Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Liberation 1944 #30

Panzer Grenadier Battles on April 27th:
Arctic Front Deluxe #40 - Children's Crusade	Broken Axis #14 - Târgu Frumos: The Second Battle Scenario 3: Sledge Hammer of the Proletariat
Army Group South Ukraine #6 - Consternation	Road to Berlin #73 - She-Wolves of the SS

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Operation Bluecoat: One of the Best Liberation 1944 #30
(Defender) Germany	vs	Britain (Attacker)

Formations Involved
Britain		2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry
Britain		4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Germany		21st Panzer Division

	Total
Side 1	0
Draw	1
Side 2	4

Overall Rating, 5 votes
5 4 3 2 1 3.8
Scenario Rank: 217 of 913

Parent Game	Liberation 1944
Historicity	Historical
Date	1944-07-31
Start Time	15:30
Turn Count	18
Visibility	Day
Counters	70
Net Morale	0
Net Initiative	2
Maps	2: 56, 58
Layout Dimensions	56 x 43 cm 22 x 17 in
Play Bounty	150
AAR Bounty	171
Total Plays	5
Total AARs	1

Battle Types
Delaying Action
Exit the Battle Area
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault

Conditions
Hidden Units
Off-board Artillery
Smoke

Scenario Requirements & Playability
Liberation 1944	Base Game

Introduction
General “Pip” Roberts commanded the 11th Armoured Division with style and flair. Historians also consider him one of the best British armor commanders of the war. Lesser commanders would have lamented the failure to take St. Martin des Besaces on the previous day, and let the overall advance stall until it was taken. Instead, he detailed a mixed force to take the town and sent his spearhead units on a sweeping right hook maneuver to cut them off and make way for an exploitation once the town fell. The 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry did indeed capture St. Martin des Besaces, then advanced to Le Beny Bocage catching up with the rest of the spearhead and reversed directions to take the bridge over the Souleuvre River from the south. Few German troops were situated to oppose them but others rapidly approached from the east.

Introduction

General “Pip” Roberts commanded the 11th Armoured Division with style and flair. Historians also consider him one of the best British armor commanders of the war. Lesser commanders would have lamented the failure to take St. Martin des Besaces on the previous day, and let the overall advance stall until it was taken. Instead, he detailed a mixed force to take the town and sent his spearhead units on a sweeping right hook maneuver to cut them off and make way for an exploitation once the town fell. The 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry did indeed capture St. Martin des Besaces, then advanced to Le Beny Bocage catching up with the rest of the spearhead and reversed directions to take the bridge over the Souleuvre River from the south. Few German troops were situated to oppose them but others rapidly approached from the east.

Conclusion
The British pushed through the opposition and secured the bridge (just off the map to the north). This greatly compromised the region’s defenses as the Vire-Caen road served as the major logistics artery for the Germans to move men and material around. Operation Bluecoat was off to a good start. However, the British missed the chance for a major coup when they didn’t continue their penetration of the German rear as the 21st Panzer Division Headquarters lay just past the bridge, virtually undefended.

Conclusion

The British pushed through the opposition and secured the bridge (just off the map to the north). This greatly compromised the region’s defenses as the Vire-Caen road served as the major logistics artery for the Germans to move men and material around. Operation Bluecoat was off to a good start. However, the British missed the chance for a major coup when they didn’t continue their penetration of the German rear as the 21st Panzer Division Headquarters lay just past the bridge, virtually undefended.

Display Relevant AFV Rules

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle
Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0). AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement. AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1). Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2). Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3) Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0). Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3). Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3). AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42). AFV's may Dig In (16.2). Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present. Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC) Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB) Anti-Aircraft Weapon Carrier: apply a -1 modifier to an air attack if within three hexes of the targeted hex (15.14). Anti-Tank Gun Carrier: half-track with anti-tank gun, NOT a Tank Destroyer APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC). Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier. Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (SB)

AFV Rules Pertaining to this Scenario's Order of Battle

Vulnerable to results on the Assault Combat Chart (7.25, 7.63, ACC), and may be attacked by Anti-Tank fire (11.2, DFT). Anti-Tank fire only affects the individual unit fired upon (7.62, 11.0).
AFV's are activated by tank leaders (3.2, 3.3, 5.42, 6.8). They may also be activated as part of an initial activating stack, but if activated in this way would need a tank leader in order to carry out combat movement.
AFV's do not block Direct Fire (10.1).
Full-strength AFV's with "armor efficiency" may make two anti-tank (AT) fire attacks per turn (either in their action segment or during opportunity fire) if they have AT fire values of 0 or more (11.2).
Each unit with an AT fire value of 2 or more may fire at targets at a distance of between 100% and 150% of its printed AT range. It does so at half its AT fire value. (11.3)
Efficient and non-efficient AFV's may conduct two opportunity fires per turn if using direct fire (7.44, 7.64). Units with both Direct and AT Fire values may use either type of fire in the same turn as their opportunity fire, but not both (7.22, 13.0). Units which can take opportunity fire twice per turn do not have to target the same unit both times (13.0).
Demoralized AFV's are not required to flee from units that do not have AT fire values (14.3).
Place a Wreck marker when an AFV is eliminated in a bridge or town hex (16.3).
AFV's do not benefit from Entrenchments (16.42).
AFV's may Dig In (16.2).
Open-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables, but DO take step losses from X and #X results (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT). If a "2X" or "3X" result is rolled, at least one of the step losses must be taken by an open-top AFV if present.
Closed-top AFV's: Immune to M, M1 and M2 results on Direct and Bombardment Fire Tables. Do not take step losses from Direct or Bombardment Fire. If X or #X result on Fire Table, make M morale check instead (7.25, 7.41, 7.61, BT, DFT).
Closed-top AFV's: Provide the +1 modifier on the Assault Table when combined with infantry. (Modifier only applies to Germans in all scenarios; Soviet Guards in scenarios taking place after 1942; Polish, US and Commonwealth in scenarios taking place after 1943.) (ACC)
Tank: all are closed-top and provide the +1 Assault bonus, when applicable
Tank Destroyer: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
Self-Propelled Artillery: do not provide the +1 Assault bonus, even if closed-top (SB)
Anti-Aircraft Weapon Carrier: apply a -1 modifier to an air attack if within three hexes of the targeted hex (15.14).
Anti-Tank Gun Carrier: half-track with anti-tank gun, NOT a Tank Destroyer
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier: These are Combat Units, but stack like Transports. They can transport personnel units or towed units. They are not counted as combat units for the +1 stacking modifier on the Direct Fire and Bombardment Tables (4.4). They may be activated by regular leaders and tank leaders (1.2, 3.34, 4.3, 5.43). They do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Armored Cars: These are Combat Units. They are motorized instead of mechanized. All have their own armored car leaders, who can only activate armored cars (6.85). Do not provide the +1 Assault bonus (ACC).
Reconnaissance Vehicle: 8.23 Special Spotting Powers Both foot and vehicle mounted recce units (1.2) possess two special spotting abilities. The first ability is that they can spot enemy in limiting terrain at one hex further than the TEC specifies for other units and leaders. For example, an enemy unit in town can normally be spotted at three hexes or less, but a recce unit can spot them at four hexes.Their second ability is that they can place a Spotted marker on any one enemy unit they can spot per turn, just as if the enemy unit had "blown its cover" by firing. Such Spotted markers are removed as described earlier.
Unarmored Weapon Carriers: These are unarmored halftracks (Bufla and Sk7/2) or fully-tracked vehicles (Karl siege mortar) with mounted weapons. All are mechanized, except the BM-13 (Katyusha rocket launcher mounted on a truck). They are weapon units, not AFV's, so they are never efficient and cannot be activated by tank leaders. (SB)

Display Order of Battle

Britain Order of Battle

Army
Foot Leader Mechanized Towed

Army

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Towed

Germany Order of Battle

Heer
Foot Leader Mechanized Motorized

Heer

Foot

Leader

Mechanized

Motorized

Display Errata (8)

8 Errata Items
	The "Optional Values" for the Achilles---and by extension the Archer---given in an Avalanche Press Daily Content piece on the 17-Pdr Anti-Tank gun (and printed on a replacement counter sheet Download) are now the Official Ratings, published in games like Cassino '44, Grossdeutschland 1946, and Indian Unity. These are: 8-5 / 8-8 Full Strength and 4-5 / 8-8 Reduced Strength. (caryn on 2012 May 03)
	All Bren carriers should have a movement value of 7. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France. (plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)
	All SS PzIVH tanks should have a movement of 8. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The morale and combat modifiers of German Sergeant #1614 should be "0", not "8". (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	The SK 7/2 appearing in 1940: Fall of France is actually a SK 6/2, but misprinted by APL. Hence it should be unarmored in that game. The SK 7/2, which appears in other games is correctly printed with an armor of 0. (plloyd1010 on 2022 Apr 28)
	All SPW 251s have an armor value of 0. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)
	One Wespe (ID# 1201) should have an armor value of 1 on the front and back of the counter. (Shad on 2010 Dec 15)

Display AARs (1)

Liberation 1944, scenario #30: Operation Bluecoat: One of the Best

Author	JayTownsend
Method	Solo
Victor	Britain
Play Date	2023-12-16
Language	English
Scenario	LIBE030

Liberation 1944, scenario #30: Operation Bluecoat: One of the Best

Liberation has some good scenarios, the only reason I don’t play it more, is the dark maps. With that said, I setup and played this scenario as it looked interesting on paper. The British get a boatload of armor and a good amount of Infantry as well to try and take the city of Le Beny Bocage and exit 15 steps or more off the north edge along the road. The Germans get two smaller forces, one with a small amount of Infantry, armored cars and halftrack of various types and setup just outside of Le Beny Bocage and must try and rush in there before the British get too big of a foothold in it. The other German force consist of again of a small amount of Infantry and PzIVs of various sorts as well as a Wespe self-propelled gun unit that enter from the northeast on turn one.

The British have a higher Initiative and rolled well to get a good foothold into the major city causing the German to try and fight it out with their weaker armored/infantry forces. The British have a ton of Cromwells, three types in fact and an Achilles unit to boot and dispatch the German Armored Cars and Halftracks without too much difficulty and their large group of Infantry later battle for but conquer Le Beny Bocage. That freed up British armor to make contact with the second German Armored group and both sides take some casualties but the British numbers are tell and they eliminate this group of blocking German armor as well.

By the scenario’s end, the British have achieved both of their victory objectives and have lost only 12 steps, preventing the Germans from achieving any of their objectives, and the Germans have also lost 29 steps. This one was a Major British Victory. With that said, I still enjoyed playing this scenario.

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