Chain of Command 2 - Game Report 14

Operation Martlet – 1200-1600 26 June 1944

Introduction

This was refight of the fourth Operational Martlet PSC scenario.

Situation

Time was running out, and the Divisional Commander had given a rocket to the Commander of 147 Bde, who had similarly launched into CO 7 DWR. The bottom line was that a failure to take Rauray Ridge could imperil the success of operation Epsom which had started earlier that day. 7 DWR had to be on the ridge line by last light!

Enemy Forces

The Germans were clearly not going to give ground willingly, irrespective of what their Fuhrer had ordered. Enemy losses suffered earlier in the day were unknown but not thought to be significant and therefore the defence was considered to be intact.

Friendly Forces

3 Platoon had received further support from the Sherwood Yeomanry with two more Shermans moved forward to support them. An additional PIAT team were provided by the Company Commander given the close country and the likelihood of enemy armour.

Mission

No Change. 3 Platoon A Company 7 DWR is to clear St Nicholas farm.

Post Mission Report

Lt Bertram-Willey kept with the same plan using the Orchard as a covered approach to the objective.

However, this time he ensured that 3 Section were in closer support and accompanied the Shermans as they advanced through the Orchard.

The Platoon with the Shermans closed up to the forward edge of the wood, moving around the flank of the Sherman destroyed in the last engagement.

As Number 2 Section advanced to secure the breach in the outbuilding, they were engaged by German machine guns and forced to retire. Lt Bertram-Willey ordered them to move around the right flank.

As they did so they were engaged by a PzIV, and suffered a number of casualties. Number 2 Section was effectively out of the fight. Unfortunately, their tank support wasn't in a position to return fire. However, Lt Bertram-Willey immediately brought forward 3 Section to pass through 2 Section covered by their Bren Team.

With time being critical, and with the Sherman in place providing covering fire, he moved forward with 3 Section's Bren team while the remainder of the Section went right flanking. No 1 Section were deployed on the left to provide cover for the left flank Sherman.

The PzIV had been manoeuvring in the depth of the German position looking for a firing position. It had found a position where it could engage the left flank Sherman.

However, once again the 3 Platoon 2" mortar team were able to provide smoke to obscure the German Tank. But in this case the German Tank Commander charged his tank like a Prussian Hussar through the smoke to engage the Sherman. Both tanks fired at each other missing each other blindly as the smoke evaporated. Meanwhile, on the right flank Lt Bertram-Willey had brought 3 Section forward to secure the breach and enter the farm complex, while Number 1 Section had advanced and secured the outbuilding adjacent to the Pz IV.

The PZIV was obscured again by smoke from the 2" mortar. Meanwhile the right flank Sherman is moving into a position to outflank the farm. On the road the remains of jeep which had been carrying the reserve PIAT team lays smoking after it was ambushed earlier in the engagement.

Outcome

3 Platoon lost a further 8 men from 2 and 3 Section, but the aggressive action had forced the Germans to withdraw.