Breaking the Panzers

By 30 June, the British Operation EPSOM reached its conclusion as something of a draw. The British attack created a salient which pushed into German-held territory as far south as Gavrus and Hill 112. In preparation for the inevitable German counterattack, the British pulled in their perimeter, including …

1944-07-01

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By 30 June, the British Operation EPSOM reached its conclusion as something of a draw. The British attack created a salient which pushed into German-held territory as far south as Gavrus and Hill 112. In preparation for the inevitable German counterattack, the British pulled in their perimeter, including the western shoulder of the salient near the village of Rauray. The 1st Tyneside Scottish Battalion, mauled after two weeks of continuous contact with the Germans, dug in at this point in the line and wearily awaited any attack aimed at cutting off the salient. Just after midnight on 1 July, the British began to hear the sounds of armor moving near Bretteville. By 0700, a defensive screen (comprised of B Company and the Anti-Tank Platoon) was engaged by tanks and infantry from Kampfgruppe Weidinger intent on breaking through to reach Rauray.

Rauray, France

Operation Epsom, also known as the First Battle of the Odon, was a British offensive in the Second World War between 26 and 30 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. The offensive was intended to outflank and seize the German-occupied city of Caen, an important Allied objective, in the early stages of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of north-west Europe. Preceded by Operation Martlet to secure the right flank of the advance, Operation Epsom began early on 26 June, with units of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division advancing behind a rolling artillery barrage. Air cover was sporadic for much of the operation, because poor weather in England forced the last-minute cancellation of bomber support. Accompanied by the 3ist Tank Brigade, the 15th (Scottish) Division made steady progress and by the end of the first day had overrun much of the German outpost line, although some difficulties remained in securing the flanks. In mutually-costly fighting over the following two days, a foothold was secured across the River Odon and efforts were made to expand this, by capturing tactically valuable points around the salient and moving up the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division. By 30 June, after German counter-attacks, some of the British forces across the river were withdrawn and the captured ground consolidated, bringing the operation to a close.

German

British

Scenario Type = Starter Kit