The Battle for Dymchurch : Operation Sealion

Our first opportunity this year to get back to Operation Sealion sees the German 55th Infantry Regiment pushing across the beach into the small seaside town of Dymchurch. The early morning attack has caught the British  sligtly off guard so as the German Infantry rushes forward the town is only lightly defended by several companies of the Somerset Light Infantry, (these are part of the 135th Brigade of the 45th Infantry Division who are charged with protecting this section of the coast).

The german assault has deliberately focussed on the town itself to avoid the Dymchurch Redoubt, but a key feature of the town is Martello Tower No 24 taking the town will open up a clear route to advance inland and secure the Romney Marsh area as a bridge head. Other elements of the division have landed slightly further to the east Battle for Botolphs Bridge but the Germans are being delayed in their advance.

The observation post on top of Martello No 24. The alarm is raised as the flotilla of german boats approach the beach.

German pioneer Infantry having pushed through a thin line of defences start swarming across the open ground and into the buildings backing onto the beach

First platoon of the Somerset Light Infantry start running into the town their objective is to delay the advance by capturing the two main road junctions

Infantry approaching the town further west, the local early morning bus has been abandoned to its fate

Many of the local residents have fled which is a good job as jack boots knock down back doors and set up firing positions

The Somerset’s have a couple of Bren Gun carriers in support these oblivious to the approaching german armour charge forward towards the beach opening fire at the first Germans to attempt to cross the road 

Reich Minister Goebbels has ordered the invasion to be filmed a perilous activity so close to the front but as we know propaganda and spin are king

The german pioneers have come armed with a flame thrower 🔥

The first tank to reach the town is a PzII obviously suffering from seasickness the crew initially fail to hit anything then finally one of the Bren carriers is knocked out...but time is of the essence and the Germans need to push on.

A german sniper team sets up on one of the beach defences..causing the British reinforcements to keep their heads down

The Germans seem unduly cautious ? But as soon as they show their heads they come under fire from a machine gun from the houses in the Main Street

However on the left the Germans are pushing forward.

Desperate to hold the road junction Second platoon of the Somerset’s bravely break cover whilst the Pz is distracted 

Pinned down by machine gun fire !

As the Pz turns East along the coast road second Platoon successfully capture the crossing (from a game view the two road junctions were the objectives) but in the distance another squad of infantry led by their officer has rushed out of the building and is coming down the road

At the other road junction third platoon are advancing down the road but the Germans are keeping their heads down

Germans are pushing forward on the left

The Germans have recaptured the junction and the second Bren carrier has been immobilised, first company is ready to charge in but the dice gods decree an end to the battle !

At the other junction the Germans are in control

The invasion captured on film 🎥 

We gave it as a minor victory to the Germans....the Somerset Light Infantry able to partially withdraw. The Germans now have the town but they must push forward to secure a suitable bridge over the Royal Military Canal. 😀 loyal readers won’t have long to wait as we played this next battle last night !