Epsom Linked Campaign

Linked Campaign for Operation Epsom Operation Epsom… By Gary Martin Mission 1: The Scottish Attack Dawn, 26 June – Operation Epsom begins with the fresh 15th Scottish Division’s first action of the war. As VIII Corps is advancing towards the rivers Odon and Odre, the 44th ‘Lowland’ Brigade must clear the way for the tanks. The 12. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Hitlerjugend’ is prepared for the attack and have fortified their positions. This mission uses Prepared Positions and Ambush special rules.

Your Orders 26. SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment The Allies have been pushing their way inland for 10 days now. You have prepared your defences well with mine fields, barbed wire and MG-42s. They tried to break you down with artillery but you are strong and your devotion to the Fatherland is unwavering. The guns have stopped so the Tommies must be coming. Time to man the guns. 6th Royal Scot Fusiliers This is it. After months of training you are about to face the Hun for the first time. You have to clear out all the outlying villages between here and the river Oden. Shouldn’t be too bad. The artillery has pounded the German lines for some time now, surly nothing could have survived that. Your Forces 26. SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment The SS troops are rated as Fearless Veteran. See the Panzergrenadierkompanie Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa for full details. Company HQ Upgrade both stands to command Panzerfaust SMG team Add a Panzerschreck team

Panzergrenadier Platoon Full strength Upgrade command to Command Panzerfaust SMG team  Panzergrenadier Platoon Full strength Upgrade command to Command Panzerfaust SMG team Mortar Platoon With 2 Mortar sections Light Anti-Tank Gun Platoon With 3 7.5cm Pak 40. Rocket Launcher Battery With 1 Launcher section Add a 7.5cm Pak 40 Field Fortifications You have 2 HMGs in open bunkers, 1 minefield and 3 barbed wire entanglements. See page 30 of Monty’s Meatgrinder for details.

6th Royal Scot Fusiliers The Scots are rated as Confident Trained. See the British Rifle Company Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa with further details from 15th Scottish Division article.

Company HQ Upgrade to a Scottish regiment Rifle Platoon Full Strength Rifle Platoon Full Strength Rifle Platoon Full Strength Rifle Platoon Full Strength Machine Gun Platoon 2 Machine-gun sections

Pioneer Platoon Full Strength Replace 15cwt truck with M5 Half-track Scout Patrol Add an extra hull-mounted HMG to each Universal Carrier Tank Platoon 3 Churchill Crocodiles Field Battery, Royal Artillery With 4 gun sections

Preparing for battle 1. Each player can deploy up to 12”/30cm from the table centre line. They run the length of the long table edges. 2. Starting with the Germans both players place an objective in the German deployment zone. Each objective must be at least 16”/40cm from the table centre line and 8”/20cm from the side table edge and each other. 3. The German force deploys their full force except for 2 platoons which are held in ambush. 4. The British now deploy their entire force in their deployment zone.

Beginning the Battle 1. The Germans begin the game in Prepared Positions, so their Infantry and Gun teams are in Foxholes and Gone to Ground. 2. The British get first turn. Ending the Battle The Battle ends when either: 1. The British hold any of the objectives at the start of their turn, or 2. The Germans starts any of their turns from turn six with no British teams in their half of the table. Deciding who won The British win if the game ended because they started one of their turns holding an objective. The German lines have been breached, now it’s on to the Odon. Otherwise the Germans win and their lines have held for now.

Mission 2: Hill 112 Dawn - 28th of June. The 15th Scottish Division has forced a crossing on the river Odon, now its time for the 11th Armoured Division to strike for Hill 112. 12. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Hitlerjugend’ were concentrating their forces on the bridgehead and have only lightly defended the hill top. Will the 23rd Hussars beat the 12. SS-Panzerregiment to the summit. This mission uses Prepared Positions and Reserves special rules. Your Orders 12. SS-Panzerregiment An attack has been mounted on Hill 112 you must move to re-enforce that vital position straight away. 23rd Hussars At last you have reached the river Odon. Hill 112 must be secured before you advance to the Odre. Your Forces

12. SS-Panzerregiment The SS troops are rated as Fearless Veteran. See the Panzerkompanie Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa for full details. Company HQ 2 Panzer IV H Panzer Platoon 4 Panzer IV H Panzer Platoon 4 Panzer IV H Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon Full strength Upgrade command to Command Panzerfaust SMG team Replace HQ Section Sd Kfz 251/1 with a Sd Kfz 251/10 Anti-tank Gun Platoon Four 7.5cm PaK40

23rd Hussars The Hussars are rated as Confident Trained. See the British Armoured Squadron Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa for full details. Defenders Company HQ 2 Sherman V Armoured Platoon 3 Sherman V 1 Sherman Firefly VC Armoured Platoon 3 Sherman V 1 Sherman Firefly VC Armoured Platoon 3 Sherman V 1 Sherman Firefly VC Armoured Platoon 3 Sherman V 1 Sherman Firefly VC Motor Platoon Full Strength Anti-Tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery 4 M10C 17pdr SP guns

Campaign Play If you are playing this as a follow on to the Mission 1: The Scottish Attack game then the following rules are used: German Victory – The determined resistance to the initial Allied attacks have allowed you more time to re-enforce your position on Hill 112. You automatically pass your reserve roll in the first turn only. British Victory – You have pressed hard into the German positions and advanced faster than expected so the enemy has not had time to prepare its position. The German infantry and gun teams will not be in foxholes.

Preparing for battle 1. Each player can deploy up to 12”/30cm from the table centre line. They run the length of the long table edges. 2. Starting with the Germans both players place an objective in the German deployment zone. Each objective must be at least 8”/20cm from the side table edge and each other. 3. The German force deploys the Anti-tank Gun Platoon and Panzergernadiers on the table. The Panzer IVs are held in reserve (see Campaign rules). 4. The British Squadron deploys the Company HQ and 2 armoured Platoons on the table.

The other units are held in reserve to represent the cautious advance of the British tanks. Beginning the Battle 1. The Germans begin the game in Prepared Positions, so their infantry and gun teams are in Foxholes and Gone to Ground. If the British won the previous game they loose their Foxholes 2. The British Get first turn. Ending the Battle The Battle ends when either: 1. The British hold any of the objectives at the start of their turn, or 2. The defender starts any of their turns from turn six with no attacking teams in the defender’s half of the table. Deciding who won The British win if the game ended because they started one of their turns holding an objective. They have taken Hill 112 and have a clear view all the way to Caen Otherwise the Germans win and the high ground is still theirs.

Mission 3: The German Counter attack 18:00 hours - 29 June. After several hard days fighting the German pressure continued to build against the Scottish Corridor. 9. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Hohenstaufen’ launched attacks against the entire west flank looking for any weaknesses in the British lines. This mission uses Prepared Positions, Delayed Reserves, Reserves and Across the Volga special rules.

Your Orders 9. SS-Panzerdivision “Hohenstaufen” Your reconnaissance units have found a weakness in the British lines. The company of Tommys holding the Belleval estate don’t have any armour support and only limited anti-tank guns. You must strike in true blitzkrieg fashion while their position is still weak. 8th Royal Scots You have been pounded by enemy mortars and guns for days. Short of supplies and with only a few 6pdrs left operational, its time for you to be pulled from the line. Reinforcements are on the way from 6 RSF, 44 RTR and 91st Anti-tank brigade. All you need to do is hold the line until they arrive. Your Forces

9. SS-Panzerdivision “Hohenstaufen” The SS troops are rated as Fearless Veteran. See the Gepanzerte Panzergrenadierkompanie Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa for full details. Company HQ Upgrade both stands to command Panzerfaust SMG team Both have the commander and 2iC have Sd Kfz 251/1 halftracks Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon Full strength Upgrade command to Command Panzerfaust SMG team Replace HQ Section Sd Kfz 251/1 with a Sd Kfz251/10 Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier Platoon Full strength Upgrade command to Command Panzerfaust SMG team Replace HQ Section Sd Kfz 251/1 with a Sd Kfz251/10 Armoured Mortar Platoon With 2 Mortar Sections Armoured Flame-Thrower Platoon 2 Sd Kfz 251/16 Panzer Platoon 4 Panzer IV H

8th Royal Scots The Scots are rated as Confident Trained. See the British Rifle Company Intelligence Briefing from Festung Europa for full details. Your company is split into 3 groups, defenders, reserves and Corps support (See Monty’s Meatgrinder for 5.5”gun rules). Defenders Company HQ Upgrade to a Scottish regiment Rifle Platoon Full Strength Rifle Platoon Full Strength Machine Gun Platoon 2 machine-gun sections. Note: There are no transports for this platoon Anti-Tank Gun Platoon 1 Anti-tank section. Note: There are no transports for this platoon Observers for Corps Artillery You have 2 observers who can call on your off table Support. The observers can call for support from either battery but only one per turn. Reserves Rifle Platoon Full Strength Rifle Platoon Full Strength Armoured Platoon 3 Sherman V 1 Sherman Firefly VC Anti-Tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery 4 M10C 17pdr SP guns Corps support Field Battery, Royal Artillery With 2 gun sections of 25pdr guns Battery uses the Across The Volga special rule. Field Battery, Royal Artillery With 2 gun sections of 5.5” guns Battery uses the Across The Volga special rule.

Campaign Play If you are playing this as a follow on to the Mission 2: Hill 112 game then the following rules are used. German Victory – With you forces well established on Hill 112 you are in a stronger position to drive into the Allied lines. One of your units may make a free reconnaissance move before the start of the game. British Victory – From the summit of Hill 112 your forward observers can better direct the Corps artillery fire and break up the German attacks before they even start. The Panzer IV H platoon has been delayed and starts the game in reserve.

Preparing for battle 1. This battle is fought a long the table as per the Hold the Line scenario. 2. Starting with the British both players place an objective in the British end of the table. Both objectives should be with in 18”/45cm table centre line and at least 8”/20cm away from the table sides. 3. The British deploy the Defenders group up to 18”45cm from the table centre line. 4. The German forces are deployed up to 24”/60cm from the table centre line. 5. Both players now place their independent teams in their deployment areas starting with the British player. Beginning the Battle 1. The British begin the game in Prepared Positions, so their infantry and gun teams are in Foxholes and Gone to Ground. 2. Make any Reconnaissance moves if allowed by the Campaign rules 3. The Germans get first turn. Ending the Battle The Battle ends when either: 1. The Germans hold any of the objectives at the start of their turn, or 2. The British start any of their turns from turn six with no attacking teams in their half of the table. Deciding who won The Germans win if the game ended because they started one of their turns holding an objective. They have broken into the Scottish Corridor and forced the enemy to fall back.

Otherwise the British win and the perimeter is secure. Terrain Throughout this campaign treat all hedges as Bocage. The orchards provide concealment only and do not affect line of sight or movement. The Farm Buildings at A on Mission 3 are surrounded by a wall which counts as Bullet Proof Cover. The wall is only one story high so windows at higher levels can be used to shoot out of. Teams depolyed behind it and in Prepared Positions at the start of the game can make a one team width hole in the wall to shoot and move through as per the Breaching Walls rules on page 223 of Flames Of War.

For another campaign based around Operation Epsom and Hill 112 see Craig Courtis's Axis Of Attack Campaign based on the actions of the 43rd Wessex Division. Hill 112...