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Simon Fox

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Posts posted by Simon Fox

    British Infantry

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by tero:

    The thing is the British army seems to have worked through the officers. It would appear the regular soldiers were treated as cannon fodder more than anything else. Like the Germans their SOP had its roots in the WWI experiences. Only, they had learned different lessons. The very term "minor tactics" is IMO very indicative how much value was given to the execution of battlefield manouvers. Whereas the Germans had evolved the Stosstruppe tactics into an art form the British held on to the WWI linear tactics.

    The Stosstruppe tactics require highly skilled leadership and careful coordination. These tactics are also more demanding on the individual soldier. It seems the British leaders did not and/or were indoctrinated not to trust in the regular individual soldiers as much as the Germans trusted their individual soldiers.

    Really tero that is a load of bollocks. Now you're trotting out the completely ahistorical stereotype of the WW1 ubergerman development of infantry tactics (Stosstruppe) vs blundering Brit 'linear tactics'. You've read Timothy Harrison-Place's PhD and now you're a world expert, why is that not suprising, hehe.
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    Yes Argie, there is a Peng Challenge!

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    All this talk of snow, drizzle and freezing rain reminds me that I have to turn the sprinklers on when I get home tonight. How I envy you blokes having nature do the job for you when I have to leave the barbeque and tediously amble across the patio to turn on the retic. What a waste of 30 secs of an autumn evening. Thank goodness I don't have to put my tinnie down otherwise it would be all but unbearable.

    Some individuals have been remarkably tardy. Geier also appears to be snowed in or under or somefink. How a 15 turn game can last 2 months is mystifying. Bastables has no such excuse, though it is hardly suprising that a Kiwi git should continue to struggle with the 'complexities' of the PBEM process. Must of contracted some tropical brainfever in Timor rendering him even more dullwitted than usual.

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    Nebelwerfer effectiveness in Normandy - help please.

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Well irrespective of the actual tank numbers I agree with Jason's overall assessment of Epsom. Anyway these armour odds are pretty irrelevant, we're talking bocage here if only for the initial phase, if anything the British pushed too much armour in and ended up with a great bit traffic jam. The 4th Armoured Bde's task for the operation was rear/flank security and mopping up in the initial phase. The appearance of II SS Pz Corps on the western side of the salient which the British were aware of prior to it's employment. The arrival of elements of 2nd Pz there (it's panther Abt). Arrival of elements of 1st SS Pz on the eastern flank (Kampfgruppe). Pz Lehr sitting on the Western side about to be releived by 276 Inf. Constraints of the terrain within the salient itself (bocage) and the narrowness of the salient which restricted transport and exposed it to the powerful artillery which these German formations could muster including just about every Werfer unit in Normandy. The difficulties of providing artillery support to units at the apex of the salient for these reasons. The total unsuitability of a British armoured division for holding ground. The insufficient Odon bridges. The exposed nature of 112. In these circumstances closing down Epsom seems prudent rather than timid.

    This is validated by the walloping administered to subsequent German counterattacks.

    Neither the 4th nor 8th armoured Bdes could be said to be at full strength for Epsom. Both had already been involved in action since D-day or just after. The 4th Armoured especially heavily.

    I think it would be fair to see Martlet as part of Epsom, they can hardly be seen as two distinct thrusts at the 12th SS. Launched on the 25th June most seem to consider Martlet the preliminary phase of Epsom which commenced 26th June. 49th infantry division were supported by 8th armoured Bde in this endeavour. Fontenay was 'cleared' by 26th and Rauray by 27th/28th. I would have thought this attack fell upon the right flank of Pz Lehr and the left of 12th SS.

    The 8th Armd Bde captured a Tiger in Fontenay and another in Rauray as well as reporting a number operating on their front in addition to Panthers and SP guns indicating that it is likely that elements of 101 SS Pz Abt. was operating against Epsom/Martlet from the 26th on.

    According to Zetterling 12th SS tank strength on 26th of June was 60 Pz IV and 37 Panthers with a further 12 PzIV and 27 Panthers requiring minor repairs only.

    I don't see much point in a numbers game considering the British couldn't possibly hope to apply them over such a limited frontage. However, the figures given by redwolf seem rather excessive "15 battalions" of Brit tanks? also I fancy the Germans had a fair bit more arty than 36. As Jason has correctly pointed out the bulk of Epsom was borne by the 15th Scottish and the 11th Armd Divs both fighting their first battle. If nature had not intervened and the Op had been launched on 22nd June with better preparation the result may have been a little different.

    Sources:

    Delaforce "Black Rat and Red Fox", "The Polar Bears"

    Zetterling ""Normandy 1944, German Military Organization, Combat Power and Organizational Effectiveness"

    amongst others

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    British Infantry

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Well someone asked if there were any bayonet charges in WW2 and I gave 6 examples. I can fink of another 2 large scale ones off the top of me head, by the RM Commandos as part of the commando brigade and 2/13th battalion at Tobruk, plus a whole host of them in the Pacific (not including the Japanese).

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    British Infantry

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Let's face it Andreas is understandably reticent about acknowledging his countrymen's widely documented aversion to cold steel.

    "The Tommy's method of using the long steel blade on the end of his gun has been found decidedly nasty, from the German standpoint. But let the Germans see that a hand-to-hand struggle with the bayonet is imminent, and up go their hands, and cries of 'Kamerad,' 'Kamerad,' resound, the allies have found."

    http://call.army.mil/products/newsltrs/2-88/chpt1.htm

    http://www.mishalov.com/Porteous.html

    http://members.ozemail.com.au/~vcweb/winners/edmondson.htm

    http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/crete/day8.htm

    http://www.ean.co.uk/Bygones/History/Article/WW2/John_Green_MBE/html/body_battle_of_ornito.htm

    "COLE, ROBERT G.

    Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Carentan, France, 11 June 1944. Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Birth: Fort Sam Houston, Tex. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lt. Col. Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service."

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    I Offer Grog Dorosh the Peng Challenge, And He Be Man Enough

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by BooR:

    Who is this Slimy Elbow who dares to speak of my liege lord Croda The Cantankerous in such a manner. Come out and say that again you refugee from a Lilith Fair Concert. You sheep's clone, you thinly moustached poseur, you who consider Shemp to be the funniest Stooge, I double-dog dare you to come back here and have it out with me. You reprobate! Upon your birth, your parents tried to sell you to carny folk, but the carny's standards were too high. You fey dandy with the concave codpiece, SOD OFF!!!

    Next!
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    I Offer Grog Dorosh the Peng Challenge, And He Be Man Enough

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    I have noted the use of the word "lame" in the past to descibe the quality, or lack of it, in a thread title. In this case to do so would be an insult to the capabilities of the handicapped. For are not the lame endowed with at least a rudimentary capability to ambulate. No, this one is entirely moribund, bereft of originality, devoid of a single redeeming feature. The only point of possible interest is that if the author is not 'Sleepy' which one of Snow White's little friends is he.

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    British Infantry

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by Andreas:

    To contradict Jason's repeat soap-box monologue, here is a statement from Sydney Jary (from memory, my copy of '18 Platoon' is with Moon at the moment) 'In a contest of firepower, the Germans win hands-down'. Now you can take the word of him, who commanded a platoon in 4th SLI from July 1944 to May 1945, or Jason's calculations.

    [/QB]

    To be fair my impression is that Jary is principally talking about the firepower superiority of the MG42 rather than SMGs. Also the apparent profusion of German medium mortars. After all he relates a tale of an FJ emptying his SMG at him from about 20m away and being unscathed smile.gif

    I think it would be fair to say that when operating in close terrain, urban areas or at night the Brits would equip themselves with a greater proportion of SMGs than seen in the standard CMBO Brit infantry

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    Pass the Lotion Peng, I need to get that full body Mutha Beautiful Challenge Tan

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by Bastables:

    Bah Foolieo, tossing out unnamed challenges into the pool will get you nowhere. You actually have to challenge some thing. Try again or yes that?s right sod off.

    Well he could always fight you and get sent some historical scenario based on a massacre with you as the massacrer. Then when he catches you out nothing more would be heard from you. But then that would be a typical Kiwi underarmed, I mean handed, tactic.
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    Emergency CPR - Challenge-Peng Resuscitation

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by MrPeng:

    Take it outside you two

    Really Peng (I thought you didn't exist anymore) don't be discomforted by a little 'edginess'. Things can't be all bonhomie and 'hale fellow well-met' all the time. I'm sure Croda and I can manage to keep things simmering along quite nicely without them boiling over. Well, I'm sure I can at least. This thread was excuruciatingly dull anyway.
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    Emergency CPR - Challenge-Peng Resuscitation

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by Bastables:

    I thought it was some sort of elaborate trap.

    It is.

    Ah, yes...the innocent victim mentality.

    "Well, you knew he was a bloody, merkin-wearing pillock so it's your fault because you riled him up."

    It's all so much clearer now. Thank you for pointing out the glaring deficiencies in my argument. Please do youself the favor of sewing your lips together and cutting off you fingers so that nobody else need be privy to your fountain of wisdom.

    Well I suppose you can cast yourself in the innocent victim guise if you wish. I'm glad to be of assistance.
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    Emergency CPR - Challenge-Peng Resuscitation

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by Croda:

    Careful or you won't be poked, you'll be bashed. It may also acquit you well to read and then think before posting.

    You can rest assured that I do Croda. Otherwise I'd be absolutely livid with misplaced indignation at this very moment.

    "I suppose," said Suitcase, "you know you are three months late arriving for your call up?"

    "I'll make up for it sir, I'll fight nights as well!"

    (Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall)

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    Emergency CPR - Challenge-Peng Resuscitation

    in Combat Mission Archive #4 (2002)

    Posted

    Originally posted by Berlichtingen:

    Croda m'boy, methinks you ticked off little ICS. Well done, very well done

    Oh I don't think so, methinks Croda is ticked off at ICS now. Looks like Croda loves to poke the wild animals with sticks but when they turn around and wack him back he can't take it.

    I take it that once you've finished 'baiting this bear' the next drooling cretin who wanders in will be the recipient of the same pack mentality accompanied by the usual 'heroic' mutual backslapping.

    "Major Chater-Jack: Milligan, we've just crossed the border into Tunisia.

    Milligan: Fine, sir, I'll carve a statue at once."

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