Gaming: BATTLE REPORT - Skirmish at Vimont 18 July 1944 (Part 1 - German assault)

History is a funny thing - our memories of events become clouded and disjointed over time. The order of things are not always how we recall - I remember certain events from the action at Vimont like it was yesterday and other things are a blur! Using historical photographs and narrative evidence from survivors this report looks to put together the details of what happened on that day in northern France.....

"I remember it clearly the dawn mist was beginning to clear and we could hear the rumble of distant artillery shells. Then we heard the grumble of tanks. We were nervous as the advanced guard we didn't know what to expect. The Germans had been retreating, but Jerry is a canny beast. Fearing heavy armour that had been reported by the CO we loaded up big Bertha (our affectionately named 6pdr)  when suddenly out of the undergrowth two tanks appeared. I said 'look there Sarge, lets pop a hole in one of those beasts'. On his orders we rotated our gun and when one was in our sights we opened fire - BOOM went the tank and the turret came clean off and the hull turned into a flaming bonfire. The poor sods inside cooking alive. We had no time to think as another of their beasts was on the prowl..."

-Extract from the memories of Private Reg Smith - wounded at Vimont 

Picture: The 6pdr opens up on the German advance

Turn one started very well for the British. The first dice out was their's and the 6pdr crew promptly put a shell into the Panzer II destroying it out right (this was probably the best shot of the game as the big guns largely failed after that on both sides). With very little else the British could do they 'hunkered' down behind their defences as the Germans continued their pincer movement. 

Picture: Destroyed Panzer II doesn't stop  the German advance

With the German advance in full swing it was up to the Brits to further upset the party. Turn two saw the order dice gods once again favoured the Brits with the Cromwell appearing and advancing down their right (the German left) flank. The Cromwell and the Brits in the bunker opened up on the Opel Blitz and Kubelwagon with the later becoming another victim of British sharpshooting. 

Pictures: What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monster? Well actually its a Cromwell with a bloody big gun! - British reinforcements arrive in the form of a Cromwell tank!

"We were riding along in our truck as we advanced on sie bunker. Then there is a big explosion to our left and the Kubelwagon that was following us has been flipped in the air before landing with a great crash. Our truck is peppered with machine gun bullets as the British tank and bunker simultaneously opening up on us, but our squad has fallen to the floor of the Truck so no one is injured. I look quickly through a gap in the trucks planking and through sie smoke I can see at least one British tank rolling down the hill towards us. It wasn't going to be long before we were  in his sights. We needed to clear out the bunker soon otherwise we'd be toast as I saw its turret turn I remember thinking my time was up, but we were lucky as a shell zipped through the trucks windscreen and through the window. Hellman, our driver, was white as a sheet as that shell must have passed within a hairs breathed..." (Editor note: in turn 3 the Cromwell hit the truck, but rolled poorly for damage, we can therefore only assume Schwartz recollections of the incident are accurate despite being under heavy fire). 

- Corporal Schwartz diary notes while recovering as an allied POW from injuries sustained at Vimont.

On the German right the advancing squads and armour incurred less excitement and exchanged fire with the 6pdr, but with woefully poor accuracy. Elsewhere the British Dimiler and infantry squads started to reinforce the British position - using the hedgerow cover they headed for the defensive area around the 6pdr.

Picture: British reinforcements advance on their defensive positions in order to halt the German advance.

Turn 3 the Germans were able to launch the first phase of their assault that extended into turn 4. What occurred was confused and bloody, but I will try and pick out the bones of it.....

On their right one of the infantry squads took position behind field hedge and opened fire into the unprotected side of the 6pdr! With the 6pdr crew incapacitated the Germans had effectively secured the right flank for the time being allowing the Panzer III to make its way towards the bunker. On the left under heavy fire what remained of the German forces pushed on towards the bunker looking to clear it out and link up with their comrades coming in from the right. The Opel blitz pulled up in front of the bunker and squad inside jumped out pouring lead into the British inside - who in turn returned fire. The German fire was lethal with all but one British soldier succumbing, while the German's weren't without casualties.

   

Picture: The Germans begin their assault on the bunker.

In the midst of the attack the Cromwell opened up its hull machine gun on the assaulting German infantry inflicting heavy causalities, but not stopping the assault. Lead by one of their fearless commanders the Germans charged the bunker and saw off the last of the defenders. Regrouping behind the sandbag protection the Germans then prepared for the British counter attack.

"Sie assault on the bunker was a blur. All of a sudden we had made it through the bullet storm. All I remember is our Sargent shouting 'Out! Out!' Schnell! Schnell! . Our squad however was being commanded by Frauline Schneider , a fierce women, who  then called on us to charge the barricades.  The men said she had fought with our unit since North Afrika, though where'd she'd come from I never found out. The defenders returned fire and I remember Private Schwimmer took a slug, but without time to think all I saw was him fall to the ground! Through the smoke and dust Schneider charged and firing her pistols like a character from one of those American westerns, dispatched the last of the defenders. The tank opened up and more of my comrades fell to its fire. What was left of us dived for cover and regrouped. We held the bunker, but at what cost and for how long...." 

- Corporal Schwartz diary notes

Picture: Under fire from the Cromwell the Germans storm the bunker!

With the Panzer III advancing on the allied position like a gallant knight of old the Cromwell came out to meet the challenge. Not quite Kurst, but a serious tank battle none the less. The Germans seized the initiate and got off the first shot, but the aim was wide and a column of dust sprouted up just behind the Cromwell. The Cromwell gun then roared out and the AP shell blasted into the Panzers armour. The explosion set fire to the German tanks fuel line and with baited breath we waited for the impending explosion. However, nothing came (the dice favoured the Germans!) as the brave crew put out the blaze! Still it was now immobile for the next turn. 

Pictures: Mini 'Kurst' in sequence - the Panzer III fires and misses, the Cromwell fires back and hits causing a fire that is eventually put out.

"I saw the German tank rumbling towards our position so I got Jock my gunner to aim at the bugger! As we transverses the jolly fellow beat us to it and fired a pop shot at us. Fortunately his aim was off and the shell hit the dirt to the rear of us - I suspect where we had been a moment before! Jock settled his aim on the poor chap and fired. From my position I saw it hit him in the side and smoke started to come from his engines. Fully expecting an explosion to my surprise nothing happened! Our loader shoved another shell into the breach and Jock steadied his aim and fired again...."

- Sergeant Jones recounts the engagement with one of Baumann's Panzers

So endith turn 4 with the battle nicely set up. The Germans were effectively winning at this point as they controlled the bunker. However, having suffered heavy causalities and their armour out of action for another turn at least could they cling on for victory as the British reinforcements swarmed in!

Next part 2 - the British Counter attack!!