51st Highland Division in France

We of the Highland Division must not rest till we have freed our kith and kin of the St. Valry Highland Division
and avenged their misfortune to the full. ~ Major-General T. G. Rennie, commander 51st Highland Division.
The 51st Highland Division first made a name for itself as a
high quality formation during the First World War. They were
formed in 1908 as a Territorial division after the Haldane
reforms of the British Army. It was during the First World
War that they adopted their HD unit symbol that they
were to leave so famously painted on the roads of Normandy
in 1944.
In 1939 they we once more mobilised for war, now made up
of a mix of Regular and Territorial soldiers, they were again
sent to France. During the 1940 campaign they fought under
French command (10th Army), fighting a number rear guard
actions against the German advance. They were finally cut
off and surrounded at Saint-Valry-en-Caux. However, the
154th Brigade had been detached and withdrawn earlier and
only the 152nd and 153rd Brigades were captured when the
Division was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.
The 51st Highland Division was reconstructed in Britain from
the surviving 154 Brigade and the 9th (Highland) Division,
a second line Territorial copy of the 51st Division. The new
division underwent intense training during 1941-42 and in
June 1942 was once more sent to the front, this time taking
part in the North African campaign.
They gained a reputation for good organisation, morale,
fighting prowess and staff work, which was especially appreciated by Montgomery. They fought alongside the Australians
and New Zealanders during Operation Lightfoot and
were instrumental in clearing minefields during Operation
Supercharge. After the Battle of El Alamein they took part
in the ragged pursuit of the Afrika Korps across North Africa
to Tunisia. In Tunisia they took part in the assault on the
Afrika Korps positions at Wadi Akarit. They also took part in
the battles for Mareth and Medenine. Next they were part of
the 30th Corps during the Sicily invasion, finally returning to
Britain after the conquest of the island.

Normandy
Once again they underwent intense training in preparation
for the invasion of Normandy. There was also a change the
command of the Division just before Sicily, Major-General
Douglas Neil Wimberley, who had lead them through their
campaigns in North Africa, was replaced by Major-General
C. Bullen-Smith.
The Division began to land in Normandy on 6 June with the
153 Brigade under Lt.-Col. Chick Thomson. They landed
after the leading divisions had taken Juno and Sword beaches.
Initially Thomson offered the support of his brigade to the
3rd Canadian Division, but their commander assured him
that all was under control.
The following morning the 51st Divisions commander Maj.Gen. Bullen-Smith sent a battalion towards the Radar Station
at Douvres under Corps orders. The 5th Black Watch, with
two Churchill AVRE tanks attached, advanced on the wood
to the east of Douvres. Unfortunately the wood was occupied
by Canadians, who were mistaken by the Scots for Germans
and fired on. The mistake was quickly realised and the Scots
pushed beyond the wood towards the Radar Station across

some open fields.

The Station was covered by a 7.5 or 8.8cm gun from the
village of Douvres. The gun opened fire as the battalion
advanced from the wood and took out both of the Royal
Engineers Churchill AVRE tanks. The Scots become pinned
down before the open ground and Thomson requested additional troops. Instead the attack was called off and orders
were received to bypass the position while the Navy shelled
the Radar Station until resistance ceased. However, the
Radar Station wasnt eventually taken until it was stormed
by commandos.
153 Brigade was next directed towards Pegasus Bridge on
the Caen Canal, while the 5th Camerons (now landed and
attached to the 153 Brigade) stayed to cover the Radar
Station. 152 Brigade arrived 7 June. 5th Seaforth commander
Lt.-Col. Walford took command of the Brigade and they were
dispatched on 9 June to cross the Pegasus Bridge and lend
support to the 6th Airborne Division. They were supported by
4th Armoured Brigade. 154 Brigade didnt arrive at the beachhead until 10 June (D+4) and were immediately placed in the
Corps reserve where they remained until 13 June.
Once across the Orne 153 Brigade became embroiled in
heavy fighting for various villages. The 5th Black Watch, under
command of the 6th Airborne Division, headed to towards
Breville along the road from Ranville. They quickly ran into
stiff resistance along the road as German troops opened fire on
them from the ditches and adjacent fields. A Company was
practically wiped out. Hardest hit was the leading platoon,
which lost every man to the initial ambush. The battalion
retreated and took up positions in the Chateau de Breville
south of the village. The Germans launched a counter-attack
on the Chateau. They came at the highlanders frontally, but
the Black Watch held their ground and repelled the German
attack with heavy casualties.
The 5/7th Gordons pushed towards Touffreville and took
it without opposition but had to repel a counter-attack by
the Germans. The 1st Gordons pushed towards what would
later become the The Triangle and were yet to meet heavy
resistance.
In the meantime the 152 Brigade (less the 5th Seaforth
attached to the 153 Brigade) began operation Smock
to take the villages of St Honorine la Chardonnerette and
Demouville. The 5th Camerons were to take the former
and the 2nd Seaforth the latter. The Camerons concentrated
around Ranville and attacked on the morning of 13 June.
The Germans reacted quickly and dropped a heavy artillery
bombardment on the Scots start line causing the attack to be
delayed. They attacked was joined by an Armoured Platoon
(4th Armoured Brigade), three of the tank initially heading
west before joining the attack and the forth joined them for
the final assault. They took positions in and around the village,
but continued to by harried by heavily German artillery fire.
The Bombardment was followed by a German counterattack supported by Panzers. The Camerons anti-tank guns
were able to give a good account of themselves, Sergeant A.
Mackenzie taking out three Panzers from one column alone

with his 6 pdr. By 10.00 hours the pressure on the Camerons

positions had become too much and the order was given to
withdraw. However, the order did not reach C Company, and
they remained in position for some time before the order to
withdraw was received. The battalion retreated and reformed
on Longueval on the Orne River.

were under direct observation by the still German occupied

factory and they came under heavy artillery and mortar bombardment. Their right flank was also exposed to the enemy
fire. The highlanders still had the support of the 4th Armoured
Brigades Sherman tanks, but they were about meet some
devastating opponents.

Due to the failure of the attack on St. Honorine forced the 2nd
Seaforth Highlanders to call off their attack on Demouville.
They instead took up defensive positions on the high ground
north of St. Honorine. They were joined by the 5th Seaforth
battalion back from the 153 Brigade who were positioned
between the other two battalions.

At 06.30 three Tiger Ie (503. Schwere Panzerabteilung) and

two Panzer IV H tanks (21. Panzerdivision) emerged from
the southern end of the factory. Of the eleven Shermans
and Firefly tanks supporting the 5th Black Watch ten were
destroyed by the German panzers. The 5th Black Watch was
forced to withdraw without sufficient anti-tank support.
They too took heavy casualties withdrawing. By 09.30 the
withdrawal was completed, and the operations to clear the
factory has failed. The operation had taken a heavy toll on
153 Brigade, who withdrew back to Longueval.

On 22 June the attack by the Camerons on St. Honorine was

resumed. This time the Tanks were ready with the Scots at the
assembly point. The attack was launched before dawn and the
village was captured by sun-up. Mopping up continued until
10.00 hours, with the Camerons having to fight off several
determined counter-attacks. They held the village for the rest
of the day and were relieved during the night by detachments
of the 2nd Seaforth. They were in turn relieved by the 5th battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders.
The divisions third brigade (154 Brigade) was placed under
the command of the 6th Airborne Division and cross the Orne
and took up positions defending the bridges. They fought for
and held the Orne bridgehead from Longueval in the south
to Sallenelles in the north near the mouth of the Orne. The
bridgehead extended east of Herouvillette to The Triangle.
The Triangle was faced on two sides by German forces, while
one flank was left exposed until St. Honorine was taken
on 22 June. The men of the 154 Brigade striking east were
harried by continual artillery and mortar shelling by a wily
and unseen enemy. During this period the whole divisions
morale plummeted as the continuous bombardments and
slow progress took its toll. This was further impacted by the
divisions role as a reserve for other division, the brigades and
battalions often being split from the division to support and
relieve various other British and Canadian forces.
It came all to ahead at the village of Colombelles. The village,
about a mile east of Caen, was dominated by a large factory
with its large chimneys towering into the sky. The factory was
an ideal position for German observers, giving them a wide
view of the surrounding countryside. The 153 Brigade was
tasked with attacking the position at night. They were reinforced with the 7th Black Watch (154 Brigade). The plan called
for the 1st Gordons to take the village of Colombelles from
Longueval, the 5th Black Watch was to seize the crossroads at
the northeast corner of the factory and the 7th Black Watch
would pass through the 1st Gordons and take the Factory
area. Royal Engineers would then destroy the chimneys then
all troops would withdraw. It was estimated the operation
would take no more than a day.
The operation was launched on 11 July at 01.00 hours. The 1st
Gordons immediately ran into trouble taking the village. Two
companies penetrated the western corner of Colombelles,
but the other two companies were stalled by heavy artillery,
mortar and small arms fire. The 5th Black Watch took the
crossroads and took up positions in the houses around the
area. By 04.00 hours it was decided to withdraw the two
companies in the village and assemble the 1st Gordons for
another attempt to take the village at dawn. Unfortunately
the Germans detected the Gordons withdrawal. They put
up flares and withdrawing companies of the 1st Gordons
suffered severely. The 5th Black Watch were now isolated at
the crossroads, their only protection being the few building
they occupied as the ground proved too hard to dig-in. They

The division continued to contribute to the fighting to

expand the bridgehead. The 5th Seaforth (152 Brigade)
was positioned on the edge of The Triangle by 9 July.
The Triangle was shaped as it was named with the point
facing south, it was heavily wooded and the Germans held
southern and eastern edges with a mixture of regular troops
and auxiliary Osttruppen. With the opening of Operation
Goodwood (18 July) the 5th Seaforth were assigned the
role of taking The Triangle. Heavy bombing followed by
a heavy artillery barrage cleared the way and the highlanders took the troublesome area aided by Churchill Crocodile
flame-throwing tanks. Once taken the 2nd Seaforth and 5th
Camerons push through The Triangle down the Troarn
road. The 5th Camerons grimly held their new positions for
ten days under intense artillery fire before being relieved by
the 7th Black Watch. The 153 Brigade relieved the whole 152
Brigade shortly afterward.
The 51st Division also contributed to Operation Goodwood
by clearing mines for the armoured units of the 1st Corps to
advance. After Goodwood the divisions reputation had been
somewhat tarnished, they had not preformed up to their own
high expectations and had meet many set backs during their
fighting thus far. Fellow Infantry Divisions without the fine
reputation of the highlanders, like the 50th and 3rd Divisions,
had performed much better. In particular the 50th Division,
who had shared many of the 51st Divisions experiences in
North Africa and Sicily, had adapted to the challenges of the
bocage and close terrain more confidently than their northern
brothers. The high command had also noted the highlanders
struggles and changes in the command were made.

Operation Totalise
The 51st Divisions new commander was a familiar face,
Major-General T. G. Rennie. He had been with the Division
in France and been captured, before escaping and returning
to Britain to command a battalion then a brigade of the
reformed division. He was later appointed commander of
the 3rd Division who he had commanded from the D-Day
landings until he was wounded. Now mostly recovered,
though is arm was still in a sling, he arrived to take the
command of the division.
The 51st Highland Division was placed under the command
of the 2nd Canadian Corps for Operation Totalise. The Corps
had been tasked with breaking out of the Normandy bridgehead towards Falaise along the Caen-Falaise main road. The
Corps would advance in a two brigade front, with a Canadian
brigade on the right and the 51st Highland Divisions 154
Brigade on the left.

For the operation the 33rd Armoured Brigade was attached

to the division, which was to be the beginning of a long and
fruitful relationship between the two formations. The operation called for the 154 Brigade to drive straight through the
German lines and occupy the area around Cramesnil, St.
Aignan, and Garcelles-Secqueville. They would be followed
by the 152 and 153 Brigades to increase the salient and allow
two Armoured Divisions to fan out through their positions
and push on to Falaise. The 154 Brigade would advance in
two columns with the 7th Argylls and 144th RAC pushing
towards Cramesnil followed by the 7th Black Watch and the
148th RAC (to seize Garcelles-Secqueville). To their left the 1st
Black Watch and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry were to
head for St. Aignan. The terrain was mostly flat, but divided
by strips of woodland into fields with standing crops of corn
and wheat. The roads were sunken and lined by embankments
and poplar hedges. Small villages surrounded by orchards and
hedges regularly broke the terrain.
This operations was seen as chance for the division to redeem
itself, to restore its 8th Army reputation and to prove it worth
to the high command. Planning and preparations were made
with care and key parts of the operation were practiced in
mock attacks.
After intense preparations, including rousing messages from
Rennie and Montgomery summoning up the memories of
past glories, the operation kicked off on 7 August at 02.30
hours under the cover of darkness. The direction of the
advance was guided by Bofors gun fire on the flanks and
searchlights were reflected off the clouds to provide artificial
moonlight. Even green smoke from the artillery was dropped
on the objectives, nothing was left to chance.
Each column was lead by four tanks, or flail tanks when mines
needed to be cleared. Following behind were the Highlanders
mounted in Defrocked Priests nicknamed Kangaroos. These
were made by removing the gun from Priest self-propelled
artillery vehicles to make them into armoured personnel
carriers. These had been developed by the Canadians and
were attached to the division for the operation.
The 7th Argylls came under some fire during their advance
to the objective, but after some delay at the railway were
able to achieve their objectives by 04.00 hours. The 1st Black
Watch has some trouble with the sunken roads and embankments, but only came under fire from some self-propelled
guns, which knocked out two Kangaroos. Once they hit the
debus point, they dismounted, formed up and immediately
attacked their objective. The fighting was hard but they eventually took all their objectives and the battalion had dug-in
by 06.00 hours.
The 7th Black Watch also came under fire from a concealed
German anti-tank gun. They were able to reach their debus
point in time despite the delay. They were able to gain their
objectives after some heavy fighting, though the sun was
rising by the time they had take them. They then had to digin during the early morning light and were caught in several
mortar barrages.
It wasnt long before the Germans counter-attack came, and
it was the 1st Black Watch who bore the brunt of the attack.
The Germans were supported by artillery and mortar fire and
some US Airforce bombers that mistakenly drop bombs in the
highlanders area. The German attack was accompanied by a
number of Tiger and Panzer IV tanks. The 1st Black Watch
is supported by the Northamptonshire Yeomanry who ably
defend their infantry comrades from the German armour.
They knockout several Tiger and Panzers IV tanks. This action,

and excellent artillery support, brought the German offensive

to a halt. This allowed the 1st Polish Armoured Division to
pass though the positions to start the second phase of the operation. The Poles ran into stiff oppositions and so returned
to take up positions behind the 154 Brigade.
Following the 154 Brigade was the 152 Brigade whos task was
to mop up the broken through German front line. This didnt
prove as an easy task as first thought, rather they retreating
because of the forces behind them many German units stayed
to fight. The village of Tilly-la-Campagne prove a hard nut
to crack. Initially the 2nd Seaforth was sent to take it, but
after encountering stiff resistance they were reinforced with a
company from the 5th Seaforth. It wasnt until a unit of tanks
arrived from the 154 Brigade to the rear of the village that
the defenders were captured and the village taken. The 5th
Camerons advanced though wheat fields towards the village
of Lorquichon, which they captured with light casualties.
They then advanced through a wood to Poussy where they
dug-in.
The 153 Brigade provided the last mop-up force of the operation. On 8 August they advanced mounted in Kangaroos
to the Garcelles-Secqueville area where the dismounted and
attacked Sequeville-la-Campagne. The 1st Gordons successfully took the village capturing 92 prisoners. The 5/7th
Gordons attacked through the wood to the west Conteville,
while the 5th Black Watch occupied the village of Soliers. By 9
August all the divisions objectives had been taken. However
the woods around St. Sylvain were still occupied by Germans
and the 7th Argylls and 1st Black Watch were tasked with
clearing the area. They attacked at night after moving through
the positions of the 7th Black Watch in the village, where they
came under some machine-gun fire before they pushed into
the woods. The were hit with several counter-attacks which
they ably fought off. They came under further pressure when
the 1st Polish Armoured Division fail to fan out east and were
pushed back by German counter-attacks. The situation was
finally eased when the 7th Black Watch relieved the 7th Argylls
and the 5/7th Gordons were able to clear a ridge to the front
left of the woods.
In the following week the advance continued with the 1st
Gordons capturing Doux Marais and the chateau at St.
Marie-aux-Anglais. To their left fought the 5/7th battalion
through the St. Sylvain woods and they then combined with
the 5th Black Watch to successfully cross the River Dives. On
14 August the 5th Black Watch attacked La B-sur-Rouvres,
taking about 200 prisoners. During the fighting they were
aided by some Canadian infantry and tanks that had become
separated from their own division. They then moved on to
Percy then and St. Pierre before crossing the Dives to join the
154 Brigade bridgehead across the river. They moved north to
take up positions next to the 1st Gordons at Ecajeul.
On the night of 16-17 August the 1st Gordons attacked the
village of St. Maclou catching the defenders completely by
surprise taking the village and many prisoners. Because the
Germans hadnt evacuated the civilians of St. Maclou this was
the Highlanders first encounter since landing in Normandy
of a welcoming by the liberated French people.
On 18 August the 5/7th Gordons attacked Grandchamp on the
bank of the Vie River. They were joined by the 5th Black Watch
for the operation to cross the river and create a bridgehead on
the other side. The 5/7th Gordons would cross and allow the
destroyed bridge to be repaired which the 5th Black Watch
would then cross. The first part of the operation succeeds and
a bridgehead is formed. The bridge was repaired under fire to
a standard that allowed the 5th Black Watch to cross on foot

during the night. They made for the high ground. During
their advance their battalion HQ back behind the river was
hit by artillery, most of the command and signallers were
killed. Despite this the 5th Black Watch continued forward,
the first two companies pushing forward with the second two
companies following behind and crossing the repaired bridge
in trucks. The leading companies fought their way on to a
ridge on the horseshoe shape feature that was the objective
by first light. The horseshoes defence is established with the
arrival of 1st Gordons on the 5th Black Watchs left. German
counter-attacks we repulsed during the day.
Lisieux was taken on 33 August by 5/7th Gordons against
strong opposition. The fighting was intense with each street,
square and house contested by the Germans and much handto-hand fighting was seen by the Highlanders. The 5th Black
Watch relieved the 5/7th Gordons.
In the meantime the 1st Gordons took the village of La Forge
Valle on 21 August. By 23 August they had entered Lisieux
where they were ordered to pass through and take the high
ground beyond the town. They then moved to the southeast.
The 152 Brigade advanced on Lisienx from 14 August. The
5th Seaforth meet resistance at Favires. After a struggle they
took the positions a 21.00 hours on 15 August. They were
finally able to continue their advance on to St. Pierre-surDives the following day, which had already been taken by
the 5th Camerons. The Brigade moved towards the River
Vie. They came under attack by Allied aircraft during their
advance. The 5th Seaforth crossed the river at St. Julien-leFauon, and after much fighting against determined German
resistance they reached Lisieux on 22 August. The 5th
Camerons advanced from St. Pierre-sur-Dives to the crossing
at St. Julien-le-Fauon where they were supported by the East
Riding Yeomanry. They crossed the Vie on 20 August and
attacked south towards the main Lisieux road. By nightfall
they were digging in around St. Fressard-le-Chre. The next
day they moved to St. Pierre-des-Ifs southwest of Lisieux
where they stopped until 26 August. The 152 Brigades third
battalion, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders (also known at the 78th),

advanced on the 5th Camerons left and by 28 August were

positioned on some high ground overlooking Lisieux.
The 154 Brigade advanced from La B-sur-Rouvres, one battalion leading on foot with the other two following behind in
transport. The 7th Black Watch led up to St. Pierre-sur-Dives
and once across the river attacked the high ground at Le Godet
supported by the 1st Squadron Northamptonshire Yeomanry.
The initial attack in daylight was repelled with the loss of
ten tanks. A night attack by the infantry was also fought off.
The 7th Black Watch finally succeeded the following morning,
though not without high casualties to the Scots. It was now
the 7th Argylls turn to lead the advance and they pushed
through the 7th Black Watchs positions and continued on.
Their objective was the crossroads a mile short of St. Julien.
As they approached they came under mortar fire, which burst
among the trees causing several casualties. They pushed on
and finally reach their objective, but only after having to cross
open ground and taking more casualties. The were relieved
by the 1st Black Watch whos target was St. Julien itself. They
took the village against light resistance and remained there
until 21 August when the lead of the advance once more fell
to the 7th Black Watch. The 7th Black Watch advanced beyond
the La Corne crossroads without casualties.
Some mopping up operations we conducted around Lisieux
until 23 August, but the taking of the town brought to an
end a long period of continuous fighting by the 51st Highland
Division. They had fought for 17 days non-stop against a
determined enemy during which the division had taken over
1600 prisoners.

After Totalise
The division was still attached to the Canadian Corps during
operations to take Le Harve and capture St. Valry-en-Caux
(site of the divisions surrender in 1940). They were next
involved in the Ardennes offensive in December 1944 to
January 1944. They also took part in the Reichwald fighting
in January and the Rhine Crossing in March.

51st Highland Division Special Rules

Special rules

Bagpipes

A Rifle Company of the 51st Highland Division follow the

British special rules on pages 171 to 175 of the main rulebook
with the following additions.

Some think the bagpipes are a terror weapon, designed to

break the enemys morale, but the Scots find them inspiring.

Cautious not Stupid

While 51st Highland Division troops are reluctant that does
not mean that they are not brave. They have simply been
around the block a few times and the know war is going to
continue for a while yet. If the rounds are flying heavy and
fast, it may be better to pull back and fight again tomorrow.
However, once the rounds stop then its time to advance
again.
If a platoon from the 51st Highland Division was not hit in
the previous enemy Shooting Step, it may re-roll any failed
attempts to rally Pinned Down platoons or Remount Bailed
Out vehicles.

If the 2iC Command team is Destroyed by enemy shooting, rol

a die. On a roll of 4+, the pipers music inspires the surviving
team members to keep going and the team is returned to play
immediately. On any other roll, the piper and his officer meet
a heroic end.
Any hits on the 2iC Command team do not count towards
Pinning Down the platoon.

Rifle Company
Infantry Company
A force based around a Rifle Company must contain:
1 Company HQ, and
2 or 3 Rifle Platoons.
Weapons Platoons available to a Rifle Company can be:
0 to 1 Mortar Platoon,
0 to 1 additional Rifle Platoon,
0 to 4 Carrier Patrols,
0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon, and
0 to 1 Pioneer Platoon.
Support Platoons available to a Rifle Company can be:
0 to 2 Machine-gun Platoons,
0 to 1 Heavy Mortar Platoon,
0 to 2 Transport Sections,
0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery,

0 to 1 Armoured Platoon or Tank Platoon,

0 to 1 Recce Platoon,
0 to 1 Field Platoon, Royal Engineers,
0 to 2 Field Batteries. Royal Artillery, and
0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon.
You may field up to two Support Platoon attached to your
company for each Rifle Platoon that your are fielding.

Motivation and Skill

The Highlanders are highly experienced troops having
fought in France, Egypt, Libya, Tunisa and Sicily. However,
the fighting in Normandy is vastly different. They take a
cautious approach to their fighting in the close in terrain
of the bocage. A 51st Highland Division Rifle Company is
rated Reluctant Veteran.

Air Support
Aircraft
Typhoon

Priority Air Support

220 points

Limited Airsupport
170 points

Headquarters
1 Company HQ
Headquarters
Company HQ

35 points

Options
Add Jeep or Troop Carrier for +5 points.
As the commander of a company of Highlanders you have at
your command a group of fine young laddies that have always
been considered among Britains elite.
Rifle companies are not glamourous. Their job is unpleasant
and deadly, but the riflemen can be counted on to do their
job, and do it well, no matter how much they complain about
their lot.
Like their comrades from south of the border the Highlanders
can call on all manner of supporting arms, from machineguns and mortars to artillery and tanks.

Combat Platoons
2 or 3 Rifle Platoons
Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Rifle Squads
2 Rifle Squads

135 points
100 points

Many of Highlander are veterans of the desert and Sicily and

after many successful campaigns now apply their experience
to the next great battle against the Germans. However, the
fighting in Normandy will be a whole new kettle of fish and
the some care must be taken at first.
One new trick is the PIAT anti-tank projector that has replaced
the old Boys anti-tank rifle. This gives the highland riflemen a
little more anti-tank punch to keep the Bosch Panzers at bay.

Weapons Platoons
0 to 1 Mortar Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Mortar Sections
2 Mortar Sections
1 Mortar Section

175 points
120 points
65 points

Option
Add PIAT teams for +15 points per team.
Add Troop and Mortar Carriers to the platoon at no
cost.
The new ML 3 Mark II mortar is a big improvement over
the old Mark I used in the desert. Its increased range allows
it to match the German weapons and cover a greater area.
Added to the new mortar carriers, the mortar platoons are
set to give the infantry immediate support, wherever and
whenever needed.

0 to 1 Rifle Platoon
The British Army recognised the importance of strong rifle companies and kept their infantry up to strength as much as
possible. With a fourth rifle company in each battalion, they were in a good position to reinforce attacks if necessary.
An additional Rifle Platoon is organised exactly like those above.

0 to 4 Carrier Patrols
Platoon

3 Universal Carriers

75 points

Options
Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hullmounted MG for +5 points per carrier or a .50 cal
MG for +10 points per carrier.
Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with a
Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT anti-tank projector at
no cost.
In the close terrain of southern and western Europe the scout
patrols are proving vital.
Carrier Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.

Carrier Section

Carrier Patrol

AVRE Sections
If attacking up to two Carrier Patrols can be swapped
for an AVRE Section each before deployment. See DDay page 29.
Although purchased as separate platoons, all of your
Carrier Patrols deploy as a single platoon at the same
time.

0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Anti-tank Sections
1 Anti-tank Section

120 points
70 points

Even in 1944, two years after its first battles in the Desert, the 6
pdr is still a potent anti-tank gun. It can take out most of Jerrys
tanks. Only the Tiger and Panther cause it problems, and these
fall prey to flank shots anyway.
The anti-tank gunners have the new tracked Lloyd Carrier to tow
the gun into battle, giving it a cracking pace cross-country.

0 to 1 Pioneer Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Assault Squads
1 Assault Squad

75 points
60 points

A rifle battalion has its own platoon of pioneers of tradesmen

and sappers. The pioneers receive additional training in the
specialist areas of field fortifications and obstacles. They have
proven their worth time and time again in Normandy and
Italy, clearing the way for infantry assaults against the Germans
defences.
You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle team with a
Flame-thrower team at the start of the game before
deployment..

Support Platoons
0 to 2 Machine-gun Platoons
Section
HQ Section with:
2 Machine-gun Sections
1 Machine-gun Section

145 points
80 points

Option
Add PIAT teams for +15 points.
Add Troop and MMG Carriers to the platoon at no
cost.
The highlanders received their machine-gun support from
the rather un-scots sounding 1/7th Battalion The Middlesex
Regiment. Despite being southern nancies the Middlesex boys
provided excellent service to the Scots.

0 to 1 Heavy Mortar Platoon

Section
HQ Section with:
2 Mortar Sections
1 Mortar Section

150 points
85 points

Option
Add PIAT teams for +15 points.
Add Troop and Loyd Carriers to the platoon at no
cost.
The lads from Middlesex also provide the heavy firepower of the
4.2 mortars. Although each brigade only has a single platoon
in support, the mortars perform sterling work knocking out
machine-gun nests on the flanks of the attack.

0 to 2 Transport Sections
Section
HQ Section with:
1 Transport Section
No Transport Section

15 points
10 points

The lorries of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) are used
to move the riflemen forward to keep up with the tanks in
mobile operations.
A Transport Section is a Transport Platoon.

Divisional Support
0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon,
Royal Artillery
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Anti-tank Sections
1 Anti-tank Section

120 points
70 points

Option
Replace all 6 pdr guns and Loyd Carriers with 17 pdr
guns and Quad tractors for +40 points per section.
The infantry have their own anti-tank guns, but the Royal
Artillery backs them up with more and bigger guns when
needed. They have a mix of light, easily hidden 6 pdr guns
backed up with heavy 17pdr guns for the big Jerry tanks.

0 to 1 Armoured Platoon
Platoon

3 Sherman III

200 points

Option

Command Sherman

Add Firefly VC tank for +80 points.

During the Normandy campaign the 51st Highland Division
received support from both the 4th and 33rd Armoured
Brigades. They even had brief support from the Canadians and
fought alongside the Poles.

Sherman

Sherman

Motivation and Skill

An Armoured Platoon is rated as Confident Trained.

0 to 1 Tank Platoon
Platoon

3 Churchill Crocodile

390 points
Command Churchill Crocodile

Fuel Trailer
Churchill Crocodile tanks are not affected by the Fuel
Tanks rule like normal tank flame-throwers. In addition, Tank Platoons equipped with Churchill Crocodile
tanks may not launch assaults.

Flail Platoon
If attacking up to one Armoured or Tank Platoon can
be swapped for an Flail Platoon before deployment. See
D-Day page 30.

Churchill Crocodile

Churchill Crocodile

Tank Platoon

Motivation and Skill

A Tank Platoon is rated as Confident Trained.

0 to 1 Recce Platoon

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
HQ Armoured Car with:
2 Recce Sections
145 points
1 Recce Section
90 points
Add Scout Patrols for +75 points per patrol.

Options
Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hullmounted MG for +5 points per carrier or 0.5 MG
for +10 points per carrier.
Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG per Patrol
with a Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT anti-tank projector at no cost.

Subaltern

Command Humber IV
HQ Armoured Car
Subaltern

Subaltern

Humber IV Humber LRC

Recce Section

Humber IV Humber LRC

Recce Section

Recce Patrol
Sergeant

2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry RAC provide recce support to the

51st Highland Division. They lead the way, scouting ahead and
locating the enemys weaknesses and strengths.
The Recce Patrol and Scout Patrols operate as separate platoons, each with their own Command team.
Although its sections count as separate platoons for all
other purposes, a Recce Platoon deploys all at the same
time as a single platoon.

Scout Patrol
Sergeant

Scout Patrol

Recce Platoon

Reconnaissance
A Recce Platoon is a Reconnaissance Platoon.

0 to 1 Field Platoon, Royal Engineers

Platoon
HQ Section with:
4 Field Sections
3 Field Sections
2 Field Sections

120 points
95 points
70 points

Option
Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.
When you deploy your force at the start of the games you
may elect to replace a Field platoon, Royal Engineers with
a Rifle Platoon of the same or lower points value.
With Jerry on the defensive, the role of the Royal Engineers has
become more critical. They lay and clear mines and obstacles,
and construct and repair bridges. Because of their specialist role
they know their own value and will often withdraw rather than
fight if attacked.
Field Platoons, Royal Engineers may not launch assaults, nor may they Counterattack if assaulted. Field
Platoons, Royal Engineers will always attempt to Break
Off at the earliest opportunity.

10

0 to 2 Field Batteries, Royal Artillery

Platoon
HQ Troop with:
Two Gun Troops with a total of:
4 Gun Sections
One Gun Troop with a total of:
2 Gun Sections
1 Gun Section

280 points
170 points
105 points

Option
Add 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors at no cost.
Although a Field Battery, Royal Artillery is a single Support
choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate platoon with
its own Command team. The Command team and Staff
team of the HQ Troop are Independent teams. If the command team of the HQ Troop joins a Gun Troop, it becomes
the Platoon Command team.
Although they count as separate platoons for all other purposes, a Field Battery, Royal Artillery deploys as a single
platoon, all at the same time. For example, both Gun Troops
are treated as a single platoon when calculating the number
of platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.
The highly trained men of the Royal Artillery always ensure
a devastating barrage is just a field telephone call away. With
eight guns at their disposal, and further batteries from the
division ready to support, any enemy troops caught under the
gaze of a forward observer better start digging. Though once
the barrage lifts the highlanders wont be far behind!

11

0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Gun Sections
1 Gun Section

130 points
75 points

The Royal Air Force and the US Army Air Force now dominate
the sky, but on occasion the odd daring Hun penetrates the
screen and attacks the troops on the ground. Fortunately the
divisional light anti-aircraft regiment is there to protect both
the front and rear troops from air attacks. The 40mm Bofors
guns put up an impenetrable wall of automatic fire that even
the most determined Jerry pilot finds difficult to breach.

12

ARSENAL
TANK TEAMS

Name
Weapon

Mobility
Range

Front
ROF

Armour
Side
Top
Anti-tank Firepower

Sherman I, II, III, or V

M3 75mm gun

Fully-tracked
32/80cm

6
2

4
10

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.

Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Firefly VC
OQF 17 pdr gun

Fully-tracked
32/80cm

6
2

4
13

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Tow hook.

No HE, Semi-indirect fire.

Fully-tracked
32/80cm
4/10cm

13
2
5

7
10
-

1
3+
5+

Co-ax MG, Protected ammo, Slow tank, Wide tracks.

Semi-indirect fire, Slow traverse, Smoke.
Hull-mounted, Flame-thrower, Fuel trailer.

Universal Carrier
Half-tracked
With Boys anti-tank rifle
16/40cm
With PIAT anti-tank projector 8/20cm
With .5 MG
16/40cm

0
2
1
3

0
4
10
4

0
5+
5+
5+

Hull MG.
Hull-mounted
Hull-mounted
Hull-mounted

Humber LRC III

Boys anti-tank rifle

Jeep
16/40cm

0
2

0
4

0
5+

Turret Front MG.

Wheeled
24/60cm

1
2

0
7

0
4+

Co-ax MG.

Equipment and Notes

Medium Tanks

Infantry Tanks
Churchill Crocodile
OQF 75mm gun
Crocodile flame-gun

Reconnaissance

Armoured Cars
Humber IV
M5 37mm gun

Vehicle Machine-guns
Vehicle MG

16/40cm

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

.50 cal Vehicle MG

16/40cm

5+

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

GUN TEAMS
Weapon

Mobility

Range

ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Vickers HMG
Man-packed
Firing bombardments

24/60cm
40/100cm

6
-

2
-

6
-

ROF 2 when pinned down.

ML 3 Mk II mortar

Man-packed

40/100cm

Smoke bombardment.

Light

48/120cm

4+

Smoke bombardment.

Bofors 40mm gun

Immobile

24/60cm

4+

Anti-aircraft, Turntable.

OQF 6 pdr gun

Medium

24/60cm

10

4+

Gun shield.

OQF 17 pdr gun

Immobile

32/80cm

13

3+

Gun shield, No HE.

24/60cm
80/200cm

2
-

9
4

3+
5+

Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable.

Smoke bombardment.

ML 4.2 mortar

OQF 25 pdr gun

Heavy
Firing bombardments

13

INFANTRY TEAMS
Team

Range

ROF

Rifle team

16/40cm

Rifle/MG team

16/40cm

SMG team

4/10cm

Full ROF when moving.

Light Mortar team

16/40cm

4+

Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.

PIAT team

8/20cm

10

5+

Tank Assault 4.

Staff team

Anti-tank Firepower Notes

cannot shoot

Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment

Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.

TRANSPORT TEAMS

Vehicle

Armour

Mobility

Front

Side

Top

Jeep

CMP 15 cwt or 3-ton truck

Jeep

Wheeled

Quad or Morris AA tractor

Wheeled

Jeep

White scout car

Half-tracked

Troop, OP, Mortar, or Lloyd Carrier Half-tracked

M5 half-track

MMG Carrier

Half-tracked

Equipment and Notes

HMG Carrier, Passenger-fired hull MG.

Aircraft
Aircraft
Typhoon

14

Weapon
Cannon
Rockets

To Hit
3+
3+

Anti-tank
8
6

Firepower
5+
3+

Notes