MILITARY MODELLING – DECEMBER1979

C.S. Grant and friends

play last month's "Advance Guard" scenario

Background
The "Advance Guard" Teaser was
fought in Dover under the title of
"Spearhead" and, using 20mm
scale troops. The terrain, while
resembling that illustrated last
month, had to be slightly modified as
can be seen from map 1. This was
largely to fit in with the contour
shapes that were available. Despite
this, it remained a fairly complex
layout and because of the
dispersion of units I have gridded
the first map so that the initial
dispositions can be easily referred to.
The terrain details are explained on
the map. The table prepared, the
two sides (German and American)
were briefed and familiarised with
their roles.

The German Preparations

The lot of defender fell to the
German forces commanded by Pete
Sheppard and Ray McGarry. They were
given the full brief which appeared in last month's instructions. This served to amplify the aim which
was "to delay the enemy during the hours of daylight in the area of the table". They then commenced,
suitably armed with gridded map to detail the sub-unit dispositions and write orders. The troops of
course did not go down on the table but were noted in their places of concealment. The results of these
deliberations are shown in the table.
As can be seen from these dispositions (Map 1) the German plan expected the approaching enemy
to make their main thrust down the road to the southeast, through the two villages and then swinging
east. The axis was therefore defended in depth with other positions planned to fall back to in the area
of the hill H6. The northern approach was also covered in depth, though less strongly, with the section
of infantry on the hedge line and prepared to fall back to a secondary position around the pond at G2.
The central feature was to be covered by fire from both flanks as well as artillery and mortar fire,
while the two tanks in the sunken road were poised to face a threat from any direction.
-1-
 MILITARY MODELLING – DECEMBER1979

The American Preparations

"D' or "Dog" Company with its supporting elements was commanded by that old Confederate, Major
"Bandy" Green, assisted by Chris Spickett. He was given the outline brief that he commanded the
"Spearhead" of the advance force and also the details which were covered last month. His aim, you
will recall, was to carry out the duties of advance guard, clearing the axis up to and including the hill
feature 13,14 and \5. This latter feature was to be secured by last light.
The advance guard consisted of:
a. "Dog" Company HQ.
b. 1 platoon.
c. 2 platoon.
d. 3 platoon.
e. 1 section of two anti-tank guns.
f. 1 section of 2 medium mortars with 1 OP.
g. A troop of 3 medium tanks,
h. B troop of 3 medium tanks.
i. First recce section of 2 scout cars,
j. Second recce section of 2 scout cars,
k. Two OP parties for two batteries of medium artillery (guns off the table).

The following plan was decided upon by the US forces. Approaching from the west on the northern
road a force of scout cars supported by a platoon of infantry would clear the village at C1 after an
initial bombardment. They would then press on along the northern side of the central feature. The main
force of two troops of tanks and two platoons of infantry would thrust down the southern road as far
as D5 and, having deceived the defenders as to their real purpose, would then swing north east over
the central feature to link up with the northern force. They would push on east to secure their
objective bypassing the enemy where possible.

The Action
So much for the plans — now for the action. It was decided that in addition to the instructions
provided last month, a degree of delay would be imposed on the attacking force to represent the time
already taken in advancing to the edge of the table. Taking the duration of the day to be from 8 o'clock
to 5 p.m. there were nine hours of possible activity. A single die throw determined the number of
hours after day light that the US "Spearhead" would reach the table. The resultant "4" in this case,
meant an arrival time of mid-day and at this stage the game began.
In the first period the two sections of recce vehicles entered, fanning out from the northern
road while a platoon of infantry remained on the road some distance behind. Similarly the two troops
of Sherman tanks proceeded the infantry on the south road. Artillery response from the German
defenders was swift and accurate and one of the US tanks was immobilised for 4 periods with a torn
track. By the second period and despite the speedy advance of the scout cars in the north, it was
clear that the main attacking forces were on the south road. The first visible indication of the
defenders was the profile of a Pzkw IV tank turret edging its way along the north side of the
sunken road. Meanwhile the American batteries, off the table, had adjusted onto the farm at 01
and were putting down a considerable weight of fire on it.
The weight of fire on the farm drove the concealed scout car from its cover, but as it broke
from the side of the house it received a hit from a shell splinter which tore off its right rear road
wheel and immobilised it in full view of the enemy. Almost simultaneously, one of the US scout
cars was "brewed up" by the defending tank now at the northern shoulder of the sunken road.
The immobilised German scout car was hit again in the sixth period but it persisted in putting
down fire which was making life unpleasant for the other US scout cars. At this stage the southern
force was pressing on towards the village at D5. As the tanks approached under cover of artillery
fire, which had now switched to this village, the German anti-tank gun at F6 opened fire on the
leading tank but as this was obscured by smoke, fire and debris it failed to achieve a hit.
In period 8 the infantry now south of the farm in C2 came under fire from the section in the
hedge at E1 and were forced to dismount. A brisk fire fight ensued during which the already twice
hit and immobilised German scout car was eventually destroyed. The next period saw the village at
D5 occupied by US infantry and an anti-tank gun established there. It was therefore something of
a surprise when the section of Germans in the wood opened a well co-ordinated fire inflicting
several casualties. The village secured by infantry, despite the latter distraction, the armour began
to push on towards the second village at F6. The German anti-tank gun in this area having fired
-2-
 MILITARY MODELLING – DECEMBER1979

successfully at the leading tank was itself destroyed by the return fire. However, it was the last
round to be fired by this tank because it was hit in the side by the German tank, which had
worked its way round the wood to E7, and caught fire. If this was not sufficient to discourage the
Americans, the second tank which was rather over-eager in its approach to the second village, was
destroyed by the platoon anti-tank
weapon at F6. Just to the north the
third tank, having repaired its track,
was engaged against the German
tank at the south end of the sunken
road but without success for either.

At right, MAP 2, the situation in period 10.

The northern thrust has been slowed,
several scout cars have been destroyed and
the infantry have deployed from their
transport. To the south the US forces are
making better progress. Despite the loss of
several tanks the plan is succeeding and the
3rd platoon with B squadron are switching
direction and moving north east.

In the centre, the second platoon

of infantry with the B troop of tanks
was swinging north east as planned
up the central feature. To the north a
second US scout car was destroyed
by the German tank at the north end
of the sunken road. Regrettably, this
tank was too engrossed in its mission
to see the US tanks from B troop break the skyline of the central feature, D4, overlooking the
sunken road, so the first indication of their presence was the direct hit on the side of the German
tank which was destroyed. In the same period the German section at E1 lost its half-track
transport destroyed behind the hedge while HE called down from the mortar OP destroyed a third
US scout car. At this stage the situation was as shown on map 2.
The US central force began to move rapidly east crossing the sunken road and moving down
onto the road running north of the feature. The German anti-tank gun at the edge of the hedge
was put out of action by the remaining US armoured car. The remaining section of infantry at the
hedge broke cover at this stage to avoid the left flanking platoon attack which the US platoon was
developing.

Below left, MAP 3. Platoon attacks are being mounted (period 13) on the two forward German sections while the US main
thrust had broken through the central feature overrunning the German Mortars. Below right, MAP 4 (period 18), the US
"Spearhead" has secured its objective by mid-afternoon and the remains of the German defenders are being harrassed as
they retreat south east.

-3-
 MILITARY MODELLING – DECEMBER1979

They were almost immediately intercepted by one of the centre formation sections, which
debussed to oppose them, thus cutting off their withdrawal. To the south, the German platoon
anti-tank weapon was destroyed by fire from the other village while the US platoon in that village
was also about to attack the section of German infantry holding out in the wood. The duel
between the remaining US tank and the German tank in the sunken road concluded successfully
for the latter.
By period 13 (map 3) the US lorried infantry were pushing on towards the house and pond at
G2 and G3. The B tank troop, having crossed the sunken road overran the German mortars at G4
as their brave crews continued to pump round at the village D5. Further south the German scout
car which had broken from the wood and moved up towards the south end of the sunken road
was hit and destroyed by one of the US tanks crossing the hill feature towards the German
mortars. In the following period the German infantry at the village G6 were embarking into their
transport and their compatriots in the wood D6 were doing the same; the latter in some haste to
avoid the assault of the US platoon.
In the succeeding periods the German section in the north was virtually destroyed by the US
platoon attack supported by artillery fire. The American tanks pushed on to occupy the ridge in 13
and 14 with a platoon of infantry to physically secure the position. In the south, the two sections
of German infantry realising the futility of attacking such a force withdrew east of the table on the
south road, harried by the American platoon from the village. By period 18 the outcome shown in
map 4 clearly indicates the US success.

-4-