Normandy 1944 Campaign - The South Gloucestershire Fusiliers - D-Day +1 - Advance On Norrey

First off I will set up some background fluff and info before getting to the AAR itself.

Background

The 1st Battalion, South Gloucestershire Fusiliers, supported by the 2nd Regiment Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, have advanced inland from Sword beach and, after some initial small skimishes, have established a defensive perimeter a few miles inland by nightfall. Elements of the German 21st Pz Div and associated units, have been preparing to make a recce probe come dawn, to try and establish where the British are. Come the morning on 7th June, both sides have sent recce units forward towards the crossroads at Norrey, before moving forward with their main force.

Campaign Mechanics

Both sides have 750 pts to play with as a base force. The British have a +1 to add to their Random Dice roll to reflect the stockpile of materiel available to them. In contrast, the Germans have a -2, due to Allied interdiction and general shortages of materiel. After both sides rolled their dice, the British gained +10% to their total, and the Germans -10%. 

British OOB - The Duke of Beaufort's Horse

1 x CO

2 x HQ

1 x FAO

3 x Armoured Cars

1 x 6 pdr ATg + tow

2 x Carrier Platoons

1 x 25 pdr Battery (off table)

German OOB - Kampfgruppe Gruber

1 x CO

2 x HQ

2 x SdKfz 250 + Infantry

1 x SdKfz 250 + MG42

1 x SdKfz 250/7 (mortar)

1 x SdKfz 250/8 (infantry gun)

The Scenario - Encounter

Both sides started the game using Mobile Deployment, with a dice roll to see who would move first. The objective was to make contact with the enemy and also to control the crossroads at Norrey. The British had a slightly higher Breakpoint than the Germans.

The Game

The British won the roll off and chose to move first. Annotated photos will show how the action unfolded.

An overview of the table, with the British to the left, the Germans the right. The objective is in the centre of the table.

The crossroads and hamlet of Norrey had been targeted in advance of the invasion.

Francois the Farmer is blissfully unaware of what is about to unfold.

The German deployment, with the infantry to the left, the supporting units to the right.

The British deployed their Armoured Cars to advance down the road, with the Carrier Platoons providing flank support.

The end of Turn 1. The British AC's advanced cautiously up the road, slightly ahead of the Carrier Platoons. The Germans did likewise. Neither side as yet could see the other. 

The FAO in his Dingo tries to merge with the cows.

The Carrier Platoon move forward.

Two AC's move along the road with the third providing cover from the orchard to the left.

The German infantry reach the cornfield.

The support units can't quite reach the hedgeline.

The end of Turn 2. The British AC's reach the crossroads and take up a defensive posture, awaiting for the Carrier Platoons to arrive. The FAO moves into the bombed BUA. There they sit and wait and the Germans to a man all fail their command rolls!

The FAO in position.

The Carrier Platoons still lag behind.

The AC's at the crossroads.

One AC has moved forward to take up an excellent position covering the road out of Norrey.

The start of Turn 3 and the British Artillery arrives!

The end of Turn 3. The British FAO gets through to the City of Bristol Volunteer Artillery, the 25 pdr battery that is in call. The effect is devastating, as they KO 1 x German Infantry unit and suppress the others, forcing them to dismount. As this is happening the Carrier Platoons advance and the AC's moved into the orchard. Yet again the Germans fail to move, even for those units not hit by the artillery.

The Carrier Platoons reach the edge of Norrey. The AC's are in the orchard.

In the distance they can see the effects of the City of Bristol Volunteers barrage.

The AC's are out of range or cannot see any targets.

The end of Turn 4. Once again the CoBV's and their 25 pdr's are on target, KO'ing another SdKfz 250 and suppressing the infantry and HQ. As the artillery barrage strikes, the Carrier Platoons deploy.

The Germans have suffered grieviously from the CoBV and their 25 pdrs.

The Carrier Platoons deploy.

The 6pdr ATg takes position to support the AC's.

Kampfgruppe Gruber beats a hasty retreat, as they have reached their Breakpoint and have no realistic chance of contesting Norrey.

End of the Game

An emphatic victory for the Duke of Beaufort's Horse! They secured the objective without coming under fire or taking any casualties, so not a bad start to their campaign.

Campaign Effects

Rolling post-game on the campaign chart, the British have gained 25% reinforcements for the next game, with the Germans receiving none, which was quite lucky for them. The British hold the Campaign Initiative and the next scenario with be a Hasty Assault one.

Post Game Thoughts

Well that was short and sweet and, although one-sided, had a good historical feel to it and helps drive the campaign narrative. I certainly enjoyed it! Just a few thoughts:

• Obviously the City of Bristol Volunteers Artillery were the game winners here, as two strikes in a row caught the Germans out before they could deploy and get into the game.
• The failed German command rolls in Turn 2 and then the following Turn put pay to any chance they had. Mind you given the British access to Artillery, I think their offensive capabilities were more limited, but they never got a chance to try them.
• If this was a FtF game, then it would not have been much fun, but as this is part of a campaign, which is being played solo, then it works fine and, as mentioned above, drives part of the narrative.
• My 'imaginary but plausible' forces are fun to use as it gives me some nice background fluff to work with. So once again thanks to 'David in Suffolk' for giving me this idea. Maybe the West Suffolks might make a cameo appearance at some point...

What Next?

Well of course I need to start working on details of the next scenario, which will mainly be the OOB as the terrain is already broadly sorted, courtesy of the 'Battlegroup' scenarios. I do hope to get a game in this coming week, before we have visitors for a week, which will certainly put pay to any gaming.

I would also like to paint some units for the game, but I doubt I will have the time. Most likely I will focus on finishing some BUA's for the next game, which is more of a priority. Then I need to figure out how to distinguish my HQ AFV's for both sides. I have some ideas, which might include a few more 'toys for the boys' from Pendraken. Time to get my thinking cap on.

Well I hope you enjoyed it and as always any comments are greatly appreciated!

TTFN.