As we were finishing up our Arnhem campaign, we decided that we wanted to continue with another fight where there was more at stake than a single battle. The Pint-Size-Campaign (PSC) released by TFL called Kampfgruppe Von Luck: The Attack on the Bas de Ranville 6 June 1944 really fit the bill. Lucius already had his Paras ready to go. I did have my Fallschirmjagers, but heer (ha!) was a chance to get some German army units on the table. So we both bought some German Grenadiers (mostly Warlord and Artizan) and got ready. We don’t have all the proper support options, but we are moving ahead regardless!

Forces

Lucius will be bringing his Paras on for the Allies.

As 12 Para was scattered during their drop, the Paras do not start with a full platoon, but must dice for when various elements arrive. The Paras are elite but with 5 vice 6 Command dice and limited support options based on the resources available in the early stages of the invasion. They have only 2 platoons for the entire campaign, (with a separate platoon from 13 para for scenario 4) so must use their men wisely.

I will be fielding a force of German Panzer Grenadiers (Ready for Battle post to follow) representing the Kampfgruppe of 8 kompanie, 125th Panzergrenadier Regiment. I will have 3 full platoons plus some armoured support, but sadly no tanks. We do not have the so-called franken-vehicles used by the 125th (French half-tracks mated with Pak40s and field guns), so regular Hanomags, Marder, and Wespe will be used in lieu.

The German platoons have 2 MG42s per section and are quite dangerous. The Paras are elite and harder to kill, so fire and movement as well as concentration of force will be key to success for either side.

Scenario

The campaign is about the actions by the 21st Panzer Division attempting to retake the Orne bridgehead. It focuses on Kampfgruppe Von Luck and 12 Para in the Bas de Ranville, imagining a scenario where Major Von Luck attacked in force immediately instead of being delayed by poor orders. We will be using At the Sharp End for the campaign rules, with the notable difference that instead of tracking the platoon commander’s outlook, we will be keeping track of the company commander on each side.

The Germans hold the initiative, and have 8 games to win the 5 following scenarios.

The Battles

Scenario 1: Patrol on the Ring Contour. German patrols are sent to find and fix the enemy.
Scenario 2: Probe Among the Hedgerows. German probe on the outskirts of the Bas de Ranville.
Scenario 3: Attacking the Corridor of Death. Street fighting in the Bas de Ranville.
Scenario 4: Church on the Flank. Securing the Church of Ranville prior to assaulting the final objective.
Scenario 5: Delaying Action at the Chateau. The last bastion before the Orne bridges.

AARs

The AARs will be posted below, and will be written from the German perspective, with input from the Allies as it comes.

Game 1: German Victory!
Game 2: German Victory!
Game 3: Naval bombardment
Game 4: German Victory!
Game 5: British Victory!
Game 6: German Victory!
Game 7: British Victory! The British win!