Bucha, Ukraine - 27 Feb 2022 - 15mm
Counters *Mostly* Complete - Setting up Map
Work continues on the Gold Beach Panzer Leader game scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 4PM UK time.
We created some of the counters and set up some of the map live on Sitrep Twitch Channel last night. We had some great conversation with the role of research in “high-history” games, naval bombardment, the potential role of the panzer divisions, the real reasons why Omaha was so much bloodier than the other beaches, the Juno Beach landings, and different eras of Canadian flags.
After we signed off I tinkered a little with the Germans, and started with a general map set up. I will fill this out and get everything completed later tonight in time for tomorrow’s game.
But for now …
German beach defenses are now in place. WNs = the historical locations and numbers of individual “wiederstandnester” strongpoints, fortification blockhouses represented by “Fortification” counters, flanked by two “IPs” (improved positions – slit trenches, MG nests, mortar pits, sandbags, barbed wire, etc). I also have “Trenches” (antitank ditches) covering the beach egress draws. Minefields are placed in the beach, as well as “Block” counters representing Czech hedgehogs and anti-boat pilings. The British are coming in with A & B Coys, 1st Hampshires and 1st Dorsets, along with their battalion support companies and command groups. Germans are set up with two very distinct troop quality levels, the hard-core 352nd Infantry to the west and the much softer 441 “Ost” Battalion of the 716th Static Division to the east. 
A close up of German defenses. Their 5.0, 7.5, and even a battery of 8.8s are staged in their approximate historical locations, along with FlaK (2.0 cm, x4 2.0cm), HMG sections, HQ troops, transport (halftracks, trucks, and yes … horse-drawn wagons), mortars, off-board artillery (10.5 cm and 15.0 cm howitzers), etc. 
Sounds like a tall order. Fortunately, support is close behind. These two squadrons (companies) of the Sherwood Rangers were actually supposed to land at 07:20, five minutes BEFORE the first infantry leapt from the Higgins boats. Didn’t happen, they arrived late, but they will arrive. Of course we have plenty of air support for the British as well. I made sure to include an EVEN number of air strike counters so Damon and Brucelea can split them evenly. No fighting over the Typhoons, please!
Not gonna lie, I am cheating here SLIGHTLY when it comes to the timing of these units. The mish-mash of 82nd Assault Squadron / 6th Royal Engineers and scattered elements of “B” Squadron, Westminster Dragoons were there at the outset to help the infantry on the beach. I don’t think they had any AVREs, though. The flails, the bobbins were there, though, and will help with getting British vehicles off the beach and clearing German minefields. The Bridges and the AVREs show up later in the afternoon, but like I said, cheating SLIGHTLY and including a sample of these units just to show them off in the game. Same with the 47th Commando. These guys will show up late in the game, but still far sooner than their historical 14:00 hours would indicate.Looking forward to a great game tomorrow! 😀
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