Charles King previously posted this battle on the io group site.
Another battle with Martin's 20mm figures on his 9x5 table.
This time the British consisted of a Battalion of the London Scottish, some Matilda Is and IIs and a company of anti-tank guns. The Germans fielded a whole Panzer Battalion with motorised infantry support. The objective was to advance and occupy the village in the centre and push back the enemy.
To cut a long story short, both sides pushed infantry into the village but the dash and aggression of the Jocks was irresistible, and the village was stormed at the point of the bayonet. The British were able to keep both flanks secure and victory for the Brits was obtained for the loss of just a couple of units.
It is worth a mention that the German command was under pressure that day, numerous command failures and some accurate British dice throwing made it a bad day for the Wehrmacht. German artillery falling short and inflicting suppression, casualties and a retreat on their own anti-tank defences was just one of their many misfortunes.
The London Scottish advance into the village supported by a troop of Matilda I Infantry tanks. The mortar is set up behind the house to the left.
The German infantry can be seen approaching the village. Artillery fire has forced the MMG section back, but a 2-pdr outfit is in place to cover the approach road. The second line of the London Scottish moves up in support.
The British right. You can just see a 2-pdr A/T and a Vickers section at the front of the pine woods. Infantry waiting in reserve are there to support. There are plenty of German tanks held off-table and it is uncertain where they will appear, and it seems prudent to give this flank some security.
Both companies of the London Scottish have rushed into the village with their armour support. Here we see them charge across the main street to oust the Germans holding the ruined house, and threaten the mortar position behind it. Out of the picture, a German 37mm PaK opens fire on the Matilda 1 at the rear but inflicts minor damage. Firepower wipes out the defenders.
The London Scottish charge on through the buildings and into the gardens to the rear, eliminating the German mortar unit. They are about to charge into close combat with the Germans defending the wall at the rear of the churchyard. In my favourite moment, German defensive artillery landed too close and suppressed their anti-tank guns (hidden here by the church buildings) enabling the Matilda to offer close support to the infantry.
Another view of the fight in the village, just before the London Scottish sweep right through to the fields beyond.
The final situation in the village. The Jocks have pressed on and engaged in close combat. One German platoon and the A/T platoon have been wiped out, and the shattered defenders are seen retreating toward the rear, harassed by off-table 25pdrs.
On the right flank….the 2-pdr A/T section has provided a stout defence of the wooded hill and severely mauled a German Pz Company, leaving only a PzII platoon in action. As the left hook of the German armoured column reaches the hamlet the British have enough reserves to put together an improvised defence behind the row of hills but the Huns have run out of steam. It’s game over.
An aerial recon. mission photographs the battlefield….At the bottom can be seen the shattered Pz Company, with part of the hasty British flank defence force. In the centre the London Scottish have pushed on through the village, the German centre has been destroyed and the objective taken. Survivors are fleeing to the north and you can just see the Matilda II units which have kept the left flank solid throughout the action. Medals all round for the Jocks, RTR and the RA A/T boys.
