Soldiers' Day – Jort, August 15, 1944

We played through a scaled down version of R. Mark Davies' Battlefront WWII scenario, Soldiers' Day, over the weekend. The scenario is based on the Polish 10^th Mounted Rifles' (the Polish 1^st Division armoured reconnaissance regiment) attempt to forge deep into the crumbling German defences at the Falaise Pocket in order to seize an intact bridge at the village of Jort on the River Dives following Operation Totalize.

I say scaled down in the sense that we reduced the attacking armour by about two thirds and the defenders' orbat by about one third. The game was also shortened to ten rounds from 20 to allow an afternoon's play, with an increased chance for the Polish attackers to find that crucial ford. All in all the changes seemed to preserve the balance and spirit of the game.

The Polish objective was to push across the river, preferably securing the bridge but as it was expected to be strongly held, the possibility of finding a ford was also there as an alternative avenue of attack.

We had decided on this scenario because an old friend of my co-player had been invited along. He is Polish and his father fought with the 1^st Armoured in Normandy as part of the 1^st Anti Tank Regiment. We realized as we looked into the scenario that a large contingent of that regiment fought at Jort, giving a strong likelihood that George's father was at this battle. He brought along a pin of his father's that he had found in the family archives, which you can see in the photo of the Polish forces involved.

The game was played in 20 mm on a 7'X 6' board. Other than the scaled down forces the board was fairly true to a slightly cropped version of the scenario map.

Defending Forces

The bridge is lightly defended by remnants of the 85^th Infantry Division along with elements of SS Panzer Division “Hitlerjügend”. A reduced pioneer company, a 37mm AA gun, PaK36 50mm antitank gun and the ace in the hole, an 8.8cm PaK43/41 antitank gun make up the bulk of the force, with a pair of armoured cars representing the advance elements of Panzer Division “Hitlerjügend”, sent to reconnoiter the situation and commanded to stay put and aid in the defence.

Off board artillery support in the form of a battery of 105's reinforce the defence. The two Panzer IV's, and Jagdpanzer IV's, more elements of Panzer Division “Hitlerjügend”, may (or may not) arrive as reinforcements later in the game.

Attacking Forces

The attacking forces are all elements of the Polish 1^st Armoured Division, arriving in stages. No. 1 Squadron of the reconnaissance regiment (10th Mounted Rifles) mounted in Cromwells lead the attack, with a platoon of Achilles from No. 1 Battery, 1^st AT Regiment and fire support from the Canadians 5.5” guns coming available shortly afterwards with the arrival of the Canadian FOO.

Infantry support, No. 1 Squadron of the 10^th Dragoon Regiment, arrive in their armoured transport on Turn 4 while the Stuart recce troop initially covering the Polish left flank will bolster the attack for the last four turns.

George's Dad

We decided that our Polish guest player's dad would have commanded one of the two Achilles in play. The pin (lapel pin? cap badge? anyone know?) that he brought along showing the hussar's helmet of the 1^st Armoured Division has pride of place in front.

The map shows the lay of the land, with high ground above and below the river. The German defenders, with limited resources, opt to place all their elements below the river., spread out to avoid the threat of Allied artillery but focussed on defending the bridge as its loss will almost certainly spell defeat. Most of the infantry is stationed in the houses of Jort, with a sole stand watching the German right flank below the chateau at Vendeuvre. The two armoured cars are hidden deep in orchards guarding the German left flank, while the 50mm AT gun is positioned directly in front of the bridge, supported by the 37mm and heavy machinegun in enfilade of the bridge to its left.

The 88 is dug in on the high ground just to the left of Macé where it commands the bridge and most of the battlefield.

The Battlefield

Here are a few shots of the battlefield.

View of the battlefield from south of Jort, German side of river.

View along railway and road bordering the chateau - the major artery in for the Poles.

Polish left flank.

Jort as seen from the high ground to the south.

View along railway embankment where it crosses the Falaise road. The high ground behind is where the Polish forces enter.

1. Cromwells roll in
A veteran Cromwell unit, No. 1 Squadron of the 10^th Mounted Rifles, rolls in from the high ground to the northeast. Half the squadron moves in on the bridge…

2. First Casualty
While the others maneuver between the scattered buildings and orchards on the west side of the river in search of a possible ford. As the command Cromwell moves down the road in support of the units at the bridge it is KO'd by the PaK 43/41. It turns out to be a fortuitous shot for the Germans as the tank explodes into flames, sending up a dense column of smoke that effectively screens the 88 from observation by the Canadian FOO for the rest of the battle.

3. PaK 43/41 on high ground

The shot came from the 88 mounted on the high ground south of Macé. From this point the gun has a fairly clear view of most of the Dives valley in this sector as well as the high ground to the west, and the firepower to knock out almost anything that rolls into its line of sight. He manages to pick off the Cromwell as it moved between the protection of a pair of buildings.

4. Achilles take up position on Polish right flank
With a dense forest on their left protecting them from observation by the 88, the Polish tank destroyers take up hull down positions on the high ground overlooking the Falaise road in order to guard against a possible German armour attack from this direction.

5. Cromwell 95mm close support tank moves to cover bridge
Meanwhile Cromwells take up positions by the bridge, with the 95mm close support tank moving in to direct HE fire against an as yet unrevealed enemy.

6. Looking for alternate crossings
Other Cromwells push down to the River Dives, searching unsuccessfully for a possible alternate crossing.

7. Jagdpanzer IV's arrive (not)
Here is a shot of the Jagdpanzer IV's entering along the Falaise road. For the second time ( I had solo played the scenario earlier) the tank destroyers failed to show, but having painted them up specifically for this scenario, I was determined to show what they would have looked like if they had arrived!!

8. 10^th Dragoons arrive

On Turn 4 No. 1 Squadron of the 10^th Dragoons arrive. With their carrier mounted machineguns in overwatch on the high ground west of the chateau, two platoons of infantry prepare to dismount.

9. Getting off lightly
One of the other Dragoon halftracks strays into sight of the 88. As shells erupt around the carrier, disordering it, its occupants hastily dismount under fire, and the carrier reverses back up the road to cover.

10. PaK 38 goes into action
Back at the bridge the PaK 38 goes into action against the Cromwells gathering on the far side of the river. A German mortar also opens up from the buildings on the high ground on the east side of Jort.

11. No where is safe from the 88!
The Polish player quickly learns that nothing is safe from the 88. In a long shot that spanned the board corner to corner (see explosion in distance) the 88 plugs one of the tank destroyers as they move down from the high ground commanding the Falaise road and towards Jort.

12. Achilles knocked out
This tank destroyer never saw the shot that killed it as it emerges from the railway underpass on the Falaise road. In the background the second TD retreats to the high ground behind the woods to cover the attack on the bridge from a distance.

13. Things heat up around the bridge
Finally some German reinforcements do arrive, in the form of a Panzer IV arriving from the southeast corner of the board. It is immediately engaged by the Cromwells clustered around the bridge, while the German PaK 36 successfully knocks out the second Cromwell of the day, the 95mm CS tank.

14. German heavy machinegun in enfilade
Polish infantry that have moved into the second chateau next to the bridge come under fire by a heavy machinegun positioned in enfilade south of the bridge as they try to ford the River Dives. One section is knocked out and the second driven back into the protection of the chateau by mortar fire.

15. Remaining Achilles keeps watch from the high ground

16. FOO and 6 pdr.
Also on the high ground west of Jort, the Dragoons' 6 pdr. and the Canadian FOO mounted in a borrowed Humber give support to the attack on the bridge. Communications with the Canadian big guns to the rear (a battery of 5.5” guns in general support) has been shaky to say the least, with only one relatively unsuccessful stonk coming in over four turns (60% chance of successful call). The guns are crucial to breaking the back of the German defence, but the failed calls for fire coupled with the fact that a burning Cromwell has effectively obscured the FOO's view of the pesky 88, has rendered the guns next to useless.

17. Dragoons ford creek
Two platoons of Polish infantry ford the creek behind the chateau, moving in on suspected German positions. The woods beyond the creek prove to be undefended.

18. Overview of Polish left flank
This overview shows the Polish infantry (lower right) fording the creek on their way to the River Dives. In the lower left can be seen the German 88 on the high ground south of Macé. Creeks and hedgerows make the going slow here but so far this flank appears to be undefended.

19. Bridge overview
In the centre you can see the Cromwells, clustering around the bridge waiting for an opportunity to forge across, as some of the Polish infantry begin to approach the river in search of possible fords. It has turned into a long distance shooting match with the antitank gun and Panzer IV, none being able to score a winning hit, but with the Cromwells reluctant to move closer, as any advance brings them out of the shelter of the buildings and into the sights of the German 88.

At the upper centre is the Achilles behind the woods and to the right of that, behind the hedgerow, the FOO and 6 pdr. (not visible).

20. First German resistance on Polish left flank

The Polish infantry advancing on the left encounter the first (and only) German resistance in this sector. A single stand of infantry, dug in deep in an orchard, opens up on the Poles as they ford the stream, knocking out one of the sections.

21. German heavy machinegun saves the day

The Canadian 5.5's finally arrive on target and with the antitank gun and German armour disordered and the 88 engaged elsewhere, the remaining Achilles makes a sprint to get over the bridge. He almost makes it, with the tank and gun both missing but the German heavy machinegun manages to suppress the Achilles with a lucky shot that halts it midway across the bridge.

22. Making short work of the tank destroyer
It's only a suppression but it gives time to allow the 88 to finish it off with its third kill for the day.

23. Germans move to reinforce their right flank

With the Polish infantry beginning to make some headway across the river, threatening the 88 with a flank attack, the German commander begins to shift some of his as yet hidden pioneers out of Jort and over to their right flank.

24. Sdkfz. 223 KO'd

The Sdkfz. 223, lurking near the bridge, also dashes out, hoping the smoke from the burning Achilles on the bridge will hide him from the Cromwells. But they find their target with a well-aimed shot and knock it out.

25. Cromwells storm bridge
Emboldened by the Achilles mad dash, the Cromwells forge across as well under heavy fire from the defending guns. Meanwhile the Stuart reconnaissance troop arrives and, seeing the bridge clogged with fighting, dashes over to the Polish right flank in an attempt to find a ford in this yet unexplored part of the river. Two halftracks and a Cromwell join them, hoping to infiltrate into the orchard and bring some fire onto the machinegun that has been guarding the bridge.

26. Dragoons push across the River Dives
Three stands of Dragoons, after failing to find a ford for the armour, push across the River Dives regardless, while the German infantry stand shadows them through the orchard, continually ambushing them from new positions.

27. Things blowing up everywhere!
The lead Cromwell is knocked out by the PaK36 and the second one fails its morale roll and turns and withdraws, leaving no Polish armour on the German side of the river. In turn the 6 pdr. knocks out the Panzer IV with a long range shot, but it is too little too late.

28. Now that's a shot!

Threading the needle between intervening buildings and a burning Achilles, the 6 pdr. does what the Cromwells fail to do, knocking out the Panzer IV east of Jort.

29. Hero of the day

The German panzerfaust/infantry stand in the orchard on the Polish left continues to torment the Dragoons, knocking out two more of the three stands that managed to cross the Dives, bringing its total to four. Although more German pioneers are moving to reinforce, it singlehandedly almost eradicates this avenue of attack.

30. Second armoured car
The Sdkfz 232, also dashing over to protect the threatened 88, is knocked out by a volley of long range shots fired from the tanks on the Polish right flank.

31. End game
This overview shows the situation at game end at the conclusion of Turn 10. In the centre two Polish halftracks have been knocked out by the 88 as they try to get some fire onto the German heavy machinegun. Above the bridge three stands of Polish infantry make it to the far bank of the Dives under cover of smoke from the burning Achilles, bringing the total infantry of that unit crossing the river to four (well short of the eight needed to score victory points). In the foreground the Stuart recce troop makes it to the bank of the River Dives but has no time to reconnoiter for a ford.

At the end of the game the bridge was still firmly in German hands although challenged by nearby enemy units. Securing it was a crucial factor in any possible Polish victory, and meant that the Germans had scored a partial victory once Victory Points were totalled.

A brief postmortem would say that the Polish attack was perhaps hindered by a certain timidity early on, but the 88's command of the bridge and its approaches really hampered any effective attack there. Perhaps pushing the infantry up their left flank rather than focussing on the bridge was a mistake, because, although they did find an undefended avenue of attack, it basically pulled them out of the game and denied the armour at the bridge the advantage of infantry support which was so clearly needed.

The biggest factor however was probably luck, with the failure of the Canadian artillery to come in in any meaningful way, and the Canadian FOO's view of the 88 being obscured by the burning Cromwell (in our game not all tanks burn – basically there is a 30% chance, but a lot of armour seemed to be smoking in crucial spots on this day!) Also the failure to find a ford (we gave a 20% chance, and the Poles failed on eight attempts) played a huge factor in the loss. And the Germans may have had a bit more backbone to their defence if more of their armour had succeeded in showing up, although in the end it really wasn't needed.

All in all a great game, with some really interesting moments of individual heroism that ended up turning the tide of the battle.

20mm Zone Dingo and Humber Scout Cars

I don't generally review models on this blog as I lack the expertise and painting skills to really do a good job. But I'm a huge armoured car fan and was thrilled to receive these two new releases from 20mm Zone's rapidly expanding list, thinking it was worth sharing for others who are tempted to buy them.

Both are hard to find models at a very reasonable price, so 20mm zone has done wargamers a real favour by making these available. They were both pretty ubiquitous in a variety of recce roles throughout the war and are a useful addition to any gamer's army.

These were my first foray into metal vehicles, and I was pleased with the degree of detailing and extras included with these kits. Also some simple instructions, which so often are lacking with metal kits! They were quick to build and went together easily, with little flash on any of the pieces. And most satisfactorily, the Dingos were a a great match for my Matchbox (I believe now re-released by Revell, although I have yet to have seen them) Dingo released in the 70's along with (less usefully) Monty's caravan.

My only critique would be the quality of the crew members which I replaced, (with the exception of the seated Dingo figures, who aren't particularly visible) with figures from my spares box.

As I live in Canada I was a bit hesitant in ordering from the UK, but the package came within a week, postage was minimal and EWM kindly included a free package of stowage, which made me very happy as I love stowage on my vehicles!

Here are a few pics:

Here are the Dingos which come in a package of two (I believe there are six variations available). The one on the left has the original crew. Stowage was moulded right on the model, the aerials were added by me.

For comparison, here is my Matchbox model.

And these were the Humber scout cars, also packaged as a pair and  built as provided other than the crew members (HaT) and the roll of wire on the left model. Stowage are bits from the free pack EWM threw in.

Somewhere on the Eastern Front, 1945

This was another non-historical scenario I put together as a Battlefront WWII learning scenario for a new player, introducing him to combined tank and infantry tactics along with employing minefields, barbed wire and AT guns in a more or less static defence.

The scenario represents a Russian armoured attack on a prepared German position, with well dug in troops protected by barbed wire and minefields backed by a heavy Pak screen. The objective is simply to inflict the most damage, with the Germans requiring a two to one ratio in victory points (i.e. inflicting twice as much damage as their opponent).

The game was played in 20mm using the Battlefront WWII rule set, and was really an excuse to trot out my newly painted HaT Russian tank riders, mounted in small groups of two and three per stand so that they can mount and dismount from the vehicles.

The Attackers
The Russians are attacking with a medium (T34) and heavy tank (KV1) company, with close support from a self-propelled battery of ISU 152's. An SMG company of tank riders provides infantry support, while an attached FOO in a well-concealed observation post, on the board at the beginning of the game, provides a link to the off board supporting battery of 120mm mortars.

The Defenders

The German defence consists of a reduced company of infantry with three Pak 40's attached. A heavy flak battery of 3 88's and a 20mm Flak AA back them up, along with a battery of 120 mm mortars as off board fire support. A Panzerjaeger platoon of two Jagdpanzer IV's waits  in the wings, slated to arrive as a counterattack force somewhere within the last four turns of the 10 turn game.

The Battlefield

The battlefield as seen from the Russian end of the board. Woods, hills, fields of tall crops and a road bordered by a hedgerow break up the terrain and provide loads of cover (and obstacles for advancing armour).

View from the chateau

A river with a single bridge spans the right corner of the board with a chateau on a hill (three levels) giving the German commander a good view of most of the battlefield. 

Farm complex

A walled farm complex next to a woods with dense underbrush dominates the centre of the battlefield.

FOO on a hill

At the Russian end of the board a FOO in a hidden observation point on a low hill (one level) observes the fall of the preliminary barrage and  calls in fire throughout the battle for the off board mortars. The Russians are given a pregame barrage consisting of the guns of two heavy artillery battalions as well as the heavy mortar battery continuing throughout in direct support.

The tabletop composite below shows the location of the two rounds of concentrations on suspected enemy positions as well as the final round of smoke. The German wire and minefield defences, (minefield location unknown to the attacker), are also indicated.

As it turned out the barrage, planned before seeing any German hidden position markers, touched virtually none of the German positions. It fell almost entirely behind their lines (which were well forward) other than a couple of lucky mortar strikes next to the farmhouse which knocked out an 88 and the 20mm Flak.

The attack goes in

The Russian armour roars in behind a heavy smoke screen, the KV1's braving the road while the T34's with their tank riders move to an adjacent field to dismount their tank riders. The two ISU's position to provide supporting fire on the near edge of the central woods as enemy positions reveal themselves.

A platoon of T34's also advances to the left, not visible in this photo.

Tank riders

On reaching the field the T34 tank riders dismount into the tall crops under German heavy mortar fire, but escape with only a few disorders and suppressions.

First encounter

Under cover of smoke the KV1's forge down the road, turning to exit by breaching the hedgerow next to a farmhouse. A Panzerfaust fires on them, and suppresses the nearest tank.

Knocked out!

An 88 reveals itself at the bend in the road, along with a Pak 40 that opens fire from the edge of the woods. One of the KV1's is knocked out and their riders forced to bail out onto the road disordered.

88 in action

View from the 88's position behind a hedgerow, as German infantry sprint up the road towards the Pak 40.

T34's on left flank

A platoon of T34's advance up the left side of the battlefield in what was thought to be a protected line of advance, with plans to join up with the KV1's. However they did not factor in that they would be observed while traversing the hill by the German commander spotting for the off board mortars in the chateau. A devastating concentration comes down on the tanks, suppressing one but more importantly stripping them of their tank riders, knocking out three of the four stands.

Pak 40 knocked out

More successfully, the centre attack goes in on the woods under cover of more smoke laid on by the Russian off board mortars. The Pak 40 (one of two dug in on the near edge of the woods) is quickly swept aside by close assault by Russian infantry.

Into the woods

Russian infantry, supported by armour, move into the woods.

A second 88 opens up

A second 88 opens up on the right flank, near the river, engaging in a long distance duel with the two Russian self propelled howitzers.

Russians push in and around forest

In this midgame overview you can see the Russian armour and infantry pushing into the forest. Another Pak 40, dug in next to where the ISU 152's are in the upper right, is knocked out by close assault after exchanging shots with the ISU 152's. A hastily formed German blocking line of infantry has panicked at the sight of the Russian armour pushing into the woods and breaks and flees, coming up short against its own line of barbed wire that runs between the farm complex and the woods, cutting off its retreat. This allows pursuing Russian infantry to close and close assault, knocking out all three stands of German infantry. With the central woods more or less secured, the bulk of the T34 company along with the ISU 152's changes direction and rolls around the right flank of the woods, braving the fire of the 88 to breach the line of barbed wire that spans this flank.

The decision to push the tanks noses into the woods proved to be double edged. They provided a target for the German mortars, and as a result the Russians lost two more stands of infantry in collateral damage to mortar fire, but their presence pushed the defenders into their panicked retreat.

In the foreground (bottom of picture) Russian infantry clear out the house and a German 8cm mortar that have been giving them trouble, moving towards the woods on the left side of the road  supported by the platoon of T34's and the remaining KV1 (not visible).

Curiosity kills the cat

The Russians get a bit cocky as a T34 on the left flank rolls over to the edge of the woods to investigate a suspected German position and is brewed up by a Panzerfaust.

Right flank advances

As the Russian mortars and ISU 152's keep the German 88 on this flank disordered the tanks move in, breaching the German wire. 

Oh, look, a machinegun nest!

Before the tanks can close a direct hit by the Russian mortars knocks out the 88. In the foreground one of the T34's encounters a disordered German heavy machinegun. Previously this machinegun had called down a devastating strike on the Russian infantry as they emerged from the woods heading towards the farm complex, knocking out two more stands and bringing the total Russian infantry stands destroyed by mortar fire to seven. 

Seeing that the machinegun was disordered the tank moves to close assault, knowing that the only die roll that would cause its destruction was a 1 for the Russian and 10 for the German.

Beat by the long odds

So one more tank knocked out. The machinegun panics and sprints for the river, but fails to make cover before being gunned down by the better part of a company of T34's.

Waiting for the big cats

With almost the entire German infantry company now destroyed, along with all but one of its guns for a loss of three Russian tanks and half its infantry, the T34's take up positions along the road in preparation for the expected German armoured counterattack. Bizarrely, no minefields have yet been encountered despite having penetrated deep into the German defences.

Closing in on the last gun

Meanwhile, on the left flank Russian infantry begin to close in on the remaining 88, both from the woods and the farm complex. One Russian stand is knocked out as it ventures too close to the wood edge as the rest prepare for a final assault on the remaining German position.

Overview of left flank

The two remaining Russian tanks attempt to go hull down behind the woods, as they wait for the arrival of the German armour. Russian infantry move in on the 88.

Jagdpanthers enter

The two Jagdpanthers enter from the German side of the board on Turn 8, and are suppressed and disordered by Russian tank fire. The Russians lay down a smoke screen as they prepare to move in and close assault the two tank destroyers, while the infantry form up to close assault the 88.

Oh, so that's where the minefields are!

The final Russian assault never materializes. The infantry, now reduced to below half their original number, fail their morale roll and panic in the face of the arrival of the German armour. The KV1 and T34 on the left flank roll forward and are blown up on the until now elusive minefields while another T34, moving forward to close assault, is also blown up on a minefield blocking the entrance to the lane (three consecutive rolls of 3 or less, 4 if you count the failed morale roll for the infantry!) 

Game end

With their way now blocked by minefields, the other Russian tanks fall back to regroup as the Jagdpanthers advance on the far flank. 

At this point the game has run its allotted course of 10 turns, and despite the German minefields' toll on the last round, the Russians can claim victory, having inflicted roughly equal damage to the Germans, who thus failed achieving their two to one ratio necessary in order to win.

As stated earlier, this was a learning scenario for a new player who was playing the defence. Afterwards he freely admitted that he had not understood the effectiveness of the minefields and barbed wire, which is why he placed so much of his defence forward of these obstacles, which allowed the Russians to use their armour and infantry superiority to great advantage. Not a mistake he is likely to repeat!!