“Captain Hendry de Cromault paddled steadily and quietly through the uneasy surf, his sergeant and some of his men behind him doing likewise. To either side more boats of British Commandos were also paddling through the surf. As their boats ran up on the volcanic beach with the crashing breakers covering their approach, the first rays of the sun were providing a faint glow off to the east well beyond the mountains, and even further, as the sun rose over Africa and headed towards the Atlantic Ocean. Quickly drawing their boats ashore, they were startled by the sudden winking of a bright lamp inshore, sending jumbled encrypted Morse code signals; ‘a U-Boat must be about’ Cromault thought to himself, ‘why else would the Villa Winter be activating it’s powerful beacon lamp, hopefully it doesn’t stumble across their transport home, a Royal Navy Destroyer lurking to the north’. Even as he thought about it his raiding force was assembling around him at their rallying points, and beyond expectations the entire force had safely made it ashore. Assembled on one of the remotest parts of the Canary Islands, they set off to accomplish their mission of destroying the secret mid-Atlantic U-Boat base built and run by by Gustav Winter, a reclusive German engineer, disguised beneath his Villa ‘Casa Winter’ on the island…“
No it’s not an excerpt from a real World War II memoir of a British Commando officer, but it is something that might have really happened had the British and/or Americans known what was really happening at Gustav Winter’s Villa on the remote and desolate Jandía peninsula of Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands; and if the circumstantial evidence that exists today does confirm at least some of the nazi conspiracy theories that exist for the villa. With an improvised airstrip right outside the front door and only the remote fishing village of Cofete for neighbours it was the perfect spot for something clandestine; and with the unusual design of the building, underground bunkers, prisons, a medical lab or autopsy room, even more deeper buried bunkers and volcanic caverns rumoured to fit a U-Boat; and anecdotal eye witness reports from local villagers during world war II of aircraft coming and going, armed German soldiers regularly on the beach, groups of German officers and sightings of U-Boats ‘just off shore’ it has all the makings of a classic secret mission. Being located on ‘neutral’ Spanish territory the RAF could not simply come and bomb it out of existence, so what better than a clandestine commando raid, that makes a good primer for a small Crossfire scenario.
The Situation
It’s nearing mid-1942 and the Battle of the Atlantic is taking a downturn for the Allies, what the German U-Boat crews called ‘The Second Happy Time‘. British intelligence has determined the possible use of Villa Winter in the Canary Islands as a secret U-Boat communications, support and resupply base. Due to it’s presence on neutral Spanish territory (and pro-axis neutral at that) and the unpredictable seas and coast the SOE has ordered a commando raid on the location to ‘get in fast’ capture what (information) and who they can and destroy everything else and get out quick, rather than anything more elaborate.
The Forces:
The British force consists of No. 62 Commando (or the Small Scale Raiding Force), a small commando unit specially under the operational control of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). They carried out raids planned by SOE such as the recent Operation Postmaster on the Spanish island of Fernando Po off the coast of West Africa in January 1942. This could easily be an alternative force (especially if set later in 1943 or 1944) such as U.S. Rangers, or British Royal Marines or even U.S. or British Paratroopers who evacuate by sea.
The German defenders consist of Gustav Winter, a small Kriegsmarine Quartermaster Detachment, and a German Army defence platoon. The Kriegsmarine squads are assumed to include any miscellaneous troops present (such as the radio communications technicians, any Luftwaffe personnel, and other ancillaries) and can therefore be modelled as generic German Wehrmacht or Luftwaffe troops as available figures permit for the game; and Gustav Winter’s CC stand includes his personal entourage, miscellaneous German officers and any combat capable servants. A few other civilians are also present but not represented, which includes Gustav Winter’s wife. Suggested OOBs are as follows:
British Commando Raiding Party Morale: Veteran No. 62 Commando Headquarters: CC (+1) 1 Commando Engineer SMG Squad (with demolitions) 3" Mortar Stand (deployed in cover on beach with 8 FMs) 1st Commando Section (Platoon): PC (+2) 3 Commando Rifle-SMG* Squads 2nd Commando Section (Platoon): PC (+1) 3 Commando Rifle-SMG* Squads Note: * Commando Squads have a high ratio of Bren LMGs and Thompson SMGs present - so count as both Rifles and SMGs, whichever is the better for any given situation (i.e. they shoot at 3D like Rifles normally, get the SMG 4D at close range and the SMG close combat bonus).
Villa Winter Occupants & Defence Force Morale: Regular (except Kriegsmarine detachment: Green) Villa Winter Headquarters: CC Gustav Winter (+0) 1 HMG Quartermaster & Ancillary Troops: PC (+1) 2 Kriegsmarine Rifle Squads [Green] Villa Winter Defence Platoon: PC (+1) 2 Rifle Squads
The Terrain
Refer the satellite photos above, Essentially the ground rises from the beach (where the commandos land) on the north/north western side to Villa Winter (south east) and the ramshackle remote fishing village of Cofete (south west) at the higher points before the mountains then rise in the background (off the south edge of the table). The table can be depicted as flat with the assumption it is rising steadily to the south.
The general terrain is volcanic rock, undulating and with some scattered scrub and a semi-terraced effect. Model this in crossfire with numerous small low rises, occasional depressions, and smaller patches of low scrub. The low rises mostly run east-west across the table, with the depressions being more gully like running North-South. These will provide cover when in or immediately behind but in full daylight won’t conceal movement from one to another as seen from Villa Winter (due to it’s height above sea level).
There is one notable road from Villa Winter across to the West to the village of Cofete and then (off table) south-west over the mountains. At the time of World War II a lesser track runs from this, past the improvised airfield, to the beach and along to the east (see the satellite photos showing the modern ‘road’ following this course).
The improvised airstrip should be about ¼ to ⅓ the width of the table (in length) but offset more to the east side. and 2-3 bases in width. It is obviously clear, level terrain.
The village of Cofete is very remote and somewhat ramshackle – so represent this by 2-3 small Spanish style buildings near the very south-west corner of the table. Villa Winter itself is much more substantial and is very solid, 2+ storey’s high, with the tall ‘lighthouse like‘ tower on the front corner (this is 3-storey’s high, and likely is equivalent to 4 storey’s of a normal Spanish house or domestic building). See the second satellite photo of the layout for Villa Winter and it’s immediate surrounds.
Villa Winter
Villa Winter should be modelled as a large building in the shape of an inverted ‘U’ (see satellite picture above). Due to the multiple subterranean levels it should be modelled as 4 building sectors (2 across the front – one with the tower – and 1 each for rear annexes on each side. The open area in the centre at the time of WW2 was officially a ‘swimming pool’ but is claimed to have been open to the subterranean levels and was the main access to the U-Boat cave deep below. Treat this as an area of cover (outside the building confines) occupiable by 1 squad.
The area in front of the villa (towards the beach) is terraced gardens, as is the smaller area to the west side, and these will provide light cover due to the combination of their retaining walls/low escarpments and screening provided by the crops. To the rear of the Villa on the Southern edge of the table should be a walled garden area which may have also held livestock at the time of World War II.
Crossfire Scenario
This is intended to provide a basic scenario and a possible starting point for a more complex one.
The commando’s are assumed to land on the beach in darkness prior to dawn, and they can begin their stealthy approach to the Villa immediately. The 3″ Mortar is assumed to set up in cover on the beach (so is safe from direct fire unless Germans move to within 1 base of the water’s edge/table’s edge in which case they will be deemed able to see it and fire on it.
Villa Winter is assumed to have 1 Army Rifle Squad alert representing the guards – once activated they are deployed outside the Villa anywhere in it’s terraced gardens or on the last section of road at the front of the Villa. The German player must decide pre-game which of the 4 house sectors the HMG Stand will appear in.
Once landed all commando squads may make 1 move then roll a die to avoid alerting the Villa defenders, throw a 2+ (on a D6) to maintain surprise. Repeat, but add +1 each time to the throw (so by the sixth time the commando’s have moved the alert is automatic). The Commando player does not have to move all squads each time, but each time he moves all the desired ones once each he must reroll the alert roll to see if he has given away his position.
Once they have been spotted and the alert given deploy the German rifle squad on guard duty as above. The German player can choose the spot they deploy at this time, then move or fire them as the phasing player. It is assumed to be night and limited visibility until sometime after the alert is given (and dawn breaks – see below), so all troops are considered in cover one better than normal when fired on (e.g. in the open is light cover, in light cover is heavy cover). The British Commando phase ends as initiative is deemed lost by the alert.
Once the alert is given, and at the start of each successive German players phase, roll for each of the following in this order (5 rolls):
4+ for second Rifle Squad & PC to appear (they deploy together anywhere in Villa or terrain immediately adjacent).
4+ for the HMG team to deploy (in its predesignated location).
5+ for a Kriegsmarine Rifle Squad to appear (deployed in any empty sector of the Villa).
5+ for Gustav Winter CC to appear (in any sector of the Villa).
6+ for a Kriegsmarine Rifle Squad & PC to appear (deployed in the central ‘courtyard of the Villa). This assumes they have come up from the U-Boat cavern.
Any failed rolls are retried each German phase with cumulative +1 modifier per phase until all troops have been alerted and deployed.
At start of each German Phase after the alert is given (but not the phase the alert happens) also roll to see if dawn has arrived. Roll 2 Dice (2D6) needing 9+ to maintain darkness (otherwise Dawn arrives at the game continues as per normal rules).
The British Commando Engineer Squad has enough demolitions for 2 actions. One of this is for the victory objective (see below), the second can be used as a ‘one-off’ assault bonus if close assaulting into Villa Winter – for this one assault they count a combat engineer bonus in addition to their SMG Squad one in close combat (the rest of the time they count as a standard SMG Squad for all close combats).
Victory occurs when the Commandos have occupied at least one sector of the Villa, the Engineer Squad starts the phase in the sector with no German’s present, and the Commando player throws 8+ on 2 dice (2D6). If successful they are deemed to have successfully set demolition charges to destroy the underground access and radios, signal lamp, etc, and captured some intelligence of use. Alternately they win if all German forces are destroyed.
Additional Advanced Scenario Thoughts
Some thoughts on additional expansion of this to create a more ‘involved’ scenario
- The Villa was rumoured to have high powered radio equipment and a large signal lamp for communicating with U-Boats, the signal lamp may be usable as a spotlight for illuminating the commando’s during the night period.
- The Villa is known to have 2 basement levels and likely had more (a dungeon?) and had been built to the same format as German World War II Bunkers & bomb shelters. As noted it is also believed to have had a large volcanic cave underneath with access to the sea that may have allowed U-Boat access (or at least smaller boats to transfer material to and from U-Boats off shore). The Villa could be modelled in 3 dimensions for Crossfire with additional building sectors descending below the surface level, with perhaps a small side table representing the cavern as a ravine or similar below the subterranean building sectors – have the commandos have to plant demolitions here or recover something.
- It could be assumed a far more significant number of German’s were present and increase the defenders to about a company, and the attacking commandos accordingly.
- A U-Boat could be present in the area and either interfere with the initial commando landing or possibly surface and provide fire support to the German’s after the alert is given (treat as an 88mm gun with indirect HE 4D/1sq)
- Include more detail in the victory requirements, including capturing documents, capturing Gustav Winter for interrogation, destroying the radios, destroying the signal lamp, destroying (or blocking access to) the U-Boat cavern, etc.
- Incorporate some risk of Spanish intervention – if they become aware of the raid. The port of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria was only around 100km distant, it was regularly used by axis merchant vessels as a safe harbour, and would have had Spanish Navy, Army and Air Force elements present.
- Play a ‘rescue hostages‘ variant where the Villa is holding Allied Sailors or Secret Agents for torture and/or children for diabolical medical experiments who must be freed and evacuated to safety.
- Play a ‘end of war‘ scenario where instead of U-Boats the raid is trying to capture Nazi War Criminals who are in the process of escaping to South America and whom the allies have become aware of.
- Expand or modify the scenario to include the improvised airstrip and an aircraft that is present or arriving…
- Incorporate the local fishermen from the village, or the village itself. The commandos would try and avoid this as it might alert Spanish authorities – but the island locals may not have been that keen on the Germans and possibly feared them – so might help rather than hinder the raiders?
- If enlarging the scenario add an SS detachment to the defenders, perhaps 1 (or 2) Veteran SMG Squads?
- Tweak the Commando force and replace 3″ Mortar with HMG Stand (or similar). If enlarging the forces present give Commandos both, etc.
Hopefully this provides some ideas for some interesting scenarios for a slightly different Crossfire game set in an unusual theatre. Terrain can likely be tweaked as needed, as being semi-historical it won’t hurt if a few olive groves or orchards and similar are added to provide a more interesting table.
To read more on Villa Winter see these links:
- The Legend of Winter on Fuerteventura (official website of the villa).
- Villa Winter (Wikipedia).
- Did Nazis use remote Canary Islands’ villa as secret U-boat base during WWII? (Fox News).
- Conspiracy on Death Island – Villa Winter (IMDB, an episode from the ‘Secret Nazi Bases’ TV Series) – this has lots of useful footage of the accessible parts of the building and surrounding terrain.
- And for the more extreme see this YouTube Video (below) from the “History” (I use the term loosely) channel: Hunting Hitler: Touring Villa Winter. While the content of this series, around Hitler and/or entourage escaping via the Villa, is rather fanciful there is some some useful footage of the building and terrain:
Lenny DePaul leads a team through Villa Winter, a Canary Islands fortress in which Hitler might have hidden, in this web exclusive from “Hitler’s Safehouse.”
There are many theories around Villa Winter, including the one that many high ranking Nazi’s used it as part of their rat run to escape to South America, primarily Argentina, and that the medical lab or autopsy room in the Villa (described as ‘the kitchen’) was actually used to perform plastic surgery procedures of these fleeing war criminals to assist them in hiding once they reached South America. Other theories for activity in wartime include the possible presence of cells and torture chambers, possible accommodation for children/child prisoners used for experiments and similar and/or concentration camp victims, presence of ‘Organisation Todt‘ slave labour, and the presence of secret underground U-Boat facilities fashioned out of volcanic caves deep below the villa. While none of this is able to be proven, there is clearly some hidden aspects (lower levels) to the villa that have been deliberately buried and hidden, and there is a source of embarrassment to the Spanish Government related to Gustav Winter and his villa being covered up (which may be as simple as the level of complicity they had in collaborating with the Nazi’s under Franco). Anyway this all makes for a great background for wargaming scenarios.