France, 1914, Part III

With the Germans winning inititive they were able to bring punishing fire down on the French advancing against them, Even when an entire company failed to score any hits at long range, the Germans still managed to inflict x7 KIA and x1 additional Shaken! The first wave of the French was destroyed! French return fire did drop x3 Germans as well as a Pin, then a French 75mm ranged in on the German MMG on the hill and killed one and put a Shaken on another (right-center of photo):

The Germans missed hitting any British in Gemappe (can see the three Brits and Germans on the main street, blasting away) , but scored x1 KIA in the fighting west of Gemappe (poor shooting here) but the MMG did score hits on the unfortunate British Cavalry (lower-right of photo), scoring x2 KIAs and x1 Shaken. Despite both 18lbers missing their target, the British MMG and Infantry in the woods, brought down x5 Germans between the woods and Gemappe ! East of Gemappe, British troops had taken to the upper floors (that's them on the roof at center of photo) and scored x2 further kills on the German company advancing to the east of Gemappe:

Fortunately for the French they win inititive and continue the attack of the second wave. In the fields south of Villiers, the 75mm smashes the MMG on the hill plus another rifleman (right of center). They then add x2 additional KIAs, x1 Shaken and x1 Pin. "viva la France is heard, as the poilus charge forward! German retribution is severe however. SW of Villiers, German reinforcements (inc MMG) get x2 KIAs and x1 Shaken (viewed screened by farmhouse left of center), while back in the field south of Villiers, they inflict x4 KIAs! (about center) 

On the British front, the tommies in Gemmape, drop one German east of town and finish off the German rifleman in the town itself. In the woods and west of Gemappe, the Germans lose x3 more KIAs! Tough round for the Germans! It gets worse as their return fire only results in x1 KIA, x2 Shaken and x4 Pinned:

The Germans win the inititive and start on the French, inflicting x5 KIAs and an additional Shaken, but still the poilu press on! Viva la France!

The French 75 now score, creating x2 casualties on the German line (see right of center along fence above, or upper right below)

Over against the Tommies, things don't go well. Although x2 casualties are inflicted on the British inside the buildings on the eastern edge of Gemappe against x2 German, only one other KIA is achieved. The British at one point rolling excellent defensive rolls. The men of the BEF don't take advantage however, and the poor rolls continue resulting in x1 Shaken and x2 Pinned! In another melee west of the woods involoving x4 Brits and x2 Germans, x2 tommies go down to only x1 German! Even the 18lbers could only score a Shaken and a Pin! (left of center)

The British needed the inititive...and they win it! But what's this, bad rolls again! "What's wrong with out bloody rifles!" Only x1 German goes down. In two melees involving x8 Brits and x7 Germans, x3 Tommies and x4 Germans go down. One British company (above the woods left of center) bravely (foolishly?) charge the German line containing MMG! The Germans make them pay as their return fire take down 5/6 British tommies! (seen between woods and Gemappe left of center above or below) An additional Brit becomes a casualty in the Gemappe buildings, while x4 are KIA in the woods or to the west! All told, x9 Brits became casualties. British reserves are moving up from the right. Will it be enough?

 German reserves (from the left of photo) are rushing to the front as well:

Over on the left again, the German 77s miss both a shot on the French 75s and MMG, but their Infantry do inflict x6 more casualites. The second wave of poilu is wavering! The French 75s only score x2 Shaken while the Infantry add only x1 KIA and x3 Pins! The attacking German line seen upper right is moving against x4 French survivors partially screened by the farmhouse left of center

The next turn could be critical for all sides!

Thanks so much for your comments. I am fortunate to have a 7'x8' table in my basement, aka, "The War Room". I have always tried to prepare a good looking battlefield, so thanks again. May all you're rolls be good!