Darknight (DC)
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Everything posted by Darknight (DC)
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CMBO CM:BN Equipment comparrison chart
Darknight (DC) replied to Mord's topic in Combat Mission Battle for Normandy
I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they were used in July/Aug 1944 by some 21st AG units in Normandy (Cdn & Brit).... though I don't have the specific reference handy. As for the rest: British (and attached French) Commando units are a big one (and I believe the TOE is the biggest hurdle here, though I'd be willing to help with that ) Centaur IV - very similar to Cromwell IV (though I'm not sure the work it would take to convert, if possible) but these would be cool to go with Commandos DD Shermans - they were seen throughout the Normandy campaign (not swimming obviously) but the hull was distinctive and the props could still be seen Tetrarch - a little harder to justify, as I think there were only 8 or so (don't quote me) of them in Normandy, so I don't expect to see them -
CMBO CM:BN Equipment comparrison chart
Darknight (DC) replied to Mord's topic in Combat Mission Battle for Normandy
I'd be happy with British Commandos, a Centaur IV, Wasps, DD Shermans and maybe a Tetrarch. -
The telltale signs of destruction that would be visible to Sgt Fox from St Eusebius Cathedral Journal of Sgt James FOX: September 18th, 1944 was a high point for the 2nd South Staffords; we had just repulsed the Nazis as they attempted to break into Arnhem Town from the Bridge, our morale was still very high and our casualties were manageable. We lost 27 good, brave men that dreary morning, while fighting desperately to push back the German thrust; they will always be remembered for their sacrifice. Most of our wounded were recovered and evacuated to a couple of buildings along Markt Straat; they were made as comfortable as possible by the battalion medics, who were assisted by several townsfolk. The plumes of black, greasy smoke rising into the sky were easily visible from my vantage point in the Cathedral tower and gave a solid indication of the losses inflicted on our enemy. The Germans had no choice but to pull back from the north side of the Bridge and our scouts report that they have begun entrenching on the south shore of the Rhine. A little later we were able to send a few scouting parties onto the embankment in order to secure the area and afterwards about two dozen German casualties were brought into the makeshift hospital and treated. In the bigger picture, the 1st Para Division was able to set up an irregular perimeter in the Arnhem/Oosterbeek region, which is holding for now but beginning to see more pressure as the Germans begin coordinating their counter-attacks. As casualties mount and ammunition dwindles, we will find it more difficult to hold the perimeter. All hopes rest with XXX Corps’ rapid advance and relief of our positions…the longer this takes, the more I fear for our future. Sgt James Fox was killed as the defence of Arnhem began to collapse on Sept 20th, 1944; he was last seen leading a team of 3 other men to try to scrounge extra ammunition as supplies had run out. Sgt Fox’s journal was returned to his family by RSM Bruce Duncan after the war, when he was liberated from a German prisoner-of-war camp by Canadian troops in April 1945.
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Epilogue: The 2nd South Staffords have won a Minor Victory at the Arnhem Bridge; they were able to hold the entrance to the town, at least for now, and inflicted significant losses on the Germans attempting to storm the town. The tragic price of warfare as seen in the destruction along the Nijmeegseweg near the Van Limburg Stirum School SS panzer crew cut down trying to find cover near the Eusebiusbuitensingel after being forced from their burning tank Final resting place of an SS reconnaissance vehicle crew who died east of the bloody embankment fighting Dead and dying SS Panzergrenadiers strewn along the northern exit from Arnhem Bridge near the bloody embankment View of the carnage along the Nijmeegseweg from a “B” Company observer at St Walburgis Church
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0645 hrs Staring down the barrel of the alerted Panther V on the Bridge, with all AT ammo used up, Pvt Nicolson’s team hastily vacates their building for another strongpoint. The Panther disappears into its own smokescreen as team from No5 Platoon dashes for a building lining the Westervoortse Dijk. Panzer fire from the south shore has demolished most of the buildings standing along Oost Straat in the No12 Platoon area, with continued fire now passing through the husks (and directly over Pvt Pitcairn’s head) and onto the embankment before detonating. Another heavy armoured car makes a valiant attempt to support his infantry on the embankment but stops directly in the sights of Cpl Ramsay’s No3/3 AT Gun located near the Gasworks; Ramsay’s team had been covering the overpass from the Bridge into Arnhem all morning and this was a golden opportunity to pitch in, which they do by putting consecutive shots through the vehicle and knocking it out of action. This appears to be the final push for the moment, as the Germans have exhausted their strength. Realizing they are starting down a Panther V at point blank range, Pvt Nicolson’s squad (No5 Platoon) rushes to vacate their position near the Bridge A No5 Platoon squad dashes to another strong point, as a nearby Panther V tank vanishes into a cloud of smoke The buildings along Oost Straat have taken a beating A heavy armoured car attempts to support the German infantry near the embankment Cpl Ramsay (No3/3 ATG) directs fire onto a German vehicle on the overpass from Arnhem Bridge
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0644 hrs The Panther V tank on the Bridge fires several rounds at a building lining the Eusebiusbinnensingel from which Pvt Vipont’s 3-man team (No7 Platoon) is firing at the German infantry; one of the shots douses Pvt Vipont with flying shrapnel and sends the rest of the team scrambling for cover. Then the armoured beast lets up the pressure on No7 Platoon because new thorns have popped up in the form of Pvt Nicolson (No5 Platoon) and Pvt Elder (No11 Platoon). Pvt Nicolson’s squad has made its way to the upper floors of a building behind the Panther V from where a PIAT round to the left side of the turret re-focuses the panzer’s attention. At the same moment, from the far side of the Bridge along the Eusebiusbuitensingel, Pvt Elder has fired a round at the same tank, striking the right side of the turret. The tank reverses and begins searching for its assailant as Pvt Nicolson hurriedly attempts to reload the weapon. With a single shot left, Nicolson squeezes the shot off just a little too early and it misses the Panther V by less than 6 inches, which leaves the squad squarely in the sights of the now-traversed turret. A heavy armoured car takes aim at No 1/1 MG from No2 MG Platoon, which has been firing on the Bridge from the far side of the Eusebiusbuitensingel for most of the morning, severely wounding Pvt Richmond whose position is taken up by Pvt Heverly. The armoured car then begins firing on Pvt Elder’s position, ultimately wounding the intrepid para. Nos10 & 12 Platoons also take casualties from the intense fighting at the embankment. Pvt Vipont’s team (No7 Platoon) firing on advancing enemy troops Panther V turret as viewed by Pvt Nicolson (No5 Platoon) as he lines up a PIAT shot A matter of inches…the PIAT round misses the Panther V turret by a very narrow margin (and ends up landing in the Tram Depot) Pvt Richmond manning the No 1/1 MG from No2 MG Platoon is wounded by fire from an armoured car but the gun will soon be back in action yet again
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Sorry about the delay....lightning strikes in the area fried my motherboard and knocked out all my cable/internet services. John - The overhead counters are a from the tokens project that Mord and I worked on for CMFI a while ago, to be used for DARs, AARs, Mission Briefings, whatever. I whipped these tokens up specifically for this battle.
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0643 hrs The Panther V tank on the Bridge begins moving again, giving Cpl Reading (No5 Platoon) a chance to evacuate his casualties. Tank fire from the south bank of the Rhine continues to pound the houses along Oost Straat, turning some of the structures into rubble. Cpl Mackerrell (No12 Platoon) becomes a casualty during the firefight with the Germans on the embankment. Buildings becoming rubble along Oost Straat Cpl Mackerrell becomes a casualty in the park near the milk factory Forced to seek cover amongst the bodies of his fallen comrades, a lone German gunner fires his MG42 on elements of No12 Platoon in the park
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0642 hrs Pvt Witherspoon manages to stabilize two teammates when he is forced to seek cover by more incoming fire from the Bridge, until a fateful HE shell explodes nearby, killing him instantly, along with all of the other casualties on the ATG team. Cpl Reading’s team (No5 Platoon) continues to draw fire and take casualties from the German Panther V, which seems reluctant to press any further into Arnhem, appearing satisfied with its somewhat safer position alongside the concrete bridge structures. Without their close armour support, the German troops, though brave, are inevitably cut down in a hail of fire from the South Stafford positions on either side of the Nijmeegseweg. Pvt Witherspoon (No3/1 ATG) dies a hero, attempting to save the lives of his fellow gunners With all the death and destruction ahead of him, the Panther V can't be faulted for taking advantage of a relatively safe vantage point from which to survey Arnhem German SS troops press on to the northern bridge exits… …and make another attempt to secure a toehold in the town… …getting an MG42 into action on the embankment
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What do you do with Limited Ammo Mortars?
Darknight (DC) replied to Bud Backer's topic in Combat Mission Battle for Normandy
I've used them recently on defense to great effect vs infantry and light vehicles at short ranges....mostly area fire on a point I want to deny to my enemy or make it a little more costly for him to take that ground. A couple of decent mortar rounds can really play havoc with individual enemy unit morale. -
0641 hrs Cpl Reading’s team along Kade Straat fires on some German light armour moving along towards the town, which betrays their position to the Panther V on the Bridge; fire from the tank cuts down Pvt Burns and sends the others diving for better cover. Meanwhile, at the Tram Depot, Pvt Witherspoon, the sole remaining member of No 3/1 ATG, begins to care for his mates; Pvt Witherspoonm despite his own wounds received during the recent shelling and continued exposure at his position, works like a demon to save his friends’ lives. Pvt Burns (No5 Platoon) falls to machine gun fire from a German tank on the Bridge Pvt Witherspoon (No3/1 ATG) works to save the lives of his fellow gunners near the Arnhem Tram Depot
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Overall Situation at approximately 0640 hrs, September 18th, 1944
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0640 hrs The Germans begin to move additional heavy armour across the Bridge, obviously in preparation for a renewed assault on the town, while the No1/1 Vickers guns of both 1st & 2nd MG Platoons continue to sweep the northern exit from the Bridge, dominating the ground across which the Germans must advance. Meanwhile, Pvt Higgins, the sole remaining member of Cpl Smith’s No1/2 Vickers team, returns to the schoolhouse and tries to rescue as many casualties as he can from the wrecked room. Another Panther V tank begins advancing towards the Bridge exit Pvt Higgins works desperately to save wounded team members in the schoolhouse Pvt Higgins tends to the wounds of his fellow para while a Panther tank burns outside the window
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0639 hrs Cpl Aldrich’s team succeeds in rescuing their fallen comrades from near the Nieuwe Kade and prepare to make their way back to a secure point held by Pvt Nicolson. The No3/1 ATG all but ceases to exist as another HE tank shell lands a direct hit on the gun. Cpl Aldritch’s remaining team tending to casualties No3/1 ATG receives a direct hit with an HE shell and, for all intents and purposes, ceases to exist
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0638 hrs Cpl Maclellan’s No3/1 ATG becomes the focus of several German armoured vehicles, all firing from the Bridge; Maclellan is severely injured in one of the blasts, while his No1 gunner is killed outright, sending the rest of the team to ground. The German soldiers on the Bridge press on past their fallen comrades, desperately attempting to seize a foothold on the north shore. The No3/1 ATG comes under accurate fire from the Bridge resulting in several casualties among the crew German infantry pushes on past wounded or dying comrades and smoking vehicle wrecks which litter the Bridge deck
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0637 hrs No5 Platoon are forced to seek cover as Pvt Nicolson’s building and the surrounding area near Kade Straat experience a methodical mortar barrage of their position. Elements of No12 Platoon are similarly forced to keep their heads down due to shelling, though Pvt Pitcairn is successfully able to stabilize Cpl Macdowall’s head wound, which ultimately saves his life. Meanwhile, the indomitable German troops continue to press for a bridgehead in the town despite the machine gun and small arms fire that showers the Bridge like a heavy rain. Pvt Pitcairn attempts to tend to the severely wounded Cpl Macdowall The shelling of No5 Platoon’s position as seen by No7 Platoon on the other side of the Eusebiusplein The congested, Hell-ish view of the north side of the Arnhem Bridge which greets the SS soldiers ordered to continue their advance
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0636 hrs No5 Platoon Scouts observe a Panzer IV firing on targets along Oost Straat, the centre of No12 Platoon position. The building on Oost Straat housing No12 Platoon HQ collapses under the bombardment, forcing the Lieutenant Maceachan and his XO to dig their radio operator, Pvt Holmes, from the debris. On the west side of the Bridge, off Kade Straat, Pvt Nicolson returns to the upper floors of his building to search for more German vehicles. With incoming mortar rounds dropping on the roof, the upper floors filled with a claustrophobic mix of smoke and debris, Pvt Nicolson finds a window overlooking the Bridge as a Panther V tank rumbles past; Nicolson puts a round into the beast and dives for cover as several vehicles begin spraying his position with fire. Meanwhile, Cpl Aldrich senses the opportunity to attempt a rescue of his men that were wounded near the Nieuwe Kade, dashing along the Bridge footings to their last known position. Lt Maceachan’s HQ (No12 Platoon, “C” Company) along Oost Straat A lone German Panzer IV firing on the buildings along Oost Straat while plumes of smoke rise above Arnhem Pvt Holmes is buried in the rubble of the collapsing building that had housed No12 Platoon HQ Mortar shells rain down on the building in which Pvt Nicolson (No5 Platoon) is sheltering A German Panther V begins firing at a building containing elements of No7 Platoon Despite the choking dust and debris around him, Pvt Nicolson (No5 Platoon) tries to get a visual on any German vehicles crossing the Bridge The SS Panzer crew bails from their Panther V after being struck by Pvt Nicolson
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Overall Situation at approximately 0635 hrs, September 18th, 1944
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0635 hrs At the Tram Depot, Cpl Maclellan spots a Panther V tank, which stops in a straight line-of-sight with his AT Gun; as nervous seconds tick by, the gun is carefully aimed for a flank shot at the tank, which rotates its turret to face the rear, towards Oost Straat. The Panther turns out to be preoccupied with the building sheltering the heroic Pvt Pitcairn (No12 Platoon), placing an HE shot into the position. The No3/1 ATG team doesn’t miss, managing a direct hit on the tank’s hull. As the panzer crew bails out, the No4/3 ATG under Cpl Cooper drives a shot through the tank’s turret, immediately followed by another shot from the No3/1 ATG; the two ATG teams put a total of 6 shots through the Panther V before it literally explodes, blowing the turret off of its ring. A Panther V blasting away at No12 Platoon positions near Oost Straat No3/1 ATG crosses their fingers and takes a careful shot at the Panther tank The Panther is struck in the upper right hull…is it enough? The panzer crew bails out as No4/3 ATG fires The Panther is struck 6 times between the two ATGs before a huge explosion blows the turret off its ring
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They are, for the most part, targeting on their own....I have armour-cover arcs set but that's about it. The same with the ATGs, they are on armour-cover arcs but without specific targets. I've got some of the Vickers teams firing at area targets at different points (like the Hell Corner where the Germans streamed off the Bridge onto the embankment), and the 2" mortars were point or area targets (though I think the No12 platoon mortar chose to fire on its own). I feel kind of bad because Mord has mentioned that the Bridge movement paths are less than ideal, which has caused him some problems...I also did not expect my PIATs to be this effective, though the ranges are really close. I was expecting a much heavier concentration of smoke, as that was very effective for getting troops off the Bridge and maybe some more 'recon-by-fire' than actually took place....there are literally hordes of SS troops on that Bridge, so I may yet run out of ammo.
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0634 hrs Lt Maceachen’s No12 Platoon HQ on Oost Straat comes under fire from German armour on the south side of the Rhine, and Cpl Mackerrell’s section in the woods near the Milk Factory begins taking casualties from the Panther tank that has moved off the main highway. Another German halftrack moves north on the Nijmeegseweg and makes a fatal stop in the sights of Cpl Maclellan’s No3/1 ATG, which is positioned in the Arnhem Tram Depot. The leading Panther V tank moves off the Bridge and fires on several positions along the Eusebiusbuitensingel, causing some casualties among Cpl Packer’s Bren team (No 9 Platoon); the explosion is narrowly escaped by Cpl Gibbs from the Battalion Pioneer Platoon, who chose the same instant to dash across the open ground towards the schoolhouse, looking for a shot with his PIAT. Meanwhile, individual German survivors have begun to seek cover on the west side of the main roadway…one of the soldiers dart in front of a light recce car forcing it to halt briefly, which makes the vehicle a stationary target for Cpl Larrington’s ATG. No12 Platoon HQ, "C" Company takes a beating Cpl Maclellan (No3/1 ATG) takes out a German AFV The German Panther tank squashes any SS casualties that cannot move out of its path on the Nijmeegseweg Cpl Gibbs’ narrow escape A German Light armoured car halts to avoid a fellow soldier crossing its path… …and is a sitting duck for Cpl Larrington’s ATG
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0633 hrs Pvt Pitcairn (No12 Platoon) makes a dash for the building on the corner of Oost Straat and Westervoortse Dijk, the same structure where a severely wounded Cpl Macdowall had to be abandoned. While a teammate attempts to stabilize Macdowall’s wounds, Pvt Pitcairn eliminates a German on the embankment, then turns his attention to the StugIII; a direct hit on the rear of the Stug knocks it out of action. With a single PIAT round left, Pvt Pitcairn spots a Panther V on the Bridge heading for the town exit and puts his final round into the side of its turret. In the No5 Platoon position near Kade Straat, Pvt Nicolson makes his way to the upper floors of his building and searches for a target on the Bridge. Pvt Nicolson spots a halftrack and stops it in its tracks with a well-placed PIAT round; outside his window he can hear the Panther V moving nearby. An enemy halftrack that maneuvered its way off the Nijmeegseweg in the smoke and headed towards the Eusebiusbuitensingel finds the area too hot, as it becomes the target of various small arms fire, abruptly turns towards the schoolhouse and heads deeper into Arnhem. As the halftrack remounts the Nijmeegseweg, Cpl Grey’s team from No9 Platoon suddenly opens fire from the rear of the school, though the Germans probably had no time to think about, let alone react to, this threat as Cpl Larrington’s No4/2 ATG has a clear shot at the AFV and puts two rounds through its hull…there are no German survivors. Pvt Pitcairn (No12 Platoon), after eliminating a nearby SS trooper, takes aim at the rear of the StugIII astride the Nijmeegseweg… …and another German AFV takes a direct hit Pvt Pitcairn appears unstoppable, now taking a shot at his earlier nemesis, the Panther V, and scoring a hit on the turret On the other side of the Bridge, Pvt Nicolson of No5 Platoon takes aim at a passing halftrack… …and turns the vehicle into a burning wreck Cpl Larrington’s No4/2 ATG fires on the German halftrack near the schoolhouse
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0632 hrs Bullets are flying in all directions, like angry bees buzzing around a hive; Cpl Macdowall is killed instantly as he peers through a window to assess his Section’s situation. Several teams, including a nearby 2” mortar from No12 Platoon, begin to concentrate on the Heavy Armoured Car, but it is No11 Platoon’s Pvt Elder who delivers the killing shot with his PIAT and then finishes off the crew with a second round dropped in their midst. The Stug reappears from the smoke near the schoolhouse, spraying the building with MG fire which kills Pvt Inglis. A Panther V also makes its presence known at the northern end of the Bridge when it lobs a shell into the St Walburgis Church Tower, eliminating Cpl Liming’s entire 1/2 MG team. This is evened out when the 1/1 MG from No2 MG Platoon (Sgt Bell’s Vickers) returns to the action; Pvt Richmond has now manned the gun, despite small fires that have begun burning in the surrounding walls, unloading a steady stream of hot death at anything that moves off the Nijmeegseweg. Meanwhile reports are radioed to HQ that large numbers of SS troops are on the south side of the Bridge moving northwards. Cpl Macdowall slumps back against the wall, blood spurting from a head wound Pvt Elder (No11 Platoon) knocks out a German Armoured car Cpl Liming’s Vickers (No 1/2 MG, 1st MG Platoon) goes silent Pvt Richmond (No 1/1 MG, 2nd MG Platoon) gets his Vickers back into the action Large numbers of SS troops are spotted beginning to move across the Bridge from the south side
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0631 hrs As the Germans began to appear on the Nijmeegseweg, Sgt Macaulay of No2 MG Platoon brings his 2/1 MG into action, killing several troopers as they emerge from the smoke. Meanwhile, Pvt Pitcairn decided to vacate his position near the Bridge and report back to his CO, Lt Maceachen, but as he makes his way through the back gardens, he can hear the sounds of a firefight in the middle of the No12 Platoon position. A German heavy armoured car audaciously rushed the buildings holding half of the platoon but was scared off with point-blank fire from 3rd Section, which was scattered among several houses. Several other German AFVs begin to maneuver off the main road and attempt to break into the town. Sgt Bell’s No 2/1 MG from No2 MG Platoon fires on SS troopers as they emerge from the smoke screen Carnage on the Nijmeeseweg Pvt Pitcairn repositioning from the house astride the Bridge…the battle has come to him Cpl Pentland’s team from 3 Section, No12 Platoon firing down into the German Heavy Armoured Car from point blank range A German recce AFV speeds across the Westervoortse Dijk and into the middle of the No12 Platoon position along Oost Straat The German vehicle retreats back across the Westervoortse Dijk while under fire from Cpl Macdowall’s team
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0630 hrs The smoke does indeed mask the German movement into Arnhem; vehicles can be heard but no direct sightings. Troops are eventually seen emerging from the smoke to the eastern side of the Nijmeegseweg, with an armoured car making for the Eusebiusbuitensingel and Oost Straat. At the same time, with vehicles advancing on the Bridge, Pvt Pitcairn (No12 Platoon) observes a Panther from his position and places a PIAT round into its turret; this did not kill the tank, which reversed and sprayed Pitcairn’s position with MG fire. The Germans succeed in getting some troops off of the Bridge Pvt Pitcairn stalking a Panther V A direct hit on the turret…not a kill but hopefully some damage and maybe even panic, which could cause a traffic jam on the Bridge
