1944 Market Garden AAR

[rhinobones]

1944 Market Garden RBv01 AAR

Introduction

This is an After Action Report for scenario 1944 Market Garden RBv01. The scenario is a modified version of John Schettler’s scenario Market Garden 44. In his briefing the original author states that the scenario is designed to accommodate nonhistorical strategies. As this is the first time I have ever attempted the scenario, I’ve elected to go with a non-historical campaign.


Scenario Setup

Map scale: 2.5km
Turn Scale: 1/2 Week
Unit Scale: Regiment/Battalion
Formation Scale: Brigade/Regiment/Battalion/Kampf Group
Length: 20 turns
Dates: September 17 – 20th, 1944

Complexity:

Allied (British, American, Polish)
Initial deployment, 15 formations, 101 units
Maximum deployment, 106 units
Theater Options, 0

Axis (German)
Initial deployment, 17 formations, 122 units
Maximum deployment, 20 formations, 148 units
Theater Options, 0


RBv01 changes

Changes have been made to Market Garden 44 as shown below. Note that some of these changes were made as a result of game play and are not included in the scenario version used for this AAR.

1944 Market Garden RBv01 Changes:
1. Advanced Rules: Disengagement OFF, No Borders ON, New Density Rules OFF, High Supply OFF
2. Max Rounds per Battle = 4
3. Hex Conversion, Readiness and Supply Cost = 50
4. Allied Supply = 70, Axis Supply = 50
5. ZOC Cost = 150
6. Supply Radius Allied = 10, Axis = 5
7. Unit colors revised with custom “col” file
8. Day 1 Allied airlift increased from 1800 to 2400
9. Added “Set Distance” to all airfields (prevents artillery bombardment)
10. German formation Orders Emphasis set for new Objective Tracks
11. Programmed German PO for three random Objective Tracks

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Plan of Attack

My plan is for XXX Corps to advance on a route East of Eindhoven/Nijmegen and assault Arnhem from the East flank. Paratroop units are critical in paving the way.

British 1st AB Red Devils. Will drop in the vicinity of Grathem and secure an avenue of approximately 24 Km.

101st Airborne. Tasked to drop in the area of Wansum/Well and secure the bridge over the Maas River

82nd Airborne. Tasked to drop near Kalkar/Rees and secure the Rhine River bridge. Secondary task is to destroy the German supply depot at Rees. The 82nd is the strongest of the airborne divisions and, therefore, is being deployed where the heaviest German resistance is expected.

Polish Brigade. They are the reserve and will be tasked as the situation develops.

XXX Corps. Will breakthrough the forward German defenses and advance through the airborne corridor. Arnhem will be assaulted from the East.

VIII Corps. Ordered to advance parallel to XXX Corps and eliminate any opposition on the right flank.

XII Corps. Tasked in providing flank protection on the left flank, generally along the Albert Canal.

Air Force. Bridge destruction designed to disrupt German reinforcement and supply movement. Switching to interdiction during German turn periods.

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The close-up view shows the disposition of the British ground forces and their planned routes of march.

On the left XII Corps composition:
15th Scotts Div
53rd Welsh Div

Right flank VIII Corps composition:
29th Armored Bde
3rd Infantry Bde
Corps Support Troops

XXX Corps (Horrocks) composition:
50th Northumbria Div
43rd Welsh Div
5th Guard Armored Bde
32nd Guard Armored Div

Instead of measuring success by total VPs, I’ll consider crossing the Rhine in strength (at Rees or Emmerich) as the condition for a strategic victory. Taking Arnhem bridge is the icing.

[TomWalton]

Interesting!

A doubt, though: were there actually bridges over the Rhine at the time that would have allowed XXX Corps to approach Arnhem from the East?

Wikipedia reckons the Rhine bridge of Rees was completed in 1967, the one at Emmerich two years earlier.

Or, alternatively, to swing East into Germany direct from Rees, with Arnhem now being by-passed.

[rhinobones]

A doubt, though: were there actually bridges over the Rhine at the time that would have allowed XXX Corps to approach Arnhem from the East?
Wikipedia reckons the Rhine bridge of Rees was completed in 1967, the one at Emmerich two years earlier.

Point taken. Guess this scenario has a bit of Hollywood . . . don't worry about the facts if it makes the story better. And it is a good story!

Regards

[cathar1244]

German wartime maps.

Achtung

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Cheers

[rhinobones]

German wartime maps.
Achtung

Cheers

I’m glad you’re not the scenario author and I get to play this alternate reality. Reality would have forced me to find a different strategy and that might not be as much fun.

Regards

[TomWalton]

that might not be as much fun

100% with you on that...

But, just wondering, why historically was no consideration apparently made of advancing on a broader front rather than on that single fateful highway? Surely there must have been other routes, even if on minor roads and all leading to a couple of bottlenecks (the bridges) -- both to the east, like the ones in your scenario, and to the west.

Market Garden really lends itself to "What if" scenarios, doesn't it?

[cathar1244]

German wartime maps.
Achtung

Cheers

I’m glad you’re not the scenario author and I get to play this alternate reality. Reality would have forced me to find a different strategy and that might not be as much fun.

Regards

Well, you mentioned you already have made 11 mods to the original scenario. Might as well remove these bridges in your modified version as they are ahistorical for the scenario.

Cheers

[cathar1244]

that might not be as much fun

100% with you on that...

But, just wondering, why historically was no consideration apparently made of advancing on a broader front rather than on that single fateful highway? Surely there must have been other routes, even if on minor roads and all leading to a couple of bottlenecks (the bridges) -- both to the east, like the ones in your scenario, and to the west.

Market Garden really lends itself to "What if" scenarios, doesn't it?

Tom,

IIRC, there was a lot of soft poulder country in that area. That is what constrained operational movement to the roads, and I expect the Germans could have roadblocked the smaller roads as handily as they did the highways used by the Allies.

Cheers

[rhinobones]

Might as well remove these bridges in your modified version as they are ahistorical for the scenario.

I appreciate that many players enjoy scenarios which are historically accurate. But for myself, I enjoy scenarios which offer alternatives, strategic challenges and replay value. I see history as a framework, not my #1 priority.

What TOAW could use, in addition to bridges, are ferry units. Ferry units would work on major rivers for both sides with capacity governed by events.

Regards, RhinoBones

[rhinobones]

T01 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 48, Loss Penalty 8, Victory Level -302

As usual the initial moves in a campaign are loaded with action. I will try to describe engagements and unit movements starting from the North (Arnhem) and working to the South.

82nd Airborne. Paratroops, glider infantry and artillery support landed to the North and South of the Rhine, both sides of the town of Rees. Rees’ garrison is a pair of weak German units which are probably tasked to defend the local supply point. More German troops are observed to the southeast in the general direction of Nijmegen and the 101st. Most enemy units are in garrison and can do little more than defend themselves.

101st Airborne. Lands to the North of the River Maas and the town of Well. British airborne was able to capture the bridge without incident so, as the 101st works to get organized, it will move North and link up with the 82nd. The full strength of the 101st was unable to deploy due to a shortage of transport aircraft.

1st AB Red Devils. The Red Devils have the largest area of responsibility which stretches from the Maas River crossing, South by about 25 kilometers to the river crossing at Panningen. To the East the River Maas is known to have German units at the river crossings and to the West it can be assumed that reserve German formations are deployed. XXX Corps is not all that far from the 1st AB and it is expected that they will quickly pass through on their way North.

XII Corps.
The Corps crosses the Albert Canal and engages elements of the German 346th ID and KG Chill. With support from their artillery the Brits are able to dislodge defenders from their prepared positions and protect the flank.

XXX Corps.
Facing XXX Corps is a mix of small infantry units and German Fallschirmjäger
regiments. The regiments are stocked with good quality soldiers but are severely undermanned. Most of the regiments have about 60 infantry squads while a fully manned regiment should have around 120 squads. Most of the defenders are able to hold their positions but take casualties they may not be able to replace. The initial sequence of assaults is a battle of attrition which the Brits are certain to win.

VIII Corps.
The corps steps out and meets little opposition. The area on the eastern flank appears to be thinly defended. Contact is made at the limit of movement and other than a single artillery bombardment, no attacks are made.

Air Force.
A couple of successful bridge attacks are conducted with bridges spanning major rivers being the prime targets. Before turn end tactical aircraft are assigned interdiction while the Spitfires and P-51s are placed on air superiority.


I use a tactic when dropping paratroops which probably comes under the category of “Gamey Tactics”. When dropped, players have little control over the organization of the para unit. Parent units invariably split into 3 subunits and are usually disorganized. My solution is to divide the unit into 2 subunits before dropping. This way they do not/cannot subdivide on impact, always land in the designated LZ and are deployed as larger (2 versus 3) subunits. An added benefit is that should they land on an enemy unit and be eliminated, only the one subunit is lost, not the entire parent unit. If the player is concerned that enemy units are present, a small unit can be divided into 3 subunits and used as sacrificial recon units.

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[rhinobones]

T01 – Allies Part 2

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[rhinobones]

T01 – Allies Part 3

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[cathar1244]

Might as well remove these bridges in your modified version as they are ahistorical for the scenario.

I appreciate that many players enjoy scenarios which are historically accurate. But for myself, I enjoy scenarios which offer alternatives, strategic challenges and replay value. I see history as a framework, not my #1 priority.

What TOAW could use, in addition to bridges, are ferry units. Ferry units would work on major rivers for both sides with capacity governed by events.

Regards, RhinoBones

Yeah, but the historical inaccuracy of this one is more than just a minor thing. The bridge adjacent to Xanten wasn't there in 1944, and still isn't today! So I guess that explains why the Allies didn't opt for a flanking move like that.

There is also a town with a Rhine River hex not far from Arnhem that is coded as minor river. Not sure if that was intentional or an oversight.

Scenario could use some cleaning up IMO but each to his own.

ETA-- It is possible the bridges and "minor Rhine" hex were added to make Elmer look somewhat smart. Some of the German formations are coded to cross the Rhine at the minor river hex.

Am also curious about German supply in the scenario. I didn't see any rail lines on the map.

Cheers

[rhinobones]

T01 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 371, Loss Penalty 21, Victory Level 310

German forces appear to be caught off guard. Except in the area around the bridge and depot at Rees, most formations are in garrison status and unable to respond.

During the movement phase Allied air power conducted a large number of interdiction attacks. At this moment German aircraft have not yet deployed.

82nd Airborne.
On the South side of Rees, the 101st Training Battalion supported by the unit in Rees, is able to make multiple attacks on the 82nd Airborne which drives a glider unit away from the bridge. Advances after the attacks results in Rees and the local supply depot being undefended. Additional AT and AA units are in the area but have orders to remain static and take a defensive posture.

101st Airborne.
Defenders have limited knowledge that the 101st has landed, therefore there is no immediate movement to assault their landing zone.

1st AB Red Devils.
The 107th Pz Rgt is stationed along the Maas River defending the area where the 1st AB has landed. Panzer and grenadier battalions are able to make the first tentative attacks on the Brits. Net casualties are light as the 107th Pz does not press the attack.

XII Corps.
Kampfgruppe Chill, divisions 719th and 346th are stationed along the Albert Canal where they are rudely awoken by XII Corps. Several regiments are pushed back by the assault but there is no breakthrough.

XXX Corps.
Kampfgruppes Walter and Erdman receive the first hits issued by XXX Corps. Instead of attacking directly into the German line the Brits seem to be concentrated on the eastern side, possibly making a flanking movement. The Germans mostly hold but take heavy casualties in some of the Fallschirmjäger units.

VIII Corps.
The 176th ID is approached by elements of VIII Corps. There are no assaults, but it is obvious that an attack is imminent. The 176th digs in and waits.

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[rhinobones]

T02 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 82, Loss Penalty 15, Victory Level -233

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82nd Airborne.
Bad weather reduces airlift capacity to 75 which limits reinforcements to a single AT unit.
German units which evacuated/advanced out of Rees destroyed the bridge over the Rhine River. The airborne troops are now prevented from entering Rees and occupying the supply depot.
South of Rees the 82nd attacks, seriously damages the German 101st Training Bn and the accompanying AA unit.

101st Airborne.
Bad weather has delayed insertion of the remaining regiment. Fortunately, the enemy has not made any aggressive moves toward the 101st which allows the division to complete its reorganization. When the division is combat ready they will advance North to contact the 82nd.

1st AB Red Devils.
The Devils hold the northern Maas River crossing and are moving a regiment South to link up with XXX Corps. Most of the rest are still reorganizing or fending off attacks from the 107th Pz.
Only the artillery Bn and HQ remain to be dropped.

XII Corps.
Engagements on this front are few as the enemy appears to be falling back to more defensible positions.

XXX Corps.
The main show is XXX Corps breaking through Kampfgruppe Erdman and moving North toward the airborne corridor. The Corps engages in a series of major assaults where total casualties favor the defenders, however, the total mass of XXX Corps is more than the defenders can hold back. German Fallschirmjäger put up a very good fight.

VIII Corps.
Corps units attack, surround and overwhelm elements of the German 176th division. There does not appear to be much resistance to their march up the Maas River.

Air Force
One bridge is targeted and ground support missions conducted before most squadrons are switched to interdiction.

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[rhinobones]

T02 – Allies Part 2

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[rhinobones]

T02 – Allies Part 3

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[rhinobones]

T02 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 333, Loss Penalty 25, Victory Level 235

There were few Allied interdiction attacks as most Allied air units rested after bridge attacks.
German artillery conducted 11 bombardments which, unless otherwise noted, inflicted minimal casualties.

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82nd Airborne.
A Battalions from 10th SS Panzer, 21st Panzer Grenadiers and mechanized Kampfgruppe Knaust combine to assault the 508th Regiment. The 508th is still reorganizing its divided subunits but with the help of an anti-tank company is able to hold the position. In the exchange the 508th takes the heaviest casualties.

101st Airborne.
Some infantry units are moved into fortified positions between the 82nd and 101st but there are no assaults conducted.

1st AB Red Devils.
The 107th Pz battalion continues to pick at the British heavy weapons company but shows no urgency in destroying the enemy. Lack of supply may be a problem which limits the panzer combat strength.

XII Corps.
The 719th division holds part of the front blocking XII Corps. Most of the division seems to be pulling back while the 743rd engages a XII Corps support battalion. The Brit battalion is at full strength and easily repels the German attacks.

XXX Corps.
The Erdman and Walter Kampfgruppes leave a few units as rear guards while the remainder appear to withdraw toward Eindhoven. There are a few artillery strikes but otherwise engagements are avoided.

VIII Corps.
Little of the 176th division is left to oppose VIII Corps. A lone battalion sets up a blocking position to keep the Brits from taking the supply dump at Roermond.

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T02 German Attacks 8_14

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T02 German Attack 15

[rhinobones]

T03 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 92, Loss Penalty 15, Victory Level -220

Poor weather keeps air transports grounded. Only 75 transport units are available.
This turn ended early due to a Failed Proficiency check.

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82nd Airborne.
The division is split in half by the Rhine. Germans were able to blow the Rees bridge which leaves the units on the North bank without supply. Worse yet, units from the 10th SS Panzer Division are beginning to show up on both sides of the river. The division has completed reorganization and is able to entrench. To conserve supply the division refrains from attacking and concentrates on the defense.

101st Airborne.
The division is still missing the 501st Rgt, some glider Bns and the artillery. The units that have landed set up a perimeter and push the 506th Rgt North toward the 82nd. Doesn’t take long before they bump into the German 180th Depot Division.

1st AB Red Devils.
Contact is made with the lead elements of XXX Corps with VIII Corps not far behind. With their primary mission accomplished the division can now concentrate on eliminating the German 107th attacking from the Maas River and blocking any German incursion coming from the West flank. The 107th hasn’t attacked in a coordinated manor and is expected to be destroyed in stages.

XII Corps.
The Corps has established flank protection in the area of the Albert Canal. The most resistance is being made by the 858th and 359th regiments of the German 346th division. The defenders who were deployed further South appear to have withdrawn to the North.

XXX Corps.
Recon battalions from the 5th and 32nd Guards push North and begin to pass through the 1st AB. The bulk of XXX Corps is engaged with Kampfgruppes Walter and Erdman who are sustaining heavy casualties. The Corps’ path around their right flank is now open to exploitation.

VIII Corps.
The Corps is making quick work of the German 176th division and is on the verge of occupying the supply depot at Roermond. Link up with the 1st AB should happen next turn where they will support destruction of the German 107th.

Air Force
Except for escorts all tactical aircraft conducted bridge attacks. After the turn ended early due to a Failed Proficiency check all aircraft remained on bridge attack. Commanders were unable to issue interdiction orders.

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[rhinobones]

T03 - Allies Part 2

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