A few of us have been working on a Scenario Generation System to allow pick up games to be created for the Spearhead World War II game system. The aim to allow interesting scenarios to be developed where time is limited.
| The following report covers one such game generated using the system
and set in Normandy during 1944. This particular game was fought over four
hours which included table set-up on a 6' x 4' table. The table top is
first generated and then objectives determined before the critical
planning side of the game is started.
Three objectives were closest to British side of the battlefield. On the British right flank was a bridge over an otherwise un-crossable river. The centre was dominated by a three sector town while on the British left was a three contour hill. The remaining two objectives were a small village, opposite the main town, and another hill opposite the hill on the British left. |
German Panther tanks of SS Hitlerjugend Division moving through a French town in 1944. |
Three objectives were closest to British side of the battlefield. On the British right flank was a bridge over an otherwise un-crossable river. The centre was dominated by a three sector town while on the British left was a three contour hill. The remaining two objectives were a small village, opposite the main town, and another hill opposite the hill on the British left.
The German forces, commanded by my son, comprised three battalions drawn from a Panzer Division. The first battalion was an understrength Panther battalion with a company of Panzer Grenadiers in Sdkfz 251halftracks along with some other elements. Supporting were two Panzer Grenadier battalions one supported by company of Stug IIIs. Artillery consisted of two 105mm artillery battalions off table.[1]
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A squadron of British Churchills advancing during a game. |
The British defenders were drawn from an infantry division TO&E and consisted of an infantry brigade of three battalions. This was reinforced with a squadron of Churchill heavy tanks and a battery of 17pdrs. Off-table artillery support would come from 25pdrs. Finally, the RAF was expected to support the position with rocket firing Typhoons if required. [2]
The British deployed back and allocated a battalion to each of the three objectives. A detached small company was thrown forward into the small village the town along with a FAO. This deployment had not been detected by the Germans and was to come as somewhat of a surprise.
The German plan required one Panzer Grenadier battalion to advance forward passing through the village to take a holding position. This advance was to be supported by Stugs. The Panzer Battalion would advance to its right, passing through a hill which was, as described previously, an objective.
As the Panzers pushed forward a deep flank march was to arrive and hit the British left flank. This battalion was to capture the hill on my left while the Panzer Battalion was pressing the same area from the front.
| The first action of the game occurred as the Panzer Grenadier battalion
advanced towards the village. British artillery was called in but failed
to stop the attack. German artillery however managed to suppress one
infantry platoon and soon the streets were full of Germans and British
fighting hand to hand. The British failed to deploy to support the village
garrison and soon the village was cleared. The German advance continued.
Well, at least until they discovered a line of entrenched British infantry
backed up with some 6pdrs and the more useful 17pdrs attached from the
divisional anti-tank gun battalion.
However, the British battalion commander had deployed poorly and jerry was able to pull back into a wood and bring fire down on the entrenched British infantry. The fire from the 17pdrs was also poor. Only with time were they able to destroy the Stugs who were now also now deployed within the woods. |
British 6pdrs deployed to stop a German counterattack - which is hopefully note made by Germans Panthers! |
But it was time for the British to start regaining ground. With no German attack on the British right flank likely to occur British Brigade HQ ordered a limited counter attack by the battalion on the right flank. This battalion began a long flanking move which in time would attack the village and apply considerable pressure to the Panzer Grenadier battalion.
On the German right flank things were more confusing. The Panzers pressed forward and soon the Panzer battalion reconnaissance, a motorcycle platoon, uncovered advanced British positions in a substantial wood. Prolonged fighting broke out where, in time, the British would suffer greater casualties. The Germans kept a well deployed AA screen with a Wirbelwind multi barrelled 20mm AA weapons around the Panthers and as a result any Typhoons would to pass through heavy AA fire to attack any armoured targets.
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However, with the British position
under a major attack and with casualties increasing the RAF were
requested. Coming in low the first sortie of Typhoons dodged the curtain
of flak fire thrown up and released rockets at Panther tanks and the
German AA vehicles. With great skill, and perhaps a little luck, no less
than eight Panthers, or two models, burst into flames.[3]
Despite this success the British left flank battalion was forced back from the wood edge and Panzers and Panzer Grenadiers moved in to clear the wood. Several close assaults followed within the woods and German casualties continued to mount. Now, with the Wirbelwind platoon masked by a small hill another air strike was called in. This time the Typhoon attack was aborted due to fire from a 20mm AA from the Panzer Grenadier battalion! |
You will recall that one German battalion was flank marching. It seems it was entangled in the wine cellars of a small French village and arrived some two hours after it should have. In fact four hours after the German attack was launched! Further, when it arrived it ran straight into the British defences the left flank. These consisted of two companies of entrenched infantry supported by a squadron of Churchill tanks deployed for just such an attack.[4]
After four hours of fighting the Germans had had enough and called off the attack. Minimal gains had been made. The Germans had one objective, while two were contested. The British meanwhile maintained control of two objectives but suffered a penalty for reinforcing the defence. With no battalions broken the battle was therefore a minor British victory.
Notes:
1. Total of 650 points. The German player decided not to reinforce his
attack with additional reinforcements due to victory points penalties.
2. Total of 500 points, including a 50 point reinforcement option. The
British reinforcement resulted in a victory point penalty.
3. The Typhoons required a 6 to destroy a stand due to the AA modifier
of the Wirbelwind. I rolled two sixes destroying two Panther stands but
the Wirbelwind escaped destruction.
4.