Rapid Fire 20mm Nijmegan Bridge and Groesbeek Heights

We decided to do a large game at the club last Sunday with six of us playing. It was decided to base it on the new Rapid Fire Market Garden guide and use RFR as a rules set.

As anyone with any knowledge of Market Garden or the movie A Brdge Too Far will know, there is one iconic action that we wargamers want to replay when thinking of Nijmegan - the storm boat assault over the river Waal.  As I was the only one with a set of the old Brittania (now Grubby) boats and US Para crews, I was tasked with being the 82nd Airborne in Nijmegan while John was the Guards Armoured Battlegroup assaulting Nijmegan and supporting my US Paras and Grant was the 82nd Airborne holding the Groesbeek Heights from the Germans advancing out of Germany.  The Germans were played by Warwick, Terry and Bob.

By the time we had set up the table and forces, the game got underway about 10am.  With a good hour for lunch and a few beers at the local pub, we were finished by 3.30pm.  A few photos below - which do focus on my sector as I took them :)    

The river crossing in the forground.
Nijmegan, rail and road bridges through
to the villages at the foot of Groesbeek Heights

A few of my Dutch resin railway buildings 

2/505 advancing to cover the crossing site

75mm pack howitzers providing supporting fire

The arrival of the boats (pontoon trucks standing in) is on 
a randon roll - we rolled well. 

3/504 advancing to meet the boats - no waiting
in this movie

First wave is launched

and targeted by the German artillery and MG fire

One of 4 boats reach the far shore - but they disembark and
take out a dug in German MMG and pass morale

The rail bridge is rushed by elements of the 2nd Household
Cavalry and Stuarts of the Grenadier Guards

... which are targeted by an 88mm

A US Engineer Coy follow over the bridge while the second
wave (2/505) are launched

Gane is up for the Germans as the boats start disembarking
an untouched battalion and the Engineers cross the bridge with 
few casualties

More photos of the game

LZ / DZ through Oosterbeek to Arnhem and the Bridge

The goal

German counter attack - well placed dice!!

1st A/L Bgde approaching the outskirts of Arnhem

Brigade HQ

Paras forming up for an assault

All of these photos were taken by Greg Blake.

British Airborne Supply Dump

The British felt secure in Oosterbeek after they dispatched all of the defenders in record tim. So they established their main RASC location in the park opposite the Hartenstein.

The Prize - Arnhem Bridge

Just a few photos of the "prize" - the Bridge over the River Rhine at Arnhem

The Bridge over the rooftops of a damaged Arnhem

The "Prize"

Last photo courtesy of Greg Blake who took some great shots of the game - I will share some more in coming days.

30 Corp and air support

The inital advance by 30 Corp was progressing well until the head of the column met resistance and lost a few vehicles.

Black smoke at the head of the column means trouble

So some support is called up ....

Almost a gun camera

and the resistance is silenced - well at least that particular threat.  There were many more to come.

The idea was copied by me from a similar setup at  the wonderful Market Garden game played in the US a few years ago.

March of the Airborne Recce Sqdn

Very tired so just a few selected snippets of the game we spent the weekend playing - a large Market Garden game on fantastic terrain with great company.  There are more pitcure to come over the following days.

Thought I would focus first on my beloved 1st Airborne Reconnaisance Squadron.

Forming up on the LZ

Moving out through Wolfheze



On their way to an appointment

Appointment kept - but the Germans only got one man - no jeeps

Approaching the northern suburbs of Arnhem

Cautious advance

Which way now?

Proof we did get to the bridge - and they did some damage too!