Rapid Fire !

Periers Ridge

6th June 2004

A group of us got together on Sunday 6th June, 2004 to refight the counter-attack of elements of 21st Panzer Division against elements of the British 3rd Division advancing from the Sword Beach towards Caen. We based the scenario on the one in Colin Rumford's D-Day scenario book but with our usual local modifications. The final result of this game was a marginal victory to the Germans.

Pre-game shot looking west. Bieville is in the centre, Lebisey wood to the left, Periers ridge on the right and Periers in the distance.

Here is a modified ORBAT (map is as p66 of the book)

British Order of Battle (regular) “185^th Infantry Brigade Group”

185^th Infantry Bde Group HQ (A) 6 figs, M3 s/car – initial

Staffordshire Yeomanry (-)

Recce Troop – 2 x Stuart (37mm) – initial (A)

A Sqn – 2 x Sherman (75mm), Sherman Firefly (17pdr) – Turn 4 (British Lines)

B Sqn – as per A Sqn – initial (C)

C Sqn – as per A Sqn – Turn 9 (British Lines)

2^nd Bn The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) (test @ 20) – initial (B)

Bn HQ – CO + 6 figs, PIAT and 2” mortar,

A Coy – 8 figs

B Coy – as per A Coy

C Coy – as per A Coy

D Coy – as per A Coy

Spt Coy – 9 figs, 3” mortar, 6 pdr ATG, 3 X Bren carriers

41^st Bty, 20^th AT Regt RA – M10 (76mm), M10 Achilles (17pdr) – initial (A)

Off table – 17/43^rd bty, 7^th Fd Regt (2 x 105mm Priest SP) (available from turn 3)

1 x artillery observer team, jeep – initial

German Order of Battle (regular) “Kampfgruppe Oppeln”

Kampfgruppe HQ Pz III (50mm), 2 x Flakpanzer 38t (20mm) – Turn 1

1^st Bn Pz Regt 22 (E)

Bn HQ - Pz IV (long 75mm) – Turn 3

1^st Coy – 3 x Pz IV (long 75mm) – Turn 3

2^nd Coy – as per 1^st Coy – Turn 4

3^rd Coy – as per 1^st Coy – Turn 4

2^nd Bn Pz Regt 22 (D)

Bn HQ – Pz IV (long 75mm), Somua (47mm) – Turn 1

5^th Coy – Pz IV (long 75mm), 1 x Somua (47mm) – Turn 1

8^th Coy – Pz IV (short 75mm), 1 x Somua (47mm) – Turn 1

1^st Bn Pz Gren Regt 125 (test @ 20) * denotes 3 nominal crew

Bn HQ – CO + 5 figs inc P/schreck, SPW P107 (37mm) HT* - Turn 3 (E)

1^st Coy – 8 figs, P/faust, SPW P107 HT – Turn 3 (E)

2^nd Coy – as per 1^st Coy – Turn 1 (D)

3^rd Coy – as per 1^st Coy – Turn 1 (D)

MG Coy – 6 figs, 2 x MMG, SPW P107 HT – Turn 4 (E)

Spt Coy – 1 x SPW P107 (20mm AA) HT*, 1 x Somua (75mm AT) HT* - Turn 4 (E)

1^st Coy Pz Pnr Bn 220 – 10 figs, f/thrower, Somua HT, P/faust, MMG, truck – Turn 4 (E)

Off-table - 3^rd Bn Pz Art Regt 155

observer team, kubelwagen - Turn 3 (E)

2 x 105mm, 1 X 150mm (fires as one battery)

Close-up of 2nd Bn KSLI deployed in and around Bieville

Periers (in our game initially unoccupied)

PzIVs from 2nd Bn Pz regt 22 supported by SPW HT from 1st Bn Pz Gren Regt 125 advance past the knocked out Shermans of the Staffordshire Yeomanry on Periers Ridge

Stuarts from recce Troop, Staffordshire Yeomanry counter-attack towards Bieville

Mk IVs supported by armoured infantry press forward between Bieville and Periers

Pz IVs of 1st Bn Panzer Regt 2 advancing on Periers

Meanwhile the battle for Periers continues

Left undefended the Germans take Periers and head for the high ground

Return to Photo Gallery page

Last Revision 15th June 2004

British Order of Battle (regular) “185th Infantry Brigade Group”

British Order of Battle (regular) “185^th Infantry Brigade Group”