Advance of the Matildas II

Wailly, France, 21 May 1940

7th RTR leads the right-hand column at Arras

The British counterattack at Arras is one of the most famous actions in the campaign in France in 1940. Part expedient, part myth, part successful and part a failure, the action saw the only tank brigade of the BEF in action against Rommels' 7th Panzer Division.

There was at the time, and there still is, some confusion of ideas about what is commonly known as the British 'counter-attack' at Arras.​

Lord Gort's original intention, the role of Frankforce as set out in an order given to General Franklyn early on May the 20th, was to 'support the garrison in Arras and to block the roads south of Arras, thus cutting off the German communications [via Arras] from the east'. He was 'to occupy the line of the Scarpe on the east of Arras' and establish touch 'by patrols' with the French. Nothing was said about a counter-attack or any larger objective, nor was there any suggestion that the French would be associated in the operation.​

This section of the action covers the part 7th RTR played when it diverged from 4th RTR and headed south-east towards Wailly.​

The board is 4m x 2m representing an area 8km x 4km.

The Germans start deployed, with scattered elements all over the map. The British 7th RTR sets up in the NW corner behind the railway line while the 4th RTR may enter on the northern edge opposite Agny.

The board is the open rolling countryside you would expect to the west of Arras. This a view northeast through Wailly to Agny

Looking north towards Agny along the railway line 

Looking west from Agny towards Wailly. 7th RTR will use the railway line in the NW as their Line of Departure.

Looking southeast from the British FUP. All they have to do is cross the valley to the far ridge where the windmill is.

Some scattered German troops stand in the way of the British. A battery from SS Totenkopf starts deployed in Grenville-la Fermont. They are equipped with FHM 100mm Czech guns.

An SS Totenkopf AT battery is deployed in the open between Grenville and Wailly. This battery is equipped with Czech 37mm AT guns (although, for those eagle-eyed-Czech-AT guns-of-WWII-fans you will note that the models are actually 47mm guns).

A battery form I Battalion, 78th Motorised Artillery Regiment, 7th Panzer Division starts in a very exposed position just north of Wailly.

3/59 Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Company with their SdKfz 10/4s starts in a similarly precarious position north-east of Wailly. 

Some infantry elements from II Battalion, 7th Motorised Infantry Regiment, set up in Wailly.

The Germans have been caught mid-stride. While some forces have managed to hastily deploy, others are still moving into position, including this anti-tank company just south of Agny and Beaurains.

The Luftwaffe's 86th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, with its critical 88mm guns, is at Mercatel, furthest from 7th RTR's start point.

 The remainder of II Battalion, 7th Motorised Battalion is on the road near Ficheux.

The three companies of 7th RTR set up ready to advance.

The game begins. 7th RTR roars forward at break-neck speed (ie: 12" for the Matilda I moving Hasty)

The Germans move their all-important 88s forward.

While Rommel personally leads the motorised infantry column.

The forward anti-tank company deploys on the ridge between Agny and Beaurains.

The Germans juggle their forces: the motorised infantry advances to occupy the villages whilst the light anti-aircraft displaces to the rear.

The British for their part have had mixed fortune in their initial surge forward. At least one company has withdrawn after confronting anti-tank and artillery fire.

Results are not all one-sided though: the forward artillery crew in front of Wailly is killed...

...as are two of the three SS anti-tank crews.

Meanwhile, the Germans begin to deploy their guns in depth on the second ridge.

4th RTR enters between Agny and Beaurains and charges straight at the German anti-tank guns with one company..

Another company 'makes faces' at the German infantry in Agny. Without infantry to clear the Germans, the British can only hope to break the German morale.

On the other flank, 7th RTR has overrun the SS anti-tank guns and has almost reached the Crinchon stream to the west of Wailly.

The Germans are feeling a little more confident as their 88s come into action on the second ridge.

Far from breaking the German morale, it is the British who withdraw from Agny.

While the German anti-tank gunners stare in happy bewilderment as their volley of fire causes the British to flee. Some very special rolls were required. The Gods of War are definitely not with the British today.

With 4th RTR's attack over almost before it began, 7th RTR struggles forward on the west flank.

The 88 crews keep checking the range, but 7th RTR studiously stays just beyond maximum range.

What could make 4th RTR's day worse? A visit from these guys. Stukas 'drop in'.

With careful cajoling, encouragement and harsh words, CO 7th RTR manages to Rally his teams and push the first company across the Crinchon stream.

Not without some aerial attention from the Luftwaffe.

The British gallantly push forward, with one company reaching the objective on the second ridge.

 

The British confront some German light guns and an SS artillery battery in depth.

The highwater mark of the British advance, with two companies of 7th RTR on the second ridge.

One of the bored 88mm crews decides to check the range and discovers that one of the Matildas is just within range.

It's a long shot, but one of the Matildas is nailed. That's enough for the British player and he calls it quits.

A long tough game for the British in particular. The Germans have the ability to shuffle their forces around to present continual dilemmas for the British. The British for their part have no ability to change axis, given the slowness of their tanks, and have to just keep grinding forward. 7th RTR continually rallied and got their companies moving again, whereas 4th RTR fell at the first hurdle.

A big game that saw some unusual models used. Very enjoyable, I hope you liked the write up.

If you would like a copy of this scenario, it is available for free at: Scenario 65. Free Download to preview Blitzkrieg in the West 1940 Volume II 50 Wargame Scenarios British vs Germans - MGK Military Simulations | Wargame Vault

There is also available a compendium of 10 games dealing with the battles around Arras: Blitzkrieg in the West 1940. 10 Wargame Scenarios. The Battles for Arras - MGK Military Simulations | Wargame Vault

All of these are taken from my larger volume on the BEF: Blitzkrieg in the West 1940 Volume II 50 Wargame Scenarios British vs Germans - MGK Military Simulations | Wargame Vault