Watching the Comment Commanders’ GIs doing their thing during turn 19, my mind turned to the famous Brecourt Manor assault. The inspired tactical choices… the calm, efficient execution… Dick Winters’ Easy Company couldn’t have done a better job.
Despite losing two men in the first twenty seconds of the turn (Alvarez and the HQ are both reduced by fire from unidentified threats to the NE) the US troops in the plantation successfully reorganise. Pressure is maintained on the enemy HMG, Carlson’s half squad ready themselves for more trouble from the left, and Lincoln’s bazooka team and Alvarez’s half squad switch positions in the nick of time.
By the time a German halftrack and a squad of dismounts appear, a bazooka, a BAR, and a host of M1 rifles are poised to greet them.
For fifteen seconds the short diagonal ride in the NE corner of the map is all clamour and smoke. Flying lead cuts down feldgrau figures, strikes sparks from armour plate, and leaves tree trunks dripping sticky resin. An island of unnatural stillness in the midst of the maelstrom, Lincoln, crouched amongst bracken, takes his time before sending an AT rocket fizzing down the conifer-hemmed corridor.
The projectile hits the halftrack on the nose, momentarily banishing the Stygian gloom. Crewmen in smouldering uniforms exit clumsily, diving for ride-side ditches before joining shocked fusiliers and riflemen in a chaotic eastward exodus.
A new knot of foes moves past the abandoned HT in the final seconds of the turn, but Costner’s men seem ready for them.
The action further west and southwest is almost as compelling. As Corporal Shanley’s half squad dashes for a shelterbelt not far from the castle walls, and Sergeant Olander’s men undertake a similarly risky advance across open ground, Spencer’s M3A1 and Pyle’s Sherman, cautiously pushing forwards in support, flush out and eliminate a previously unseen Sd.Kfz. 251. Checking the US halftrack’s kill tally reveals its .50-calibre MG delivered the knockout blow.
By the time the Sd.Kfz. expires, the Jagdpanzer has turned tail and is heading back towards the village. Frustratingly, its wiggling/cowardly arse disappears around the corner a couple of seconds after breathless Panzerschreckist Corporal Whitehand arrives at his new vantage point.
The Panzer IV also pivots this turn. Its last seen circa T+40 heading east in the vicinity of 22, 4, 3.
Compared to the Comment Commanders’ Yanks, their Tommies have a relatively quiet turn. Things look dicey for Venison’s rump when they encounter, at fairly close-quarters, four aggressive, well-armed Volksgrenadiers SW of the castle. Ultimately, however, – and somewhat improbably – five Lee-Enfield rifles and a Bren gun (firepower = 92 at 40m) triumph over two MP 40s, an MP 44, and a MG 42 (firepower = 156 at 40m). The melee sound effects that played during the closing stages of the scrap suggest bayonets and rifle butts may have helped the Brits prevail.
What other news needs relaying?
(The following pics were taken at the end of the turn).
Merry, Scarlet, Venison, and Fletcher may have to fight off a couple of infantry assaults in the near future.
Dale and Tuck made life thoroughly miserable for the unidentified German infantry unit at 28, 4, 4 this turn. Tuck now has 52 25-pounder rounds remaining, Hawthorn has 33 HE and 2 smoke left.
Sergeant Johns’ Churchill VIII’s was overtaken by an elderly, three-legged hedgehog this turn.
