Bolt Action - Game Report 6

Meeting Engagement in Sicily (part 2) - Aug 1943

Introduction

Following on from the Bolt Action Tournament I seized on the opportunity of a further Bolt Action game with Kevin, to further hone my understanding of the rules. Kevin had played before but not recently, and not with version 2.

Situation

Given the increasing fragility of the Italian commitment to the axis alliance, the Germans had moved up a Panzer Grenadier Battlegroup to face of 1 DOG's sector. The Brigade mission was to expand the bridgehead further along the valley where 1 DOG's last action was. The Brigade commander had ordered 1 DOG forward again to advance to contact and clear the sector of enemy forces.

Enemy Forces

Overnight patrols detected the German Panzer Grenadiers arriving. A captured reluctant ost troop grenadier reported that the most forward troops were a platoon of 3 sections, supported by a mortar section, armoured car and a half track commanded by a Leutnant Kevin Parry. He was described as new to the front but a wily and experienced tactician.

Friendly Forces

CO 1 DOG had secured the support of an M5 halftrack from divisional resources and a Churchill from C Squadron 147th Regt RAC. Along with 2 of his 3 veteran sections and a FOO, and a Mortar section from the Bn Mortar Platoon, OC 9Pl was well placed to give a good account of himself. 

Mission

9pl 1 DOG is to advance to contact in sector and destroy any enemy they encounter.

Combat Report

The report was written by OC 9Pl after the action.

We managed to infiltrate the FOO and the Mortar Fire Controller (MFC) into overwatch positions before we advanced. This was timely and was instrumental in the action that followed.

My plan was to advance on the bridge crossing, as we would need that later. Additionally I hoped it would prove to be a magnet to draw the Germans onto my weapons so I could destroy them by long-range fire. 

I advanced 1 Section on my left to secure the woods covering the bridge. That way they could secure my left flank. I left 2 Section in reserve, mounted in the half track. The Mortar baseplate deployed behind me, with the Tank moving towards the bridge.

The Germans advanced down the road with their armoured car with a Panzer Grenadier section to the right of this with the platoon commander. Another section was heading for the bridge across the field system, and we heard engine sounds from our right flank.

Our FOO called in a divisional artillery shoot on the enemy to our left front. It was exceptionally well timed and accurate. It destroyed the armoured car and seriously pinned down the enemy infantry in the woods 

1 Section went into ambush in the woods, and not a moment too soon as the Germans recovered from being pinned by the artillery and started to advance. They were extremely tenacious and continued to advance under fire to 1 Section, who returned fire and both the enemy and 1 Section suffered a number of casualties.

In the centre the Churchill and mortar section pinned down the German infantry in the field heading for the bridge. They never left the field system, and their morale broke under sustained fire and eventually retired. They were no longer a threat.

On our right the Germans had discovered a ford across the stream for their halftrack, and debussed an infantry section to take us from the rear. In response I ordered 2 Section forward on the halftrack to occupy the building on our right as a strongpoint. While the Churchill was engaging the enemy in the centre the enemy halftrack broke forward and brought its machine guns to bear on the Mortar section destroying them in one volley. 

The half track withdrew after destroying the mortar section and then came under fire from the 2 Section in the house which forced the vehicle to withdraw. 

By this time, with the centre no longer being threatened, I recalled the Churchill to support 2 Section and to engage the enemy half track. The tanks shooting was appalling and they failed to register a main gun round on target. Eventually the combined firepower of 2 Section, the halftrack and the tank MGs destroyed the Germans who had debussed from their halftrack, and at that point the enemy had no more stomach for the fight and withdrew. I regrouped and consolidated my position. 

Outcome

A British victory 3 to 1. A very exciting game that went both ways in the middle. Kevin and I both enjoyed it and learnt a lot about the rules - once we found the correct place in the aforesaid rules!

I am sure we will all be playing more BA in the future as an alternative to ADLG.