Operation Martlet – 1600-2000 26 June 1944
Introduction
This is the fifth Operation Martlet Scenario. I feel really quite good about our performance in playing this scenario after watching the guys on the Tabletop Command Post fight this scenario!
Ground
Continuing the battlefield tour in Oct 2025. As before the numbers relate to the vantage points where I took pictures. The objective for the British in this scenario is now a memorial to the 49th Division.
The battlefield provided by Kevin.
View 1 – the road back to Ferme de St Nicolas.
View 2 – the view looking North West from the objective.
View 3 – the view looking South to Rauray from the objective.
View 4 – the memorial to the 49th Infantry Division.
View 4 – the plaques for the 147th Infantry Brigade.
View 4 – the plaque for my Corps.
The timely rocket that was passed down the chain of command to Lt Bertram-Willey of 7 DWR seems to have been highly successful as they secured Ferme de St Nicolas in a timely and well executed assault. This may have been largely due to the German's withdrawing their heavy armour. Nonetheless the attack was successful, and now they were ordered to continue the exploitation forward to Rauray. In their path was a natural spur which they needed to secure before moving onto the final objective.
Enemy Forces
The Germans withdrew from their previous position in good order, and there is no doubt that they will continue to provide every opportunity to present further delay to our advance. It is unlikely that there will be any armour given the openness of the ground and because we only anticipate a delaying action from the enemy we threw out of Ferme de St Nicolas
Friendly Forces
No 3 Platoon were at reduced strength with an officer and 26 other ranks. However, they would continue to count on the support of at least 2 Shermans from the Sherwood Rangers.
Mission
No 3 Platoon is to continue the advance and clear the enemy within boundaries.
Post Mission Report
No1 Section advanced down the ditch besides the road, followed by the Platoon Commander and behind him the 2" mortar team. No 2 Section was pushed out on the flank. Meanwhile the 2 Shermans both deployed in intimate support scanning the hedgerow to their front carefully.
The ditch provided adequate cover as the Section commander directed the advance.
Suddenly there was a sustained burst of fire from an MG42 in a prepared position. Immediately the two Shermans in over watch brought their 75mm quick fire cannons to bear and destroyed the position before it could have any effect on the advance.
As No 1 Section advanced down the ditch, No 2 Section commander has sent the Bern team out on the right to cover his advance of his rifle team. Sgt Ormerod has brought forward the reserve section forward under his control.
After another burst of MG42, the 2" mortar team laid smoke to provide cover for the troops to advance.
With No 2 Section taking casualties they went to ground and waited for one of the two Shermans to advance across to the road to provide better fire support.
Outcome
The weight of fire brought down by both Shermans and the Brens from the platoon forced the Germans hand and they decided that they could delay us no further and withdrew rapidly. The Platoon lost 3 men.
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