D Day Beach Assault
D Day Beach Assault
Well, this is a first. I have never written a battle report because I do not like reading battle reports. But here I am writing this for two reasons. First off is I got some feedback from some folks on our YouTube site where we host our video show, the Hobby that they would like to see some battle reports. Second, we recently played a Beach Assault game in Flames of War to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of D Day. The beach piece of terrain that James made for this scenario is really awesome. And the German and Canadian forces on the board looked great. So, I will try to tell the tale of the Battle for the Beaches in as few words as possible with photos taken between each turn (courtesy of the iPhone). Enjoy!
Set up was easy. I had 3 platoons on the board. Two grenadier platoons were deployed forward on the objectives using fortifications. They were supported by two HMG bunkers. I put the 105's in the rear on the hill overlooking the beach. I knew preliminary bombardment was coming but I felt lucky. My HQ went down with an attached Panzershrek. This left my HMG platoon, 8.8cm Pak36 guns, and an Ost Platoon in reserve.
One the Canadian side it was every platoon in a boat trying to come ashore.
Turn 1: I lost 6 bases in preliminary bombardment: 1x 105, 1x observer, and 4 bases from the same platoon, all but wiping them out. As the Canadians came ashore, all of my troops were still reeling from the bombardment because all three stayed pinned.
Turn 2: After some inneffective air attacks by the Canadians, their Sherman tanks drove off the beach and destroyed 2 of my barbed wire fields. The German 105's unpinned and opened up on the beach. Two platoons were pinned as three Canucks bit the dust, I mean sand. Oh, and a Sherman was desroyed.
Turn 3: Canadian air power was very off target. Though able to hit one 105 gun they were unable to destroy it. They did, however, get the guns too busy worrying about airplanes to fire any salvos. No unpinning for them. Meanwhile, as the Canucks advance with their beady eyes and flappy heads, the Germans sit tight, hidden in their trenches. Reserves start to arrive. HMG platoon comes in on the road and advances to the middle of the hill.
Turn 4: Not much going on. The Canadian mortars, now in position behind the sea wall, begin to lob smoke onto the German left flank, seriously blinding the German infantry and 105's of the advance on that side. Meanwhile, the artillery guns and HMG bunkers do damage to the opposite flank of advancing forces from the beach. HMG platoon narrowly escapes airplane attack but cowers behind a building in fear.
Turn 5: The Canadians are now on the obstacles in mass. Commandos storm the HMG bunker on the left flank, destroying it with their knives. The Germans return fire, causing a few minor casualties but nothing major. The HMG platoon stays pinned behind a house.
Turn 6: The Canadian pioneers destroy 2 mine fields, opening the door for the troops to advance. The Germans open up and take out 2 pioneer platoons. Commandos assault smaller platoon on the left flank that was damaged by preliminary bombardment. They suffer 4 hits in defensive fire, make all saves, kill 2 Germans on a 2+, suffer 2 kills back, Germans fail motivation and both units fail morale and are gone. Although something tells me the Germans haven't seen the last of the commandos. More reserves arrive as the 8.8cm guns come on.
Turn 7: More pioneers hit the beaches in new boats. The Germans and Canadians trade fire with no advantage taken. The HMG platoon is still pinned behind that building and the 8.8cm guns do not advance for some reason (I might have forgotten to move them. I'm not sure.)
Turn 8: Air strikes take out Luftwaffe infantry as they come on the board. Canadians assault again. This time the Germans are ready and consume them in the fire of retribution for attempting to take the beaches that they rightfully took from the French. German shooting is straight and true, causing a morale check. The Canadian invaders pass, and keep coming...
Turn 9: The German platoon now charged with protecting both objectives takes indirect fire from the Canadian HMG's, pinning them in their fox holes. The commander of the 8.8cm platoon is shot by the Canadian forward observer. Now the Canadians assault the last German platoon in the town. The Germans stay in the fight to the last man. Though the Germans were all gone, the Canadian losses were too great and the platoon was lost to motivation. The German company commander passes motivation but fails all alone test. The game was done with the Germans routed from the town and more and more Canadians getting off the boat.
The Beach Assault scenario from Bloody Omaha is a really fun scenario to play. However, it is important that you have the right terrain or it can become confusing. A well laid out beach section properly measured out and a large hill to deploy the defenders will help you imagine the battlefield.
