Last game of Spearhead for a few weeks until we return to it later in the year. This time, rather than Normandy, I wanted something where we could get a few more “toys” on the table, so I used the “Take the Twin Villages” scenario from the Rapid Fire Battle of the Bulge book.
British Forces (Regular)
Regimental HQ
1 – HQ Stand
1-57mm ATG / Truck
1-105mm Howitzer / Truck
1st Battalion
1 – HQ Stand
1-57mm ATG / Truck
1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – MG Platoon
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
2nd Battalion
1 – HQ Stand
1-57mm ATG / Truck
1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – MG Platoon
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
3rd Battalion
1 – HQ Stand
1-57mm ATG / Truck
1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – MG Platoon
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
Anti Tank Company (to attach)
2-M10
1-M20 (Recee)
Tank Company (to attach)
1 – Sherman 75
1 – Sherman 76
1 – Sherman Jumbo
1st Field Artillery
3 – 105mm (off-table) – 6 Fire Missions
1 – OP Team
2nd Field Artillery
3 – 105mm (off-table) – 6 Fire Missions
1 – OP Team
3rd Field Artillery
3 – 155mm (off-table) – 6 Fire Missions
1 – OP Team
4th Battalion – Reinforcements Turn 3
1 – HQ Stand
1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – MG Platoon
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
German Forces (Veteran)
Regimental HQ
1 – HQ Stand
1st Battalion Panzergrenadiers
1 – HQ Stand
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
2 – HMG
1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – 120mm Mortar/Car
1 – 75mm Pak 40/Truck
2nd Battalion Panzergrenadiers
1 – HQ Stand
3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
2 – HMG1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – 120mm Mortar/Car
1 – 75mm Pak 40/Truck
3rd Battalion Panzergrenadiers
1 – HQ Stand3 – Companys (of 3 Rifle Stands)
2 – HMG1 – 81mm Mortar
1 – 120mm Mortar/Car
1 – 75mm Pak 40/Truck
Gun Company (to attach)
1-150mm Infantry Gun/Truck
Flak Company (to attach)
2 – 20mm Flak/Truck*
Pioneer Company (to attach)
1 – HQ Stand
3 – Engineers Rifle/Flame in Sdkfz 251/216
Panzerjagaer Company (to attach)
1 – HQ Stand/Car
4 – Stug 75mm
Panzer Battalion
1 – HQ Stand/Car
1-Wirbelwind
6-Panther
6-Panzer IVH
Artillery Battery
3 – 105mm
1 – OP Team
Werfer Battery
3 – 150mm Werfer
1 – OP Team
The Game
The American forces deployed defensively to protect the two objectives (the villages of Rocherath and Krinkelt (a Battalion in each), whilst the American left flank was prorected by another Battalion, and the Tank Destroyer Company in the settlement of Lausdell Farm. Shermans were deployed on the US right flank.
The Germans began their advance over the first few turns, managing to avoid most of the “log-jam” in the corner.
Once the advance units had made there way through the fields, initial contact with the US forces was made.
Meanwhile, the American reserve Battalion advanced on their right to control the fields, and stall the German advance towards the town.
Meanwhile, the Germans pressed on…though they started coming under increasingly heavy fire, and losses were taken…
On the US left flank, the holding action was working as the German advance stalled – 2 Stugs were taken out, as well as some infantry squads, to the loss of a single M10.
The fighting in the fields on the US right intensified though, and casualties were heavy on both sides. The German Engineers taking the brunt of the casualties, before armoured reinforcements arrived.
The US artillery, particularly the 155s, began to have a serious effect in the middle though and many German platoons were taken out.
However, though the German armoured Batallion had taken some losses, the majority was intact.
Back on the left flank, bayonets were fixed, and close combat ensued. The US troops did enough to nullify the attack though.
The overall situation for the German forces was begining to look desperate, as they were approaching their time limit – they had broken the US reserve battalion, but had failed to take the town. Game over!
Another great game of Spearhead, now our go-to rules for this type of action. Taking a break from it now for a few weeks as we play By Fire and Sword. ‘Til next time folks…!