Rocherath - Krinkelt : The twin villages Ardennes 1944

For our next battle we headed back to the Ardennes. As the Germans pushed west in the first few days of the offensive the Germans were held at the twin villages of Rocherath and Krinkelt. This allowed many American troops to escape the German advance and to pull back to the Elsenborn Ridge to the North west. The delay caused by the holding action like many others ensured the offensive failed in its objectives. A number of American units form the 99th Divisin were involved in the defence holding back the 12th SS Panzer and the 277th Volksgrenadiers.  A very complex battle taking place over several days so the best we can do is a scenario ‘inspired by’ the historical events. 

The Americans have dug in across the two villages, they have managed to mine a number of areas. The Germans objective is to break through to the ridge beyond the villages the outnumbered Americans must attempt to hold them back. At least this time I remembered to put out my smaller winter trees 👍

The Germans have a phased arrival , starting with the 277th with their heavy support weapons.

The 12th SS panzer sends its tanks along the road directly towards the village of Rocherath and target American anti tanks guns knocking them out

After a couple of turns more Germans arrived further west and head towards the villages

The Americans holding buildings on the edge of the villages

Some of the leading panzers are pinned back and the leading German infantry are hit hard as they push forward to the edge of the village

But the Germans target buidlings on the edge of the village with both artillery and mortars and eventually the defenders are knocked out, the panzers then break into the village itself

Lots of tank on tank firing in the village often at close range. 

Two Sherman’s holding the southern edge of the village can be seen burning, the American infantry are regrouping being the village

German Grenadiers are now pushing into the village but they too take heavily casualties

They then turn north and try to outflank the American position

The German artillery is very effective at knocking out some of the defenders behind the village

American tank destroyers have been deployed to the west of Krinkelt but they are facing the might of the 12th SS panzer

The Germans (foreground) are outflanking the village and the defenders beyond the hedge can be seen heavily pinned down, another burning Sherman lies in the road put the ridge

We reached the end of the battle at this point, a German win as they have effectively broken through the villages and are pushing up the flank of the Elsenborn ridge.

The Americans have not been wiped out but are now only holding Krinkelt and have very little armour, they will have to rely on artillery dug in on the ridge ?

As always a fun battle, hard fought the German artillery was very effective early on knocking out the defenders and neutralising their antitank guns before they were able to have an impact, this allowed the German armour to push into the villages too easily. We may return to the Ardennes sometime later in the year ?

And now for some other stuff

Catching one of those beautiful winter days I managed a walk near the Langdales

Winter colours like nowhere else

We had a day trip out to Kendal where one of the charity/thrift shops had these two excellent books. They were well above the bar massive amount of detail and scenario for ECW

We had our trip to Vapnartak yesterday met loads of friendly wargamers, I actually took a load of bits and pieces to sell which I had collected and made a very respectable amount. On the show itself it seemed very busy, but there were less games on display and definitely less traders with quite a few spaces. But those there did seem to be selling stuff. Anyway it was nice to catch up with friends, chat about projects etc and quite fun to sell some stuff. This provided more money to spend on stuff

Loot pile one, mainly secondhand but I did try and buy a couple of bits from the traders as well. A few more little winter trees !

A few more walls to match the ones I have

Bargain of the day a gentleman was selling off his Perry samurai I wasn’t interested in the painted stuff but picked up his lead pile for a song 👍

Finally I have been trying to take some small videos of the railway in action and have put these together in a silly little montage if you don’t like model railways don’t click on the link if you do it is only a couple of minutes in total 🙂

That’s it for now gradually catching back up and back to painting figures yippee 

Thanks for checking by

Matt♥️

Battle of Stowting : Operation Sealion

For our first game in the New Year a return to the Sealion campaign. The Germans are now driving North towards Canterbury up Stone Street the old Roman road. But with the amount of traffic restricted some columns have been forced to explore using some of the parallel side roads. One of these heads through Stowting where the British are looking to breakthrough and cut the German advance north.

A few special elements for the scenario. The Germans first wave in transport trucks are randomly strung out along the road through Stowting. The British will assault from the West/left. Germans reserves will only be able to arrive from one of the three roads. The objective for the British is to cut the road….the British also have two Homeguard units which are deployed again randomly in buildings along the edge of the road in ambush. The Germans have one hidden sniper on the table who needs to be spotted before he can be targeted.

The setup with the Germans now randomly deployed along the road, 

Some of the Germans only just make it onto the table

The British advance with armour

From the North

As the British advance the German infantry jump out of their trucks, in the foreground the infantry have driven a unit of homeguard out of the small brick building

Brits spreadout into the back gardens 

The leading Germans take up a defensive position around the church

British advance through Stowting Court towards the main road

Two German panzers manage to knock out the leading British tank as it moves towards the church

A Stug moves around the church

The second hidden homeguard were in the ‘white house’ but after snipping at the enemy German Pioneers are sent to sort them out

The British Beaverette enters the fray but is pinned down

British tanks move around the flank driving the Germans towards the centre of the table

They are followed up by British infantry

Who are then eventually able to cut the road. The battle came to a natural halt we judged it a minor British win, the Germans still have some fight left in them but the British have knocked out much of their infantry and have managed to cut the road 👍

Another fun game……

After some tidying up in the Dungeon I came across this old magazine at the bottom of a box. Great fun flicking through and amazing how I immediately remember all the pictures and articles ?

That’s it for now, we are heading to Vapnartak at the weekend so if anybody is going happy to catch up for a chat. I will also be selling off a few bits of unwanted stuff. And no doubt looking for a few bargains.

Thanks as always

Matt ♥️

Back to Blogging : Battle of Harrison’s Farm AWI

After a rest from blogging for a few weeks I have a backlog of battles to post up.

The first of these was just prior to Christmas. A non historical AWI, we used a simple scenario with each force split into an advance guard, main and rear element which would come on slightly randomly. The forces are broadly equal in size.

The battlefield set up rolling American farmland

The American advance guard moves quickly to secure the farm

But quickly the British counter

Both main forces arrive in the centre, the British form up along the road while the Americans move into the woods on the high ground

Little red markers designate ‘first volley’ the Americans here keeping their powder dry !

Both forces have some cannons, the small unit of American dragoons can be seen pulling back

The fight for the farm is hotting up

British dragoons attempt to outflank the farm

But the American rear guard arrives forcing them to turn down the road

Ouch hessian reserve brigade arrives

The turn of the Americans to try and outflank the farm

Fierce hand to hand fighting in the farmyard, the cavalry charge in but are then repulsed

More troops pushed forward to the farm

Volley fire along the road and from the woods neither side wanting to give up their cover

The Hessians can be seen approaching the farm from the rear

The British grenadiers become isolated and are picked off by the militia

The battle is in the balance at this stage

The hessians may make the difference ?

But the Americans are not done yet

The British make a bid to retake the farm, but are caught in the flank

After the long range duel in the centre and against the flow of battle the Americans get the upper hand driving at least two British units back from the road

…and suddenly the battle turns to the Americans the Hessians have arrived too late to make the difference 

The British infantry has taken a battering and will need to regroup.

A fun battle which remained close till the last couple of turns. A chance really just to get the majority of my AWI collection out on the table. There are a couple of units in the lead pile I should get around to some time ?

Well that’s a start to catching up….on the gaming, the Dungeon railway has been progressing well and I am very gradually filling in with modelling.

And occasionally a trip out in the hills although the weather has been variable !

Thanks for your patience and checking back in 

Matt ♥️