After a Thursday away on business with the Picts and Scotti north of Hadrian’s Wall, our trusty reporter resumed duties this time in December 1944. The setting was the North-West Ardennes, as the Panzers of 2nd Panzer Division’s Kampfgruppe Bohm headed for the Meuse bridges at Dinant. Rushing towards them were the hastily manned tanks of the British 29th Armoured Brigade’s 3rd RTR, re-equipping behind the lines with the new A34 Comet, but now ordered back into action with their old Shermans and supports. The clash took place in and around the small hamlet of Foy Notre Dame.
The Germans moved onto the table uncharacteristically slowly. Maybe they were conserving fuel? The Hetzer hunkered down behind a wall, the Pz MkIV advanced gingerly along the Southern edge with only the Panther craftily disguised as an M10 making a fast advance in the North.
The British deployed as best they could, having to use either the bridge or the ford as entry points. Luckily, they managed to get the Achilles into position facing the “German M10”. Less lucky was the Sherman who found himself exposed on the Bridge staring down the road at a Panther. His shot missed as did the return fire of the Panther.
The “decoy” Panther hunting down the Achilles or other targets, but acquisition amongst the farm buildings proved problematic. However, the Achilles did his job and soon one Panther was a burning wreck.
In the South the Pz MkIV and Tony’s Shermans traded desultory shots, resulting in damage to the Panzer. Chris decided to make a run for it with his Panther which charged up the road only to find the enemy melting away and hiding. Once again acquisition proved elusive, and the dice didn’t help.
The Hetzer also broke cover but Chris simply couldn’t manoeuvre into position for a shot.
The Panther took damage and Tony finally realised that by reversing his Firefly he could find cover and manage a side-shot into the German big cat. Cue another explosion marker being placed on a German tank.
With both Panthers out of action and all six Allied tanks still running the Germans conceded. The Meuse bridges at Dinant were safe and “Wacht am Rhein” had run its course in the North-West.
All had followed history, as Kampfgruppe Bohm was effectively wiped-out in December 1944. The points count had actually given the Germans a slight advantage, especially using the “unofficial” points system. However, most points were spent on the Panthers, so the loss of one so early in the game was a big set-back. It must also be said that the dice didn’t favour the Germans.
The WAT game also marked the nadir of Dave’s fortunes. Three games played that day; three losses. All of them featuring big doses of bad luck!
Next Thursday will see our indefatigable reporter pack his Havelock for duty at Cawnpore in North-Central India during the Mutiny.
Simon
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