Market Garden: Battle in the Woods turns 1 - 6

 Turn 1

156th Para battalion quickly moves up to the hedgerow scanning for any signs of the enemy.

The CO and FAO begins to take up position.

The two 6pdrs are towed along the road behind the infantry advance.

Continued -

Market Garden: Battle in the Woods Introduction

 Working through the Rapid Fire scenario book 'Operation Market Garden' the next action is scenario 3, 'Battle in the Woods'. 

Having arrived as part of the second lift, 2 battalions of the 4th Parachute Brigade began its advance to take the high ground north of Arnhem on the evening of 18th September.

The 10th and 156th Parachute battalions were ordered to make the attack, initially meeting little resistance until they encountered Germans in the woods to the north of Oosterbeek. This is the setting for the scenario.

As previously in this series, Rapid Fire orders of battle have been converted for Blitzkrieg Commander IV.

Game details:

Table Size 4'6" x 3'

Figures - Heroics & Ros

Vehicles - Heroics & Ros, GHQ.

Rules - Blitzkrieg Commander IV

The Germans have deployed in depth with many already dug in.

Continued -

Defending the Malay Barrier: Campaign Conclusion

 

The final objectives chart. Japan just one short of victory in the time allowed.

Objectives translated onto the campaign map.

During the course of the campaign, Victory Points (VP's) were accumulated by each side which will affect the level of victory. I will deal with that next.

Continued -

Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 6, 1st - 15th March, 1942. Anglo/Dutch Sweep intercepts WAF Invasion Convoy

Doorman successfully intercepts the WAF Invasion Convoy heading for Batavia having evaded aircraft and sea patrols. The scene is set for the final surface action of the campaign. 

The weather is a force 5 'Fresh' with squalls. Visibility is a limited 19,000 yards.

The allied CenGroup consists of the Dutch light cruiser Von Heemskerck, destroyers Van Ghent, Piet Hein, Witte de With and Isaac Sweers. They are joined by the Royal Navy 'S' class destroyers, Stronghold, Tenedos and Thanet together with the Australian V&W class destroyer Vampire.

The Japanese escorts for the invasion convoy consists of the heavy cruiser Mogami, light cruiser Sendai, floatplane carriers Kamikawa Maru and Sanyo Maru, and Fubuki class destroyers Hatsuyuki, Fubuki, Shirayuki and Asagiri. 

The convoy transports consist of 2 x large, 8 x medium and 2 x small transports. The invasion is cancelled if they lose at least 4 transports.

Overview at the start with CenGroup in the foreground heading north west. The WAF convoy in the distance is heading due east. For the purpose of this game due north is to the right. A single rain squall is being pushed north by a 20 knot southerly wind.

Continued -