Attention British Commander!
Orders for May 13th, 1940:
As your know, German forces invaded Belgium 3 days ago and are pushing fast toward our BEF positions on the Dyle
riverbetween Louvain & Wavre, Belgium. You are to take your light cavalry unit and push east in advance of the
Dyle to act as screen for any German advance, and to buy time for ourm main forces to dig in on their Dyle positions.
You should push forward until you make contact with enemy units, If possible, you should then fight a delaying action and
attempt to assess the strength and direction of any enemy approach. If you encounter any armored formations, or
concentrations of infantry or equipment, you should call in artillery bombardament (from our 25 pdrs on the Dyle
postions) on these forces right away to disrupt any German advance in force on the Dyle. If you are overwhelmed do
not get cut off. Fall back on the Dyle line (west) and be prepared to make a full report on enemy activity. You may
deploy your units to move on-board for the first turn, from any where on the left hand edge.
*Note that the stream on the south edge of the board is very shallow and passable by infantry & vehicles. It is
bordered by a 5 foot embankment on either side.
Good luck!
You will have command of the following units:
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Daimler Dingo Scout Car x2
Both units carry No. 9 radio & Bren gun. 2 man crew for each car.
Vickers Mk VIb Light Tank x2
Each Unit has Nor. 9 radio, 3 man crew. Armament on each vehicle is Dual Vickers .303 & .5 MG
Bren Carrier x3
1 unit has No 9 radio, 4 man crew in each vehicle w/ 3 rifles + 1 Bren.
** For this force, you may also allocate 2 Boys AT Rifles to any units of your choice.
** You must indicate where you , as commander, will be located within this force.
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Turn 1 Orders
hi chris!
i've accessed the site and downloaded the map.
after getting a coffee i'll email you the first order in about 1 hour.
in WW2 British parlance i'll name this recon unit SparrowForce.
The CO is probabaly from Eton and has a name like Rupert Warner-Lowe.
The large building in 2F will be codenamed Downing Street.
in 3C is that a ploughed field?
SparrowForce advances!
In general this unit will advance rapidly to seize some defendable terrain and then await the advance of the Hun.
Each Dingo has an attached AT rifle. (I assume I can later unattach?)
Moves!
Both Vickers tanks enter on the road at A3 and advance rapidly east to the junction at C3.
All 3 Carriers enter behind the tanks then trundle along the road, turn right at B3, move along road, move between
field and building at C4 then move east towards the treeline.
Dingo 1 (with CO) enters behind carriers, moves along road to building at D3. AT rifle hops out and enters building.
Sets up pointing east down road.
Dingo 2 comes on last on road, turns right at B3 moves down road to building at C5. AT rifle hops out, enters building.
Sets up pointing SE. Dingo 2 ends behind building on road facing South.
n
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Turn 1 Complete
Sparrowforce has executed its orders perfectly and now has 2 Vickers idling at the road junction B3 (yes, thats a
plowfield). Commanders Dingo is idling on road near house A3, and ATR is set up there, facing east down road. Carrier section is preparing to cut
accross the open ground west from the area of B4. Dingo #2 has reached the house at B4 as planned. Presently NO
VISUAL CONTACT with enemy units. Here is your perspective:
Turn 2 Orders
hopefully this makes sense.
Both Vickers tanks move past the junction at D3. One stops. The other engages reverse gear and backs up the
northern-heading road stopping next to the house. So it ends pointing South with the house in D2 on the immediate left.
(Q do the Vickers tanks have smoke dischargers?)
CO Rupert .the Bear. Ware jumps out of his Dingo and enters house (I assume he has a radio with him) He goes to the
first floor if possible.
His Dingo backs up into the gap between the house and the plowed field. Driver puts kettle on.
Dingo 2 (which has left AT rifle in house@B5) moves South, crosses river, turns east and motors towards the trees.
(hopefully ending up at the point where the letter .D. is on map.)
The 3 carriers move in line abreast towards the trees. (radio in northernmost)
When they reach the edge of the trees they stop. All the rifle-armed soldiers disembark and enter the trees in an
extended line N>S, stopping at the eastern edge of the woodland.
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Turn 2 Complete
Ware's Vickers tanks have deployed as directed and dingo driver is enjoying a brew, parked behind the house.
The Bear has set up on bottom floor of house at C3 w. radio. ATR still deployed facing "Downing Street".
Radio transmission from Dingo #2 indicates they are crossing the small stream, now facing east at B5.. looking down
stream east, no enemy units visible. Suddenly, break in communication from carrier section radio -- Approaching tree
line as ordered -- Possible enemy vehicle sighted just beyond tree line in vicinity of E-F5. Advise. Looking out from
either side of your command post SE and NE respectively, here is your perspective.
Turn 3 Orders
"Look out, chums!\" says Harry \'Hornet\' Horton as he drives his carrier forward.
\"I can smell
sauerkraut!\"
Carriers halt.
All rifle-armed inf fix bayonets, dismount and charge into the trees. they are to clear the wooded area of enemy.
CO sees if he can get any higher then goes on the radio to announce to all units that this is the command post,
codename \"Old Bailey\"
Dingo next to HQ moves round to the south side of building, pointing east.
Vickers outside HQ is to move slowly East past junction. if it comes under fire the crew are to discharge smoke and
reverse at speed.
Dingo2 is to advance east rapidly , join road in the SE corner, turn N but not to cross stream.
Engage any softskin transport or inf.
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Turn 3 Complete
"The Bear" has climbed up a ruined wall looking southeast from "Old Bailey" with a clear view to the assault on
the tree line. The lads are in fine form, gathering speed in a steady advance to close the open ground west of
the wood. Bear's driver (and batman?) having a fine view to the action now indicates that there seems to be
possibly more than one enemy vehicle moving beyond tree line -- which, on further scrutiny, you can also
confirm.Suddenly, catching your eye due east in the area of F4-F3, you notice 3 motorcyle units race past to
north and losing site of them about F3 behind a hedgerow. And then, a low roar grows steadily from the line of
troops rushing to the woods, now at a full run, culminating in a fiersome exchange of gunfire from the Tommies
and apparently, German machine guns, ripping through the trees... 3 tommies fall to the ground in the center of the
line as remainder charge forward heroically, guns blazing. Your view of the action:
Turn 4 Orders
vickers moving east is to advance and engage enemy vehicles about E4.
inf are to pile in to the enemy in the woods.
AT man in house at C5 is to loophole the wall (if necessary) so he can see NE.
Dingo2 is to be ordered to bring junction at G5 in LoS. Top
priority!
HQ Dingo is the engage any enemy appearing near the Northern edge of the treeline.
Rupert \"The Bear\" radios Divisional HQ.
\"Sparrow to Mother Hen! Sparrow to Mother Hen!
Am engaging Enemy recon units!\"
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Turn 4 Complete
All hell is breaking loose in the woods! Grenade explosions, smoke, and deafening fire everywhere in the tree line.
The lads appear to be encountering heavy resistance in the woods. Ware has jumped in the gunners seat of Dingo 1 and
the car is in the area of D3, pushing east quickly. Vickers tank has joined from the north of you and now also heading
east in position along your immediate left. Ware lets off a few quick bursts from the Bren into the northern edge of
the tree line, though there are no visible enemy targets. Radio communique comes in from Dingo #2 -- " Have reached
the wood at D-E5 just south of the river bank -- No enemy sighted in the area of G5. Stiff fighting in tree line to my
north. Have limited visibility of this action from current postion". Suddenly, coming into your view to the southeast
of the treeline at approximately E4, A German troop carrier bears down on your position and another in sight just
behind it!
Turn 5 Orders
CO Dingo and adjacent Vickers are to halt and engage enemy halftracks.
the other Vickers is to motor towards Downing Street all guns blazing.
AT rifle at Old Bailey is to move to the east of the building and engage halftracks.
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Turn 5 Complete
Cpt Ware opens up with a burst from his Bren LMG which rips across the bonnet of the German halftrack and up
toward the gunshield on top, just in time to see the German MG let loose a tongue of fire right back at the
Dingo! " Get Simpson up here with that bloody Boys!!" , he shouts to the driver, who scuttles halfway out the
back hatch and signals frantically at "0ld Bailey". ATR man creeps up along the hedgerow a few yards and goes
prone to set up the rifle. Meanwhile the .5 HMG from the Vickers at left barks fire, ripping across the
gunshield of the Halftrack and silencing the MG there. Ware opens up with another burst from the Bren tracking
a few infantrymen who are exiting the rear of the halftrack -- they scurry out of view into the wood. A quick
glance to the right shows a few of the british infantry men from the carrier sections, badly pinned down on the
edge of the wood by MG fire, some now crawling back to safer positions at the western edge of the wood.
Meanwhile, the 2nd German vehicle has swung around behind the halft track on its north flank and pulls to a stop
there -- this is not a troop carrier but and armored car, -- its turret, equipped with a cannon of some sort,
takes aim at the Vickers at your left! Dingo #2 communique comes in, barely audible over the din from your
Bren....: "Capt Ware, Sir. Oberving North from E6, Jerry seems to be pushing us back from the wood. Am
attempting to relieve the position with flanking fire. Out."
Turn 6 Orders
.Right-O chaps!. yells Ware, .We.ve given the Boshe a bloody nose but if he.s bringing up armored cars with cannons its
time for Rupert and his cubs to head back to their cave!.
Infantry in the woods run for their carriers and retreat to the East.
CO Dingo retreats rapidly to the Old Bailey. If Simpson has no enemy in range he jumps aboard.
Rupert calls for artillery support.
Smoke round between the parked carriers and the treeline.
HE onto the northern-most part of the wood (E4).
Dingo2 makes a careful note of the enemy he has observed then retraces his steps back to the house at C5.
Both Vickers fire a burst of MG fire then deploy smoke and reverse slowly to the East.
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Turn 6 Complete
Ware bellows into the radio to hear himself above the din of massive machine gun fire -- "Light tanks -- reverse gear &
deploy smoke!" Suddenly, a massive flash of flame & smoke lights up the Vickers next to him! "Reverse gear now!" HE
commands to the driver of the dingo who has already hit the throttle jostling the Capt. about in his gunners seat. As
the car pulls back from the action, Ware calls out to some nearby infantry men on his immediate right flank : " Pull
the boys back, I'm calling in the 25 pounders!" Vickers #1 radio breaks in " Fire! , we've got fire & smoke
everywhere.... no throttle, no gears ...bloody tank wont move...can't see a thing, cough cough..."
Radio signal: "Dingo #2 retreating west to house @ coordinates b5 right away. Have made note of all German activity in
view."
As the dingo comes to rest at "Old Bailey, Vickers #2 backs up nearby, trailing smoke down the road. -- Vicker's 1 is
still stationary and spewing flame and smoke in its last position.
"Sparrow to Mother Hen, - Request artillery fire support. Base ejection smoke at coordinates D4-5! High explosive
at Coordinates E4!!"
Turn 7 Orders
\"Hope the damned gunners don\'t get their smoke and HE mixed up!\" exclaimed Rupert as he popped a peppermint into his
mouth.
Crew of disabled Vickers to run for Old Bailey.
\"Did someone pop the Armoured car?\" Ware asks casually as he mans the MG to (hopefully) give the trees another
spraying.
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Turn 7 Complete
2 tankers with blackened faces appear out of the back hatch of the burning vickers and scamper back toward old
Bailey. "You can hear the steady ping of large caliber bullets hitting the the tank "plink.... plink....plink."
There is corresponding muzzle flash near the front right tire of the German troop carrier.
And then the sound of ripping cloth as the MG on the german troop carrier speaks again, riddling the ground
between it and Old Bailey. You spot some men evacuating the burning german AC and disappear behind its Eastern
side, letting off a quick harrasing burst at them, and then slap another cartridge of .303 in place. An
out-of-breath communique comes in: Carrier #1 to Capt. Ware... we've made it back to our transport. Have
suffered some casualties. At least 1 critically wounded man with us and a few lads aint come back from the
trees." Suddenly, a low whistle, gaining pitch and volume turing to a high screech and then .. "thud" a shell
strikes near the western edge of the tree line. No explosion...but a cloud of white smoke is pouring out... and
then another high pitched whistling, getting louder ...this time, ending in a massive explosion, about 30 yards
left of the burning German armoured car...
Turn 8 Orders
\"CO to artillery. Adjust fire 30 yards south! I want those trees shredded!\"
Functioning Vickers to reverse up the road to the north (where it was on turn 2).
Fleeing tankers to board CO Dingo.
All carriers to retreat at speed to the west, joining the road then turning north.
Dingo and AT rifle to remain near house @B5 and fire on any enemy advancing out of the woods.
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Turn 8 Complete
The tankers hurry back on your position out of breath and badly shaken- White, the tank commander of the disabled
Vickers speaks: "Taylor's gone - ripped apart in the driver's compartment, poor bloke... but I gave the armoured car what for
with the half inch, just before we was hit"
Dingo #2 reporting... back in position at B5.... our carrier section is arriving at the road, at B4...
Looking east, the German carrier is laying down steady MG fire now in your direction, though the vehicle does not seem
to be approaching.THe muzzle flashes from the large caliber gun near right front tire also continue, putting
several more rounds into the disabled Vickers.
Turn 9 Orders
Note - at this point i\'m hoping to disengage from the battlefield.
CO Dingo reverses till it has the plowed field immediately south.
Carriers to proceed North to junction then turn left (west) and make off board.
Dingo 2 to embark AT rifle and position itself on road at B4 facing east.
Vickers to reverse slowly, watching out for any Squareheads
on the road. (especially ones on bikes)
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Turn 9 Complete
CO of Carrier section radios in: "All carriers heading north on the road at B4. Casualty report - 4 men missing or
wounded in the woods. 1 man critically wounded in carrier #2. Lost our #2 Bren gun & gunner. Other vehicles move into
place as directed. A new artillery shell comes screeching in, hitting about 15 yards NORTH of the previous HE shell,
based on your visual of the impact, its doubtful any enemy units were affected. Radios go quiet and there is for a
time, a quiet lull on the battlefield...
Turn 10 Orders
\"D\'oh! Simpson\'s been left behind!
Well he can stay there for the moment!\"
Carriers to exit as planned.
Vickers to reverse North as planned. Stopping where the building gives cover from the east.
Dingo2 to follow the carriers then to turn left and join the CO Dingo.
\"Sparrow to Mother Hen! Cease artillery fire!
Do you have any rounds left?\"
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Turn 10 Complete
"Mother Hen to Sparrow: Arillery has ceased fire. Ready to recommence shelling on your orders. Tell Jerry we've got
plenty more where that came from!"
Dingo #2 radio man -- approaching quickly on your position ..we've spotted enemy carriers on the move again, in the
vicinity of D3 and heading east toward "Old Bailey" .
Carrier section headed west off board -" update ..we've got 5 men missing in the woods and 1 wounded man in the
carrier"
As Dingo #2 pulls up behind to your left on the road facing east, you can make out German motorcyles heade towards your
position, on the road by "Downing Street"..
Suddenly, Simpson opens up with his ATR in the direction of the burning Vickers...pop.....pop....pop....
Turn 11 Orders
"Motorbikes vs MGs?
Oh joy!\" gasped Rupert.
\"Simpson! Run here NOW!\"
Dingo2 to remain stationary and shoot up bikes.
CO Dingo to fall back next to Dingo2.
Vickers to hold still.
HE Artillery rounds on the junction at D3.
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Turn 11 Complete
No need to call back Simpson has you see him scampering back down the road at a full run towards the dingo ..."Jerry's
coming! I just brewed up one of their armored carriers!!"
Both Dingo's open up w/ Bren fire on the motorcycles in the distance and they quickly duck off behind a hedgerow on the
north edge near "Downing Street". Both Dingo's now stand blocking the road and facing east, just north of the plowed
field. No enemy activity is visible but there is fresh smoke & flame rising from the east side of Old Bailey in the
area of D3
Turn 12 Orders
Dingo2 does a 3-point turn and drives off the table @A3.
CO Dingo lets that glory-hunter Simpson climb aboard and then slowly reverses west.
Vickers does a right turn to the west and trundles cross-country into the gap between the southern edge of hill and
the hedge.
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Turn 12 Complete
Simpson hustles back to HQ Dingo and climbs on top, since there are already 4 men crammed into the compartment!
Vickers heads west cross country currently passing on your direct north flank, other side of the hedgerow. Keeping
your eyes trained on the road west, you now 2 enemy tanks appear in the distance, approximately F3 and headed towards
you. Suddenly, you hear a loud screeching accross the sky and the thunderous explosion of an artillery strike in the
region of D3... Dingo #1 hightailing it off board to the west...
Turn 13 Orders
\"Uh-Oh!\" muttered THe Bear, \"If they\'re bringing up tanks its time to go!\"
All vehicles to exit board westwards.
Vickers to drive straight off @A2.
I assume Dingo2 is gone.
CO Dingo to turnaround in junction and exit rapidly at A3.
Another artillery stonk on the road at D3 if possible.
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Turn 13 Complete
Your forces have exited the board to the west. Have rec'd your report to HQ. Game 1 is now complete.
-CH
BRITISH COMMANDER REPORT FOR HQ
Today Sparrowforce encountered an armored enemy thrust and despite having small claws had bite!
The enemy appeared to enter on the road at H3. Then they headed NW across country intending to join the main road.
However the bold advance of our infantry compelled them to stop. The sneaky Hun tried to worm his vehicles round the
northern flank of our infantry but ran into a hail of fire from our tanks and my command Dingo. In this exchange we
destroyed an armored car and damaged a halftrack for the loss of a Vickers. The enemy was further discomforted by the
outflanking drive of our other Dingo. Under fire from 3 directions the enemy must have been spooked into believing we
were far more numerous than we were.
With the enemy pinned we fell back and I called in artillery fire. Unfortuantely our gunners seem to have difficulty
telling North from south (Good job this is WW2 and not ACW!).
The enemy was so stunned by our initial aggression that they pursued v slowly and we withdrew under little pressure.
Pvt Simpson bagging a halftrack as it lumbered our way.
After inflicting more casualties than we had received I decided to withdraw a decision reinforced when enemy tanks
hove into view.
The enemy consisted of two groups.
Firstly 2xMotorbikes, 1x 222 Armored car, 2x 251 halftracks and at least 8 infantry.
The second group consisted of 1xPz II and one other tank, possibly a Pz35(t).
Capt Rupert Ware.
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Your orders are sent.
* If you need umpire/GM help -- please email chris@chtechnical.com or call US 661-435-5999
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