Geronimo!

The logo of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment

GERONIMO!

By Quintin Howard

November 1942, Youk-Les-Bains Airfield near the Tunisian border, the second  parachute jump for the US 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation Torch.

Operation Torch was the first joint military action undertaken by the Allies in World War II. This was the springboard for Churchill’s plan for attacking the soft underbelly of Europe, before attempting a cross-channel attack from England. The main objective of operation Torch was to seize French Northwest Africa.

For political reasons Operation Torch would be an American led operation under the newly promoted Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The airborne segment of the operation entailed flying approximately 1500 miles from England to seize two French airfields near Oran. 

Major William P Yarborough was selected to plan the logistics of the airborne phase and the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion was chosen to execute it under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Raff.

The airborne phase of the operation was finally executed on November 8,1942 with disappointing results. As the planes approached the drop zone the French signalled their willingness to cooperate. However, not all of the French units were informed and last minute changes led to confusion. Regardless of the confusion and controversy surrounding the first jump, the 509th made a second jump a week later to seize Youk-Les-Bains Airfield, from which they conducted combined operations with the Free French against the German Afrika Corps in Tunisia.

Though they were unopposed during their second drop, what would of happen if the Vichy French or even the Germans had resisted? 

Mission

US are attacking.

The mission of the US is to seize Youk-Les-Bains Airfield, join up with the Free French and to destroy the four AA guns.

The Germans must defend the airfield and prevent the AA Guns from being captured or destroyed.

US Paratrooper enjoys the milk of England before flying off into danger
Game Map

Use the Seize and Hold mission and Airborne Assaults rules from D-Day: British (pages 84 to 87).

Battlefield

The table is laid out with an airstrip approximately 6’ long down the middle (North-South Orientation). Two small buildings are placed in the middle of the battlefield to the western side of the airstrip to represent the German command post. Four AA guns are placed at the corners of the airfield and at least 10”/25cm from the side of the battlefield. Various small stands of scrub are placed to replicate the Tunisian conditions.

Special Rules

FRENCH ARRIVE ON 3RD TURN: At the start of US/French third turn the Free French start to arrive using the Delayed Reserve Rules (Page 104 of  Flames Of War) and their forces may be placed at the eastern edge of the battlefield.

US Parachute Infantry Rifle/MG team

FORCES

1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment

US Parachute Rifle Company
(Page 262 of North Africa)
 
Parachute Rifle Company HQ
2x M1 Carbine team

2 points
Parachute Rifle Platoon
7x M1919 and M1 Garand rilfe team
1x 60mm mortar
1x Bazooka team
1x M1919 LMG team




15 points
Parachute Rifle Platoon
7x M1919 and M1 Garand rilfe team
1x 60mm mortar
1x Bazooka team
1x M1919 LMG team




15 points
Parachute Rifle Platoon
7x M1919 and M1 Garand rilfe team
1x 60mm mortar
1x Bazooka team
1x M1919 LMG team




15 points
Parachute Mortar Platoon
4x 81mm mortar

8 points
Support Platoons  
Free French
Field using the ratings American Ranger Platoon and add Slow Firng to rifle teams
 
Free French Infantry Rifle Platoon
7x mle 15 rifle teams
1x 60mm mortar


8 points
Free French Infantry Rifle Platoon
7x mle 15 rifle teams
1x 60mm mortar


8 points
Tank Platoon
3x Renault R-35
(use Italian M14/41 Tank Platoon)


6 points
Total
75 points

 

German Panzergrenadier Kompanie

German Africa Rifle Company
(Page 37 of North Africa)

 
Afrika Rifle Company HQ
2x MP40 SMG team

2 points

Africa Rifle Platoon
4x MG34 team
1x 2.8cm anti-tank rifle
1x sMG34 HMG team




8 points
Africa Rifle Platoon
4x MG34 team
1x 2.8cm anti-tank rifle
1x sMG34 HMG team



8 points
Africa Rifle Platoon
4x MG34 team
1x 2.8cm anti-tank rifle
1x sMG34 HMG team



8 points
5cm Tank-hunter Platoon
3x 5cm gun

12 points
Sd Kfz 10/4 Light AA Platoon
4x Sd Kfz 10/4 (2cm)
(This unit is dismounted as Gun teams and can not move, but have a Gun Shield and a Gun Save of 3+)

6 points
Total
44 points

 

Operation Torch


Last Updated On Friday, October 14, 2022 by Wayne at Battlefront