This was played over Skype with Alan Sawyer and part of the on-going Hohenstaufen Normandy mini-series in Black SS. This has a for once in Normandy, strong German force attacking a British position with both sides required to inflict losses and control towns. It was now time for the 9th SS to dish-out some heavy punch with numbers behind them in a reversal of the usual for this period

Kampfgruppe Meyer, part of the 9th SS Hohenstaufen Division advanced towards Les Grand Bonfaits from the north. Ahead of them lay a single main road dissecting a large swath of French farmland and attendant fields. Around four battalions of SS Infantry supported by a mix of Panthers, StG’s and PzIV’s would attempt to take the town and they would be supported by adequate OBA and supporting mortars. About a kilometre beyond Les Bonfaits lay yet more town but this second part was located on high ground. The British commander placed a smallish force in Les Bonfaits with satellite strong-points around the area all supported by numerous M3’s and then his main force of consisting of armour on the higher ground beyond. For Meyer, though plenty of field to mask an advance lay ahead, he only had four hours to take his prize and of course, such ground slowed movement and once fired, troops in fields were prone to enemy counter-fire. All things to consider?

The attack was underway at 0715 hours and the Germans, if a little clogged up, did manage to push on about 500 yards in the first fifteen minutes. From there, incoming British fire and the dreaded aircraft began laying into the advancing forces. The aircraft in particular causing the Germans to fail to get their ample mortar capability going. When they finally did open fire, British OBA caused some casualties upon them and it was decided by Meyer that his mortars best be moved from the field area. Meanwhile, the vanguard of the German advance was pushing aggressively against the main road and making some ground. The Germans also ensured to deploy flanking forces in order to tie down the satellite strong-points though the German force due to ‘the fog of war’ was somewhat strung out. But the Shropshires now began to take casualties from German fire. In particular, their heavily armed but lightly armoured M3 half-tracks came in for some harsh treatment from the German panzers. SS troops were also pouring over British AT positions and battling against Tommy infantrymen.

After the first hour, some cracks were beginning to show in the British line. However, to the surprise of Meyer, the British also began to vacate Bonfaits and head to the high ground beyond. This was carried out in an orderly fashion and in slow-time too, making sure that they would fight every step along the way. Fortunately for the Germans, they managed to get a jump and surprise these retiring ‘Englanders’ and eventually got amongst the core of them that were holding up the road. Though few casualties were inflicted here by either side, it did disrupt the British cohesion and smoothness of movement. It also meant that whilst the British concentrated on regaining their equilibrium on the all-important highway, the Germans could also dispose of the dug-in satellite units elsewhere. The Germans were seeing the battle tilt their way as casualties were being applied upon the British far quicker than the attacking Germans. The British commander also did not release any of his reserve further back and they seemed intent on standing their position.

Around 0930 hours, Meyer decided to challenge the intransigent British reserve forces. He sent forward toward the British right flank, two platoons of Panthers with other accompanying but weaker armour close behind. The plan being to draw out a ‘shoot and reveal’ from the British Sherman tanks or indeed a retirement. The British knew they couldn’t just give up the ground and the three platoons of Shermans fired at the Panthers taking out two of them with the salvo (1 step). The Germans were now in a position to return fire and they instantly cut down half of the Shermans facing them. A supporting Achilles platoon was also destroyed. With this collapse of power, the British knew that the game was up and offered victory to Kampfgruppe Meyer. Losses were 21 British steps and 7 German steps. The British held 10 town hexes at the rear and the Germans 8 hexes of Bonfaits. Final points tally when doubling up for AFV steps and tallying the town hexes amounted to: British 28pts, German 43pts.

Maybe the British evacuated Bonfaits too early? Who knows? I know I was glad when he did so as I thought the fight there may have been a bit tricky. But then again, its always different in the opposite chair and each side sees the battle different. This was a decent scenario and a standard '3' rating for me. It was exactly what you'd expect from a PG scenario if you were looking for standard fayre. I certainly enjoyed having the Germans get a chance to stick a heavy boot into the British as most of this campaign has the Allies with the big numbers.