First my forces:
The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment has a company from 2nd Battalion on the ground with some dedicated 75 mm Arty support. They are in prepared defenses and have a two stage defense. I ended up going with a deeper defense and leaving the scouts out to spot for arty. The SS infantry have to dismount sometime.
At around 1040 – like clock work, Echo company arrives and brings a few AT guns with it. However it is not until noon that the first British tanks appear. The 44th Royal Tank Regiment, got caught up. Something to do with the mess kitchen not having hot water for tea in the morning as they left for Eindhoven? Who can blame them. No one should drive a tank before a hot cuppa!
The 4 Fireflies add some much need umph. Assuming that Veghel is still under US control, after lunch [11 turns in].
Which brings us to the plans. Below is plan 2. The reinforcements are simply to arrive via move orders and plonk down into a HD. [Which I still need to write up.]
However the final Noon onwards reinforcements are under counter attack or attack orders [sheet 3]. They are assuming the worst and expect to see heavy fighting. They will attack into Veghel.
The Germans are the 10th SS.
KG Richter with a Flak battalion heavy battery and some 20mm AA guns for shits and giggles.
They are augmented by elements of the 107th Panzer Battalion – Panthers.
Seems like a fair fight.
I think the German player is pretty wily he dropped the OODA loop concept on me during a chat. So while this scenario is only 13 turns AND he has only one goal – control of the bridge I will be expecting…. the unexpected.
recommended reads:
Hells Highway – Tim Saunders
Deliver us from Darkness Ian Gardner
Bando, Mark A Avenging Eagles: Forbidden tales of the 101st Airborne in World War 2.
This site: http://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/501/501.html