Operation Jupiter 27 – Regain the Point. 20mm WW2 battle report.

Introduction

This is game 27 in replaying the scenarios from the Briton Publishers Operation Jupiter skirmish scenario book.   Links to previous games are on this blog page.

Rules used

I am using my WW2 rules that I had for a 3x4 grid that I then made a gridless version for 2’x2’ games.  These games are larger forces on a bigger table (half a table tennis table or 4x5’x5’) so I have modified them a little so now added a few things from my older rules - unit card activation and now each figures is not suppressed but a section can be if fired on by enough dice.  They are very similar to rule I used 10 years ago.

Scenario

The Germans have 6 turns to recapture the orchard from the British.

 Troops

British

British (already deployed)

1xCompany HQ (4 figures)

1xPlatoon (10 figures)

1xPIAT team

2x17pdr AT guns

2 25pdr missions (average availability)

Germans

Germans

1xKompanie HQ (7 figures)

2xZuz (10 figures each)

3xTiger 1 (veterans)

 Deployment

The British deploy the 17pdrs to the rear but lined up on the gaps in the hedgerow.  The platoon is against the hedgerows with the CHQ as a reserve.  The PIAT team is at the corner edge but not sure how useful it will be.

The German entry viewpoint.  Note the gaps in the hedgerows.

Game

6 turns is not long.  The Germans will need to bring on everything fast – One Zug first, then send the Tigers through the gaps in the hedgerows.

Tigers come on, as does the first Zug. Then the 2^nd Zug and lastly the Kompanie HQ.

Germans are all on.

The British platoon (well, the two sections in range) fires at the lead Gruppe and two figures are KO. (now end of turn 2)

A solitary figure

The German 1^st Zug fire back but for no effect, the 2^nd Zug moves to the hedgeline and manages to rout a British figure.  But the British first section fires back again and 3 more German figures are gone.

A British section is down a figure and suppressed

It is getting a little attrition-like with both static on the hedgeline and exchanging fire.  The Germans manage to inflict two more casualties.

The foxholes have less troops than at the start

The British first section fires with 6 dice.  Need a 5 or a 6 to KO a figure, they do not hit a thing.  The German return fire and KO 2 British figures.  The Tiger tanks move to the hedgeline to help the infantry.

Tigers on the move

The 17pdrs have been waiting for this and open up, damaging a Tiger (can’t move).

The 17pdrs are lined up for this though

It is now end of turn 4, 2 turns to go.

The British CO successfully calls in the 25pdrs on the centre hedgeline.  Only one casualty, but the 2^nd Zug is suppressed.  The 17pdrs fire again and the center Tiger is kaput (very lucky)!

One Tiger down.

The British 1^st section is under fire and retreats.  The German 1st Zug and Kompanie HQ infantry advances deeper into the orchard.

Germans advancing

The German 2^nd Zug attempts to rally but some figures decide to rout, causing 2 morale checks and the 2^nd Zug pulls back a full move.

Retreating 2^nd Zug

The British 1^st section fails a morale check and retreats off the table.  The Germans win!  It was the 6^th turn as well.

Final positions

Verdict

Another loss to the British.  Another great and also close game – it could have easily gone either way.  And I remembered the British artillery support that was used to good effect.