OPERATION DICKENS to 1500 15th March 1944

OPERATION DICKENS comments

I decided to give this one another go. First thing I changed was the power of the bombing which I reduced by one column. Perhaps this was a mistake since it didn't reduce the Germans by as much as the real battle - about 50% losses.

The NZ troops got off to a timely start and moved up close to their creeping barrage. The prison building fell quickly and without loss but I had the platoon plus a tank follow up into the shellholes and craters between the prison and the convent only to have the tank destroyed by a Panzershreck and all the infantry failed motivation. This was a silly move as the Germans had a very high chance of hitting and killing the tank. Oh well.

Meanwhile, D company has come on only to have no. 16 platoon hit by 105mm artillery and broken. This is quite a setback. Elsewhere, sniping is taking a toll and several stacks are pinned/broken. It's stalling.

Tank support is struggling through the morass of craters and rubble but has so far had no positive effect on the battle.

OPERATION DICKENS to 1350 15th March 1944

OPERATION DICKENS 1300 15th March 1944

British hang on in Arnhem

It has been a close call but the British have made to 8pm and still hold on to 3 key buildings. The Germans cannot expect to make any progress during the night and could even lose some ground to counterattacks. A very interesting playing of an old scenario I had been disappointed by.

I think the British were unlucky in the initial stages and lost some key units - like the artillery FOO. They also did too much sniping in their INITIATIVE which cost them some units.

I am sticking with the historical deployments as far as I can, and the British would be better served by having some 2 Para units in the HQ building. This fell very easily. I think the British would also benefit from using normal FP attacks sometimes and falling back to regain concealment. Alternating units in the front line. They also didn't get any use out of their demo charges.

There is certainly more that could be done and the Germans gain a lot from omniscience - more than the British do. Interesting though.

Arnhem to 2000 hours 18th September 1944

Arnhem to 1900 18th September 1944

 

Arnhem to 1750 18th September 1944

Arnhem at 1700 18th September 1944

The German attack on B block has faltered due to many broken stacks - mainly due to some friendly fire from their mortars. But the British have also suffered some setbacks with the occupants of the larger school building all broken (except heroes) and a large building on the corner of A block collapsing with many killed. The Germans are in no condition to press their attacks and must rally their broken stacks and redistribute ammunition to the sMG42 groups in H block before renewing the offensive. Very tight time schedule since any fighting after dark will heavily favour the British.

Arnhem to 1650 18th September 1944

 

Frost's perimeter continues to shrink. The German tactic of infiltration combined with high firepower sMG42 stacks and mortar and 105mm fire gradually inflicts losses. The British are struggling to hit back since any fire draws heavier return fire. Time is ticking by and really the Germans have to finish this before dark - after dark there will be little scope for winning close range fire against stealthy British. Therefore - the Germans have about 4 hours left. Touch and go.

Arnhem at 1600 18th September 1944

Arnhem to 1550 18th September 1944

 

 

 

Arnhem to 1500 18th September 1944

Arnhem to 1410 18th September 1944