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 

Scenario and AAR Forward the Guards Scenario 7 Chateau St Pierre D'Oursin

 

Area of Action from historical tactical map

Modern air photo from Google maps

Deployment zones and objectives in yellow

Company size game 

Scenario 6 Chateau St Pierre D'Oursin

Background 

On July the 20th the Irish Guard again pressed east. They rounded the ruins of Emieville and advanced to the large hedgerow that marked the boundary of the Chataeu St Pierre D'Oursin with its orchard and outbuildings. The previous night Kampfgruppe Olboeter moved into the chateau grounds and set up a strong defence. The Chateau would threaten the left flank of the Irish Guards advance so must be cleared. 

Kampfgruppe Olboeter fought hard for every field and orchard re enforced by halftrack mounted panzer grenadiers. 

Game 

There are two objectives the in the game the outbuildings of the Chateau and the road East. Both are in the German deployment zone.  The German player cannot claim an all objective victory. German defenders set up first with all defences including the platoon of Panzer Grenadiers in fox holes and 1d3 other units. 1d3 units may be given Ambush fire orders before the game.  The remainder arrive from turn 3 1d6 units at a time. Infantry riding as passenger in or on vehicles count together as 1 unit. 

The Irish Guards deploy in their deployment area around Emieville. They deploy all Reconnaissance troops and 6+1d6 units. 1d3 units may be given the Reserve Move order before the game. The remainders of the Irish Guards force arrive as reserves from turn 2 from the Emieville table edge at 1d6 units per turn. 

First turn is decide d by highest roll of 1d6 +number of Recce units. 

German Forces  

Kampfgruppe Oelboeter from 12 SS Division Hilterjugend

736 pts  Officer 3 scouts 0 BR 38

1 Forward Headquarters Sturmbannführer Erich Olboeter and 3 men in Sdkfz 251/3

1 Panzer Grenadier Platoon (Veterans)  all in foxholes 

1 Panzer Grenedier platoon HQ 6 men with 2 panzerfausts

3 Panzer Grenadier squads 5 men with 2 Panzerfaust and MG42

3 Medium Machine gun team 3 men with MG42

Defences

2 mortar pits with 82mm mortars and crew

1 Improvised Barricade 

1 Fortified Building

1 Sniper Hideout

Reinforcemnts 

1 Armoured Panzer Grenadier Platoon (Veterans)

1 Armoured Grenadier Platoon HQ 6 men with 2 panzerfausts in Sdkfz251/10

3 Armoured Grenadier squads with 5 men  2 panzerfausts and MG42 in Sdkfz 251/1

3 Medium machinegun teams 3 men with MG42 in same Sdkfz 251/1

2 Jadgpanzer IV mit L/48

British Forces 

3rd Irish Guards 

736pts Officer 4 scouts 2 BR45   

1 Sherman Tank squadron

1 M4A4 Sherman tank HQ

1 M4A4 Sherman Tank

1 M4A4 Sherman Firefly Tank

2 Infantry Platoons  

each consisting of:

1 Infantry platoon HQ 5 men

3 Infantry sections 10 men with Bren LMG

1 PIAT team in Bren Carrier 2 men

1 Vickers Machinegun Teams in Bren Carrier 3 men

1 3" Mortar Team in Bren Carrier 3men 

1 FAC in Bren carrier

1 RA Forward Observer in Humber Light Reconnaissance Car

2 Daimler Armoured Cars

1 Crusader Mk2 AA 

1 Wasp flamethrower carrier 

Off table 1 battery of 2 25lbs guns

AAR

My opponent deployed his one platoon of Panzer Grenadiers and mortars in pits. A temporary road block blocks the advance along the eastward Route d’Emieville. Around the Chateau and outbuildings the remainder of his forces deployed after the game began in there armoured carriers and the Panzerjaegers IV in reserve. 

The Irish Guards begin with two platoons behind the hedgerow on the Emieville side of the board. Mortar and off table artillery 

The Germans set up a layered all round defence. MG pits in the front observer teams and mortar pits behind. The Panzerjaegers arrived to cover the roads  and the armoured carriers with reserve take cover in the woods .

The  reconnaissance troops in armoured cars try to make use of the roads to get to the chateau objective. They get with a few inches before being KOed by the many Panzerfausts  

FHQ observed from his half track covered by the guns of the Panzerjaeger 

The Wasps advanced  with the recce troop toward the cross road objective 

The two M4A4 tanks of the troop advance to menace the Chateau carrying a section of infantry.  One is lost to a panzerfaust

German reserved conterattack in there half track bringing the British advance to a halt. 

The advance in the centre supported by Shermans and a vickers machine gun. They struggled to make progress repeatedly pinned by the MG42's of the defenders

The Sdkfz 251/10 found great hunting  for its Pak 36 amongst the recce armoured cars 

A Panzerjaeger cover the round whilst the 80mm mortar concentates on pinning the British infantry advance. 

Panzer grenadiers with 2 MG42 per squad provide a netwrk that pins the British Infanry approach

The closest point to the Chateau that the guards would make

A PIAT team in carrier approach the cross roads 

The Crusader Mk2 AA tank found no aircraft targets for its twin 20mm cannons and so turned its guns on the german grenediers 

Germans used there reserves in a mix of counter attacks and the thicken up the main axis of British advances here a MG42 team take cover in a bomb crater outside the Chateau.

A platoon of guardsmen supported by a 3" morat in a crater 

Good fortune for the german defendrs as the AA tank hits a mine and is immediately destroyed 

German reserves deploy to teh chateau 

A German sniper in a hideout covers the right and cente of  KG Olbeuter position 

The road block and covering Pazerjaeger IV 

Half tracks delivering reinforcements to hold the Cross roads and repulse the strong attack from the British right flank

Ouch. The results of a blood assault replused  48BR out of 45

A competent defence of a strong position BR11 out of 37