[Cathartes]

Tough match-up at Bieville-- had a hunch that I would get into trouble here.  After-battle in this image, and can see I was lucky to hold onto the map, a more aggressive push by Monty would have forced my retreat:

[Cathartes]

Neither BG has tanks at this point. KG Luck has only halftracks and PzGrenadiers, but a handful of MkIVs and other tanks should be available in the BG by morning. 6th Airlanding doesn't quite have its Tetrarchs yet, they are still forming up and clearing their axles of tightly-wrapped parachute chords. They should be available starting in the am as well.

The battle goes round and naval arty and an airstrike keep the Germans honest. In the end, the Allies gain a VL location in Ranville.  It will be key to get the Pegasus VL to the north and open up full supply east of the Orne.

[tigercub]

Naval in Ranville?

[Cathartes]

June 6, end of PM turn.  Some big opening afternoon battles, but also a lot of fun mopping up the beachhead maps.  Other than Gold Beach and Port-en-Bessin, every beach map is solidly in Allied control. Many battlegroups can start moving inland, and Bayeux will likely fall into Allied hands by morning, pretty much as it did historically. Other than KG Meyer, which will be quickly overwhelmed and surrounded if it doesn't withdraw, resistance is token in front of the 50th Division. By the afternoon, 7 Armoured Div (22 Armd Bde) and 8 Armoured Bde arrive--two tank-heavy BGs.

Around Sword Beach and the Orne the picture is less rosy. 21 Panzer is making a strong showing, and it's unlikely that the Allies will gain much more without a tough fight. Caen looks entirely out of reach. The Allies would have been at Caen's doorstep if I had captured the rear exit VLs on Sword on the am of June 6--not an easy task in a 15 minute battle traveling between large minefields.

The good news is that the Allied beachhead is secure, and growing more so with each turn.

[Cathartes]

[Antony_nz]

I think we need a wager on the capture of Caen. 100 dollars say you don't capture it in 6 days :)

Keep it up.

[Cathartes]

[Cathartes]

Lots to catch up on, but here's a short video of some of the action at Bieville. The Germans very nearly pushed the Brits off the map, but were repulsed and paid the price in tanks while the British paid in sprites:


Link

[Cathartes]

Bayeux is captured at the risk of temporarily losing supply. KG Meyer has withdrawn and must be at Creully. Monty told me he was not going to leave this relatively potent BG to get caught behindlines. Even though this BG has Stugs, it's a slow mover. Historically, KG Meyer had nothing more than bicycles and a few Stugs to ride on. We will encounter this BG again soon. Currently, it's the only force standing between the Allies and total breakout (for now).

[Cathartes]

Behind Juno and Sword Beaches, the 9/3 Canadians punched through Basly against a weak static BG; they advance to Hermanville and encounter 12th SS for the first time. I withdraw the 153 Bde of the 51st Highland Division, its position tenuous. With Sword Beach cleared, the British 3rd Infantry Division can advance in its place, opening a new entry VL. It could be a protracted fight in Bieville. The 185/3 could not land this turn because of the backup on Sword Beach. I'll be waiting to see if it arrives next turn along with the four armoured BGs the Allies get by the afternoon. Monty is playing well as Germans considering he has very little experience with CC.

[dgfred]

Thanks for the video!  

[Cathartes]

The test game continues, moving past Bayeux!

[Cathartes]

One German soldier left in all of Port-en-Bessin, and still have to fight another battle to root him out...sigh.

On the upside, captured all VLs in Tailleville against a weekened static BG, path is now clear to unleash the raw power of the Tyne and Tees, Desert Rats, and Canucks!