Geronimo!

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.

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.

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