O Group. An Introductory Game - Counter Attack at Grainville

Our game for August 2023 is my take on a scenario from the 1944 Battle for Normandy scenario book by David Brown. 

https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product/1944-normandy/

Along with a couple of other scenario books by David Brown these were designed specifically for O Group.

This counter-attack was typical of the Germans at this period, attack piecemeal, instead of building up

their forces and attacking with a larger force. Battalion forces instead of brigade or division or even larger. Thank goodness for Hitler's orders I say.

This game was played by three people who had limited experience of O-Group. One had never played and two had played twice. Unfortunately, our fourth was ill so couldn’t play so I stepped in. Our game started with the British deploying and noting their ambush units and the German forces deploying behind their start lines. From the first move the Germans pushed forward mainly on the left and into the church. The British also moved towards the church and there ensued a firefight. The British were pushed back and the church was occupied.

The next move the British managed to use one of their artillery missions. This was a Divisional Mission

and Heavy artillery hit the church. As the Church and Yard was a three section BUA the mission hit all three units. Two were forced to move out or risk losing sections. The 3rd only had one suppression so could afford to take the extra suppression to stay in place.

The Germans next deployed a platoon of Panzer IV’s on the right and engaged British infantry with HE.

These in turn were engaged by a Churchill 75mm and knock out on of the PzIV’s.

The Germans next deployed a platoon on Panthers on the left and advanced and engaged British infantry with HE supported by two platoons of infantry. The Panthers moved ahead of the infantry and triggered an ambush. A 17pdr tried to fire at the Panthers. Now, despite it being close range which gives a +1, a double 1 throw is always going to be a miss.

The Panthers withdrew a long way with their infantry support. The Germans next used one of their artillery missions which was particularly effective suppressing two units. These suppressed were then close assaulted by German infantry. The results were that the British went from not having 1 FUBAR into being into their third. The Germans just required three more sections to inflict a defeat on the British.

The Germans, meanwhile, were not having it all their own way and were into their second FUBAR.

After one final push on the Germans inflict the final casualties for the third Fubar and win the game.

I hope that the game played will encourage others to take up the rule set. I have had many games with

a group of friends having just finished the Barbarossa to Citadel scenario book. 

Our consensus was that these books gave a balanced game with both sides in the game all the time. We are moving on to the other two scenario books. As in all rules I don’t always agree with everything in them, but I do like these a lot. I also like many other sets of David Brown's rules. His scenarios always give a balanced and enjoyable game.

I would like to thank the relative newbie Brits, Mark and John and the never played before German Rob, I just did as I was told.

The terrain cloth is from Tiny Wargames. The figures and vehicles came from all over the place, and I can’t remember where now. Building by Hovels and a company which is no longer in being. Trees mainly from Buffers of Axminster and the walls and hedges from eBay. Roads by Fat Frank. The BUA’s I made from bits and bobs I had lying around. I made them generic so they can be used for other eras.