As part of our regular Flames of War Friday game, we chose to play a historically based scenario representing the British attack on Ponte dei Malati Bridge.
Background: During July 13th, 1943, the British Commandos were assigned the task of landing in the Bay of Agnone, behind enemy lines, to capture the Ponte dei Malati bridge and hold it, until relived by the 50th Division. This was the vanguard of the advancing British Eighth Army, under General Bernard Montgomery. The Commandos eventually managed to fight their way off the beach and push inland. and were involved in a number of minor skirmishes as they advanced towards the bridge. By 03.00 on 14 July the lead elements reached the north-east end of the bridge. Over the course of the next few hours they were subjected to mortar fire and shelling. Eventually, as casualties mounted and their reinforcement became overdue the Co mmandos were forced to abandon the position. Nevertheless they had prevented the bridge from being blown up and it was eventually recaptured as the Eighth Army arrived a short time later. The Commandos suffered heavily for the success, suffering 30 killed, 66 wounded and 59 missing or captured. The bridge was later renamed No. 3 Commando Bridge in their honour.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._3_Commando
Tactical Situation: It has been determined that a bridge, just beyond the landing beaches, is critical to the Allied breakout plan. The bridge must not be allowed to be destroyed by the Axis Forces.
Battlefield: The terrain consisted of a large open area with numerous hills with a road running diagonal on the table. In the middle of the table, a steep ravine with a river runs across the board with a single bridge. Several villages and wooded areas dotted the landscape. Victory depends on possession of the bridge and removal of the detonation charges for the Allies or destruction by the Axis. One point each would awarded for each enemy platoon destroyed.
Scenario Special Rules:
- The game play on a 360 basis, depending re-enforcement arrivals.
- Stone pillboxes, one on either side of the bridge are manned by Italian HMG teams.
- One full company of Commandos are deployed at least 10 inches from the bridge and the pillboxes.
- All the Italian HMG teams are pinned to represent surprise.
- If any of the Italians survive the initial attack, they can attempt to blow up the bridge on a roll of four through six.
- Re-enforcements for both sides were determined by a die roll.
- British: 1-3 N/A; 4 = Half Commando Platoon; 5 = Full Commando Platoon; and 6 = The relieving force (50th Infantry Division) arrives.
- Axis: 1 = German Mortar Platoon (1-3 = 8cm, 4-6 = 103mm chemical mortars; 2 = Italian Motorcycle Platoon or Armored Car Patrol; 3 = Lt Italian Tank Platoon; 4 = German Infantry Platoon; 5 = German Fallschirmjager Platoon; and 6 = German Tank (1-4 = PZ IV, 5-6 = Tiger I).
- The game started at night. (10) All units were taken from the “North Africa” Book.
The game started on a night turn and the British got the first move.
Narrative: On turn one, the Commandos assaulted both pillboxes destroying all the HMG defenders. Italian Semovente 47 platoon and German 8cm Platoon arrived. All Axis re-enforcements entered on the road in the upper corner.
On turn two, the Commandos attempted to remove the demolition charges. There were four charges and for simplicity, we used the minefield rules. Two were removed safely. However, the other two detonated, killing two stands of Commandos. The remainder of the Commando dug in on the high ground on both sides of the bridge. Al Commando Platoon arrived between the river and the northern village. As the Axis units moved towards the bridge, an Italian Motorcycle Platoon, Fallschirmjager Platoon and German Armored Car Platoon arrived on the board. Daylight arrived during the German turn.
On turn three, another full platoon of Commandos arrived just north along the Axis flank and moved onto the hilltop scrub bush area overlooking the Axis Column. AS they advanced the congested Axis units rushing down the road were hit with P-40 air attackes taking several losses. The Fallschirmjagers deployed to protect the flank from the Commandos, while the Italians moved onwards towards the bridge. Additional Italian Armored Cars and a battery of 105mm Mortars entered the game. These were joined by a TIGER I with double tiger Ace Skills. Now the game was going to get interesting.
On turn four, by now both sides were within range and began to engage each other with
long range shooting. More Commandos arrived just north of the river on the opposite side of the table. The axis forces were reinforced with even more Italian Armored Cars, another Fallschirmjager Platoon and a PZ IVH!!
By turn five, all random reinforcements had arrived, so no more re-enforcement rolls where allowed, except to see if and when the British land forces arrived (on a roll of 6). The next three turns had the Axis mobile units slowly blasting the Commandos out of their positions on the Axis side of the river. Only the strong commando motivation kept them hanging on. On the flank, the Commandos pressured the Axis trying to siphon off the infantry from moving towards the bridge.
On turn eight and nine, the 50th forward elements finally arrived with a n Armored Recce Platoon (Sherman) represented the progress of the unit down the road towards the bridge. By now, all of the Commandos on the Axis side of the bridge had been eradicated, while the remainder held on to the southern approaches. the Commando stormed out on the flank to engage the Axis defending the road. This attack was over quickly and resulted in very heavy loses to both sides.The Axis units began to cross the bridge, firing at the British on both sides of the other approach. Outside of PIATs, the British were out gunned at this point but determined to hold on.
By turn ten, the Allied re-enforcements had reached the bridge and were engaging the Axis armor in direct fire. At this time, the game was called. The Commandos had successfully prevented the destruction of the bridge, but the bridge itself was highly contested. Two British units had been destroyed along with one Axis unit. The British won yet another victory against the Forces of Evil and the chance to write the history the way they saw it!
-Manteuffel