Time for War!
Posted: Sun May 28, 2000 7:15 pm
Its a holiday weekend and you've got plenty to do. I'll get up from here and proceed to manicure the front yard (ARGH!)
Before I go, I wanted to let you know that there is a new scenario already up in the Depot. This time its the Brits in Italy, caught in a gully, while seeking a way out of Anzio. Some have requested Italian Scenarios, Anzio Style and some other nationalities...good suggestions.
Heroes emerged from the battle, including Major William Sidney, who would later receive the Victoria Cross for his actions here. Perhaps a fitting moment on this Memorial Day weekend.
Also, Fabio Prado has revised his Tigers in the Snow scenario. The newest version is posted.
Here is the background on Grenadiers in a Gully. Enjoy. Its a tough fight.
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GRENADIERS IN A GULLY
Meeting Engagement: UK vs Germany
Near Carroceto, Italy, Feb.7, 1944
The high hopes of Anzio and a quick end run to Rome had soon deteriorated into dismal anticipation. General Mark Clark, after nearly being thrown back into the sea at Salerno, was not about to let that happen again.
British, American, and other Allied forces caught the Germans off guard in their amphibious landings. The difficulty developed when they did not advance, but simply continued to fortify their positions in the beachhead perimeter.
Quickly General Kesselring brought divisions from the north and completely boxed in the invasion beaches. Suddenly the Allies were trapped and desperately sought a way to break free. On January 30th, in one abortive attempt, Darby's Rangers were thwarted at Cisterna and ceased to exist.
Then the British gave it a try. The 5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, moved along the east flank of the perimeter through Carroceto. Their goal was to reach the highway and open a corridor for an Allied advance to Rome.
But once again, the Germans were ready.
During the night of Febuary 7th, 1944, German tanks and infantry overran one company of the Grenadiers on Buonnposo Ridge. They then sought to envelop the other companies of the battalion along a gully that paralleled the road.
There they were met by the Grenadiers. Major William Sidney led his men in a wild charge, firing and hurling hand grenades at the startled Germans.
Wounded three times during the counterattack, Major Sidney was carried off the battlefield. But his Grenadiers held. Over 130 of them became casualties in the hard fighting. Sidney would later receive the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military recognition for his gallantry in the "gully"
Wild Bill's Raiders http://www.matrixgames.com
Sources
Suprise Attack, Darman
The History of the Second World War,
"The Mediterranean and the Middle East"
The Rock of Anzio, Whitlock.
The Texas Division, Wagner
Mark Clark, Blumenson
The Second World War, Gilbert
Before I go, I wanted to let you know that there is a new scenario already up in the Depot. This time its the Brits in Italy, caught in a gully, while seeking a way out of Anzio. Some have requested Italian Scenarios, Anzio Style and some other nationalities...good suggestions.
Heroes emerged from the battle, including Major William Sidney, who would later receive the Victoria Cross for his actions here. Perhaps a fitting moment on this Memorial Day weekend.
Also, Fabio Prado has revised his Tigers in the Snow scenario. The newest version is posted.
Here is the background on Grenadiers in a Gully. Enjoy. Its a tough fight.
--------------
GRENADIERS IN A GULLY
Meeting Engagement: UK vs Germany
Near Carroceto, Italy, Feb.7, 1944
The high hopes of Anzio and a quick end run to Rome had soon deteriorated into dismal anticipation. General Mark Clark, after nearly being thrown back into the sea at Salerno, was not about to let that happen again.
British, American, and other Allied forces caught the Germans off guard in their amphibious landings. The difficulty developed when they did not advance, but simply continued to fortify their positions in the beachhead perimeter.
Quickly General Kesselring brought divisions from the north and completely boxed in the invasion beaches. Suddenly the Allies were trapped and desperately sought a way to break free. On January 30th, in one abortive attempt, Darby's Rangers were thwarted at Cisterna and ceased to exist.
Then the British gave it a try. The 5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, moved along the east flank of the perimeter through Carroceto. Their goal was to reach the highway and open a corridor for an Allied advance to Rome.
But once again, the Germans were ready.
During the night of Febuary 7th, 1944, German tanks and infantry overran one company of the Grenadiers on Buonnposo Ridge. They then sought to envelop the other companies of the battalion along a gully that paralleled the road.
There they were met by the Grenadiers. Major William Sidney led his men in a wild charge, firing and hurling hand grenades at the startled Germans.
Wounded three times during the counterattack, Major Sidney was carried off the battlefield. But his Grenadiers held. Over 130 of them became casualties in the hard fighting. Sidney would later receive the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military recognition for his gallantry in the "gully"
Wild Bill's Raiders http://www.matrixgames.com
Sources
Suprise Attack, Darman
The History of the Second World War,
"The Mediterranean and the Middle East"
The Rock of Anzio, Whitlock.
The Texas Division, Wagner
Mark Clark, Blumenson
The Second World War, Gilbert