← Previous Item

The Crucible of Fire

Next Item →

http://wargame-scenarios.com/images/combatcbp5.jpg
http://wargame-scenarios.com/images/combatclogo.jpg

Title
The Crucible of Fire
Description
Despite Armee Group A's, rapid advance toward the English Channel, the BEF and Belgian Army had effectively conducted tactical withdrawals utilizing terrain and space to slow the advance of Army Group B's 31st lnfantry Division. One such defensive line was …
Publisher
Date
1940-05-21
Scenario#
77
Scenario Description
Despite Armee Group A's, rapid advance toward the English Channel, the BEF and Belgian Army had effectively conducted tactical withdrawals utilizing terrain and space to slow the advance of Army Group B's 31st lnfantry Division. One such defensive line was the Escaut River line. Fedor von Bock, the Army Group's commander, chose the junction of the British and Belgian Armies as the ideal spot to break the Escaut River line. This key point near the Belgian city of Audenarde was defended by the British 44th lnfantry Division. The Germans launched their assault on 20 May where the deepest penetration of the British lines was at the village of Petegem. There a vicious back and forth battle occurred between the units of the 44th's 132nd Bde and the German 31st lnfantry Division.
Location
Petegem, Belgium
Battle Narrative
The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was the name of the British Army in Western Europe during the Second World War from 2 September 1939 when the BEF GHQ was formed until 31 May 1940, when GHQ closed down. Military forces in Britain were under Home Forces command. During the 1930s, the British government planned to deter war by rearming from the very low level of readiness of the early 30s and abolished the Ten Year Rule. The bulk of the extra money went to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force but plans were made to re-equip a small number of Army and Territorial Army divisions for service overseas.
Narrative Source
Combatants
German
British

Geolocation