[blitzkreig]

I've recently been reading an interesting book - "Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man" - which highlighted some points regarding the UK OOB07 in 1939-1940 during the battle of France.

Chuckforth asked if there was any evidence that formation 330 (Mech Patrol) existed. The book includes several often amazing accounts on the activiites of British carriers in the Battle of France. One Lt Furness of the Welsh Guards won a VC in a carrier action in the retreat from Arras(Chp 14, p183-187). Lt Furness led 4 carriers and a light tank against several German MG postions which were covering the main escape route for the bn's soft skinned vehicles. Lt Furness' charge led to several MG postions being silenceced in order to allow the MT convoy to escape. The carrieres came under heavy small arms, MG & anti-tank fire but surprised the enemy by charging straight into their postions. The fighting was so fierce that Lt Furness was seen leaning out of his carreri fighting hand to hand with a German soldier who he eventually managed to dispatch with his revoler.

"of the ten men whose carriers took on the Germans four were killed, five wounded or taken prisernor"

Never the less his attack bought enough time for the convoy to escape.

Gameplay points:

1. The book indicates each (Lorried) Infantry Bn seems to have had a single carrier plt used for recon and many other tasks. They were armed with a mixture of Bren LMG, Rifles, grenades and anti-tank rifles with a dismounted capability that fits with Formation 330 (Uk Mech Patrol).

2. Not sure about the accuracy of the Mech Patrol dismounts weapons though. There wasn't a single refence to British use of issued SMGs. The Sten MK 1 didn't come into service until 1941 according to Jane's Gun Recognition Guide and I've never heard of a Lanchester SMG.


Sources:

Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man by H. Sebag-Montefire published by Peguin ISBN -13:978-0-670-91082-3
ISBN-10: 0-670-91082-1

Jane's Gun Recognition Guide by I. Hogg (2nd ed), published by Harper Collins ISBN 0 00 472453 4