Another 48 Hours in May

Introduction

This campaign is set in Northern France in late May 1940. Following the German breakthrough at Sedan the Panzer divisions have rushed westwards through France and striking north for the coast have trapped the British Expeditionary Force and French 1^st Army.

The counter-attack at Arras has failed to break through the German lines and the Allies are retreating towards the coast.

The Allied commanders have deployed some of their troops to act as blocking positions holding the Germans back as long as possible to allow their comrades to pull back to more defensible positions.

Campaign structure

The campaign will be played using the “At the Sharp End” supplement for Chain of Command.

It will consist of 7 Campaign turns and take the form of a half ladder campaign. The Germans have the strategic initiative and are the attackers. The Allies task is to delay the Germans for as long as possible. If the Allies can hold out for 7 turns they can claim victory.

The German attackers start with a company of 3 rifle platoons based on the German 1940 list.

The Allies have 2 Platoons of French infantry and 1 platoon of BEF chosen from the 1940 lists.

German Objective – Capture the road and rail bridges over the Canal de Neuf Fosse at Arques and les Fontinettes and secure the road from Arques to Cassel.

Start line - on the road between la Garenne and la Croix.

Allied Objective - Delay the German advance for 48 hours.

Starting positions – Outposts at Arques and Ophove, HQ at la Payellette

Scenarios

1.      The Probe – locate Allied defensive positions.

2.      Delaying Action – Allies attempt to delay build up of German attack.

3.      Attack and Defend – Capture bridges over canal.

4.      Attack on an Objective/ Flank Attack – German attack on la Payellette ridge.

The first 3 scenarios will be played on a 1v1 basis, but the final scenario will involve all remaining troops as a multi-player game using the Big CoC rules.

German Players –    Allan Ronald, 1^st Platoon and Coy CO

                                  Kenny Thomson, 2^nd Platoon

                                  Dave Knight, 3^rd Platoon

Allied Players -         Barry Crawford, French 1^st Platoon and French CO

                                  Chuck Aitken, French 2^nd Platoon

                                  Andy Wilson, BEF Platoon and British CO.

Timing – Campaign will start in May and scenario 1 should be completed that month. Aim will be to play at least one scenario each month thereafter.

Players are asked to report on the outcome of each game and the current state of their platoon to their CO and the Adjutant (John Ewing) after each game.

Wounded men will not return to their platoon unless results are submitted on time!!