Scenario and AAR Crete Campaign Turn 2 Battle 3 Vlakheronitissia

 

Attack-Counter Attack at Vlakkheronitissia

Campaign day 1 Turn 2 Meeting Engagement Attack / Counter attack 

DUKE Forces Officer 1 BR17 Scouts 2 

1 Infantry Platoon (Regular)

1 Platoon command section 

1 2" mortar team

3 Infantry rifle sections ( 1 in reserve arrives from  turn 5)

1 Vicker Heavy MG and loader team

1 battery off table 2x 3" mortars 

Pre registered target point (Village chapel)

Timed 3.7" mountain howitzer  4x3.7" mountain howitzers (PRTB  corner field SW corner)  

1 sniper with spotter 

5 Cretan Irregulars (Elite)

5 Cretan Irregulars patrol (Veteran)

German Forces  Officers 3 BR 22 Scouts 2 

1  Fallschirmjaeger  Sturm Platoon  (Elite) 

1 80mm mortar team 

1 sMMG MG34

1 Forward Artillery Observer team

1 Timed Air strike by Ju-88 

1 sniper 

1 Fallschirmjaeger Foot patrol

 

We are making movement with counters on a hex map of northern Crete and then fighting out the engagements as they occur. The second turn includes the German second lift and the movements of the  troops dropped into the island at dawn in the first turn .  The German paratroopers are moving around the south side of Hill 107 whilst the New Zealand forces move to defend the key locations 

The relevant part of the campaign map. Arrows indicate to movement towards the battle 

Cretan Irregulars prepare to ambush the advancing Germans with shot guns and old rifles 

The 3.7" mountain guns open fire on a map reference east of the village 

Cretan Irregulars cross rough ground toward the center of the village

A British infantry section advance past a crashed glider. 

A Sniper and his spotter pin down the advancing paratroopers behind a stone wall. 

Cretan irregular in the village main street. Capture an objective (marked with a drop canister) . There irregulars have just eliminated the advancing Fallschirmjaeger squad in close combat.

The Luftwaffe arrive to turn the tide of the battle. The Ju-88's  medium bombs didn't cause much damage  but the Battle Rating loss was key to causing the New Zealander to withdraw. 

The Platoon HQ captures' another objective in the filed outside the village

The Grmans end with 18 BR out of a total of 22

The New Zealanders and Cretans reach 18 under combined mortar fire and air attack. and withdraw back up Hill 107. 

Battle for the Village of Vlakkheronitissia and Hill  107

I began by deploying my scouts, sniper team, and Cretan irregulars in a stone outbuilding and surrounding rough ground within the German deployment zone. Their mission was to ambush German troops as they entered the table. What I had not anticipated was that the sniper and his spotter would eventually have to conduct a desperate close-range defence of the building, as I had inadvertently positioned them directly on the Germans' most likely route of advance towards the village.

The main New Zealand  force advanced from the hill overlooking the village to the north-east, intending to seize the objectives represented by parachute supply containers. Each side had placed two objective markers. The Germans deployed their scouts within their own deployment area, covering what would become the main axis of their platoon's advance.

The Ne Zealanders quickly established their Vickers machine gun and light mortar on the slopes overlooking the village. Two infantry sections then advanced: one towards a large building at the northern end of the village and the other towards the crossroads in the centre. The lieutenant and his headquarters section moved behind these units, intending to seize an objective located in the open ground. The Cretan irregulars were positioned to support the attack on the village centre.

The German response was swift. They brought forward a mortar team and observer, supported by a heavy machine-gun team and an infantry section. The machine-gun and infantry units pushed through the rough ground toward the northern end of the village while the mortar team established a firing position to support their advance.

The German mortar proved highly disruptive. Its harassing fire repeatedly pinned British infantry and significantly slowed the advance. However, British off-table artillery and New Zealander's 3" mortars eventually targeted the village centre, driving off the German observer and inflicting casualties on advancing Fallschirmjäger attempting to capture the same objectives.

Despite the barrage, the Cretan irregulars pressed forward and contested the central objectives. Advancing through intermittent mortar fire, they successfully launched close assaults against German troops. In hindsight, I had placed these irregulars in an excellent position but failed to exploit their ambush capabilities fully by not issuing them enough orders early in the battle. As a result, German infantry were eventually able to pin them down and destroy them in close combat with grenades and machine pistols. Even so, they accounted for a German sniper and helped disrupt the German advance.

Meanwhile, my sniper and spotter, stragglers from a British Indian Army unit proved extremely effective. From his concealed position he delivered enfilading fire against advancing German troops, repeatedly pinning them and preventing significant progress along the southern edge of the village.

The New Zealand infantry experienced mixed fortunes. Some elements became pinned in olive groves near a crashed glider, but others successfully reached the village. Supported by accurate Vickers machine-gun fire, these troops launched close assaults that forced German defenders to retreat or surrender, allowing the British to secure another objective.

However, the Germans continued to apply pressure through mortar fire. Eventually, a particularly accurate barrage struck the objective at the northern end of the village, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the New Zealand infantry to withdraw following a failed morale test. This setback coincided with the arrival of a Ju 88 bomber, whose attack on the slopes near the village centre further shook British confidence.

Recognizing that the battalion would be unable to hold it's territorial gains, the New Zealand commander ordered a withdrawal to the north-east. Until the arrival of air support, German progress had been limited. Once the Ju 88 entered the battle, however, the Germans gained their first significant foothold at the base of Hill 107.

The capture of Hill 107 was a crucial objective. Controlling the hill would secure the landing ground at Maleme, enabling German reinforcements to arrive during later turns of the campaign. Though the British withdrawal denied the Germans a decisive victory in the village itself, the battle marked the beginning of a dangerous German advance toward one of the most critical objectives on Crete.

Scenario and AAR Forwards the Guards 4 Evening Assault on Cagny

 

Battalion Size Game 

Forwards the Guards 4 Evening Assault on Cagny

Background 

 By the evening of of June 18th it was becoming clear that the British had failed to break through anywhere. A determined German defence had held them. In Cagny the town was still in German hands. The Coldstream Guards where planning there attack when unexpectedly Grenadier Guards attacked across the fields from the south west. 

Cagny was heavily damaged by the mornings heavy bomber attacks this has cratered the area and choked the roads with rubble. Most houses are damaged. The town is not held by the Germans in strength. So the British Motorised infantry dismounted and supported by tanks pushed forward. Major Von Luck had re-enforced the defenders with 21st Panzers reconnaissance battalion. The battle raged through the long summer evening and by nightfall the Grenadier Guards had cleared the town and the German defenders had fallen back toward Frenouville to the east. 

Game 

British Forces

from  Grenadier Guards Battle Group from 5 brigade Guards Armoured Division 

628pts  BR 45 Officers 3   Scouts 1 

from 1 Grenadier Guard battalion 

2 Motorised Infantry Platoons

1 Motorised Infantry platoon command  5 men with 2" mortar and PIAT in M5 half track 

3 Motorised Infantry section 8 men with Bren gun and M5 half track

2  3" mortar teams  in Bren carrier

from 2 Grenadier guards battalion

Sherman Tank Squadron

1 M4A4 Sherman HQ Tank  

1 M4A4 Sherman Tanks  

1 Sherman Firefly 

1 Cromwell Mk V

FAO Team in Bren carrier  

Off table 4.2" Mortar battery 

1 timed airstrike from Typhoon 

add any Motorised Infantry units that survived scenario 2 add 3BR per half track 

(for our campaign add one platoon)

German Forces

From 21st Reconnaissance Battalion, 21st Panzer Division

531 pts BR27  Officer 2 Scouts 2

 

1 Forward signal unit 

Panzer Grenadier Platoon  consisting of;

1 Platoon HQ  5 men with 1 panzerfaust

3 Panzer Grenadier Squad  each with 5 men with MG42 and 1 panzerfaust

3 Medium machinegun teams each with 3 men with MG42 machine gun

1 combat medic

1 MG42 sMG with 3 crew and loader team of three men 

1 50mm light mortar with 2 crew 

1 Sdkfz 234/1 Armoured Car

1 Sdkfz 250/10 Recce command with 3 men

1 PaK 40 with 30crew 

1 81mm Mortar Team and loader team 

off table 2 81mm mortars 

Add any Pak 43 guns that survived scenario 1  and add 2BR per gun 

(for our campaign added 2 88mm Flak 36 guns with Luftwaffe crews)

Scenario and AAR Second Battle of San Salvo 2-3 November 1943 Buff's Ridge

 

Scenario 3 1600 Tanks counterattack on the Montalfano Ridge

“San Salvo was in our hands and by 1400, the town was well defended, and the Buffs had been contacted on our right. At 1430hrs, A Coy moved up into the town and at 1515hrs, the remainder of D Coy arrived.

Ammunition was restricted – D Coy, who had entered the town earlier on, had run out of ammunition breaking a counterattack of infantry supported by one tank.

Up to 24 tanks had been reported to be northwest of the town as the Bttn was brought into a close defence of the centre of the town.

At about 1600hrs, the noise of the battle could be heard on our right, from either tanks or SP guns exploded in the rooftops of the houses, and it was evident that a counterattack was taking place.

From an OP, it was discovered that from 12 to 20 enemy Mark 4 Specials were making a thrust towards St Salvo station. The 5th Buffs on Buff Ridge were in immediate danger of being overrun and had to withdraw. Many, including their HQ, withdrew into St Salvo and strengthened up our defences for the night.

During the withdrawal from Buff Ridge, the 46 RTR came forward to meet the enemy thrust, a furious battle of tanks and guns was fought and at least 7 enemy tanks appeared to be knocked out, and at dusk the enemy withdrew, leaving the Skins in undisputed possession of St Salvo.

The counterattack, however, in no way disarranged our MO, Captain RGK Brown, nor our anti-tank officer Captain WS Pollard, for at approximately 1730hrs, the RAP marched into the town and with them stragglers from the advance on St Salvo. They had been shelled in the assembly area and on pt 40 and had had a very uncomfortable trip. Parties, which had been sent back earlier to collect wounded, soon began to appear and the MO was soon busy again.  Many wounded had already been succoured on the battlefield. Among those who were brought in was Captain Halpin – he was seriously wounded but we were all very glad to see him back.  Captain WS Pollard, with the supporting weapons, quickly followed the RAP. He had found diversions round two craters in the road outside the town and brought up 4 A/Tk, 4 MGs and 4 Mortars – they were quickly put into position to hold any further counter attacks on the part of the enemy.

Reorganisation took place during which certain officers of S Coy went to rifle coys.

DF tasks had been arranged with Major Gouldsworth RA (George of the 17 field) to cover the northwest and southern approaches to the town, and by the time darkness fell, we felt confident that we could hold the town against any counterattack the enemy was capable of mounting.”

3rd Nov 1943

1600 An enemy counter attack developed round the north flank of San Salvo, tanks being used. Although none of them actually entered the town, they were on the outskirts and fired shells and MGs into the buildings.

 

War diary 6 Iniskillins

While this counter attack was still proceeding, the Bttn A/Tk Gun, mortars, MGs and the RAP moved into the town from the southeast and were in position by 1730hrs.

The Battle

Attack/Defence scenario with the British as defenders and the Germans as attackers. The German attacker place 3 objectives at least 2 must be in the British set up zone on the map. After all preregistered targets and timed strikes are placed secretly the British player deploys all dug in troops. The German player then deploys all Reconnaissance troops anywhere outside the British deployment zone.   The German attacker then deploys in the German deployment zone from Turn 2. British reserves must find a diversion around a demolition in the road southeast to San Salvo (oof the map) . They can first arrive on turn 5 but must roll a 5+. Each turn afterward this increases (so 4+ on turn 6, 3+ on turn 7 etc). If they succeed, then roll for the number of reserves as usual.  The Skins are also short of ammo. The German player can play any breakdown counter or air attack counter as a low ammo counter instead.  The German player is also racing the sunset to recapture San Salvo. if the British player draws any special counter after turn 7 he plays it and then immediately declares that the day is over, and the game then continues as night fighting using the rules from the rulebook.  

All buildings are stone and hard cover. Olive groves and vines are soft cover. Vines are dangerous terrain for vehicles but do not impede infantry. The stream is an obstacle to any vehicle crossing it.

The Forces

British Forces

922 points BR 60 Officer 4 Scouts 2

Mainly D Coy.  the 6 Royal Irish Fusiliers (with support from  A Company and S company)

Main Force

FHQ from D Co. 6 battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 3 men  (Cpt  Tom Fearn in temporary command)

RA Forward Observer team in Jeep (Major Gouldsworth)

1st Platoon  

1x Platoon HQ   in Foxhole

1x 2-inch mortar team in foxholes

1x PIAT team in foxhole

3x Rifle section in foxholes

1x Vicker HMG in machine gun pit

2nd Platoon

1x Platoon HQ  in Foxholes

1x 2-inch mortar team in foxholes

1x Piat team in foxholes

3x Rifle section in foxholes

1x Vicker HMG in machine gun pit

3rd Platoon

1x Platoon HQ

1x 2-inch mortar team

1x Piat team

3x Rifle section

1x Vicker HMG

Reconnaissance

 2x  Snipers 

Support

1 first priority artillery request (from 17 RA)

1 second priority artillery requests (from 17 RA)

1 First aid Post

1 Ambulance

1 40mm Bofor AAA gun with medium truck tow

Defences

1 fortified building

2 6 pounder antitank guns with loader teams  dug in to pits

Reserve 1 from turn 3

1 Carrier Section  1 section 3 mortar spotters with SMG and radio

1 section 3 men with rifles and PIAT

1 section 3 men with 3riflemen

Reserve 2 from Turn 5 (on 5+)

2 Anti tank 6 pounder guns and M5 tows

1 battery off table 2   3” mortar batteries

1 forward observer in Jeep

German

1025 pts  BR 66  Officers 6  Scouts 4

From II Panzer regiment 2

1 FHQ in Panzer IV G

1 Forward Signal Unit in Sdkfz 250/3

1 Sdkfz 251/7 Pioneer Assault bridge  6 men with sPzB41

3 tank platoons each with each with 1  Pz IV G Headquarters and 2 Pz IV G

From Panzer Grenadier Regiment 64

1 platoon Panzer Grenadiers

Platoon HQ in medium trucks

1x Platoon HQ

3x MG42 team

3x Rifle Teams with additional MG42  in medium trucks

Reconnaissance support

2 Fusilier foot patrols

1 Recon platoon command in Sdkfz 250/10

1 Mounted Fusilier patrol in Sdkfz 250/1

 Reserves from turn 5

III Panzer regiment 2

1 Assault gun platoon with 1 STuG III G  HQ and 2 StuG III G

Support

Pre registered target Point

1 first priority fire request

Off table 2 80mm mortars

2 Resupply trucks

After Action Report