OTTBE Misssion 23 - Cambrai Revisited - 9th October 1918 - by Tikkifriend
The Battle of Cambrai, 1918 (also known as the Second Battle of Cambrai) was a battle between troops of the British First, Third and Fourth Armies and German Empire forces during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. The battle took place in and around the French city of Cambrai, between 8 and 10 October 1918. The battle incorporated many of the newer tactics of 1918, in particular tanks. The attack was an overwhelming success with light casualties in an extremely short amount of time.
There were three German lines, spanning some 7,000 yd (6,400 m); held by the 20th Landwehr and the 54th Reserve divisions, supported by no more than 150 guns. The weak defense was due to the Allied general offensive across the Western Front, and specifically in this sector, the rapid approach of the Canadian Corps, who had overwhelmed much stronger defenses in the previous days. The German defenders were unprepared for the bombardment by 324 tanks, closely supported by infantry and aircraft
On 8 October, the 2nd Canadian Division entered Cambrai and encountered sporadic and light resistance. However, they rapidly pressed northward, leaving the "mopping up" of the town to the 3rd Canadian Division following close behind. When the 3rd entered the town on 10 October, they found it deserted. Fewer than 20 casualties had been taken
This is a "what if" scenario. for the Central powers. If the tanks can be prevented from receiving their fuel supplies could the battle have swung their way?
For the Allies it is a chance to use their aircraft to harass and destroy the line of trenches thus reducing the casualties for the PBI
Mission Option A Entente players
Mats NML and country
The RAF are tasked with destroying the line of trenches across the main front by carpet bombing them and \or strafing.
RAF planes
1 Caproni; 4 scouts (Snipes if you have them). They start from the centre point of the country map
The Capri carries 4 bombs each of which can do 4 points of damage on a direct hit otherwise the trench receives 2 points of damage. Strafing as per rules
Central Powers
3 scouts. plus 1 two seater. They set up as per random random placement map https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/do...do=file&id=197
Set up
The trenches (7 cards ) are placed 1 ruler from the NML edge that joins the other mat in NML. The cards run the length of the mat in a broken line each 1/2 ruler from the edge of the next card.
Trenches have a HP of 5 and VP of 5 . The infantry fire from the trenches as per rules .
Mission Option B Central powers players.
Mats countryside and industrial
The Germans objective is to destroy the fuel dump behind the advancing tanks and if possible straife the convoy of 6 trucks suppling the tanks at the front .
Central Powers 1 Gotha 3 scouts 1 of which should be a DVII
Truck cards can be found here. https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/do...do=file&id=403 They should be printed out at 1/4 size
The depot is destroyed by by 2 direct hits from the Gotha which carries 6 bombs.You can choose to drop either 1 or 2 bombs on each pass but you must declare your choice the turn before you commence the run. Depot has a VP value of 11
The depot target card is located on the industrial mat within 1\2 ruler of the railway bridge crossing.
The trucks start at the road bridge and follow any road west at a movement rate of 1/2 ruler from the front of the card per turn .
Trucks are tail to tail. should they reach half way across the country map they are considered safe and not targets for the purpose of points
Trucks have a HP and VP value of 4
RAF 3 scouts & a Bristol Fighter.
The Central power planes set up on the mid point of the countryside mat. RAF enter using the random placement set up
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Originally Posted by gully_raker
A DH.4 or a Bristol fighter might be more in line with what would have been used for Trench work so might go with one of those,
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