SaS TrooP: 3 Royal Tank Regiment 1940-45

[wulfir]

I have an idea I would like to try out.

It involves a bit more involvement than just playing the scenarios.

First I need you to outline the defences of Calais, even for the units that will not be part of your core force.

Use the map below as a reference. The deployment must not be in great detail but I need to know where you want the units listed below to defend, attack etc. You can place them all in Calais, make a perimiter outside the town, or combine. If you wish you can atempt a counterattack on the Germans.

You will play the engagements that involve the 3RTR as part of a campaign, and other battles where neccessary as scenarios.

The game will take its basis from history, the units detailed below are roughly accurate, but there is plenty of wiggle room for you to change history. The defence of Calais lasted a few days. Maybe you can do it better?



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It is May 22, 1940.

You have been sent to France as the commander of the 3 Royal Tank Regiment, a tank battalion attached to the 30 Motor Brigade and assigned to the defence of the French port town of Calais.

Things are very confused. The German attack has unhinged the allied forces on the western front, and nothing seems to be able to stop the attackers. Their Panzers have already reached the coast near Abbeville.

At first the idea had been to use the forces in Calais in an offensive against the advancing Germans but with German forces rapidly closing in on the town the first priority must be to establish a defence.

Unfortunately, both the first commander of British forces in the Calais area, Colonel Holland, and the commander of 30 Brigade, Brigadier Niclolson, are dead. Killed in a Luftwaffe air raid.

You have been given seniority over the infantry officers of the brigade, unconventional, but things are confused and there is little time.

You are responsible for the organisation of the defence of Calais until a replacement for the brigadier can be found.

These are the forces under you must direct, in addition to your own 3RTR:

HQ 30 Brigade

1st Bn, Queen Victoria's Rifles – an infantry motorcycle Bn without any transport but with 3in Mortar platoon.

2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps – (infantry) Motor Bn, 4 Companies – with transport but no anti-tank guns, no 3in Mortars.

1st Bn, The Rifle Brigade – (infantry) Motor Bn, 4 Companies – with transport but no anti-tank guns, no 3in Mortars.

3rd Royal Tank Regiment – (armour) HQ with scout platoon (Daimler Dingos), 2 cruiser tank squadrons (A-9s), one light tank squadron (MkIV light tanks).

229th Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery – (12 anti-tank guns, with motor transport)

6th Battery, 2nd Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery – (40mm)
21st Battery, 2nd Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery – (40mm)

172nd Battery, 58th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery – (20mm)
173rd Battery, 58th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery – (20mm)

1st Battery, 1st Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (limited use as reserve infantry)
2nd Battery, 1st Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (limited use as reserve infantry)

Rifle Platoon, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (independent rifle plt)

Battalion Lembertye, French Army (2 Rifle Companies, 1 half strength rifle company, 1 Heavy Company with MGs and two 75mm guns).

5th Battery, 115th Artillery Regiment, French Army (155mm, hore drawn)

Fort Vert, French Navy Costal Artillery
Fort Lapin, French Navy Coastal Artillery
Fort Nieulay, French Navy Coastal Artillery



Use this map to base your defence plan. Draw or describe the deployment of the various units availiable for the defence of Calais.

The German attack can come from any direction except the sea.