Operation Market garden

Part 1

Today Will visited,  providing the opportunity to play a game or two:

Operation Market Garden is a battle, or series of battles I have wanted to try for a long time.  I have had an eye on the Memoir '44 scenario, which is played using the 'Overlord' rules.  The map is enormous and quite complex.  To make things even more problematic, I wanted to use figures on a wargames table.  After pondering for a while, I decided upon 1/300th scale figures and vehicles.  I already had most of the stuff needed to represent XXX Corps as well as the 1st Airborne Division.  The Germans were also largely catered for and I just needed to make up some more infantry units. Most of the scenery was also available.

This is the Memoir '44 scenario (north is on the left):

As can be seen, although complicated, it is a rather simplified version of the campaign map.  The many waterways and canals are reduced down to the three main crossings; Arnhem, Nijmegen and the Meuse/Wilhelmina Canal bridge to the north of Eindhoven (I assume this to be the Grave bridge).

As I planned to use figures I decided upon a larger battlefield, which was set out on an 8 x 4 table.  Here is a picture taken during the setting up.  Arnhem is closest to the camera, then Nijmegen, with Eindhoven in the distance, with the three main water obstacles clearly visible:

The battle begins on September 17th 1944, the landings have taken place and minor rivers and mopping up of isolated German units is complete.  However; the germans are now alerted and are pushing reinforcements into the area from the east.  

Here are the opening stages. The British 1st Airborne Division has landed west of Arnhem and is starting to move towards the town in an attempt to seize the bridge (top right), while the US 82nd Airborne Division has landed south and west of Nijmegen, tasked with capturing the town and its bridge (top left):

XXX Corps cross the start line (the bridge is missing!):

In the area of Eindhoven, US paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division have landed between the town and the Grave bridge.  German reinforcements are on the move and in the distance, top left, the leading elements of XXX Corps can be seen.

The 101st attempt to rush into Einhoven to secure the route for XXX Corps and a brisk battle breaks out.

Meanwhile, the 82nd Airborne begin to move towards Nijmegen, which is strongly held by german infantry.

Up in the north, the British begin to advance from the landing ground:

Back in Eindhoven elements of the 101st become embroiled in a battle on the northern outskirts of the town and take heavy casualties:

The 101st hopes are raised as tanks of XXX Corps begin to engage the Germans in villages to the south of Eindhoven.  However, German tanks arrive and begin to drive the US paratroopers out of the northern outskirts:

The 101st are forced back away from the bridge.  One of their landing grounds are captured, but US anti-tank guns also reduce the german tanks.  despite managing to force back the 101st and halt the XXX Corps advance only a small element of the original German force clings on to the town.

Up in the north the British airborne reconnaissance dash forward in their jeeps and ambush some German armour, but take heavy casualties.

The German column is severely mauled, but the remaining tanks destroy the jeeps and their crews:

Despite the heroics of the recce jeeps, this does not stop more heavy armour rolling into Arnhem town, although a parachute battalion manages to get into the eastern woods, but with heavy casualties. The newly arrived tanks begin to cut up the lightly armed british paratroopers.

Some help comes in the shape of some RAF Typhoons, but they cause little damage and the tanks maintain their onslaught.

German infantry sweep away the remnants of the parachute battalion

The German infantry move into the town as more infantry rush forward along the far side of the river.

Another allied airstrike comes in, this time it is US P-51s.  This time the effect is much more damaging and several tanks are destroyed.  But, the British paratroops are unable to enter the town and capture the bridge.

Back down towards Eindhoven the 101st Airborne, now with support from the tanks and artillery of XXX Corps clear the last german resistance from the town.  The US paratroopers capture the bridge over the Meuse.

The leading tanks of XXX Corps cross the Meuse, via the Grave Bridge.

However, the 82nd are far from taking the Nijmegen Bridge and the German are massing reinforcements in the town.

Unfortunaetly Will had to depart rather urgently and so the battle was suspended at this point. I am hopin to continue in a few days time.

More Herald Trojan Warriors

 I had a few more Trojans hanging around and I thought it might be fun to paint them.  I have a plan for these figures, but will see how things go before i confirm what it is.

Rome vs Carthage

 

A few says ago, Bob Black visited with the aim of employing my 54mm Punic War figures in a Command and Colors Ancients battle.  The figures were laid out on the table and quite impressive they look, Rome on the right, Carthage on the left:

A view from the opposite direction:

The Carthaginian army consisted of a significant number of Spanish infantry and cavalry, African heavy infantry, Numidian light infantry and cavalry, as well as several units of Gallic warbands and cavalry. They also had an elephant (which neither of had worked out how to use).

Carthage began the action with Numidian light cavalry and skirmishers moving quickly forward to engage the Roman first line:

The left flank:

The right flank:

Bob's plan to ride down my skirmish line was largely ineffective as Roman heavy cavalry crushes the Numidian light horse and then ploughs into some Spanish light infantry.

Over on the opposite flank more Carthaginian cavalry join the fray.  Here the Numidians do better, supported by some medium mercenary cavalry, which moments later are destroyed on Roman spears.

The same fate befalls the Numidians on the right flank as Roman cavalry pushe them back.

Some of the Roman skirmishers do fall, but the Spanish light are destroyed.

In another wave, Numidian light infantry shower Roman auxiliary archers with javelins, but with little effect.  However the lightly clad Numidians suffer from Roman arrows. 

The Numidian cavalry on the right rush forward again and are met by Roman cavalry.  This tussle would go on for much of the battle, with the Numidians slowly pushed back.

Having resisted the Carthaginian skirmisher's attack it was the turn of the Romans to harry their enemy.  The Romans were more successful causing a lot of damage to their opposite numbers.

The battle swung back and forth in the centre as waves of skirmishers fight it out, however, Roman medium infantry move up in large numbers and sweep the lighter enemy away

Roman infantry pushing into the centre:

Bob, decides that it is time to unleash his Gallic warbands:

...... and having carefully studied the rules, launches his elephant, with great success.  Roman medium infantry are scattered as the beast ploughs forward:

On the other flank Bob's Spanish heavy cavalry charge into the Roman horse causing mayhem.

The Roman heavy cavalry is destroyed:

But these attacks are not enough to stem the tide of retreating Carthaginians.  Most of Bob's cavalry and the bulk of his light troops flee the field cause a rout (brought on by lunch being ready).  Bob concedes victory with a score of 9 - 4 to the Romans.

This was a great game.  The rules are excellent, although we did get a few things wrong, which might have changed the outcome a bit.  

Till next time.

HaT Carthaginian Afican Heavy Infantry

 The latest and the last  last contribution to my 54mm ancient armies for the time being, are these rather splendid African infantry from HaT.  

It took me a long time to find these figures as they are long out of production.  Eventually, I located some in Italy, which were a reasonable price, although the postage price was somewhat eye watering.

This latest batch completes my Carthaginian army, which will take to the field when Bob Black visits tomorrow:

Britains Herald Trojan

 I have been looking for a suitable figure to pose as a general for my Carthaginian army.  I didn't want to spend too much money on this figure and metal models turned out to be very expensive.  However, I spotted a plastic figure online that might do the trick and he was very cheap.  He is a mounted 'Trojan' and he sits on a cheap white plastic horse.  In his free arm he carries are rather odd, Roman style, banner.:

I thought I would try and adapt him for my needs.  The first thinkg I did was to cut off the banner and replace it with a sword.  Having mounted the figure on a wooden base I painted it with my Speed paints.  here is the result:

Not perfect, but I think he will do the job until a more suitable figure comes along.

Some more Ancients

 Last night, I finished off a group of Italeri Celts.  They were really nice to paint, with sharp definition and very clean lines.  

I also managed to find a small group of the elusive HaT African Infantry for my Carthaginian army.  This was really a test paint as I have now found a complete box of these figures which are already on the painting table.  I may repaint these as I think the armour should be bronze rather than leather and the shields look a bit bland:

Finally, four Romans came with the Carthaginians and they have received a splash of paint:

Italeri Romans

 Another unit is added to my 54mm Ancient armies.  This time it is a group of Romans by Italeri, painted with speed paints over a couple of evenings.

I am currently working on more HaT figures, including some Carthaginian African Heavy infantry.