TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

!urin& t)e +ast .ee/ o1 2u&ust and 1irst .ee/ o1 4e5te6ber 898: 4ir !ou&+as ;ai&<s= >irst= ?)ird and >ourt) 2r6ies beca6e inAo+Aed in a co65+eB series o1 o5erations intended to adAance t)eir 1or6ations to.ards t)e 1or6idab+e sCste6 o1 Der6an 1ie+dEde1ences ca++ed t)e F!"e$%&"ed !)e**u,$F G better /no.n to t)e Hritis) as t)e -",de,.u&$ /",eE ?)e ;indenbur& Iine .as 6ore a series o1 .e++Ede1ended Jones t)an a sin&+e +ine= and ;ai& .as deter6ined t)at t)ese 5ositions s)ou+d and cou+d be bro/en Kuic/+C as 5art o1 t)e onE&oin& 2++ied o11ensiAeL ;o.eAer= des5ite t)e ra5id adAances 6ade bC t)e Hritis) and 2++ied 1orces in ear+C 2u&ust 898:= it .as acce5ted t)at t)e i65osin& stren&t) o1 t)e ;indenbur& Iine .ou+d 5ose t)e adAancin& Hritis) 2r6ies .it) 5ro1ound and un5recedented c)a++en&esL

?)e 0&121u&)34u56,) /",e Ma+so ca++ed t)e !NEIineO .as one o1 t)e 6ost 5o.er1u+ sections o1 t)e .ider ;indenbur& IineL Pt consisted o1 a 1ront and a su55ort +ine= bot) abundant+C 5roAided .it) concrete s)e+ters and 6ac)ineE&un 5osts= and .as 5rotected bC dense 6asses o1 barbed .ireL ?)e Ai++a&e o1 Qtain& .as incor5orated in t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine and )ad been 1orti1ied bC Der6an 1orcesL >orti1ied 5ositions suc) as Qtain&= and nei&)bourin& Ai++a&es suc) as !urC and

789e :6& ;6.",e) <1u*d .e21=e 6,x"1u? "% <e &e2e"@ed 9e6@A Bu,"?9=e,) ", 6))62C",$ )9e -",de,.u&$ /",e <")91u) ?u22e??D 4ir ;enrC Si+son to ;ai&= te+e&ra6 T9 2u&ust 898:

Ua&nicourt= a+so bene1ited 1ro6 su55ortin& rear 5ositions .)ic) cou+d 5roAidin& en1i+adin& 6ac)ine &un 1ire and 1ie+d arti++erC su55ort Mt)e +atter 1reKuent+C bein& de5+oCed in an antiEtan/ ro+eOL

The Nature of the Fighting

?)e actions 1ro6 t)is 5eriod are c)aracterised bC co65+eB co6bined attac/s bC Hritis) and Uo66on.ea+t) in1antrC and ?an/ Uor5s 1orces .e++ su55orted bC care1u++C 5+anned arti++erC and 6ac)ine &un barra&esL 2++ied arti++erC bC t)is sta&e in t)e Sar 5ossessed tre6endous 5o.er and intensitCV t.entC bri&ades o1 1ie+d arti++erC and e+eAen o1 )eaAC arti++erC a+one su55orted t)e Uanadian Uor5s< attac/ on 5art o1 t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine 1acin& !urCE 2++ied arti++erC de5+oCed s6o/e eBtensiAe+C to 6as/ t)e adAances o1 attac/in& 1orcesL

?)e +osses su11ered bC t)e ?an/ Uor5s in t)e batt+e o1 26iens in ear+C 2u&ust )ad +ed to a tendencC not to use ar6our in adAance o1 in1antrC troo5s un+ess de1inite resistance de6anded t)eir e65+oC6entL ?an/ su55ort .as a+so co65aratiAe+C 6ea&re .)en Wud&ed a&ainst t)e AerC +ar&e nu6ber o1 tan/s e65+oCed at t)e start o1 2u&ust 898:V t.o co65anies o1 Xar/ Y tan/s .ere a++otted to eac) o1 t)e t)ree attac/in& diAisions o1 t)e Uanadian Uor5s adAancin& on t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine= si&ni1icant+C +ess t)an .ere 5ro5ortionate+C aAai+ab+e at 26iensL ?an/s .ere 1reKuent+C +ed u5 to t)e startin& assau+t 5ositions durin& t)e ni&)t= t)e noise o1 t)eir asse6b+C bein& dro.ned bC aero5+anes 1+Cin& oAer t)e areaL

HC contrast= Z2> su55ort .as considerab+eL ?)e ne.+CEna6ed ZoCa+ 2ir >orce sKuadrons .ere desi&nated s5eci1ic tar&ets 1or attac/ and interdiction= so6e sKuadrons coEo5eratin& .it) tan/s= so6e dea+in& .it) Der6an antiEtan/ &uns and ot)ers su55ortin& 2++ied attac/in& diAisionsL

>acin& t)e Hritis) and t)eir Uanadian and 2ustra+ian a++ies .as a 5o.er1u+= .e++Eor&anised and s/i+1u++CEsited Der6an de1ence sCste6L ?)e 5ositions on t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine .ere abundant+C 5roAided .it) concrete stron&5oints and 6ac)ine &un 5osts= antiEtan/ &un 5ositions and dense 6asse o1 barbed .ireL ?)e ce++ars o1 1orti1ied Ai++a&es Msuc) as at Ua&nicourtO .ere a+so used to +ocate Der6an de1ensiAe 1orces and 5rotect t)e6 1ro6 2++ied arti++erC barra&esL

Der6an de1ensiAe tactics .ere bein& re1ined continua++C= .it) a AarietC o1 antiEtan/ .ea5ons bein& used inc+udin& t)e de5+oC6ent o1 5ur5oseE6ade [\66 )i&) Ae+ocitC antiEtan/ &uns= 86,C$e<e9& 8[LT 66 antiEtan/ ri1+es= 1ie+d arti++erC 1irin& oAer o5en si&)ts and= in cases o1 des5eration= s5ecia++C eKui55ed 5ioneer tea6s .it) satc)e+ and ]concentration^c)ar&es Mt)e +atter co65risin& a bund+e o1 )and &renades .ired to&et)erOL

Der6an de1ensiAe resi+ience .as= )o.eAer= beco6in& Aariab+e bC t)is sta&e in t)e SarL ?)ere .ere 5oc/ets o1 intense resistance_ t)e Uanadian attac/ on t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine 1aced reso+ute o55osition 1ro6 re&i6ents o1 t)e 8st and Tnd Duard ZeserAe !iAisions and t)e [rd ZeserAe !iAisionL ?)ese troo5s .ere ca5ab+e o1 1i&)tin& ]bitter+C and s/i+1u++C unti+ reduced to +itt+e bands o1 eB)austed 6en^L >reKuent+C= )o.eAer= resistance cou+d be inconsistent or .ea/= 5articu+ar+C in t)e ear+C sta&es o1 a daC<s 1i&)tin& .)en Der6an de1enders cou+d be oAer.)e+6ed bC t)e sca+e o1 a++ied assau+ts and t)eir co66and and co66unications dis+ocated bC 2++ied arti++erC barra&esL S)et)er t)e increasin&+C +ar&e nu6bers o1 Der6ans surrenderin& in t)e batt+es 1or t)e ;indenbur& Iine .as a 5roduct o1 .arE.eariness or as a resu+t o1 t)e di11icu+tC in )o+din& 5ositions in a ra5id+C cru6b+in& de1ensiAe sCste6 Aaried de5endin& on t)e 5articu+ar Der6an units de5+oCed and +oca+ circu6stancesL Uonte65oraries noted a+so t)at resistance cou+d sti11en durin& eac) daC as initia+ Der6an co66and 5ara+Csis .as counteracted and contro+ reassertedL

The Wargame

?)e .ar&a6e .e 5resented at t)e Sar&a6es 4out) s)o. at HoAin&ton inn `u+C Ta8T .as based on t)e 1i&)tin& a+on& t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine in ear+C 4e5te6ber 898:= and in 5articu+ar t)e attac/ bC t)e Hritis) bt) Pn1antrC !iAision on t)e Der6an 1orti1ied Ai++a&e o1 Qtain&L ?)is .as a 1ar 6ore 6obi+e sta&e o1 t)e Sar t)an t)en t)e batt+es o1 t)e 4o66e and

7)9e )62)"2? <e&e ,e2e??6&"*A *e%) *6&$e*A )1 d"@"?"1,6*E .&"$6deE .6))6*"1, 6,d e@e, B*6)11, 21==6,de&?F )9eA <e&e ?1=e)"=e? .&"**"6,) 6,d ?1=e)"=e? %6u*)AD

cassc)endae+eL ;o.eAer= t)e Hritis) 2r6C<s abi+itC to 6ou+d an e11ectiAe ]co6bined ar6s^ 1orce and its deter6ination to ]&et t)e Wob done^ in 1inis)in& t)e .ar .as 1ine+C ba+anced a&ainst a Der6an de1ence .)ic) uti+ised e11ectiAe 6odern .ea5onrC in .e++Esited de1ensiAe 5ositionsL

?)e ru+es used .ere ]?)rou&) t)e Xud and t)e H+ood^ 1ro6 ?oo>atIardiesL ?)ese ru+es ai6 to re5+icate in 6iniature so6e o1 t)e /eC 1eatures o1 t)e 1i&)tin& in t)e Dreat SarL Se )o5e t)at Cou .i++ be ab+e to 5ost so6e o1 t)e tactica+ 1eatures 6entioned in t)is )andEout in our &a6eL

EtaingV T 4e5te6ber 898: 1ro6 a Hritis) ?renc) Xa5 8V 8a=aaa sca+e

MZed +ines and 6ar/in&s de5ict Der6an 5ositiona+ de1encesO

TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

German Briefing

dou are ;au5t6ann e+ric) Aon He/ o1 t)e 8f\t) ZeserAe Pn1antrC Ze&i6ent= an eB5erienced Der6an 1ie+d co66ander tas/ed .it) t)e de1ence o1 t)e section o1 t)e !"e$%&"ed !)e**u,$ around t)e 1orti1ied >renc) Ai++a&e o1 Qtain& in ear+C 4e5te6ber 898:L dou )aAe been 1i&)tin& a+6ost continua++C since t)e ]H+ac/ !aC o1 t)e Der6an 2r6C^ in ear+C 2u&ust 898: .)en die Qn&+ander bro/e t)rou&) Cour +ines east o1 26iensL

2+t)ou&) Cour 6en are tired and batt+eE.earC t)eC sense t)at t)e 6ost i65ortant 5art o1 t)e 1i&)tin& t)is Cear is about to co66ence as Cou )aAe 1a++en bac/ to t)e 6ain batt+e +ine o1 t)e !"e$%&"ed !)e**u,$L Pt is )ere t)at Cou= and t)e rest o1 t)e Der6an 1orces in >rance .i++ 6a/e Cour stand to )a+t t)e 2++ied attac/s and buC ti6e 1or rein1orce6ents to be brou&)t to t)e >rontL

2s Cou surAeC t)e .estern6ost 5art o1 t)e Ai++a&e o1 Qtain& Mt)e 5oint nearest t)e Hritis) +inesO= Cou see t)at it )as been )eaAi+C 1orti1iedL ?)ere is a rein1orced concrete bun/er concea+ed in a burnt out residentia+ )ouse on t)e 6ain trenc) +ine= and a concrete second bun/er en1i+adin& t)e Ai++a&e Wust in 1ront o1 t)e su55ort trenc)L ?)e ce++ars o1 t)e )ouses= U)urc) and )ote+ in t)e Ai++a&e )aAe a++ bein& used as 6a/es)i1t troo5 s)e+tersL ?)e )ouses and t)e U)urc) are a+so connected bC a trenc) .)ic) turns into a tunne+ +eadin& to t)e crC5t o1 t)e U)urc)L

He)ind t)e su55ort trenc)= t)ere is a re&i6enta+ aid 5ost and an antiEtan/ e65+ace6ent M+ar&e enou&) 1or a \\66 1ie+d &unO= a+t)ou&) t)e e65+ace6ent is constructed o1 1e++ed trees and not concrete o.in& to t)e increasin& s)orta&e o1 resources and a&&re&ates in t)e >at)er+andL >urt)er bac/ sti++ is a s6a++ co5se .)ic) )as 1urt)er 5re5ared 5ositions 1or arti++erC and 1ie+d &unsL G89e 6"d B1?)E )9e 6,)"3)6,C e=B*62e=e,) 6,d )9e 21B?e <"** 6BBe6& 1, )9e !u,d6A $6=eH

2++ in a++= Cou consider t)is to be a stron& 5ositionL dour concern +ies on+C .it) t)e 1orces under Cour co66andL dou are s)ort o1 troo5s= 6anC o1 t)e gu& M5+atoonsO in Cour re&i6ent bein& underEstren&t)L dou are a+so concerned about t)e 6ora+e o1 Cour 6enL ?)eC )aAe been 1a++in& bac/ 1or t)ree .ee/s= under constant )arass6ent 1ro6 Hritis) aircra1t= s)e++ed re5eated+C bC Hritis) arti++erC and )aAe 1ou&)t o11 nu6erous attac/s bC Hritis) and t)eir P65eria+ a++iesL dou are concerned t)at t)eir 6ora+e is beco6in& increasin&+C britt+eL dou .i++ )aAe to .or/ )ard to ensure t)at t)eC staC 1ocused and reso+ute 1or t)e batt+e .)ic) is a55roac)in&L

2 +ist o1 Cour 1orces is on t)e neBt 5a&eL

?)e 1ront +ine Der6an 1orces 1ro6 t)e Tnd Uo65anC o1 t)e 8f\t) ZeserAe Pn1antrC Ze&i6ent can start in anC +ocation on= or be)ind= t)e 1or.ard trenc) o1 t)e !rocourtENuRant +ineL ?)e Der6an Zein1orce6ents Der6an Zein1orce6ents 1ro6 t)e [rd Uo65anC o1 t)e 8f\t) ZeserAe Pn1antrC Ze&i6ent .i++ arriAe in t)e !rocourtENuRant su55ort trenc) s)ort+CL

Dood ;untin&!

TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

German Order of Battle

2nd Company of the 4OPth Reserve Infantry Regiment S morale reasonable, experience regular>irst c+atoon E b Hi& Xen M>i)nric) `oac)i6 Yo&e+ M4tatus PPPO= jberDe1reiter 2do+1 gie&+er M4tatus PPO= De1reiter >ritJ Her&6ann M4tatus PO= De1reiter ;ans >assbinder M4tatus POO

enderEstren&t) 5+atoon o1 T: 6en co65risin& Ta ri1+e6en in t)ree sections= and : bo6bers in a 1ourt) sectionL 2nC o1 t)e bo6bers .it) )and &renades can construct a $e.6**)e /6du,$ Mconcentration c)ar&eO to use a&ainst t)e Hritis) tan/sL

T XDa:s )eaAC 6ac)ine &uns= eac) .it) f cre.L 2nC Hi& Xan 6oAin& a XDa: .i++ 6oAe at a 6inus 8 ]5i5^ 5er 6oAe6ent dice to si6u+ate t)e re+atiAe di11icu+tC o1 6oAin& t)ese )eaAC 6ac)ine &uns around t)e batt+e1ie+dL Hot) XDa:s )aAe a65+e su55+ies o1 ar6our 5iercin& 46kL 266unitionL

jne \\66 Ie*dC6,1,e 8l .it) jberDe1reiter >e+iB katJ M8flt) >ie+d 2rti++erC HatterCOM4tatus PPO G de5+oC o11 tab+e Mdirect 1ire= but .it) 1irin& 5ena+tiesO but can be 6oAed onEtab+e

jne [\66 antiEtan/ &un .it) t)ree 6an cre. G de5+oC on tab+e

86,C$e<e9& 8[LT 66 antiEtan/ ri1+e .it) T 6an cre.

jne sni5er

German Reinforcements S deploy at entry point along the Drocourt-:uUant support trench on the third turn of the Snifter CardE

3rd Company of the 4OPth Reserve Infantry Regiment S morale reasonable, experience veteran

;au5t6ann e+ric) Aon He/ M4tatus PYO = .it) card ]d6? J*K2C de? 8eu%e*?^ Ma ]!eAi+<s Iuc/^ cardO= one 1or.ard arti++erC obserAer 1or Der6an 4j4 barra&eL

T mUjsV jber>e+d.ebe+ Zo+1 en&er M4tatus PPO= De1reiter ;ans 4tur6er M4tatus PPO

8 understren&t) 5+atoon= co65risin& Tb 6en G : ri1+e6en= : bo6bers ManC o1 t)e bo6bers .it) )and &renades can construct a $e.6**)e /6du,$ Mconcentration c)ar&eO to use a&ainst t)e Hritis) tan/sO= 8 XDa:n8f +i&)t 6ac)ine &un .it) t.o 6an cre.= b stosstru55en .it) ]sKuirtE&uns^ Meit)er Xc8: Her&6anns or U9l Xausers .it) snai+ dru6 6a&aJinesO

TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

British Briefing

dou are Ua5tain Qd.ard Sest1errC o1 t)e 9t) Hatta+ion= !u/e o1 Se++in&ton<s Ze&i6entL dour re&i6ent )as a 1a6ous na6e= and an i++ustrious 5ast G no. is t)e c)ance 1or Cou to add to Cour re&i6ent<s batt+e )onoursL

dou are an eB5erienced 1ie+d co66ander= tas/ed .it) t)e ca5ture o1 t)e Der6an 1orti1ied Ai++a&e o1 Qtain& on a )eaAi+C de1ended section o1 t)e ;indenbur& IineL ?)e Ai++a&e +ies in t)e section /no.n as t)e !rocourtENuRant Iine Ma+so ca++ed t)e !NEIine bC t)e sta11 .a++a)s and red tabsO= and Cou /no. 1ro6 t)e brie1in& &iAen to Cou CesterdaC t)at t)is .i++ be a tou&) nut to crac/L

Pnte++i&ence )as been receiAed 1ro6 a ta+/atiAe Der6an 5risoner t)at t)e .est o1 t)e Ai++a&e M.)ere Cou .i++ attac/O is de1ended bC a nu6ber o1 1orti1ied bun/ersL dou a+so )aAe been to+d t)at t)e Der6ans )aAe used t)e ce++ars underneat) 6anC o1 t)e )ouses in t)e Ai++a&e as troo5 s)e+tersL ?)e ZoCa+ 2rti++erC .i++ be &iAin& t)e Ai++a&e a &ood 5astin& be1ore Cou set o11= but Cou are concerned t)at t)is 6aC not be enou&) to .in/+e out t)e ;unL

dou )aAe t.o 5+atoons in t)e 1irst +ine o1 Cour co65anC .)ic) s)ou+d be enou&) to 1i&)t into t)e Ai++a&eL Xind1u+ o1 t)e tou&) 1i&)t a55roac)in&= Cou )aAe detai+ed t)e second 5+atoon to 1ocus on ]6o55in&Eu5^L dou<Ae tas/ed >irst Iieutenant Xi++.a++ o1 [rd c+atoon= ]2^ co65anC .it) t)is WobL 2+t)ou&) )e is an un5o5u+ar o11icer and a AerC co+d 1is)= )e is undoubted+C e11icient and Cou<re sure )e .i++ do a decent Wob o1 conso+idatin& Cour &ainsL

2s Qtain& is a 5rioritC tar&et in t)e oZed Iine^ o1 t)e Hritis) attac/= D;N )as a+so 5roAided Cou .it) a section o1 Xar/ Y tan/s 1ro6 t)e ?an/ Uor5sL ?)eC are +ed bC >irst Iieutenant U)ar+es ki65ton= a+t)ou&) t)e 5oor 1e++o. +oo/s a+6ost done inL dou<Ae s5o/en to )i6 seAera+ ti6es about t)e route o1 attac/ into t)e Ai++a&e G )e is AerC concerned t)at inside t)e Ai++a&e )is tan/s cou+d &et bo&&ed do.n in t)e rubb+e= but outside t)e Ai++a&e )is tan/s cou+d be )it bC 1ie+d arti++erC 1irin& oAer o5en si&)tsL dou .is) t)at t)e c)a5 .ou+d be a bit 6ore 5ositiAe G but Cou eB5ect t)at= &iAen t)e )i&) casua+tC rate a6on&st t)e tan/ies= t)e 1e++o. )as a ri&)t to be a +itt+e bit &+oo6C 1ro6 ti6e to ti6eL

4ti++= bot) ki65ton and Cou are a&reed t)at t)e section o1 t)ree tan/s is t)e best .aC Cou )aAe o1 1i&)tin& into Qtain&L 2ccordin&+C= t)eC )aAe been 5ositioned s+i&)t+C in adAance o1 Cour in1antrC in reco&nition o1 t)e tou&) Der6an de1ences .)ic) are eB5ectedL dou are con1ident Mand 6ore con1ident= it a55ears= t)an Iieutenant ki65tonO t)at t)e tan/s can5ac/ a 5o.er1u+ 5unc)= es5ecia++C i1 t)eC can &et a6on&st t)e ;un be1ore )e co6es out o1 )is bun/ers 1ro6 t)e barra&eL

dour 1orces start on t)e base ed&e 1urt)est 1ro6 Qtain&L dou )aAe t)e t)e c)oice re&ardin& )o. Cour 1orces .i++ enter t)e tab+e= in .)ic) order and at .)at ti6esL

Dood Iuc/!

TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

British Order of Battle

“A” Company, Cth Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment S morale reasonable, experience regularE

Company H: E Ua5tain Qd.ard Sest1errC M4tatus PYO= t.o runners= Hritis) >or.ard jbserAer M8bt) Z>2 re&i6ent= HatterC ]!^O

2nd Platooon, “A” Company, Cth Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

4er&eant >ran/ H+ac/.a++ Mstatus PPO= Uor5ora+ `ac/ Hec/ton M4tatus PO= Uor5ora+ Si+1rid ;oBton M4tatus PO= Uor5ora+ ;aro+d 4te5neC M4tatus PO

>our sectionsV MiO ei&)t 6en co65risin& t.o baConet 6en= siB bo6bers_ MiiO ei&)t ri1+e6en_ MiiiO ei&)t 6en_ t.o .it) a Ie.is &un 5+us siB a66unition carriersnri1+e6en MiAO ei&)t 6en_ 1our .it) ri1+e &renade +aunc)ers= 1our .it) a66unition to act as +oadersL

Understrength 3rd Platooon, “A” Company, Cth Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

4econd Iieutenant ;arrC Xi++.a++ Mstatus PPPO= Uor5ora+ 2+1 4)ad.e++ M4tatus PO= Uor5ora+ Hi++ Ii6e)ouseM4tatus POL

?)ree sectionsV MiO ei&)t 6en co65risin& t.o baConet 6en= siB bo6bers_ MiiO ei&)t ri1+e6en= a++ o1 .)ic) are trained as ]trenc) c+eaners^_ MiiiO ei&)t 6en_ t.o .it) a Ie.is &un 5+us siB a66unition carriersnri1+e6enL

NoE \ Section, 4st Company, “B” Battalion, Tank Corps

4ection Uo66ander= >irst Iieutenant U)ar+es ki65ton M4tatus PPPOL

>our Xar/ PY tan/sV

! t.o Xa+e M]H+ac/ crince^= co66anded bC 4econd Iieutenant ?obC Ie6s1ord Mstatus PPO= \ ot)er cre._ and ]Hri&and PP^= co66anded bC 4er&eant !ic/ S)it.e++ Mstatus PPO= \ ot)er cre.O

! t.o >e6a+e M]Hans)ee^= co66anded bC 4econdEIieutenant Zu5ert Ia6er.ood Mstatus PPO= .it) \ ot)er cre.= and ]He++adonna^= co66anded bC 4econEIieutenant >rancis 2Cot= .it) \ ot)er cre.OL

>irst Iieutenant ki65ton s)ou+d start in one o1 t)e tan/s= but can +ead on 1oot= or c)an&e tan/s as circu6stances dictateL 2++ 1our tan/s )aAe su11icient su55+ies o1 1ue+ and a66unitionL Qac) tan/ )as one1ascine or crad+e to enab+e it to cross t)e !rocourtENuRant 1or.ard +ine Mboards f and lOL jnce dro55ed= t)e 1ascine cannot be 6oAedL ?)e 6ora+e o1 a++ tan/ cre.s is reasonab+e= t)eir eB5erience re&u+arL

TooFatLardies at Bovington, 2342

Breaking the “D-: Line”< Etaing, France, 2nd September 4C48

Umpire’s Notes

!ic$or' )o*di$io*sV ?)e Hritis) 5+aCer .ins i1 )e )as bro/en into t)e Ai++a&e o1 Qtain& ]in a si&ni1icant 6anner^L ?)is .onder1u++C e+astic ter6 +eaAes t)e e65ire= or 5+aCers= 1ree to decide .)et)er= &iAen t)e circu6stances o1 t)e &a6e= t)eC 1ee+ anC Hritis) 5enetration into t)e Ai++a&e is robust enou&) to surAiAe 1urt)er Der6an counter attac/sL >or 5+aCers Mand e65iresO .antin& a 6ore e65irica+ 6easure6ent o1 success= t)e Hritis) 5+aCer .i++ .in i1 )e )as at +east one 5+atoon o1 at +east )a+1 stren&t) and t.o tan/s= .it)in Tb^ o1 t)e Der6an base+ine bC t)e end o1 t)e &a6eL

-errai*V ?)e terrain .e used at HoAin&ton .as +oose+C 6ode+ed on t)e 8V8a=aaa sca+e Hritis) ?renc) Xa5 Mre5roduced aboAeO= .)ic) is aAai+ab+e 1ro6 t)e P65eria+ Sar Xuseu6 in U! 1or6atL jur tab+e siJe .as : 1eet B b 1eet= .it) t)e nort) )a+1 o1 t)e tab+e bein& moEXan<s Iand= and t)e sout)ern )a+1 bein& a 1or.ard and su55ort trenc) o1 t)e 4ie&1ried 4te++un&= .it) t)e bui+din&s o1 Qtain& in bet.een t)e t.o trenc) +inesL

Yie. o1 t)e tab+e 1ro6 t)e Der6an side Mon t)e +e1tO Qtain& in t)e botto6 ri&)t o1 t)e tab+e= and Mon t)e ri&)tO t)e Hritis) Aie.L

?)e terrain in moEXan<s +and is cratered= but not )eaAi+CL Se treated t)e area i66ediate+C be1ore t)e 1or.ard trenc) +ine Mto a de5t) o1 Tb^= or t)e de5t) o1 one terrain boardO as a++ +i&)t coAerL Qtain& itse+1 is a 1orti1ied Ai++a&eL Se sued a cou5+e o1 bun/ers in t)e &a6e= and t)ese s)ou+d be 5+aced .)ere t)e Der6an 5+aCer .is)esL ?)e Hritis) 5+aCer )as 1u++ si&)t o1 .)ere t)e bun/ers are 5+acedL ?)e bui+din&s in Qtain& are a++ considered to )aAe ce++arsL

0ri$ish 2e3lo'me*$V ?)e Hritis) 1orces start on t)e base ed&e 1urt)est 1ro6 Qtain&L ?)e Hritis) c+aCer )as t)e c)oice re&ardin& )o. )is 1orces .i++ enter= in .)ic) order and at .)at ti6esL

6erma* 2e3lo'me*$V ?)e 1ront +ine Der6an 1orces 1ro6 t)e Tnd Uo65anC o1 t)e 8f\t) ZeserAe Pn1antrC Ze&i6ent can start in anC +ocation on= or be)ind= t)e 1or.ard trenc) o1 t)e !rocourtENuRant +ineL ?)e Der6an Zein1orce6ents

Der6an Zein1orce6ents 1ro6 t)e [rd Uo65anC o1 t)e 8f\t) ZeserAe Pn1antrC Ze&i6ent de5+oC at entrC 5oint a+on& t)e !rocourtENuRant su55ort trenc) a1ter Tp8!l turns o1 t)e 4ni1ter Uard

0ri$ish 7r$iller' 0arrageV 2t t)is sta&e in t)e Sar= Hritis) and 2++ied arti++erC barra&es .ere a55roac)in& t)eir Jenit)L XanC o1 t)e attac/s e+se.)ere on t)e !rocourtENuRant +ine on T 4e5te6ber 898: .ou+d be AerC )eaAi+C su55orted bC co65+eB arti++erC barra&esL 2ccordin&+C= it see6s a55ro5riate t)at t)e Hritis) 5+aCer s)ou+d a+so )aAe an indication o1 t)e 5o.er o1 t)e arti++erC 1orces aAai+ab+e to )i6L ?)e Hritis) 5+aCer is t)ere1ore a++o.ed an arti++erC barra&e in su55ort o1 )is attac/ in t)e &a6eL ?)e barra&e coAers an area b:^ inc)es .ide bC 8T^ dee5= and is se+ected be1ore t)e start o1 t)e &a6eL ?)ere is no deAiation dice 1or 5+acin& t)e barra&eL ?)e barra&e +asts t)ree turns o1 t)e 4ni1ter cardL 2nC unit cau&)t .it)in t)e barra&e su11ers l!l 1or e11ect= reducin& coAer bC one +eAe+L ?)e Hritis) 5+aCer 6ust in1or6 t)e e65ire at t)e start o1 t)e &a6e .)en t)e barra&e is to co66ence Meit)er at an actua+ ti6e= or in t)e turn o1 t)e ! t) 4ni1ter UardL

6erma* 9:9 7r$iller' ;ireV 2dd bot) a ]Der6an 4j4 2rti++erC >ire^ card and a ]Der6an Uo66unications !o.n^ card into t)e card dec/L ?)e Der6an 5+aCer s)ou+d )aAe at +east one turn MP su&&est t.oO in .)ic) t)e ]Der6an Uo66unications !o.n^ card is in t)e card dec/ be1ore t)e introduction o1 t)e ]Der6an 4j4 2rti++erC^ card into t)e card dec/ to si&ni1C t)e 1erocious Hritis) interdiction o1 Der6an 1ie+d arti++erC batteries .it) )i&) eB5+osiAes and &as s)e++s at t)is sta&e in t)e .arL ?reat t)e Der6an 4j4 2rti++erC barra&e as in Zu+e 8aLb o1 t)e ]?)rou&) t)e Xud and t)e H+ood^ ru+esL L1)e 1, u?e 1% 7;1==u,"26)"1,? 01<,D 26&dM <9e, u?",$ 6, !N! 6&)"**e&A 26&d O&u*e PQRQR O!uBB1&) S,")?T 6,d &u*e RUQP O!N! I"&eTTE 6dd 6 7;1==u,"26)"1,? 01<,D 26&d ", )9e 26&d de2CQ VeeB 6 )&62C 1% )9e ,u=.e& 1% )"=e? )9e 7;1==u,"26)"1,? 01<,D 26&d 96? .ee, d&6<,Q W% )96) ,u=.e& ex2eed? )9e ,u=.e& 1% )"=e? )9e !N! 6&)"**e&A ?uBB1&) 26&d 96? .ee, d&6<,E )9e, ,1 !N! 6&)"**e&A "? 6@6"*6.*e O)9e &e6?1,",$ .e",$ )96) 21==u,"26)"1,? )1 )9e !N! 6&)"**e&A .6))e&"e? 96@e .ee, d"?&uB)ed )9&1u$9 21u,)e&3.6))e&A %"&e 6,d $e,e&6* 6&)"**e&A ",)e&d"2)"1,TQ

Cards

British German Common

Hi& Xen Hi& Xen ?i6e 1or a 4ni1ter

Hritis) H+inds Der6an H+inds

Uo66and PnitiatiAe P BT Uo66and PnitiatiAe P BT

Uo66and PnitiatiAe PP B8 Uo66and PnitiatiAe PP B8

Uo66and PnitiatiAe PPP B8 Uo66and PnitiatiAe PPP B8

Uo66and PnitiatiAe PY B8 Uo66and PnitiatiAe PY B8

?an/ Uor5s Honus XoAe MBTqO Der6an 4ni5er

Hritis) >or.ard jbserAer Der6an >ie+d 2rti++erC

Hritis) 2rti++erC 4u55ort Der6an XDa: MP r PPO

Der6an 2ntiE?an/ Dun M[\66O

Der6an 2ntiE?an/ Zi1+e

Der6an >or.ard jbserAer

Der6an 4j4 2rti++erC

Der6an Uo66unications !o.n

]06? J*K2C de? 8eu%e*?^

q2 +ess &enerous e65ire 6aC 5re1er to &iAe t)e Hritis) 5+aCer on+C one ?an/ Uor5s Honus XoAe cardL ;o.eAer= t)e t)in/in& be)ind a++o.in& t.o .as t)at t)e Hritis) attac/s .it) tan/s on Tnd 4e5te6ber a55ear to )aAe been care1u++C 5re5ared= .it) 1e. tan/s brea/in& do.n o.in& to 6ec)anica+ 5rob+e6sL ?an/s a+so a55eared to /ee5 5ace .it) t)e adAancin& in1antrCL 2 co65ro6ise .ou+d be to a++o. t.o ]?an/ Uor5s Honus XoAe^ cards unti+= saC= t)e 8at) trun o1 t)e 4ni1ter Uard= 1o++o.in& .)ic) one card is re6oAedL

<is$orical :u$come< ?)e 1i&)t 1or Qtain& .as )arder t)an initia++C conte65+ated= reKuirin& t.o daCs be1ore t)e Hritis) and t)eir Uanadian a++ies )ad c+eared t)e Der6an 1orces out o1 t)e Ai++a&eL 2 nu6ber o1 co66entators noted t)at Der6an 1orces )ad been brou&)t 1or.ard into t)e Ai++a&e on t)e ni&)t o1 Tndn [rd 4e5te6ber 898:= t)e additiona+ rein1orce6ents 5ossib+C accountin& 1or t)e 5ro+on&ed Der6an resistanceL

-he >argameV Xore detai+s and 5)oto&ra5)s o1 t)e &a6e 5+aCed at HoAin&ton= and o1 ot)er .ar&a6es 1ro6 t)e Sestern >ront in t)e Dreat Sar= can be 1ound at t)e Roundwood’s World b+o&L

?)e Seb address 1or t)e re+eAant 5a&e is http<^^sidneyroundwoodEblogspotEcoEuk^2342^3P^breaking-d-_-line-after-action-reportEhtmlO

?)e ru+es used in t)e .ar&a6e= ]?)rou&) t)e Xud and t)e H+ood^= are aAai+ab+e 1ro6 t)e ?oo>atIardies .ebsite atwwwEtoofatlardiesEcoEuk