A short Batrep detailing the 6th Guards encounter with Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654 on Quarry Hill (point 226) during Operation Bluecoat, late summer of 1944.
“The British ‘infantry’ tanks had a horrible time. The Argylls of 15th Scottish, less their anti-tank guns, but supported by the Churchill tanks of Scots Guards, took and held a height known as Quarry Hill (Mont Pincon, Southwest of Caen), when there were three shots and three Churchill tanks ‘brewed’. Then two enormous Jagdpanther tank-hunters, covered by a third, lumbered into the open, up the hill, through the British position, and down the other side, leaving in all eleven shattered Churchill tanks behind them. One of the Jagdpanther tank-hunters passed within a few feet of an artillery officer who had a close view of the German commander who was standing up, wearing only a vest, presumably because of the heat, and laughing. ”
—From the history of the 3rd Armoured Battalion (Scots Guards), 6th Guards Tank Brigade.
The history in short. Operation Bluecoat near Caumont.
In order to keep up with detailed artillery planning, Churchills of the 6th Armoured Guards are ordered to advance six miles ahead to point 226 while the battle weary and slow moving Scots infantry mops up the remaining resistance at the foot of the hill. Shortly after the tanks consolidate on the high ground to coordinate a defense, Jagpanthers and grenadiers counterattack following an artillery barrage.
The scenario is played with 350 point lists from the British Infantry and German Panzer Division sections. In order to represent the hasty arrival of the armour advancing without its infantry, the British player must deploy all Churchills and the carrier section within 12" of an objective. 227th Brigade infantry elements (a full platoon) will begin to arrive on turn 4. Furthermore, off table 3" mortars will be available from turn 3. The German player begins turn one by moving on half his force rounding down following two timed 105 strikes.
British (350/ 23 BR/ 3 officers)
Churchill IV forward
HQ
Churchill IV platoon
Carrier section
Rifle platoon with PIAT (regulars)
off table 3" mortar battery
German ( 349/ 21BR / 1 officer)
Grenadier platoon (regulars)
3x MG42, 3x Pzfaust
Panzerschreck team
2 x Jagdpanther
2x 105 timed strike (turn 1)
Chruchills and carriers set up a hasty defense
Artillery strike signals the beginning of the attack
Jagdpanther tank destroyers advance under cover of artillery
As in real life, a pak43 sends the turret of the command churchilll (fwdhq) sky high
Grenadiers secure the Farm
Brigade mortars send a nasty stonk down on German infantry occupying the farm
Infantry arrives and begins to counter attack
But it is too late...lead Jagdpanther knocks out a third Churchill and the British begin to withdraw off the hill back to brigade lines. As in real life, the second Jagdpanther slips a track and is forced to abandon (both do historically)
Well I think I got that right. Hopefully didn't butcher units and events too much...
I sure love Jagdpanthers....
