Scottish Corridor II - After Action Report

Kieran and I had arranged to play a "Hit The Dirt" scenario with Errol Hooker (who was coming down from Whangarei for the day), so we selected 'Scottish Corridor', as we had played it previously and knew it was a suitable medium-sized scenario that had a little of everything (Tanks, Infantry, Indirect Fire, etc). I had also recently started work on some new terrain (3D fields and Bocage style hedges) so we had slightly better terrain for it than the previous occasion. I also got the ridge right this time with the reclining slope on the back of the ridge, and we endeavoured to get the table to even more closely match the map. Unfortunately Errol couldn't make it at short notice, but Kieran and I continued on, and we had another Auckland Wargamer (Grant Brown) present as an observer interested in Crossfire.

 View from behind German lines looking North-East towards the ridgeline near Gravas held by the Highlanders.

As previously reported, B Company of the 2nd Argyle Highlanders is holding an exposed bridgehead during Operation Epsom, and is subjected to repeated but poorly managed counter attacks from the 10th SS (Dutch) Panzer Division who have just arrived in Normandy from the Eastern Front. As before we slightly tweaked the Order of Battle, the British did not get their 6pdr ATG (with APDS), their Vickers MG stand, or their 3 Snipers; instead they again got 1 M4A1 Sherman (from 11th Armoured Division) and an Armoured Car Troop of 2 x Daimler Mk.II's (one with a Little-John Squeeze Bore adapter) and 2 Daimler Dingo Scout Cars. The Germans also had a modified OOB, getting a captured T-34/76 (brought with them from Poland) and a StuG IV in place of the two Panzer IVH; although they did again get their Panther (even though historically 10th SS was without their Panther Battalion - this was back in Germany refitting). As before we consolidated the 2 MMG stands into a platoon with a PC attached to PanzerGrenadier Kompanie 1 (a more historical deployment for the MGs in our opinion).

As usual we used our own house rules which include our Anti-Tank Rules (now up to version 5.3), and some basic modifications to HE fire and Cover effects. Also as we use 1/76th scale figures on 40mm bases we enlarged the map 125% (i.e. to 5' x 5'). Otherwise the balance of the scenario and forces were as described in "Hit The Dirt" along with the published victory conditions.

Looking up the road - The German view towards their objective son the ridge.

I commanded the German attackers, and Kieran the Scots. As mentioned the game was played with my 1/76th scale figures, which are mostly 'AB Figures' and we got underway (again) by rolling for the initial German forces arriving... These turned out to be the 1st PanzerGrenadier Kompanie (again - although the scenario has a 50% chance of this happening), but no-one else. The battle commenced with a rapid advance by PzGr Platoon 2 (a weak platoon in Kompanie 1 with just 2 squads) up the right flank. Kieran's defence was well back and Platoon 1 was able to occupy the central orchard on the flank quickly without suffering any fire from the defenders (Kieran was holding back from disclosing his positions until he had to). Platoon 1 was quickly advanced on (being the strongest Platoon in the Kompanie with a full complement of 3 squads), moving up the right-centre through a long field and into the second orchard adjacent (or rather over the Bocage Hedge from) Platoon 2. At this point Platoon 2 then sent a single squad forward to cross the small open gap in the hedgerows into the next field, where they were bounced by a Scots Rifle Squad and pinned in the open. At this point the German Kompanie Commander and Mortar Section FO were brought on, the Mortar FO moving up to join Platoon 2, and coping some reaction fire from the Scots Squad (which failed and they went No Fire). The German Rifle Squad then returned fire and pinned the Scots, but then failed to rally (see photo below).

The Scots then fired again unsuccessfully and lost the initiative, and the moving clock also failed to roll on.

Platoon 1 has bumped into the first Scots Rifle Squad, and has the Mortar FO & Kompanie Commander come
up in support. The red 'ball' indicates the Scots have gone 'No Fire' and the other marker indicates a 'Pin'.

Rolling for German forces it was found the T-34 & StuG had arrived but they weren't initially moved onto the table, and after some ineffective mortar firing by the Germans initiative was again lost by some failed rifle fire at the Scots (who were No.1 Section of 6 Platoon, and as fate would have it had the platoon PIAT with them). Fire from the Scots was again ineffective, initiative passed, and the moving clock still didn't want to move!

Some more ineffectual mortar fire from the German 81mm Mortar stand and the Germans took a punt and attempted to storm through the gap with their 2nd Squad & PC from Platoon 2. Reaction fire from the Scots was initially successful and pinned both, but they rallied, resumed the close assault attempt and the Scots went No Fire! A well rolled die, the 10th SS assault was successful, and the British suffered their first casualties (see picture below).

Platoon 2, 1st PzGr Kp, close assault No.1 Section from 6 Platoon in a field.

Meanwhile the successful assault had disclosed the presence of a British Daimler Armoured Car, and when the other Squad of Platoon 2 quickly rallied and followed up into the field heading for the northern edge and the ridge beyond that Armoured Car and it's previously concealed (in a field) accompanying Daimler Dingo Scout Car opened up on the SS Squad, suppressing them with MG fire on the Northern edge of the field (see photo below).

Platoon 2, 1st PzGr Kp, bump into an Armoured Car Section on the ridge.

Initiative was lost, and the Armoured Car & Scout Car fired again on the suppressed Squad scoring another suppression and eliminating them (unfortunately for the German's they had all Platoon 2's Panzerfausts). Further firing at the balance of Platoon 2 was only partially effective, and initiative was lost. However the moving clock finally moved and time advanced to 1430 (the Germans had until 1900 to achieve their objectives).

1st Squad of Platoon 2 just prior to taking heavy casualties from the Armoured Cars' MGs.

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