Operation Martlet game #2 from TFL's Chain of Command pint-sized campaign book converted to IABSM. A British infantry company with tank support against a couple of platoons of 12 SS Panzer supported by a lone Tiger (historically should probably have been a Panther, but hey). Again on my 2' x 3' board using the excellent H&R 1/300 models and Leven buildings.

Setting up the Game

Here is the campaign plan. This game is on map 2, the small village of Fontenay-le-Pesnel. Historically the grenadiers of the thinly stretched 12SS Panzer were attempting to hold the British 49th Infantry Division with Shermans in support.

An expanded version of the map in blurry detail

 Google street view shot showing the terrain from the junction of the main road and the track near the British entry points. Note small hedges (soft cover) and generally flat terrain.

The Game

My interpretation of the terrain. The British come in from the orchard on the left and the Germans hold the farm complex and the buildings in the centre.

A view from the British end of the table showing the main road and the large walled farm complex in the distance.

The British plan was to push two platoons up:  No 1 platoon on the right from the orchard, and No 3 platoon cautiously up the main road. A section on the right would cover the open fields beyond the low wall.

The Universal carriers with Vickers MMGs and 75mm armed Shermans would provide support. The Firefly with attendant 75 gun Sherman would stalk any German armour.

No 2 platoon was held in reserve in the middle.

The British Force
• Company of Infantry:  3 Platoons, PIAT, 2” Mortar + Co HQ (3), 2x(2) & 1x(1) leaders
• Battery of 3” mortars with observer in a scout car – 6 turns
• 2 x 6” square Pre-game stonk (which I forgot)
• A Troop of Shermans: 3 x M4A3 with one M4A4 Firefly
• One Churchill AVRE
• Two Universal carriers with Vickers MMG

The German Force
• A depleted 12SS Panzer Grenadier Company: two platoons of three sections, each of two MG42, four PanzerFaust 60s, one PanzerSchreck plus Co HQ (3), 2(3) + 1(2) leaders
• One MMG
• One Tiger I

The German dispositions are shown below with No 1 Zug in the walled farm with the MMG upstairs in the farm house giving fields of fire over fields on their right flank and into the orchard. 

No 2 Zug is in the village buildings in the centre and the lone Tiger (with Panzer Leader) lurks behind the building near the junction on the right.

Some of the hedges are mini-bocage, some are just soft cover.

The British move on to the table under Blinds, the Germans are all concealed.

There is a German sniper hidden in the barn top centre. He spots the British No 1 platoon behind the hedge at the top. 

No 3 platoon is also spotted from the house on the right holding a squad from No 2 Zug as it crosses the open field heading for the stone wall.

A short turn. The Germans have opened fire from the house in the centre. 

The Brits' 2” mortar drops smoke bang on target in front of the house blocking fire from this key position. Fire from No 1 platoon kills the sniper: the terrain meant he was a little close when he opened fire and was easily spotted.

A section from No 1 platoon try and dash into the dead sniper's hiding place but get shot at by a Germans squad from No 2 Zug behind the thick hedge opposite.

Sections from No 3 platoon take fire as they shelter behind the wall.

In the centre, the British bring up their secret weapon - a Churchill AVRE - to demolish the German strong point.

A longer turn. More smoke is dropped in front of the house. The petard fires and the Germans are lucky to escape lightly. The Tiger moves up from its hiding place to engage the AVRE which, if left alive, will demolish every building in the village. Do those things really carry 31 rounds? 

The British FOO tries to bring down fire from the mortar battery, but it scatters badly – see smoke from the white spotting round.

The fluorescent chit was for random events from the TFL Special. Came up a few times but only activates on 5 or 6 and so only a 'Medic – both sides may return one “killed” man to a section or weapons team of their choice' occurred.

The Germans run from the house and the Tiger engages the Churchill. 

Infantry from No 3 platoon dash up to try and occupy the house close to the Tiger (did someone remember the PIAT?). Taking advantage of this, the British Shermans dash forward to try and get a flank shot against the Tiger, but their chits just don’t come up.

Meanwhile a British FOO, manages to get a salvo of 3” mortar rounds down onto the crossroads.

The Tiger gets a hit on the AVRE (just visible top left) but doesn’t manage to penetrate the thick armour on the Churchill.

However, the second shot gets through the Churchill's tough hide and it starts to burn

The sections from No 3 platoon ignore the Tiger close by and dash across the stables, chasing the fleeing German squad.

With the Tiger taking on the AVRE, the German infantry is getting hammered with squads rapidly running up multiple casualties and Shock.

The Tiger's luck is in and it gets to move before the Shermans. It trundles around the stables and edges around the house in the centre. It pokes its nose out, just enough and with one remaining Action gets a shot at the Firefly...and rolls a double six! Critical hit!

However, despite all those kill dice including three added for the critical hit, the Sherman survives with no effect!

The Firefly gets its return shot. The first 17pdr round at under 100m only damages the mighty Tiger's gun sight! Brown trouser moment!

However, the second 17pdr round does the job and smashes through the TIger's frontal armour ...

At this point, the Germans call it a day. The Brits still have four Shermans and although the Germans have a few 'fausts, the Tiger is dead. The fresh British No2 platoon is just arriving.

LESSONS LEARNED

• Yes, Churchills are tough
• Even Tigers get unlucky
• Close range infantry fire is deadly, even when you're in cover.
• Rules get forgotten ... thats the fog of war ;)

CUSTOM RULES

• MGs can fire through smoke, but at heavily reduced rate (-3DR)
• Infantry fire from the side/rear is more effective
• Range effects AT accuracy and penetration. AFVs have front/side/rear armour values.

James Tree