Bolt Action - Game Report 2

Mist in the Seulles Valley July 1944

Introduction

This was to be my baptism of fire as I engaged in my first game of Bolt Action with an opponent. I brought along 9 Platoon Duke of 1st Bn Glendon's Light Infantry (1 DOG), whilst Han fielded a mix bag of Germans including an SS Squad. We fought Scenario 1 "No Man's Land".

Situation

The storm of the 19th June constrained operations for both us and the German forces. It is however, given the opportunity to gather forces. 1 DOG has been in the front line during the storm and has been ordered to destroy the enemy to their front and in doing so deepen their position to their front to expand the bridgehead and to secure a more secure start line for future operations. 

En Forces

Our combat patrols had reported that there were weak German forces in front of us with at least 2 or 3 weak infantry sections, they were supported by a heavy 75mm Atk Gun emplaced to our front. 

Mission

9Pl 1 DOG is to destroy the enemy to their front to create a more secure start line for future operations.

Mission Report

This report is made by Cpl Blanding No 1 Section Commander, who assumed command of 9Pl during the action

Before the battle the Pl commander decided to leave 3 Section and the half-track in reserve, my section and 2 Section were deployed close together to give each other mutual support. We had good fire support from our 3" mortar section and a Vickers team.

At H hr we waited nervously for our preparatory bombardment to start. As it did we were worried that they were falling short until we realised it was the Germans were doing the same. They were attacking us to prevent us securing the ground we needed. Their bombardment was very timely and effective it knocked out the Vickers team, our FOO and Pl HQ. Both 1 and 2 sections were pinned down through the weight of fire. 

While the bombardment lifted we rallied in place to continue the advance. 2 Section reported that they could hear engine noises to our left flank and they were concerned it might be German motorized reinforcements.

Fortunately 3 Section were observing from a hide and recognised that we were in trouble. And using his initiative Cpl Grimes ordered the men to mount the halftrack and ordered it to advance. This timely action allowed them to intercept and destroy a motorcycle team that were coming around our left flank.

He dismounted his men and engaged a German section in the buildings to their front. His halftrack and his section were overrun by the German section when they attacked at close quarters.

The fire support from the 3" mortar was excellent and they destroyed the threat of the 75mm Atk gun before it could be used against us.

Once my section and 2 Section had reorganized we tried to continue the advance but effective enemy fire started to give us serious casualties. We were constantly pinned down, I moved my section to the right behind some higher ground to regroup. 2 Section continued to give fire where they were and take casualties. Eventually, only the section commander Cpl Davies and another rifleman were able to continue the fight.

As we were regrouping in cover German reinforcements led by an SS Squad tried to overrun us. We were lucky enough to destroy them at close quarters. I tried leading a counter-attack but again we took casualties.

I decided that myself and Rifleman Briggs needed to do something. We spotted a lone German advancing and giving fire. He seemed to be in charge so we charged him. He died before we could capture him, examining his body we discovered he was a German 2nd Lt. At that point I decided to withdraw the remainder of our troops and retire to 1 DOG lines, having failed our mission.

Our casualties at the Bn Aid Post