Operation Martlet - Table 4 – Striking at St Nicholas

As expected the British pushed deployment points into the orchard area, as well in a flanking position in the cornfields on the Southern table edge. The Germans pressed to get their deployment points into St Nicholas Farm, as well as covering the road.

The British initially deployed their Forward Artillery Observer, with a supporting infantry section, in a flanking position on the Southern table edge. They then deployed two infantry sections into the orchard area, which started working Eastward, supported by a Sherman, just south of the road.

This forced the Germans to deploy an infantry section into the Western edge of St Nicholas farmyard, but after dropping a couple of spotting rounds, the British FAO called a 3” mortar barrage down on the farm. The Germans then revealed a dug-in Mk IV, just South of the road, which immediately hit the Sherman, forcing it to withdraw in shock.

The two British infantry sections were now approaching the farm, through the orchards, so the FAO drew the barrage back toward the South-East, obscuring the Mk IV, clearing the Panzer Grenadier position.

The British Blue section, supported by the recovered Sherman, laid down fire on the Panzer Grenadiers in the farm, while Yellow section eased around the left side of the farm. However, Yellow section quickly discovered another section of Panzer Grenadiers, dig-in at the North-West corner of the farm. The four MG42s of the Germans started to inflict losses on the British infantry, which their return fire just could not counter. To prevent further losses, the British FAO walked the barrage back over the farm area.

Lifting the barrage from the Mk IV allowed the Germans to reveal an IG.18 gun, entrenched next to the Mk IV. Both of these proceeded to engage the infantry section on the Southern table edge, in the hope of neutralising the FAO. Sadly for the Germans, there appeared to be significant quality issues with their HE shells, because although the combined fire of two 75mm guns, was just not inflicting damage fast enough, because the mortar barrage on the farm was starting to inflict intolerable losses on the Panzer Grenadiers in the farm area.

Eventually the German Commander decided that these losses could no longer be sustained and called for withdrawal. However, even this withdrawal did not go well for the Germans, with the platoon leader and two section leaders being captured and only one member of Red section managing to sneak out from under the barrage!!