Chuckadice Band of Brothers

Zobski's Band of Brothers campaign

2006-03-17T01:35:00.000Z

World War Two (WWII) skirmish campaign using a mixture of rules, mostly Death by Schmeisser.

After Action Report 10: 27th June 1944 - Cherbourg

2006-03-08T05:03:00.000Z

After a week of intense fighting and the day after General von Schlieben, the German commander was captured, the French port of Cherbourg falls to the Allies.

German forces in Fortress Cherbourg were well aware of the desperateness of their position as early as the morning of 24 June. By that time VII Corps had broken through the main defense line although it had not yet captured all of the principal strong points. In an intercepted message to higher headquarters General von Schlieben stated: "...communications to several battalions no longer available. Phosphorus shells have put eight batteries out of action. Tomorrow heavier enemy attacks expected. ... Completely crushed by artillery fires." Other captured documents revealed that losses of unit leaders were heavy and that morale was low. Although the conglomerate German force continued to resist with determination and delayed the American advance, US VII Corps’ progress was steady after the penetration of 22-23 June and in the final phase the three infantry divisions reduced the remaining strong points one by one, seized the last ground commanding the port, and closed in on the beleaguered city.

In a special operation designed to prevent destruction of the valuable docks by the Germans, Edge Company was landed from a captured torpedo boat directly into the center of the docks area. Their orders were to capture the docks, locate & disable demolition equipment, capture technical & intel documents from the dock buildings and hold until relieved.

The approach was uneventful and the German defenders were unaware of the attack until American troops began deploying from the torpedo boat onto the dock side where despite coming under increasingly heavy fire, the assault squads managed to cross the open ground to their objectives.

With support from the boat cannons and accurate mortar fire the assault was pressed home. A security HQ provided unexpected resistance but was overcome and provided a useful fire point covering the main gate to the dockyard as well as providing valuable reinforcements when captured US personnel were released from the cells.

Barracks, office & workshop buildings were also cleared and a hitherto unknown entrance to underground submarine pens discovered. Considerable quantities of technical, research & prototype intel was captured.

The Germans mounted several local counterattacks from the town but these were unco-ordinated and lacking in armour support so were driven off at heavy cost to the attackers until eventually leading elements of VII Corps broke through to relieve the defenders and assume control of the objective.

Lt Edge who led the operation has been recommended for a Bronze Star to recognise its outstanding execution & success.

Sgt Murphy has been awarded a second Purple Heart and rotated back to the States.

Briefing 10: 26th June 1944 - Western Europe

2006-02-27T03:45:00.000Z

The Allies have invaded and from the beaches of Normandy their forces are advancing, pushing the Germans back into France. Reinforcements are pouring in over the invasion beaches but the Allies still don’t command a suitable port. The situation was worsened last week when a 4 day storm curtailed the operation and destroyed one of the vital Mulberry harbours so it is now even more important that port facilities are captured.

There has been hard fighting up the Cherbourg peninsular and American forces are closing in on the port from all directions. It is expected to fall in the next few days however there is concern at SHAEF that the Germans will destroy the port facilities before they can be captured so an operation has been mounted to prevent this happening.

The US 14th Infantry division has been pulled out of Italy and is preparing to join the battle for France. Edge company has been earmarked for a special operation aimed at securing the port facilities at Cherbourg.

Orders

Using a captured German PT boat you are to enter the port from the sea and locate & disable all demolition devices. Any German stores, supplies, forces & support equipment are to be destroyed unless this results in major structural damage. The offices & workshops are to be searched for intel. especially with regard to the location of German forces, technical specs, maps and other military documents.

Despite efforts to the contrary, the Germans have been receiving supplies & reinforcements by PT and U boats so it is expected that you should be able to approach the docks successfully. The operation will be conducted under cover of a bombing raid and continuing ground attacks.

It is expected that the town will fall within 48 hrs so you are to hold until relieved if at all possible. If the situation becomes untenable, you may evacuate the port and return to Allied lines although only after ensuring that the German capacity for demolition has been removed.

The PT boat is large enough to accommodate 25 men out of sight.

Encounters

On entry roll 1d6- on a 1, the nearest sentry sees something suspicious and shouts a warning- everyone within 650 increases by 1 initiative.

The action starts when the first hidden troops deploy. Those coming out into the open first time may not fire on first turn.

Sentries have 50% chance of replying on their first turn, otherwise they will react next turn.

Others only respond as firing breaks out on 5 or 6.

Civilians will run for cover.
Troops will 50% for or run for cover/weapon.

After all hell breaks out, a siren will start and on the next turn, reinforcements will deploy from the Barracks and Security Offices. Germans have only side arms and machine guns.

A bombing raid is underway so there is a lot of noise & excitement.

Spotting demo charges.
These are marked on the map. Those on the wall of the main dock will be spotted on a 3+ as the boat comes in (2 may test). They appear as blocks removed from the wall and the gaps packed with drums. Wires are looped along the dock wall about ½ metre below the top.
If looking in the area, charges will be spotted as wires lead to them. These may be cut.
Against the walls of buildings, charges will be packed behind sandbags. Charges may be detonated from the Security Office or the Port Masters office. Wires run to timers on a switchboard but for safety are not yet connected.

The situation will be confused by civilian dock workers running around. Vehicles may start up & attempt to escape.

Workshop.
Large hangar-like building. Inside are steam & diesel engines under repair. Also compressors, pumps and deck guns. A supervisors office is in one corner and contains filing cabinets with assorted engineering plans. Nearly everyone here is a civilian.

Security Office.
Offices, cells, barracks & canteen for security personnel, interrogation rooms. Some US personnel in cells. Files mostly contain dock personnel files but also some demolition plans.
A few security personnel but well armed. Will engage from windows.

Port Masters Block.
High alertness as they overlook dock operations. Offices. Files contain shipping & stores/cargo information. Also demolition plans.
A couple of good sentries with clear lines of fire and a machine gun.

Admin offices.
Port admin. block containing drawing & design offices, stores & production control, some development labs with technical prototypes, test & research workshops including some related to submarines.
A lot of technical files here- blueprints and hardware.

An internal staircase at the rear corner leads down to a passage linking to the ‘Engine shed’.

Mostly civilians here although a few military support personnel may put up a fight.

Engine shed.
Actually a ramp down into a large underground chamber with railway sidings. Heavy blast doors seal the entrance but a side door for personnel leads to a gantry running the length of one side. Below are offices and opposite at low level are stores & engineering workshops. Freight wagons are being loaded/unloaded. A large door in the far rear corner is the entrance to a long large passage which in turn leads to submarine pens.
The offices & workshops contain technical files & plans and the blast door control. Most of the workers are civilian but some armed guards will engage.

Gate House.
Standard gate house for main entrance. The other entrance has 1 sentry & drop-down bar.

Workshops/Storage.
Destroyed by bombing, these lie in ruins.

Submarine pens.
A-La Medal of Honor. 2 Concrete pens open to the sea. Each has room for 2 subs but only 1 is present. All of concrete, storage, fuel & supply rooms lie along the back wall. The pens are linked by a blast door which is open. In the second pen is a stairwell marked as a fire exit which leads up into a garage in the town.
There are a lot of military personnel here as well as some dock workers.
Other than that which is on the sub, no files are present.

Sub.
Tied up at dock, naval personnel are working to load/unload & reprovision the sub. They are armed with smgs and the deck gun is operational although use at short range is out of the question.
If entered, the sub is narrow & claustrophobic with pipes & machinery all along the passage. Essentially 1 space, divided by watertight doors (open) runs the length of the sub. The conning tower hatch opens into the bridge/control room with the periscope & command stations. Aft is the engine room with the diesels & batteries and forward is the
crew & storage section leading to the torpedo room at the bows. The captains cabin is directly in front of the bridge and contains the safe which in turn contains code books & maps. Hatches exit the engine & torpedo rooms onto the deck.
Once the sub is boarded, fire will come from fore & aft but crew will surrender as first casualty (in each direction) is taken.

German reinforcements.
On the occasional roll of a 1, reinforcements may arrive at either gate. These will deploy from a halftrack or truck.

Random.
On a roll of a 1, a stray stick of bombs will hit the docks. Randomise 1 or 2 hits locations.

After Action Report 9: 4th June 1944 - Be my Vallentin

2005-05-25T04:44:00.000+01:00

Allied 5th Army enters Rome.

Kesselrings 10th Army is retreating north as the Allies enter the Italian capital city.

Moving ahead of the advance, Lt Edges company advanced to the town of Vallentin where they accepted the surrender of the German garrison and freed a number of POWs. When the division came up they found not only a bag of Wehrmacht troops but 3 trucks loaded with loot stolen by & liberated from the SS.

Sgt Murphy has been recommended for a promotion.

It is rumoured that the 14th Division may be pulled out of Italy to take part in the planned invasion of Western Europe.

AAR9.doc

Briefing 9: 2nd June 1944 - S of Rome

2005-05-23T03:31:00.000+01:00

The Germans south of Rome are falling back and many are surrendering to the advancing Allies. It is a confused & chaotic situation.

The German garrison of nearby Vallentin has communicated that it is ready to surrender however its barracks in the middle of the town is surrounded by a mob of angry Italian civilians. Naturally they wish to surrender to Allied forces rather than fall into the hands of the mob. Your mission is to push on to Vallentin and accept the surrender.

Phase 1 Journey to Vallentin.

The road winds through rolling fields & orchards. Occasionally civilians will pass or look up and wave excitedly to the convoy.

German patrol.
Moving north. When they see the convoy they will
1-2 Run away
3-4 Come forward to surrender
5-6 Take positions & Open fire

Tiger tank.

Spotted stationary on the road ahead. Hatch open & appears abandoned.
The tank has been hit by air attack & its engine & main gun are disabled however the coax & bow mgs are functional. The SS crew have spotted the convoys approach and are lying in wait. 1 crewmember is out of action and one other is inside the tank on the bow mg. The other 3 have taken positions outside with smgs & pistols.

Aircraft may be spotted overhead- if unlucky they will attack regardless of nationality.

Vallentin.

The town is undamaged & spreads across a ridge. The approach is uphill. All is quiet on approach although the church bells can be heard pealing. Civilians wave & blow kisses and will gather around the convoy if it stops.
Close to the town square the crowd is thicker & more ugly. Partisans wave rifles but all are glad to see the Americans. The German barracks is situated adjacent the town square. The square itself is deserted but the angry mob is only in cover and are baying for blood & occasionally potting shots towards the building which still bears the Nazi flag. There is no sign of life from the building, the garrison has locked & barricaded themselves inside & are keeping low. Blood marks the square, it is clear that people have been shot but their bodies removed- they are in the hospital.
Despite translation difficulties it becomes apparent that since the initial surrender, a column of Germans passed through the town & temporarily reinforced the barracks however they left after a while and it was at this time that they opened fire on the civilians outside before speeding away. Some Germans are left however and the mob wants vengeance on them.

With a white flag the Lt will be able to approach the barracks. Indeed, the Germans inside do still want to surrender but only if their safety from the mob is ensured.
To placate the mob the Lt will have to-
1. Remove the Nazi flag from the building.
2. Talk to the partisan leader- take him on board.
3. Make a speech declaring the surrender of the Germans and the freeing of the town.
4. Make clear that the Germans will not be harmed as they are now POWs.

After this the mood of the crown will change to one of celebration.

When interrogated, the German CO will reveal that the column which lately came through was SS retreating north. The Commander demanded men to accompany him on a mission which he would not reveal the nature of. They almost came to blows until the Whermacht CO suggested he take the POWs which he duly did ordering 8 of them into the trucks outside and driving off with them leaving 10 others with the garrison.

The SS squad is removing stolen loot & art treasures and intends to hide it in caves in nearby hills. They need manpower to carry the loot & secure the cave but in order to maintain security they will kill the persons who know of its location ie the POWs.
They were spotted by locals leaving the road up a track which leads to the Goldbach Falls.

If the squad pursue they will encounter 3 trucks and a kubelwagon parked up near the mountain slopes. There are 2 guards. Tracks can be seen heading up the slopes and shooting will alert the SS up the hill. There is a large sloping pasture leading up to a crest & a tree line then a quarter mile of woods ending in rocky slopes. The trail is hard to follow here but the group may get fired upon from the rocks.
There are 7 SS including an officer + 11 POWs. The SS recover suppression with +1 mod.

A small cave is being used to stash the loot. Raised about 15 ft from the ground it is only about 3 ft high but opens up inside and goes back 20-25 ft. Stacked up at the far end and to one side are ammo boxes & sacks. These contain silver & gold items- candlesticks, religious icons, cutlery, art objects, jewellery boxes, watches & statuettes. Some boxes are stuffed with bank notes & coins including gold. There are paintings well wrapped in sacks & paper. The prisoners are in the process of blocking up the cave with cement & rocks.

The SS squad has a m/gun trained on the POWs which will be used to attack Edges squad. Having been warned by the sound of firing they will be in good positions in the rocks including on the flanks and will open fire when the time is most advantageous. If a lucky roll is achieved, surprise may be lost by the SS by a shouted warning. If the squad distract the SS enough, the POWs may attack their guards.

It is known that Allied POWs are kept in the town therefore you are to locate & liberate them also.

You are then to hold the town until relieved.

Available to you are a jeep, a halftrack & 4 trucks.

BandofBrothers9.doc

Briefing 8: 5th Jan 1944 - S Italy

2005-01-25T03:17:00.000Z

It is a new year and the Allies continue their hard slog up the Italian peninsular.

13:30 hrs
At Mondragone, a small town on the coast north of the Volturno river, Lt Edge & his battered Sergeant are summoned to a briefing.

Another attack is due to go in on the German line at Formia in 48 hrs time. Part of the plan was to destroy a bridge in the Germans rear by air attack however due to the filthy weather & forecast of low cloud for at least the next 3 days another method has to be employed.

A squad of 12 men is to travel up the coast by boat, come ashore near Terracina, travel the 5 miles to the bridge & destroy it using demolition charges not later than dawn of the 7th. Extraction will be by the same route.

The Lt is to pick his squad which is to include Italian speakers, demolition engineers and a radio and report to the harbour at 22:00 hrs tonight.

A local fishing boat has been requisitioned and crewed with naval personnel. The plan is to head out for about 10 miles to clear the coast, northwest for 30 miles then turn in to the coast and approach it at sunup from the NW. Coming from this direction & coinciding with the return of the local fishing fleet it is hoped to escape detection by the Germans.
The landing will be made at a small harbour called San Caprero just a few miles down the coast from Terracina.

On clearing the town, the route to the target rises into hills which are well covered with woods, orchards & fields.

The road should be avoided as it is the main route between Formia & Rome.

The bridge itself spans a deep gorge and the approach is mountainous & more open than the lower slopes.

The target is guarded by infantry and an AA position overlooks & defends the bridge. Moderate amounts of traffic use the road and it is likely that the squad will have to employ watchers on the flanks during the operation to warn of approaching traffic.

Upon completion, extraction will be by the same route.

BandofBrothers8.doc

Briefing 7: 4 Nov 1943 - S Italy

2003-03-17T03:14:00.000Z

The Americans have established a foothold across the River Volturno and 2nd Company has been ordered to reinforce it. Edge platoon, being nearest to the crossing is the first to arrive.
The crossing has been taken after heavy fighting and the effects of battle are all around.
The situation is worst than you feared. Barely a dozen men have survived the ferocious fighting and these are exhausted and short on ammo. You are to take command of the situation & hold the crossing until reinforcements arrive.

BandofBrothers7.doc

Briefing 6: 2 Oct 1943 - S Italy

2002-11-17T03:12:00.000Z

Pushing up through Italy, 2nd Company has been pushed ahead towards Benevento, an important river crossing on the way to Naples. Not only does the town boast good bridges but a medieval castle sitting atop a rock outcrop which dominates both sides of the river. If the Germans are given time to mount a defence of the town it will prove very costly to dislodge them. It is imperative that the town be taken before this can occur.

Lt Edge is with forward elements of the Company on the tail of retreating German units. As he moves into position on a hill overlooking the river crossings he can see the crossings below & the castle above. Radioing in a report the Colonel comes on-
“Throw everything you’ve got across the river Lieutenant. Capture the bridges & the damn castle. Don’t let them consolidate. I’ll send everything I’ve got to support you. Secure the bridges. Push on ! On !"

Lt Edge- You are in a recon jeep with 2 men from your platoon. A second jeep is in support with 2 more men. You have shadowed unobserved the retreating Germans who are even now crossing the river into the town. You have driven to a position alongside a church which offers you a view of the bridges and the town beyond. Dominating the valley is the castle which sits high atop a cliff which drops vertically down to the river.
The rest of the company is coming up.

BandofBrothers6.doc

Briefing 5: 12 Sept 1943 - S Italy

2002-07-02T02:59:00.000+01:00

The Allies have crossed into Italy at Salerno and the 2nd Company has moved into the front line near Campagna.

Orders

A patrol is needed to go out to scout the enemy lines & determine their strength.

BandofBrothers5.doc

Briefing 4: 6th Aug 1943 - Northern Sicily

2002-06-02T02:55:00.000+01:00

It is 2 weeks since your attack on the HQ building and in that time Palermo has been captured, the Germans are being mopped up in the west of Sicily and a race is on between Patton & Montgomery to reach Messina in the east. In the forefront of this rapid advance is the 14th Divn.
Along the northern coast road another village has been fortified by the Germans to buy more time. General Patton will brook no delays to the advance and an immediate assault is required.

Orders

You are to take the village & continue the advance.

Squad support weapons
2 BARs 2 Bazookas 1 Lt Mortar

Company Support
Prep HE Arty bombardment
1 Sherman

Notes

The village is known to be held by both good quality troops & conscripts and as usual, what the Germans lack in men they make up for in machine guns. The front line is likely to be lightly held but reinforcements will be close by within the village. A 75mm AT gun has been active but its current whereabouts is unknown. 50mm mortars are a constant hazard.

BandofBrothers4.doc

Briefing 3: July 1943 - Northern Sicily

2002-05-02T02:46:00.000+01:00

Intelligence has identified a German Company HQ located close behind the lines in your sector. The Major wants to take advantage of this opportunity to hit the enemy command structure before the attack on Palermo scheduled for the 20th.

Orders

Your platoon is to infiltrate the lines then attack & eliminate the target before 20th July.
The raid could provide a valuable opportunity to gather intelligence therefore capture of personnel & recovery of documents should be considered a secondary objective.

The target is a substantial 2 storey building which lies on the northern edge of the village of Ciaculli. It is surrounded by a high stone wall with a single entrance which is approached from the within the village. Apart from where the buildings lie close to the entrance the target is surrounded by open ground. It should be possible to reach Ciaculli without too much trouble however both approach & extraction will have to be made through the village as any other route will take you deeper into enemy lines. Speed is essential to your operation as the Germans can summon reinforcements from nearby villages. Get in, secure your perimeter, get the job done & get out.

Find attached a photograph of the target taken recently.

BandofBrothers3.doc

Briefing 2: July 1943 - Sicily

2002-04-21T02:34:00.000+01:00

The Allies are pushing north. E company has been in action since day one and gained experience of both the enemy & the rough Sicilian terrain.
The German troops are experienced, many having served in the Afrika Corps, although their Italian allies are less well equipped & are more inclined to fall back before a determined advance.
The terrain is mountainous & rugged. The few rough roads link villages & hamlets and tracks lead to ancient farms which scrape a living from the stony ground. The Sicilians seem to welcome the Americans and invariably greet the troops with home made wine and cheese.

The front line has halted temporarily along the line of the R Platani. The Germans hold the opposite bank and the area beyond and both sides subject each other to intermittent shelling & bombing. In a day or two however the Americans intend to resume the advance by attacking across the river.

You have been called to Battalion HQ.

The Mission.

You are to take around a dozen men and conduct a recon. patrol behind the enemy lines. Under cover of darkness you are to penetrate the lines unobserved and patrol as far as Santa Biagio, a village 2 to 3 miles north near which you will hole up for the daylight hours before returning the following night. You are to record enemy strengths, positions and movements and if possible, return with prisoners for questioning.
It is important that HQ has reliable information prior to the attack and the quality & extent of your information will be paramount in its successful execution.

The maps of the area are not detailed but you can expect to encounter dry-stone walls, stony fields of crops, vineyards which provide good visibility cover, occasional streams & ditches and a few small woods other than those shown on the map. Most buildings will have been shelled and there will be few if any civilians remaining in the area having moved out taking with them those flocks of sheep & goats which wear those cute little bells.

Day 2

Summary
The squad crossed the lines & penetrated the German positions encountering & routing a work party collecting wood for a bridge and taking a prisoner. They also avoided units moving up to the front and an artillery battery deploying on the edge of a wood. It was approaching dawn when they came to & holed up in the deserted farm marked on the map. From the highest point of the farm buildings the rooftops of Santa Biagio can just be seen about a mile and a half to the north-east. The sergeant was despatched to the north slopes of hill 401 to get a better view of the town & valley to the east.
At dawn it became clear that the Germans were attacking as heavy fire was heard to the south and aircraft & vehicles were spotted moving up to the front. There is a road barely a quarter of a mile away and troops & vehicles can clearly be seen moving south. The day has been passing relatively uneventfully.
Possible encounters.

Troops are moving towards the front. Some stray personnel may well approach the farm and be silenced or taken prisoner.
A vehicle may stop close by to correct a mechanical fault. Crewmen may approach the farm seeking oil or water.
Civilians may approach the farm seeking loot or shelter.
Artillery can be heard to the south. A few allied rounds may land nearby.
The Lt may well lose track of the Sgt who may be killed, taken prisoner, MIA or make it back to the farm or safety.
Radio Comms- The Lt will be able to raise HQ on the radio at least once to report German movements. HQ will inform him that the Germans are attacking and HQ is pulling back. The squad is on its own and must make its own way back across the lines.

Encounters on the way back.

Broken down tank with crew awaiting spare parts.
Units in reserve awaiting orders.
Support units- artillery, supplies.
Bridge sentry guarded.
Advancing allied forces are about to be ambushed by Germans. The squad might try to take them out before this happens.
Following a woodland path the squad find themselves walkinHQHHg out into a clearing scattered with German troops who are lounging on the grass, smoking and otherwise relaxing. A road passes close by and 2 hanomags are parked up. The squads see each other simultaneously but many of the Germans are without weapons at hand.
Once over the original lines the squad might stumble across lost friendly troops.
Whilst being pursued the squad find their route blocked by Germans. They must fight their way through or be caught between them and the pursuers.

BandofBrothers2.doc

1943: Mission Briefing, your first assignment

2002-04-09T02:30:00.000+01:00

You have completed officer training and been assigned at the rank of Lieutenant to the U.S. 14th Infantry Division which is part of the newly formed 7th Army under General Patton. Training with your platoon has been intensive and you know the strengths & weaknesses of each man in your unit. You hope that your strength & leadership will be sufficient to carry you all safely through the coming conflict.

The Germans have been thrown out of North Africa and the Allies are poised to carry the war into Europe. Alongside the British 8th army, the U.S. 7th Army is to invade Sicily as a prelude to a push up through Italy however there are over 200,000 Germans & Italians defending the island and a high casualty count is expected.

The 14th Infantry is to be landed near Licata on Sicilys southern coast. The area around the landing forms a wide bowl with mountains to the north and a steep ridge to the west overlooking the beaches. The town of Licata sits astride a river that enters the Mediterranean through the middle of this flat floodplain.

Your unit is deployed on the extreme left of the division and your mission is to climb the steep slopes from the beach and clear the ridge of defenders. This high ground is known to be well defended by bunkers & trench lines and the entire battalion has been assigned to the task. The ridge commands views over the whole western portion of the landing areas and whoever possesses it controls communications to the west where other elements of the 7th Army are landing.
Your orders are to take the high ground at all costs.

Your platoon consists of the following-

Lt (Yourself) Green
Sgt Veteran
Cpl Green
All 3 above have radios for comms.

1st Assault squad 8 men including 1 BAR, 2 Demo charges & 2 Wire cutters
2nd Assault squad As above
Support squad 8 men including 2 BARs, 1 50mm mortar.

At least half the platoon is rated Green.
Each man is equipped with 2 frag. grenades.
Each BAR man has to be accompanied by another man.
The mortar has a 3 man crew and 12 rounds.

After an assessment of the tactical situation you will be required to brief your NCOs & assign them & your squads to whatever roles you think fit. Your command radius is 6” but you will be able to communicate with your NCOs through your walkie-talkies.

Original Mission Briefing