A replay in narrative format [mostly] of a recent play through of Fortress Norrey the first scenario from Canadian Crucible, a TCS title.

Canadian forces: C Company + Support from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottowa A Company, and 12^th and 13^th Field Regiment Artillery.

The Regina Rifle Regiment 1^st Battalion, C Company.

Losses during the time frame of the sceanrio:

 

Opening Positions:

Is that Jerry driving up the bloody road Sjt de Denus? ”

“Why yes sir, Capt Hall, bold as brass right up the ridge line, looks like the bastards are on parade!”

“Better call it in. Let Lt Eggelston know as well. This is going to get nasty eh? That is a lot of field guns to be pointing our way… where are the bloody airplanes when you need them? Call Major Gregory and see if he can’t scare up some air at the crack of dawn for us.

Sjt de Denus snapped a smart salute and trotted off while Hall watched through his field glasses as the 75mm guns began to position themselves. “Well come on a get some you Jerry bastards, we owe you for Sjt Falhun and Lt Dicken from yesterday.” He murmered.

“Are we expecting vehicle support?” asked Rfn Peebles nervously as he peered over the wall into the pre dawn murkiness and mist.

“Keep your bloody voice down, no! We are not, it sounds like a German diesel engine, keep an eye out.” Said his NCO.

“Im ranging in the fire Cpt, but it does not seem to be slowing them down much! There are at least 200 of the bastards!” Lt Eggleston rolled his eyes, the Highlanders always exaggerate their kill count, number of enemy and how low on ammo they are he thought to himself. After his brief discussion with Cpt Hall however he knew they were likely in for it, suddenly! ….”Incoming!!!”

They all ducked instinctively nearer to the floor despite the sturdy stone walls, and extra sandbags. His first priority had been digging in, and now the men would thank him as the 105mm shells whistled in with deadly accuracy. The Germans were determined to shake out every filling in his head!

Eggleston waited for the shelling to stop, then quickly did the rounds of the men’s positions. “Now fellas, stay low. No fancy shooting. either wait ’til they hit the mines or they are greatly exposed.” He patted each on the shoulder as he went by. They had each other’s respect, after the first day of fighting on the beach, their losses had been mild but shocking nevertheless. 42 men from Battalion killed in action in a day! Yet rumours swirled that the Yanks had lost thousands on Omaha! This war was going to be bloody and long.

The staccato fire of light Bren machineguns kicked in as Eggleston approached the Eastern end of the village. The firing built to a crescendo of noise then faded away to be replaced by the crump, crump of grenades. He looked for the tell tale clouds of debris and adjusted his approach. The 2^nd section over there was doing its job!

1st Battalion, The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Machine Gun) A Coy keeps up a murderous fire on all that moves! They range arty in again and again, as the 26^th SS Panzer Grenadier 1^st Bn attempt to close. The 105mm of the Field Arty send Fast Fires at the men caught in the open. “Changing barrels came the call from the gunner, as he quickly changed out the smoking Brens barrel. The chunk,chacha chunk of the gun soon resumed, spraying its death.

1/26ths first 5 step of losses impacts Battalion morale of the attacking Germans.

The 3^rd and 4^th Platoons are heavily suppressed and hugging the ground, with significant losses, they were still 100m+ from the outskirts of the village. The Highlands machinegun barrels run hot again and again.

Mortars fired, at the MG’s in the woods,

2^nd company after being supported by armoured vehicle MG fire and arty, begin their assault upon the Northern edge of Besin. The lone platoon of men spread out and dug in throughout the stone buildings and cottages place withering fire on the approaching Germans, despite the heavy suppressing fire being placed upon them.

0500

As day breaks the roar of the Tiffie Sabre engines presaged trouble for the Germans.

Flying in tight formation their 4 x 20mm cannons lined up and tore into the infantry guns of the 26^th SS.

A roar goes up from the beleaguered Canucks! They wave tin pots and cheer in the pilots! Who then bank and soar down on the German infantry in the open, the long barrels spitting death, and tearing earth and man alike apart.

Germans race for cover as trucks of ammo and guns explode in a ball of flames, 3 gun steps and an infantry step perish.

0600

German 3^rd platoon’s three squads race toward the buildings and gain the edge of town. MG’s and sections of the platoon of Royal Regina now open fire on the men as they press into the village. Dealing death at a fantastic rate in a horrible crossfire.

The Germans finally take end of the village and Highlanders MG’s are silenced.

“This shit is getting pretty bloody heavy Sjt sir!”

“Feed the gun Bissett , feed the gun. If we can hold a bit longer we will have them” Mortars and small arms raked the men, as the Germans zeroed in now it was daylight. They hunkered down, firing less and less frequently.

The Germans close assault and clear the machinegun nests away. But run smack dab into a minefield blocking access to town. The Germans call heavy arty in on the Platoon of troops laid up behind the mines, suspending their efforts. German SS quickly try to close.

The fire on both sides is alarming and deadly. But Jerry is taking the worst of it. Eggelston calls in another round of danger close arty upon the Germans flanking from the far end of the village. They then turn their fire upon units approaching from the orchards as well.

Injured, wounded and KIA’s mount for the Canadians, as the sheer volume of fire eventual takes its toll. In the distance, the MG fire and Brens guns have convinced some Germans to retreat [surrender rolled].

0620

After the accurate fire of the Canadians ripped thru the enemy, Brown and Seymour two riflemen from 2^nd platoon saw a white flag in one building. An entire squad exited, with hands up. The vaunted SS were surrendering. Young men, boys really shuffled forward, and were quickly locked in a basement and guarded. This would be a stark contrast to the executions the Germans would conduct against 3 surrendering soldiers on the 9^th, just two days hence for 1^st Battalion.

As both platoons fired upon the German Zug, the Canadians let out a roar as they saw the 26^th falter, then retreat back away from the curtain of fire. In the North of the village, a vicious melee ensued, a swirling knife fight from house to house. Neither side giving an inch. Both sides take casualties, and the Germans die to a man.

“Sir, sir!!! Exclaimed the runner to the Company commander. “the bastards are leaving!!

As the smoke, and cordite cleared, a ragged cheer went up once more. Men lit cigarettes with shaking hands, others sagged in place emotionally drained, ears ringing and eyes glazed from the ferocious artillery placed so close to them. They had held for now.

Eggleston, wiped the grim from his face. Blood, mortar, cordite left a smear on his face. This was war. They had survived again. Looking around, he saw the wreck the village had become. Smoldering buildings, dead bodies, smashed emplacements. They had a lot of work to do to shore up the defenses. Thankfully the enemy had no tanks with them in the initial attack.

The day was still young.