Bolt Action - Game Report 12

Operation Racer September 1943

Introduction

I was inspired by Mike's scenario for the last Bolt Action Tournament that I decided to have a go and write my own. 

I was equally inspired by reading about an action by the Canadians at Le Mesnil-Patry in Normandy. In this action the time of a planned attack was brought forward by 24hrs and therefore troops were not in the correct place and there was a great deal of confusion and improvisation. 

Hence the scenario "Hasty Attack".

Kevin agreed to give the scenario a try and this allowed me to bring 9 Platoon 1st Battalion Duke of Glendon's Light Infantry (1 DOG) into battle again. Kevin laid out some very impressive Italian terrain which proved to be very good for the battle.

When we rolled for sides, I became the attacker and Kevin the defender.

Situation

The allies have consolidated the Salerno beachhead and have successful beaten back the German counter-attacks. The allies are now preparing for the breakout and to advance North. In preparation for the breakout the Divisional Commander wants to seize some key ground. The attack was planned for 24hrs, but the pace of overall operations means that this attack has been brought forward to today. C Coy 1 DOG has been given this task, and 9 Platoon will be their point platoon.

Friendly Forces

9 Platoon suffered losses in the landings, but has since been reinforced. It now has 2 inexperienced rifle sections and a veteran infantry section. The platoon has been reinforced from Division with a FOO, an M3 half-track and a Churchill and from the Battalion a mortar section with MFC, a Bren gun carrier, and a sniper team. 

Enemy Forces

A mixed German Infantry Platoon with armour support were known to be in the immediate area of the objective. 

Mission

9 Platoon is to secure the Villa D'Pagini

Battle Report

Regrettably the combat cameraman was not available for much of the battle.

The battlefield. The German vehicles are two of the objectives, the third is behind the Villa. The MFC was successfully deployed forward. The bulk of the German forces are on their side of the river, but they do have a section deployed close to the Villa.

OC 9 Platoon has led forward one of the inexperienced rifle sections, while he has sent the other forward in the half track to secure the objective (the Bren carrier) by coup de main. The Churchill can be seen engaging a Pz IV advancing behind the bridge. The firefight between the two AFVs was indecisive with no hits recorded. While the Bren Carrier is there to provide fire support for the infantry section trying to assault the Villa. 

The Churchill has been forced back by the PzIV which is now advancing over the bridge.

Meanwhile the half track has itself been forced back and the section it was carrying is suffering losses from the Germans that are now counter-attacking in force. The second wave is trying to make progress and provide fire support. 

OC 9 Platoon is making a desperate attempt to move his platoon forward and to occupy the Villa and from that seize the objective in the defender's zone..

Outcome

A major victory for the Germans in that they retained their objective and seized the other two. The coup de main attempt by the half track was a dismal failure. Moreover, British fire support was less than its usual high degree of effectiveness!

The scenario  played reasonably well, but we both think it might need a little tinkering with. The balance of forces at the beginning might need to be improved, and it warrants more play testing. However, it hasn't put me of thinking of more scenarios.