Sword Beach

(D-Day, 6th June 1944)

This game based on the scenario in the D-Day Campaign Guide by Colin Rumford, was played at my place on Saturday 16th June 2008.  The British task was to control all German positions and Hermanville at the end of 10 moves.  For the Germans retaining control of at least gave them victory.  Any other result was a draw. The table was played on a 8' x 6' table using Geo-hex and my beach boards (turn up the other way from the Juno Beach East game - how clever !). 

The British landing did not start well with 2 out of 6 DD tanks being lost in the approach and then further losses amongst the flail tanks once on the beach.  Bulldozers were then sent forward to clear a path for the follow up forces.  German artillery was sporadic causing only a few casualties on the landing craft as they approached. Once they had reached the sand dunes the British assault moved steadily forward overwhelming in turn "Trout", "Cod", Hermanville, "Morris", "Hillman", "Daimler". 

The German defenders held out causing losses on infantry and vehicles. The British AVREs moved slowly forward destroyed bunkers in their path. At the end of the 10th move British forces were still contesting the Riva Bella position with the German Defenders.  Final result a draw with neither side achieving their respective vitory conditions.

This was by far our largest D-Day game leaving only Gold and Utah beaches to complete the D-Day landings:

Juno Beach (east) - 10th June 2007

Omaha Beach - ???? (not the actual game but a mockup of the cliffs)

Juno Beach (west) - 26th April 2004

The British attackers (left to right) Andrew Wheeler, Brad Smith, Tim O'Connor and Matthew Coombes

The German defenders - (left to right) Mark Piper, Warren Jolly and Ian Fainges

Pre-game air recon photos of Sword Beach. I sent this to all participants instead of detailed maps. We also pre-allocated commands to individuals so that the game could start with minimal preamble.

Queen - White Sector

Queen - Red Sector

defences in depth - "Riva Bella" under construction replaced for the actual game by the one painted by Colin Rumford. All other buildings also painted by Colin.

From Ouistreham / Riva Bella towards "Cod" and "Trout".  British forces around "Cod" start to move inland.  The commandos were supported by a Centaur.

Close up of commandos disembarking and advance towards the Casino at Ouistreham

Shot along the beach to west of "Cod". Scratchbuilt LCT (based on the Britannia one) disembarks the MG company.

Extreme right flank of the British landing. Commandos form up to assault "Trout"