Operation Totalize: Footage

Hi folks,

In keeping with my blog being a repository for info I've found on Operation Totalize, I wanted to post this link. It's from a Canadian Army Newsreel and it shows what I believe is one of the training columns for Totalize in action:

It's interesting to see how closely packed the vehicles are, and there is a good shot of towed 6pdrs and SP M10 (which appear to have the armoured roofs!). Some of the earlier footage shows infantry boarding De-frocked priests - including one shot that appears to have a 144RAC Sherman in the background (going by the light coloured turret number).

Interesting find, and great to see all this Canadian stuff for free on YouTube, while in the UK historic footage has been removed and requires substantial outlay for minutes long videos with no preview of what you are getting for your money.

Operation Totalise (Totalize) - Part 1 - Origins of the Operations

Hi Folks,

One of the things that has been on the plans for a while (other than a guide to my basing style! That's been ticked off the list!) has been a plan to both detail some of what I know about the Totalise/Totalize battle and to look at FoW specific armies and scenarios linked to these tumultuous few days in August 1944. I've made a start in the past, with posts such as this, where I laid out the Allied OOB during the Battle. I'm planning another post detailing the German side some time soon*, although I did start by researching 89. Infanterie Division earlier this year. I've also recently done a video of my British and German collections so far.

*Soon may not be soon.

So, what is Totalise, and why the obsession?

The 'what' might be easier to look at first. The British and Commonwealth campaign in Normandy contains a lot of well known battles (also called operations). These battles formed a large part of the learning experience of the 21st Army Group. Many of these battles, despite being successful in achieving limited gains while forcing the Germans to keep substantial forces facing the British and Commonwealth forces, are viewed as tactical failures - often small advances being made at heavy cost.

This pressure and the scale of these massive set piece attacks meant that at the western end of the bridgehead, the US and Allied forces faced 1½ Panzer divisions compared with 6½ facing the Allied forces on the eastern (British and Canadian) flank. For much of June and July the Germans had also been convinced by a massive Allied deception operation (Operation Fortitude) that further allied landings (led by General Patton) were to be made in the Calais area - behind their current front line. As such, the British and Canadian front was seen as the more important and substantial German forces were tied up defending the Calais area and preventing the Allies from breaking through the German lines in the eastern part of the beach head.

It should be remembered that at this early stage in the fighting in NWE the allied forces - with the exception of a few Divisions and a scattering of veterans  and 'old soldiers' throughout units - was mainly a green force, new to combat. They were fighting with equipment which may have been relativity new (Sherman Firefly's were only put into production in January 1944 and by May less than 250 were with units) and having trained in the UK - where space was at a premium and large scale training exercises that allowed for proper cross country training were prohibited. Many of the German units were also green, or at least more recently formed. However the core of the units to be found later in the heavier fighting were eastern front veterans.

Following Operation Overlord on 6th June 1944, operations during June/July consisted of:

• Operation Perch
• The Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry
• Operation Martlet
• Operation Epsom
• Operation Windsor
• Operation Charnwood
• Operation Jupiter
• Operation Atlantic
• Operation Goodwood 
• Operation Spring (see below)

To quote Wiki: "Within 48 hours of the end of Operation Goodwood, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division launched an attack against the "formidable" German defences on Verrières Ridge. They suffered over 1,300 casualties and territorial gains were minimal. From 25 July to 27 July, another attempt was made to take the ridge as part of Operation Spring. Poor execution resulted in around 1,500 Canadian casualties. In total, the Battle of Verrières Ridge had claimed upwards of 2,800 Canadian casualties. While the ridge remained in German hands, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division had gained a foothold on the ridge between the village of Verrières to St.Martin-de-Fontenay, which would allow the troops to assemble free of German observation while they prepared to launch Totalize)."

Not my image - used without permission

The American Operation Cobra, launched on 25th of July, broke out of the western flank of the beachhead and the Americans began launching Armoured spearheads into the interior of France. Still, however, the Germans maintained their focus on the eastern end of the beachhead. Hitler had declared that a counter attack be launched with available Panzer forces with the aim of cutting off the American advance and reach the sea (Operation Luttich). This operation began on 7th of August, 1944, and had lead to most of the mobile Panzer divisions being moved to the western end of the beachhead.  

Not my image - used without permission

At the same time, a British operation (Operation Bluecoat) had been launched in order to put pressure on the Germans at the join between the British and American lines.

Not my image - used without permission

Planning for Totalize had began on July 30th, when Monty ordered General Simmonds and the II Canadian Corps to begin a new offensive with the objective of reaching Falaise, to start in 10 days time. On the 1st of August, Simmonds produced an appreciation of the tactical situation in which this offensive was to take place:

- The attack was to be over open ground, dominated by enemy controlled heights, leaving any allied armour vulnerable to long range anti-tank fire. As such an attack would have to take place when the defenders visibility was restricted and the high ground would have to be secured quickly. 
- The defences were in two lines, meaning a second 'break in' battle would have to be fought immediately after the first. 
- Previous attacks in Normandy had failed due to the attacking force moving beyond the range of supporting artillery. As such a proportion of aerial support would have to be held back in order to support the second breakout battle. 
- Tactical surprise would not be possible in terms of axis of attack or objectives,  so would have to be obtained via methods and timing.
- It would not be possible to suppress all anti-tank weapons for the entire amount of time required. thus this offensive would have to destroy these assets rather than just suppress them. 

On 5th of August the plan was ready. The plan itself involved precision night bombing of five targets on the flanks of the attack by the RAF, a rolling barrage by 360 artillery guns, half of the available bomber support being held as support for the second phase and, unusually, two infantry divisions conducting a surprise night break-in attack using infiltration tactics. To ensure the infantry could keep up with the two brigades of supporting Shermans, the troops would have to be transported in troop carrying vehicles. 

Situation as of 3/8/44 - note the missing area of front to the south where the American breakthrough was taking place, and the initial bulges in the centre of the map which were the beginings of operation Bluecoat. Totalise would be aimed south from Caen (top right) towards Falaise (middle right). Image is not mine (period map) used without permission.

At the time of this operation being planned, it is important to remember that the enemy force manning the ridge line consisted of 1. SS Panzer Corps (most notably 1. SS Panzer Division 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler').

On 6th of August Simmonds was informed via army intelligence that the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler was being replaced in the line by the newly arrived 89. Infanterie Division. The initial plan was that the second phase of the attack would see both an Armoured and a Infantry Division pass through in order to continue the attack. Later intelligence convinced the Canadian commander that the SS Panzer Divisions were with drawing to form the second line of defense, rather than being sent west to help the push on Mortain. Expecting the second line of defense to be tougher, Simmonds decided that a further Armoured Division would be required instead of the Infantry Division. This change was made despite the objections of the Armoured Division commanders - who felt that the frontage available to their Divisions was too narrow. This would later be a major issue during the phase 2 attack. 

Due to a shortage of armoured vehicles (White Scout Cars, Half Tracks, Universal Carriers and GMC Armoured Trucks) for transporting the infantry during the attack, Simmonds 'got permission' to convert surplus M7 Priests, which the Americans had requested the British and Commonwealth forces stop using due to ammo supply issues, into the first fully tracked armoured personnel carriers. A workshop was set up, code named 'Kangeroo', in order to strip out the guns, add armour to the gap and strip out the ammo storage. The vehicles were also given a full service. 76 Vehicles were converted and serviced in only 72 hours by 250 personnel. Some of the metal used was 'salvaged' from beached Landing Craft on the beaches - much to the dismay of the Royal Navy!

The attacking Divisions were given very little time to train with the new equipment or in the new tactics. The initial 'break in' forces would be 2nd Canadian Division supported by the newly created 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade Group (an ad-hoc mix of 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade and 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade) and the British 51st Highland Division. The Highlanders would be supported by the British 33rd Armoured Brigade. 

The stage was set for the night of 7th of August 1944.

Totalise/Totalize Allied Orbat

So with the issues I've had trying to track down certain units using Google I thought it might be useful to have a list of units involved. Both for me (although I do have a book!) and anyone else interested in this period. It might also give regular readers a bit of an idea of the size of this largely overlooked but vitally important operation.

This post will cover the Allies - although I have left out the air force element (84 Composite Group) for now.

First Canadian Army, Order of Battle, 7 August 1944

(Units marked with a * are British and + are Polish. All others are Canadian)

Headquarters, First Canadian Army

Army Troops:-

2 Canadian Armoured Brigade
   - 6 Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) (Sherman III)
   - 10 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Fort Garry Horse) (Sherman III)
   - 27 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) (Sherman III)

31 Armoured Brigade*
   - 7th Battalion, the Royal Tank Regiment (Churchills)
   - 9th Battalion, the Royal Tank Regiment (Churchills)

33 Armoured Brigade*
   - 1 Northamptonshire Yeomanry (Sherman I)
   - 144 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (Sherman I)
   - 148 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (Sherman I)

25 Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (Elgin Regiment)

2 Canadian Army Group, Royal Artillery
   - 3 Canadian Medium Regiment (5.5")
   - 4 Canadian Medium Regiment (5.5")
   - 7 Canadian Medium Regiment (5.5")
   - 15 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 1 Heavy Regiment* (7.2")

4 Army Group, Royal Artillery*
   - 150 Field Regiment* (25-pdr)
   - 53 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 65 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 68 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 79 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 51 Heavy Regiment* (7.2")

9 Army Group, Royal Artillery*
   - 9 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 11 Medium Regiment* (5.5")
   - 107 Medium Regiment* (5.5")

74 Anti-Aircraft Brigade* (assigned to defence of 84 Composite Group airfields)

107 Anti-Aircraft Brigade* (not fully deployed for Totalize)
   - 2 Canadian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
   - 109 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment*
   - 344 Searchlight Battery*
   Still moving to the Continent:
   - 16 Anti-Aircraft Operations Room RCA
   - 108 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment*

661 Air Observation Post Squadron RAF

RCAF Army Headquarters Intercommunications Flight

- 2nd Canadian Corps

Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Corps

Corps Troops:

Canadian Armoured Corps
  - 18 Canadian Armoured Car Regiment (12 Manitoba Dragoons)

Royal Canadian Artillery 
    - 6 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment (Towed 17 Pounder and SP 3" M10))
    - 2 Canadian Survey Regiment
    - 6 Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (40mm Bofors)
    - Corps Counter Batter Office

Royal Canadian Engineers
    - 29 Canadian Field Company
    - 30 Canadian Field Company
    - 31 Canadian Field Company
    - 8 Canadian Field Park Company

661 Air Observation Post Squadron, RAF*

-- 2nd Canadian Infantry Division

4 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - Royal Regiment of Canada
   - Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
   - Essex Scottish

5 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
   - Le Regiment de Maisonneuve
   - Calgary Highlanders

6 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal
   - Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
   - South Saskatchewan Regiment

Divisional Troops
   - 8 Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (14 Canadian Hussars)

Royal Canadian Artillery
   - 4 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 5 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 6 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 2 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment
   - 3 Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Royal Canadian Engineers
   - 2 Canadian Field Company
   - 7 Canadian Field Company
   - 11 Canadian Field Company
   - 1 Canadian Field Park Company

Tentacle, Air Support Signals Unit

Toronto Scottish (Machine Gun)

-- 3rd Canadian Infantry Division

7 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - Royal Winnipeg Rifles
   - Regina Rifles Regiment
   - 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment

8 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
   - Le Regiment de la Chaudiere
   - North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment

9 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - The Highland Light Infantry of Canada
   - Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
   - North Nova Scotia Highlanders

Divisional Troops
   - 7 Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars)

Royal Canadian Artillery
   - 12 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 13 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 14 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 3 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment (17-pdr, M10, M10C)
   - 4 Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Royal Canadian Engineers
   - 6 Canadian Field Company
   - 16 Canadian Field Company
   - 18 Canadian Field Company
   - 3 Canadian Field Park Company

Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Machine Gun)

-- 4th Canadian Armoured Division

4 Canadian Armoured Brigade
   - 21 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Governor General's Foot Guards)
   - 22 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards)
   - 28 Canadian Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment)
   - Lake Superior Regiment (Motor)

10 Canadian Infantry Brigade
   - Lincoln and Welland Regiment
   - Algonquin Regiment
   - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)

Divisional Troops
   - 29 Canadian Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (South Alberta Regiment)

Royal Canadian Artillery
   - 15 Canadian Field Regiment
   - 23 Canadian Field Regiment (Self Propelled)
   - 19 Canadian Army Field Regiment (Self Propelled) - attached from 2 AGRA
   - 5 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment (M10C)
   - 8 Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Royal Canadian Engineers
   - 8 Canadian Field Company
   - 9 Canadian Field Company
   - 6 Canadian Field Park Company

10th Independent Machine Gun Company (The New Brunswick Rangers)

-- 51st Highland Division*

152 Highland Brigade*
   - 2 Seaforth Highlanders*
   - 5 Seaforth Highlanders*
   - 5 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders*

153 Highland Brigade*
   - 5 Black Watch*
   - 1 Gordon Highlanders*
   - 5/7 Gordon Highlanders*

154 Highland Brigade*
   - 1 Black Watch*
   - 7 Black Watch*
   - 7 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders*

Divisional Troops
   - 2 Derbyshire Yeomanry (Reconnaissance Regiment)*

Royal Artillery
   - 126 Field Regiment*
   - 127 Field Regiment*
   - 128 Field Regiment*
   - 61 Anti-Tank Regiment (17-pdr, 6-pdr)*
   - 40 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment*

Royal Engineers
   - 274 Field Company*
   - 275 Field Company*
   - 276 Field Company*
   - 236 Field Park Company*

1/7 Middlesex Regiment (Machine Gun)*

C Flight, 652 Air Observation Post Squadron, RAF*

-- 1. Dywizji Pancernej (1st Polish Armoured Division)+

No. 4 Laison HQ Armoured*

10. Brygada Kwalerii (10 Armoured Cavalry Brigade)+
   - 1. Pulk Pancerny (1 Armoured Regiment)+
   - 2. Pulk Pancerny (2 Armoured Regiment)+
   - 24. Pulk Ulanow (24 Lancers)+
   - 10.  Pulk Dragonow (10 Dragoons (Motor Battalion))+

3. Brygada Strzelcow (3 Rifles Brigade)+
   - 1. Batalion Strzelcow Podhalanskich (1 Rifles Battalion (Highland))+
   - 8. Batalion Strzelcow (8 Rifles Battalion)+
   - 9. Batalion Strzelcow (9 Rifles Battalion)+
   - Samodzielny Szwadron C.K.M. (1st Polish Armoured Division Machine Gun Company)+

Divisional Troops
   - 10. Pulk Strzelcow Konnych (10 Mounted Rifle Regiment (Reconnaissance Regiment))+

Artyleria Dywizyjna (Divisional Artillery)+
   - 1. Pulk Artylerii Motorowej (1 Motorized Artillery Regiment)+
   - 2. Pulk Artylerii Motorowej (2 Motorized Artillery Regiment)+
   - 1. Pulk Artylerii Przeciwpancernej (1 Anti-Tank Regiment)+
   - 1. Pulk Artylerii Pzerciwlotniczej (1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment)+

Saperzy Sywizyina (Divisional Engineers)+
   - 10. Kompania Saperow (10 Polish Field Company)+
   - 11. Kompania Saperow (11 Polish Field Company)+
   - 1. Pluton Mostowy (1 Bridging Platoon)+
   - 11. Kompania Parhkowa (11 polish Field Park Company)+

-- Attached from 79 Armoured Division*

- 22nd Dragoons (Sherman Crabs)*
- 1st Lothian and Border Horse Yeomanry (Sherman Crabs)*
- 141 Regiment RAC (Crocodiles)*
- 79 and 80 Assualt Squadrons (AVRE)*

- 1st British Corps (Outline only)

-- Corps Troops

- Royal Armoured Corps
   - The Inns of Court Regiment (Armoured Car)*

- Royal Artillery
   - 62 Anti-Tank Regiment*
   - 102 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment*
   - 9 Survey Regiment*

652 Air Observation Post Squadron, RAF (less C Flight)*

-- 6 (Airborne) Division*

3 Parachute Brigade*

5 Parachute Brigade*

6 Airlanding Brigade*

1 Special Service Brigade (attached)*

4 Special Service Brigade (attached)*

-- 49 (West Riding) Division*

70 Brigade*

146 Brigade*

147 Brigade*

Belgian Contingent (approx brigade strength)

Netherlands Contingent (approx brigade strength)


Wow - that's a lot of typing! Details have come from 'No Holding Back' by Brian A. Reid. As you can see, even without the German or Airforce elements listed, this variety of troops gives plenty of opportunity for different forces. Armoured, Infantry, Motorised, Mechanised and Recon lists. Including Armoured Recon, Airborne and Special Service units.

Also represented are Canadians, British, Polish, Belgian and Netherland units... Although the Belgian and Netherland units (along with the rest of 1st British Corps) were on the flanks of the attack so did not participate in the main drive.

Also - a little national pride. I noticed a huge number of 'Highland' regiments, including those in the Canadian Army. Just goes to show how much influence Scotland has had outside just the British Isles. (The fact a 'successful' 300 year 'union' led to so many Scots going abroad and influencing nations such as Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Australian is not lost on me.)

Looking at all this, I am tempted to work on a 'Mini Campaign' set of Flames of War army lists - based on the Overlord book but a little more 'correct' for the start of August rather than the start of June '44. Anyone interested in helping?

RAF and German Orbats to follow (at some point)!

The ongoing AoS* conundrums...

*AoS means Arm of Service, which was the small coloured or multi coloured box containing a  number found on British and Commonwealth military vehicles during WW2 - they denoted, in combination with the Divisional badge, the unit the vehicle belonged to.  

I've been away from home this weekend, as A's uncle died last week and the funeral was today. Just a small family event (slightly marred by the person doing the ceremony getting the time wrong and being an hour late... Oops).

Anyway, time away means time spent researching (without being mean, there's not a great deal else to do). With various models being prepped for construction, I thought I should try to research what decals I might need.

Firstly, I was trying to work out what (if any) unit with M10C 'Achilles'  supported the Highland Division during Totalise. I suspect that the answer will be in one of my books back home - but I had hoped Google might provide an answer. It has not. At the moment it looks like I may be painting them up as 5th Canadian Anti Tank Regiment vehicles. Which I think (???) may have a red and blue square with a white 2 on it and a white bar along the top - to represent Corps level troops.

The second unit I've been lightly researching was the AGRA supporting the attack - as the eventual plan is to get some 5.5" guns. Again, I'm not sure of the exact unit and I'm sure the answer will be in 'No Holding Back'.

Also on the research list has been S&S models, who are producing conversion kits for Plastic Soldier Company. This includes ARV kits to make Sherman ARV mk1's (I've done my own) and the German ARV's. But also AVsRE, including Churchill SBG bridge layers and Churchill Fascine layers.

While trying to find what markings to use, I came across this:

It appears to be a period document showing the full components of the 51st Highland Division with their associated AoS markings. A great find with one small mistake. The Arm of Service markings for 154 Brigade are a little mixed up. Every other source I can find confirms my Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were number 69 on a brown background, not 68 as indicated above.

Another thing I need to check is at what point 61st Regiment Anti Tank (the HD's integral AT regiment) got their SP guns and whether they used Achilles or went straight to Archers. I found some great articles on the use of Anti Tank weapons in the Commonwealth forces and the change in policy and growth in preference for SP guns instead of towed 17-pdrs throughout the NWE campaign. The Nachtjager book indicates that the 17-pdr units were disbanded, when actually they were converted to SP units.

So lots of googling, lots of annoyance at websites that have the same generic text, and more idea as to the lack of certain info online. I'll be sure to post my findings here - in case anyone else can point out a mistake or find the info useful.

Now to look into home made decals, because sure as dammit no one will make what I want in 15mm!!!

Edit - Update

In a prime example of why books are better for research...

In the 144RAC/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlander's column, there were no M10C's. The HD took their own Battalion Anti-Tank platoon with it's 6-pdrs with them.  The nearest M10C's would therefore be from 56 Anti Tank Battery of the 6th Canadian Anti Tank regiment - part of II Canadian Corps allocation of troops (Corps level support). Oddly, the British columns took no towed or SP 17-pdrs with them while the Canadians did.

The Highland Division had, during the initial bombardment, support from 144 25-pdr's (it's own and 4th Canadian Armoured Divisions) as well as 48 Medium guns from 9 AGRA and 36 from 4 AGRA. And the artillery from the flanking divisions... 

5th Assault Reg. RE (79th Armoured Div.) AVsRE - Finished!

I got home from my time campaigning tonight with a few hours left before bedtime.

As such, I got these two Churchill Armoured Vehicles Royal Engineers finished. These guys are part of the breaching group with will go along with my Sherman Flails and my armoured D7 Bulldozer (stay tuned!). Eventually the plan is to have another 2 of these guys with a Fascine and/or assault bridge each.

The 5th Assault Regiment, Royal Engineers were part of 79th Armoured Division (Hobarts Funnies) and were tasked during Operation Totalise with supporting the night attack. I have no info on what parts of the unit were with what column, so that solved one issue. Also, I could find no reference to or pictures of AVsRE with squadron markings - it seems that as the tanks were operated by the Royal Engineers they did not use normal Tank Regiment structures. I am willing to be corrected if anyone has other info.

These two models are from Battlefront and I have to say I love them. The Churchill was always my least favourite British WW2 tank. But over time the ugly big buggers have grown on me. They were a joy to paint although they were a bit of a nuisance to put together, with gaps between the resin hull and metal tracks.

Not great pics due to me rushing to get them before my phone battery died!

Looking forward to using these in a game at some point where they can be useful from a AVsRE perspective. Need to think of a scenario that had bunkers to bust and hedges to breach!

AAR - Late war Highlanders vs Fusilier Company 16/8/14

A rare Saturday to myself (due to A having a day out in Edinburgh), so Davey and YD picked me up for a day out at the Carluke and Law wargames club.

Myself and YD had agreed to play a 1000pt game of Flames of War, using our respective late war lists. As usual I decided to go with my Highland Division list from the Overlord book. YD went for a Fusilier list from one of his books (I think from Atlantik Wall).

His list consisted of (roughly):

Füsilierkompanie HQ (352.)  p.33	2 1	Cmd SMG team Panzerschreck team	70
Combat Platoons
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 6	Cmd Panzerknacker SMG team MG team	185
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 4	Cmd MG team MG team	130
352. Füsilier Platoon  p.34	1 4	Cmd MG team MG team	130
Weapons Platoons
Füsilier Machine-gun Platoon (352.)  p.35	1 2	Cmd SMG team MG42 HMG	70
Regimental Support
Füsilier Regimental Anti-tank Gun Platoon (352.)  p.37	1 2 2	Cmd SMG team 7.5cm PaK40 gun 3-ton truck	110
Support Platoons
StuG Platoon (352.)  p.39	3	StuG G	285
Luftwaffe Anti-aircraft Assault Platoon  Reluctant  Trained Allied Platoon  p.229	1 2	Cmd SMG team Luftwaffe 8.8cm FlaK36 gun	95
Company Points:			1075

We decided to play a defensive mission (No Retreat) as my army included a Breaching Group - meaning I had 'Always Attacks'. On the picture above (I forgot to take a 1st turn picture, so this one is 2nd or 3rd turn) YD is deployed on the right with his 2 Fusilier platoons and the MG platoon dug in and defending the road line and his 88's on the hill.

My army consisted of:

Rifle Company HQ (51st)  p.143	1 1 1	Cmd Rifle team Cmd Rifle Bagpiper team Troop Carrier	40
Combat Platoons
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Rifle Platoon (51st)  p.144	1 1 1 6 2	Cmd Rifle/MG team PIAT team Light Mortar team Rifle/MG team Defrocked Priest APC	160
Support Platoons
Breaching Group  Confident  Trained   p.70	1 2 2	Sherman V Sherman Crab AVRE	155
Infantry Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (51st)  p.154	1 2	Cmd Rifle team OQF 17 pdr gun	115
Recce Platoon (51st)  p.152	3 2	Humber IV Humber LRC III	170
Infantry Field Battery, Royal Artillery (51st)  p.156	2 1 1 1 4	Cmd Rifle team Staff team Observer Rifle team OP Carrier OQF 25 pdr gun	165
Infantry Light Anti-aircraft Platoon, RA (51st)  p.155	1 2	Cmd Rifle team 40mm Bofors gun	55
Company Points:			1020

This was a bit of a strange army for me - it was mainly designed to include things I had just painted, had still to paint or just had not used. Built around the backbone of the 2 infantry platoons in Kangeroos and the breaching group. I figured YD might include some big cats, so took the 17 pounders. The Artillery I took for a change over the mortars, Bofors because they have just been painted and never used. Recce because I had the Humbers to paint (now started) and breaching group because I like my flail models and wanted to encourage myself to start the Churchills (now started). I also added M5 Halftracks on a whim, taking me up to 1025 points - but YD was fine with this as he had re-jigged his infantry platoons to give himself 3 platoons rather than 2 he had on his original list.

My army on the day - I'm afraid I didn't get a picture of all of YD's stuff - mainly because he already had it deployed on the table!

I decided to make use of the Night Attack special rule the Bits have - mainly because those 88's terrify me. Plus we always forget about the national rules and the Night Attack rule fits with my Totalise Highlanders theme.

Given the layout of the table I deployed my AA platoon in the centre (where it did nothing the whole game - facing off against dug in, concealed and gone to ground Veteran troops...), with my breaching group on the left flank. My infantry, the recce and the A/T guns on the right planning to use the forest for cover to get into assault range of the 88's hill. Behind them sat the 25 pounders. The Churchill AVsRE went up the centre.

 

My main attack was going to be with the infantry in their Kangeroos supported by the Recce to help remove Gone to Ground and provide pinning fire. The 17 pounders were to follow up and deploy where they could cover the infantry from the StuG's I suspected would be wandering about.

You'll note the two Kangeroos at the edge of the forest. I had debated sending them via the forest, but decided to send them left around it. A conversation with YD made me doubt my choice, so I decided 'bugger it, they can cut through those trees!'. The Kangeroos spent the whole game bogging their way slowly through this tiny forest, only contributing by one of them laying down 50 cal fire that supported a later assault. I could have deployed the infantry from them, but kept them buttoned up as a ready reserve.

In the center my Churchills moved slowly closer.

The aim was to use the Petard Mortar on those dug in infantry - but I only used the MG's as moving and shooting at dug in, GtG, Concealed Vets with a RoF 1 gun made moving and shooting impossible!

By my turn 3 I had moved up my assault troops close enough to be ready to disembark, so out they popped.

In YD's turn 3 the sun failed to rise, but in the improving light his 88's managed to get enough of a bead on my Recce platoon (perhaps drawn by the tracer from their MG's shooting up the infantry to their front) and take out the two Humber LRC's. His infantry also managed to take a couple of squads of my Highlanders out as they moved up to the start line for their assault.

YD also managed to bring on his StuG's at this point, choosing to place them on the table edge where they were facing my infantry and recce.

The StuG's opening volley (again, a good roll on the vision distance chart made my troops visible) took out one of my Humber A/C's - however, the platoon passed it's motivation check to remain on the table. 

The darkness proved to be a hindrance for both of us, as it seemed to take until daylight (at the start of my turn 4) for my FOO to realise he was looking at a brick wall rather than out a window, and call down fire on those nasty 88's - killing one and pinning the platoon.

The other notable thing that happened on my turn 4 was the 17 pounders disembarked and swung into action. Only one gun had LoS to the StuG's, and managed to knock one of the predatory little Jerry blighters out.

Lots of shooting at the German Infantry at the base of the 88's hill (including from the Churchills, which I brought over from the center) preceded an assault, which failed to connect due to the only close enough highlander team falling to defensive fire. YD decided to counter attack, but his troops were put off by the skirl of pipes and failed to cause any damage. The Highlanders counter attack was not so gentle, wiping out the majority of the Fusilier platoon and causing it to fail motivation and vanish from the table. The HMG platoon also broke off, leaving the highlanders on the base of the hill.

In YD's turn he got his Pak 40's on, and had them deploy facing my Sherman Flails. His 88's unpinned and destroyed one Churchill and bailed the other - Petard Mortars unfired!

His StuG's moved up and killed one infantry team but missed the 17 pounders.  His remaining Fusilier platoon and the company HQ arrived from reserve alongside the PaK 40's, but were concealed by a wood and moved forward to protect the hill objective (and counter my marauding Highlanders).

Fire this turn from the Pak 40's destroyed one flail tank and bailed the troop command tank. These Shermans had so far spent the game shooting with no effect at the dug in, GtG, Concealed Veteran infantry... YD's HMG platoon had unpinned and killed one of my infantry teams.

However, in my turn revenge was swift. While the FOO called down arty on the remaining 88, finishing it off, the 17 pounders put three shots into the two remaining StuG's, knocking out the platoon. My bailed Sherman crew sorted themselves out and the two tanks left in the troop knocked out both the PaK 40's. My highlanders at the base of the hill moved forward and took out the remaining HMG platoon, causing the HQ unit to fail motivation and run.

My Humbers moved forward to a position behind the dug in Fusiliers - to try and remove GtG on them in a later turn and dash for the cornfield objective.

In YD's turn his newly arrived infantry assaulted my Highlanders on the hill top, pushing them back. (Damn reluctant rating). However, time was getting on, so we decided to end with a draw. As a little experiment YD's SMG Panzerknacker team tried an assault on my Shermans - mainly as we had never really used tank assault teams before. The final layout of the battle (lacking some smoke puffs):

And some of YD's lovely infantry:

My most useful unit award probably would be a close run thing between the one infantry platoon I had in action, the 17-pounders or - to my surprise - the 25-pounders. Although the Night Fight rules meant the 25-pounders were silent for most of the game.

my 17 pounders following the assault troops

my 25 pounders waiting patiently for a fire mission!

My most useless unit was....

The Bofors AA guns, which didn't fire a shot the whole game!

As games go it was quite quick, although we did bog down a few times (mainly on the assaults). It was also as good natured and fun as ever. It also seems to have given me the kick up the bum I needed to start working on the unpainted units I had taken along for the day, so hopefully I can post some progress updates on them soon.

Skytrex Purchases

As part of my 51st Highland Division force for Operation Totalise I've been putting together a 'Breaching Group' from the D-Day Flames of War book. The Breaching Group represents the support of the 79th Armoured Divisions 'Funnies'. As such I've got a couple of Sherman Crab Flail tanks, some Churchill AVsRE (still to be painted) and the final missing piece of the puzzle was a D7 Armoured Bulldozer.

The Bulldozer was an important part of this for me, as the 144RAC's history of the Operation specifically mentions the presence of one.

"Major Lovibond had gone on a good way towards the objective, accompanied only by a very gallant bulldozer who had been told to follow the tank in front and was faithfully carrying out his orders."

Unfortunately while Battlefront have included the option for taking a Bulldozer in the unit, the only model they have produced for one is in the Engineer Support Platoon (UBX37) - which is an American box set and retails for about £17.99 - the other contents of which are useless to me. 

Thankfully Skytrex produce a model of a D7 Armoured Bulldozer in British service:

This models not properly cleaned or anything - I've just put the parts in roughly the right places. It's a nice beefy model. I'm looking forward to getting it cleaned up and ready to paint... once I've caught up with everything else!

I also ordered a pack of Skytrex's Humber Scout Cars. These are vehicles that are not included in the D-day books, but I know that the armoured regiments in the Independent Armoured Brigades had 11 of these for use in their laison unit. These were used for running messages between the squadrons in the regiment and other units. Quite a few of the pictures of 144RAC include some of the Humber Scout Cars, so I figured I would pick up a couple. They would also be useful for playing Battlegroup Overlord. 

Lastly, I managed to get the decals I needed for the halftrack (British Red Cross markings) and another pack of their wooden crates for vehicle stowage. Of all the stowage options I picked up previously the crates are the ones I used the quickest. 

 
Now if only someone would do a bloody 15mm British dispatch rider!!!

Flames of War 15mm Sherman Flail Squadron (Completed)

After many months of having the last model in this unit sitting on the shelf, I finally made a move to get it painted (along with my Sherman Hybrids which are also nearing completion).

The result is I now have my two Sherman Flail 'Crab' tanks with the Sherman V command tank. The markings and decals were as accurate as I could find - Ludovic Fortin's "British Tanks in Normandy" shows the tanks without any squadron markings, and looking at some of the pictures of Flails I could find I couldn't see any standard markings (other than the turret numbers).

This book also details that during Totalise it was the 22nd Dragoons that supported the Highland Division (and as such, 144 RAC).

So, without further ado, here's the pics:

Lead 'gun' tank with spare tracks and chains... This is also one of the few tanks I have done with an extra machine gun - in this case one of the many spare Skytrex .30 cals I have.

1/72 Firefly vs 15mm Flames of War Flail

Defrocked Priest Decals (Strike again)

So after painting my defrocked priests with formation badges from the British 3rd Infantry Division and the 11th Armored Division... I realised these were wrong!

"The first Kangaroos were converted from 102 M7 Priest self-propelled guns of three field artillery regiments of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division who were involved in the initial assault on 6 June 1944. These were no longer needed, as these regiments were re-equipped with towed 25 pounder guns in late July. At a field workshop (codenamed Kangaroo, hence the name) they were stripped of their 105mm guns, the front aperture welded over, then sent into service carrying twelve troops. They were first used on 8 August 1944 during Operation Totalize south of Caen to supplement the half-tracks available." - Wiki

And

"Four Canadian artillery units - the 12th, 13th and 14th Field Regiments of the 3rd Division and the 19th Army Field Regiment - had exchanged their 25-pounders for Priests in the fall of 1943 as part of their equipment for Overlord. The time was now ripe, with the 3rd Division withdrawn from the line for a well deserved rest, for the three divisional regiments to exchange their borrowed guns for towed 25-pounders as part of a program to re-equip the field regiments of 21st Army Group. (The 12th and 13th Field Regiments began to turn in their Priests on 1 August, followed by the 14th Field Regiment on 3 August...."

"On 31 July Crerar had anticipated that the Americans would agree and had directed Brigadier Grant to be prepared to convert the SP guns to armoured infantry carriers by 9 August, although this date was later moved forward to 6 August." - No Holding Back

So my vehicles should have the markings of 12th, 13th and 14th Field Regiments of the Canadian army - part of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. I found the formation sign here.

Using a scalpel I carefully removed the formation signs from last night and attempted to match the color of the Divisional sign above.

Not a great picture, but I tried to match the color and used German camo beige to do the maple leaf shape.

The sad bit is my realization that the Canadian's used differed WD numbers than the British army. Basically the same numbers, but with the letter C in front of them. So....

Yeah. I may need help....