From Our Own Correspondent: Robert Cappa reports “Deeper into Normandy”

From Our Own Correspondent:

Robert Cappa reports “Deeper into Normandy”

Poor Bloody Infantry, or PBI as it is known, is a great set of WW2 Wargame rules (Rules For the Common Man - published by Peter Pig). The sense of getting men to operate some kind of cohesive plan in the face of the enemy is almost palpable!

Somewhere in the Normandy Bocage region

The small French village of Maisons-de-Bois, sitting at the crossroads (Obj.1) had, along with its surrounding farms, been eyed thoughtfully by both sides. Mr Cappa and his camera were positioned to the N. of the Battle field.

The Germans had got there first, just two days ago, and elements of the 4th Coy. 52nd SSPzr. Grndrs. had built a substantial MG bunker (Obj.2), principally to defend the road E. of the village. To the N. a bombed-out farm building served as a forward Obs post (Obj.3). The infantry had also hastily dug some defences in the fields to the N.E., to the W. and to the S. of the village.

Forces

The German Coy. Cmdr was confident he could defend Maisons de Bois with two Rfl. Pltns and a support Pltn of 3xHvy MG’s. There was also Arty support promised and, as the British threat became immediate, Armour was dispatched N. to rendezvous at the village.

The British were attacking with elements of C Coy.3rd Bttn West Surrey Rgt. namely: 2xPltns plus Coy. HQ Pltn. Having reconnoitred that morning and seen the extent of the German defences, Coy. Cmdr requested a 3rd Pltn be directed towards the village to bolster the attack. Armour Support came as 1xCromwell, 2xSherman. Arty barrage was also planned to commence the attack.

Deployment

The Germans had deployed with a Pltn in the village and its walled gardens, in the hedged field to the W., and in the field defences to the W. and S. (Obj.1). 

The 2nd Pltn was deployed in the ruined farmhouse (Obj.3) to the N and in the fields and field defences to the N.E. 

The support Pltn of HMG was deployed in the courtyard of houses to the S., along with the Coy. Cmdr., and occupied the MG Bunker (Obj.2).

British deployed swiftly, with 1st Pltn moving rapidly S. along the road, across the open ground. 1xSctn approached through the coppice to the N.W. The infantry crossing open ground were afforded some cover by the supporting Cromwell.

2nd Pltn deployed to the N.E. of the fields with 2xShermans to give weight to their attack. Coy. Cmdr directed the attack.

Magic view to the N.W.

Turn 1

Arty began pre-ordered barrage: salvo landed too far S. of (Obj.3).

From their exposed position on the road, 1st Pltn put up some tentative suppressing fire. Sctn in the coppice unable to add their fire.

Both Cromwell and 1xSherman gave support with H.E. on the enemy in Maisons de Bois whilst laying down covering fire with MG’s.

2nd Pltn opened up a lively suppressing fire across their front, aiming to pin German elements in the field defences ahead. The remaining Sherman also used MG’s to assist.

Turn 2

British Arty was being adjusted and 2nd salvo was delayed.

2nd Pltn gained fire superiority and pinned the German LMG’s in the field defences. 1xSherman advanced towards the observation post and using H.E. managed to pin the defending Germans there.

Cromwell advanced S. along the road to assault the Germans pinned in the village. 

However, German infantry Anti-Tank deterred attack and Cromwell retired to support 1st Pltn when Pltn Cmdr. was shot: he was replaced by a Pltn Sergeant who struggled to lead the Pltn to assault the village under fire.

Turn3

The Supporting Pltn requested as back up, had, as yet failed to make contact.

British Arty landed directly on the farm buildings (Obj.3) and in the fields and lane to the E. causing casualties and pinning the German defenders. 

 Coy. Cmdr. ordered 2nd Pltn to advance through the fields and along the stream to their E. 1xSherman gave support with MG.

1xSherman advanced towards the village and used H.E. to support 1st Pltn.

Following the Arty. salvo, the Germans tried quickly to rally the pinned infantry to defend the anticipated British advance. German Coy. Cmdr. received a message that Armour was on its way, but none could not yet be seen by those anxiously looking S. down the road.  

He was, however, able to call in his own field Arty which landed accurately across the road N. of the village, causing grievous losses among British 1st Pltn and knocking out Cromwell. 

Their temporary leader was himself hit and a Pltn Cprl. took over to rally the remaining troops in the face of determined sniper fire and attempt to move them to attack the village and thereby get out of the open ground.

Turn 4

British Arty was reluctantly called upon the village to clear infantry defenders from their positions in the field defences, the streets and the walled gardens. 

Some stubborn Anti-Tank armed infantry remained in the village. the remnants of 1 st Pltn were gathering themselves to leave their fallen comrades and cross the daunting open ground between them and their objective.

2nd Pltn advanced under HMG fire from the Bunker (Obj.2), to capture the German field defences with heavy losses.

Elements of 3rd Pltn then arrived and Coy. Comdr. waited to check the way was clear to advance and capture the forward Obs post (Obj.3). The German Suppt Pltn. kept trying to intervene with HMG fire from the cluster of buildings to the S. of the road.

Turn 5

German defenders in the village, outflanked by the British 3rd Pltn in the forward Obs post to the E. and by 12nst Pltn in the fields to their W. then retired to the crossroads (Obj.1).

2xShermans carefully advanced through the village and against the field defences in the open ground to the S.W.

Coy. Cmdr. led the remaining 1st Pltn in the wake of the Sherman.

Turn 6

As the British were approaching the S. end of the village and fighting hard to secure the crossroads (Obj.1), some of the German Armour finally arrived. 

1xPzrIV rolled N. along the road and 1xStuG crossed the open ground to the S. Immediately, 2xShermans were engaged in an armoured duel to prevent these beasts dislodging the infantry from their, as yet, slim hold on the crossroads (Obj.1).

 3rd Pltn with the remains of 2nd Pltn were being hampered by stiff resistance from the HMG’s from the Bunker (Obj.2) and the houses to the S.

The game ended and the victory decided by British 21 dice and German 18 dice. Result British 78, German 65, so a narrow victory by the British and, conceivably, in another turn the result might turn the other way if the German Armour continued to thwart the British attack on Obj.2 and loosened their hold on Obj.1

A frustrated attack facing dogged defence; a great game.