Break out at Horton Priory : Operation Sealion

It has been some time since an Operation Sealion game but the campaign has not been forgotten. We have now reached the darkness hours of S-day. The Germans are ashore and a sizeable bridgehead has been created. Whilst there are pockets of resistance, most notably at Folkestone Harbour a fairly clear ‘German control zone’ can now be identified. Although Folkestone harbour has not been captured and last minute demolition of key infrastructure has made Dover harbour unusable, the beach at Hythe is ‘open‘ and A constant stream of barges and landing vessels are bringing increasing number of troops ashore. The airfield at Lympne has been secured although sporadic exchanges of fire around Hawkinge airfield means it still can’t be used safely. 

Mountain troops and paratroopers who were part of the first wave have now been pushed inland and the perimeter of the bridgehead is being secured. An unknown number of British troops have been trapped in the German controlled area and with support from the local Home guard are either causing mischief or looking to make their way back into British held territory. While the Germans mop up resistance and build up forces for the inevitable push on S+1, the British and allies are reorganising and preparing to counterattack.

Tonight’s scenario is one of the many small but confused actions where trapped British forces attempt to escape the bridgehead before the perimeter is fully closed.

Major Harrison has collected together a mixed force of Regular infantry units, a unit of sailors who were caught out by the invasion away from their boat and elements of the Hythe Home guard. They have identified a possible gap in the German lines close to Monks Horton and keeping off the main B2068 Stanford road his force has cut NW on a line towards the ruins of Horton Priory.

His advanced units have been ordered to cross the small stream and let off a flare to signal British support troops to meet them at the priory and facilitate a rescue. The only problem is the Germans blocking their path and the unwanted attention the flare is likely to solicit.

Darkness has fallen and this should help the escape !

The scenario is quite complex and I know some people enjoy this stuff, if you don’t just skip to the action. The objective for the British is clear, escape and get as many troops as possible off the opposite table edge. The picture above shows the set up. The small river marks the boundary of the German controlled area, the 6 black tokens which I have marked in orange identify the German guards/defenders there are 4 units occupying these but neither commander knows which is where or which 2 tokens are blank. The British also hidden by darkness enter from the south (left) edge. They can spot the enemy but can only be spotted by the German Officer who is on the bridge. German units can’t react until they are revealed or are fired at. The British can send up a flare only when they reach the river, this will trigger British support form the north but also German re-enforcements from their rear so at that point they will need to get their skates on. The river which is small is crossable but only in the shallow areas at full speed.

German Officer has made it to the bridge to scout out the direction of advance at day break.....

Only to start spotting some of the British who are trying to escape

The first German infantry is revealed in the darkness but they can’t act until they have spotted the brits

In the near total darkness an adhoc unit of British sailors wades across the river catching the defenders by surprise  and wiping them out

As the first unit entering the river they have sent up a flare and an armadillo truck sweeps in from the north on the signal, opening up at point blank range on a unit of Gebirsjager hiding by the farm house

Another British unit breaks cover and dashes for the river, this time a unit of the Hythe Home guard.

The flare as expected has attracted Wehrmacht reinforcements as well Infantry run forward from the outskirts of Horston Manor

With their hiding place revealed it’s not surprising the elite mountain troops charge in to assault the sailors who are cut down in the river but the Germans are weakened

and are themselves then knocked out of the fight, Brutal hand to hand fighting in the dark !

The unlucky Home Guard are caught in the open when a German MG34 opens up

They are then mowed down by the German infantry by the bridge

Things are looking better for the British on the other side Major Harrison has made it to the river and orders the units remaining to run whilst some turn and provide covering fire

Part of the German reinforcement was. RAD8 armoured car, whilst well armoured it lacks any real firepower to make a difference

In desperation the Germans cross the river on this side of the bridge but they are cut down by a vickers machine gun close to the main road

Germans are not done for yet and have regrouped 

But the British infantry is hot stepping it past the farm buildings

The Germans are back at the bridge in force but it is too late

Although it has been costly roughly 50% of the British have made it to safety. 

As so often a fun game, at one stage it didn’t look like they would get across with any strength. The armadillo played out of its skin and only narrowly missed blowing up the RAD8 as well. I keep promising to do a position update at the end of Sday and will try and do this soon.

We have has some more nice weather and after a busy weekend working last week I was owed a day off so I made the most of it during our second lockdown 😀

Looking west from the Helvelyn range

Weather and cloud was producing some particularly beautiful light conditions 

Thanks for looking hopefully some more soon 👍

B2068 Stanford Horton manor, Horton priory