Frost's Perimeter - Flames of War

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Graebner’s forces quickly lose all cohesion as the Paratroopers open fire from the buildings adjacent to the bridge. This battle is going to be a difficult scenario for the Germans. Obviously, the goal of the Germans should be to get across the bridge as quickly as possible. The Germans are restricted to remaining on the bridge with little to no cover from the 6 pdr anti-tank guns firing into their ranks. However, if they can get off the opposite map edge, they are rewarded with lots of victory points. The British need to prevent the German incursion from succeeding in order to make sure the German victory points are kept to a minimum. Not only are the 6 pdr anti-tank guns going to help with that goal, the Royal Engineers have put down a small minefield across the bridge to knock out light vehicles. The battle will surely be bloody, but if the Germans can get off the opposite table, they will add a very respectable number of victory points to their tally. The Mystery of Graebner’s Humber Historical accounts vary as to whether Graebner rode in a Humber IV or a Humber scout car. What everyone agrees upon is that it was a captured Humber vehicle. So, in A Bridge Too Far, you can field him in either the scout car or the Humber IV. It is unlikely the vehicle would have been repainted in German colours, so it would have remained British SCC15 Olive Drab (Russian Uniform 924). Clear identification markings were especially important on captured vehicles, so several prominent Balkenkreuz decals were added by Jeremy Sighted in on the damaged section of the bridge, Number 2 gun claims the first of many victims. Graebner in Humber scout car during painting. Above: Graebner’s vehicles. Graebner in Humber VI
Scenario 3: KNAUST’s Assault The third and final German assault that took place on 18 September, was a major assault conducted by Kampfgruppe Knaust. Kampfgruppe Knaust launched the first real assault to wipe out the British completely, using Panzergrenadiers and tanks. Major Hans-Peter Knaust, an invalid with a wooden leg (courtesy of the Eastern Front), was the 38-yearold commander of the Panzergrenadier Training and Replacement Battalion ‘Bocholt’. He began planning his assault on the British early in the morning of 18 September, before Brinkmann’s attack. After the failure of the reconnaissance battalions to make any headway, Knaust knew he was up against a much larger foe than previously reported. He decided to await reinforcements before attempting his assault. By mid-afternoon, he received eight Panzer III and IV tanks used for training purposes from Kampfgruppe Mielke. This allowed Knaust to launch a combined assault on the British paras at 1800 hours. Knaust’s initial assault was brazenly bold, forcing his Panzers up the road in full view of two British 6 pdr anti-tank guns. The attack was led by two Panzer IV tanks which were not surprisingly knocked out in rapid succession by 6 pdr and PIAT fire. The supporting infantry was withdrawn and a new more cautious plan was tried further south. No. 3 Platoon, Arnhem Bridge No. 3 Gun, B Troop British Perimeter C Coy Frost HQ KG Mielke Panzers The second assault used more cover and cautious and methodical movement in order to clear the British Number 3 Platoon, C Company from the buildings to the south east of the perimeter. The Germans began to hit a more strengthened defence as it drew closer to the bridge so Knaust’s attack was halted to reorganise and reinforce. The Germans managed to push the paratroopers closer to the bridge, though they failed to reach the objective. Frost’s perimeter had held up to the assault, and over the next few nights he was able to restore some lost ground though small counter attacks. Knaust’s forces fight their way into the perimeter supported by Panzer IV’s from Panzerkompanie Mielke. N
Page 1 and 2: The primary objective of the 1 st A
Page 3 and 4: A Heroic Defence Back in Arnhem, Fr
Page 5 and 6: Scenario 1: Brinkmann’s Assault R
Page 7: Scenario 2: Graebner’s Assault Th
Page 11 and 12: Scenario 4: Hummel’s Assault Thre

Frost's Perimeter - Flames of War

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?