Operation Martlet – 1200 to 1600 25 June 1944
Introduction
This was to be the third game of the Operation Martlet campaign scenario. Fortunately Kevin, as a war room where he can leave the table set up!
Situation
The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division were now 8 hours into Operation MARTLET and the mist and stiff enemy resistance has prevented them achieving even their initial objectives. The previous report from the CO of 11 RSF explains the challenges they faced. However, by midday the mist was clearing and the 11 RSF had regrouped its rifle companies that had become widely separated in the initial advance. Importantly for 11 RSF, B Squadron of the Sherwood Foresters Yeomanry (SRY) had now also reorganised and regrouped and were ready to support the advance.
Enemy Forces
The previous 8 hours of battle had shown that the Germans were well organised and unwilling to give ground. They were well equipped with MGs and had excellent fire discipline.
Friendly Forces
OC B Coy 11RSF took his lead platoon commander, 2Lt Archie Sutherland, to one side and explained how he needed to firstly get a grip and lead his platoon. He gave some direction on how he needed to reorganise his platoon and take full advantage of the support he was now being given. Consequently 5 Platoon was reorganised around two infantry sections. The remaining three men were insufficient to field as a section and Cpl Johnstone was therefore given an LMG and a jeep to act as an exploitation or recon force depending on circumstances.
5 Platoon would continue to be supported by the Battalion mortars and a Vickers team from the Battalion MG Platoon. Importantly he would be advancing behind a Sherman from B Sqn SRY.
Mission
11 RSF is to secure FONTENAY within boundaries.
Post Mission Report – 11th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers
Under the cover of the continuing artillery fire the two sections led by Sgt Wilson advanced. No 1 Section advanced in column behind the Sherman while No 2 Section advanced tactically across the field.
Within minutes the Vickers MG was brought up in direct support on the right flank of No 1 Section.
In spite of the continuing bombardment German Panzer Grenadiers were seen deploying around FONTENAY.
A German mortar bombardment prevented No 1 Section continuing their advance. However, the Sherman was able to move out of the beaten zone of the mortar barrage. No 2 Section continued to advance by crawling tactically through the fields. All the time they were under MG fore from their front and right flank. 2Lt Archie Sutherland brought forward his 2" mortar team to provide fire support and to provide motivation and leadership for his advancing sections.
The 11 RSF's Mortar platoon brought in a barrage, supplemented by 2" mortar fire, which started to obscure the troops from fire and allowed the advance to continue, led by the SRY. With great skill the barrage was walked across the entire German position.
Once the German Mortar barrage lifted the troops continued their advance. The Vickers MMG was particularly important in providing direct fire support, but it failed to fully suppress an MG42 team that had opened up on the right flank.
Instead, the SRY Sherman provided excellent fire support that eventually forced the MG42 team to displace. However, Sgt Wilson by this stage thought it was prudent to withdraw No 1 Section from their exposed position on the road. No 2 Section however, kept advancing tactically through the field.
No 2 Section closed in on the first building on the outskirts of Fontenay ready to assault it.
The German resistance was weakening and it appeared that more of their troops were withdrawing. The SRY Sherman continued its advance brassing up the hedges and buildings as it did so.
The SRY bring about the breakthrough that gives the battlefield to the 11 RSF and 2Lt Archie Sutherland's No 5 Platoon.
Outcome
The Battalion had finally broken into the German defences. Everyone was convinced, however, that it was not going to be an easy stroll to RAURAY. This experience had taught them that the Germans were tenacious and would not give ground easily. Archie Sutherland reflected on his experiences through the day and was becoming despondent about the losses his platoon had suffered. The CO of 11 RSF made it clear to him that he needed to do better and was looking for an improvement as the battle progressed.
No comments:
Post a Comment