Operation Market Garden Part 2

 It has been longer than I had hoped to conclude this battle, but events have conspired against us.  COVID has stuck in Will's household and then Phil arrived and we played three Napoleonic battles (more later).  After Phil departed I was struck down with a bug, which I thought might also be COVID, but turned out to be something else.  Eventually I finished off the game but had to do this solo, which worked but was not as satisfying.

In the last instalment, the US 101st Airborne had captured the Grave Bridge and linked up with XXX Corps, who had pushed up through Eindhoven.  However, the US 82nd Airborne was still a long way from taking Nijmegen and its important bridge, having fought off numerous attacks from German armour and infantry. 

Meanwhile, British 1st Airborne was struggling in the outskirts of Arnhem and so far had failed to make into the town and onto the bridge.

The situation hangs in the balance.

Some XXX Corps tanks meet up with the now depleted 82nd Airborne and begin their move towards Nijmegen:

In Arnhem, 1st Airborne close in on the town but struggle to shift the determined German defenders.  Meanwhile, more Germans arrive from the south to beef up the defences.

1st Airborne attempt an assault using two battalions, and while they cause some damage they fail to evict the German defenders, who receive additional armor and infantry.

German artillery south of the river is also now in range of the British paras.  The British attack is beaten off with the Germans now heavily reinforced.

Back at Nijmegan attacks by the 82nd supported by tanks fail to get close to the town and its bridge.  The Germans try to demolish the bridge, but fail on their first two attempts.

With the 82nd held off and 88mm guns destroying the tanks on the highway the Germans try a third time to blow the bridge.  This time they succeed and the situation for the allies has altered significantly

Up in and around Arnhem the Germans now outnumber the British airborne, who now have less than a Brigade that is operational.  They conclude that the town cannot be taken.  Furthermore additional German troops are moving up from Nijmegen now that the bridge has been destroyed.

The battle ends at this point.  There can be no allied attempt to force a crossing at Nijmegen until XXX Corps moves up, captures the town and builds a crossing.  The 1st Airborne cannot take the Arnhem bridge and will simply have to hang on or be captured.  

This was a very interesting and enjoyable game.  For the Allies it is a very tricky situation and the battle was lost (I feel) because the 82nd could not get into Nijmegen.  They should have moved faster and not become embroiled in the battles to the north of Eindhoven during the early stages of the operation.  

A scenario worth playing again!