Saturday 20 January 2018

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 !

23 comments:

  1. Another great AAR report Matt - looks like 2018 has started with a bang.

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  2. Have been looking forward to the next instalment I shall return later and peruse when I have more time to savour it.

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    1. Well worth the wait, bring on the next one, we await with baited breath.

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    2. Thanks Phil....more to come and we had some fun last night 🙂

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  3. Lovely table and nicely photographed. Nice to see a game in which a PzII that can survive a game and perform to role.

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    1. Thanks for the kind comments. You wait to see what the Pz1A can do 🙂

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  4. great battle, still love the Martello Tower

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  5. Once again, atmospheric and superb! What a pleasure to follow this report, this bus...and may be to watch the movie one day!

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    1. Thanks Phil I guess they will have to process the film back at home first ?

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  6. Another marvelous adventure on the English coast! Great figures, scenery and photography. Did the German film crew happen to drop a film canister so that we could see the operation from the German film crew's perspective?

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    1. Thanks Jonathan if I had more time on my hands I might try and make a small film.....but not sure that is likely at the moment...a cracking idea though🙂

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  7. Great looking game at always! Perfect terrain and models!

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    1. Thanks Roger ......a hard fought battle as well 🙂

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  9. Send in the RAF and let the Flyboys hit them to bally rot! Turning up on our shores, when they haven't, even, the decency to wait a respectable amount of time since Dunkirk (say, two years?) These Jerry lads can go hang, I say! Where are those Wellington bombers when you want them? Make a good golf course, or someplace to ride to hounds, this Dymchurch place.

    Oh, jolly good show!

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    1. Thanks Roy.......I have set myself the aim of getting to the end of day one ! I think then the RAF May be able to get some planes in the air to support the defence.

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  10. Another fine AAR there Matt. More stiff upper lip called for before the Hun are put to flight!

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  11. Great stuff Matt , cracking pictures

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  12. Good stuff, as I said before the B&W pictures certainly add flavour/atmosphere to the reports.
    Well done! Thanks!
    I was disappointed though that there were no Home Guard disguised as sheep in that field 😃!

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    1. Thanks Captain.......disguised as sheep is a cool idea though !

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