Trouble in Tecklenburg

With retirement looming our reporter has been told to “slow down” by the bureau, so the hectic pace of reporting is dropping. After a week’s break he headed to North Germany in early April 1945. Although the war is clearly lost for the Germans some units continue to fight doggedly on.

The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, part of 11th Armoured Division are under orders to take the small town of Tecklenburg. With their shiny new Comet tanks they are now confident enough to go toe-to-toe with anything the Germans still have. The Germans are from the “Von Clausewitz” Panzer Division, an Ersatz unit thrown together from various training units. Its vehicles may be a motley collection but the crews are all seasoned professionals.

The Germans roared onto the table with the mighty Jadgpanther heading West seemingly into oblivion. Dave’s Stug took up a defensive position in cover

and the PzIVs prepared to hold the South of the table around the Church. As befitted their leadership, the British sought to confuse by employing random tactics. The heavily armed Comets and Archer stayed on the defensive, seemingly un-nerved by the Jagdpanther whilst the Cromwells ventured further into the open.

Things seemed to go badly for Jerry when a Comet managed a flank shot on the Jadgpanther, and soon the mighty cat had lost three command dice. Chris crashed him into a wood to lick his wounds, but shrewdly turned him to threaten any advance. The British lacked the nerve to go for the kill and missed their chance as Chris restored a dice. In the South the Tony’s Cromwell charged forward but met a grisly end when a PzIV came round the corner of the Church and despatched him with a single flank shot.

Finally Rob took Tony’s so-called advice and charged his Comet out of cover to confront the Jadgpanther. At close range the Jagdpanther despatched him with a single shot.

Things looked grim for the Fife and Forfars. The Stug and Archer traded long-range shots until a German 75mm shell struck home and plunged through the 3 dice of armour. 

With only two tanks left running and all four Germans still in the game, it was decided to award the victory to the “Von Clausewitz.

Simon