Operation Martlet, 25th June. Set up the table to play Day Two of the British attack on the German line at St Nicholas Farm and the Grand Farm. Figures were 15mm.
We used the Oh What a Total Bummer, dice driven version of IABSM. Iain Fuller gamely agreed to be the British and I take the German defenders.

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Grand Farm to the right, St Nicholas on the left. View is from the British side.

The final game will be the whole attack, but today we just played a company attack on the Grand Farm, carried out by the Tynesdale Scots supported by the 24th Lancers. The initial assault wave was one full strength company and two troops of tanks. An AT troop was available, as was an AVRE. A pre game stonk also gave the British a flying start.

The Germans had one company to cover the whole table ( not just The Grand Farm!) two dug in Panzer IVs at St Nicolas Farm and a mobile reserve of HQ halftracks. There was also an off table force of four Panther tanks, but they would have limited table time (these were historically withdrawn in the late morning of the 25th to support the line as Operation Epsom started).

The game tested just one part of the attack and it worked really well. The full game will be run in November/December.

Next time we will have FOO per side and battalion mortar support.

St Nicholas Farm. A German platoon was deployed here with a dug in Panzer IV.

The Grand Farm, again defended by a German platoon. A PAK 40 was deployed just off the main road.

The bridge and high ground top left. The Tynesdale were allowed to move along this flank if they wished.

Looking down the whole table length

Action - British infantry moving up to The Grand Farm.

The Panther reserve deployed and stayed in long enough to destroy a troop of the 24th Lancers.

2 Troop advances.... nicely driven around Daisy and friends.

Ed’s note: I think there is actually one cow knocked over!

The Panthers withdraw. Operation Epsom has started and these are needed to stall the main British attack.

The British press forward as they see the Panthers withdraw.

Desmondo Darkin