"Normandie!"

Something of a rarity here in GHQ, a Rapid Fire! WWII game using my 20mm collection of figures, vehicles and buildings. Set in late June 1944 the game saw the Germans, commanded by the veteran von Bikkel, defending two villages (each 5 VPs) and one town (10 VPs). The Germans win if the score is 10-10 at the end of the game {Turn 12} and they still have viable defensive forces in action, otherwise Brigadier Lord Rawnsley claims the win. Firstly then the German forces' dispositions at the outset of the game ~

The first village is lightly defended and it transpired is fated to fall to a determined assault early in the game.

The main town is lightly defended at the game's outset. Von Bikkel is confident Rawnsley will not get that far!!!

Hans von Bikkel's HQ attempting to coordinate the German defence and hold off Rawnsley's assault for 12 Turns. 

A battery of 150mm artillery are the main German firepower. Despite the best efforts of observers all along the Front they would prove woefully ineffective as the game unfolded.

A company of three Panzer IVs are the Germans main armour, though two are out of fuel unknown to the enemy.

Germans are dug in all along the low wooded ridge supported by infantry guns with a company of two Stugs available if needed.

The second village is defended by more German infantry and blocks the approach towards the main town.

Turning now to the unfolding action over the 12 Turns. The British force comprising two lorried infantry Battalions, a Priest battery, part of the Guards Armoured Brigade with Stuarts, Cromwells and a Firefly, and a company of Churchills enter at numerous points along their baseline. They also can call on one bombing run from a Mitchell with three medium bombs ~

An opening artillery barrage from the Germans' 150mm battery managed to destroy just one lorry and inflict 2 casualties! An omen of what was to follow, if only I'd known...

While Rawnsley's force envelops the first lightly defended village on his left his main thrust is against the second more heavily defended village. Capturing this objective took several turns as the defenders put up stout resistance.

A lone Panzer IV faces off against the Sherman Firefly and inflicts Heavy Damage.

The Firefly is then destroyed in the following turn but it's companion Cromwells will exact revenge when they force the Panzer crew to abandon their tank.

The second village falls at last in Turn 9 to Lord Rawnsley's troops after prolonged fighting when its defenders come under heavy fire from two directions.

The Mitchell makes its final approach to the German held town as anti-aircraft small arms fire fails to deter the heroic crew!

All along the Front the British are finally advancing with the Germans very much on the back foot by Turn 11.

The Mitchell finally adds to the Germans' woe in the last turn by wiping out von Bikkel's HQ with a direct hit! A resounding British win as they hold the two villages and have seen the Germans' morale shattered when their HQ is destroyed!

The 'Butcher's Bill' you ask? German losses amounted to 55 infantry, one Stug and one Panzer IV, British losses to 15 infantry and one Firefly, with a further one Priest and one Stuart suffering Heavy Damage.

The Field Hospital treating the casualties from both forces. You may notice the chaplain's sad duty extends to those who lost their lives.

With the conclusion of this game things in GHQ will be quiet for almost a month until Paul makes the trip up for the postponed Punic War game. I am heading up north to take in Claymore in Edinburgh, for the first time in four or five years I think. On the way home I hope to visit chum George in Warton while I stay near Carnforth. Hopefully my hand and eye will benefit from a break in painting for a couple of weeks!