Unlucky Thirteenth

For four long days, the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers had held the line of the Canal de la Bassee. So tenacious was their stand that Generalmajor Rommel visited the scene to see for himself what was holding up 7th Panzer Division. Detached from C Company to cover …

1940-05-25

J068

For four long days, the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers had held the line of the Canal de la Bassee. So tenacious was their stand that Generalmajor Rommel visited the scene to see for himself what was holding up 7th Panzer Division. Detached from C Company to cover the battalion’s extreme right flank, 13 Platoon held the isolated village of Avalette, supported by a single gun of 25th Infantry Brigade’s own Anti-Tank Company. In the afternoon of the 25th, the expected relief of 13 Platoon by French troops materialized as a retreating French tank, which could only limp no further than the lip of a demolished canal bridge.

Avalette, France

The Siege of Lille, or Lille pocket, (28–31 May 1940) took place during the Battle of France in the Second World War. The siege around the city of Lille took place between the French IV Corps and V Corps (about 40,000 men) of the First Army (General René Prioux) and four German infantry divisions supported by three panzer divisions. The III Corps of the First Army had managed to retreat to the Lys river with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) divisions nearby. The two surrounded French corps resisted German attacks until forced to surrender at midnight on 31 May/1 June. The defence of the Lille Pocket enabled more Allied troops to retreat into the Dunkirk perimeter and take part in the Battle of Dunkirk.

German

British / French

Scenario Type = Standard