D-Day Anniversary D+60 [years]

- By Paul Reynolds

On the 5^th of June, the Wellington Warlords staged a Flames of War mini-campaign to mark the 60^th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. About 12 players took part with some only able to play in one of the games.

The first four games were set at approximately H+60, this removed the need to develop special rules for landing craft, beach obstacles, naval supporting fire, etc. The four 1500 point games were:

Clearing the Beach – Utah

Infantry of the US 8th RCT supported by up to a platoon of tanks as well as artillery and combat engineers (if available) work to clear the last of the in depth defences of Utah beach against strong resistance by German Grenadiers of 919th Regiment. This game is a Big Push mission with a German Grenadier Company defending against an American Rifle Company.

Holding the causeway – Screaming Eagles

Paratroopers of  501st Parachute Regiment have fought a series of confused actions in the darkness. As dawn lights the eastern horizon they have dug in on their objective hoping that their scattered comrades will join them soon. The Germans have a confused picture of the situation and are awaiting the light of day in their reserve positions before launching a counter attack to restore the situation. This game is a Cauldron mission with an American Parachute or Glider Rifle company defending against a German Grenadier Company. Only platoons capable of being parachuted or landed by glider may be used by the Americans in this game.

Steady Progress – Juno

9th Canadian Brigade has pushed through 8th Canadian Brigade and is moving towards Caen. Reserves from the German 736th Regiment have moved forward and are attempting to block the Canadians advance. This game is a Hold the Line mission with a German Grenadier Company defending against a “British” Rifle Company.

Steady Progress – Sword

8th British Brigade is moving towards Pegasus Bridge, assisting 1st Special Services Brigade to link up with 6th British Airborne Division. Reserves from the German 736th Regiment have pushed forward and are attempting to block the British advance. This game is a Hold the Line mission with a German Grenadier Company defending against a British Rifle Company.

Omaha and Gold were not represented due to the limited number of troops and players.

The results of the two American games combined to determine the missions to be played in the second games in the American sectors and which if any forces received 20% re-enforcement. Casualties were carried over to the second game, with some recovered as suggested in the FoW article on campaigns.  Similarly the combined result on the British and Canadian sectors determined their second games.

The results of the first games were:

Clearing the Beach – Utah

The Germans suffered very heavily from the preliminary bombardment, in particular losing both their 88s that had been placed to cover a gap in the minefields. The Americans made very slow progress, slowed by the cratering from the preliminary bombardment. Victory to the Germans. (The Utah game was the second to last to get going and this added to the longer set up time for the Big Push mission meant that they had only got 4 turns in when time was called.)

Holding the causeway – Screaming Eagles

The German Grenadiers advanced under cover of a stream bed and successfully assaulted the paratroopers outposts. They then took up defensive positions in the ruins they had just captured. The German artillery was overwhelmed by a platoon of paratroopers rushing to the sound of the fighting (reserves). The American pack howitzers drove of the German PaK40s leaving the Germans Grenadiers with no heavy weapons support. The paratroopers then launched and overwhelming counter assault forcing the remaining Grenadiers to flee. Victory to the Americans. (If I ever stage this again I will reverse the roles, having Reluctant Trained grenadiers attacking Fearless Veteran paratroopers put the German player at a major physiological disadvantage.)

Steady Progress – Juno

The Canadians managed to neutralise the German artillery observers early in the game. This allowed them to advance their infantry fairly rapidly under cover. They then called smoke on the key buildings in the village that formed the centre of the German defensive position and assaulted. After a short but bloody struggle the village was taken and the Canadians were victorious.

Steady Progress – Sword

The British forces made rapid initial progress then suffered two setbacks. Their carrier platoon was caught by German artillery fire and forced to Break Off. This allowed the Germans the space to spring an ambush with their anti-tank guns from a wood on their left. This put the British Firelfy and Sherman DD platoons in a very exposed position. Fortunately for them 1 Section, 246 Field Company, RE was on hand. They bravely charged the German antitank guns in the woods even though they were protected by an MG platoon. The engineers were amongst the machine gunners before they knew what was happening (only two hits from their defensive fire) and rapidly overwhelmed them. They pushed on into the anti-tank guns and destroyed them. The engineers had suffered heavy casualties including Lt M Edwards and they withdrew. However the British advance had been stalled and so victory to the Germans. (The British force was based on B Company, 2^nd East Yorkshire Regiment supported by 13/18^th Hussars and 5^th Independent Battery, RMASG. It was commanded by the grandson of a member of the battalion who landed on D-Day.)

It was uncanny how the results in the four games had echoed the historic situation. The Americans on Utah had made only slow progress while the paratroopers inland had success. The Canadians made good rapid progress on Juno while the British made good early progress on Sword but were unable to follow it up and make significant gains.

The mixed results in each pair of games meant the second games were fairly even games, they were:

Remaining Ashore – Utah

Infantry of the US 8th RCT have been repulsed by the German Grenadiers of 919th Regiment. Close behind them is the chaotic beach, still under heavy German artillery fire. The Americans must hang on against a determined counter attack or be driven into the sea. This game is a Hold the Line mission with an American Rifle Company defending against a re-enforced German Grenadier Company. The Germans may be supported by any troops that can support a Grenadier or Panzer Grenadier Company, except Tigers.

Remaining Ashore – Screaming Eagles

Paratroopers of  501st Parachute Regiment have fought hard and have held the causeway open. Only a few troops have made it through from the beach and they talk of chaos and confusion. The paratroops must attack and try and relieve the pressure on the beach. This game is a Hold the Line mission with a re-enforced American Parachute or Glider Rifle company attacking a German Grenadier Company. Some troops from the beach are available so the re-enforcement may be any troops available to Parachute or Glider Rifle Company, except British Infantry tanks.

Pushing for Caen – Juno

The Canadians have made good progress and are advancing on Caen. The Germans are attempting to block their advance. This game is a Free for All mission with are-enforced “British” Rifle company attacking a re-enforced German Grenadier Company. The Germans may be supported by any troops that can support a Grenadier or Panzer Grenadier Company, except Tigers. The Canadians start deploying first and have first turn.

Pushing for Caen – Sword

The British have been held by stronger than expected resistance. The Germans have launched a determined counter attack. This game is a Hold the Line mission with a German Grenadier Company attacking a British Rifle Company.

The results of the second games were:

Remaining Ashore – Utah

The German counter attack was stalled by the US armour that had not suffered any casualties in the first game. The Germans managed to make good progress in some areas but not in the key areas. The Germans ran out of time so a 6:1 victory to the Americans.

Remaining Ashore – Screaming Eagles

The Germans had suffered very heavy casualties in the first game and few of these had been recovered. The German artillery delayed the US advance but once contact was made the paratroopers swept away the brittle Germans, 6:1 victory to the Americans.

Pushing for Caen – Juno

The Canadians made slow progress on the right against the weaker Germans flank. The German recce platoon (re-enforcement) made great progress on the Canadian left flank and a major set back was only narrowly averted. The combination of Canadian artillery and infantry finally told on the right however, 4:3 to the Canadians.

Pushing for Caen – Sword

The German plan was to push the infantry into the central village supported by artillery and covered by anti-tank guns. Unfortunately the observer tank was taken out early by the British Fireflies. With limited artillery support the German Grenadiers were going to struggle. The British got an early reserve platoon, the carriers which rushed up the road and machine gunned leading Grenadiers before they could reach the cover of the village. With more British infantry arriving to secure the village the Germans were unable to advance, 5:2 to the British.

It was again uncanny how the results in the four games had echoed the historic situation. The Americans on Utah held on and were forcing the Germans back while the paratroopers inland had further rapid success. The Canadian advance stalled after their initial rapid progress while the British held steady against the German counter attack.

The overall result was determined by averaging the result of the four second games so, a 5:2 win to the Allies.

A good time was had by all players and the games were played in a very good spirit. The umpire was called on very rarely. It was interesting to watch players struggle with unfamiliar troop types, the American paratroop commander normally plays a US tank company. All the German commanders found the change from Confident Veteran mid-war troops that they normally play to Reluctant Trained late war a difficult adjustment.

It was interesting watching the impact that carrying over casualties had on players. In most cases their initial plans were carefully aimed at minimising casualties but several seemed to forget this as contact was made.