Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

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Don McHugh
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Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Don McHugh »

Alan, Ian, Rob, George and I put this game on at the Exeter show today.

We used Rapid Fire rules and the scenario was our own work. All the terrain is mine and the models are a joint effort.

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Looking south with Cagny to the left. Looks very good tank country.

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The full table looking towards the south west.

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Looking from west to east, Bras is in the foreground.

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The western side of the railway embankment with Hubert Folie in the foreground.

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East of the railway embankment looking north. The cards on the back of the table mark the position og the off-table PaK43 88mm A/T guns.

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3rd RTR advance to the east of the railway embankment and immediately take fire from the long range 88's.

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The full regiment is now deployed and pushing forward, however casualties begin to mount.

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23rd Hussars cover the left flank, while the 2nd F&FY advance on Soliers.

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All 3 tank regiments advance across our 12' wide table.

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The going gets really tuff for 3rd RTR.

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German reinforcements arrive in the nick of time in the form of Panther tanks from 1st SS Panzer Division.

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Unfortunately to the east of the railway line the panthers didn't fair well and several were knocked out in the first exchange of fire.

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All the guns on the German right now engage the British tanks to try to slow the attack.

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The panther counter-attack around Hubert Folie begins to make head way. 3rd RTR are suffering very badly.

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Typhoons arrive over the table to add their fire. Unfortunately I think they loaded the wrong rockets.

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Casualties also begin to mount in 2nd F&FY as they try to move around Soliers. The front squadrons recoil from he German fire.

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Out on the British left, the 88mm in Cagny had been silenced and the German infantry in Le Portier had been spotted and engaged. The German gunners on this flank were having an off day.

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23rd Hussars are pushing ahead and heavily working over the German forces around Four. A lone panther to the right of Four is holding them up. All the 75mm shells are bouncing off it.

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23rd Hussars run over the German battery to the east of four. The Russian guns run out of AP rounds at the critical moment.

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German infantry reinforcements move to try and recapture Bras. Most of the panthers have now been knocked out, but there is very little left of 3rd RTR either. Things have got so desperate for 3rd RTR that a company of flail tanks has been pressed in to service. They are left middle of picture.

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As 2nd Northants arrive in support, it is a case of spot the undamaged 3rd RTR tanks. I think there was 3.

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over to the east the 23rd Hussars go around the panther to give them a chance to knock it out. With this gone there is little left to stop the advance on to the ridge.

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Over to the west a Sturmgestchz battalion arrives in support of the German infantry and a fresh tank battle breaks out.

It was at this point that we stopped after several hours of most enjoyable gaming.

We discussed British tank morale tests and where better the German forces could come on to better balance the game. However the Germans to the east of the railway embankment commanded by George had suffered from low dice all day and so we won't alter too much until we play it again.

I have a number of terrain items to add to enhance the games visually.

We will be doing it again at the Thornbury show in August.

A big thanks to all of the guys for producing some of the kit and participating in such a good game.

Don
Last edited by Don McHugh on Mon May 14, 2018 6:18 am, edited 3 times in total.


wargameroz
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by wargameroz »

Excellent, looks like fun, any chance of TO&Es used please, Brits appear to be the tank unit from the front of RF 2 but Germans would be handy thanks
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Don McHugh
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Don McHugh »

The three British Sherman tank regiments are organised as mixed arms battle groups, as follows,

3rd Hussars
RHQ – 1 x Sherman 75mm, CO
1 x Sherman 75mm Dozer
1 x Sherman AOP (VMG) ‘G’ Battery
1 x Crusader twin 20mm AA
1 x Sherman ARV
1 x Humber S/C (VMG)

Recce - 1 x Turret less Stuart (VMG)
1 x Stuart (37mm)

A Sqn - 3 x Sherman 75mm, 1 x Sherman firefly 17pdr
B Sqn - 3 x Sherman 75mm, 1 x Sherman firefly 17pdr
C Sqn - 3 x Sherman 75mm, 1 x Sherman firefly 17pdr

8th Motor Battalion, The Rifle Brigade
H Company - 6 figures, M5 ½ track (VMG)**
3 figures, PIAT, Bren carrier.
3 figures, 6pdr A/T gun, Lloyd carrier tow.

75th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery.
Attached SP A/T - 2 x M10 Achilles (17pdr)

13th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery.
‘G’ Btty - 2 x Sexton, 25pdr SP gun

I have increased the Sherman squadrons as they had 19 actual tanks per squadron in the actual battle, so 4 tanks best reflect this and also allow them to fight in the diamond formation, again used on the day.

The scenario is not complete yet, but I will post it when it is.

Don
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7dot62mm
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by 7dot62mm »

I've never seen a game with this many Shermans! Great stuff! thmbs2) thmbs2) thmbs2)
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mausmann
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by mausmann »

Excellent game and AAR! Looks like a lot of fun, will give it a try too.... thmbs2)

Many thanx for posting... 8-)
Greatness is not in where we stand,
but in what direction we are moving,
we must sail sometimes in the wind,
and sometimes against it,
but sail we must, and not drift nor lie at anchor.
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Forrester
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Forrester »

Always good to see lots of Shermans.

"Very good tank country" equals "Everyone can see me from miles away..."
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Alanmccoubrey
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

7dot62mm wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 7:24 am I've never seen a game with this many Shermans! Great stuff! thmbs2) thmbs2) thmbs2)
I have never knocked out so many Shermans. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Alan
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Poacher »

Don, fantastic AAR had to drown my sorrows at the Italian...never lost 14 Sherman's before. As for Alan I want that dice checked 😉. How come he could only throw 1's the other week !!!! Roll on August my kit is no longer new!!! 😉
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Alanmccoubrey
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

Rob, that very same die rolled an awful lot of ones two weeks ago at Arnhem !
Alan
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Timotheus
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Timotheus »

Alanmccoubrey wrote: Sun May 13, 2018 6:17 pm Rob, that very same die rolled an awful lot of ones two weeks ago at Arnhem !
It’s Hammer Time!
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Fire at Will
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Fire at Will »

Looks great. thmbs2) thmbs2) thmbs2)
Richard B.
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Richard B. »

Wonderful looking game, thanks for posting thmbs2)
Ianwill
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Ianwill »

Hi all,

It all started so well, with the Germans A/Ts missing for the first couple of turns. Then it all got a bit hairy. I eventually lost about 5 tanks KO, but a further 6 heavy damaged and the crews abandoning their tanks. My final squadron just could not finish off the last Panther !) and then the Stugs arrived.
Great game played really well. thmbs2)

Cheers

Ian
dead1
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by dead1 »

Very cool.

There is a lot of pleasure to be had from a massive tank battle!
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Don McHugh
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Don McHugh »

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

I am busy adding to the terrain and finishing some ruined buildings that I started at the beginning of the year.

We are going to play the scenario again at the Thornbury modelling show on Sunday 5th August, after this I will post the full Orbats and rules.

I will try and sort the map, but it is currently on rough graph paper.

Don
Ed mac
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Re: Operation Goodwood - Tanks advance

Post by Ed mac »

So many Sherman's,brilliant thmbs2)
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