Stand Fast the Guards


Boulogne, France, May 23rd, 1940: An epic of disastrous proportions was looming for the BEF as
panzers near the French Channel ports. If they fell, the BEF would be bereft of supplies - and 
evacuation, if the worst should come. As the Germans cut through disintegrating French divisions,
hastily made and executed plans for holding Boulogne and Calais were undertaken by the British.
To Boulogne was shipped the 20th Guards Brigade. Unforetunately, these British battalions had no 
maps, wirelesses, mortars, or grenades. Undaunted, in the best of tradition, the Welsh and Irish 
Guards disembarked on the 22nd of May, forcing their way through the refugees on the quay into the 
streets and to the countryside beyond. But the 2nd Panzer Division, despite being delayed by air
attacks mounted by the French Naval Arm, was in sight of the towers of the city. The first clashes 
were inconclusive. During the night, Guderian completed his encirclement of the port. All British 
units stood to at first light, anticipating a dawn attack - but this did not develop immediately. 
Instead, the Germans were occupied reducing the French garrison at Fort de la Creche, north of town.
At Last, however, the expected whirlwind struck the Irish Guards, at 0730 Hrs.

Game Length: 7.5 turns

For the Germans to win they must capture the knoll
For the British to win they must defend the high ground

Germans: Squads, MMG's LMG's, MTR's, AFV's
British: Squads, MMG, LMG, ATR's, AT Guns

Boards: #6, #11, #17
 
Aftermath: The attack fell most heavily upon a knoll of strategic high ground held by a platoon 
under Lt. Sir John Reynolds. The Irishmen, supported by a pair of antitank guns, put up a fierce 
resistance. After about an hour, the AT guns had been disabled. But the Guards fought on with Bren
guns and rifles; and when the Brens' barrels warped due to the intense heat they fought with rifles 
alone. For two hours they held off the German inantry and tanks, with small units continuing to reach 
Reynolds throughout the morning. Yet in the end the knoll was isolated and overrun. Still the Guards 
stood fast. Using the high ground, German tanks shelled the British positions with impunity. By noon 
the Irish battalion had been whittled down to a strngth of only two-and-a-half companies. In the early
afternoon, under continous pressure, they withdrew to a perimeter near the center of Boulogne, and there 
they grimly prepared to make their last stand - joined by the survivors of the Welsh Guards who had 
fought their way back street by street from the east.

Source: ASL Annual '90, ASL Scenario A15, Stand Fast the Guards


  
