Bren Guns


North of Saint-Marcel, France, June 18th, 1944: Since the Normandy landing, the Saint Marcel Maquis had
been very active. Regular night paradrops brought materiel and weapons, and elements of the 2nd SAS were
parachuted in to assist the Partisans with training. All this commotion did not fail to attract German
attention, and on June 18th, 0430 hrs, Feldgendarmerie 790 was on patrol when it was ambushed by Maquis,
with all of its soldiers killed or captured. Malestroit Garrison, made up of a battalion from 275th
Infantry Division, was quickly alerted at 0630 hrs, and undertook a reconnaisance at 0900 hrs. The
Germans were quickly repelled by heavy fire from the Partisans and SAS, both well-equiped with Bren
machineguns. The German attack was resumed at 1000 hrs with mortar support.

Game Length: 8 Turns

For Germans to win they must capture certain buildings to gain VP's
For the British to win they must defend the buildings against the Germans

Germans: Squads, MMG's, LMG's, MTR's, Radio
British and Partisans: Squads, LMG's, PIAT's
 

Aftermath: The Bren guns, placed at the woods edge, held the German attack until their crews were
dislodged by mortar shells. The wounded were immediately evacuated to the Saint-Genevieve Castle.
Realizing the strength of the attack, the Partisans decided to call London for aerial support. After
a pause, the German attack resumed at 1400 hrs with the support of the paratroopers of the "Kreta"
Division, followed by the 708th Battalion of Georgian infantry. Around 1530 hrs, the Thunderbolts
from Normandy bridgehead arrived and strafed the German troops, halting their advance, but after their
departure around 1630 hrs the attack was resumed again. By 1730 hrs, the Partisans were obliged to
withdraw toward the castle, and eventually abandon it. At 1900 hrs, it was briefly retaken by an SAS
counterattack but at 2000 hrs, the arrival of new German reinfocements finally forced the Partisans
into total withdrawal; this was successfully completed by 2200 hrs after the Maquis destroyed most
of their equipment.

Source: Tactiques Magazine, Scenario ASL TAC 17, Bren Guns
