Operation Sealion : Crossing the Great Stour

Taking a break from our Konigsberg Campaign George came to the dungeon for a battle so a chance to update the Sealion campaign. As we march through Day 2 the Germans have landed Paratroopers to capture a key river bridge over the Great Stour at Wye. The force has been dispersed  with only a small force capturing the bridge. As reinforcement from the main German army drive towards the bridge to relieve the force other Paratroopers are also marching towards the bridge to support their comrades. The British need to capture the bridge to slow the German advance.

The Bridge over the Stour, the green hatched area the drop zone for the Fallschirmjager on the racecourse

The battlefield, as to be expected I threw in some scenario specifics to make it interesting. Firstly the Paratroopers at the bridge would have 4 units. A 5th unit would arrive to the battlefield randomly, having missed their drop zone for the bridge. In the worst case for the British they may arrive from behind the British lines. The British hold the North side of the river which is marked by the railway line. The British infantry can set up anywhere more than 18” from the bridge or arrive from their baseline. The German reserves must enter from one half of their baseline chosen at the start. The river can only be crossed on foot and the bridge would provide cover for any troops actually on the bridge itself.

The German paratroopers can be seen on the bridge, the British infantry are now in place and will attack the bridge from a number of directions

German relief forces starts to arrive, including a 38T in support

More Germans advance along the road from Wye

The British use the abandoned bus and the garage to use cover to get closer before open up on the bridge defenders, but they can’t leave it too long they must strike fast to try and capture the bridge before the rest of the Germans arrive.

Arrghhh turns out the second unit of German paratroopers had dropped to the NE and they now arrive behind the railway station, they immediately knock out a British antitank rifle team which was targeting the 38T

Unusually the British light mortar team hits the machine gun team on the bridge, and while the German infantry approaches the bridge a unit of British sailors exit the Pub to exchange fire with them.

In desperation the British commander has to rely on the local homeguard to lend support, surely they won’t be asked to take the bridge against German Fallschirmjager ?

No first assault on the bridge is by British regulars who knock out the machine gun

But then they are in turn wiped out, the British have a Cruiser tank which using the buildings as cover lays down machine gun fire on the bridge

Seeking to outflank the position the Germans cross the river

Continued fire is wearing down the defenders on the bridge so the Germans bring up more manpower, the sailors are pinned down by the picket fence but at least they are drawing fire 

A second unit of British infantry makes a dash for the bridge knocking out another defending unit

Desperate stuff the bridge is again cleared by the Germans and the British have few troops left to gain a win, the only option is to send in the homeguard.

With shotguns and old hunting rifles they brutally take down the remaining Fallschirmjager , so shocked are the defending Germans on the bridge that they fail their activation frozen to the spot in horror. The British have reached the bridge, are contesting the objective and it is the end of turn six. Surely a draw ? 

Noooooo the Germans roll for an extra turn and get it, despite one unit fleeing to loot the houses down the road the final unit which had advanced across the river is able to charge the Homeguard in the rear ! 

The Germans are able to consolidate their position on the bridge, and final attempt to charge the bridge fails when the unit fails its activation despite the British officer in support.

The Germans have won a hard fought battle, the remaining British no longer have the strength to contest and will have to withdraw north. The lost Paratroopers can be seen heading towards the bridge from the station. Once again a good battle, the Germans had the upper hand at the start with some very poor British shooting, but for a couple of turns it suddenly turned around and was very close in the end. In terms of the campaign as the British still hold the high ground to the North East of Wye we might see a counterattack next time ?

The start of the week saw a school friend of mine over from New Zealand. As the only nice day was Monday I took him out into the lakes. It turned out to be a corker ! With magnificent views.

Looking west towards Swirl How

Looking North towards Scafell the highest point in England in the distance

The memorial on Swirl How to the Halifax Bomber which crashed here in 1944

With the loss of the whole crew

Well that’s it for now, not much painting although I might just finish some late Roman Cavalry this evening, then I’m back down to London for a couple of days meeting up with some school friends. No games planned till later next week.

Thanks as always for your support

Matt