11 DLI at Rauray 28 June -1st July 1944

A series of 6 (or more if I mess it up) games based on 11DLI at Rauray beween 28 June and 1st July 1944.  I'm relying on the war diary of 11DLI, Breaking the Panzers by Kevin Baverstock and the operations of III/26 12SS Vol 1 by Hubert Mayer.  For maps I have relied on the wartime OS equivalent and modern satellite imagery as well as Arial Recce photographs.  

Initially I wanted to look at a TFL Chain of Command level of game, but swiftly came to the conclusion that in places this was a company or even higher level battle.  I've gone with Big COC, although IABSM would work as well. 

On June 28 the commanding officer of 11 DLI was called to attend an O Group at which the Divisional Commander ordered the attack on Brettevillette. 

The battalion diary of 11DLI compains that there was little time to recce the attack and Major Smallwood, leading the attack was badly wounded in the neck before even moving out of the assembly area. Historically it was a draw after which all units went back to their original start points.


The Germans however were set on recovering Rauray, so this is a Ladder Campaign using nine tables.  Game 1 is table 1 as 11DLI take Rauray.  the tables are then tackled in order.

     Some of these games are patrol actions, with a single section per side involved, some are Company level with two platoons assaulting side by side.

In terms of support I note that the mortar platoon of 11DLI fired one day over 1600 rounds, and that the Royal Artillery bombarded the enemy positions all day more at the villages and line of approach south of the position.  

The Germans on the other hand had tank support, in the form of PzIVs and halftracks.  This is Kampfgruppe Quilpenhausen which is committed randomly on a roll of  6 before a game begins.

Historically it was a fierce fight.  11DLI casualties were approx. 100 killed, 250 wounded.

Game One

11DLI use two of 6 platoons available for this game.

11DLI British Platoon

Platoon HQ
Lieutenant, Senior Leader armed with pistol 
Platoon Sergeant, Senior Leader, armed with 
SMG 
PIAT Team, 2 men 
2" mortar Team, 2 men 
SECTIONS 1-3
Corporal, Junior Leader armed with Sten 
BREN TEAM  Bren LMG Three crew 
RIFLE TEAM Six riflemen

Plus 6 points of Support.  (Pre chosen as)
24th Lancers Stuart Light tank with a Junior leader @5, 1 x Adjutant @1


III/26 PzGren 12SS
Platoon HQ 
Oberscharführer, Senior Leader with Machine 
Pistol 
Three panzerfaust 30 
SQUADS 1-3
Scharführer, Junior Leader armed with machine pistol. 
LMG TEAM MG42 Three crew 
LMG TEAM MG42 Three crew 

ATTACHED ARMOUR
Scharführer, Junior Leader 
Panzer IV H

Plus 13 Points of Support. To be allocated


Game 2
Mopping Up