A masterclass in mobility - Action with Spearhead on the Belgian Plain 1940

White eyes, round as saucers, staring unblinking from smoke blackened faces. White eyes, deep set above sallow cheeks, trying to block out the yelling and the screaming, the smells of emptying bowels, and blood, the piteous cries of men calling for their mothers. White eyes, fighting the terror, staring unmoving into a past that would not be forgotten, a past that showed no respect for pips or stripes, for age or youth.

The men of the Dorsetshires had not crossed the channel for this. The men of the Dorsetshires had come expecting to boldly go forward and stop the Bosche in his tracks as their forebears had done in 1914. This was not the war they had expected. This was not the war they had trained for. This was a war that had found them wanting.  And they had paid the price, unable to cope with the roar of engines, the shriek of shells, the speed with which their foe had come upon them.

"They woz all over us" a voice comes from the middle of the group.
"Like a bloody rash" another mutters. A corpsman, walking amongst the sea of torn khaki and bloodied bandages, offers little more than solice to the bashed and bloodied men.
"How the 'ell did we even get away? Bloody miracle that woz." A murmur began, coming from parched throats.
"Righto lads, let's see what we can do eh?" and a tall solidly built man stood, the soft reassuring voice at odds with the more usual bellow that was expected with the crowns on the sleeve.

The scene was set for another Spearhead game, France 1940, with the BEF facing off once more against the German panzers. Except that this time they found an opposition intent on playing . a different game, an opposition determined not to be intimidated by their big Matilda tanks, and their heavy counter battery artillery.

The scene is set looking east, the BEF advancing northwards in Belgium from the left  and the German advance coming form the right. 

The BEF plan was to advance to take Silly-sur-rive, a large town close to the local waterways on the right, securing the left flank at the river, with their centre holding a line close to the river.

The advance begins

German Panzers .. ok, business as usual

2 Battalion advances in the centre

Infantry? Apparently not.. a motorcycle battalion. BEF players however mistook them for infantry after failing to make a close inspection...

The German left as it first appeared

The British left. I didn't expect a significant attack on this flank. The Regimental commander was positioned with 3 Battalion on this flank, expecting to use them as a reserve, his presence meant to enhance the ability to change orders to bring them into the battle

The BEF were surprised when they were met by German motorcycle troops that had raced forward to grab one of the two town sectors that was Silly-sur-rive

What had appeared to be the German left ....

However a reconnaissance battalion made a deep flank march on the German left, driving hard into the right flank of British 1 Battalion

The German motorcycle battalion pushed against the front of 1 Battalion, especially the copse that acted as a pivot for their position

This was now the German centre, but the armour held back, leaving the hard work to the motorcycle battalion and the reconnaissance battalion

The German right flank having taken their objective, sat quietly awaiting their opportunity

Seeing no threat on their left the BEF commander ordered 3 Battalion forward to put pressure on the German right flank

2 Battalion sorts itself out and pushes forward against the German centre

Action begins for 1 Battalion which comes under simultaneous assault from the motorcycle battalion and the flanking reconnaissance battalion. Three battalions of artillery (2 of 105s, and 1 of 150s) brings down fire on 1 Battalion. This was intense

German reconnaissance units outflank 1 Battalion and begin a drive deep into the rear past the supporting armoured brigade elements supporting the battalion

The main elements of the reconnaissance battalion engage in a frenzied action against the 1 Battalion flank, which desperately attempts to re-orient itself to face the threat

Artillery fire falls everywhere, British 25pdr batteries joining in with salvoes of their own

This aerial view shows the confused state of the battle, and the lighter brown bases Keith uses for his troops show the extent to which his moves had completely outflanked 1 Battalion. The armoured brigade in support of 1 Battalion was unable to make any impact on the action despite manoeuvring in an attempt at a local counter attack

Infantry platoons stripped away, the RA forward observation team, and the battalion command itself, are exposed to attack

Another view of the seep penetration behind 1 battalion, the lighter armoured cars simply using their speed to bypass the heavy tanks

Motorcycle troops of the reconnaissance battalion close assault the 1 Battalion Carrier platoon, and another supporting platoon

The action gets even hotter in the centre of 1 Battalion's position, with the battalion command group being eliminated from the action

2 Battalion pushes forward in an attempt to take some pressure off 1 Battalion

1 Battalion Carrier Platoon withstands the close assault, driving the motor cycle troops back

Action continues to take place in the copse which is the pivot of the 1 Battalion defensive flank

The Carrier platoon finally falls, and the armoured brigade are left to try to shore up the flank, but lack the manoeuvrability to respond to the fast moving armoured cars

More close assault action in the copse

Reconnaissance Battalion elements close assault 1 Battalion Mortar platoon, but with support from a Matilda troop they manage to survive this first onslaught

The Mortar platoon still extant on the table --- for now!!

The reconnaissance battalion winning the action in the copse. The 1 Battalion position is now looking seriously compromised

This was a masterclass in table top 'gaming. Keith had foregone his more usual panzer battalions, going instead for a more highly mobile reconnaissance battalion, and a motorcycle battalion to support a smaller number of panzers and Gerpanzert troops. He used the mobility, and the superior command flexibility, of the Germans to 'dance on the table top' like a ballerina on a stage.

The lateral thinking was impressive, the execution outstanding. This is how you deal with a heavily armoured but slow BEF.

What am amazing game, showcasing the ability of the Spearhead rules system to replicate battle in all its subtlety and nuance. This is what I love about these rules, despite the fact that I was on the receiving end of the 'masterclass'.

As Churchill said, "This is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning." We'll be back. ...

OMG ... another new army????? Blimey!!!

These guys have sat in a box, painted, since the mid 90s - French for the 1940 campaign. I seem to have once more lost the old 'painting mojo', and I've found that the best cure is a 'quick win'. So, time to base these guys as the core for a new WW2 Spearhead army. I have also been motivated by our recent France 1940 Spearhead games.. both thoroughly enjoyable and challenging.

Sadly the Heroics and Ros web store is currently closed, so I can't yet order the additional figures and vehicles I need to finish the army.

Patience, Robin. Patience.

These are all from the Heroics 6mm range.

The first battalion of infamtry

Char B1s 

Somua S35s

The obligatory FT17s. they are so small I decided to indulge myself with 2 vehicles per base

And some of the famous 'soixante quinze' .. I think some of them will inevitably appear on the table as on table artillery

Onwards and upwards .. 'cos I just love Spearhead.. WW1, WW2, and Moderns... bring 'em on

"BEF blunts and bloodies Bosche beak"

"This is the BBC World Service. News today of a British victory in France, as forces from the BEF blunt the advance of German Panzers in Northern France. Troops from 7th Panzer Division believed to be under the command of German General Irwin Rommel were stopped in their tracks by a determined BEF defence. Field Marshall John Vereker The Right Honorable The Viscount Gort spoke glowingly of the grit and determination of the British troops under his command as he met with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet today in Whitehall. "We gave Jerry a bloody nose today" he said."

Field Marshal The Right Honourable

The Viscount Gort

VC, GCB, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, MVO, MC

Dark rings surrounded eyes, lines carrying days of grime streaked from the corners of mouths, as if hope had fled in the face of despair. The Brigadier scanned those same faces, seeking out signs of hope.

"I know this regiment has suffered losses. I am only too well aware of the fate of my predecessor. But I am not him. Retreat is a contagion that, once admitted, takes hold like an epidemic in a poor house. Gentlemen, we are here to exorcise those daemons. We are here to do a job. We have a nation looking to us, depending on us, praying for us. We must be the Drake to Spain's Phillip. We need to heed the cry 'They shall not pass'. We have a job to do. Now, let's be about our business. There is much to do this day. Frankly, I can think of nothing better to quote than Shakespeare's Henry IV: 

"And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."

Light and hope appeared on the faces that looked towards him, and the Brigadier smiled.
"Guns, we can't have the performances your boys gave before Arras. I want your guns up close and personal. Jerry is too strong to leave our boys unsupported."
"Sir, I have a battalion tasked to close support for 1 Battalion, and another from division allocated just for the regiment. My boys will be there, trust me."
"I do. Thank you. Tracks, your boys are allocated to 2 Battalion. I need you there, I need you mobile, they need you on form and ready to best Jerry. We must keep the German armour at bay. They cannot be left to wander at will amongst our infantry as they did three days ago at Arras."
"We have all available runners allocated, Sir. A mix of  Matilda 1s and IIs, some straight from the workshops after their long march."
"Keep them hidden. James.. it's essential that you stay in close contact with Tracks. Don't be afraid to use them. Henry, you are our reserve. 3 Battalion must be ready to move instantly, no delays. I expect 2 Battalion to bear the brunt of the German attack. Your move may be the difference between their survival and their loss. I'll settle regimental HQ alongside you. Keep the battalion alert.. our whole future may ride on the swiftness of your move. "
"Sir, you can depend on us."
"Trust me, I am Henry. Right gentlemen, let's be about our work. I am sure Jerry will be here before the morning is more than a mere pup." They stood and hurried from the command tent, intent upon the job they had trained for.

The regiment in position, he expected line of German attack rom the east - the left of the photo

The view from behind the regimental positions

A German panzer battalion, complete with Gerpanzert infantry, attacks from the southeast, intent on a deep penetration of the BEF positions

A German infantry battalion advances against 2 Battalion's position in the centre

The 25pdr battery deployed (on table) in direct support of 1 Battalion.

1 Battalion also had the regimental AA platoon (a 40mm Bofors battery) attached to it. In the absence of the Luftwaffe above the battlefield, this battery gave good service in direct support of 1 Battalion infantry before being destroyed by the German 150mm artillery battalion.

2 Battalion in forward defence, with an attached Vickers company (3 platoons of Vickers)

2 Battalion commander had deployed 2 platoons across the river, awaiting a German flank attack

The German infantry attack on their left flank directed against 2 Battalion. The SiG 33 platoon can be seen, and to its right is a towed 88mm battery,. This was caught limbered by fore form the Royal Artillery and eliminated - a major blow against the Germans

The German right wing attack, two panzer battalions, sweeping around against the British right flank

The panzers push deep

Once the Panzers were sighted, 2 Battalion commander ordered his attached 7th RTR troops forward. across the river, to support the right wing of his battalion. The German armour must be stopped.

The 2 Battalion 2pdr troop also moved forward in support of the tank regiment.

Fire came down on the main attack against 2 Battalion. On Battalkion request, the RA 25pdr battery dropped smoke to cover the infantry from the SiG33 platoon spotted on the opposing heights

However smoke cover was not complete, and one of the three Vickers platoons os destroyed in a flurry of accurate fire

Now the German position is well covered with smoke

However the infantry occupying the prominent knoll across the river ahead of the German attack are also eliminated

German armour in the centre of the German attack advances towards the 2 Battalion flank

And the German infantry battalion advances off the high ground to attack 2 Battalion

The more advanced 2 Battalion platoons occupying the front slope withdraw in the face of some well coordinated German artillery and support fire. Two Vickers MMG platoons have now been destroyed. The British infantry will struggle to hold the forward slope positions against the weight of fire.

The Matildas of the Independent Tank Brigade have now advanced, and begin to engage the German armour that has advanced too far. Here a Matilda 2 Platoon engages PzIIs and 38ts in the centre of the german attack

The German advance against 2 Battalion gathers momentum

The German infantry attack threatens, but heavy fire from the battalion carrier platoon, infantry platoons, and supporting artillery and mortars, creates havoc, eliminating several German platoons.

At this point the British regimental commander orders 1 Battalion forward across the river planning a right hook against the flank of the German infantry battalion. This is an aggressive British commander unwilling to cede the initiative to his enemy.

The 1 Battalion counterattack develops

In the meantime 3 Battalion, the regimental reserve, was ordered forward to support 2 Battalion.. the attacking german infantry now faced massive odds. The British artillery, and the battalion 3" mortar tubes from 1 and 2 Battalions, had taken a devastating toll on the German infantry. British 60pdrs tasked with counter battery missions destroyed the entire German battalion of 150mm guns that had taken a heavy toll on 2 Battalion's forward positions.

The RTR Matildas hold back the Pz38ts of the German right flank panzer battalion. A long range tank duel sees a platoon of PzIIs eliminated. The German armour pulls back, unable to deal with the British armour

The German infantry Battalion SiG33 which appeared to be the only hope of holding the British counter attack against the German left flank

The German advance was halted,. The attack across the river was in danger from the 1 Battalion counterattack which threatened its own left flank. The target of its attack, 2 Battalion, was now reinforced by 3 Battalion, leaving it facing overwhelming odds. The German Panzer attacks on their right were halted by the indomitable fighting from the 7th RTR Matildas, against which it was helpless. The German 88mm flak battery had been positioned in the wrong place to combat the RTR vehicles, and was eliminated early by the RSA 25pdr fire.

This was another excellent game fought with the Spearhead rules, using our 6mm armies. The vehicles and infantry were from Heroics and Ros, and the forces were developed using Keith McNelly's scenario generation system. Keith was attacking using his German force, and I was defending using my BEF force.

The game ended with a British victory. The BEF had 5 object points, the Germans 4. We had both used an Option A which reduced our totals by 1 each, while the British had a small manoeuvre battalion, the Divisional cavalry (MkVIs and Bren Carrier Platoons) uncommitted and off table at the end of the game. The Germans had one battalion (the 1500 mm off table artillery battalion) destroyed.

This was an outstanding evening of gaming, the battle lasting four hours before we 'called time'.