3rd of August 1944 in Pictures
This game was played at John's house 16/3/08. John provided and played the Brits I supplied and player the Germans
KG Meyer line up for their assault on Ned Force north of Les Grandes Bonfaits. Matchbox Panthers and Cromwell SdKfz-251.
Elements to the south of Les Grandes Bonfaits. Nearest SdKfz-251 is Skytrex the other is a another Cromwell. Old Edai SdKfz-7 with Esci FlaK
Panthers close on Nedforce as the German artillery blasts the area. The artillery was not greatly effectual, though it did finish off the 6pdr. All the British tank crews survived and promptly mounted their iron steeds and legged it back to Les Bertaries. The British infantry faired less well and failed their morale, eventually going demoralised. But would they final die or surrender? The last stand tenaciously hung on to life for ages despite being surrounded by German armour.
Meyer moves up. Matchbox PzKfw-IIIL converted to an M with Nitto bits. In this case being used as a PzBefWg-IIIJ
The leading elements of the southern attack bypass Presles and climb up the hill to the crossroads at Les Bertiers. This was the high point of the German advance for many turns as John sent the 3rd RTR against this attack hoping the infantry of Ned Force would hold up the northern attack for long enough he could defeat the southern attack first; defeating the Germans in detail. The StuG was soon burning, destroyed in an attempt to fend of the Shermans while the rest of the Germans in KG Sud deployed. Cromwell StuG-IIIG and SdKfz-251/9. Skytrex SdKfz-251/1
The Rest of KG Sud trails past Presles. The StuG and flamethrower (SHQ) would soon turn into Presles to flush out the fitters, who remarkably survived the onslaught, though their nerve failed and they became shaken, retreating north.
SdKfz-10/4 (S&S) Although it totally missed the RAF Tempests it did manage to fend off a Sherman during the 3rd RTR's counter-attack
First of the Tempests (Heller) bombs a shaken Panzerkampftruppe south of Les Grandes Bonfaits. In the background Panthers roll over Ned Force's positions
Looking west along the table, 3rd RTR's counter attack can be seen underway in the distance
3rd RTR's Shermans (HAT) push toward Presles as Panzergrenadiers prepare their Panzerfaust. Unfortunately they were spotted and given a large dose of 75mm HE. Veteran stands are tough so they didn't die, but did feel discretion was the better part of valour and fled towards Presles
The high point of 3rd RTR's attack. Although inflicting a fair amount of damage on the Germans they didn't have enough time to finish their attack before the northern German thrust smacked into their rear. The burning Firefly behind La Heuserie in the top right of the picture was the first victim of the newly arrived Panthers
Carnage at the crossroads. Panthers plunge in to 3rd RTR's flank who start to pull back in disarray.
The last infantry stand of Ned Force, desperately seeking safety and running demoralised towards Les Bertiers, is finally dispatched personally by Meyer himself.
KG Meyer finally finish off 3rd RTR. Unfortunately one of the Sherman's final acts is to shoot a vital Panzergrenadier stand
The Germans surround Presles. The 4th KSLI mortar is shot up by a Panther
Meyer finished off the 6pdr crew in front of Les Bertiers
4th KLSI forms a hedgehog defence in Les Bertiers while the German armour swarms around the outside. The German Panzergrenadiers were slowly moving together for a concerted attack
The RAF strike again! (and again). Although the Tempest's bombing runs didn't cause much physical damage the constant attacks wore down the attackers' morale making it difficult for the Germans to concentrate their forces for the final lunge into Les Bertiers
The 2nd Warwickshires arrive, before the Germans can attack les Bertiers. The battalion recce close assaults a Panther demoralised by the constant air attacks
KG Meyer finally assaults Les Bertiers, only managing to scrape three Panzergrenadier stands together for the attack. They are met by a regimental 25pdr stonk
The Warwickshires move on Les Bertiers. The German armour now has no infantry support and is vulnerable to be close assaulted in the hedgerows
The struggle continues in Les Bertiers as the Warwickshires run the gauntlet of German fire to reinforce the town. Although the Veteran Panzergrenadiers are miles better than the British infantry there just are not enough of them for victory. What's more the British artillery was zero'd in on their location and was constantly pounding the Germans. 25pdrs are not that effective in stone towns but there were enough guns to make a difference. The Germans should have mown down the reinforcing Warwickshire's in droves, but the Panthers shooting was off.
The Game ended at this point but the writing was on the wall for the German attack. They didn't have the infantry firepower to winkle the defenders out of Les Bertiers. John tried a coup-de-main on Presles, with the Recce from 2nd Warwickshires, but the defenders were too strong. So the Game was a hard fought draw