The 'O' Group Normandy Campaign
3. Fighting the Battles
A printable version of these rules is available here
All actions end with one side withdrawing. Withdrawal can happen by force or by choice, depending on the circumstances.The battle scenario does not necessarily end because one side has withdrawn, further attacks or counter-attacks are possible. After every withdrawal, shock and FURBARs are removed, victory points are calculated and losses amended for both sides.
Churchill and Montgomery confer
Forced Withdrawal
A defending German battalion must withdraw from the battlefield immediately if it has suffered three FUBARs or unsuppressed enemy infantry units are in possession of both objectives at the end of a game turn. The defenders cannot counter-attack and the attacker can move forward to claim the objectives if he is not already in possession. Remove all shock and FUBARs, calculate victory points, re-assess the casualty figures and move on to the next scenario.
An attacking British force must withdraw from the battlefield if it suffers three FUBARs. Remove all shock and FUBARs, calculate victory points, re-assess the casualty figures and replay the scenario. The attacker and defender have the option of using their fourth infantry company to replace a company that has suffered heavy losses.
Bren Carrier section, July 1944
Voluntary Withdrawal
The Germans - defending German forces may withdraw from the field by choice as long as they have suffered at least one FUBAR and they do so at the end of a game turn. The British attacker can move forward to claim the objectives. Remove all shock and FUBARs, calculate victory points and re-assess the casualty figures. The defender then has two choices: -
Declare that he is continuing to withdraw, in which case move on to the next scenario.
Declare that he is going to counter-attack (only German battalions can counter-attack).
If the German commander declares a counter-attack, the British player can choose to withdraw to his original start line in which case victory points are calculated (the Germans will automatically re-occupy the objectives) and the scenario is re-played. If the British commander decides to stand his ground a new battle is fought using the corresponding counter-attack map. The counter-attacker and defender have the option of using their fourth infantry company to replace a company that has suffered heavy losses, if the resource is available.
If the Germans recapture the original objectives or inflict three FUBARs on the enemy, the British will be forced to withdraw. Remove all shock and FUBARs, calculate victory points, re-assess the casualty figures and replay the original scenario. The counter-attacker and defender have the option of using their fourth infantry company to replace a company that has suffered heavy losses, if the resource is available. If the Germans withdraw, by force or voluntarily (after suffering at least one FUBAR), their counter-attacks for this scenario must cease. Remove all shock and FUBARs, calculate victory points, re-assess the casualty figures and move on to the next scenario.
The British - attacking British forces may withdraw from the field by choice as long as they have suffered at least two FUBARs and they do so at the end of a game turn. Remove all shock, calculate victory points, re-assess the casualty figures and replay the original scenario. The counter-attacker and defender have the option of using their fourth infantry company to replace a company that has suffered heavy losses, if the resource is available.
German prisoners under guard, July 1944
British Dig-in (not available to German forces)
An attacking British force may elect to dig-in at the end of a game turn if it has picked up at least one FUBAR but has not yet acquired a second. Any objectives seized must be relinquished and all units will return to the start line. Digging in differs from withdrawal in the following ways: -
Shock and FUBARs remain attached to both sides
There is no victory point calculation
There is no casualty re-assessment
However, both the counter-attacker and defender have the option of using their fourth infantry company to replace a company that has suffered heavy losses, if the resource is available. It is important to remember that a dig-in does not produce a decision and that the action must be continued until a withdrawal takes place.
The British are only allowed to use the dig-in option once per scenario.
Consecutive Withdrawals
If a British battalion withdraws for two consecutive engagements in the same scenario (including a German counter-attack) it may be replaced by the reserve battalion (2nd Glosters) with fresh supports. This option is available from the first scenario. If the reserve battalion is not utilised in the first two scenarios it becomes automatically available at the third battle scenario and subsequently. The German reserve battalion only becomes available from the third battle scenario onwards.
Victory Points Table
Wounded German gets first aid, June 1944
Casualty Re-assessment
British
For every infantry stand removed from the table, throw a die. On a roll of 4,5,6 the stand is returned to the battalion.
For every support section destroyed or removed from the table, throw a die. On a roll of 4,5,6 the section is returned to its owning formation
For every damaged vehicle section on the table, throw a die. On a roll of 3,4,5,6 the section is returned to its owning formation
German
For every infantry stand removed from the table, throw a die. On a roll of 4,5,6 the stand is returned to the battalion
For every support section destroyed or removed from the table, throw a die. On a roll of 5,6 the section is returned to its owning formation
For every damaged vehicle section on the table, throw a die. On a roll of 4,5,6 the section is returned to its owning formation