This battle was played over skype against Captwoosey. The scenario was selected by him and on first reading it looks nigh on impossible for a German win. Checking PG-HQ thereafter and seeing 7 German losses in 7 tries makes a 'second' reading even worse ! After set-up, it instantly becomes apparent that if the Germans refuse to attack and sit and wait for a British assault, they could quite easily get a draw IF they stay lower than 6 step casualties from British OBA. But that is not the spirit of what this scenario is about. The Germans must attck (a simple VC change would make that a neccesity rather than an option). On the subject of VC's, despite being outnumbered 3:1 and totally swamped with enemy OBA, the Germans need to take 3 of the 5 hexes that constitute St.Manvieu .... far too much of an ask with whats available.

The British 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers and the 6th KOSB’s held St.Manvieu and were placed so as to face any attack that might come in from the east of the village. They were supported by a few Shermans and Achilles and had access to plentiful artillery. The mixed German units of SS and Wehrmacht were situated to the east. A company-strength element of PzIV’s were positioned on the high-ground to the east, whilst MG teams occupied Marcelet for angles of fire at the British. The sparse infantry attack would approach from the north-east. These men set off at 1315 hours as a torrent of rain came down cutting visibility and armoured movement. Straight away, they felt the power of the British guns but bravely held their nerve to continue advancing. Meanwhile, a flight of Mitchell’s flew over Marcelet disrupting the German MG support. The panzer IV’s began busying themselves entering a tank battle at a range of about 1400m. They scored early victories by knocking out a platoon of Shermans, Achilles and some Brens.

By 1345 hours, the Germans suffered their first major casualties as both a platoon of SS and Heer infantry sustained hits from the ubiquitous British artillery and some small-arms fire. Things seemingly got worse as more casualties were sustained and also, a British 18pdr battery wiped out the German StG’s in Marcelet over a half hour dual. However, by 1415 hours, all British armour had been eliminated mainly due to the PzIV’s and they now began straffing and throwing in HE at the enemy infantry around St.Manvieu. This tactic proved especially successful as British infantry from the Royal Scots suffered heavy casualties indeed and the 18pdr battery was destroyed.

By 1430 hours, the German infantry, having lost 4 steps and still under continuous heavy bombardment, finally closed in on the disrupted and demoralized dug-outs to the north of St.Manvieu. They cleared these after about 30 minutes of fighting and with the aid of freshly arriving comrades, entered the northern side of St.Manvieu. Whilst all this had been happening, the British commander had mobilized the KOSB’s to the south and sent them in direct support of the harassed Royal Fusiliers. The German infantry were fighting well, but there was simply too many of the enemy. The Germans were unable to clear this part of the village as more and more Scottish soldiers were thrown into the area, and that was far more than these attackers would be able to overcome. The Germans also only received 2 modules of artillery support (1 x 16) throughout the battle. Obviously assigned elsewhere, a stronger support here may have helped weaken the enemy positions earlier. Still, the distant PzIV’s were causing terrible casualties and cohesion problems amongst the British infantry, but the British were able to reinforce these losses instantly with the arriving KOSB’s.

By 1515 hours, the attack was called off as it was quite evident that the village was simply too well defended when compared with the attacking forces to hand. The Germans had lost 4 steps of infantry and 2 steps of AFV’s (2 StGs). A total of 6 steps The British losses were heavy, 8 steps of foot troops, 4 steps of Brens, 8 steps of AFV’s and 2 steps of guns for a total of 22 steps. A good try, but too much was asked of the attackers.

Now all in all, the battle was exciting as the attack certainly achieved a lot more than expected. They are high-moraled and therefore, the British in general, need to eliminate steps as disruptions and demoralisations will most times be hard to come by. BUT, asking the Germans to clear AND hold 3 village hexes is too much. Personally, I think 2 for a minor victory would suffice, and also, to make sure the Germans at least attack rather than hold (for a gamey draw), there should be a VC stating that by game end, if a draw, at least 1 German step must be in or adjacent to St.Manvieu. That said, it didn't matter as the Germans did attack here and the battle was played out. This would get a '3' rating but for the impossible VC's. For that reason, it gets a '2' because although the VC's are cogent, they are too much and make a British win all but inevitable. 8 out of 8 British wins so far in this scenario may back that up. On the plus side. Its always good to battle with a live opponent !