Battle of Arras

The game was played 12/7/09 in my conservatory. We actually played the game twice but all the pics come from the first game. In game one Chris played the Allies and I played the Germans. In game two Francis came all the way from France to join us and played the Brits, Chris played the Germans and I had the French. Pretty much all the BEF is from Chris's collection, the French, Germans and RAF are mine.

The British Brigade HQ stops for a fag break before the offensive starts. All figs SHQ, the Morris Command Car is Cromwell

6th DLI moves up behind the 4th RTR

The 4th RTR in their start positions outside Dainville. Matildas are SHQ, Mk-VI is JB (now Airfix)

Recce elements of the 8th DLI follow the 7th RTR to Berneville. SHQ Carrier

7th RTR at Berneville

British poised to cross the road to Arras and confront the Germans

Tottenkopf move up past Simencourt. Airfix Opels and Caesar infatry

Schützen from 7 Panzer Division roll towards the front blithely unaware of the British attack coming their way

II Btl 6 Schützen Regiment advance past Beurains. Frontline Opels

II Btl 7 Schützen Regiment at Wailly

Turn 2 and the Luftwaffe is on form. Bf-109E strafes the 6th DLI

Stuka attempts to bomb the Hotchkiss of the 13e BCC

Very much relieved that the 7th RTR chose to attach east instead of south the 3SS move to take the French objective

4th RTR engage the lead elements of  I Btl 6 Schützen Regt at Achicours

Carrier of 6th DLI pushes past Dainville

7th RTR and 8th DLI put in  a combined arms attack against Bretencourt. Soon after this picture was taken the Matildas rolled over the 3SS 10cm gun which was hiding the other side of the ridge

4th RTR abandoning its attack on  Achicours, moves south to attack Wailly. However by this time the II Btl 7 Schützen Regt is occupying the village in strength and there is no way that the tanks will prise them out without infantry support. Rommel looks on from besides his Kfz-17 Radio Truck (Britannia)

As the game progressed German defences become more formidable as reinforcements arrived. The arrival of the 88 was a particular blow to the British. Luckily the RAF turned up and straffed the gun. Unluckily for the Hurricane the accompanying 2cm FlaK shot it down before it could do any damage. Hasegawa 88mm & Airfix Hurricane

The German panzers arrive and move in to the flank of 13 BCC. Fujimi PzKfw-38(t), Matchbox (Revel) PzKfw-II & Airfix PzKfw-IV. French trucks are Ready to Roll

7th RTR and 8th DLI attack Bretencourt past the abandoned SS 10cm. Accurate shooting from the Germans takes it toll on the British infantry and the village holds despite the tank support

4th RTR Assaults Archicourts

Unfortunately for the British long range AT fire disrupts the attack

In the west the French form a defensive line against the Panzers around Duisans

RAF Lysander (Matchbox) puts in an appearance to cover the French and bomb the Germans

The British infantry have been whittled down to the last few stands and their tanks are taking casualties too. The last Matilda I forced back from Achicourts

The French dash for their objective in the last turn. They need for the PaK-36 to miss and for the S-35 (FAA) to hit. Unfortunately for the French neither happens, leaving the PaK in possession of the victory location

The Germans denied the allies all their victory locations thus winning a minor victory. The Brits had an advantage in tanks but were at a disadvantage in infantry and air, and when taking towns infantry is at a premium. In the second game one of the German schützen battalions went shaken on turn 1. This reduced the German combat power just enough to give the British the edge. The second game was a minor Allied victory.

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