Bolt Action - Game Report 10

Operation Hen House September 1944

Introduction

The final game of the Allies vs Axis Tournament was against Jason's Finns. The scenario for this one was Bolt Action Scenario 6 Demolition. As always it rather challenges one's imagination to think of how the Brits fought the Finns in WW2; but I am always up for a challenge. Just as this game was!

Situation

The German and Finnish attack into Northern Russia, Operation Arctic Fox, is making progress and is now threatening Murmansk. In a show of allied solidarity Stalin has invited the British Army to support the defence of the area. A reinforced Brigade Group has been sent north with an Arctic Convoy in response. The Brigade Mission is to safeguard the northern port in order to relieve pressure on the Soviet Forces garrisoning Murmansk.

On the 30th Aug a Finnish breakthrough led to the commitment of the Brigade Group, less a Brigade reserve from 1 DOG, to be deployed forward on a counter penetration mission. 1 DOG has been spread widely to guard and protect vital installations in the area.

En Forces

A forward detachment from the 6th (Finn) Division has broken past the forward British forces and is now advancing on Murmansk. It is made up of Infantry with armour and artillery support.

Friendly Forces

9Pl had recently consolidated its veteran infantry into numbers 1 and 2 section. 3 Section were reinforcements from the battalion left out of battle troops. The CO had provided a sniper team, Mortar section and Bren carrier from Bn Support Company, and one of our FOOs. Division had allocated us a Churchill tank and an M5 Half Track.

Mission

9 Pl is to secure the electrical power distribution systems for the port area, and to destroy the supply dump being used by the enemy's forward detachment.

Battle Report

1 Section secured and Pl HQ secured the objective rapidly. We were supported well by the Churchill and on our left flank the Bren Carrier. The FOO and our sniper were in good over watch positions. 2 and 3 Sections were deployed to try and take an end run at the enemy's supply dump.

The initial enemy attack was down my right flank and from my front, but the firepower from the Churchill's MGs on the right and the Bren Carrier on the left was essential in suppressing the enemy.

The sniper and mortar were also able to suppress the enemy artillery piece that they had in support.

Half way through the action the Bren Carrier was destroyed.

2 and 3 Sections were unable to make forward motion because of the threat from the Finnish Armour. Before they could launch their own attack, they were needed to counter-attack the enemy who were advancing from half-left. They advanced rapidly in spite of the threat of the enemy tank to their left.

In the end 1 Section and Pl HQ were confronted by two threats to the power house. The enemy showed great courage in closing the distance through the effective fire we were able to bring down on them. Despite this fire they managed to detonate a satchel charge that destroyed the power sub station. 

Outcome

A win for the Finns, but I managed to minimise the impact through securing additional mission objectives.

A very hard fought battle. In this scenario, as Jason demonstrated, there is a need to be aggressive in order to move forward and destroy the objective the enemy is protecting. You have to be prepared to accept casualties in doing so, as both Kevin and I discovered when we played the scenario.