'Sword' - 'Queen' beach sector

Presented by: The Glasgow Phoenix and Greenock Wargames Club (david.philip1@ntlworld.com)

Present the actions taking place on the extreme left flank of operation ‘Overlord’ the invasion of occupied Europe on D-Day 6th of June 1944. We are using the ‘Rapid Fire’ rules, and D-Day scenario ‘The Longest Day’. The troops landing were a mixture of British regulars and special forces, including paratroopers. The Germans were significantly outnumbered on the morning of the landing.

Although made of plastic, card, metal and resin atop some builders sand it represents a heart felt tribute to the ordinary men who put on uniforms and did extraordinary things to free the world from an absolute evil. Those avid war film buffs among us may recognise some of the elements of the film “The Longest Day” or from old newsreel of the landings. On our tabletop we show elements of 6th Airborne Division, the Royal Marine Special Service Brigade and 3rd Infantry Division with their specially attached units, all supported by the ‘Grey Funnel Line’ (RN).

The Historic Scenario – The Allies

On the left of our invasion we see the Merville Battery being stormed by the remnants of the widely scattered Parachute Battalion led by Lt. Col. Otway, who out of the whole unit could only gather a company strength but attacked anyway. To their right, and although miles away and nearer the landing beaches, we show the famous ‘Pegasus Bridge’ although not ‘Horsa Bridge’ next to it because of space. Maj. Howard of the Ox. & Bucks LI led this stunningly successful attack capturing the bridges and holding them until the arrival of Lord Lovat and the SS Brigade, who were reportedly 2 minutes late (but they were forgiven having fought harder and marched further than any unit anywhere on D-Day).

We have, because of time, run all action concurrently. The 6AB Div. Actions happened in the wee small hours followed later by the main landings on the beaches. Here we have 4 CDO plus 1 coy French 10 CDO attacking Oustreham and the famous casino strong point. The rest of the beach is 3rd Inf. Div. Area using ‘Hobart’s Funnies’ to crack open the beach defences and strong points.

The Historic Scenario – The Axis

The German 716 Fortress Division held this sector. They occupied heavy defences but were immobile. There was a high non-German ratio in this Div. Backing them up and not far inland was the former Afrika Korps unit 21st Panzer Div.

‘Went the day well’ as they say. The liberation of NW Europe had begun.

The Figures and Kit

The troops for the most part are plastic and by Matchbox, Esci, Revell and Airfix. There is the odd metal figure usually crew from metal or resin kits. The vehicles are Airfix Shermans with cardboard DD skirts added; Airfix conversions/scratch built ‘Crab’ flails and Churchill AVRE’s, also Airfix Bren carriers. The Matchbox AVRE’s carry small box girder bridges (SBG) and the odd resin ‘Funny’ is Britannia. Resin LCA’s by Frontline and LCM’s by Airfix. The big LCT’s are card, matchsticks, paperclips and spare B&Q screw head covers. The Greenock Club supplied and built much. Many metal figures were bought and painted as well as a resin ‘Britannia’ LCT. They scratch built the Merville Battery and built Pegasus Bridge.

Most of the defences and buildings are card, former egg boxes, matchsticks or posh resin. The sea is canvas and the beach is sand (what else) the wooden frame under the canvas stops the scenery leaking onto the floor.

The rules used are 'Rapid Fire' , and its accompanying ‘D-Day Campaign Guide’