Yesterday we recreated the central southern sector of the Battle of Amiens, the attack towards Mézières, and it was indeed a black day for the German army.
This scenario covers the first day of the battle, at the join between the Canadian and French forces south of the River Luce. The Scenario notes can be found
here.
As usual Krafthollern was in command of the German forces in the sector, in this case the 225. Division of Generalkommando zbv51. I took command of the Canadian forces and the French were split between Stuart and a surprise special guest in the form of Portwrinkle, who insisted his French alter ego was General 'Eau du Parfam' or something similar, although I suspect after yesterday his troops will call him 'Eau de Toilette' behind his back, disguising the rank odour of death that follows him in view of his reckless tactics...
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| 'Aerial' photo of the battlefield, either side must hold both the Green and Red lines to win, any other result is a draw. Entente Forces are attacking from the left. North, is to the top. |
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We catch up with the action as the by now traditional morning mist clears to reveal the Entente making short work of the German front line positions. Canadians supported by Mark Vs are in the foreground, Stuart commanding the 94 RI is in the Centre and 'Eau de Toilette's' 332 RI are in the background. |
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The Canadians cautiously approach Vignette Wood as the gas clouds rapidly dissipate, wafted away by the the stiff morning breeze, to reveal what's left of the German forces. |
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| Mark V* tanks of the 1st Tank Battalion supporting the French make short work of crossing the ephemeral German trenches. |
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| Regimental headquarters of the 504e RAS send a pigeon to indicate they have broken down. |
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Disaster strikes the 332 RI as a tragic miscommunication means they impetuously advance into their own preplanned barrage. Friendly fire will cause them more casualties than the Germans will today. |
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Further north the Canadians, supported by Mark V tanks of the 5th Tank Battalion and the 1st Motor Machine Gun Brigade, are sweeping out Vignette Wood. The only thing holding up the adjacent French of the 94 RI seems to be a few stray strands of barbed wire. |
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As the Canadians approach Demuin they find the barrage has been largely ineffective. The sickening chatter of Spandaus opening up sets a tank aflame. They immediately charge into the village to clear it, not even waiting for the innovative aerial smokescreen I had scheduled in, which is just as well as I completely forgot about it. The Germans are forced to flee, encouraged by Canadian bayonets and the first of the German regiments break shortly thereafter. |
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| Chasseurs of the 8e BCP lead the way for XXXI Corps Cavalry through Vignette Wood |
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The capture of Demuin clears the crossing of the River Luce for the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, attached Whippets of 3rd Tank Battalion and 2nd Motorised Machine Gun Brigade; who proceed to race for the German reserve line. |
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On the southern sector the 332 RI, led by the other half of the attached French cavalry, stream past Villers-aux-Erables as it receives a thorough pasting from gas and shell. Around this time the second of the German regiments break. |
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Sensing which way the wind is blowing (breezily and to the east judging by how briskly the gas clouds are clearing) Krafthollern jumps into his staff car and drives off at speed, claiming he has just received an urgent call to catch a train to Berlin to confer with the Kaiser. |
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Krafthollern has shown his usual uncanny premonition as barely has the sound of his car receded than it is replaced by the steady drone of a flight of HP bombers... |
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...As gas shells start to engulf Mezieres, the town is also bombed with impunity by the 'Bloody Paralysers'. The Germans have no Spandaus left to oppose them. |
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The German Headquarters is thoroughly fumigated and a downpour of 'eggs' rain hell from above. With their beloved leader absent the German staff are thrown into abject confusion. |
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German engineers frantically attempt to continue the wire around the town, harassed by the noxious clouds
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The French race to be the first to the German reserve line. Despite clear warnings from their Chief of Artillery that gas will shortly arrive, the French cavalry refuse to hold back exhibiting their traditional elan and goaded on by their commander, 'Eau de Toilette'. |
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Calamity strikes the valiant yet foolhardy 'arme blanche' at the moment of their triumph as they disappear in the dirty, yellow, nebulous gloom never to be seen again. Not the fragrance they were led to expect from 'Eau de Toilette'. Someone will kick up a stink about this after the battle, a court of enquiry will no doubt follow and 'Eau de Toilette' may find himself down the pan, at the very least 'Limogered'. |
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Tanks of the 11 BCL parade triumphantly along the road to Villers-aux-Erables awaiting for the bombardment of the village to lift, showing commendable caution compared to their hasty mounted brethren. |
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A French artillery officer attempts to direct his battery's fire from the top of a moving Mark V* tank, but finds even this slow moving platform cannot keep up with the laying of telephone cable. If only wireless communication was available. |
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| A 77mm shows the Germans still have some teeth as it opens up from the edge of Hammon Wood. |
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A Renault FT-17 is set ablaze, however the German gun has now revealed it's position and is soon silenced by overwhelming counter fire |
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As the bombardment on Villers-aux-Erables finally recedes the French are able to charge in and rout out any survivors. |
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| Canadian forces swarm over the German reserve line and their air support is able to bomb with impunity. |
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| The Canadians are the first to the red line, at least the first who live to tell the tale. |
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| The last of the German Regiments break and the Canadian Cavalry mount up for the chase. Next stop Berlin! |
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| Broken down Mark Vs litter the rear areas |
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| A signaller at Headquarters passes on the good news, church bells will be rung across England tonight. |
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| The French call for the map drawer to be opened to get out the next sheet eastwards for the first time in many months. |
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| A victory flypast by the air support over a smouldering and gas choked Mezieres |
An emphatic triumph for the Entente then, which rather leads me to believe the scenario was a bit one sided in its objectives, so would need adjusting.
A bit of luck was involved, as the gas only stuck around for one turn, any more then this may well have delayed the allied advance. Clearly the tanks made the biggest difference, along with a steady stream of artillery casualties (the friendly fire incidents notwithstanding) justifying going 'gas heavy' with the artillery plan and Brutinel's Motorised Machine Guns and air support picking off crucial targets (again lucky on occasion not to be shot down in the usual manner of previous games).
A number of approaches could be taken to make the scenario more balanced if necessary. The allied artillery and tank force could be reduced, perhaps leave out the cavalry altogether and possibly reduce the ratings for Brutinel's motorised machine guns. However it may just reflect the overwhelming force employed by the allies in combined arms and a more historical approach may be to adjust the victory conditions to reflect this.
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