Bolt Action Battle Report: Market Garden Crossroads, British and US vs Germans

This Market Garden Crossroads scenario represents the Allied push into Holland roughly in the manner of Operation Market Garden.  We didn't have any allied Airborne forces, so that element is not represented.  However we attempted to recreate the British Commandos and armored forces which were a critical part of the allied liberation of the Netherlands.  The United States Army here is meant to represent some of the non-airborne forces involved and balance out the armor-heavy British army as well as provide Air support.

Fallschirmjäger forces were present in the German defense including the 6^th Fallschirmjäger Regiment which also fought at Carentan in France.  The Fallschirmjäger lacked a lot of really heavy weapons to counter allied armor and so here they have only a light squeeze-bore AT weapon.  Interestingly enough, Oberst Von der Hydte, the commander of FJR 6, did manage to commandeer a halftrack-mounted flak gun on his way to the battle.  The second German army represents what heavy armor and equipment was available to the German counter-attack.  We'll see if the lone Tiger I supported by a Hetzer can break up the numerically superior allied armor.  

     

The map represents the Dutch countryside approaching key allied strategic goals.  One heavily damaged building resides at the raised crossroad which is objective number one. There is a small supply depot on the left flank and a German communication hut on the right.  

The game will be slightly over 4000 points (1000 British, 1000 USA, 1000 German Fallschirmjäger and 1000 German Army) and will be Point Defense with the Germans defending.

An Approximate Army List will be included after the battle report.

Turn One:
The opening barrage from the British Artillery kills the German sniper team and adds pins on almost all German units on the table. Most of the large German units were held in reserve.

The British commander and US Sniper team move on to the board first along with the US half track which fire fires it mortar and misses. The Sherman advances but has no target. The Stuart arrives and fires a smoke round which successfully lands in front of the Hetzer and blocks its view.

The Cromwell moves on to the right side of the board, fires at the German Machine Gun Team and causes a pin. German mortar team fails their morale test. German Machine Gun Team and Panzerbüchse advance.

Additional US and British forces pour onto the board.German Vespa moves onto board and fires at US half track but misses.

German half-track advances and Fires at the Sherman it also misses but the German rifle Squad disembarks and heads for the ruins in the center of the board. The German SDKFZ 7 Flak Half-Track enters, fires on the British rifle Squad, hits and kills two commandos

US Infantry, US Air Observer and British Artillery Observer all enter the battle on the left side of the board.

Final German forces enter. US and British both had an infantry squad in reserve for flanking. The German Tiger and British Firefly both remain off the board.

Turn Two: 
The US smoke screen dissipated at the start of turn two. The German Flak Half-Track fires at the British Rifle Squad again, this time killing three. US Infantry Squad that disembarked the truck takes the ruins in the center of the table, fires at German rifle Squad and killed three. German MG hits US Rifle Squad and the US lose one man.

German armored car advances and Fires at rifle Squad killing two including the NCO the US rifle team had taken a pounding but stand fast.

Cromwell advances fires at the Panzerbüchse and kills one of its crew and the US Rifle Squad take additional hits.

German Wespe heads across German side for a better view and the British Rifle Squad advances to the fence line near the ruins.

The Sherman advances on the left flank and fires MG rounds at the German Panzergrenadier unit holding the crossroads. The German Half-Track retreats to pick up the Lt near the depot and the Artillery Observer calls in a barrage (represented by the bottle).

The US truck advances to provide cover for the British Rifle Squad. German Artillery Observer calls in a barrage (represented by the bottle).

The Tiger finally enters the game and fires at the Cromwell!!

Thankfully for the British, the shot missed!

The US advance on the left.

Both artillery Observers and the US Air Observer all call in fire to end turn two.

Turn Three:
Three begins with artillery. The British cause pins to four German units...

the German artillery pins 5 units and kills the British captain!

The US air strike arrives and the fighter bomber fires and destroys the German Wespe.

German machine-gun Nest fires and kills two more of the US Rifle Squad in the ruined building. German armored car moves and fires killing two British Commandos

The German Fallschirmjäger advance and fire both Panzerfaust at the Cromwell unfortunately for the Germans, both miss. The US Rifle Squad takes another hit. Then the German officer fired and killed one additional US Rifleman in the building leaving only four.

The Sherman tank advances and hits the German Grenadiers killing two and adding additional pins up to five total. The Stuart once again adds a smoke round to cover the Sherman. The US rifle squad on the left advance across the field and fire at the Grenadiers. They hit but failed to wound.

The Tiger, knowing the Sherman is there, fires at US armor but due to the additional cover, misses its mark. The Cromwell Fires at the German MG again and kill one more. British rifle Squad Fires at the German officer but miss. The Hetzer misses the Sherman, German Squad advances and fires on British but no wounds and the German Lieutenant gets in the half-track which then advances and fires on the Sherman immobilizing it.

Turn Four:
It's any armies game at this point as we enter Turn 4. Sherman fire is its machine guns at the German Rifleman killing one and fires its main gun at the German armored car which uses its recce move to back into the smoke.

German half-track fired its rear machine gun at US Infantry Squad killing two.

The Commandos assault German infantry at the ruins, killing two including the NCO they lose one commando in return and route the Germans which allows them to move into the ruins.

US half-track advances Fires at German Fallschirmjäger killing one and adding another pin. In return, the Fallschirmjäger assault the half-track but fail and regroup on the other side.

Finally, the British Firefly moves on to the board and fires a long shot at the German Flak Half-Track which destroys it. US truck moves to block line of sight from the tiger to the Cromwell.

Stuart again lays down another smoke round ending turn four.

Turn Five:
The turn commenced with the German Fallschirmjäger moving, firing and killing the British sniper team. The US assault the German half-track, they also fail and regroup on the far side. Sherman tank fires MGs and hits unit at the crossroads killing one German then fires main gun at half track causing it to be stunned.

Commandos in building move and fire at German Panzerbüchse, they hit but caused no wounds.

US half-track advances, fires and hits Fallschirmjäger adding a pin but no kills. US Mortar Team fires at Panzerbüchse hits and kills one leaving only one crewman.

The Tiger prowls forward looking to make a difference, fires and destroys US half track. US sniper team fires at German unit in Crossroads. He fails to score a kill but hits, adding up to ten pins they fail their morale check break and run.

British flanking Commandos enter left side of the board and take the Supply Depot objective. US flanking rifle squad enters on the right and take the German communication post. The US also fire and kill the German artillery Observer. This is a key moment in the game, gaining two objectives, the game swings too the Allied side.

Turn Six:
This could be the final turn unless a roll adds a seventh turn. It opens with the British artillery Observer retaliating and firing at the German lieutenant but fails to cause a wound. British Firefly advances and uses his machine gun to attack the officer covering the crossroads and they kill him.

Sherman fires and misses Hetzer...

the Hetzer advances and kills the Sherman! British Commandos finally kill the Panzerbüchse unit. German mortar team in a final flurry, kills US mortar team and German half track attempts to fire at Commandos on Supply Depot but the lieutenant had gotten out of the vehicle so there is no one manning the gun! The Stewart fires an HE round and destroys the half-track.

The Commandos assault the German armored car they do take one casualty from fire on the way in but they destroy the vehicle.

The large US Rifle Squad takes the central crossroads thus the Allies secure all three objectives. The roll to see if the game continued failed and the game was over.

On the allied side, the Sherman tank did a great job at holding up the entire center of the board including the Hetzer, the large Panzergrenadier Squad, German half-track, armored car and even distracting the Tiger tank. On the German side, the Tiger failed to cause an impact but the SDKFZ 7 Flak Half-Track with quadruple light auto cannon posed a much larger threat to the infantry and the entire right flank. The US flanking unit could have been thrashed if the German vehicle remained. As it had posed the largest threat, the Firefly chose it versus the Tiger for its first shot. The game was fun for all involved, despite the failed German rolls, and for the first time in several games the attacker was the victor. We welcome any comments or questions and check the approximate army list below.

Have A Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Allies 2,203 points and 17 Order Dice

U.S. 1,103 points and 10 Order Dice

Captain Regular 110 points

Air Force Forward Observer Regular75

2 ½ Ton Truck with HMG Regular 64 points (Transporting one Squad)

Jeep with HMG Regular 46 points (Note, not recce)

M 21 Mortar Carrier Half-Track Veteran 114

Squad 1 Regular (NCO with SubMG + 11 men with 2 BAR) 133 points

Squad 2 Regular (NCO with SubMG + 11 men with 2 BAR) 133 points

Sniper Team Veteran 65 points

M 4 Sherman 75MM with Pintle HMG Veteran 195

M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage Veteran 168 points

British 1,100 points and 7 Order Dice

Captain Veteran 125 points

Cromwell Veteran 234 points

Sherman Firefly Veteran 366

Commando Team 1 Veteran (NCO with SubMG + 9 men with SubMGs ) 145 Points

Commando Team 2 Veteran (NCO + 8 men with rifles and 1 with LMG) 165 points

Sniper Team Veteran 65 points

Artillery Observer Regular free

Axis 2,183 points and 16 Order Dice

Fallschirmjäger 1,118 points and 9 Order Dice

First Lieutenant Veteran 90 points

Forward Artillery Observer Veteran 115

SDKFZ 251/10 Regular 156 (Note: Command Vehicle)

Squad 1 Veteran (NCO with SubMG + 9 men + 8 assault rifles + 1 panzerfaust) 178 points

Squad 2 Veteran (NCO with SubMG + 7 men + 2 panzerfaust + 2 LMG) 157 points

Panzerbüchse 41 Veteran 60

Machine Gun Team (MMG) Veteran 65

Wespe Regular 145

SDKFZ 7 Flak Half-Track with quadruple light autocannon Veteran 152

Panzergrenadier 1,065 points and 7 Order Dice

First Lieutenant Veteran 90 points

Tiger Regular 395 points

Marder Regular 165

Sniper Team Veteran 65 points

Medium Mortar Team Regular 50 points

Panzergrenadier Squad Veteran approx. 150 points

Panzergrenadier Squad Veteran approx. 150 points

Cromwell & Firefly From The Black Bull Division for Bolt Action

We have progressed a bit on the Bolt Action tank front. We completed one of out British Cromwells and the Sherman Firefly. Here is the Cromwell, ready for action and given markings for the British 11th Armoured Division, The Black Bull.

Both the Firefly and Cromwell are from the 23rd Hussars, A squadron. You can see the Firefly build here.

These guys have seen action already, now they will look the part. The Firefly has distinguished itself in the current ongoing Tank War.  More battle reports to come.

Have A Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Bolt Action Battle Report: British and US versus Germans

Welcome to our bolt action battle report, A Bridge to Near! Our game was a 4 player ordeal with two German players pitted against one British and one USA player. Each person had 750 points at their disposal. The objective was for the British commandos to hold the bridge until relieved. Unfortunately for the Brits the bridge was to near to the Germans.

So the setup goes as follows, the commandos begin in the building next to the bridge. The sniper team takes position behind the buildings under cover of some stone walls. Their free artillery observer holds up in the tower to the north. All other British and US forces will come in as reinforcements.

The Germans set up their mortar, a large squad of Fallschirmjager infantry and their command unit all near the blown out manor house. These units are hidden at the beginning of the game. The rest of their forces will come in as reinforcements.

The US artillery, Sherman tank, bazooka team and infantry will come in the upper left corner of our map. The m18 Hellcat and additional infantry will reinforce the lower left side of the map. The British command unit Piatt anti-tank team and Sherman Firefly will come in at the center left of the map.

On the Germans right side of the table their panther, second large Fallschirmjager squad and the Panzerfaust anti tank squad all will come in to the north. The Stug and a third Fallschirmjager squad will reinforce the southern flank at the bottom right of the map. The German armored car and Puma will advance down the center right of the map.

Let the fun begin!

Lt Clarkson cursed to himself. He'd only been able to find his PIAT squad and dawn was only moments away. As he and the squad advance down the street they took cover behind a building. 

It was then that he noticed his sniper team crouching down behind some walls off to his right. Unfortunately it was also at that time when he heard the unmistakable sound of German armor.

A German Panther advanced into a wooded hillside across the river and fired at the building that he believed his commando squad was held up in. This morning was not starting off well.

Sergeant Riley yelled for his men to take cover as the Panthers round blasted a hole in the building. It was followed very quickly buy another blast towards the rear of the building.

"Collins get a couple men out back and see what the heck that was!" Riley ordered " That shot couldn't have come from the Panther too"

As Collins tried to get an eye on the additional armor that had entered the area, the tell-tale sign of an incoming mortar round made them all hit the deck. Unfortunately a German mortar round hit and killed the commandos sniper team.

"Blimey blokes where did that come from!" shouted Collins.

At the front of the building sergeant Riley saw in German armored car advancing down the road and a large unit of German Fallschirmjager advancing from the forest across the river. The German cars auto cannon fired at the building as well as the infantry.

"Everybody down!" Bellowed Riley.

Across the river and behind a stone wall there lurked another unit of Germans. They chose this moment to come out of hiding and fire towards the rear of the building.

Sergeant Reilly heard the thudding bullets, the scream and Jenkins yell "Collins is down!"

As the shells continued to slam into the building Riley urges his men on. 

"Come on mates we need to fall back a building before this thing comes crashing down on us"

Lt Clarkson seeing the other commandos entering the corner building decides to move out. 

"Get the led out boys let's go!" The PIAT team followed after him as they crossed the street to head for the cover of the corner building

The US forces finally arrive to aid the beleaguered commandos. The M18 Hellcat advances and fires at the German armored car across the river. The shot sales overhead. The German driver realizing his peril advances to take cover, this also gives him a clear line of sight to see the British crossing the road. His cannon and machine gun light up the British PIAT squad and eliminate them.

The American air observer takes position in the tower with the British observer to get a better view of the battlefield. The US Sherman tank advances but keeps the cover afforded by the tower. He does fire a high explosive round at the German mortar team but the shot falls short. US Infantry show up on the north and the south along with their artillery support.

Turn 3: "Sergeant what's our status!" asks lieutenant Clarkson.
"We lost Collins! and we took a lot of scrapes but everybody else is holding tight. What now!?" Riley exclaims as shells burst all around the building. 

The drone of a US Thunderbolt fill their ears. The US fighter bomber targets the German Panther with its rockets and guns and the German armor erupts into a ball of flame.

The US and German infantry on the north side of the map exchange fire and one German goes down. The German command unit and central Fallschirmjager unit cross the road to take cover in the wooded area. The SdKfz 234 or Puma an 8-Wheeled Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle advances to the bridge and fires for effect only. The armored car moves into the side street to get a better angle on the commandos building and also fires. The only thing hit is the building.

British Firefly finally arrives and advances to the crossroads. 

The southern most Fallschirmjager squad advances on the lower bridge attempting to outflank the British. 

The southern US infantry move into the woods to block the German advance.

Turn 4:

The British observer calls in artillery bombardment, but connections are bad and the call is delayed. The US airstrike is not delayed and for a second time a P47 lights up the German armor causing the Stug to explode and giving the German mortar team 6 pins! This effectively put them out of the game.

The German Puma falls back from the British Firefly and the central Fallschirmjager infantry advance to the bridge, fire on the US infantry and cause no damage.

The Hellcat advances and fires on the Puma. The heavy shell rips into the Puma destroying the vehicle. The US advance their M4 Sherman and fires its howitzer at the northern most Fallschirmjager unit. The explosion rips up the area and kills three Germans. The Shermans machine gun also gets three hits but fails to wound anyone.

Sgt Riley and his commandos move out of the building and into cover from the bridge. The German mortar team rallies but only remove two of the six pin markers.

Turn 5:

"I need that artillery support" Compton rages on his headset. The British observer watches the Germans advancing and knows time is not with them. "Yes!! The same coordinates!!"

Then the rain of shells fell from the sky. The barrage was on target and filled the designated area just to the west of the bridge with ground-shaking explosions! The German command squad was wiped out and the armored car was shaken but not damaged. The Panzer-Faust team took two pins and the central Fallschirmjagers took three pins.

This encourages the US infantry squad and Sherman to advance and fire at the northern Fallschirmjagers. The Germans suffer additional pins but no additional casualties.

Lt Clarkson, seeing the advancing US infantry, wheels and shouts his orders.

"Riley!! Take the bridge"

"Quite right!!" Sgt Riley responded "Jenkins you and the lads, follow me!!" and with that the Brits charge the bridge laying down a hail of bullets. They get 18 hits but only eliminate three Germans. In retaliation the stalwart commandos take two casualties!

The Hellcat tries to support the commandos attack but fails to hit.

The southern German infantry also fire at the commandos causing two additional casualties. The armored car fires too but only causes a pin. However in retaliation the Brits Firefly destroys the German vehicle.

Turn 6:

The first die fell to the Germans who fire their Fallschirmjagers at the commandos. 

"Sergeant!!" cries Jenkins. "As Riley is gunned down by Hitlers buzzsaw! Jenkins stands alone. 

"Jenkins! Wait" screams Clarkson as he moves toward the bridge. However in his terrible rage Jenkins charges the German ranks! He takes another German with him to his ultimate demise.

The northern US troops continue to fire and kill another German and the advancing Sherman pounds the far side of the bridge eliminating one more Fallschirmjager. 

The US bazooka team advances and fires but fails to hit.

The Firefly charges into action over the bridge and through the German Fallschirmjager  squad! 

The Germans scatter as the British armor cruises past and their Panzer Faust takes close aim at the side of the Firefly. Tension was high as the projectile hurtled toward the tank, hit and harmlessly bounced off.

Hellcat advances over southern bridge fires and kills one German infantry.

Turn 7:

The southern Fallschirmjagers  advance and the Hellcat falls back using its recce move. The German squad fires at the US infantry scoring 11 hits and 3 kills including the US NCO.

The German anti tank team fires at the firefly again, this time they miss altogether. The British tank fires on the unit holding the bridge but only pin them further.

The Sherman big gun removes three more Germans from the objective. The US infantry begin their move to cross at the shallows and fire killing an additional German, leaving only the NCO. He needed a 5 to pass his moral check and rolled a six!! Missing it by 1, he flees the objective.

The last northern Fallschirmjagers fire and kill the US bazooka team and on the southern bridge the Hellcat and infantry combine to kill three additional Germans. 

Lt Clarkson and his aide take the bridge! Finally as a parting shot, the US Howitzer finally hits the German mortar team who had been severely pinned. the German team was wiped out. In conclusion the British forces have control of the objective on the final move of the game!

Reflecting on the game, the German armor was terrifying, but were both eliminated by great rolls on the aerial attack table. That's 600 points, eliminated by a 75 point Air Force Forward Observer. For any US player, we highly encourage this unit!!

The allied armor all served their purposes and performed well. The Sherman in suppressing fire to support the infantry, the Hellcat in its anti armor roll and support for the infantry. It's recce rule allows it to get out of harms way most of the time. 

The Firefly didn't quite pull its weight but performed admirably as it literally charged into the action.