Chain of Command: Canal line Battles Attack and Defend at Essars

I was sad to miss Partizan at the weekend, so as a consolation I got Chain of Command out and played an Attack and Defend scenario depicting the Royal Irish Fusiliers defending the outskirts of Essars from elements of the 7th Panzer Division. As part of the Canal Line Campaign which is based on the exploits of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers during the retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.

This game represents a engagement when the Germans get a foothold over the Basee Canal and are consolidating to sweep up to Dunkirk. As an ‘Attack and Defend’ scenario in the new rules there was an objective set, the country shop two thirds up the table.

The Germans made a confident start pushing up with armour & infantry forward in an effort to establish themselves before the defenders could respond.

The British not wanting to show their hand too early kept their power dry and waited for the Germans to advance and offer a flank. At that point a 25mm AntiTank gun deployed in the woods. They opened up hitting the Panzer II but failing to penetrate until the 3rd shot which brewed it up.

The return fire from the Germans killed the Junior Leader in the Gun Crew resulting in the necessity to deploy a Senior Leader to keep the gun in operation.

Keen not to be slow down by the loss of their German kept the pressure up with Fire and manoeuvre. Nevertheless as they secured the cross road a British Mortar Barrage landed on a Double Six!! Meaning it arrived immediately. Catching two Sections in it. While it was devastating to one team killing them the choke was successfully rolled off the other three units who didn’t suffer many casualties and following the barrage were in action again quickly.

They maintained pressure on the defensive positions with fire from the first section supported by a 75mm field gun. This fire was taking its toll on the deployed on the defending British. section. Has the Senior leader rushed from the 25mm Anti Tank gun to organise his section he was hit by a piece of shrapnel Killing him immediately.

With this and the deployed Sections facing a resurgent German Assault, it was decided to withdraw to the next Map since it was a campaign game.