HMGS – Page 10

Operation Cobra – Rapid Fire Game Photos

Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a game of Rapid Fire. The scenario was July 28, 1944 (three days after the start of Cobra) and involved efforts of the U.S. 3rd and 4th Armored Divisions to take Coutances as the American breakout of Normandy begins. The Americans were opposed by elements of the 353rd Infantry, 17th SS Panzer Grenadier and 2nd SS Panzer Divisions.

The terrain and buildings are made by Rob of Real-Terrain (RMLHM901@aol.com).

Order of Battle

WW2 Market-Garden Blitzkrieg Commander Game

On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a WW2 Market-Garden game using Blitzkrieg Commander at the Dogs of War shop. In this semi-historical scenario, two battalions of the 502nd Paratroop Infantry Regiment attempt to hold off the 107th Panzer Brigade untill the arrival of a Coldstream Guards armored force.

Two paratroop battalions dropped on the north-south road and moved to occupy the towns to the north-east and south. A German security company and two platoons of flak units defended the two northern towns. The security company was eventually overwhelmed and the north-east town taken.

On turn 5, German tanks and panzer grenadiers entered from the east and occupied the woods, covering both roads heading north. The panzer grenadiers assaulted the north-east town. The attack was stopped at the edge of town by a combination of mortar fire and bazookas.

On turn 9 British tanks and armored infantry entered from the south and raced north to relieve the airborne troops. Since Blitzkrieg Commander uses die rolls for orders, ‘racing’ can be very fast or very slow. The force moving up the east side of the table made good rolls and got into action against a flank guard of PzIVs and Stugs.

The game was ended due to time constraints with the Germans still in a strong defensive position.

Piedmont – Black Powder ACW AAR

On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played an American Civil War game at the Dogs of War shop. The rules were Black Powder and the scenario was based on the Battle of Piedmont, June 5th 1864.

In the actual battle, the Confederate infantry formed behind the ridge along Walker Lane and later fell back to barricades in the woods behind. The players were allowed a free setup (still in progress in this photo) and placed the bulk of their infantry and guns to the east of East Road, covering the gap between the two main wooded areas. Confederate cavalry were deployed to the east of the eastern woods.

Union infantry advance to engage at close musket range. Two regiments bypass the Confederate infantry line to threaten the guns on the ridge. In the distance, Confederate cavalry have dismounted and advance on the Union left flank. A Confederate horse battery advanced beyond the lines and was destroyed by a Union mounted charge.

View from the east, Union cavalry move to find room to deploy on the east flank. Union artillery are firing on the Confederate dismounted cavalry. On the ridge, a Confederate battery is destroyed by an infantry charge.

Union cavalry have formed for a grand advance, but poor command rolls delay movement. The Union artillery pounds the right of the Confederate line, but the dismounted cavalry retire in good order. A Confederate cavalry brigade in the woods has broken and retired. The Union infantry forces the Confederate center back, but takes heavy casualties.

The Confederates avoided the rout of the historical battle, while taking significant losses in cavalry and artillery. The Union side was hampered by the cramped deployment area, but attacked boldly in spite of heavy losses in infantry.

Salem Church – Black Powder ACW AAR

On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played an American Civil War game at the Dogs of War shop. The rules were Black Powder and the scenario (modified from Johnny Reb) was based on the action at Salem Church during the battle of Chancellorsville.

The 15mm figures used were generously donated to several Florida HMGS groups.

Initial positions with the Union on the right on Toll House ridge and Confederates on the left split between the Salem Church ridge and the valley below. The entire valley floor is scrub providing light cover.

Brown’s Brigade has advanced rapidly to the Confederate skirmish lines, forcing them back. Bartlett’s Brigade moves slower on the Union left. Artillery advances down the turnpike. Confederate reinforcements (Semmes’ Brigade, to be followed by Mahoone’s) are slowed by the congestion on the turnpike.

Confederate fire from Wilcox and Semmes, and a flank threat by skirmishing dismounted cavalry have halted Brown’s Brigade, but Bartlett continues to sweep forward through the woods on the Union left.

After several turns of sitting idle on Toll House ridge, Russell’s Brigade rushes across the valley to extend the Union right. This ends the threat to Brown by Semmes’ Brigade and forces the enfilading Confederate battery to retreat. Bartlett has reached Salem Church ridge on the Union left. Mahone’s Brigade has arrived and is deploying on the Confederate left.

Tactically, the action ends with a stalemate at nightfall like the historic action, but for the overall battle that is all the Confederates needed. The Union VI Corps will not be able to move on Chancellorsville.

Western Gunfight and WWII Skirmish

Today the local HMGS-South group played two games at the Dogs of War shop.

Game 1: The Dalton Gang’s raid on Coffeyville, October 5, 1892 was fought using 25mm rules, western terrain and miniatures by Rob of Real-Terrain (RMLHM901@aol.com).

Game 2: World War II skirmish using ‘Disposable Heroes & Coffin for Seven Brothers’ rules by Iron Ivan and 25mm figures. Three US infantry squads and one paratroop squad (each of a rifle section and a BAR section) must eject two German squads (each of a rifle section and a LMG section) from the stone buildings. The action is near Turqueville, June 7, 1944. This was a revised version of the scenario played in January.