Expanding The Bridgehead

West of the Meuse River just north of Dinant, Belgium, 14 May 1940

Germans advance to secure the bridgehead line

While the main effort for the crossing of the Meuse River was entrusted to Guderian's XIX Korps at Sedan, subsidiary crossings to the north were required to protect the flanks and to create a broad bridgehead once all were linked. Reinhardt's XXXXI Korps were to cross at Montherme while Hoth's XV Korps crossed near Dinant. 5th and 7th Panzer Division, Hoth's two panzer divisions, had reached the river on the evening of 12th May and had crossed on 13th May. On the evening of 13th May the toeholds on the western bank of the river were considered adequate enough to construct some pontoon bridges for vehicles overnight. They were finished by morning and now the Germans need to expand the bridgehead, push their armour across and push to the west.

The French, for their part, had been surprised by the speed of the German advance. Their cavalry divisions had crossed to the eastern side of the Meuse in order to guard the deployment of infantry on the western bank, but the cavalry had been bundled back in some disarray before the infantry had entrenched. The French now have an eclectic force on the western side that must delay the German expansion.

Both sides will need to balance caution and boldness. The Germans must protect the vital bridges but must also take aggressive action to quickly expand the bridgehead. The French cannot be passive, especially in the short window of time before German armour reaches the western bank. 

The board over which the game will be played is a large one, 4m x 2m, and the advance will be across the board rather than along it, allowing infiltration and outflanking.

The board looking north along the plateau west of the Meuse River. In the foreground is the main road heading west from Dinant and the Chestruvin farm; in the midground from west to east is the village of Sommiere and the Rostene Farm; in the farground is the Grange Farm.

A view north along the River Meuse past the village of Bouvignes. The 7th Panzer Division's pontoon bridge is emplaced here.

Another view of Bouvignes looking west.

The 5th Panzer Division's bridge is further north on the Meuse. It is just south of the Island of Houx, which itself has a small weir/footbridge connecting it across the river. The destroyed railway bridge at Houx can also be seen.

Another shot of the destroyed railway bridge and the village of Anhee.

A view from the west looking east past the village of Haut-le-Wastia through the woods around the Chateau Mont de Anhee towards Anhee and the cliffs on the eastern side of the Meuse.

Looking east across the centre of the battlefield from Sommerie past the hamlet of Rostenne.

A view towards the west along the road from Dinant to Onhaye.

Deployment

I find deployment ribbons are very useful to show where players can set up, particularly for the player deploying first. In this case the French will deploy second and will be able to setup anywhere in the western half of the board to the left of the blue ribbon.

7th Panzer Division has one and a half battalions of motorised infantry from 7th Motorised Regiment across the river near Bouvignes. Its deployment area is 50cm (1km) from where the French will set up starting at the Wespin Farm and designated by the red ribbon.

The 7th Panzer area extends past Bouvignes along the Meuse.

The motorised infantry battalions in 7th Panzer have three rifle companies and a support company. Unlike standard German infantry regiments, the 37mm Pak and the 75mm IG are permanently attached to the battalions rather than held at regimental level. The 7th Panzer motorised infantry also have the advantage of two MG34s per section so fire as rifle rather than infantry.

The 1st Battalion has the important job of guarding the pontoon bridge at Bouvignes but also wants to be aggressive where it can be. One of its companies prepares to defend the Me Farm as a strongpoint whilst a second company will advance to the woods west of Bouvignes to threaten the Rostenne Farm.

The third rifle company defends in depth the approach to Bouvignes and the pontoon bridge, supported by the support company. The regimental headquarters is in Bouvignes.

The company of the 2nd Battalion that is across sets up with the battalion HQ near the Wespin Farm. The broad intent here is to advance along the road to Onhaye when the rest of the Battalion is across the river, leaving 1st Battalion to initially guard the direct approach to the pontoon bridge.

The immediate reinforcements in the 7th Panzer Divisions area will be a tank company and the remainder of the 2nd Battalion.

The two battalions of 5th Panzer's 13th Motorised Regiment are structured very similar to those in 7th Panzer Division except they have two rifle and one motorcycle company per battalion. As they are dismounted there will be no practical difference.

The first battalion sets up opposite 5th Panzer's pontoon bridge and will try to push forward in the direction of Grange Farm, ever mindful of any French threat to the bridge.

The second battalion sets up in Anhee and will continue to clear this village.

5th Panzer has all of its infantry across and will be reinforced by a tank company. The Germans also have a reconnaissance company and Luftwaffe Flak battery to feed across either bridge. 

The Germans also have six batteries of 105mm and one of 150mm off board. Conspicuously absent is any aerial support from the Luftwaffe: its efforts against Sedan mean no air is available for Hoth's crossing.

The French divide the board into thirds. The 77th Infantry Regiment (minus) from 18th Infantry Division and its on board Light artillery battalion have the weakest morale so need time to entrench. They will also need to fight static as they will be at a severe disadvantage if manoeuvre is involved. So, the French commander sets them up astride the road to Onhaye knowing the Germans have to come that way. They are far enough back that they should have time to entrench. The guns are set up on the edge of the forest so that they can fire indirectly but also direct if necessary.

The troops from 1st Cavalry Division have the centre third of the board. Given their mobility they will have a mix of defensive and minor offensive tasks, and also form a reserve.

The mechanised infantry squadron from 5th Mechanised Infantry Regiment will push forward and contest the woods to the SE of the Rostenne Farm with a view to threatening the Bouvignes bridgehead. They take their vehicles with them so they can conduct a withdrawal if necessary.

The Weapons Squadron forms a firm base in the Rostenne Farm.

The tanks squadron will also probe forward just to dissuade any bold moves by the German infantry. Even a rubbish light AMR33 tank with a 7.5mm machine gun beats no tanks.

The Panhards from 1st Armoured Car Regiment are very powerful vehicles and so start loud and unafraid opposite 5th Panzer's infantry. In reality they have No Order and wait and see. Their superb mobility allows them to move quickly to any problem spot.

Similarly, their accompanying Motorcycle Squadron sits back at the Hontoir Farm and will use their mobility to exploit opportunities or plug holes.

The horsed cavalry dismount and will develop a strong point at Grange Farm.

The other major grouping for the French is from 5th Motorised Division. These are rated as Experienced troops so the French commander will use them a little more aggressively. The infantry battalion from 39th Infantry Division will move forward and contest Anhee to try and tie down the battalion there from 5th Panzer.

The Reconnaissance Group will bar the way to Mont d'Anhee.

The French have three 75mm guns on board. They have a further three, and a 155mm battery, off board.

The Game

So much for the prologue, on with the show.

Turn 1

Maximum visibility is 20" on Turn 1 as dawn breaks.

The only artillery from both sides is some harassing and interdiction fire as no one has been spotted at the start of the game.

The French win initiative and probe forward in a few places. The most significant push is by their best infantry, the infantry battalion from the 39th Infantry Regiment, that pushes forward to contest the village of Anhee. It's a very narrow avenue of approach.

The tank squadron from the 1st Mechanised Battalion pushes forward in the centre east of the Hontoir Farm to slow or dissuade any German advance through the low ground.

The infantry company and the battalion commander from the same Battalion also push forward into the woods SE of the Rostenne Farm.

Most other French infantry units make use of the limited visibility to entrench. This is an infantry company from 77th Infantry Regiment guarding the road to Onhaye to the south of Chestruvin Farm.

The dismounted cavalry entrench around the Grange Farm. 

The dismounted motorcyclists from 5th Motorised Infantry Division also entrench to the west of Anhee.

The Germans in their turn also push their infantry forward. Units from I Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment advance through the woods towards Hontoir Farm.

They also advance towards Grange Farm.

The other infantry battalion of the 13th Regiment continues to push forward in Anhee, respectful of the machine gun teams the French have pushed forward to the edge of the cliff.

The tank companies cross the pontoon bridges to reinforce the infantry. Here a medium tank company crosses near Houx Island to help 13th Regiment.

Similarly, a light company from 25th Panzer Regiment crosses at Bouvignes.

The most important initial move is by the infantry from I Battalion, 7th Motorised Regiment, that moves forward to contest the French in the woods just to the west of Bouvignes. The German player advances two infantry companies and catches the French before they can deploy. In the ensuing firefight, the French lose their battalion commander and medium machine gun whilst doing no damage to the Germans.

Turn 2

Maximum visibility is now 40".

The II Battalion (-) from 7th Motorised Regiment begins the long march up the road to Onhaye.

The troops from I Battalion consolidate in the woods west of Bouvignes.

The light tank company pushes up the hill from Bouvignes to join them.

What is left of the French company that was in the woods retreat under a Regimental staff order with their tails between their legs. They were Shattered in the Turn 1 Morale Phase so will need to find somewhere to Rally and reorganise.

The German reconnaissance squadron crosses at Bouvignes.

While the Luftwaffe battery crosses near Houx Island.

The light tank company that had crossed at Houx Island moves forward to reinforce the infantry fighting in Anhee.

Both sides probe in Anhee but neither pushes too hard. The French are finding it hard to funnel their battalion through the narrow opening into Anhee. The Germans sense an opportunity and move a forward observer along the cliffs on the other side of the Meuse to observe the rest of the French infantry still in the open.

The French have a surprise of their own and rapidly redeploy the AMR33s to attack by fire the German infantry approaching the Grange Farm.

Turn 3

In the centre, the German light tank company from 25th Panzer Regiment joins with the infantry and attacks towards the Rostenne Farm. They skirt a previously unlocated minefield. The French MMG teams fire well and destroy two German platoons. The French 47mm gun fires into the side of the lead 38t but misses.

On the other flank, the light tank company skirts Anhee, squeezes down the railway line and assaults the MMG teams and the infantry company on the railway. This was a great move and surprised the French who have no antitank weapons.

At the Grange Farm the German attack has stalled as the Germans wait for artillery and antitank support.

German artillery destroys one of the AMR33s near the Grange Farm and also suppresses two of the three Panhards. The German infantry eyes off the Panhards not daring to cross the open ground.

Turn 3 was an important turn for the Germans as their tanks and infantry combined against both Anhee and the Rostene Farm. The French have a few minor wins but cannot generate the firepower to really challenge the Veteran Germans.

Turn 4

German artillery begins to bite as it ranges on the French near Anhee and the Rostenne Farm. It also has some success suppressing the French cavalry at the Grange Farm. The French artillery has a perfect opportunity to bring down an entire artillery battalion on the German infantry attacking the Rostene Farm but fail to establish contact.

Here are the French artillery observer who could not establish contact and the 47mm antitank gun that missed the flank of the tanks assaulting the Rostene Farm.

The German assault continues on the Rostenne Farm.

The Panhards now react and move towards the Rostene Farm.

The Panhards exchange fire with advancing German Pz IIs but neither side causes any damage.

While one company of German infantry assaults the Rostene Farm with the tanks, the other braves the minefield, finds that the ones in front of them are dummies, and assaults and clears the French observation post. This was a bold/reckless/successful move.

In the morale phase the French at the Rostenne Farm become Demoralised. They have allowed time for the Shaken French motorised infantry company to reform in Sommiere but the French centre is now wide open all the way to Sommiere. 

On the southern edge a German infantry company has now advanced all the way to a French dug in company on the road to Onhaye. The French fire from static entrenched positions - and do no damage. The Germans clear the first line of pits.

At Anhee the German tanks and infantry push back the French infantry.

The P16 Tank Squadron begins moving towards Anhee to provide a firm base for the infantry to withdraw through.

This turn was a successful one for the Germans. In the north they slowly but surely continued to grind down the French in Anhee, while winning the fight in the centre at the Rostene Farm. Between these fights the French cavalry and motorcycle troops are holding firm at the Grange Farm and in front of Mont d'Anhee. The troops at the Chestruvin Farm are now under pressure. The French have had little impact on the Germans who are rolling methodically forward.

Turn 5

German artillery ranges on the Panhards. Being wheeled vehicles they are more susceptible to artillery and two are destroyed. Not the start to the turn the French wanted.

The German light tank company starts moving out from Rostene Farm while one of the German infantry companies starts rounding up the Demoralised French company in the farm.

The other infantry company from I Battalion, 7th Motorised pushes up the reentrant towards Sommiere.

The French reorganise in Sommiere. They push their motorcycle infantry company that was in reserve to the village and finally sort out the mechanised infantry company that withdrew at the start of the game.

The Germans probe the dismounted motorcycle troops defending forward of Chateau Mont d'Anhee, but are unsuccessful and fall back Pinned.

The P16 halftracks position in depth behind the motorcycle troops knowing that they will have to time any intervention carefully.

The Germans continue to butt heads with the French dismounted cavalry in the Grange Farm and, now that the Panhard threat has been reduced, send an infantry company behind the Grange Farm.

The French infantry battalion in Anhee continues to get ground down. The Germans should be able to free up their tank company and put pressure on the French at Mont d'Anhee.

And team, that is where we ran out of time after only five turns. It is a big game and took longer to play than we thought. Having said that, the French were in a tough position having hardly laid a glove on the Germans. The French player was not particularly upset to end the session and grab a beer.

It is an interesting game that is a series of battles across the board. The troop density is such that it is very difficult for the French to create a coordinated and integrated defence - the French find it difficult to generate the firepower to stop the Germans. Once the German tanks got into action the combined arms effect was highly successful. The French have to get everything right.

We have agreed to leave the board set up and find the time to play this one again.

I hope you enjoyed the write up.