Big Cat Hunting

Racing from the 4th century AD to August 1944, our overworked correspondent found himself in the small French village of St Evenage Sur Dives. The Allies have finally broken out of Normandy and are sweeping South-West to try and entrap the bulk of the German army. A reinforced Sherman troop from the 4th Canadian Brigade were under orders to take the village and its stone bridge to both prevent its use by the retreating Germans and also allow allied armour to continue the advance in the area. Facing them were Panzers from 2nd SS Panzer Division with orders to hold the village.

The Canadians came on with an M4 in the lead,

and the Firefly holding back in cover. The Achilles, wary of its paper-thin armour also held back looking for targets. The second M4 and Stuart started to advance through the Southern area of the village accompanied by an infantry patrol. The Tiger I started to roll forward along the Northern edge of the table, whilst the Stug took up position near the Northern end of the Bridge. Hidden behind hedges and “low profile” this German proved very difficult to spot. To add to the Allied dilemma a German patrol also pushed into the village.

Things didn’t go well for Phil’s Sherman as it rolled through the cornfields towards the Tiger. However instead of succumbing to an ’88 shell, the 75mm L48 of the Stug tried a long-range shot. Result another “Tommy Cooker”.

With both infantry teams identified and the location of both German tanks now known, the Allies started to move their vehicles North. Tony’s M4 Raced into the open to try a flank shot on the Tiger, but the “heavy armour” proved its worth. Caught in the open Tony’s M4 proved the Ronson motto...” It lights first time”.

Phil’s Stuart began a cat-and-mouse game with the Stug which had ventured out of its riverine lair to help the Tiger. Racing through the rubble Phil managed a rear-shot which removed 1 dice, but the Stug is a tough old beast. Back in the North the Firefly and Achilles gingerly approached the Tiger and traded shots. Rob suffered two temporary damage but without playing the German WAT card it could have been even worse. With only 4 dice he found it hard to target the Canadian armour as they lurked in the rubble and woods.

Chris decided not to help his feline partner and instead concentrate on hunting down Phil’s mighty Stuart. Phil responded with a “fast” move that saw the M5 roar over the stone bridge and hunker down behind the “hump-back”.

At this point it was decided to “call it” as a draw. The British had the objective but both German Panzers were still operational, even if the Tiger was “on the ropes” and may have succumbed in further turns.

Everyone seemed to enjoy it and once again we saw the advantages of the Tiger 1. However as Phil put it, “all the German eggs are in one basket and it only takes one lucky shot”. For the Canadians the lucky shot proved elusive.

Simon