Alto Comando

Sul prezioso sito http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk è possibile ancora trovare, salvare e rileggere un ormai vecchio regolamento di gioco a livello strategico per battaglie o campagnie della 2a Guerra Mondiale. Si gioca in maniera "minimale": con poche regole e poche basette. Scoperto tanti anni fa, mi rispunta silenzioso in questi giorni: il suo titolo è "Alto Comando" e l'autore è il grande R.Affinati . Il regolamento è l'insieme di 4 volumi di 20 pagine e si riassume in 2 facciate di regole base. Secondo quanto riportavano gli stessi autori, AC si ispirava alle meccaniche e alla filosofia di gioco di  "Kiss Rommel" di Norman MacKenzie. Alto Comando interamente in Italiano, ripercorre quasi tutti i fronti: Africa, Italia, Russia, Normandia.. Non so se possa essere definito come un regolamento completo. Rileggendolo, ho l'impressione che sia un opera incompiuta, una bozza con un qualcosa di nuovo e di grande che non ha avuto la fortuna che meritava. Probabilmente questa è solo una mia ignorante impressione.  Rileggendolo, non ho potuto fare a meno di soffermarmi sull'idea principale che lo ha ispirato, "la sua filosofia" . Riprendo allora quei ragionamenti di base che condivido e che mi piace descriverli come "l'inutile ricerca delle complicazioni" o il grosso affare "complicazioni affari semplici".Una pausa di riflessione sul blog meritava pertanto questa piccola attenzione, quale base di giustamente semplici concetti, che riporto senza modifiche e qui di seguito:

"Per tanti anni si è giocato il napoleonico in maniera così tattica, che le partite di wargame non riuscivano a mettere sul tavolo da gioco più di un paio di Divisioni per parte, poi si sono scoperte metodologie che permettevano di simulare intere battaglie, senza eccessive complicanze. Ancora oggi, questa vecchia mentalità annichilisce le partite sul periodo storico della II° Guerra Mondiale, impedendo di ricreare intere battaglie storiche, ma solo singoli episodi di scontri minori. Al massimo, i wargamer più esperti mettono un numero maggiore di carri e plotoni, utilizzando tavoli immensi, tutti presi dalle problematiche tattiche, di profondità delle corazzature dei vari tank, senza però approfondire gli aspetti strategici o ludici, insiti nei combattimenti tra divisioni di fanteria e brigate corazzate. Non mi sono mai depresso, quando qualcuno mi dice che simulare una grande battaglia della II° Guerra Mondiale è impossibile, con questo regolamento siamo in grado di giocare l’intero sbarco in Normandia, comprese le battaglie sul fronte russo ed africano, ci siamo riusciti ispirandoci ad un sistema campagna dell’immaginifico Norman MacKenzie.:" (da "Alto Comando: di R.Affinati).

Mi vengono in mente quelle regole complicatissime ed i costosi regolamenti dal taglio commerciale che fanno polvere sui miei scaffali...li avrò giocati forse 2 volte e devo dire mai una grande battaglia a livello strategico con più divisioni per parte. E voi?

The Panzer Grenadier Battalion - 1944

Panzer Grenadier Battalion (PGB), ovvero "Battaglione Granatieri Panzer o corazzati". La PGB era una potente unità dell'esercito tedesco, durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Era quello che potremmo oggi definire reparti di fanteria mobili, ben equipaggiati, con armi pesanti, operanti su mezzi semicingolati o talvolta semlicemente motorizzati, rinforzati inoltre di unità di supporto con armi pesanti, controcarro e anche corazzati. Venne definita dai suoi avversari, una delle migliori unità di fanteria dall'esercito tedesco durante la seconda guerra mondiale: era una unità capace anche di azioni autonome (ne furono molti gli esempi sul fronte Russo) o di semplice supporto a unità di fanteria leggera oppure di punta, in azioni offensive o difensive oppure al seguito e in supporto a unità corazzate pesanti quali le Panzer Division (PD). A differenza delle unità di fanteria motorizzate questa era equipaggiata preferibilmente con mezzi cingolati che trasportavano e seguivano la fanteria nelle azioni offensive o difensive. L'unità di battaglione di granatieri corazzati di una PD era costituita generalmente dal quartier generale di battaglione, dalle sue compagnie di supporto (medica, rifornimenti carburante, munizioni, etc), da una compagnia pesante e da tre compagnie fucilieri ("panzer grenadier") ben equipaggiati e trasportati da mezzi cingolati (nel 1944 del tipo Sd.kfz.251) , rinforzati con sezioni mortai, cannoni e mitragliatrici pesanti.

Non tutte le unità PGB nel '44 erano perfettamente equipaggiate con mezzi semicingolati: durante la fine della guerra furono addirittura ridotte a pure unità di fanti. Nel 1944 durante la battaglia di normandia, la superiorità aerea alleata aveva di fatto annullato il potenziale dei mezzi corazzati e dei semicingolati tedeschi: che divennero l'obiettivo principale delle incursioni dei caccia, pesantemente armati con armi controcarro o razzi. Un esempio storico è quanto accadde ad una delle più note e al meglio equipaggiate PD, quella denominata "divisione panzer "Lehr" della Wehrmacht che in una sola convulsa giornata di avvicinamento al fronte dopo lo sbarco alleato, perdette circa 200mezzi senza combattere e solo per incursioni aeree. Da allora la Panzer Lehr combatté a lungo in Normandia, (anche nella battaglia di Lingevres di cui i post precedenti), poi in Francia, nelle Ardenne e fino alla resa in Germania nel 1945.

L'unità di modellini appena realizzati per il regolamento BlitzKrieg COmmander, è quella della Lehr (Panzergrenadier-Lehr-Regiment 901 oppure 902  ed il  Panzer-Lehr-Regiment 130 ) ed è rappresentata nella foto iniziale: ogni basetta rappresenta una compagnia.

L'organigramma generale di un PGB è riportato di seguito ed è tratto dal sito http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com:

The Panzer Grenadier Battalion,  1944

Battalion Headquarters

Communications Platoon

Supply Company

Company HQ

Medical Detachment

Maintenance Detachment

Fuel Detachment

Munitions Detachment

Supply Detachment

Heavy Company

Company HQ

Cannon Platoon

12-cm Mortar Platoon

Three Rifle Companies , each comprised of;

Company HQ

    Heavy Platoon comprised of;

          Platoon HQ

          Mortar Section

          Cannon Section

          Two Heavy Machine Gun Sections

    Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;

          Platoon HQ 

          Three Rifle Squads

Total Strength of 853 all ranks (24 Officers and 829 men)

Lingevres 1944 the story

...."The main attack was timed for 10:15 hrs. on the 14th.June 1944. At the same time as the attack on Lingevres was taking place, the 6th.Bn. Durham Light Infantry with the support of B Sqn. 4/7th. RDG would be attacking the neighbouring village of Verrieres. (situated to the north west of Lingevres). The 9th.Bn. DLI would be supported by 'A' Sqn. 4/7th. RDG. They would have the support of the Divisional Artillery and a fighter /bomber squadron of Typhoons. The plan was for the infantry to advance behind a creeping barrage tactics which had not changed since World War 1, and firstly capture the heavily defended woods which `B` Company had ran into the previous evening, then to take the village of Lingevres itself. That was the basic plan. The battalion ,however, had not been given enough time to recce their intended objective and therefore did not fully appreciate the depth and overall strength of the enemy positions which would prove catastrophic in the opening stages of the battle.

The Artillery and Air support opened up .The Typhoons which were armed with both bombs and 10 rockets each attacked the enemy held positions in the woods. Then the 9th Durhams crossed the start line into the large cornfield, with the corn standing tall it gave the men a false sense of security as they advanced through it line abreast,rifles across their chests bayonets fixed ,first world war fashion.

It was to be a two company attack, 'A' Coy. on the left together with the remnants of` `B`Company, these would be led by Lt Colonel Woods.Major Mogg who was at this time second in command would lead 'C' Coy. on the right. Three DLI Bren Gun Carriers were to the right rear of 'A' Coy. The C.O Colonel Woods ,Intelligence Officer John Reid plus a driver, were in one, Lt.John Williams, Sgt.Charles Eagles and Pte A. Mortimer from `S` Company Assault Pioneer Pl. were in the second, Cpl Sowerby drove the third. They were supported by the Shermans of 'A' Sqn 4/7 Dragoon Guards.

The Tanks and Infantry advanced towards the enemy held woods. For the first few minutes the advance went well with only the sound of the swishing corn, but as the barrage began to move beyond the woods and land on the village behind. a German panzer opened fire from the woods and destroyed a Sherman of the 4/7 RDG A second panzer opened fire from the other side of the woods and then followed a deadly hail of small arms fire sweeping the forward ranks of the DLI`s rifle companies Men were falling all around and most of the officers of 'A' & 'C' Companies became casualities . Major Charles D'Arcy-Irvine was wounded in the head, his Company Sgt Major was hit in the legs and abdomen Lieutenant D S Taylor was hit in the chest,Captain Barclay Lowe was hit in the shoulder, all around the DLI were being slaughtered but still they pressed forward.

Lt Colonel Woods reached the edge of the wood and realised `A` Company had been decimated he called for `B` Company to pass through `A` Company but they too suffered heavy casualties

Major Mogg reported that he was making progress and receiving fewer casualties on the right flank.Lt Col Woods ordered the Major to push on while he would attempt to extricate what was left of `A` and `B` Companies and reinforce those of Major Mogg on the right who had now called up `D` Company to support the attack.

Lt Colonel Woods was killed when his carrier was hit by a mortar bomb,his Intelligence officer Lieutenant John Reid escaped relatively unharmed.Major John Mogg now found himself in command of the 9th.Bn.Durham Light Infantry. Major Mogg ordered 'C' & 'D' companies, on the right, to press on with the attack in the direction of the village. They would have the support of 'A' Sqn. 4/7th.Royal Dragoon Guards. Lt.A. Morrison, 4/7th.RDG, was ordered, by Major d'Avigord-Goldsmid, to advance on the village with his 4th Troop, to assist the 9th Durhams. He could see the Durhams advancing down a lane into the village. Morrison's tank lead the way with Cpl Johnson's and then Sgt Harris's 'Firefly', behind. The Durhams and Dragoons pressed on and fought their way into Lingevres.

The German defenders were determined to hold on to this key position and fought for every yard. Sniping was a particular problem facing the DLI, but a burst from a tank's Browning or a few rounds from one of the tank guns soon sorted out these hold ups. What remained of the Durhams and the 4/7th. RDG's now found themselves in charge of the village, which they prepared for the inevitable German Counter attack. Lt.Morrison advanced with his tanks to the area of the war memorial, next to the church but German artillery were now ranging onto the village. Lt. Morrison placed a 'Firefly' commanded by Sgt. Harris facing the approach road from the direction of Tilly, Cpl. Johnsons tank was defending the road to Verrieres (which was under attack by 6DLI & 'B' Sqn.4/7th.RDG) whilst Lt. Morrison's tank faced in the direction of,and covered the roads to Longraye & Balleroy, by the war memorial.


Within minutes Sgt. Harris was engaging a German, 50 ton, Panther tank, with his 17 Pounder gun. The Panther burst into flames. 'A'Sqn. commander spoke to Lt. Morrison on the wireless -to tell him that he was to meet the acting 9DLI commander in the western end of the church. The Durhams M.O. had set up an advanced dressing station/First Aid Post by the western door of the church and it was here that Lt. Morrison met Major Mogg. Mogg asked him the position of his tanks and from that Mogg was able to plan the defence of the village.


Major Mogg sent what remained of 9DLI's 'D' Coy, now down to two platoons,due to heavy casualties, to take up a line of defence facing down the Tilly road. 'C' Coy would do the same towards the Lonraye road. The remains of 'A' & 'B' Coys were to be held in reserve. The 9th DLI were to defend the village against German infantry infiltration, prevent the tanks from becoming exposed to assault by the German infantry and also to act as enemy tank spotters. They would be able to hear the approach of enemy armour long before it was seen. The Tanks likewise would support the infantry`s positions, and use their firepower to prevent the enemy armour from breaking into the village.


By this time Major Kenneth Swann, of the 86th.{Herefordshire Yeomanry] Battery, Royal Artillery, was also in the village in his R.A Command Sherman tank. He was the FOO [Forward Observation Officer] for his battery. Major Mogg arranged a defensive fire plan with him in which Mogg also positioned the Battalion's Anti Tank Guns, under the command of Capt. K H Whittaker. Two of these guns were quickly put out of action by German artillery fire. However the guns were positioned just in time to meet a heavy German counter attack by Tigers and Panzer Mk IV`s.The combined efforts of the battalions anti tank gunners and the tank support of The RDG accounted for a total of nine enemy tanks destroyed or disabled. It was during this action that Captain Whittaker despite being wounded won a second Military Cross."

from http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/

Lingevres 1944

"H-hour for the attack was timed for 10:15 hrs. on the 14th.June 1944. At the same time as the attack on Lingevres was taking place, the 6th.Bn. Durham Light Infantry with the support of B Sqn. 4/7th. RDG. Who would be attacking the neighbouring village of Verrieres. {situated to the north west of Lingevres}. The 9th.Bn. DLI would be supported by 'A' Sqn. 4/7th. RDG. They would have the support of all the Divisional Artillery and support by a fighter squadron of Typhoons, from the air. The infantry would advance behind a creeping barrage, supported by the tanks, and firstly capture the heavily defended woods, then take the village. That was the basic plan. However Colonel Woods had not been given enough time to properly patrol his intended objective and therefore did not fully appreciate the depth and positions of the opposing unit.             Firstly the Artillery and planes gave the woods a good pounding. The typhoons dropping two bombs and firing there 10 rockets into the area. Then Durhams crossed the start line into a large cornfield, at the other end of which was the German held woods. It was a two company attack, 'A' Coy. on the left, 'C' Coy. on the right..."(*)

(*)http://www.glcoupar.freeserve.co.uk/battleoflingevres1944/

Battaglione motorizzato inglese 1944

Il battaglione motorizzato britannico con supporto corazzato, progettato per il regolamento Blitzkrieg Commander, è ora pronto. Seguirà quindi a breve l'articolo sul battaglione di granatieri panzer tedesco. L'ambientazione, l'organizzazione, le uniformi sono quelle relative la Normandia, oppure Francia o Olanda nel 1944, dopo lo sbarco. L'imbasettamento scelto è una variante economica del regolamento BC sulla modalità di Crossfire (basette 30x30mm e 30x40mm). La colorazione dei pezzi è eseguita con acrilici utilizzando il solito metodo del "pennello asciutto" su fondo nero e per mano a finire un acrilico satinato trasparente a spruzzo. A seguire l'organigramma di un battaglione  motorizzato britannico negli anni tra il 1943 e 1944, tratto dal famoso sito. I pezzi sono pronti per entrare in azione nella prossima partita.

The Motor Battalion, 1943 to 1945

Battalion Headquarters

Headquarter Company, comprised of;

   Company HQ 

   Signals Platoon 

   Administrative Platoon 

Support Company, comprised of;

   Company HQ  

   Three Anti-tank Platoons, each

   Two Machine Gun Platoons, each 

Three Motors Companies , each comprised of;

  Company HQ 

  Scout Platoon 

  Three Motor Platoons, each comprised of;

  Platoon HQ 

  Three Motor Sections, each

Total Strength of 854 all ranks (38 Officers and 816 men)  

Tratto da:

http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com