TOTHE

FARTHE ST SHORE
SPECIAL RULES FOR D-DAYAND NO
Ana:i:iogrTse,:::oau:spetvbei:yus
different to a conventional land
battle, and requires many special
pieces of equipment and many
naval vessels (rarely present in land
battles!). These require some special
rules to deal with on the tabletop.
LANDING CRAFT
Movement
Landing craft have a single
movement value, for their movement
at sea. This is the maximum distance
they can move in good sailing
conditions. The sea conditions can
(and will) affect this, but on flat sea
they can move up to this distance.
Being boats they carmot move on
land - of course.
Pinning
Landing craft are treated as open-
topped armoured vehicles when
rolling for pinning. In an exception
to the normal rules, landing craft
that become pinned can still be given
the Top Speed order as normal,
but cannot fire any weapons or
disembark transported units (they are
taking cover inside). Landing craft
don't have anywhere to hide anyway,
so they just keep going! This does not
apply to DUKWs, which are treated
as normal.
vehicles or guns on board the landing
craft are also destroyed, and a battle
counter must be taken for each.
Damage from Small Arms and
Machine guns
Landing Craft aren't very vulnerable
to damage from small arms. Each
shooting action by a unit with small
arms or machine guns against a
landing craft can cause a maximum
of 1 hit (so two hits for the Open Fire
Order). Extra hits are ignored.
Disembarking
Troops can get out of the landing
craft when it is within 1" of the
shore, using the normal disembark
order. Instead of placing all the units
inside within 4", infantry units are
placed within D6", to represent them
climbing over the sides, wading the
last few yards or swimming if needs
be, as well as running from the front
ramp. Vehicles are placed up to 6"
from the front ramp. A maximum of
three vehicles per turn may exit any
landing craft.
Landing Craft and Morale
Landing Craft take unit morale tests
as per the normal rules, except they
will never be abandoned (where
would the crew go?). Abandoned
results counts as pinned instead.
iiiE
OTHER SPECIAL RULES
Duplex Drive
Tanks driven by the Duplex Drive
(DD) are amphibious and, as such,
can cross water features. A tank
with the DD special rule can move
D6" per move in water, treating the
water as dangerous terrain. If the DD
tank rolls a 1, and would therefore
only move 1", it is in danger of being
swamped. Roll another D6. On a
1-2 the tank is swamped, sinks and
is destroyed. On a 3-6 it ships some
water but struggles on 1", phew!
Seaborne Artillery
For the invasion, some artillery was
set up to fire from the landing craft
at targets on the shore. Artillery
with the Seaborne Artillery special
rule may be given the Open Fire!

Damage
Landing craft that are hit are treated
as soft-skinned vehicles and have a
number of hits. Once a landing craft's
hits have all been lost, the landing
craft is destroyed and sinks. 2D6
infantry passengers inside are also
killed and the rest are placed with 4"
of the ship, and must now swim. Any

27
 z~t ,A -long/ .ip\ A, .\>`N r <.:.\\^±\pe*.cO,*AaheevHJiuniiesa~ioul§:.esulp `-"ull<^qut`(~r®>>_i-~.i,J` _ ~

order to fire from their landing craft, Mined Sea Obstacles
using Area Fire only. They may not Submerged obstacles designed to
use Aimed Fire or Indirect Fire. If damage landing craft, sea obstacles
the Area Fire roll was a 1, then the are assumed to be just below the
landing craft they are firing from waterline, and thus not visible on
takes lD3 hits from swamping. the tabletop (although they can be
represented by a few obstacles just
Grapple Launchers and Ladders sticking up above the waves). Any
Used to scale the sea-cliffs. An landing .craft, DD tank or other vessel
infantry unit equipped with ladders that moves within 10" of the shoreline
or grapple launchers, or mounted in counts as moving in dangerous
a boat equipped with them, can use terrain, regardless of the sea
them to scale sea cliffs. The infantry conditions (so there movement rate is
beaches could not bear the weight
of armoured fighting vehicles. Each
is a 10" by 10" area. If an arrfoured
vehicle (not soft skin) moves over an
area of soft sand, then roll a D6. On a
4+, the vehicle becomes immobilised.
Bunkers and C,asemates
These are dealt with by the main
rules, mostly by providing a
Hardened Cover 2+ save for the
inside (which will be the
:::`--:i:`= target of any fire), rather than

now treat the sea cliffs as dangerous reduced to a D6). In addition to this,
terrain instead of impassable terrain. each time a unit moves, the defender
should roll a D6. On a 6 the vessel (or
Swimming Infantry DD tank) has set off a mine. It takes
If a landing craft sinks out at sea, a 5/5+ high-explosive hit, with an
then any surviving infantry are going armour penetration value of a D6.
to have to swim for the shore. This Swimming infantry are not affected
isn't easy: remember they are all by mined sea obstacles.
carrying heavy equipment, weapons
and ammunition. An infantry unit Beach Mines
that has to move through the sea The beach is liberally strewn with a
zone treats it as dangerous terrain (so mix of anti-persormel and anti-tank
moves D6 inches, with a maximum mines. Any unit that moves on the
result of 5). If the dice roll is a 1 beach has a chance of setting them
or a 2, then, as well as struggling off . Each time any unit takes a move
towards land by 1" or 2", D3 infantry on the beach, the defender should
are removed as casualties from roll a D6. On a 6, the unit sets off a
drowning and must take a morale mine. It takes a 5/5+ high-explosive
test. If an infantry unit has any hit, with an armour penetration value
special equipment or weapons, of a D6.
such as demolition charges, mortars Lanes can be cleared up the beach
and machine guns, then they are using engineer units or engineer
automatically lost. The men count as vehicles with mine flails or
having small arms only when/ if they bulldozers. Mark the lane, 2" wide,
get to shore. behind the unit or tank (with thin
white tape would be a nice touch!).
Offshore Mines
Sea mines make the approach to the Beach Obstacles
beach dangerous. If the defender Designed to prevent landing craft
has chosen offshore mines, then any moving up the beach, an area of beach
movement at sea, 10" or more from obstacles is impassable to all vehicles,
the shore, has a chance of hitting except those with a bulldozer. Beach
one. Each time a unit (landing craft, obstacles count as in the open ground
DD tank, etc) takes a move at sea, for infantry behind them (they aren't
the defender should roll a D6. On a much cover), but still count as cover
6 the unit hits a mine. It takes a 7/2+ if an infantry unit wishes to use the
high-explosive hit, with an armour Fallback! special rule.
penetration value of 10. Swimming
infantry are not affected by sea mines. Soft Sand
Sodden sand over a clay under-
1ayer meant that areas of the landing
the buriktr itself . Bunkers themselves
carmot b-.I:`-.:-:-`:-: geted by fire, but any
damage icted on the unit(s) inside
also rep nts damage to the bunker
itself. Guns mounted inside bunkers
are treated exactly as for normal
deployed guns, so they can take
damage as well as their crew.
bunker-mounted
guns have limited ammunition, as
per armoured vehicles. All bunkers,
ammo capacity is 10. They can be re-
supplied just like armoured vehicles.
This does not apply to small arms,
MGs and autocannons.
Any units inside a bunker when it
is destroyed by demolition charges
are also destroyed (any survivors
surrenderanyway).
B`each Demolitions
All these obstacles and mines can
be cleared, and many engineering
units were given this vital task on
D-Day. Engineer urLits equipped
with demolition charges can use the
standard engineering demolition
rules to remove up to 5" of sea or
beach obstacles, per demolition
charge set.
Bangalore Torpedoes
Designed to rapidly breach barbed
wire, any infantry unit with
bangalore torpedoes that crosses a
length of barbed wire should roll
a D6. On a 3+, remove up to 5" of
the barbed wire, clearing the way
for units behind. Once a section of

28
 Above: A US 105mm (short) howl.tzer
barbed wire is removed the Bangalore bombards German positions
torpedo cannot be used again (unless Time on Target (TOT) Barrages (US Army Signals Corps)

the squad has more than one). An artillery practice developed by

the American Army to bring extra
available guns into a bombardment, Bren Teams
Drenching B aLrrage
and have the first rounds all land at A British infantry section may detach
The LCT(R)s (landing craft tank
the same time, giving the enemy less its Bren team from the main body of
- rocket) launched repeated rapid
waning and therefore less chance to the squad to operate independently
salvoes Of 5" rockets, `drenching' the
find cover. It proved highly effective, (usually to give suppressing fire
beach assault area in high explosive.
and became much feared by the * support to the rest of its section).
When a drenching barrage is fired,
Germans. This can be done at any time during
place a marker as the centre of the a game, or they can be deployed
target area. This does not deviate.
Time on Target barrages can be separately. When a British section is
Roll for Pirming using Area Fire with
Heavy High Explosive for any unit purchased from the Additional Fire givenanorder,simplydeclarethat
support section of the American army the Bren team is being detached. It
within 30" of the target marker. Any
lists, but they do not count as an now becomes a separate unit-oi3
affected unit takes a Cover save as
Additional Fire support choice. Any men (with the Bren gun!). The rest
normal.
US artillery Out not mortar) barrage of the section will now complete the
can be declared as TOT, including order, whilst the Bren team remains
Also roll a D6 for each 5" length
timed barrages. Resolve them as in place and does nothing. From now
Of barbed wire and each inland
normal but, when rolling for Artillery on, the Bren team acts as a separate
minefield. On a 6, the barbed wire
Barrage Accuracy, any results of a unit, so they must be given their own
or minefield is removed from the
1 (which would normally miss) can order, can become pirmed, take their
table, wrecked (or detonated) by the
be re-rolled, with the second result own morale tests and the British
rockets.
standing. player must take a battle counter if

29
 BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD

!¥*LAeyu\h `Ldrm,bfumKprin..ca\aenffi,ifemfu+Of.I,*ryf era ~ ~By x „ i rty „`rmdaL\\`„d.,aac rfu 4cobtraaarfeunur`ype\ -/-L~ gr h thE~ -e t _\.< _-<

the Bren team is destroyed. Once traine and-to-hand combat and,
detached, the Bren team does not more •tantly, have the resolve
benefit from any of its parent unit's and courage to use it! When an
special rules and they carmot re-join infantry unit with the Assault Troops
their original squad during the game. special rule is given the Assault
A squad may only detach one Bren order, they automatically pass their
team. experience test to launch the assault.
Also, instead of rolling a D6 for their
One Man Turret hand grenades, they roll two D6, and
Some older French tanks, generally use the highest score.
in German service by 1944, were
designed to take only a single Auxiliary
crewman in the turret, as the On D-Day, some units of the
commander, loader and gunner. Organisation Todt (compulsory
This had a serious effect on a ta labour units mostly made-up of
effectiveness, with no comma prisoners of war from Russia or
dedicated to finding targets conscripted local workers), were
and responding to armed and ordered into the defences
Qecause he was also busy operating they were there to build. Led by a few
the gun). A vehicle with the one man German NCOs, they had little (if any)
turret special rule suffers a -1 penalty combat training or desire to fight.
when rolling to spot the enemy for Whenever an Auxiliary unit is given
Aimed Fire. an order roll a D6. On a 1 the unit
fails to do anything and are marked
Assault Troops as pinned instead. A unit that has
Some veteran or elite troops are the Auxiliary special rule is always
trained and equipped for combat at Inexperienced, but they cannot be
close quarters. They carry more SMGs given the Close Assault order - they
and hand grenades and are specially just aren't that brave.
(B undesarchiv , Bald 1011-722-0405-`04, Thechald:
Radio Communications Network
The US Army possessed more and
better radi'os, with even squad
leaders having access to short range
walkie-talkies. This meant command
and communications were generally
better throughout their units. A
US Senior Officer with the Radio
Communications Network special
rule may use his senior officer re-roll
every turn of the game, not just once
Per game.
Automated 50mm Mortar
Parts of the Atlantic Wall were
defended by 5bmln mortars, emplaced
in concrete pits, with automated
ammunition feeds. These weapons
could maintain a high rate of fire, and
were pre-targeted on the shoreline.
An automated mortar can fire twice
for each shot it would usually fire. So,
with the Open Fire! order, the mortar
can fire four times! This will use
up the emplacement's ammunition
capacity (of 10) as normal.
Below: German soldiers seck f or the enemi.

30
 BATT

BATTLE S FOR THE BEACHE S

inclusion because it is an example of a

T his section cdtntains scenarios
for using the previous ar
in games on D-Day itself a
following few days as the airborne
divisions (now with some extra
reinforcements), fought to protect
the beachhead lodgement area from
German counter-attacks, capture their
original D-Day objectives and secure
and expand their own positions.
terrain set-up, but add their own
unique scenario special rules.
The three historical re-fight scenarios
are for Omaha beach (an example of
the scenario mentioned above), but
this attempts to recreate accurately
(as we know them) the forces for both
sides. This game has been chosen for
US defeat (in game terms). Although,
overall, the landings on Omaha
succeed, in this sector, they did not
and, as such, it acts of an example
of how the Germans can still `win' a
game set on D-Day.

First is the generic amphibious

assault scenario. Beachhead is the
game in which an Amphibious
Assault battlegroup is pitched
against the Atlantic Wall defences,
and represents just a section of the
D-Day beaches as the first wave of
assault troops arrive, just after dawn.
It is designed to be re-playable many
times (once you have the models)
and can be used to recreate historical
events too. In this case, players
should feel free toi'''use the scenario
as the basis for the deployment and

105
/ 3)-/L-1
 BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD
BEACHHEAD
N REPORT
Today is the day of the invasion of
mainland Europe, the long plarmed-
for D-Day. H-hour is upon you and
the first wave of assault forces are
on their final run-in to the beaches
Of Normandy. All around, the air
throbs with the sounds of gunfire
and the overhead shriek of outgoing
shells, the rhythm of the Higgins
Boat's diesel engine and the sudden
crash and splash of incoming fire
detonating amongst the racing
landing craft. Ahead lies the narrow,
fire-swept beach and, beyond, the
grey concrete slabs of the Atlantic
Wall defences, which must be
overrun and destroyed. The first
assault waves are about to hit the
beaches.„
ScenarioType:Attack/Defence
)
106
FORCES
The Attacker must choose his
battlegroup from one of the
Amphibious Assault Force army
lists. The Defender must choose his
battlegroup from the Atlantic Wall
Resistance Nest army list.
SPECIAL RULES
This scenario uses all the D-Day
special rules for movement at sea,
mines, defences, landing craft, etc.
Alarm!: Not expecting the dawn
attack now approaching through the
sea-mist, and hammered by a massive
naval and aerial bombardment, in the
first two turn of the game (regardless
of the size of game), the defender
only rolls a D6 for orders, with no
modifiers for officers, or re-rolls.
From turn 3 onwards, he may start to
roll for orders as normal.
A D3 of the defender's units may
start the game on Ambush Fire.
Tidal Conditions: Weather and tide
are going to play a big part in how
easy it is to reach the shore. Before
any units are deployed, the attacker
rolls a D6 for the current Tidal
conditions:
1- High Swell
The crossing is a rough one, hand
out the sick bags! All movement
at sea counts as crossing difficult
ground, so is reduced by a D6 (to a
minimum of 1"). For Duplex Drive
Shermans, the swell counts as
Dangerous Ground. The defending
player can request that the
dangerous ground roll be re-rolled
each time, if he so wishes.

2-5-Low Swell
This is going to be a tough journey.
All movement at sea counts as
crossing difficult ground, so
reduced by a D6 (to a minimum of
1"). For Duplex Drive Shermans,
the swell counts as Dangerous
Ground as normal.
6 - Mill Pond
The sea is flat and calm, like a mill
pond. All landing craft may move
at their full normal speeds. The
attacker may choose to re-roll any
Duplex Drive Sherman's dangerous
terrain dice if he so wishes and may
also use the better result.
Beachhead Breakout: The attackers
are trying to fight their way inland.
Once the attacker has three units in
the inland zone, the defender must
take an extra battle counter. For each
subsequent thr its the attacker
moves into the d zone, the
defender must f urther battle
counter, repre:,:.:-:`:-:-:-:: the defender's
unwillingness tt`,`fight on once the
enemy has bro n through their main
defences, due to the risk of becoming
surrounded and cut off.
TERRAIN
The table is divided into four zones,
each a rough area of the table, as
shown on the map. As each player's
terrain is different, it is up to the
players to decide exactly which areas
constitute which zones.
The first zone is the sea zone - this
is just the flat blue/grey sea, with no
other terrain on it. It can extend as
far back as you have room for, but
should be at least 15-20" wide.
The second zone is the beach zone
- this is just flat sand with no other
terrain or cover on it. The beach zone
should be between 10" and 20" wide.
The third zone is the main defence
zone. Just inland from the sea, this
can be dunes, sea marshes, a sea front
BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD
or the bluffs (hills) leading up from either 10" behind or starting to arrive
the beach. It should be about half from turn 2 onwards. The third wave
the remaining table after the sea and is just behind the second, or will only
beach. start arriving on the table once all
the second wave is on the table. The
The fourth zone is the inland zone - attacking player must keep a careful
this is inland fields, f arms, villages, note of which units are in which
woods, roads etc, just as for a landing craft.
standard wargames table. The terrain
for the inland zone can be generated DEPLOY THE DEFENDER'S
using the normal Normandy terrain, BATTLEGROUP
or using any other mutually agreed The Atlantic Wall Resistance Nest
method. It is the rest of the table defences must be deployed first as
beyond the main defence zone. follows.
ORGANISE THE ATTACKER'S Only Sea Obstacles can be placed
BATTLEGROUP in the sea zone, and they cannot be
The attacker must divide his placed anywhere else.
amphibious battle group
into three assault waves.
Each assault wave
should contain a third
of his battlegroup (in
numbers of landing
craft and DD tanks).
Any extra units from
an uneven split can be
placed in any assault
wave the attacking
player wishes. The first
wave will be the initial
attackers. The second
wave will follow it,
107
 BALTTLE GROUP . OVERLORD
Only Sea Obstacles can be placed
in the sea zone, and they cannot be
placed anywhere else.
Only Beach Obstacles can be placed
in the beach zone and they cannot be
placed anywhere else.
Roll a D6*. This indicates the
number of the defender's units
and/or defences that he must place
anywhere in the Inland zone, his
closest reserves.
All the defender's other units and
defences must be placed in the main
defence zone, positioning them as
the defending player wishes. When
deploying, the defender may pre-
measure distances to get his units
and defences in exactly the right
place, since he has had a long time to
prepare these positions. At the start
of the game the defender does not
have to reveal what units or guns
are inside,any o'f his defences. This is
Only aled when they open fire.
*In :b¥ipany-level game, roll 2D6.
Ina ion-level games, roll 3D6.
?iERPs±EE:;if:ii::I-:--.
All the units in the attacker's first
assault wave are placed anywhere in
the sea zone, but no closer than 10" to
the shore.
DEPLOY THE ATTACKER'S
SECOND WAVE
All the units in the attacker's second
assault wave are placed anywhere in
the sea zone, but no closer than 20" to
the beach zone.
If there is no room in the sea zone for
these units, then, from the beginning
of turn 2, start rolling for the arrival
of the attacker's second assault wave
units. D6* units are placed on the
attacker's table edge at the start of
the turn, and at the start of each
subsequent turn, until all the second
wave units are on the tdble.
108
PLAYING WITHOUT THE SEA
One major feature of amphibious landings is the sea and all those landing
craft. These represent a considerable investment in such specialist units
and terrain. Hopefully, this scenario, combined with the army lists, make
that investment worth it, because you'll find amphibious assaults become
endlessly re-playable, and different each time, just like land battles. But, of
course, we know that playing Omaha beach with all its LCVPs, LCMs and
LCTs isn't going to be easy for everybody, so here is an alternative for using
the scenario without the sea of landing craft. You will still need the German
strongpoints, bunkers and so on, though.
In this variation of the scenario, the sea is `off-table' with one table edge
representing the shoreline. The assault troops will enter via this table edge,
having just disembarked from their landing craft, just off-table.
Ignore the sea zone, and set up the terrain and defenders as described
above, but with just three zones. The attacker's first assault wave units are
each placed a D6" from his table edge, having just landed.
From turn three, start to roll for the attacker's second assault wave units. A
D6 units are placed on his table at the start of each of his subsequent turns
until all the second wave units have arrived.
Once all the second wave units are on the table, start to roll for third assault
waves units. A D6 units are placed on his table at the start of each of his
subsequent turns until all the third wave units have arrived.
DEPLOY THE ATTACKER'S troops either withdraw (if they
THIRD WAVE can) or are quickly evacuated off
All the units in the attacker's third the beach, whilst the others must
wave are placed anywhere in the sea surrender. Their opponent is the
zone, but no closer than 30" to the wirmer'
beach zone.
FIRST TURN
If there is no room in the sea zone for Roll D6. On a 1-5, the Attacker gets
these units, then, after the last units the first turn. On a 6, the Defender
of the second wave have arrived, gets the first turn.
from the start of the next turn, start
rolling for the arrival of units of the OBJECTIVES
attacker's third assault wave. D6* There are D3* objectives on the table.
units are placed on the attacker's Starting with the attacker, take it in
table edge at the start of that turn, turns to place these anywhere in the
and in each subsequent turn, until all main defence zone or the inland zone.
the third assault wave units are on
the table. Objectives cannot be placed within
10" of each other.
*In company-level games, roll 2D6. In
battalion-level games, roll 3D6 In company or battalion-level
games roll a D6* for the number of
VICTORY objectives.
The side which loses all its Battle
Rating first has lost. Their remaining
 BATTLE GR

BLOODY OMAHA
DOG GREEN, D-I DRAW
SITUATION REPORT
Dog Green was the westernmost sub-
sector of Dog Sector (western half) of
Omaha beach, and the f ar right flank
of 29th Infantry Division' s assault.
Dog Green covered the important
D-1 exit off the beach, with a road up
a valley between the bluffs towards
the small village of Vierville-sur-Mer.
German obstacles in this sector were,
as for most of the rest of Omaha, a
thick band of sea and beach obstacles,
exposed at the low tide when the
attack landed. First was a band of
anti-shipping obstacles, Belgian Gates
and mined stakes. Behind them, the
beach was lined with wooden boat
ramps, also mined, to destroy or flip
flat bottomed boats. Behind them,
closest to the shore, stood hands
of hedgehogs,/a ain some of them
mined. Beyond the t beach 1 ay the
sea wall, a three metre h bank
of shingle top :``1`` d by barbed wire,
then a lateral road and a short strip Following these first units ashore gun positioned in a bunker, disguised
of overgrown and inundated sea would come more tanks, in the by the first floor remains of the Hotel
shape of two LCTs carrying part of Dellaglois at the end of the D-1 exit.
marsh, again mined, and then the
steep bluffs rose up to overlook the A Company, 743rd Tank Battalion, They also included nine machine gun
beach to a height of up to 100 feet. this time not with DD tanks, with positions and two automated mortar
These slopes had also been liberally more inf antry companies stacked up pits. Left of them, overlooking Dog
behind them, ur\:tit all o£ 1st BaLttalion, White, but still easily in range,lay
sown with anti-persormel mines, and
116th Infantry were ashore at Dog WN-70. To the right lay WN-74; both
there was more barbed wire at the
Green. To their right, the assault were equipped with more 75mm
top. The road up the draw to Vierville
was also mined and blocked by a two would be by C Company of 2nd guns. These positions were manned
Rangers, tasked with clearing the by llth Company, 726th Grenadier
metre high concrete anti-tank wall.
high ground, resistance nest and Regiment, attached from 716th
large radar station on Point de la Infantry division to 352nd Infantry
Dog Green was the planned assault
Percee. To the left, lay Dog White Division and stationed in Vierville.
sector of A Company, 116th Infantry
sector, the target of Company G with As well as their guns, the positions
Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.
all their attendant support. were also backed up by 716th`s
They would be led ashore by the DD
divisional artillery further inland,
tanks of Company 8, 743rd Tank
The main German strongpoints mostly 105mm guns, but with reliable
Battalion and aided by the special
occupied the end of the Vierville telephone lines laid directly to the
engineering task force of 146th
draw and the high ground. There resistance nests' observation posts.
Engineering Battalion's `gap team' 1
was a series of three interlocking The run-in to Dog Green was also
and `gap team' 2 under Lt Kehaly and
under the 155mm guns of the Pointe
Lt Anderson respectively. positions, WN-71, WN-72 and WN-
73, corrected by trenches. These du Hoc battery, itself a special target
for a Ranger assault on D-Day.
positions included an 88mm PaK 43

109
 BA.TTLE GROUP . OVERLORD
iri.rty-A -.,sr -,r`>.±qu'
Despite the careful planning
and heavy bombardment, much
went wrong as the landing waves
approached through heavy seas,
battling the strong west-east current
dragging them off target. A Company
did manage to find its correct sector
(one of the few that did). The leading
DD tanks suffered badly, many
drowned, the first tanks to crawl
from the sea were hit hard by the
88mm and 50mm guns, and over half
were quickly lost. The others pushed
up the beach, ordy to find they could
not cross the high single bank.
The infantry fared worst. The
German guns had not fired out to
sea, at long range, but saved their
fire for the shoreline. As the landing
craft ramps fell, the Germans opened
a withering fire on the six LCAs
:acr;yL::£f:=;eadp¥na:hs:rnek:nne
the swell, the other five were hit by
pre-ranged
fire. Most of the
failed to find the right sector and
ended up further to the east, so lanes
could not be cleared through the
obstacles. Every A Company officer
became a casualty, as well as most
senior NCOs. Almost all of the radios
were lost. As an organised fighting
unit, A Company was all but wiped
out in the first minutes. By the day's
end, 102 men of its 198 strength were
dead, most of the rest were wounded
(and 30 of those had been rescued
from the sea). Scattered survivors
took some refuge amongst the beach
obstacles, preventing the engineers
doing their work, and drawing
accurate mortar fire. The Rangers
on the left in Charlie sector suffered
equally; of their 68 men landed, 37
never made it to cover across the fire-
swept sand, to huddle under the sea
cliffs for safety.
/ liberally covered in sea and beach
30 apnutes behind A Company
folloived 8 Company. Arriving
td=:esc:¥#:et,hrea:e°dIT;;'ihaecyh:::fered
110
^ _ ,./ .:ilk+ ,.,. ra¢t n"xl=)Ijl:+V`*X S _ <-
gun fire as they sought any cover,
including behind the corpses of their
comrades. Ten of the DD tanks were
now burning on the sand. Some
survivors joined the Rangers under
the cliffs and fought with them to
clear WN-73's trenches. Seeing the
disaster unfolding, the destroyer
Lrss McCook sailed in close to fire its
guns onto the cliffs, and Lrss C¢r777{.ck
did the same to hit D-1 draw. But
the naval fire could not silence the
German guns. By mid-morning,
the attack on D-1 draw had been a
complete failure. Planned subsequent
landings were diverted away
eastward as it was judged impossible
to come ashore here. Vierville would
eventually be captured in the evening
by troops moving inland and then
west from further along Omaha.
Scenario Type: Battalion
THE BATTLE
gun and mortar Play the game on a 6' x 6' table.
neer teams had
Deploy the Germans first. Begin by
positioning their defences as shown
on the map. Any troops can then be
placed anywhere the German player
wishes (but on the land!). 2D6 units
start the game on Ambush fire.
Then deploy the American forces.
The first wave of DD tanks is
deployed a minimum 10" from
the shoreline. The second wave is
deployed a minimum of 20" from
the shoreline. The subsequerit waves
enter via the northern (seaward) table
edge on the turn given.
The Americans take the first turn.
THE BATTLEFIELD
Roughly half the table is sea and
beach, the other half is Dog Green
sector and the D-1 draw. The beach
should be approximately 15" wide,
obstacles. The main draw runs back
from the beach between the high
ground, on top of which are placed
most of the German defences. At the
base of the draw are the two gun
casemates, one for the 88 (looking
east along the beach, not out to sea)
and the smaller 50mm gun (also
looking east).
OBJECTIVES
There are four objectives. The first is
the 88mm casemate. The second is
the anti-tank wall blocking the exit.
The third is the road where it exits
towards Vierville. The fourth is the
trenches on the high ground. All
these start in German hands (and,
yes, when claimed, the American
player must take four battle
counters). The Germans cannot claim
an all objectives held victory.
SPECIAL RULES
Heavy Swell: The sea conditions
are heavy swell, see the Beachhead
scenario for full details.
Enfilading Fire: The beach is
covered by enfilading fire from the
left and right, both 75mm infantry
guns. These hit on a roll of 6, with
a HE rating of 3/4+ and an armour
penetration value of 1. They can also
be used for Area Fire against targets
within 30" of the table edge. This cost
no orders to use.
Preliminary Naval Bombardment:
Is represented by three timed 6" gun
barrages from FFS Mo77£cczJ777, all on
Turn 1.
USS Carmick: Fire from the
destroyer LJSS C¢7i7?€.ck, off table,
is represented by the timed 5" gun
barrages on turns 9,10 and 11.
Amphibious Assault: All the special
rules detailed for Amphibious
Assaults and the Beachead scenario
should be used.
ALTERNATIVE FORCES
The scenario lists the historical forces
for the first hour (roughly) of the
landings, but players might like to
use their own miniature collections
to recreate the battle as a `what-if'
scenario. In this case the American
player gets 1,800 points and must
choose his forces from the American
The German player gets 1,200 points,
and must choose his forces from the
Atlantic Wall Resistance Nest army
lists.

Amphibious Assault battlegroup list

US FORCES

First Wave Off Table Battery

3 DD Sherman Squadrons 2 Batteries of 3 105mm guns each

Secondwa.ve (arriving on Turn 2) 3 Timed 6" gun barrages -o7? T#r7t 1

3 Assault Boat Teams in LCAs (Of A Company) Timed 8-26 Air Strike - o7i T7/r7t 2
Engineer Gap Team and Sherman Bulldozer in a LCM Timed 5" gun barrage - o7? T%r7? 9
Time\d 5" gun barrage -oco Tt4rro 10

Third Wave (¢7`rzz7t.7ig o77 Tt/r# 5) Timed 5" gun barrage -o7i Tc„7i 11
3 Assault Boat Teams in LCAs (of 8 Company)
1 M16 Halftrack in an LCVP 2 1st Priority Artillery Requests

Fourth wave (arriving Turn 8) Officers: 11

2 Assault Boat Teams in LVCPs (of D Company) Total Battle Rating: 102

F±£th wave (arriving Turn 10)

5 M4 Sherman tanks in a LC7''
/

GERMAN FORCES
8 20" 1engths of barbed wire (o77 #tc si7tgze sefl zu¢ZZ ¢77d o7t
(For this scenario the three resistance ests have
been comhined into one dig one) top of the bluffs)
Enfilading Fire from right flank, by 1 75mm infantry gun
88mm PaK 43 gun casemate, with loader team Enfilading Fire from left flank, by 1 75mm infantry gun
`Deserters will be Shot!'
(entrance to draw)
50mm PaK 38 gun c `i semate, with loader team
Off Table Battery
(on the beach)
75mm infantry gun casemate, with loader team 2 105mm guns

(onbluffs)
7 MG34 Tobruk pits, with loader teams (o7t bzttjrs) Reinforcements
2 automated 50mm mortar pits (o7t bzt4#s) (arriving on Turn 4 via the southern table edge)
1 20mm Flak 38 with loader team (o7i Z)Zt/#s) Understrength Grenadier Platoon
oP Bunker (on blur f i) Platoon HQ
10" anti-tank wall and a minefield (o7i fJte ro¢cZ #s Zf c77fers 2 Squads
the draw) 2 MMG Teams
10 Minefields (these may not be placed in the sea or on the
beach. Most where on the bluffi) Officers: 2
5 20" 1engths of Beach Obstacles (¢ZZ o# £7ic be¢c7?) Total Battle Rating: 30+D6

iiiiE_
iiiiiiiiiE

111
 ATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD
STORMINGTHE
LAFIERECAUSEWAY
This scenario recreates the famous
action to capture the La Fiere
causeway on June 9th by 3rd
Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry,
supported by survivors of the 507th
Parachute Infantry Regiment. It is an
infantry fight, only a single Sherman
tank is included (and it hit a mine).
The action begins with the arrival
of G Company, double-timing it up
the road from St Mere Eglise, and
covers approximately the first hour
of the day's fighting. The battle
did continue all day, but by then
the centre of the action had moved
westwards and the causeway was
finallyinAmer;cphands.'-
Game Size: Platoon
SITUATION REPORT
The 507th Parachute Infantry had
been fighting to captur and hold
the main crossing over the erderet
river near La Fiere since D-Da They
had fought tooth and nail with the
Germans for the valuable crossing
point, and neither side was willing to
give it up. The paratroopers' initial
D-Day ga s had been repulsed
by counter ttacks, led by obsolete
French tan. two of which were
destroyed by bazooka fire on the
causeway itself, after which a
scratched together company under
Captain Rae had held the eastern end,
around the La Fiere Manor, under
harassing enemy artillery fire.
Fearing that the Germans were
massing for an attack across the
causeway themselves, 3rd Battalion,
325th Glider Infantry were ordered
to relieve Rae's battered and weary
survivors. 325th's lst Battalion
would be attempting another
crossing further north at the same
112
time. Halfway along their march
route, the 3rd Battalion received the
urgent order to immediately attack,
straight from the march, and seize the
causeway - the attack was to begin
at 1045 hours. G Company was in
the lead, under Captain Sauls - they
would be straight into the fight. E
Company wias following behind
them, with the Weapons Company
and HQ Company bringing up the
rear.
Captain Sauls set his men to double-
time along the winding road down
to the causeway as the artillery
preparation of the 82nd Airborne's
75mm howitzers, and 155mm guns
of 90th Infantry Division, began to
pound the far river bank. Although
promised a smoke screen to cover the
assault, few smoke rounds fell. The
Germans responded with artillery
and mortar fire against the eastern
river bank, with accurate fire hitting
the causeway itself . Sauls, leading
his second platoon at the front, saw
the enemy fire and decided to divert
to the left of the road, through the
manor grounds to where a sturdy
wall covered his final approach to the
bridge and causeway beyond it.
With his leading platoons paused and
gathered behind the wall, which was
being peppered by enemy machine
gun fire, Sauls counted down the
minutes as they all hunkered low.
Rae's paratroopers, stretched out
on either side of the bridge, were
returning fire with small arms and
machine guns to cover the coming
attack. Rae's orders were to support
the attack with fire, and if it faltered,
to throw his own men across the
causeway to aid it.
At 1045, the US artillery barrage
ceased fire and Sauls stood up and
simply said `Let's Go', before rurming
for the bridge. His lead platoon
(actually 2nd platoon) followed at
his heels, but, as men were hit, the
following squads stalled in their cover.
The lead squads took the causeway
at a dead run moving along both
sides - speed was their best chance
of survival here. Amidst the flying
bullets and exploding mortar rounds,
Sauls miraculously made it across,
along with a few brave men. Many
others lay wounded or sought the
thin cover available on the causeway
from fire coming from front, right and
left. Behind Saul, his second platoon
(actually lst platoon) was trying to
get moving too, but the causeway was
becoming choked with men.
A Sherman tank from 746th Tank
Battalion made the dash forwards,
hoping to barge a wrecked French
tank out of the way and get to Sauls,
but it ran over an American mine laid
by the paratroops and not cleared.
The Sherman was disabled and seven
men were wounded in the blast as
the stragglers attempted the crossing.
The causeway was strewn with men
huddling in any cover they could
against the incoming fire, including
behind wrecked tanks and the dead.
Meanwhile, Sauls had just 30 men of
his company left when he reached the
far bank and he ordered them to start
clearing the hedgerows south of the
road, from where heavy machine gun
and rifle fire was emanating. The few
buildings at the hamlet of Cauquigny
to the right were the objective of the
following units and would have to
wait. The glider troops began clearing
the hedges at close quarters with

ys.Ii=.notox ..,, *v`ngi. I xv. z*!fi» i R>xhi):a~
grenades, and soon the Germans
were emerging from their foxholes,
hands above heads. The fight wasn't
over though. More glider men found
their way through the jammed
bridge and causeway, now littered
with wounded, dead, malingerers
and a few MG teams firing back into
Cauquigny. These new arrivals set
about clearing the buildings and the
small church. Directed by Lieutenant
Amino, the glider troops pressed
forward and German resistance
quickly broke. 30 enemy soldiers
surrendered around the small
church, and a little later another 22
prisoners were taken in a farmhouse.
German resistance had been broken
by the time the following companies
received their orders to cross - the
battle had moved on, but the intense
shelling continued.
Fighting towards the next village
of Le Motley continued throughout
Sherman tanks had moved acros /theafterno n,butso nmore
to support the new front and the
German resistance was weakening.
By evening, Rae's paratroops had
also crossed and advanced to capture
Le Motley, and that night elements
of the 90th Infantry Division were
marching across the causeway to take
over the front and continue the push
westwards. The 82nd Airborne had
finally completed its D-Day missi6ii-their defence, the US paratroops
and captured the causeway.
SPECIAL RULES
Flooded Ground: The Merderet
river has been flooded as part of
the Germans' anti-invasion plans.
Heavily waterlogged, crossing this
I.iver and marsh is difficult going,
and the river itself must be swum.
The glider troops took the direct
approach, but you might like to try a
different plan. Troops moving across
the marshes only move D6 inches per
move action. If a 6 is rolled then the
unit moves it's full 5" distance but
loses lD3 men, drowned in the water.
Vehicles cannot cross the river.
rmo=: -
Causeway of Fear: The exposed
causeway is swept by heavy
fire, crossing it is difficult. Any
American unit wishing to move on
the causeway must first take a unit
inorale test, just as if it had taken
casualties. If a 1 or 2 is rolled, the unit
does not surrender/rout, but instead
immediately takes a D3 casualties
with no Cover save allowed. These
losses will cause them to take another
unit morale check. All other morale
Its remain the same (including
the Call of Duty). Take a unit
morale test per movement action.
Unmarked minefield: As part of
have strewn anti-tank mines on the
causeway, and these were not clearedr
before the assault. Any vehicle that
moves on the causeway must roll a
D6, on a 1 or 2, it hits a mine. Any
other result means it is OK.
OBJECTIVES
There are three objectives: one on the
bridge over the Merderet, Cauquigny
church and the road junction west of
the village where a lane leads off to
Le Motley.
THE BATTLEFIELD
Play the game on an 8'x6' table. The
eastern end is the La Fiere Manor (a
BAITLE GROUP . OVERLORD
group of three buildings) and bridge
with the causeway immediately
beyond it. The causeway itself is
lined with low hedges (these are not
bocage), and blocked by the wrecks
of two French R-35 tanks. On the
western bank is the small hamlet of
Cauquigny, including its church (it
had no spire). Around it are bocage
hedged fields and orchards. The area
has been fought over, so a few craters
can be scattered. The marshes extend
across the centre of the table from
the Merderet river to the hedgerows
north and south of CaLuquigny.
INITIAL DEPLOYMENT
Deploy the American forces first.
The paratroops can be placed
anywhere on their side of the river.
Reinforcements (the assault troops)
start arriving via the main road from
turn 2.
Next deploy the Germans. They
have three platoons, one occupying
Cauquigny, one north of the village
and one south of the village. 2D6
German units may start the game
with the Ambush Fire order. The
German Pre-Registered Target Point
must be located somewhere on the
causeway.
The Americans are the Attackers and
take the first turn.
113
 BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD

GERMAN DEFENDERS US FORCES

From 1057th Grenadier Regin'ient, 91st Airlanding Division Initial Deployment Turn 3
Survivors Of 507th PIR Glider Infantry Platoon
Grenadier Platoon FAO Team Veteran Parachute Infantry
Platoon HQ 2men Platoon Turn 4
3 Squads off-table battery 1 M4 Sherman tank (75mm)
3 MMG Teams 2 75mm howitzers FAO Team
off-table battery 2men Turn 5
Grenadier Platoon 2 75rrm howitzers Weapons Platoon with
Platoon HQ Forward Signals Unit 2 .30cal MMG teams
3 Squads 12 Foxholes for Grenadier 2men 2 60mm mortar teams
3 "G Teams platoons
off-table battery Turn 6
Grenadier Platoon 2 Improvised Road Blocks 3 75mm pack howitzers Company HQ squad
Platoon HQ (the knocked out R-35s) 10 men
3 Squads 2 1st Priority Requests 2 Combat Medics
3 "G Teane Officers: 3
Battle Rating Total: 37 G Company, Ill Battalion, Officers: 5
1 Sniper in a sniper hide-out 325th Glider Infantry (inchading senior of f icer)
Arriving along the St Mere Battle Rating Total: 39
2 80mln Mortar teams in figlise main road.
mortar pits
Turn 2
1 Pre-Registered Target Senior Officer - 2 men
Point Glider Infantry Platoon

114
 \ iH BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD

FIRST
BATTLE HONOUR
BREVILLE, JUNE 12th
From the very first moments of
D-Day, 6th Airborne Division would
play a key role, seizing bridges
and occupying important locations
between the Ome and the Dives
rivers to secure the eastern flank of
the Allied landings. Withstanding
several German attacks, the men of
6th Airborne were soon bolstered by
the arrival of the British lst Special
Service Brigade, and the commandos
joined the airborne soldiers' defence.
In the immediate aftermath of
the initial landings, 6th Airborne
tenaciously held the bridgehead that
they had carved out to,isecure the
landing areas. They repelled several
German counterattacks, but the
focus of both sides soon gravitated to
the town of Breville, located on t
strategic Bavent Ridge. Under
attack by the enemy, the Briti
Canadian airborne soldiers held on as
the Germans tried again and again to
break into the Allied perimeter. These
attacks began at the German held
tour of Breville.
unacceptable threat to the security of
the Allied bridgehead, and thus had
to be taken at all costs. The attack
put in by 12th Parachute Battalion,
though successful, would cost the 6th
Airborne dearly.
Shortly before last light, an artillery
bombardment commenced firing on
Breville and its German defenders.
As the supporting Sherman tanks of
the 13th/ 18th Hussars fired tracer
rounds from their machine guns
to indicate the route of advance,
the paratroopers went forward
with men from the 12th Devons in
support. Already at just two-thirds
strength, 12 Para would be attacking
an enemy that was well positioned
and supported, was experienced
and with a strength almost equal
to those attacking. However, with
their supporting artillery, the tanks
and the paratroopers' famous `esprit
de corps' it was hoped they would
overcome the odds.
The initial artillery barrage quelled
enemy fire from Breville and
the assault began in earnest, but
incoming German mortar fire played
havoc among the troops. One of
12 Para's companies lost all its
remaining officers to mortar fire just
after crossing their start line. High
explosive gunfire from the German
Marders caused further losses. All
along the line, the British attack
came under heavy fire with very
high casualties among the officers.
Many units were being pushed on by
sergeants and corporals. To this rising
disaster, a further tragic incident
was added when a British shell fell
short and landed in the middle of a
senior officers' conference. Among
the dead were Lt-Colonel Johnson
(CO of 12 Para) and Major Bampfylde
(CO `D' Company 12th Devons),
while Brigadier Kindersley (CO 5th
Parachute Brigade) and Lord Lovat
(CO lst Special Service Brigade) were
all seriously wounded.

The events around Breville would be

seen as part of a wider battle that is
viewed by many as one of the most
important engagements of the whole
invasion. Having lost the battle for
Breville, the Germans would never
again be in a position to threaten the
landing beaches.

Game Size: Company

SITUATION REPORT
On the night of the 12th June 1944,
the British 6th Airborne Division
launched a surprise assault on the
German-held town of Breville.
This position was deemed to be an
 BATTLE GROUP . OVERLORD

BRITISH AIRBORNE FORCES GERIVIAN FORCES

Elements Of 'A' Company, 12th off Table Battery 6th Etompanie, 11 Abteilung, Marder Ill H
Parachute Battalion, 5th Parachute 2 25 pdrs Grenadier Regiment 857 Marder Ill H
Brigade, 6th Aj,rborne Division off Table Battery 346. Imfanterie Diviston Marder Ill H
3 3" mortars
Airborne Infantry Platoon Forward Headquarters Forward Observer Team
Airborne Infantry Platoon Recce platoon Command Comms Relay Team 2men
FIAT Team 4 men in Jeep Grenadier Platoon off Table Battery
FIAT Team Platoon HQ 2 80mm mortars
Vickers HMG Team Airborne Engiveer Section 3 Squads Off Table Battery
Vickers HMG Team Stretcher Party 3 "G Teams 2 80mm mortars
1 1st Target Priority Request off Table Battery
M4A4 Sherman Troop Grenadier Platoon 2 76.2Inm Field Guns
Officers: 4 Platoon HQ
Forward Observer Team a3ritish Forces do not get a 3 Squads Officers: 3
2men Forward Headquarters to roflect 3 "G Teams (including senior of f icer)
Off Table Battery the unusudrly high losses in Battle Rating Total: 31 BR
2 25 pdrs officers during the battle) HMG42 Team
Battle Rating Total: 50 BR HMG42 Team

Command now passed to Colonel or wounded including the CO. On OBJECTIVES

Reggie Parker, who despite being
wounded by the shell strike, now
took control of the battle.
ThaTp'arasnowbattledintoBreville,
with NCOs leading the charge into
the town to force out the German
defenders. Eventually, after house-
to-house fighting,
secured and Colo Parker moved
into the town to co-ordinate its
immediate defence in response to a
likely German counter-attack. But
3:ic=Jg,ef|ymseTactkp=o:1:ing
defensive fire to break up a German
counter-attack, actually landed on
Breville itself among the British
troops, now in the Germans' vacated
positions. Most of the remaining
officers were killed or wounded,
with the attached artillery FOO being
killed outright. Luckily, his signaller
survived and was able to call a stop
to the disastrous barrage.
The expected German counter-attack
never happened and by morning
the paras were relieved. The attack
was a success but at a high price.
Not a single officer remained in 12th
Parachute Battalion; all were dead
D-Day, the battalion that had jumped
with over 500 men now resembled
a weak company with only a tenth
of their initial strength remaining.
But despite the losses, Breville was a
decisive victory. Its capture marked
an end to German attacks against
Ranville and the Ome bridges and
effectively safeguarded the Allied left
flank in Normandy. For their success,
in the face of seeming disaster, the
Parachute Regiment still shows the
battle honour -`Breville'.
SPECIAL RULES
Night Fighting: The battle took
place at right. All spotting is'at
an additional -1 modifier and the
maximum range for all Aimed Fire
and spotting is 30". Area Fire is not
effected.
Danger Close: Due to the high
number of incidents of friendly fire
in the real battle, once per game
the German player may choose to
move a British artillery attack onto
the nearest British unit to the where
the marker is placed. Roll attacks
as normal and place on those units
within 10" of the chosen unit.
There are three objectives on the
tabletop. All buildings in and around
Breville.
THE BATTLEFIELD
Set-up the terrain as shown in the
map. Defenders deploy first, followed
by the attackers. British forces
deploy in the south-west comer of
the table. Germans may deploy in
the area marked on map. 2D6 of the
defender's deployed units may the
start the game with the Ambush Fire
order.
The attacker (British) automatically
gets the first turn.
Scenario Type: Attack/ Defence.
In this scenario, the Germans are
the defenders and the British are
attacking.
VICTORY
The first battlegroup to exceed its
total Battle Rating must withdraw
and loses the battle. Alternatively, if
the British manage to secure all three
objectives, they win. In this scenario,
the defender cannot claim an all
objectives held victory.

116