WW2 Battle Report Using an Operation Warboard Scenario

This World War II game report is inspired by the scenario Pont-de-la-Croix from Gavin Lyall's "Operation Warboard" book. There have been some modifications to the forces compared to the book's scenario. 

The rules used in this game are a set of draft rules I've been experimenting and tinkering with for the past few weeks. They are briefly covered here, but there have been recent changes to include scatter dice for artillery and armour can be immobilised, which all sounds a bit old school.

Allied infantry approaching the bridge come under artillery fire.

In this game scenario, a reduced German force defends the village Pont-de-la-Croix against the advancing Allies. The Allies' objective is to secure both the bridge and the town if feasible. While the Germans, if unable to halt the Allied progress, aim to inflict sufficient damage to the advancing Allied force to delay their march forward.

One of my favourite book covers

A photo from the book of the scenario in progress.

There are a few wooded areas on the tabletop and have used green wool to show the wood boundaries, a method I am trying instead of using green felt to mark the area (see post here). 

A view of the tabletop.

The German setup on the tabletop features artillery support placed behind the town’s church. They've deployed two companies: one company defends the southern town area and nearby hedges, supported by an assigned AT gun, the second infantry company holds the right side of the town and a small wooded area. West of the river, a pillbox stands as the sole German presence. Positioned on the north road from the town are a platoon of Panzer IVs.

The German positions.

The Allied force is on the move from the western side of the river, advancing towards the town. The river, which is fordable, requires a full move to cross from one bank to the other. Flanking the advance are two tank platoons, each accompanied by infantry companies. Simultaneously, a mechanised infantry company progresses along the road, while mortars are positioned behind the woods as support.

Allies preparing to advance.

The battle begins slowly as the Allies push forward, their tank platoons flanking each side accompanied by infantry support. The mechanised infantry in carriers cautiously move down the road towards the bridge, when they get a rude welcome from a defending pillbox. Swiftly dismounting, they look for cover amidst hedges and nearby woods. 

With the pillbox's position exposed, the southern tank platoon swiftly swing to their left and targeted it. Momentum is halted as the mechanised company and tanks focus their fire on the pillbox. Things quickly heat up with the arrival of a German anti-tank gun which immobilises one of the Sherman tanks. The tanks divert their fire, dealing with the new threat. After some intense exchanges, the German gun falls silent, but both Shermans are immobilised from the damage they sustained. Despite this setback, they continue their bombarding the pillbox to aid the infantry.

The Allied left flank moves into positions in the woods.

The pillbox is engaged while a German AT gun prepares to open fire.

As the assault on the pillbox rages, on the opposite side of the road, the Allies have advanced into the woods and their tanks have reached the river's edge. As they move cautiously out of the woods to cross the river, gunfire erupts from the small woods, this is quickly followed by artillery barrages. Realising the urgency, the tanks forge across the river while infantry return German fire, successfully suppressing and then eliminating the German infantry in the woods.

With the tanks now on the far side of the river, two Panzer IVs emerge and engaged the Shermans. The tank duel commences on equal footing, initially favouring the Germans as one Sherman sustained severe damage but persists in returning fire.

The Allies advance to ford the river.

German tanks appear.

Amidst the ongoing tank battle where both sides have knocked out tanks. A crucial turning point emerges as the pillbox was finally knocked out, enabling the infantry to push forward toward the bridge and village. As the momentum of the battle shifts unfavourably, and with two advancing Allied infantry companies closing in on the town, the Germans choose to retreat.

An evenly matched battle.

Finally the pillbox is knocked out.

Infantry advance to secure the bridge.

Both forces met their victory conditions: the Germans successfully causing significant damage to the attack while the Allies secured both the bridge and the village. The pillbox posed a considerable challenge for a while, yet once knocked out, the Germans found their options restricted. They chose to withdraw, understanding that the Allies would halt their advance, awaiting the arrival of fresh tanks before resuming it.