserve Regiment. <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>><<set $Strength to $Strength -1>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Companies deployed in Second Line trenches </td><td>= <<print $CoyInTrenches>></td></tr> <tr><td>Companies in Reserve, in Cite St, Laurent</td><td>= <<print $CoyInReserve>></td></tr> </table> <> You set up your HQ in a house with a cellar on the edge of Cite St. Laurent. Soon all Companies send back their reports that they are in position and have started engaging the enemy. [[Continue|13:00 - Effective fire]]

<> <<if $Late eq 2>> <<include [[13:15 - Defend Decision]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:15 - Counter-attack Decision]]>> <</if>> <> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>>

Officers' Mess, Lens 22:00, 24 September 1915 The order says "A British offensive is expected tomorrow morning. Your Battalion will stand to arms at 04:30 a.m. at the eastern exit of Lens on the Lievin Road." You read out the order to all the officers; they put out their pipes, drink up their drinks, wish each other good-luck and good-night and then leave to pass the order to their men. [[Continue |04:30 - Stand To]]

<img src=" Photo showing German battalion moving forward. <img src="http://www.impudent.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/german-soldiers-march-column.jpg"> Orbat of Battalion showing Companies. <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Orbat-3Bn-178Regt.jpg"> http://hill70.uk/games/images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1100-r.jpg 173rd Regt Postcard <img src="./images/hill-70-images/178IR1916.PNG"> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/178IR1916.PNG">

Officers' Mess, Lens 22:00, 24 September 1915 Your Regiment has been occupying the defences around Loos and Lens for several months now. You know the ground and the trench systems very well. For the past three days and nights the English and French have been bombarding your First Line. Only a few heavy shells have fallen in Lens, and you have not taken any casualties. The officers of the battalion are all gathered in the mess discussing the events of the day and the prospect of the coming engagement. During the day they were watching the bombardment from the top storey of the officers' mess, conveniently set in one of the highest buildings in Lens. A messenger from Regimental HQ enters the mess, and hands you a sealed order. [[Continue|22:00 - Orders]]

Lievin Road, Lens 05:00, 25 September 1915 You worry that as your men are in dispersed positions you will not be able to prevent them taking off their packs, stacking their rifles and generally slacking off. If they do this it will delay them responding to any orders to move off. Do you: <<link [[Visit and check each Company|05:15 - Visit]]>><<set $Morale to $Morale -5>><</link>> [[Remain in your HQ|05:15 - HQ]]

Officers' Mess, Lens 06:45, 24 September 1915 The Officer's Mess is in a high building and you can watch the developing battle. The German front is covered in clouds of green poison gas that stream over the German First Line and towards Loos. The British are shelling the communication trenches behind the German front line. Initially the German First Line holds and No-Man's Land is covered with British bodies. Soon you see wave after wave of the enemy that keep on breaking over the German trenches. By 07:00 you start to see groups of German infantry retreating into Loos. You guess that those are the remnants of the German 22nd Reserve Regiment. They are soon being pursued by groups British soldiers. [[Continue|08:00 - Watch Battle]] <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Map-Hill-70-Situation-0900-re.jpg">

Your HQ, Lens 07:00, 25 September 1915 You reach your HQ. You sit in front of the warm stove and shrug off your rain sodden great coat. Corporal Diese brings you a steaming hot cup of coffee and some hot, buttered rolls. You are anxious to stay alert. Every time the door opens you look up, expecting a messenger with an urgent order. [[Continue|10:30 - Move order received - HQ]]

HQ, Lens 10:30, 25 September 1915 Overhead you hear the incessant drone of British airplanes looking for a juicy target for their artillery. You need to issue orders to your battalion to form up and move out. <<link [[In Company Columns.|10:30 - Columns]]>><<set $Strength to $Strength -20>><<set $Formation to "Company Column">><</link>> Company columns enables rapid, and controlled movement, but gave the enemy a larger target to spot and to hit. <<link [[In Single File.|10:45 - Single File]]>><<set $Strength to $Strength -5>><<set $Formation to "Single File">><</link>> Single file enables controlled movement, but is slower to move and takes time to form and reform. It does give the enemy a smaller target and is harder to spot and hit. <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Orbat-3Bn-178Regt.jpg">

HQ, Lens 10:30, 25 September 1915 You wake up! You must have dozed off. Corporal Diese gives you a sealed message. You rip it open. "The Battalion will move at once by the quickest route to the northern exit of CITE ST. LAURENT" [[Continue|10:30 - Move out]]

Lievin Road, Lens 09:30, 25 September 1915 The cook organises his men to serve the coffee in large kettles going along to the men where they sit and serve them coffee straight into their mess tins. A few shells hit buildings nearby, a few are injured by falling debris. The men gratefully drink. Their mood lifts. <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Morale </td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Strength </td><td>= <<print $Strength>>%</td></tr> </table> <> [[Continue|10:30 - Move order received]]

Lievin Road, Lens 09:30, 25 September 1915 The men sit glummily as best they can, huddled in their sodden greatcoats. A few shells hit buildings nearby, a few are injured by falling debris. <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Morale </td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Strength </td><td>= <<print $Strength>>%</td></tr> </table> <> [[Continue|10:30 - Move order received]]

You have to make a plan to deploy your battalion to help defend the German line. The two options are: [[To reinforce the 22nd Reserve Regiment to your front, by moving into the Second Line trenches|12:00 - Deployment]] [[To occupy and defend the ruined buildings on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent, supporting the 22nd Reserve Regiment with your firepower|11:15 - Defend Cite St Laurent]]

Northern Edge of Cite St.Laruent 11:15, 25 September 1915 Your men start to fan out to find defensive positions amongst the shell holes and ruined buildings on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent. The buildings provide a ready made shelter for the men. First aid posts, Company HQs and your HQ are set up in cellars. Men start to dig trenches and knock holes in walls. Your men start to engage the enemy soldiers in front of your Second Position. Your fire is picking off quite of their men and has halted their assault on the line. [[Continue|11:30 - British Assault]] <<set $DefendStL to 1>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -5>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>>

Officers' Mess, Lens 08:00, 24 September 1915 You cannot see directly into Loos but you can see flashes of small-arms fire in the town and guess there is street fighting there. At about 08:00 you see more small groups of the 22nd Reserve Regiment running eastwards from Loos and then over Hill 70, abandoning The Redoubt, and moving into the German Second Line. Hot on their heels are British soldiers; they seize the Hill 70 Redoubt. By 09:00 the British troops start to move down the southern slopes of Hill 70 towards Cite St Laurent and the German Second Line. What will stop their advance? [[Continue|10:30 - Move order received]] <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Map-Hill-70-Situation-1000-re.jpg">

Lens to Cite St. Laurent Road 10:45, 25 September 1915 <<if $Formation eq "Company Column">> Your men are moving rapidly in company columns down the centre of the road. They instinctively hunch over, expecting incoming shell fire. Formation = <<print $Formation>> Several shells explode near your men causing a few dozen casualties. Your men are not daunted by this, if anything they pick-up their pace, but this means the formation is lost and several men start to straggle at the rear. <<set $Strength = $Strength - 10>> <<set $Morale = $Morale - 10>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Morale = <<print $Morale>>% <<else>> Your men are moving quickly now that they have formed into single file. They are advancing on either side of the street, a single file on each side. Formation = <<print $Formation>> A few incoming shells explode near your men causing only one or two casualties. They are not daunted by this and keep moving forward.<<set $Strength = $Strength - 2>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>%<</if>> As you reach the suburbs of Lens there are two gaps of open ground that you have to cross. The first a 500 yard gap between the edge of Lens and Cite Ste. Elisabeth. After passing through Cite St. Elisbeth there is a similar 500 yard gap to the start of Cite St. Laurent. As you cross the gaps your battalion of 800 men you will be exposed to the enemy view and their fire no matter what formation they adopt. Speed is important, but you need to keep them together, under control, and avoid stragglers. Do you order your Battalion to: <<link[[Advance along the road in Company columns|11:00 - Columns]]>><<set $Formation to "Company Column">><</link>> <<link[[Advance in short rushes, off the road, by half Companies|11:00 - Half Columns]]>><<set $Formation to "Half Company Column">><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1100-r.jpg">

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 10:45, 25 September 1915 <<include [[Scene - Recce]]>> [[Continue|10:45 - Decision after recce]] <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1100-r.jpg">

Personal Recce of Maj Gause, at North edge of Cite St. Laurent 10:45, 25 September 1915 Your men are still moving up through Lens. You now know from your recce that there are two gaps of open ground that you have to cross. The first is a 500 yard gap between the edge of Lens and Cite Ste. Elisabeth. After passing through Cite St. Elisbeth there is a similar 500 yard gap to the start of Cite St. Laurent. As you cross the gaps your battalion of 800 men you will be exposed to the enemy view and their fire no matter what formation they adopt. You have noticed that now that the British are on Hill 70, they can sweep exposed ground with machine gun fire as well as call down artillery fire. You reconsider the <<print $Formation>> formation you ordered the battalion to use in their advance to Cite St. Laurent. Speed is important, but you need to keep them together, under control, and avoid stragglers. Do you send a messenger back to order your Battalion to: <<link[[Advance along the road in Company columns, at the double|11:00 - Columns]]>><<set $Formation to "Company Column">><</link>> <<link[[Advance in short rushes, off the road, by half Companies|11:00 - Half Columns]]>><<set $Formation to "Half Company Column">><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1100-r.jpg">

Northern Edge of Cite St.Laruent 11:30, 25 September 1915 There is a lull in the British shelling. You ready yourself for what will come next. On your left - where your Second Line is crossed by a railway line - there is an increase in rifle fire and even the dull thud of hand-grenade explosions. To your surprise you see a group of British soldiers rush over the railway embankment and enter the trenches of the Second Line. The resistance of the tired 22nd Reserve Regiment has been broken. Will the rest of that 22nd collapse too? What can you do? <<include [[Scene - Cross To Second Line]]>> <<include [[Scene - Reinforce 2nd Line]]>>

You move forward with Corporal Diese and a couple of messengers, leaving Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel with the remainder of the HQ. You move quickly to Cite St. Laurent, finding a shattered house on the northern edge of the town and take up a position where you can observe the Second Line and Hill 70. The British have taken Hill 70 in strength, and they have set up machine guns and are directing fire on the Second Line trenches and sometimes into Cite St. Laurent. Scattered across the open ground between Hill 70 and your Second Line trenches are small groups of British soldiers. You estimate there are about 300 - 500 soldiers. Some of these groups are moving forward in short rushes towards your Second Line. Other groups are pinned down in the open ground. All across the Second Line remnants of the 22nd Reserve Regiment are managing to hold the enemy back; firing their rifles and machine guns and causing some casualties.

You are surprised to find that there is machine gun fire coming from Hill 70. The British must have taken the redoubt. Their attack is further advanced than you thought; your Second Line must be under attack as well!

When you reach the edge of Cite St Laurent you notice that the British hold Hill 70 in strength. Here they have set up machine guns and are directing fire on the Second Line trenches. Between your trenches and the summit of Hill 70 is a 600 yard open glacis of earth and shell holes, devoid of cover. Scattered in small groups across the open ground between Hill 70 and your Second Line trenches are advanced groups of Scottish soldiers. You estimate that there are about 300 - 500 soldiers. All across the Second Line remnants of the 22nd Reserve Regiment are just managing to hold the enemy back; firing their rifles and machine guns and causing some casualties.

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:15, 25 September 1915 Your Battalion is now on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent. <<include [[Scene - Cross To Second Line]]>> <<include [[Scene - Deployment Plan]]>>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:30, 25 September 1915 <<include [[Scene - Cross To Second Line]]>> <<include [[Scene - Deployment Plan]]>>

If you want to reinforce the 22nd you will have to cross yet more open ground, north of Cite St Laurent. Between your current position in Cite St. Laurent is a short stretch of open ground sheltered by a railway embankment. Over the other side of the railway embankment is a short 100 - 200 yard section of open ground before you can reach the shelter of the Second Line trenches. <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1200-r.jpg">

Second Line trenches 13:15, 25 September 1915 The British soldiers on your left flank, near where the railway crosses the Second Line, were very close to your line and you were able to deal with them very effectively. Some are trying to run away - your men gleefully gun them down. You sense that it might be possible to initiate a counter-attack there. Then again you are in a good defensive position and doing as ordered. Your fire is effective against the British troops in front of your position and there are no further British reinforcements coming down from Hill 70. <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Companies deployed in Second Line trenches </td><td>= <<print $CoyInTrenches>></td></tr> <tr><td>Companies in Reserve, in Cite St, Laurent</td><td>= <<print $CoyInReserve>></td></tr> </table> <> What do you do? [[Prepare for a counter-attack on your left flank|13:30 - Launch Left]] [[Prepare for a counter-attack on your entire front|13:30 - Launch All]] [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]] <<link [[Request permission from HQ to counter-attack|13:45 - Hold]]>><<set $RequestHQ to 1>><</link>> <<set $Repeat to 0>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +5>> <<set $Time to "13:45">>

<<if $Morale gte 80>> <<if $Strength gte 70>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<elseif $Strength gte 50>> <<include [[14:00 - counter-attack Partial Success]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <<elseif $Morale gte 50>> <<if $Strength gte 80>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<elseif $Strength gte 60>> <<include [[14:00 - counter-attack Partial Success]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -15>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <<else>> <</if>> <> <<set $Time to "13:45">>

<<if $Morale gte 80>> <<if $Strength gte 70>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<elseif $Strength gte 50>> <<include [[14:00 - counter-attack Partial Success]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <<elseif $Morale gte 50>> <<if $Strength gte 80>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<elseif $Strength gte 60>> <<include [[14:00 - counter-attack Partial Success]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <</if>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <> <<set $Time to 13:45>>

Second Line trenches <<print $Time>>, 25 September 1915 <> <<if $Repeat eq 3>> <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>> <<elseif $Repeat eq 2>> <<set $Time to "14:30">> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> A few of the British soldiers in front of the Second Line trenches attempt to run away. Some of them get shot down, a few escape. [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]] <<elseif $Repeat eq 1>> <<set $Time to "14:15">> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> Your men's fire is even more effective now that they have got the range. [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]] <<else>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "14:00">> Your men keep firing at the enemy, causing them casualties. [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]] <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +5>> <> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches 13:15, 25 September 1915 Then again you are in a good defensive position and doing as ordered. Your fire is effective against the British troops in front of your position and there are no further British reinforcements coming down from Hill 70. You are also defending the front that you were ordered to do. Do you: [[Prepare for a counter-attack from your left flank|13:30 - Launch Left]] [[Prepare for a counter-attack on your entire front|13:30 - Launch All]] <<link [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]]>><<set $Time to "13:45">> <<set $Repeat to 0>><</link>> <<link [[Request permission from HQ to counter-attack|13:45 - Hold]]>><<set $RequestHQ to 1>><</link>>

The enemy is pinned down in exposed positions in front of the Second Line trenches, with little cover other than shell holes or a few scrapes they have managed to dig. They have not managed to get any further forward. Unfortunately on your left, where the railway crosses your Second Line, a group of about 30 British soldiers have managed to get into your trenches. They used the railway embankment as cover and launched a sudden rush. They have secured a foothold. <> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Ammunition </td><td>= <<print $Ammunition>>%</td></tr> </table> <> Do you: <<if $CoyInReserve eq 0>> <<link [[You have no Reserve to reinforce them|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>><</link>> <<elseif $CoyInReserve eq 2>> <<link [[Order 1 Company from your Reserve to strengthen your left flank and add even more firepower onto the British|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 3>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 1>><</link>> <<elseif $CoyInReserve eq 1>> <<link [[Order 1 Company from your Reserve to strengthen your left flank and add even more firepower onto the British|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 4>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 0>><</link>> <</if>> [[Order a counter-attack with the forces available in the trenches|13:00 - Immediate CAttack]]

The enemy is pinned down in exposed positions in front of the Second Line trenches, with little cover other than shell holes or a few scrapes they have managed to dig. They have not managed to get any further forward. Your machine guns and your rifle fire is causing many casualties amongst the enemy. In particular you notice that your soldiers on your left flank are causing the most damage to the enemy to their right as their fire is enfilading the enemy. <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> Ammunition <<print $Ammunition>>% <<if $CoyInReserve eq 0>> <<link [[You have no Reserve to reinforce them|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>><</link>> <<elseif $CoyInReserve eq 2>> <<link [[Order 1 Company from your Reserve to strengthen your left flank and add even more firepower onto the British|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 3>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 1>><</link>> <<elseif $CoyInReserve eq 1>> <<link [[Order 1 Company from your Reserve to strengthen your left flank and add even more firepower onto the British|13:00 - No change to deployment]]>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 4>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 0>><</link>> <</if>>

Second Line trenches 13:30, 25 September 1915 <<set $Morale to $Morale -5>> Lieutenant Galtier, CO of 1st Company, asks for the counter-attack order to be in writing. He says that he will have a better chance if he was reinforced, but will carry out your written order. [[Order the counter-attack|13:30 - Hasty counter-attack]] [[Order 1 Company from your Reserve to counter-attack the threatened section|13:00 - Change to deployment]]

At 14:30 a strong British bombardment starts to fall about a half a mile away. The bombardment is large; consisting of many heavy and light guns. You think a counter-attack might follow. Your rate of fire slackens as men start to take cover, anticipating the bombardment reaching them. [[Continue|15:00 - Bombardment lifts]] <<set $SuddenBomb to 1>>

<<if $Morale gte 80>> <<if $Strength gte 80>> <<include [[14:00 - Succeed hasty]]>> <<else>> <<include [[14:00 - Fail hasty]]>> <</if>> <<elseif $Morale gte 60>> <<include [[14:00 - Fail hasty]]>> <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches 14:30, 25 September 1915 You have managed to retake your trenches from the British. You killed, or captured the small group of soldiers there. Upon interrogation you find that the prisoners are from the 9th Battalion of the Black Watch, 15th (Scottish) Division. It was a costly battle. <<set $Strength to $Strength -10>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Ammunition = <<print $Ammunition>>% You wonder if it might be possible to initiate a counter-attack from the left flank. There are very few enemy soldiers in front of your line there, since your counter-attack succeeded. Then again you are in a good defensive position and doing as ordered: holding the Second Line. Your fire is effective against the British troops in front of your position and there are no further British reinforcements coming down from Hill 70. <> <<if $SuddenBomb eq 1>> <<inlcude [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>> <<else>> <</if>> <> What do you do: [[Prepare for a counter-attack on your left flank|13:30 - Launch Left]] [[Prepare for a counter-attack on your entire front|13:30 - Launch All]] <<link [[Hold your position|13:45 - Hold]]>><<set $Time to "13:45">> <<set $Repeat to 0>><</link>> <<link [[Request permission from HQ to counter-attack|13:45 - Hold]]>><<set $RequestHQ to 1>><</link>> <<set $Repeat to 0>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>>

Second Line trenches 14:30, 25 September 1915 Your hasty counter-attack did not succeed. You didn't have enough manpower, to sucessfully assault them from both sides of their lodgement in your trench system. The British also fought very well, probably because they were cornered and had no where retreat to. It was a costly battle. <<set $Strength to $Strength -20>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Ammunition = <<print $Ammunition>>% Then again you are in a good defensive position and doing as ordered: holding the Second Line. Your fire is effective against the British troops in front of your position and there are no further British reinforcements coming down from Hill 70. <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>>

Ammunition Low Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel informs you that he is worried that ammunition stocks are running low. The ammunition supply wagons are still in Cite Ste. Elisabeth. It was thought to risky to bring them any further forward. All four Companies have used up their carried issue ammunition and have been sent a resupply of ammunition. All that is left is the untouched Battalion reserve supply. Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel provides you with a pre-prepared form to sign, requesting a resupply from your Regimental Supply officer, Lt. Becker. You sign it. <<set $Resupply to 1>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition +25>>

Second Line trenches 15:00, 25 September 1915 <<if $Morale gte 80>> <<if $Strength gte 70>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <<elseif $Morale gte 50>> <<if $Strength gte 80>> <<include [[14:00 - Spontaneous counter-attack]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:45 - Failed counter-attack]]>> <</if>> <</if>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches 14:00, 25 September 1915 With your HQ staff you start to prepare the order to counter-attack... You hear a shout from Corporal Diese who is watching the front. Your men on the left flank have mounted their own local counter-attack, emboldened by the retreating soldiers in front of them. They run at the now rapidly retreating British, shooting and bayonetting them, as more and more British start to run away. Soon your whole front becomes one charge up Hill 70; the British soldiers running up the hill. Do you: [[Send orders to stop the counter-attack and retire back to your Second Line|14:30 - Stop Hill 70]] [[Quickly send a note to your Regimental HQ and then join the attack|14:30 - Hill 70]] <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +20>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches 14:00, 25 September 1915 With your HQ staff you start to prepare the order to counter-attack... You hear a shout from Corporal Diese who is watching the front. Your men on the left flank have mounted their own local counter-attack, emboldened by the retreating soldiers in front of them. They run after the now rapidly retreating British, shooting and bayonetting them as more and more British start to run away. Do you: [[Send orders to stop the counter-attack and retire back to your Second Line|14:30 - Stop Hill 70]] [[Quickly send a note to your Regimental HQ and then join the attack|14:30 - Hill 70]] <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +10>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches <<print $Time>>, 25 September 1915 You watch as your Officers and NCOs blow their whistles and go over the the top of the trenches. Your men follow their lead. The British in front of your trenches start to fire at your men. A few of your men start infiltrating through the gaps previously cut in the barbed wire. In places some get caught on the wire. You watch your men start to take cover; they start bunching together. Then the British machine guns on Hill 70 start to fire - tak, tak, tak - and your men start taking casualties. <<set $Strength to $Strength -10>>Strength = <<print $Strength>>% There is a complete rout as men attempt to regain the safety of their trenches. [[Continue|14:00 - Hold after failed counter-attack]] <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <> <<set $Time to "14:00">>

Second Line trenches 14:30, 25 September 1915 Your fire slackens as your troops take better shelter preparing for a bombardment, leaving only a few sentries to snipe at the British in front of you. You wait, tensed for that moment when the shells start to scream in your ears and then explode, tearing up earth, flesh, and bone. <<if $RequestHQ eq 1>> <<include [[Continue|SCENE - HQ Response]]>> [Continue|15:00 - Bombardment lifts]] <<else>> [[Continue|15:00 - Bombardment lifts]] <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <> <<set $Strength to $Strength -2>> <<set $Morale to $Morale -10>>

Second Line trenches 15:00, 25 September 1915 The British bombardment stops after 15 minutes, your men take up their positions and start firing at the enemy, causing them yet more casualties. You notice that under the cover of the bombardment, many of the British soldiers in front of you have withdrawn up the hill, back to Hill 70. [[Continue|End - Second Line]] <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +5>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Second Line trenches 19:00, 25 September 1915 Darkness starts to fall and there have been no further counter-attacks along your front. You hold the Second Line with your men. You receive a note from your regimental commander thanking you asking for your report of your actions today. <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1600-r.jpg"> [[End Credits]]

Hill 70 Redoubt 20:00, 25 September 1915 Darkness starts to fall and there have been no further counter-attacks along your front. You hold the Hill 70 Redoubt with your battalion. You receive a note from your regimental commander praising you for your prompt action, and telling you that he has mentioned you and your battalion for your gallant actions today, in his report to the Divisional Commander. <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1600-r.jpg"> [[End Credits]]

Hill 70, Southern slope 14:30, 25 September 1915 The British troops in front of your Second Line start to melt away in the face of your assault. Their artillery was unprepared, their machine guns couldn't fire on you as you were following their own men so closely. You completely rout the British from the southern slopes of Hill 70. Reluctantly your men hear and obey the order to return to your lines. A few linger to take pot shots at the British. A few men don't hear it and keep chasing the British to near the summit of the Hill, where you then loose sight of them. As the distance between your soldiers and the enemy increases the British machine guns start to open up. Your men rush and then dive for cover, trying to get back to your trenches. [[Continue|End - Second Line]] <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -10>> <<set $Morale to $Morale -10>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

Hill 70 Redoubt 14:30, 25 September 1915 You've taken the redoubt! You have retaken Hill 70 Redoubt! The British troops melted away in the face of your assault. Their artillery was unprepared, their machine guns couldn't fire on you as you were following their own men so closely, so you closed with the Redoubt and trenches on Hill 70 and overan them, bayoneting some, and capturing others. The rest of the British ran back down the western slope of Hill 70 towards Loos. What a charge! It was something you had dreamed about as a young boy. Something you had read about in the tales of the Napoleonic Wars and the Franco Prussian victories. Something you'll tell your future grandchildren, God Willing. What a charge. You are so proud of your men. As you near the summit a few British field guns wake up and start to lob shells at you. One of the first ones burst near to your HQ group. Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel - as usual, running full tilt in front of you - disappears in the smoke. When you get back to your feet you look for him. Corporal Diese is there first, craddling Ryssel in his big brawny arms. Ryssel says "We have it, hurrah!" Diese can only say "Ja, ja, ja" in his strong Saxon accent. Ryssel coughs up scarlet, life giving blood. "Hurrah!", he says, followed by his death rattle. You have taken Hill 70 Redoubt. But at what cost? [[Continue|End - Hill 70]] <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -2>> <<set $Morale to $Morale +10>>

Lens to Cite St. Laurent Road 10:30, 25 September 1915 You are concerned about the situation at the front. What will you find when you get there? You wonder if you can risk leaving your men to advance whilst you double forward and do a personal reconnaissance. Or could you leave Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel in charge? Though young, he is a good man; though a bit impetuous at times. What do you do? <<link[[Personal Recce|10:45 - Recce Result]]>><<set $Recce to 1>><</link>> <<link[[Don't Recce|10:45 - No Recce]]>><<set $Recce to 0>><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Hill-70-Situation-1100-r.jpg">

<> <<if $Right eq 2>> <<set $Right to $Right -1>> <<set $Left to $Left +1>> <<elseif $Right eq 1>> <<set $Right to $Right -0.5>> <<set $Left to $Left +0.5>> <</if>> <<set $CoyInTrenches to 2>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 2>> <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Companies deployed in Second Line trenches </td><td>= <<print $CoyInTrenches>></td></tr> <tr><td>Companies in Reserve, in Cite St, Laurent</td><td>= <<print $CoyInReserve>></td></tr> </table> <>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:30, 25 September 1915 Your Battalion is now on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent. <<include [[Scene - Cross To Second Line]]>> <<include [[Scene - Deployment Plan]]>>

You have to make a plan to deploy your battalion to help defend the German line. <<link[[Send 4 Companies to the Second Line trenches|12:15 - Move to Second Line]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 4>><<set $CoyInReserve to 0>><</link>> <<link[[Send 2 Companies to the Second Line trenches, hold 2 in reserve|12:15 - Move to Second Line]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 2>><<set $CoyInReserve to 2>><</link>> [[To remain defending the ruined buildings on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent, and support the 22nd Reserve Regiment with your firepower|11:45 - Defend Cite St Laurent]]

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 11:45, 25 September 1915 Your men are maintaining an effective fire support which is preventing any movement by the British in front of the Second Line. It looks like the British who have taken a section of the your Second Line trenches are now isolated and cannot expect further reinforcements. You receive a message from Lieutenant Braun, acting Commander of the 22nd Reserve Regiment. Is the only officer left alive in his Regiment. He request that you send him reinforcements to help him counter-attack the British soldiers. You currently have four Companies in position occupying the ruined buildings on the northern edge of Cite St. Laurent. There is a 100 yard gap between your position and the Second Line trenches. Do you: <<link [[Send one Company to counter-attack|12:00 - 1 Coy]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 1>><<set $CoyInReserve to 3>><</link>> <<link [[Send two Companies to counter-attack|12:00 - 2 Coy]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 2>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 2>><</link>> <<link [[Suggest 22 Regt. should counter-attack with only your fire support|13:00 - Ejection by 22]]>><</link>> <<link [[Request permission from your Regimental HQ to join in the counter-attack|12:00 - Hold position]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 0>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 4>><<set $RequestHQ to 1>><<set $Repeat to 0>><<set $Time to "12:00">><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Orbat-3Bn-178Regt.jpg"> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 12:00, 25 September 1915 <<if $Morale gte 60>> <<if $Strength gte 70>> <<include [[13:00 - Successful Ejection]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:00 - Exhausting Fight then Hold]]>> <</if>> <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <<else>> <</if>> <>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 12:00, 25 September 1915 <<if $Morale gte 60>> <<if $Strength gte 50>> <<include [[13:00 - Successful Ejection]]>> <<else>> <<include [[13:00 - Exhausting Fight then Hold]]>> <</if>> <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <<else>> <</if>> <>

Northern Edge of Cite St Laurent <<print $Time>>, 25 September 1915 <> <<if $Repeat eq 3>> <<set $Time to "14:00">> <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>> <<elseif $Repeat eq 2>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "13:45">> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> You can follow the progress of the attack by the muffled explosions of the hand grenades. Each new one seems to be gaining ground in the captured section of trenches. The British cannot hold out for much longer. <<link [[Continue|13:00 - Exhausting Fight then Hold]]>><<set $Casualties to $Casualties -5>><</link>> <<link [[Call off counter-attack|13:00 - Call off counter-attack]]>><<set $Casualties to $Casualties -5>><</link>> <<elseif $Repeat eq 1>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "13:30">> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> The counter-attack is progressing, little by little. A stream of casualties are being evacuated from the trenches. It is a costly business. <<link [[Continue|13:00 - Exhausting Fight then Hold]]>><<set $Casualties to $Casualties -5>><</link>> <<link [[Call off counter-attack|13:00 - Call off counter-attack]]>><<set $Casualties to $Casualties -5>><</link>> <<elseif $Repeat eq 0>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "13:15">> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<include [[SCENE - 1st Scene Counter-Attack]]>> [[Continue|13:00 - Exhausting Fight then Hold]] [[Call off counter-attack|13:00 - Call off counter-attack]] <</if>> <> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

North edge of Cite St. Laurent 12:00, 25 September 1915 You have four Companies in the battalion. How do you want to deploy them to defend the Second Line? You could send all four Companies into the trenches to have a strong line facing the British. This would bolster the faltering morale of the battered 22nd Reserve Regiment already holding the trench line. It would mean you would be totally committed and it would take you sometime to extract your men from the trenches. <<link[[Send 4 Companies to the Second Line trenches|12:15 - Move to Second Line]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 4>><<set $CoyInReserve to 0>><</link>> Or you could keep back half your battalion as a formed reserve. Keeping them rested and out of the line. They would be ready at a moments notice to deploy to counter any threat. But they would not be able to assist in the defence of the Second Line. The other two Companies would deploy into the Second Line trenches and fight with the 22nd Reserve Regiment. <<link[[Send 2 Companies to the Second Line trenches, hold 2 in reserve|12:15 - Move to Second Line]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 2>><<set $CoyInReserve to 2>><</link>> <img src="./images/hill-70-images/Orbat-3Bn-178Regt.jpg"> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Strength to $Strength -5>>

A messenger from your Regimental HQ delivers a sealed order "Hold your position in Second Line trenches, north of Cite St. Laurent. A counter-attack is NOT AUTHORISED." You send a message to all your Company commanders informing them to improve the defensive positions and keep up their fire on the British. No counter-attack is to be made.

You receive a message that the position has been retaken. It was a costly battle. <<set $Strength to $Strength -10>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Ammunition = <<print $Ammunition>>% At the end of the action you now have the following dispositions: <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Companies deployed in Second Line trenches </td><td>= <<print $CoyInTrenches>></td></tr> <tr><td>Companies in Reserve, in Cite St, Laurent</td><td>= <<print $CoyInReserve>></td></tr> </table> <> <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>>

Your counter-attack with the 22nd Reserve Regt. retakes your trenches from the British. They killed, or captured the small group of soldiers there. Under interrogation you find that the prisoners are from the 9th Battalion of the Black Watch, 15th (Scottish) Division. It was a costly battle for the 22nd. They are very low on ammunition and their men are exhausted after having been fighting since 06:00.<<set $Strength to $Strength -5>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -10>> Strength = <<print $Strength>>% Ammunition = <<print $Ammunition>>% At the end of the action you now have the following dispositions: <> <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Companies deployed in Second Line trenches </td><td>= <<print $CoyInTrenches>></td></tr> <tr><td>Companies in Reserve, in Cite St, Laurent</td><td>= <<print $CoyInReserve>></td></tr> </table> <> Do you send reinforcements to the Second Line trenches? <<link [[Send one Company to counter-attack|13:00 - 1 Coy]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 1>><<set $CoyInReserve to 3>><</link>> <<link [[Send two Companies to counter-attack|13:00 - 2 Coy]]>><<set $CoyInTrenches to 2>> <<set $CoyInReserve to 2>><</link>>

THE END Your final score(!) was <table class="VariableDisplay"> <tr><td>Ammunition</td><td>= <<print $Ammunition>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Morale</td><td>= <<print $Morale>>%</td></tr> <tr><td>Strength</td><td>= <<print $Strength>>%</td></tr> </table> --- I hope you have enjoyed my game. It is my first Interactive Fiction game. It took a lot longer than I thought it would. If you want to know more about making the game, the actual history behind the game, go to the website <a href="https://www.hill70.uk/" target="_blank">www.hill70.uk</a> or to give me feedback, please email: nickluft@gmail.com The game was made using <a href="https://twinery.org/" target="_blank">Twine v2.2.1 </a>, and <a href="http://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/" target="_blank">Sugarcube v2.27.0</a>. -------------------- (c) Nick Luft, 2018 ==================== <img src="./images/hill-70-images/178IR1916-r.jpg">

<<set $Ammunition to 100>> 1 = <<print $Ammunition>> <<set $Ammunition to $Aummunition -60>> 2 = <<print $Ammunition>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -90>> 3 = <<print $Aummunition>>

<<if $Morale gte 60>> <<if $Strength gte 80>> <<include [[14:00 - Succeed hasty]]>> <<else>> <<include [[14:00 - Fail hasty]]>> <</if>> <<elseif $Morale gte 40>> <<include [[14:00 - Fail hasty]]>> <</if>> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -15>> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <> <<set $CoyInTrenches to $CoyInTrenches +1>> <<set $CoyInReserve to $CoyInReserve -1>>

Second Line trenches <<print $Time>>, 25 September 1915 <> <<if $Repeat eq 2>> <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>> <<elseif $Repeat eq 1>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "14:30">> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> Your men keep up their fire on the British soldiers to their front. It is not very effective. The rate of fire is very low. [[Hold your position|14:00 - Hold after failed counter-attack]] <<else>> <<set $Repeat to $Repeat +1>> <<set $Time to "14:15">> <<set $Ammunition to $Ammunition -5>> <<set $Morale to $Morale -20>> Your men regain their trenches and start firing back at the British soldiers in front of your trenches. [[Hold your position|14:00 - Hold after failed counter-attack]] <</if>> <> <> <<if $Ammunition lte 40>> <<include [[SCENE - Ammo Low Warning]]>> <</if>> <>

[[13:00 - Hold after 22 CA]]

Northern Edge of Cite St Laurent <<print $Time>>, 25 September 1915 You issue an order to stop the counter-attack. Adjutant-Lieutenant Ryssel won't look at you when you tell him to write the order down. You tell him that the fight was not going your way and it was absorbing too many of your men and resources. There are still many British soldiers in front of your Second Line. They are still a threat. The British in front of your trenches are taking advantage of the distraction and beginning to move back up Hill 70 in short rushes, using covering fire. At least they are retreating. <<include [[SCENE - 14:30 - Sudden Bombardment]]>>

Your men attempt to counter-attck the British. It is a difficult operation. The British have managed to block all the entry points totheir section of captured trenches. Your men cannot find a flank or a weak point. The rest of your men cannot provide supporting fire as they cannot tell where their comrades are. The only way to assault them is to throw hand grenades over the parapet and then rush round the traverse with the bayonet. It is close, nasty fighting, with no quarter being given or take. The British are also cornered and fight to the death. The fight is lengthy. And causes you a lot of casualties. <<set $Casualties to $Casualties -10>> Casualties = <<print $Casualties>>%