FOW - 1st Special Service Brigade (Normandy)

By Jason Davis, Mark Francis and Wayne Turner

The Creation of the Commandos The Army Commandos were the brainchild of Winston Churchill and Lt Colonel Dudley Clark, a South African by birth. It was after the sturdy South African Boer Kommandos that the new unit was to get it’s name. After the British withdrawal at Dunkirk, Prime Minister Winston Churchill wished to retaliate by having specialist raiding forces harass the enemy coastline and destroy small military installations and supply depots. After many successful raids on the enemy coast, including the ambitious raid on St. Nazaire, the commandos were restructured in 1943 into brigades of assault and light infantry. These brigades also included the newly formed Royal Marine Commandos. Four separate Special Service Brigades were created and these were to see extensive service throughout the remaining war years in Italy, Burma, and Europe.

1 s t Special Ser vice Brigade 1st Special Service Brigade

1st Special Service Brigade

1st Special Service Brigade, comprised of 3, 4, and 6 Commando, Brigadier Simon Fraser The Lord Lovat plus 45 (Royal Marine) Commando. Led by the enigmatic Brigadier The Lord Lovat, 1st Special Service Brigade contained the most experienced commando units in the entire Special Service Group. Unlike the commandos of 4th Special Service No. 3 Commando No. 4 Commando Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Young Lieutenant-Colonel R. W. P. Dawson Brigade, 1st Special Service Brigade were 1 Troop (66 men) 1 Troop (66 men) to land on just one beach on the coast of 2 Troop (66 men) 2 Troop (66 men) 3 Troop (66 men) 3 Troop (66 men) Normandy, codenamed Sword Beach.

Target Normandy

4 Troop (66 men) 5 Troop (66 men) Heavy Weapons Troop (39 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

4 Troop (66 men) 5 Troop (66 men) 1 Troop (66 men), 10 Inter-allied Commando 8 Troop (66 men), 10 Inter-allied Commando Heavy Weapons Troop (39 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

On 6 June 1944, the Allied invasion forces assaulted the fortified coast of Normandy. 1st Special Service Brigade had a very clear objective, relieve the No. 6 Commando No. 45 (Royal Marine) airborne troops that had landed in Lieutenant-Colonel Derek Mills-Roberts Commando the early hours of the morning on the 1 Troop (66 men) Lieutenant-Colonel N. C. Ries eastern flank of the Normandy beaches. 2 Troop (66 men) A Troop (60 men) 3 Troop (66 men) The bridges over the Canal de Caen and B Troop (60 men) 4 Troop (66 men) X Troop (60 men) Orne River were vital to the security of 5 Troop (66 men) Y Troop (60 men) the entire assault force. Any counteratHeavy Weapons Troop (39 Men, Z Troop (60 men) 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG) tack across these bridges could have Heavy Weapons S Troop (33 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG) driven the invasion forces back into the sea. The bridges were to be taken by the glider borne units of 6th Airborne Commando was initially placed with 6th Airborne’s Headquarters Division, but these lightly armed troops could not be expected at Le Bas de Ranville to reinforce 12th Parachute Battalion, to hold out indefinitely without support from the sea. It would which was under great pressure from German attacks emanatbe up to Brigadier The Lord Lovat’s commandos to reach them st ing from St Honorine. Once secure, Young sent two Troops to as soon as possible. Beyond the bridgehead, 1 Special Service assist 45 (RM) Commando in attacking Franceville-Plage and Brigade was expected to seize the seaside towns of Sallanelles clearing the Merville Battery which had been re-occupied by and Franceville Plage and to clear the coastal strip between st German troops. On D+1, the rest of the Commando estabthese towns and Cabourg. 1 Special Service Brigade landed on rd lished positions around Amfreville with 4 Commando to its left Sword Beach after the assault brigades of 3 Infantry Division, in Hameau Oger (usually written as Hameau Oger on 1944 and immediately set out for the objectives that they had been maps) and 6 Commando to it’s right in Le Plein. Over the next given. few weeks 3 Commando would be involved in a deadly game of cat and mouse with German troops. Attack would be met with 3 Commando counterattack as each side fought for the dominating Bavent Formed in July 1940, 3 Commando became one of the most Ridge. The largest of the German counterattacks came on D+4 experienced commandos by 1944. Commanded by the legwith a three pronged assault with the intent of driving the comendary Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Young, 3 Commando had mandos off the ridge. served in Norway, Dieppe, Sicily and Italy before returning to England to prepare for the Normandy invasion. 3 Commando 4 Commando would land at H+90 with 1st Special Service Brigade HQ and Also formed in July 1940, 4 Commando received distinction follow 6 Commando to relieve the airborne units at Pegasus for its actions in the failed Dieppe raid by successfully knocking Bridge. After successfully linking up with the airborne troops, 3 out a gun battery at Varangeville. It would be asked to repeat



British

Attached to 4 Commando were numbers 1 and 8 French Troops of 10 Inter-allied Commando, a commando unit comprised entirely of troops from occupied European countries. These French Commandos, commanded by Comandant Philippe Kieffer, were given the honour of being the first commandos to land on the French coast. On 5 June Lovat addressed the entire Brigade and ended the speech with the following words for the French commandos, “Demain matin on les aura”; Tomorrow morning you will have glory. 4 Commando landed on the extreme left of Sword Beach on Queen Red only to find that the initial assault brigades had not yet cleared the beach. Having to fight their way off the beach, they soon headed down the lateral road to Ouistreham. The two French commando Troops’ assault on the Riva Bella Casino encountered stiff German resistance and the various small arms

of the resolute commandos were not enough to penetrate the thick concrete bunkers and pillboxes. Comandant Kieffer then persuaded a Centaur of 5th Battery, Royal Marine Armoured Support Group to suppress the defenders, enabling the commandos to finally assault and take the position. The rest of 4 Commando closed in on the gun battery near the mouth of the River Orne. After a series of small assaults, it became apparent to the commandos that the guns were no longer present and had been moved prior to the invasion. The commandos left the remainder of the German garrison to the follow up infantry and withdrew to regroup and join the remainder of 1st Special Service Brigade across the Orne bridgehead. Once across the bridgehead, 4 Commando took up position in Hameau Oger. During the battles over the following week, 4 Commando often bore the brunt of the German assaults and artillery, and casualties were higher than in the other commandos. The two French troops remained with 4 Commando for the next 3 months, distinguishing themselves throughout the campaign. Of the 177 French commandos that landed on Sword Beach, only 40 were left unscathed.



1st Special Service Brigade Hisotry

this endeavour when it was assigned the destruction of a 6 gun coastal battery and the heavily fortified Riva Bella Casino just north of Ouistreham.

6 Commando No. 6 commando first saw service in Norway in December 1941, with Operation Archery where they destroyed fish oil factories at Vaagso. The oil was used to produce munitions. They next went into action during Operation Torch when it landed near Algiers alongside US forces. The Commando eventually returned to Britain for the D-Day landings. Troopers of 6 Commando were the first to reach the beleaguered airborne troops on the Orne River bridges after fighting their way through several enemy positions around Colleville and St Aubin d’Arquenay. Once across the bridges, 6 Commando linked up with 9th Parachute Battalion and took position in Le Plein, which would represent the extreme right flank of 1st Special Service Brigade. 6 Commando were the first 1st Special Service Brigade troops to conduct an assault when they attacked the village of Breville on 7 June. After being harassed by sporadic shelling from within Breville, the commandos attacked in force, but soon realized that the village was heavily defended and withdrew back to Le Plein, bringing 15 German prisoners and various weaponry with them for the loss of just one commando. Along with the other commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade, 6 Commando would endure constant attacks by German troops, mortars and snipers until Breville was finally taken on 12 June.

45 (Royal Marine) Commando 45 (RM) Commando had not seen action prior to D-Day and was keen to prove its place alongside the other more experienced Commandos in the 1st Special Service Brigade. Landing with the remainder of 1st Special Service Brigade, the men of 45 (RM) Commando moved off the beach with haste and encountered strong opposition around Colleville sur Orne including a battery of Nebelwerfer rockets that were quickly silenced. Unfortunately, 45 (RM) Commando’s commander, Colonel Ries, was severely wounded by a sniper during the advance, so the second in command, Major Nicol Gray took command of the Commando. Once across the Orne River bridges, 45 (RM) Commando advanced north toward Franceville Plage and Merville. With two Troops from 3 Commando attached



to attack the re-occupied Merville battery, the Royal Marines assaulted German positions within the town of Merville and Franceville Plage. Although successful, their position on the extreme left flank was vulnerable and could not be well supported. As such, they faced the possibility of being surrounded and overrun by a determined German counterattack. The Commando then retired to positions outside of Sallanelles, just to the left of 4 Commando. On 8 June, 45 (RM) Commando bore the brunt of a strong counterattack supported by several self propelled guns. After defeating the assault, the Commando withdrew again toward Amfreville after becoming low on ammunition. However, the heavy casualties they inflicted on the German assault was enough to secure the northern end of the Bavent Ridge and the entire northern flank of the invasion.

The Brigade on D+4 The largest German attack on the Brigade’s positions on Bavent Ridge came four days after they landed on the Normandy beaches. The attack started with a large mortar bombardment, most of which fell onto 4 Commando’s positions. Supported by selfpropelled guns, the German infantry advanced toward the three villages held by 1st Special Service Brigade. After hours of hard fighting, the German troops were again beaten back toward Breville. The next day, soldiers of the 51st Highland Division crossed the Orne Bridge and were sent to assault the Germans within Breville, with disastrous results. Breville did not fall until 12 June after a costly assault by paratroopers of 12th Parachute Battalion supported by five artillery regiments and tanks of the 13th/18th Hussars. It was during the initial bombardment for this attack that Brigadier The Lord Lovat was severely wounded when rounds fell short of their target and landed within a group of officers from the units involved in the assault. With the fall of Breville, German pressure eased on the commando’s frontline and subsequent encounters would predominantly involve small patrols and sniping actions.

British 4th Special Service Brigade Hisotry

4 t h Special Ser vice Brigade 4th Special Service Brigade, Royal Marine Commandos in Normandy

4th Special Service Brigade Brigadier B. W. Leicester

The Royal Marines For centuries, the Royal Marines have served as the Royal Navy’s infantry. From the Americas, to the Iberian Peninsula, the Crimea, China, Gallipoli, and Zeebrugge, the marines have acted as amphibious infantry carrying England through countless wars. In World War II, the Royal Marines made their first landing on 20 April 1940 as the vanguard for the Allied relief force at Namos, Norway. The Allied offensive lasted just a few short weeks, but the marines proved their worth securing the area, while faced with intense Luftwaffe raids and lacking air cover of their own.

No. 41 (Royal Marine) Commando

No. 47 (Royal Marine) Commando

No. 46 (Royal Marine) Commando

No. 48 (Royal Marine) Commando

Lieutenant-Colonel E. Palmer A Troop (60 men) B Troop (60 men) P Troop (60 men) X Troop (60 men) Y Troop (60 men) Heavy Weapons S Troop (33 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Hardy A Troop (60 men) B Troop (60 men) X Troop (60 men) Y Troop (60 men) Z Troop (60 men) Heavy Weapons S Troop (33 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

Shortly there after, the marines were organized in to the Royal Marine Division and deployed troops to every theatre of war, serving in the Netherlands, France, Iceland, the Faeroe Islands, Dakar, Madagascar, Malaya, Burma, Singapore, Crete, and Tobruk, as well as aboard Royal Navy vessels spanning the globe.

Forming the Royal Marine Commandos Due to the success of the Army Commandos’ operations in Norway, the Channel Islands, St. Nazaire, and the Middle East, the Admiralty dissolved the Marine Division in late 1942 and reorganized its amphibious assault infantry in to eight additional Commandos. Number 40 RM Commando was the first such unit, seeing brief action at Dieppe, but was fortunate to be assigned to a late wave of the landing. Shortly after they came ashore, the tide of battle had clearly swung in the defenders favour and the Commando escaped with most of its strength. Other units were not so fortunate. 40 RM Commando would go on to join its fellow Commandos in the Mediterranean theatre. There, No. 41 RM Commando served in Sicily and participated in the seizure of Salerno, but was withdrawn to England following a stiff German counterattack. Other Royal Marine Commandos would serve in Burma, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia, while the remainder formed up and trained for the inevitable invasion of Northwest Europe.

4th Special Service Brigade The Fourth Special Service Brigade was created in March of 1944 specifically for the invasion of France. Comprised entirely of Royal Marines, the brigade was tasked with securing the flanks of the invasion beaches, linking up the entire British front from the Orne River to Port-en-Bessin

Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Phillips A Troop (60 men) B Troop (60 men) X Troop (60 men) Y Troop (60 men) Z Troop (60 men) Heavy Weapons S Troop (33 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Moulton A Troop (60 men) B Troop (60 men) X Troop (60 men) Y Troop (60 men) Z Troop (60 men) Heavy Weapons S Troop (33 Men, 3x 3” mortar, 3x Vickers MG)

and the Americans on Omaha. The newly raised 46 and 47 RM Commandos joined 41 RM Commando. It immediately became apparent to Allied planners that a fourth Commando was needed for the brigade’s mission, so in mid-March the remaining men of the Royal Marine Division and other volunteers began an accelerated training schedule to form No. 48 RM Commando in time for the invasion. The Brigade was expected to be in combat for at most a week before being returned home, however fate had other plans for them.

Royal Marine Armoured Support Group As planning for the invasion of Europe commenced, the British designed a series of support craft based on the ubiquitous landing craft tank (LCT) to provide additional fire support for the assault troops. From the anti-aircraft LCFs, to the barrage rocket armed LCT(R)s and the naval guns of the LCGs, a myriad of these craft crossed the Channel. Perhaps the oddest of these were the LCT(A)s. They were simply standard US made tank landing craft with 50 tons of armour affixed to the sides. The LCT(A)s carried Centaur tanks that had been gutted of their underpowered Liberty engines in order to provide more room for ammunition. Royal Marines formed the gun crews of these former tanks, turned floating turrets. However, General Montgomery questioned the wisdom of leaving these tanks floating at sea and insisted that their engines be reinstalled so they could go ashore to act as selfpropelled artillery. As such, drivers form the Royal Armoured Corps joined the marines completing the tank crews of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group (RMASG). For the



next several months, the new crews trained while the tanks were waterproofed with rubberized paint, their hatches sealed, and their engine exhausts fitted with an extension so they could wade ashore with the first wave of the assault. Additionally, compass bearings were painted on the sides of the turret to assist the gunners and observers in coordinating fire missions. Unfortunately, weighed down by their heavy armour, the LCT(A)s did not fair well, many swamping during the Channel crossing, while others suffered mechanical problems at sea, and still more struck the German mines before unloading their cargo. Only 48 of the 80 Centaurs assigned to the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group made it ashore by mid afternoon. Those that did make it began firing their cannons two miles from shore, adding to the preliminary bombardment. Once ashore, they covered the assault taking out gun emplacements, machine-guns nests, and snipers with their gunfire or simply ramming buildings with the bows of their tanks. As the Royal Marine Commandos moved out along the beaches to secure German strong points and create one continuous beachhead, the Centaurs went along side providing fire support.

Sword The most experienced unit in the Brigade, 41 RM Commando, departed Southampton Water at 2130, 5 June, aboard five LCI(S)s to go ashore at Hermanville-sur-Mer and move west to Lion-Sur-Mer then link up with their fellow Commandos at Luc-sur-Mer. As the Commandos came ashore they faced moderate fire, loosing several men including their RSM, Naval Forward Observation Officer, and second in command, Major Barclay, but once they cleared the immediate beach defences the Commandos found themselves in a relatively quite sector. From their assembly area they marched down the coastal road toward Lion-sur-Mer joined by three AVREs. As P and Y



troops approached the town a well-concealed German PaK 38 gun ambushed the tanks destroying all three and stalling the assault. The Commandos scurried for cover taking up positions on both sides of the road. Their location revealed, the Germans fired a dizzying mortar, rocket, and artillery bombardment, but the Commandos were unable to respond as they had expended all their mortar bombs in the initial push on Lion. Meanwhile A and B troops had been moving ahead on their second objective at the Chateau, but were pre-emptively attacked as they made their approach and were forced back towards their comrades. Facing overwhelming defences and artillery, the Commandos dug in and awaited reinforcements. At 1330 battalions of the Lincolnshire and Royal Ulster Rifles regiments came ashore then moved up to the Commando’s position bringing with them a replacement Naval Observation Officer. As soon as he arrived, the destroyers off shore began a one hour-long naval bombardment battering the strong point and chateau. Yet it was too late in the day for the Commandos to launch an effective assault so as the sun set they dug in for the night. Through the darkness they observed German aircraft raking the beaches with fire and wondered how their comrades were fairing on the other beaches. When dawn broke the German artillery fire began once again, pinning the Commandos and supporting infantry for another two hours. From over head came the awful drone of three approaching Heinkel bombers. As a flight of Spitfires raced to intercept, the Commandos looked up in horror as the Luftwaffe planes opened their bays and rained anti-personnel bombs directly on their position killing several men including their royal artillery observer and severely wounding their commanding officer, Lt Col Gray. Having already lost Major Barclay, command fell to the 23 year old Adjutant John Taplin. Under his command the Commando joined the Lincolns in the final assault on the strongpoint and chateau. Once the two units had defeated the position that had long

British

Juno 48 RM Commando left England aboard six LCI(S)s bound for Nan Red sector of Juno Beach with the mission to assault the strongpoint at Langrune-sur-Mer and then link up with 41 RM Commando sealing the breach between the Canadian and British 3rd Infantry Divisions. Unfortunately, as the Commandos approached the shore, two of their ships struck underwater obstacles and sunk. Weighed down by their heavy gear, many of the marines aboard those two ships drowned in the surf. Those that made it ashore faced intense German mortar, machine-gun, and sniper fire along side the Canadians still trying to secure the landing zone. The combined effect of these two situations was disastrous. A mere fifty percent of the Commando made it off the beach to fight on east of Juno. Once off the beach, 48 RM Commando bypassed Wiederstandnest (strongpoint) WN27 at St. Aubin, where B Company of the Canadian North Shore regiment was still fighting, and the remaining Commandos made their way to the heavily defended guns at Langrune. As they approached, HMS Vigilant rained shells down on the position, but achieved little effect due to the heavy fortifications. Upon arrival they found the strong point protected by snipers, mines, machine-guns and an imposing four-foot thick concrete wall. There two Centaurs from 1st Royal Marine Support Regiment joined the attack. The first of these tanks moved toward the wall firing its 95mm howitzer and obliterating a machine-gun bunker that had been covering the crossroads. This allowed B Troop to advance to the wall and prepare for an assault. The Commando’s Colonel Moulton then ordered the Centaur to destroy the wall so his troops could assault. Unfortunately, the tank’s 95mm howitzer, designed for arcing fire, could not be lowered enough to hit the base of the wall, so the Centaur kept firing with little effect until it had run out of ammunition. The second Centaur began to move in to position, but struck a mine while approaching the wall, forcing the crew to bail out and join the Commandos. With the Centaur thrust thwarted, B Troop raced across the intersection to an opposing house only to discover that the Germans had sealed all the windows and doors facing the strongpoint with concrete. The Commandos had no choice but to bring down the wall. They set a charge at its base, but once again the explosive force was absorbed by the strength of the fortification.

4th Special Service Brigade. Lightly armed, unable to call in naval gunfire support, sandwiched between a German strong point and a panzer division, while having suffered extreme casualties, No. 48 Commando needed their luck to change quickly. Fortunately, that came in the form of a massive glider landing by 6th Airborne Division’s follow up regiments to the east. Seeing the flotilla of gliders landing, the German commander feared he would be out flanked and ordered his force to withdraw towards Caen. Had he pushed onward and attacked the Commandos, Sword beach would have been isolated and the entire eastern flank of the Allied invasion may have collapsed. In the morning the Commandos were joined by a pair of Canadian M10s, which fired anti-tank rounds on the wall, cutting clear through it and splashing into the surf beyond. For an hour the M10’s peppered the wall with solid shot and the fortification began to disintegrate. An RMASG Sherman then moved forward, firing high explosive rounds that shattered the wall and allowed the Commandos to launch their long overdue assault. Pushing behind the advancing Sherman, with its cannon and machine-guns blazing, the Commandos quickly seized the interior of the strong point and spent the rest of the day silencing the remaining pockets of resistance around Langrune. The brigade’s reserve element, No. 46 RM Commando, landed on Juno beach at 0900 on 7 June and passed their comrades, pressing on to Petit Enfer. In the aptly named “Little Hell”, the Commandos faced stiff German resistance, but were able to force their way through the enemy positions and on to Luc-sur-Mer. There they met up with 41 RM Commando, finally linking Juno and Sword Beaches.

Gold Perhaps the 4th Special Service Brigade’s most important Dday objective was the costal town of Port-en-Bessin. Flanked by sheer cliffs, twelve miles west of Gold and three miles east of Omaha, the natural port would not only serve as the link up point between the American and British sectors, but would be the Normandy terminus of PLUTO, the Pipe Line Under The Ocean, which would fuel the Allied advance with petrol pumped directly across the channel from the Isle of Wight. Due to the importance of seizing the port, Lt Col Philips was given the choice of directly assaulting the village

As the Commandos deliberated on how to next strike at the obstacle, they received news of the 21. Panzerdivision’s counterattack that had already stopped the British advance on Caen and was pushing on toward Lion-sur-Mer. The Commandos were ordered to cease the assault and take up defensive positions. Hearing the gathering panzers in the distance, they attempted to set up a forward observation post to call in additional fire support from HMS Belfast, but were unable to get through to the mighty warship. Meanwhile, the German Panzergrenadiers reached their comrades in the 716. Infanteriedivision still lodged between the two elements of



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frustrated their plans, 41 Commando moved out alone to Luc-sur-mer. Fortunately, they found the town undefended and dug in to wait for their comrades to join them from the Canadian beach.

tion. There they dug in for the night and prepared for the attack on Port-en-Bessin at the break of dawn. In just one day the Commando had traversed over a dozen miles of enemy occupied terrain, with relatively light casualties.

Unlike their fellow Commandos 47 RM Commando left England aboard two large transports, the SS Victoria and Princess Jospehine Charollette. At approximately 0700 they boarded 14 LCAs and began their run in to the beach. From the sea they could see their preceding units were struggling. Due to intense fire, the Hampshires had landed one and a half miles further to the east than originally planned. Their supporting RMASG Centaurs fared even worse. Of the 10 intended to support the Jig Green sector, only 5 made it ashore and four of those were quickly dispatched by German gunfire. Ordered to avoid contact with the enemy and make haste to the vital port, Philips ordered his LCAs to approach the beach behind the Hampshires near Roquettes, further extending their already long march. Even taking this safer approach the Commandos’ landing craft were severely battered. Five of their craft sunk before reaching the shore and almost all the others were damaged. By the time they reached the shore five officers, including Lt Col Philips, who would swim to shore by late in the day, and seventy-one other ranks were missing. Many who made it ashore had lost their weapons, the Commando had but one broken wireless set, only a single three-inch mortar that had its sight knocked off, and a lone Bangalore torpedo.

Originally the attack on Port-en-Bessin was planned to be supported by American artillery, but having no working radio made this coordination impossible. Furthermore the Americans were still in the thick of their fighting on Omaha. However, the Commandos luck changed with the arrival of two French civilians, a replacement Forward Observation Officer, and a Gendarme named Gouget. As the two civilians met with the Commando’s officers and identified the German positions, the artillery officer repaired the unit’s wireless set allowing him to get through to the navy ships off shore. At 1400 two LCG(L)s opened fire on the port and were joined by HMS Emerald’s six-inch guns an hour later. By 1600 the city was hit by RAF Typhoon air strikes and the Royal Artillery bombarded the area with smoke in preparation for the Commandos’ assault.

By the time they made it to the seawall the Commandos were spread out over a mile of beach instead of 200 yards as planned. Beyond the wall laid the heavily mined coastal road. Unable to locate Philips, the second in command, Major Donnell led his men off the beach following an advancing Sherman Crab and turned inland to avoid engaging the enemy. Behind the lines the Commando moved quickly to Buhot where Philips rejoined it after his long swim. For the next several hours the Commando stealthily pushed on, occasionally encountering snipers and small units of unsuspecting rear guards from whom they captured several Spandaus (MG-34) and other small arms. As dusk descended upon the Commando they reached Point 72, the highest point on a ridge near Escures, which they thankfully discovered was undefended, but had several fortifications that were in various stages of construc-

In the ensuing confusion, Gouget guided A and B troops through ditches surrounding the town, past the outer ring of guns pits. Meanwhile X Troop fixed bayonets and charged the machine-gun nests, quickly taking the positions due to the shock of their assault and the incoming artillery. Once the outer ring of defences had been breached, A Troop advanced on the western feature, but were repelled when two German FlaK ships, that had moved in to the port unbeknownst to the Commandos on 5 June, opened fire on the men with their rapid fire cannons. Meanwhile B Troop also launched an assault on the town itself, but they were pinned down by a pillbox on the heights and machine-guns concealed in houses throughout the village. In an attempt to reinvigorate the attack Philips ordered his men to launch an assault on the FlaK ships, but the Kreigsmarine once again repelled them. Seeing their comrades fall in the assault, the captains of HMS Ursa and the Polish ship Krakowiak approached the port, but were unable to obtain a firing angle on the FlaK ships, which were concealed behind the port’s concrete and stone breakwater. Desperate to offer assistance, the ships formed boarding parties and launched their motorboats, which, due to their shallow draft, dashed across the harbour net and attacked the FlaK ships. Once the navy had silenced the FlaK, B and Heavy weapons troops made their way up the eastern feature and assaulted the German blockhouse forcing the defenders to surrender. Sporadic fighting continued on until dawn of 8 June when the remaining defenders on the western feature saw the devastation of their positions and ships and surrendered peacefully. In the evening, Cpt Isherwood and Lt Bennet set out to the west to find the Americans. On a road west of the town they heard an approaching vehicle and took cover. Bravely, Bennet stepped out and confronted the vehicle. Luckily he found them to be the Americans moving off Omaha. On 9 June PLUTO arrived in the form of an army port company and the petrol started to flow, supplying Allied vehicles across the Normandy front.



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alone, or landing on Gold and marching overland to attack the German position from the rear. Remembering the failed raid on Dieppe, Philips volunteered his men for the long march.

British After a short rest and reinforcement the 46, 47, and 48 RM Commandos moved south to the Douvre Radar Station. This massive fortified complex was the primary Luftwaffe radar station in the area. Almost ten acres in area, littered with gun pits, mine fields, tunnels, bunkers, five 5cm anti-tank guns, a 7.5cm field gun, and a twenty foot ring of barbed wire, the site was far more than the Commandos could tackle alone. Instead the Commandos’ job was to isolate the station, allowing other Allied forces to pass by undeterred in their push on Caen. After a few days of securing the perimeter, 46, 47 and 48 RM Commando were sent to support the Canadians and Airborne divisions while 41 RM Commando stayed behind. For the next week the Commandos continued to harass the strongpoint with occasional mortar fire, Typhoon strikes, and volleys from two attached RMASG Centaurs. Although the site did not actively threaten Allied movements in the area it did provide radar-ranging information for Luftwaffe night fighters and constantly reported on British movements. Likewise, it was able to fire on a nearby landing strip that the RAF hoped to use as a forward operating base for its Typhoons. The site had to be silenced. On 17 June the assault began with a bombardment from the Royal Artillery’s 7.2 inch guns and ships off shore. Under their new commander, Lt. Col Palmer, 41 RM Commando and forty-four armoured engineering vehicles attacked from the north while other tanks created a diversion from the southwest. The Sherman Crabs cleared the way through the minefields while the AVsRE battered the bunkers with their enormous cannons. The effect of such fire was devastating on the morale of the entrenched German defenders. When the Commandos entered the entrenchments, spraying the Germans with submachine-gun fire, it was clear that the station could no longer be defended. The two hundred and twenty seven remaining Luftwaffe troopers quickly surrendered and the last of the 4th Special Service Brigade’s D-Day objectives was finally achieved.

On the line While 41 RM Commando dealt with the radar station, the remainder of 4th Special Service Brigade moved to the Orne River Basin, where they joined their fellow Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade and the 6th Airborne Division, all falling under command of Major-General Gale. There they would spend the next month anchoring the Allied flank while Montgomery launched his series of assaults on Caen. In true Commando style, Brigadier Leicester had his men conduct frequent patrols and raids across no man’s land in order to keep his men in fighting shape and the German defenders engaged. The Brigade would remain in the Orne area until mid August.

The Breakout In mid August, following the capture of Caen, General Gale’s forces broke out of their positions and launched a major offensive to dislodge the enemy. Before sunrise on 20 August, 46 RM Commando launched an attack on the heights above Putot. There a savage close-quarters battle ensued and the Commandos seized the position over looking the entire

Dozulé area. For much of the day, 48 Commando pushed through the bocage, without support, to Point 134 and Point 120 followed by 41 Commando. This location nearly cut off the Germans escape route from the town. However, the attack on the town was delayed until first light on 21 August. Realizing that they had been out flanked, the Germans set the village ablaze and withdrew. With Dozulé captured the advance picked up pace as the Commandos pushed on through Beuzeville to the Risle River. On many occasions the marching Commandos and airborne troops would arrive in a village less than hour after the Germans had made a hasty withdrawal. Following the capture of Pont-Audemer, the 6th Airborne and 1st Special Service Brigade were relieved by the 49th Division and returned to England. However, the Marines of 4th Brigade would remain fighting for several more weeks, clearing pockets of resistance between the Seine and Valmont then taking up the role of garrison troops in and around the shattered city of Le Havre. Battered by intense Allied bombing and heavy fighting when the 49th and 51st Divisions seized the port, Le Havre’s citizens were starving and downtrodden. The Commandos had to take on the unenviable role of policemen holding supplies from needy civilians in order to keep the supplies flowing to the front. Fortunately, for their morale, they moved out once more and took up positions near Dunkirk, probing the German lines with frequent small raids.

After France On 27 September the Brigade was withdrawn from the line, not to England, but to assembly areas in De Hann, Belgium. There they prepared for another amphibious assault, this time on the Dutch island of Walcheren. The island lay at the mouth of the Scheldt River, which ran from Antwerp to the sea. Until the island and the northern banks of the river were occupied, the port of Antwerp could not be used to support the Allied advance. On 3 October Allied bombers breached the dykes at Westkapelle, Flushing, and Veree, flooding the island leaving only a few dry areas around the perimeter of the island, greatly restricting the Germans’ freedom of movement. The 4th Special Service Brigade formed the seaborne element of the attack while British and Canadian infantry attacked overland from the mainland. This time the Commandos came ashore in LVTs, which had already proven their value in the Pacific campaign. 41 Commando was tasked with assaulting the town of Westkappelle, then to move north along the causeway to Domburg. Just to their south, 48 Commando took on a radar station and naval gun battery, while 47 completed the encirclement of the western part of the island by moving south towards Flushing. The brigade would spend the rest of the war making raids across the Maas River in Operations Incalculable and Bogart. Many of the 4th Brigade’s Commandos would go on to fight again in the Far East while others took on occupation duties in Europe. In 1946 all Commando operations were centralized under the command of the Royal Marines. Their decedents would be called on time and again to defend British interests at home and abroad.



4th Special Service Brigade Hisotry

Radar Station

Brigadier The Lord Lovat Brigadier Simon Fraser (known to his friends as “Shimi”) was born on 9 June 1911 and became the 15th Lord Lovat. Thirty three years later, he led one of the most experienced and deadly combat units in the British Army into battle on D-Day. After growing up in Scotland, Lovat joined the Scots Guards but at the outbreak of war he soon volunteered for one of the daring commando units. Attached to 4 Commando, Lovat would see action on many raids including the early raids in Norway. In 1942, Lovat took command of 4 Commando and led them in an assault on the town of Dieppe. Although the raid was a disaster, Lovat’s commandos succeeded in their objective of destroying the Varangeville battery. Before D-Day, Lovat was given command of the 1st Special Service Brigade who were to land at Sword Beach and head inland to relieve the airborne troops at the Orne River bridges. Coming ashore with 1st Special Service Brigade headquarters, Lovat was accompanied by his piper Bill Millin and instructed him to play his bagpipes during the landing, even though they had been given specific orders not to do so. Bill Millin played “Highland Laddie” while wading ashore behind Lovat. On the march to the bridges, Lovat looked more as if on a country walk rather than in battle, wearing his distinguishable white sweater and carrying a walking stick. Upon reaching the airborne troops at the bridge, Lovat apologized for being late, although he arrived only two minutes past the expected time. Always an inspiring presence, Lovat commanded his troops to march across Pegasus Bridge with Bill Millin still playing the pipes. Unfortunately, several commandos were killed by enemy snipers, many shot through the head where they wore their green berets instead of helmets. The follow up commandos wore their helmets on subsequent crossings. Lovat commanded the 1st Special Service Brigade over the next few days until he was seriously wounded by a Highland Division artillery shell which fell short during an attack on Breville on 12

June. 6 Commando’s commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Derek Mills-Roberts subsequently took command of 1st Special Service Brigade for the rest of the campaign.

Characteristics The Lord Lovat is a Warrior, and a Higher Command Rifle team. He is an Independent team and rated as Fearless Veteran. Lord Lovat is armed with his old Winchester hunting rifle. He has a Range of 16”/40cm, ROF 1, an Anti-tank rating of 2, and a Firepower rating of 6. Lovat may join a Commando Troop for +25 points that does not contain Peter Young.

Bill Millin

In the Nick of Time

On D-Day, Lovat was accompanied by his piper Bill Millin. The commandos were inspired by his presence as he played “Highland Laddie” as 1st Special Service Brigade HQ came ashore and “Blue Bonnets” to the soldiers on Sword Beach.

On D-Day, Lovat arrived to relieve the paratroopers at Pegasus Bridge just 2 minutes after his planned arrival. The commando reserves were soon placed into the line to the east of the Orne bridgehead, and were pivotal in securing the left flank of the allied invasion.

Any hits on Lovat do not count towards Pinning Down the platoon.

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In missions that use the Reserves or Delayed Reserves special rules, the Commando player may roll one more die in addition to the normal allotment to see if reserves arrive. This additional die may only be used for Commando Platoons held in reserve.

British Warriors

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Young In 1939 Peter Young was commissioned into the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, with which he went to France in 1940. He joined No. 3 Commando when it was founded and soon became a Captain. His troops took part in raids on the Channel Island of Guernsey, and Lofoten and Vaagso in Norway during 1941. It was during the later raid that he won his first Military Cross (MC). After a period on the staff at Combined Operations HQ, he became second-in-command of No. 3 Commando under Colonel John Dunford-Slater. In the Dieppe raid of 19 August 1942, Major Young now carrying a US Garand rifle, found himself ashore with only 18 commandos. Despite this, he managed to take his force up the cliffs on a network of barbed wire which, as he put it, ‘an over-conscientious German officer had inadvertently provided for them to walk on’. Young was the only Commando officer to reach his objective and bring back all his men. At one point, when they were approaching enemy machine-guns through a cornfield, he encouraged his soldiers by telling them not to worry about bullets as standing corn made effective protection! He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his part in this raid. No. 3 Commando’s next major battle was Operation Husky, the assault on Sicily. There, due to an inexperienced flotilla commander, his force was landed on the wrong beach behind the infantry it was supposed to lead ashore! Dunford-Slater offered the frustrated Major Young a new challenge to get his teeth into, a fierce action against a fortified farm near Cassibile, taken at the cost of one casualty. Young’s next battle was a raid to secure the Ponte dei Malati bridge ahead of 50th (Northumbrian) Division’s advance. This time the landing went according to plan, and the commandos seized the bridge. However, when dawn arrived without any sign of the infantry and increasing pressure from German mobile reserves, the lightly-equipped commandos removed the bridge

demolitions and withdrew. Major Young went back to rescue a number of wounded commandos for which he received a Bar to his MC. On 1 August 1943, Young was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and given command of No. 3 Commando. He led it through raids in Italy, receiving a second Bar to his MC in the process. He missed the opening of the battle of Termoli (No. 3 Commandos biggest battle to date) being sick at the time, but arrived before the end of the battle. He led No. 3 Commando in the D-Day landings in Normandy, before taking over a brigade in Burma for the rest of the war. After the war Brigadier Young was a leading figure in British wargaming, writing Charge! Or How To Play Wargames, one of the first books on wargaming.

Characteristics Peter Young is a Warrior, and a Higher Command Rifle team. He is an Independent team and rated as Fearless Veteran. Young is armed with a M1 Garand rifle. He has a Range of 16”/40cm, ROF 1 with no penalty for moving, an Anti-tank rating of 2, and a Firepower rating of 6. Peter Young may join a Commando Troop for +50 points that does not contain The Lord Lovat.

MC and Double Bar No one wins three Military Crosses without being calm in the heat of battle. Young and any Commando, Commando Machine-gun or Commando Mortar platoon he is currently leading pass all Motivation Tests on a roll of 2+ instead of their normal roll.

Contrary When faced with the ‘impassable’ cliff at Dieppe, Young privately agreed that it was, but with a surly growl he tackled it anyway, making it up to his and everyone else’s surprise.

Young and any Commando, Commando Machine-gun or Commando Mortar platoon he is currently leading may reroll any failed Skill Test to cross Impassable Terrain using the Mind and Heart rule.

Cornfields Stop Bullets To inspire his men’s confidence under fire, Young told them that 15 feet of standing corn would stop a bullet. He may well have been right as none were hit. Either way, his men learned to make excellent use of any cover they could find. Young and any Commando, Commando Machine-gun or Commando Mortar platoon he joins can be Gone to Ground when shooting, as long as they are Concealed and did not move.

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1st Special Service Brigade A 1st Special Service Brigade Commando Troop can be fielded as a beach invasion force or fighting on the Orne with the 6th Airborne Division paratroops. However, if taken as a beach invasion force, the Support Platoons can

only come from the 79th Armoured Division and the Sword Beach options. The Lord Lovat may also be included in the beach force.

4th Special Service Brigade The Royal Marine Commandos landed in the second wave on D-Day, just after the assault battalions. As they made their way to their objectives, they occasionally received support from units of the British 3rd Infantry Division and 27 Armoured Brigade on Sword, Canadian 3rd Infantry Division and Canadian 2 Armoured Brigade on Juno, while the British 50th Infantry Division and 8 Armoured brigade assisted them on Gold. When making your beach support selections your Rifle Platoon, Field Battery, Royal Artillery (SP), and Anti Tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (SP) must all be from the same beach. Engineering tanks of the 79th Armoured Division, and Centaurs of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group served along the entire landing zone so may be taken as support from any of the beaches.

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British No British Bulldog

You Are Not Alone

Commandos are fearless, but they are also raiders. Their job is to get in, strike hard, and get out. Prolonged combats simply delay their mission, so the British Bulldog rule does not apply to Commando platoons.

Commandos are small, hard-hitting strike forces. As each commando troop has only two small platoons, they must operate together to win. Every commando knows that no matter what happens, they are not alone. Even if their troop runs into insurmountable trouble, another troop will be there to help them out.

Know the Plan Commandos are expected to be independent-minded (if not downright unconventional) sorts and every man is drilled in the plan before an attack. That way if the officers are killed, an NCO, or even a private can take over as needed. Commando Sections use the German Mission Tactics special rule.

Fairbairn-Sykes Under Captains W E Fairbairn and A E Sykes, a pair of tough Shanghai policemen, Commandos were trained in every imaginable method of killing and avoiding being killed in close combat. The Fairbairn-Sykes dagger they designed for the Commandos is still in use today. Commando Infantry Teams hit on a roll of 2+ in an assault.

Mind and Heart While in Scotland, the commandos trained in all sorts of difficult terrain, from flooded bogs to sheer cliffs. This would serve the troopers well in Normandy. In particular, No. 47 (RM) Commando would use these skills as they navigated the cliffs west of Arromanche and attacked the heights surrounding Port-en-Bessin. All commando Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams are Mountaineers.

Assault Force

A Commando ignores all Support Platoons when determining whether it needs to take a Company Morale Check for being below half strength. Support Platoons never count as being either Destroyed or still on table for the purposes of a Company Morale Check.

Naval Gunfire Support The Royal Navy provided direct fire support to the commandos in Normandy from their destroyers sitting just off shore. Additional naval gunfire from cruisers, battleships, and monitors bombarded the coastal area with larger calibre cannons using predetermined fire plans. Though these guns had little effect on the heavily reinforced concrete bunkers, they did keep Jerry’s head down long enough for the commandos to launch their assaults. When using this force to conduct an amphibious landing use the rules in the D-Day book (see page 15) for Naval Gunfire Support. For all other missions use the following rules: If you have Naval Gunfire support, your force will field an NGFS Observer Rifle Team. It is an Observer team for an artillery battery of four Confident Trained naval guns sitting off table using the Across the Volga Rules (see page 225 of the rule book). They do not have a Staff team. Weapon

Range

Naval Guns 112”/280cm

ROF -

Anti-Tank Firepower 6

1+

The primary task of the 1st and 4th Special Service brigades on D-Day was to assault strong points between the landing zones, thereby securing a continuous beachhead from Sword all the way to Omaha. Once the front had been secured the Army and Royal Marine Commandos continued to fight on as assault troops attacking radar stations, gun emplacements, and bunkers throughout coastal Normandy. However, the 1st Special Service Brigade soon found themselves on the defensive on the Orne River after the initial few days fighting. A force containing a Commando (Beaches) will always attack against any other Infantry Company in a mission with the Defensive Battle Special Rule. A force containing a Commando (Orne) is not affected by the Assault Force special rule, and determines who attacks as normal in missions with the Defensive Battle special rule.

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Commando Special Rules

Commando Special Rules

Commando (Beaches) A Commando must field a Commando HQ and three to five Commando Companies and may field one of each of the remaining Combat Platoons. It may also field a Support Platoon from each box shown (Armoured, Infantry, etc).

Rifle Platoon Machine-gun Platoon

21

Heavy Mortar Platoon

21

Royal Marine Armoured Support Platoon

22

Field Battery, Royal Artillery (SP)

23

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

22

Air Support

28

Naval Gun Fire Support

28

Armoured

Anti-tank

Infantry

Artillery

Infantry

16

Commando Company

AVRE Section

20

16

Commando Company

Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (SP)

19

Infantry

AVRE Section

20

16

Commando Company

Flail Platoon

19

Infantry

Armoured Platoon

19

Commando Company

Armoured

19

Infantry

Divisional Support Platoons (Choose one platoon from each box)

Company HQ

16

Combat Platoons

Headquarters

15

Headquarters

(Infantry Company)

Anti-aircraft Infantry

16

Commando Company

Aircraft

Machine-guns Naval Support 17

Commando Machine-gun Platoon Artillery

14

17

Commando Mortar Platoon

British Reluctant

The 4th Special Service Brigade commandos are all veterans of the Royal Marines. The Army Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade have vast experience. A Commando is rated Fearless Veteran.

Commando (Beaches)

Motivation and Skill

Conscript

Confident

Trained

Fearless

Veteran

Headquarters Commando HQ

Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel

Headquarters Company HQ

20 points

Company Command Rifle team

PIAT team

PIAT team

Options • Add up to two PIAT teams for +20 points per team. • Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team. Sniper teams are only available to a Commando (Orne). The Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade had a vital task on D-Day. Without their haste, a German counterattack across the Orne could have driven the invasion forces back into the sea. With grim determination, the commandos took position alongside their paratrooper comrades and held their ground against determined German assaults. The Royal Marines of the 4th Special Service Brigade operated in full strength Commando units consisting of five commando troops (A, B, X, Y, Z) each named for the turret

Commando Even though they are an infantry force, a Commando Troop (Beaches) may not take snipers. Their role in Normandy was to move quickly and assault strong points, leaving them no time to set up effective sniper positions. positions on major Royal Navy capital ships and a support troop (S) carrying their Vickers heavy machine guns and three-inch mortars. In all, a Commando unit consisted of almost 500 men. However, many of the Royal Marines were killed in their landing craft by mines or shot while crossing the unsecured beach. By the time they set off from their landing zones some commando units were reduced to barely half their original numbers.

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Combat Platoons Commando Company

Captain Captain

Platoon 2 Commando Sections

390 points

1 Commando Section

195 points

At the start of the game before deployment you may make any or all of the following changes to each Commando Section: • Replace up to two Rifle/MG teams with SMG teams. • Replace one Rifle/MG team with a Light Mortar team. • Replace one Rifle/MG team with a PIAT team. • Replace up to two Rifle/MG teams with Flame-thrower teams in one Commando (Beaches) Commando company.

Captain

Command Rifle/MG team HQ Section Lance Sergeant

Lance Sergeant

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Commando Squad

Commando Squad

Commando Section Subaltern Subaltern

The men of the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades played a critical role on D-Day. While the infantry divisions secured the landing areas and pushed inland, the Royal Marine Commandos moved laterally along the shore assaulting Germans strong points raking the landing zones from the flanks. Once these positions were eliminated their job was to link the various beachheads in a continuous front. The Army Commandos marched quickly to relieve the paratroopers of 6th Airborne Division. Once across the Orne, the resilient commandos fought tenaciously to hold the left flank of the entire invasion. Commando Sections operate as separate platoons, each with their own command team. Although its component Commando Sections operate as separate platoons for all other purposes, a Commando Company deploys all at the same time as a single platoon. For example, this means that you treat the entire Commando Company as a single platoon when calculating the number of platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.

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Command Rifle/MG team HQ Section Lance Sergeant

Lance Sergeant

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Commando Squad

Commando Squad

Commando Section Commando Company

British Platoon HQ Section with: 3 MG Sections

125 points

2 MG Sections

90 points

A force may not have more than one Commando Machine-gun Platoon. Vickers HMG teams from a Commando Troop are not trained in indirect fire techniques, so they cannot fire Artillery Bombardments.

The commandos employed the Vickers heavy machine gun to provide covering fire for their assaults and protect hard won territory from counter attacking Germans.

Commando Mortar Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Mortar Sections

125 points

2 Mortar Sections

95 points

Observer Rifle team

A force may not have more than one Commando Mortar Platoon. The heaviest weapons carried by the commandos were the 3 inch mortars of their support troop. Able to deliver high explosive bombs as well as smoke ammunition, these weapons were useful against defending infantry, but had little effect on concrete casements and gun emplacements.

3” Mortar

3” Mortar

3” Mortar

Mortar Section

Mortar Section

Mortar Section

Mortar Platoon

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Commando (Beaches)

Commando Machine-gun Platoon

Beach Support Platoons Gold, Sword and Juno Beaches The Commandos were spread across all three British beaches. Your Commando force may take Support platoons from the Beach Support Platoons below. A Rifle Platoon, Machine-gun Platoon, Heavy Mortar Platoon, Armoured Platoons, Anti-tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery, Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery, and a

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon (SP) supporting a Commando must be from the same beach. For example if you take a Confident Veteran Rifle Platoon from Gold Beach and you choose to take a Armoured Platoon it must also be a Confident Veteran platoon from Gold Beach. Canadian platoons from Juno Beach use the Canadian Special Rules.

Motivation and Skill The 79th Armoured Division and the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group have new equipment and are using untested tactics in the assault on Normandy. Confident trained They are rated:

The Army and Royal Marine Commandos on Sword Beach fought with the 3rd Division and 27th Armoured Confident trained Brigade. These units are:

The Royal Marine Commandos fought alongside the 50th Division and 8th Armoured Brigade on Gold Beach. Confident Veteran These units are:

Juno Beach was the landing beach of the Canadian 3rd Division and 2nd Armoured Brigade. These Canadian Confident trained units are:

Canadian Special Rules Assault troops

Woodsmen

The Canadians have maintained their enviable reputation as aggressive assault troops, unwilling to be stopped by enemy fire, no matter how heavy.

Although Canada has been settled for centuries, it was not until the Nineteenth Century that its population underwent significant growth and it remains a largely rural country. Canadian soldiers are typically a little more independent (and unruly) than British soldiers.

Canadian Platoons do not use the British Bulldog special rule. Instead any Canadian Platoon that is Pinned Down may re-roll failed Motivation tests to rally from being Pinned Down or remount vehicles after being Bailed Out.

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Canadian Platoons use the German Mission Tactics special rule.

British Commando (Beaches)

Armoured Platoon Platoon 3 Sherman II or III

260 points Command Sherman

• Add Firefly VC for +105 points. 3 Sherman III

200 points

• Add Firefly VC for +80 points. 3 Sherman III

210 points Sherman

• Add Firefly VC for +80 points.

Sherman

Option • Arm any or all Sherman tanks with a .50cal AA MG for +5 points per tank. The DD tanks of the Assault brigades were some of the first units to land in France. Their job was to eliminate machineguns and bunkers that threatened the infantry. Their 75mm cannons were invaluable to the Allies struggling to dislodge Gerry. Later, the other regiments of the assaulting armoured brigades arrived aboard LCTs with their standard transmission Sherman tanks and the much needed Fireflies.

An Armoured Platoon that does not contain a Sherman Firefly tank may be replaced by Sherman DD tanks. See page 14 of D-Day for their rules.

Flail Platoon Platoon 3 Sherman Crab Flail Platoons are unusual in that you do not pay points for them. Instead, if you are attacking, you may swap your Armoured Platoon for a Flail Platoon before deployment. The Sherman Crabs were employed to detonate mines along the beachhead making the sandy shore safe for men and material alike. Several Crabs fell victim to the very mines they were intended to destroy and others became bogged in soft wet sand. However, the crews of the flail tanks persevered Sherman Crab flail tanks may not launch Assaults. The Mine Flail Special Rules are on page 215 of the Flames Of War rulebook.

Command Sherman Crab HQ Flail Tank

Sherman Crab

Sherman Crab

Flail Tank

Flail Tank

Flail Platoon and cleared safe paths through by mid morning of D-Day. The Crabs would later be employed in assaulting heavily mined strong points throughout interior Normandy in support of the commandos and other Allied forces.

AVRE Section

Sergeant

Platoon 2 AVRE

70 points

Using their fascines and small box girders the AVsRE (Armoured Vehicles, Royal Engineers) bridged anti-tank ditches and sea walls creating egresses from the shoreline. AVsRE used their 290mm “flying dustbin” petard mortars damaging and destroying several concrete bunkers in the commandos area of operations. Later AVsRE assisted the commandos in destroying the Douvre Radar Station.

Command AVRE

AVRE

HQ AVRE

AVRE

AVRE SECTION AVRE Sections use the AVRE Special Rules on pages 28-29 of D-Day.

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Anti-tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery Platoon 2 Anti-tank Sections

320 points

1 Anti-tank Section

160 points

2 Anti-tank Sections

240 points

1 Anti-tank Section

120 points

2 Anti-tank Sections

250 points

1 Anti-tank Section

130 points

The Tank Destroyers of the assault divisions were called upon to support the commandos not only in fighting enemy panzers, but also to defeat fortified German positions.

Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Rifle Squads

175 points

2 Rifle Squads

135 points

HQ Section with: 3 Rifle Squads

135 points

2 Rifle Squads

105 points

HQ Section with: 3 Rifle Squads

145 points

2 Rifle Squads

115 points

On D-Day, German resistance at the water’s edge required more time to silence than the Allies had planned. As such, when the commandos hit the beach they faced intense machine gun and sniper fire along side the assault battalions still trying to get off the beach. Fighting side by side, the infantry, commandos, and supporting tanks broke through the Atlantic wall and headed for their objectives.

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The 4th Special Service Brigade was specifically ordered to avoid contact with the enemy until they reached their intended targets. In their rush from the landing zone, several commando units bypassed rifle platoons still fighting brutal battles in the villages adjacent to the beaches.

British Commando (Beaches)

Machine-gun Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Machine-gun Sections

185 points

1 Machine-gun Section

100 points

• Add PIAT team for +20 points. HQ Section with: 2 Machine-gun Sections

150 points

1 Machine-gun Section

80 points

• Add PIAT team for +15 points. HQ Section with: 2 Machine-gun Sections

160 points

1 Machine-gun Section

90 points

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.

Options • Add Troop Carrier and MMG Carriers to the platoon at no cost.

The machine-gunners of the assault divisions’ Machine-gun battalions are highly-trained specialists who provide sustained direct-fire support to your company. Using indirect-fire techniques developed and perfected during the Great War, they lay down long-range barrages to keep Jerry’s head down as your men move up to assault.

Heavy Mortar Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Mortar Sections

185 points

1 Mortar Section

105 points

• Add PIAT team for +20 points. HQ Section with: 2 Mortar Sections

140 points

1 Mortar Section

80 points

• Add PIAT team for +15 points. HQ Section with: 2 Mortar Sections

150 points

1 Mortar Section

90 points

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.

Options • Add Troop Carrier and Loyd Carriers to the platoon at no cost.

A platoon of 4.2” mortars provide a commander with the best of both mortars and medium artillery. They are flexible weapons, being relatively mobile and responsive, having a good range and a large-calibre shell with more explosive content than the excellent 25 pdr field gun. Their only weakness is their inability to sustain long bombardments.

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Royal Marine Armoured Support Platoon Platoon 1 Command Sherman and: 4 Centaur

245 points

3 Centaur

200 points

2 Centaur

155 points

Option • Arm Command Sherman tank with a .50cal AA MG for +5 points. Your Royal Marine Armoured Support Platoon may be used as floating artillery in a “Hit the Beach” mission. Unlike the Royal Artillery, the Centaurs of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group were landed in the very first wave. Two miles from shore they opened fire with their 95mm guns peppering the shoreline as their transports tried to find a safe place to land. Although many did not make it to shore, those that did proved useful as assault guns. Ordered to stay within one mile of the shoreline, the Centaurs moved laterally along the beaches in small units responding to calls for

RM Armoured Support Platoon fire support from the infantry companies and their fellow marine commandos.

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon Platoon 2 Anti-aircraft Sections

260 points

1 Anti-aircraft Section

130 points

2 Anti-aircraft Sections

200 points

1 Anti-aircraft Section

100 points

2 Anti-aircraft Sections

210 points

1 Anti-aircraft Section

110 points

Options • Replace all three Bofors 40mm SP self-propelled guns in each section with four Oerlikon 20mm SP self-propelled guns for -25 points per Anti-aircraft Section.

divisions’ light anti-aircraft regiment to deal with that eventuality.

If you believe the ‘Brylcreem Boys’ of the RAF, the Jerries never manage to crack their air superiority. But the Luftwaffe still gets through on occasion, and it’s the job of the Assault

Most anti-aircraft batteries are equipped with self-propelled 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns with a good range and hitting power. The light batteries have self-propelled 20mm Oerlikon guns for use against low-level raiders.

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British Commando (Beaches)

Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery Platoon HQ Troop with: 2 Gun Troops with 8 Priests

535 points

2 Gun Troops with 8 Priests

395 points

2 Gun Troops with 8 Priests

405 points

1 Gun Troop with 4 Priest 1 Gun Troop with 2 Priest

300 points 180 points

1 Gun Troop with 4 Priest 1 Gun Troop with 2 Priest

225 points 130 points

1 Gun Troop with 4 Priest 1 Gun Troop with 2 Priest

235 points 140 points

2 Gun Troops with 8 Sextons

485 points

1 Gun Troop with 4 Sextons 1 Gun Troop with 2 Sextons

Priest

Priest

Priest

Priest

Priest

Priest

Priest

Priest

280 points 170 points

Options • Add 15 cwt trucks at no cost. • Replace all Observer teams and their OP carriers with Observer Sherman OP tanks for +10 points per tank. Your Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery may be used as floating artillery in a “Hit the Beach” mission. Observer Sherman OP Tanks cannot launch assaults. Just after 0600 hours the self-propelled guns of the assault divisions’ Royal Artillery regiments opened fire from their LCTs adding to the deluge of shells falling on the German defences. Once the infantry, commandos, and armour were ashore theses vehicles were landed, providing additional direct cannon fire. Unfortunately, due to their thin armour and open tops, they were ill suited to action on the beach. Many fell victim to German defensive guns and counter battery fire. Once the beach was secured the self-propelled guns made their way to safer areas and provided indirect fire to the troops pushing inland.

Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery Although a Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery is a single Support choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate platoon with its own Command team. The Command team and Staff team of the HQ Troop are Independent teams. If the Command team of the HQ Troop joins a Gun Troop, it becomes the Platoon Command team. Although they count as separate platoons for all other purposes, a Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery deploys as a single platoon, all at the same time. For example, both Gun Troops are treated as a single platoon when calculating the number of platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.

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Commando (Orne) A Commando must field a Commando HQ and three to five Commando Companies and may field one of each of the remaining Combat Platoons. It may also field a Support Platoon from each box shown (Armoured, Infantry, etc).

Infantry

Royal Marine Armoured Support Platoon Field Battery, Royal Artillery Airlanding Battery, Royal Artillery

Medium Battery, Royal Artillery

27

Priority Air Support

28

Limited Air Support

28

Naval Gun Fire Support

28

27 28

Artillery

Highland Rifle Platoon

22

16

Commando Company

Airlanding Platoon

26

Infantry

Parachute Platoon

26

Artillery

Airlanding Heavy Anti-tank Platoon

26

16

Commando Company

Airlanding Anti-tank Platoon

25

Infantry

Infantry

Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery (SP) (Sword)

25

16

Commando Company

Anti-tank

Armoured Platoon

20

Infantry

Armoured 28

Commando Company

Divisional Support Platoons (Choose one platoon from each box)

Company HQ

16

Combat Platoons

Headquarters

15

Headquarters

(Infantry Company)

Infantry Air Support 16

Commando Company

Naval Support

Machine-guns

17

Commando Machine-gun Platoon Artillery

24

17

Commando Mortar Platoon

British Commando (Orne)

Orne Support Platoons The Orne Bridges The Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade on landing rushed to support the Airborne troops holding the bridges over the River Orne. Centaurs of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group

were soon handed over to X Troop, 210 Battery of the 53rd Airlanding Regiment. A Royal Marine Armoured Support Platoon can be taken from the Beach Support Section with the Orne Support Platoon options.

Motivation and Skill Airborne troops holding the bridges over the River Orne are from the elite 6th Airborne Division. They are rated: Fearless

Veteran

The big guns of the Medium Batteries, Royal Artillery also supported the Commandos on the Orne River. Confident trained These units are:

Also fighting on the Orne River was the veteran infantry of the 51st Highland Division. These units are: Reluctant

Veteran

Airlanding Anti-tank Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Anti-tank Sections

175 points

1 Anti-tank Section

95 points

6 pdr anti-tank guns of 3 and 4 Airlanding Anti-tank battery were often in the line with the Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade. These guns were capable of taking on any German armour encountered in the airborne salient.

Airlanding Heavy Anti-tank Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 1 Anti-tank Section

155 points

Several 17 pdr anti-tank guns were flown into the airborne lodgement on the night of 6 June where they were immediately put into action the following day. Directed by an officer of 3 Commando, the 17 pdrs knocked out several enemy tanks that were attacking south of Ranville.

25

Parachute Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Rifle Squads

240 points

2 Rifle Squads

175 points

Commandos and paratroopers fought hard together in the days following the invasion, each gaining a competitive respect for one another that exists even today. The arrival of 1st Special Service Brigade, and their position on the left flank, allowed the paratroopers to concentrate their defences around Ranville. Gammon Bombs

Section Mortars

All Rifle/MG teams in a Parachute Platoon carry Gammon Bombs giving them Tank Assault 3.

Each turn one of the Parachute Platoon’s Rifle/MG teams may fire as a Light Mortar team firing Smoke.

Airlanding Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: Scout Squad and: 2 Rifle Squads

230 points

1 Rifle Squad

170 points

The airlanding troops of 6th Airborne Division were delighted to see the reserves of 1st Special Service Brigade reach the bridges that they had captured D-Day morning. Gammon Bombs All Rifle/MG teams in a Airlanding Platoon carry Gammon Bombs giving them Tank Assault 3.

Highland Rifle Platoon Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Rifle Squads

135 points

2 Rifle Squads

100 points

On 10 June, the commandos and paratroopers received further reinforcement from the 51st Highland Infantry Division. These rugged desert veterans were quickly put into action. Cautious not Stupid If a platoon from the 51st Highland Division was not hit in the previous enemy Shooting Step, it may re-roll any failed attempts to rally Pinned Down platoons.

26

British Commando (Orne)

Field Battery, Royal Artillery Platoon HQ Troop with: 2 Gun Troops with 8 OQF 25 pdr 280 points 1 Gun Troop with 4 OQF 25 pdr 170 points 1 Gun Troop with 2 OQF 25 pdr 105 points

Option •

Add 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors at no cost.

Although a Field Battery, Royal Artillery is a single Support choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate platoon with its own Command team. The HQ Troop Command team and Staff team are Independent teams. If the HQ Troop Command team joins a Gun Troop, it becomes the Platoon Command team. Although they count as separate platoons for all other purposes, a Field Battery, Royal Artillery deploys as a single platoon, all at the same time. For example, both Gun Troops are treated as a single platoon when calculating the number of platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.

Cautious not Stupid If a platoon from the 51st Highland Division was not hit in the previous enemy Shooting Step, it may re-roll any failed attempts to rally Pinned Down platoons or remount Bailed Out vehicles.

Medium Battery, Royal Artillery A Medium Battery, Royal Artillery is organised the same as the Field Battery, Royal Artillery above, except that they must replace all OQF 25 pdr guns with BL 5.5” guns and all Quad tractors with Matador trucks.

Platoon HQ Troop with: 2 Gun Troops with 8 BL 5.5”

390 points

1 Gun Troop with 4 BL 5.5”

225 points

1 Gun Troop with 2 BL 5.5”

135 points

Option • Add 15 cwt trucks and Matador tractors at no cost. You may not field a Medium Battery, Royal Artillery unless you are also fielding a Field Battery, Royal Artillery or Airlanding Battery, Royal Artillery with at least as many guns.

Medium Batteries, Royal Artillery count as Field Batteries, Royal Artillery for the purposes of the British special rules. Medium Batteries, Royal Artillery may not be deployed in Ambush.

27

Airlanding Battery, Royal Artillery Platoon HQ Section with: 2 Gun Sections

140 points

1 Gun Section

85 points

Option • Add Jeep teams at no cost. On the night of 6 June, the 6th Airlanding Brigade descended around Ranville with vital reserves, including the 75mm Pack Howitzers of the 53rd Airlanding Regiment, Royal Artillery. These light guns provided immediate fire support for the many patrols and incursions conducted by the commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade.

Armoured Platoon The tanks of 13th/18th Hussars supplied Sherman tank support throughout the Normandy campaign to the troops in the airborne salient. Often engaged with the Panzer IV tanks of the 21. Panzerdivision, the resilient tankers of 13th/18th Hussars succeeded in halting several German counterattacks.

Use the Sword beach Confident Trained Armoured Platoon option on page 19 to represent the tanks of 13th/18th Hussars.

Air Force and Navy Support Air Support

Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant

Priority Air Support Typhoon

220 points Aircraft

Limited Air Support Typhoon

170 points Aircraft

Aircraft Flight

Flight

Naval Gun Fire Support

Captain Captain

Naval Gun Fire Support Naval Gun Fire Support

250 points HMS Diadem Dido Class Light Cruiser Cruiser

Naval Gun Fire Support

28

British Arsenal

Arsenal TANK TEAMS Name Weapon

Mobility Range

Front ROF

Armour Side Top Anti-tank Firepower

Sherman II or III M3 75mm gun

Fully-tracked 32”/80cm

6 2

4 10

1 3+

Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook. Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Sherman DD M3 75mm gun

Fully-tracked 32”/80cm

6 2

4 10

1 3+

Co-ax MG, Tow hook, DD tank. Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Centaur OQF 95mm CS howitzer Firing bombardments

Fully-tracked 24”/60cm 48”/120cm

6 2 -

4 7 4

1 3+ 5+

Co-ax MG, Protected ammo, Unreliable. Smoke. Smoke bombardment.

Firefly VC OQF 17 pdr gun

Fully-tracked 32”/80cm

6 2

4 13

1 3+

Co-ax MG, Tow hook. No HE, Semi-indirect fire.

Equipment and Notes

Medium Tanks

Armoured Engineering Vehicles AVRE Petard mortar

Fully-tracked 4”/10cm

8 1

7 5

2 1+

Co-ax MG, AVRE, Protected Ammo, Slow tank, Wide-tracked. Bunker buster, Demolition mortar, Slow traverse.

Sherman Crab M3 75mm gun

Fully-tracked 32”/80cm

6 2

4 10

1 3+

Co-ax MG, Overloaded, Mine flail. Smoke.

2 12

0 3+

.50 cal AA MG. Slow traverse.

Self-propelled Anti-tank Guns M10 3” SP M7 3” gun

Fully-tracked 32”/80cm

4 2

Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Guns Oerlikon 20mm SP Oelikon 20mm gun

Wheeled 16”/40cm

- 4

- 5

- 5+

Anti-aircraft.

Bofors 40mm SP Bofors 40mm gun

Wheeled 24”/60cm

- 4

- 6

- 4+

Awarkward layout. Anti-aircraft.

Self-propelled Guns Sexton OQF 25 pdr gun Firing bombardments

Fully-tracked 24”/60cm 80”/200cm

1 2 -

0 9 4

0 3+ 5+

AA MG. Hull mounted, Smoke. Smoke bombardment.

Priest M2A1 105mm gun Firing bombardments

Fully-tracked 24”/60cm 72”/180cm

1 1 -

0 9 4

0 2+ 4+

.50 cal AA MG. Hull mounted, Smoke. Smoke bombardment.

Sherman OP

Fully-tracked

6

4

1

Hull MG.

Vehicle Machine-guns Vehicle MG

16”/40cm

3

2

6

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

.50 cal Vehicle MG

16”/40cm

3

4

5+

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

29

GUN TEAMS Weapon

Mobility

Range

Vickers HMG Man-packed Firing bombardments ML 3” Mk II mortar

24”/60cm 40”/100cm

ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes 6 -

2 -

6 -

ROF 2 when pinned down.

Man-packed

40”/100cm

-

2

6

Smoke bombardment.

ML 4.2” mortar

Light

48”/120cm

-

3

4+

Smoke bombardment.

OQF 6 pdr gun

Medium

24”/60cm

3

10

4+

Gun shield.

OQF 17 pdr gun

Immobile

32”/80cm

2

13

3+

Gun shield, No HE.

M1A1 75mm pack howitzer Light Firing bombardments

16”/40cm 64”/160cm

2 -

6 3

3+ 6

Smoke. Smoke bombardment.

OQF 25 pdr gun Heavy Firing bombardments

24”/60cm 80”/200cm

2 -

9 4

3+ 5+

Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable. Smoke bombardment.

32”/80cm 1 88”/220cm - 112”/200cm -

13 5 6

1+ 2+ 1+

Bunker buster.

BL 5.5” gun Immobile Firing bombardments Naval Guns Off table

Naval Gunfire Support.

INFANTRY TEAMS Team

Range

ROF

Rifle team

16”/40cm

1

2

6

Rifle/MG team

16”/40cm

2

2

6

SMG team

4”/10cm

3

1

6

Full ROF when moving.

Light Mortar team

16”/40cm

1

1

4+

Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.

PIAT team

8”/20cm

1

10

5+

Tank Assault 4.

Flame-thrower team

4”/10cm

2

-

6

Flame-thrower.

Staff team

Anti-tank Firepower Notes

cannot shoot

Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment Teams with Gammon bombs are rated as Tank Assault 3.

TRANSPORT TEAMS Vehicle Mobility Front Jeep Jeep - CMP 15 cwt or 3-ton truck Wheeled - Quad tractor Wheeled - Troop, OP or Loyd Carrier Half-tracked 0 MMG Carrier Half-tracked 0

Armour Side - - - 0 0

Top 0 0

Equipment and Notes

HMG Carrier, Passenfer-fired hull MG.

Aircraft Aircraft Typhoon

30

Weapon Cannon Rockets

To Hit 3+ 3+

Anti-tank 8 6

Firepower 5+ 3+

Notes