I just got back from France and Normandy so I was in the mood for a D-Day game. I also wanted something basic and that would allow for both sides to do some manoeuvring, so a straight out assault on dug in stationery troops was out. I came up with the move in from Asnelles by the B Company 2 Devons and the counterattack by the 916 Grenadier Regiment later in the day on June 6 1944.

The two German Grenadier companies had 2 3-section Zugs. I rated them as poor troops. This company had two attached MMG teams. The German orders were to get off the north edge of the table. A pair of StuG IIIs would show later.

For the Brits, B Company of the 2 Devons had all three platoons, but I also rated them as poor troops for this game. Between being seasick and inexperienced they were not fully up to their game. A troop from the Sherwood Rangers were assigned as support but were running late. Their orders were to advance south and get off the table.They began on the north board edge.

Looking north towards Asnelles and Gold Beach

The table was flat. Fields were still low so would provide minimal cover. There are roadside ditches.

Path of 1 Kompanie

Newbie Sheridan had half of the German force in his first game. The two German companies had two three-section Zugs. I rated them as poor troops. This company had two attached MMG teams.

The German orders were to get off the north edge of the table. Matt had the second Kompanie. He also had two tubes of 8cm mortars. He entered to the right a turn later.

Outskirts of Asnelles

John had B Company of the 2 Devons. It had all three platoons, but I also rated them as poor troops for this game. Between being seasick and inexperienced they were not fully up to their game. A troop from the Sherwood Rangers were assigned as support but were running late. Their orders were to advance south and get off the table.

They began on the north board edge.

1 Kompanie moving north

Sheridan moved up the left side of the road.

Devons moving out

John had the firstplatoon move straight out with the company CO. Their support stayed in walled farm. 2 Platoon was back in the village on their right and 3 Platoon was moving on the left (east) side of the road. No sign of the Rangers.

John and Matt discussing the flat terrain

But the dice still turn up cocked!

First shots exchanged

Long range firing between 1 Kompanie and 1 Platoon

1 Platoon is in trouble

Once Sheridan got his MMGs firing, John was taking a lot of hits out front. His 2-inch mortars seem to be sleeping.

1 Platoon getting pinned

Despite the presence of the Company CO, the fire from the MMGs and 1 Kompanie puts the platoon down.

1 Kompanie on the firing line

Matt's 2 Kompanie is moving up along the road to the right rear.

Smoke finally coming down

But it seems to be missing the front of the copse where one of the MMGs and two sections are placed.

StuGs from 352 Panzerjaeger Battalion arrive

Matt won the Rock-Paper-Scissors contest and had control of the StuGs. One went up the road and the other went off to the right.

Sherwood Rangers' Shermans arrive

And almost immediately the Shermans come on table. John ran these up the road where the lead tank took a hit from the StuG. No damage.

PBI is vastly relieved

Troop leader in the rear and the Firefly is the second tank. They get the order to 'hunt'.

Lead section from 3 Platoon

It becomes the target of most of Matt's 2 Kompanie

2 Kompanie

1 Zug moves through the field and the other stays near the road. The second StuG is already taking hits from the Rangers.

Shermans spreading out

The Firefly is blocked by some of the Devons though. Apparently the Rangers had been doing well in their gunnery practice because 2/3rds of the shots scored hits

2 Platoon firing

They found a suitable piece of cover to turn their guns on Sheridan's grenadiers.

1 Platoon back in cover

Or what is left of it. Two sections were eliminated. The company CO is still out in the field.

3 Platoon now getting hit

Their CO became one of the first casualties.

2 Kompanie still advancing

StuG has bailed after taking several hits

Matt using the ditches as cover to keep advancing

And hits a Sherman at long range with one of his two panzerfausts.

End of the Bristish advance

Matt hits the lead Sherman with a panzerfaust and causes it to bail. No Platoon CO to rally shock on 3 Platoon causing problems. The Company commander is still out there in front of 1 Platoon .

Another Sherman hit by a Panzerfaust

This time from Sheridan's company. And it also bails.

3 Platoon falling back

2 Kompanie keeps inching up

No casualties yet, but the 8cm mortars are still not able to fire.

End game positions

Brits pulling back to town including the remaining troop leader and Firefly. Both Stugs are out of action after doing no damage to the Shermans.

As was historical, the German's counterattack falters on the outskirts of Asnelles.

Overall loses for the Brits are two Shermans, one Platoon CO, and 21 men.

The 916th lost four men in 1 Kompanie and two in 2 Kompanie. But both StuGs are gone with one crew lost and now the British artillery will start to get established. But the Germans certainly gave the Devons a bloody nose.

Mark Luther