51st Highland Division

7/24/2019 51st Highland Division

1/14

51STHIGHLAND DIVISION IN FRANCE

We of the Highland Division must not rest till we have freed our kith and kin of the St. Valry Highland Divisionand avenged their misfortune to the full. ~Major-General T. G. Rennie, commander 51stHighland Division.

Te 51stHighland Division first made a name for itself as a

high quality formation during the First World War. Tey wereformed in 1908 as a erritorial division after the Haldanereforms of the British Army. It was during the First World

War that they adopted their HD unit symbol that theywere to leave so famously painted on the roads of Normandyin 1944.

In 1939 they we once more mobilised for war, now made upof a mix of Regular and erritorial soldiers, they were againsent to France. During the 1940 campaign they fought underFrench command (10th Army), fighting a number rear guardactions against the German advance. Tey were finally cutoff and surrounded at Saint-Valry-en-Caux. However, the154thBrigade had been detached and withdrawn earlier and

only the 152nd and 153rdBrigades were captured when theDivision was forced to surrender on 12 June 1940.

Te 51stHighland Division was reconstructed in Britain fromthe surviving 154 Brigade and the 9th(Highland) Division,a second line erritorial copy of the 51st Division. Te newdivision underwent intense training during 1941-42 and in

June 1942 was once more sent to the front, this time takingpart in the North African campaign.

Tey gained a reputation for good organisation, morale,fighting prowess and staff work, which was especially appreci-ated by Montgomery. Tey fought alongside the Australiansand New Zealanders during Operation Lightfoot and

were instrumental in clearing minefields during OperationSupercharge. After the Battle of El Alamein they took partin the ragged pursuit of the Afrika Korps across North Africato unisia. In unisia they took part in the assault on the

Afrika Korps positions at Wadi Akarit. Tey also took part inthe battles for Mareth and Medenine. Next they were part ofthe 30thCorps during the Sicily invasion, finally returning toBritain after the conquest of the island.

NORMANDYOnce again they underwent intense training in preparationfor the invasion of Normandy. Tere was also a change thecommand of the Division just before Sicily, Major-General

Douglas Neil Wimberley, who had lead them through theircampaigns in North Africa, was replaced by Major-GeneralC. Bullen-Smith.

Te Division began to land in Normandy on 6 June with the153 Brigade under Lt.-Col. Chick Tomson. Tey landedafter the leading divisions had taken Juno and Sword beaches.Initially Tomson offered the support of his brigade to the3rd Canadian Division, but their commander assured himthat all was under control.

Te following morning the 51stDivisions commander Maj.-Gen. Bullen-Smith sent a battalion towards the Radar Stationat Douvres under Corps orders. Te 5thBlack Watch, withtwo Churchill AVRE tanks attached, advanced on the woodto the east of Douvres. Unfortunately the wood was occupiedby Canadians, who were mistaken by the Scots for Germansand fired on. Te mistake was quickly realised and the Scotspushed beyond the wood towards the Radar Station across

some open fields.

Te Station was covered by a 7.5 or 8.8cm gun from thevillage of Douvres. Te gun opened fire as the battalionadvanced from the wood and took out both of the RoyalEngineers Churchill AVRE tanks. Te Scots become pinneddown before the open ground and Tomson requested ad-ditional troops. Instead the attack was called off and orders

were received to bypass the position while the Navy shelledthe Radar Station until resistance ceased. However, theRadar Station wasnt eventually taken until it was stormedby commandos.

153 Brigade was next directed towards Pegasus Bridge onthe Caen Canal, while the 5th Camerons (now landed and

attached to the 153 Brigade) stayed to cover the RadarStation. 152 Brigade arrived 7 June. 5thSeaforth commanderLt.-Col. Walford took command of the Brigade and they weredispatched on 9 June to cross the Pegasus Bridge and lendsupport to the 6thAirborne Division. Tey were supported by4thArmoured Brigade. 154 Brigade didnt arrive at the beach-head until 10 June (D+4) and were immediately placed in theCorps reserve where they remained until 13 June.

Once across the Orne 153 Brigade became embroiled inheavy fighting for various villages. Te 5thBlack Watch, undercommand of the 6thAirborne Division, headed to towardsBreville along the road from Ranville. Tey quickly ran intostiff resistance along the road as German troops opened fire on

them from the ditches and adjacent fields. A Company waspractically wiped out. Hardest hit was the leading platoon,which lost every man to the initial ambush. Te battalionretreated and took up positions in the Chateau de Brevillesouth of the village. Te Germans launched a counter-attackon the Chateau. Tey came at the highlanders frontally, butthe Black Watch held their ground and repelled the Germanattack with heavy casualties.

Te 5/7th Gordons pushed towards ouffreville and tookit without opposition but had to repel a counter-attack bythe Germans. Te 1stGordons pushed towards what wouldlater become the Te riangle and were yet to meet heavyresistance.

In the meantime the 152 Brigade (less the 5th Seaforthattached to the 153 Brigade) began operation Smockto take the villages of St Honorine la Chardonnerette andDemouville. Te 5th Camerons were to take the formerand the 2ndSeaforth the latter. Te Camerons concentratedaround Ranville and attacked on the morning of 13 June.Te Germans reacted quickly and dropped a heavy artillerybombardment on the Scots start line causing the attack to bedelayed. Tey attacked was joined by an Armoured Platoon(4thArmoured Brigade), three of the tank initially heading

west before joining the attack and the forth joined them forthe final assault. Tey took positions in and around the village,but continued to by harried by heavily German artillery fire.

Te Bombardment was followed by a German counter-attack supported by Panzers. Te Camerons anti-tank gunswere able to give a good account of themselves, Sergeant A.Mackenzie taking out three Panzers from one column alone


2/14

2

with his 6 pdr. By 10.00 hours the pressure on the Cameronspositions had become too much and the order was given to

withdraw. However, the order did not reach C Company, andthey remained in position for some time before the order to

withdraw was received. Te battalion retreated and reformedon Longueval on the Orne River.

Due to the failure of the attack on St. Honorine forced the 2ndSeaforth Highlanders to call off their attack on Demouville.Tey instead took up defensive positions on the high ground

north of St. Honorine. Tey were joined by the 5thSeaforthbattalion back from the 153 Brigade who were positionedbetween the other two battalions.

On 22 June the attack by the Camerons on St. Honorine wasresumed. Tis time the anks were ready with the Scots at theassembly point. Te attack was launched before dawn and thevillage was captured by sun-up. Mopping up continued until10.00 hours, with the Camerons having to fight off severaldetermined counter-attacks. Tey held the village for the restof the day and were relieved during the night by detachmentsof the 2ndSeaforth. Tey were in turn relieved by the 5thbat-talion of the Seaforth Highlanders.

Te divisions third brigade (154 Brigade) was placed underthe command of the 6thAirborne Division and cross the Orneand took up positions defending the bridges. Tey fought forand held the Orne bridgehead from Longueval in the southto Sallenelles in the north near the mouth of the Orne. Tebridgehead extended east of Herouvillette to Te riangle.Te riangle was faced on two sides by German forces, whileone flank was left exposed until St. Honorine was takenon 22 June. Te men of the 154 Brigade striking east wereharried by continual artillery and mortar shelling by a wilyand unseen enemy. During this period the whole divisionsmorale plummeted as the continuous bombardments andslow progress took its toll. Tis was further impacted by thedivisions role as a reserve for other division, the brigades andbattalions often being split from the division to support andrelieve various other British and Canadian forces.

It came all to ahead at the village of Colombelles. Te village,about a mile east of Caen, was dominated by a large factory

with its large chimneys towering into the sky. Te factory wasan ideal position for German observers, giving them a wideview of the surrounding countryside. Te 153 Brigade wastasked with attacking the position at night. Tey were rein-forced with the 7thBlack Watch (154 Brigade). Te plan calledfor the 1stGordons to take the village of Colombelles fromLongueval, the 5thBlack Watch was to seize the crossroads atthe northeast corner of the factory and the 7thBlack Watch

would pass through the 1st Gordons and take the Factoryarea. Royal Engineers would then destroy the chimneys thenall troops would withdraw. It was estimated the operation

would take no more than a day.

Te operation was launched on 11 July at 01.00 hours. Te 1stGordons immediately ran into trouble taking the village. wocompanies penetrated the western corner of Colombelles,but the other two companies were stalled by heavy artillery,mortar and small arms fire. Te 5th Black Watch took thecrossroads and took up positions in the houses around thearea. By 04.00 hours it was decided to withdraw the twocompanies in the village and assemble the 1stGordons foranother attempt to take the village at dawn. Unfortunatelythe Germans detected the Gordons withdrawal. Tey putup flares and withdrawing companies of the 1st Gordonssuffered severely. Te 5thBlack Watch were now isolated atthe crossroads, their only protection being the few buildingthey occupied as the ground proved too hard to dig-in. Tey

were under direct observation by the still German occupiedfactory and they came under heavy artillery and mortar bom-bardment. Teir right flank was also exposed to the enemyfire. Te highlanders still had the support of the 4thArmouredBrigades Sherman tanks, but they were about meet somedevastating opponents.

At 06.30 three iger Ie (503. Schwere Panzerabteilung) andtwo Panzer IV H tanks (21. Panzerdivision) emerged fromthe southern end of the factory. Of the eleven Shermans

and Firefly tanks supporting the 5th Black Watch ten weredestroyed by the German panzers. Te 5thBlack Watch wasforced to withdraw without sufficient anti-tank support.Tey too took heavy casualties withdrawing. By 09.30 the

withdrawal was completed, and the operations to clear thefactory has failed. Te operation had taken a heavy toll on153 Brigade, who withdrew back to Longueval.

Te division continued to contribute to the fighting toexpand the bridgehead. Te 5th Seaforth (152 Brigade)

was positioned on the edge of Te riangle by 9 July.Te riangle was shaped as it was named with the pointfacing south, it was heavily wooded and the Germans heldsouthern and eastern edges with a mixture of regular troops

and auxiliary Osttruppen. With the opening of OperationGoodwood (18 July) the 5th Seaforth were assigned therole of taking Te riangle. Heavy bombing followed bya heavy artillery barrage cleared the way and the highland-ers took the troublesome area aided by Churchill Crocodileflame-throwing tanks. Once taken the 2ndSeaforth and 5thCamerons push through Te riangle down the roarnroad. Te 5th Camerons grimly held their new positions forten days under intense artillery fire before being relieved bythe 7thBlack Watch. Te 153 Brigade relieved the whole 152Brigade shortly afterward.

Te 51stDivision also contributed to Operation Goodwoodby clearing mines for the armoured units of the 1st Corps toadvance. After Goodwood the divisions reputation had beensomewhat tarnished, they had not preformed up to their ownhigh expectations and had meet many set backs during theirfighting thus far. Fellow Infantry Divisions without the finereputation of the highlanders, like the 50thand 3rdDivisions,had performed much better. In particular the 50thDivision,

who had shared many of the 51st Divisions experiences inNorth Africa and Sicily, had adapted to the challenges of thebocage and close terrain more confidently than their northernbrothers. Te high command had also noted the highlandersstruggles and changes in the command were made.

OPERATIONTOTALISETe 51st Divisions new commander was a familiar face,Major-General . G. Rennie. He had been with the Divisionin France and been captured, before escaping and returningto Britain to command a battalion then a brigade of thereformed division. He was later appointed commander ofthe 3rdDivision who he had commanded from the D-Daylandings until he was wounded. Now mostly recovered,though is arm was still in a sling, he arrived to take thecommand of the division.

Te 51stHighland Division was placed under the commandof the 2ndCanadian Corps for Operation otalise. Te Corpshad been tasked with breaking out of the Normandy bridge-head towards Falaise along the Caen-Falaise main road. TeCorps would advance in a two brigade front, with a Canadianbrigade on the right and the 51st Highland Divisions 154Brigade on the left.


3/14

3

For the operation the 33rdArmoured Brigade was attachedto the division, which was to be the beginning of a long andfruitful relationship between the two formations. Te opera-tion called for the 154 Brigade to drive straight through theGerman lines and occupy the area around Cramesnil, St.

Aignan, and Garcelles-Secqueville. Tey would be followedby the 152 and 153 Brigades to increase the salient and allowtwo Armoured Divisions to fan out through their positionsand push on to Falaise. Te 154 Brigade would advance in

two columns with the 7th

Argylls and 144th

RAC pushingtowards Cramesnil followed by the 7thBlack Watch and the148thRAC (to seize Garcelles-Secqueville). o their left the 1stBlack Watch and the Northamptonshire Yeomanry were tohead for St. Aignan. Te terrain was mostly flat, but dividedby strips of woodland into fields with standing crops of cornand wheat. Te roads were sunken and lined by embankmentsand poplar hedges. Small villages surrounded by orchards andhedges regularly broke the terrain.

Tis operations was seen as chance for the division to redeemitself, to restore its 8thArmy reputation and to prove it worthto 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 fromRennie and Montgomery summoning up the memories ofpast glories, the operation kicked off on 7 August at 02.30hours under the cover of darkness. Te direction of theadvance was guided by Bofors gun fire on the flanks andsearchlights were reflected off the clouds to provide artificialmoonlight. Even green smoke from the artillery was droppedon the objectives, nothing was left to chance.

Each column was lead by four tanks, or flail tanks when minesneeded to be cleared. Following behind were the Highlandersmounted in Defrocked Priests nicknamed Kangaroos. Tese

were made by removing the gun from Priest self-propelledartillery vehicles to make them into armoured personnelcarriers. Tese had been developed by the Canadians and

were attached to the division for the operation.

Te 7thArgylls came under some fire during their advanceto the objective, but after some delay at the railway wereable to achieve their objectives by 04.00 hours. Te 1stBlack

Watch has some trouble with the sunken roads and embank-ments, but only came under fire from some self-propelledguns, which knocked out two Kangaroos. Once they hit thedebus point, they dismounted, formed up and immediatelyattacked their objective. Te fighting was hard but they even-tually took all their objectives and the battalion had dug-inby 06.00 hours.

Te 7thBlack Watch also came under fire from a concealedGerman anti-tank gun. Tey were able to reach their debuspoint in time despite the delay. Tey were able to gain theirobjectives after some heavy fighting, though the sun wasrising by the time they had take them. Tey then had to dig-in during the early morning light and were caught in severalmortar barrages.

It wasnt long before the Germans counter-attack came, andit was the 1stBlack Watch who bore the brunt of the attack.Te Germans were supported by artillery and mortar fire andsome US Airforce bombers that mistakenly drop bombs in thehighlanders area. Te German attack was accompanied by a

number of iger and Panzer IV tanks. Te 1st

Black Watchis supported by the Northamptonshire Yeomanry who ablydefend their infantry comrades from the German armour.Tey knockout several iger and Panzers IV tanks. Tis action,

and excellent artillery support, brought the German offensiveto a halt. Tis allowed the 1stPolish Armoured Division topass though the positions to start the second phase of the op-eration. Te Poles ran into stiff oppositions and so returnedto take up positions behind the 154 Brigade.

Following the 154 Brigade was the 152 Brigade whos task wasto mop up the broken through German front line. Tis didntprove as an easy task as first thought, rather they retreatingbecause of the forces behind them many German units stayed

to fight. Te village of illy-la-Campagne prove a hard nutto crack. Initially the 2nd Seaforth was sent to take it, butafter encountering stiff resistance they were reinforced with acompany from the 5thSeaforth. It wasnt until a unit of tanksarrived from the 154 Brigade to the rear of the village thatthe defenders were captured and the village taken. Te 5th

Camerons advanced though wheat fields towards the villageof Lorquichon, which they captured with light casualties.Tey then advanced through a wood to Poussy where theydug-in.

Te 153 Brigade provided the last mop-up force of the op-eration. On 8 August they advanced mounted in Kangaroosto the Garcelles-Secqueville area where the dismounted and

attacked Sequeville-la-Campagne. Te 1st Gordons suc-cessfully took the village capturing 92 prisoners. Te 5/7thGordons attacked through the wood to the west Conteville,

while the 5thBlack Watch occupied the village of Soliers. By 9August all the divisions objectives had been taken. Howeverthe woods around St. Sylvain were still occupied by Germansand the 7th Argylls and 1st Black Watch were tasked withclearing the area. Tey attacked at night after moving throughthe positions of the 7thBlack Watch in the village, where theycame under some machine-gun fire before they pushed intothe woods. Te were hit with several counter-attacks whichthey ably fought off. Tey came under further pressure whenthe 1stPolish Armoured Division fail to fan out east and were

pushed back by German counter-attacks. Te situation wasfinally eased when the 7thBlack Watch relieved the 7thArgyllsand the 5/7thGordons were able to clear a ridge to the frontleft of the woods.

In the following week the advance continued with the 1 st

Gordons capturing Doux Marais and the chateau at St.Marie-aux-Anglais. o their left fought the 5/7th battalionthrough the St. Sylvain woods and they then combined withthe 5thBlack Watch to successfully cross the River Dives. On14 August the 5thBlack Watch attacked La B-sur-Rouvres,taking about 200 prisoners. During the fighting they wereaided by some Canadian infantry and tanks that had becomeseparated from their own division. Tey then moved on to

Percy then and St. Pierre before crossing the Dives to join the154 Brigade bridgehead across the river. Tey moved north totake up positions next to the 1stGordons at Ecajeul.

On the night of 16-17 August the 1stGordons attacked thevillage of St. Maclou catching the defenders completely bysurprise taking the village and many prisoners. Because theGermans hadnt evacuated the civilians of St. Maclou this wasthe Highlanders first encounter since landing in Normandyof a welcoming by the liberated French people.

On 18 August the 5/7thGordons attacked Grandchamp on thebank of the Vie River. Tey were joined by the 5thBlack Watchfor the operation to cross the river and create a bridgehead onthe other side. Te 5/7thGordons would cross and allow thedestroyed bridge to be repaired which the 5 thBlack Watch

would then cross. Te first part of the operation succeeds anda bridgehead is formed. Te bridge was repaired under fire toa standard that allowed the 5thBlack Watch to cross on foot


4/14

4

SPECIALRULES

A Rifle Company of the 51st Highland Division follow theBritish special rules on pages 171 to 175 of the main rulebook

with the following additions.

CAUTIOUSNOTSTUPID

While 51stHighland Division troops are reluctant that doesnot mean that they are not brave. Tey have simply beenaround the block a few times and the know war is going tocontinue for a while yet. If the rounds are flying heavy andfast, it may be better to pull back and fight again tomorrow.However, once the rounds stop then its time to advanceagain.

If a platoon from the 51stHighland 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.

BAGPIPES

Some think the bagpipes are a terror weapon, designed tobreak the enemys morale, but the Scots find them inspiring.

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

a die. On a roll of 4+, the pipers music inspires the survivingteam 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.

51STHIGHLAND DIVISION SPECIAL RULES

during the night. Tey made for the high ground. Duringtheir advance their battalion HQ back behind the river washit by artillery, most of the command and signallers werekilled. Despite this the 5thBlack Watch continued forward,the first two companies pushing forward with the second twocompanies following behind and crossing the repaired bridgein trucks. Te leading companies fought their way on to aridge on the horseshoe shape feature that was the objectiveby first light. Te horseshoes defence is established with the

arrival of 1st

Gordons on the 5th

Black Watchs left. Germancounter-attacks we repulsed during the day.

Lisieux was taken on 33 August by 5/7thGordons againststrong opposition. Te fighting was intense with each street,square and house contested by the Germans and much hand-to-hand fighting was seen by the Highlanders. Te 5thBlack

Watch relieved the 5/7thGordons.

In the meantime the 1stGordons took the village of La ForgeValle on 21 August. By 23 August they had entered Lisieux

where they were ordered to pass through and take the highground beyond the town. Tey then moved to the southeast.

Te 152 Brigade advanced on Lisienx from 14 August. Te

5th

Seaforth meet resistance at Favires. After a struggle theytook the positions a 21.00 hours on 15 August. Tey werefinally able to continue their advance on to St. Pierre-sur-Dives the following day, which had already been taken bythe 5th Camerons. Te Brigade moved towards the RiverVie. Tey came under attack by Allied aircraft during theiradvance. Te 5thSeaforth crossed the river at St. Julien-le-Fauon, and after much fighting against determined Germanresistance they reached Lisieux on 22 August. Te 5th

Camerons advanced from St. Pierre-sur-Dives to the crossingat St. Julien-le-Fauon where they were supported by the EastRiding Yeomanry. Tey crossed the Vie on 20 August andattacked south towards the main Lisieux road. By nightfallthey were digging in around St. Fressard-le-Chre. Te nextday they moved to St. Pierre-des-Ifs southwest of Lisieux

where they stopped until 26 August. Te 152 Brigades thirdbattalion, 2ndSeaforth Highlanders (also known at the 78th),

advanced on the 5thCamerons left and by 28 August werepositioned on some high ground overlooking Lisieux.

Te 154 Brigade advanced from La B-sur-Rouvres, one bat-talion leading on foot with the other two following behind intransport. Te 7thBlack Watch led up to St. Pierre-sur-Divesand once across the river attacked the high ground at Le Godetsupported by the 1stSquadron Northamptonshire Yeomanry.Te initial attack in daylight was repelled with the loss often tanks. A night attack by the infantry was also fought off.

Te 7thBlack Watch finally succeeded the following morning,though not without high casualties to the Scots. It was nowthe 7th Argylls turn to lead the advance and they pushedthrough the 7th Black Watchs positions and continued on.Teir objective was the crossroads a mile short of St. Julien.

As they approached they came under mortar fire, which burstamong the trees causing several casualties. Tey pushed onand finally reach their objective, but only after having to crossopen ground and taking more casualties. Te were relievedby the 1stBlack Watch whos target was St. Julien itself. Teytook the village against light resistance and remained thereuntil 21 August when the lead of the advance once more fellto the 7thBlack Watch. Te 7thBlack Watch advanced beyond

the La Corne crossroads without casualties.Some mopping up operations we conducted around Lisieuxuntil 23 August, but the taking of the town brought to anend a long period of continuous fighting by the 51 stHighlandDivision. Tey had fought for 17 days non-stop against adetermined enemy during which the division had taken over1600 prisoners.

AFTERTOTALISETe division was still attached to the Canadian Corps duringoperations to take Le Harve and capture St. Valry-en-Caux(site of the divisions surrender in 1940). Tey were nextinvolved in the Ardennes offensive in December 1944 to

January 1944. Tey also took part in the Reichwald fightingin January and the Rhine Crossing in March.


5/14

5

RIFLE COMPANY

1 COMPANYHQ

HEADQUARTERS

Company HQ 35 points

OPTIONS Add Jeep or roop Carrier for +5 points.

HEADQUARTERS

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 ransport Sections,

0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery,

0 to 1 Armoured Platoon or ank Platoon,

0 to 1 Recce Platoon,

0 to 1 Field Platoon, Royal Engineers,

0 to 2 Field Batteries. Royal Artillery, and0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon.

You may field up to twoSupport Platoon attached to yourcompany for each Rifle Platoon that your are fielding.

MOTIVATIONANDSKILL

Te Highlanders are highly experienced troops havingfought in France, Egypt, Libya, unisa and Sicily. However,the fighting in Normandy is vastly different. Tey take acautious approach to their fighting in the close in terrainof the bocage. A 51stHighland Division Rifle Company israted Reluctant Veteran.

INFANTRYCOMPANY

As the commander of a company of Highlanders you have atyour command a group of fine young laddies that have alwaysbeen considered among Britains elite.

Rifle companies are not glamourous. Teir job is unpleasantand deadly, but the riflemen can be counted on to do their

job, and do it well, no matter how much they complain abouttheir lot.

Like their comrades from south of the border the Highlanderscan call on all manner of supporting arms, from machine-guns and mortars to artillery and tanks.

Air Support

Aircraft Priority Air Support Limited Airsupport

Typhoon 220 points 170 points


6/14

6

WEAPONS PLATOONS

0 TO1 MORTARPLATOON

Te new ML 3 Mark II mortar is a big improvement overthe old Mark I used in the desert. Its increased range allowsit to match the German weapons and cover a greater area.

Added to the new mortar carriers, the mortar platoons areset to give the infantry immediate support, wherever and

whenever needed.

2 OR3 RIFLEPLATOONS

PLATOONHQ Section with:

3Rifle Squads 135 points

2 Rifle Squads 100 points

COMBAT PLATOONS

Many of Highlander are veterans of the desert and Sicily andafter many successful campaigns now apply their experienceto the next great battle against the Germans. However, thefighting in Normandy will be a whole new kettle of fish andthe some care must be taken at first.

One new trick is the PIA anti-tank projector that has replacedthe old Boys anti-tank rifle. Tis gives the highland riflemen alittle more anti-tank punch to keep the Bosch Panzers at bay.


3 Mortar Sections 175 points


1 Mortar Section 65 pointsOPTION Add PIA teams for +15 points per team.

Add roop and Mortar Carriers to the platoon at nocost.

0 TO1 RIFLEPLATOON

Te British Army recognised the importance of strong rifle companies and kept their infantry up to strength as much aspossible. 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.


7/14

AVRE SECTIONSIf attacking up to two Carrier Patrols can be swappedfor an AVRE Section each before deployment. See D-Daypage 29.

You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle team with aFlame-thrower team at the start of the game before

deployment..

Carrier Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.Although purchased as separate platoons, all of yourCarrier Patrols deploy as a single platoon at the sametime.

Carrier Section

Carrier Patrol

7

0 TO4 CARRIERPATROLS

PLATOON 3Universal Carriers 75 points

OPTIONS Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hull-

mounted 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 PIA anti-tank projector atno cost.

In the close terrain of southern and western Europe the scoutpatrols are proving vital.

0 TO1 ANTI-TANKPLATOON


2 Anti-tank Sections 120 points

1 Anti-tank Section 70 points

Even in 1944, two years after its first battles in the Desert, the 6pdr is still a potent anti-tank gun. It can take out most of Jerrystanks. Only the iger and Panther cause it problems, and thesefall prey to flank shots anyway.

Te anti-tank gunners have the new tracked Lloyd Carrier to towthe gun into battle, giving it a cracking pace cross-country.

0 TO1 PIONEERPLATOON


2 Assault Squads 75 points 1 Assault Squad 60 points

A rifle battalion has its own platoon of pioneers of tradesmenand sappers. Te pioneers receive additional training in thespecialist areas of field fortifications and obstacles. Tey haveproven their worth time and time again in Normandy andItaly, clearing the way for infantry assaults against the Germansdefences.


8/14

A ransport Section is a ransport Platoon.

8

0 TO2 MACHINE-GUNPLATOONS

SECTIONHQ Section with:

2 Machine-gun Sections 145 points

1 Machine-gun Section 80 points

OPTION Add PIA teams for +15 points.

Add roop and MMG Carriers to the platoon at nocost.

Te highlanders received their machine-gun support fromthe rather un-scots sounding 1/7th Battalion Te MiddlesexRegiment. Despite being southern nancies the Middlesex boysprovided excellent service to the Scots.

0 TO1 HEAVYMORTARPLATOON

SUPPORT PLATOONS



1 Mortar Section 85 points

OPTION Add PIA teams for +15 points.

Add roop and Loyd Carriers to the platoon at nocost.

Te lads from Middlesex also provide the heavy firepower of the4.2 mortars. Although each brigade only has a single platoonin support, the mortars perform sterling work knocking outmachine-gun nests on the flanks of the attack.

0 TO2 TRANSPORTSECTIONS


1 Transport Section 15 points

No Transport Section 10 points

Te lorries of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) are usedto move the riflemen forward to keep up with the tanks inmobile operations.


9/14

MOTIVATIONANDSKILLAn Armoured Platoon is rated as Confident rained.

MOTIVATIONANDSKILLA ank Platoon is rated as Confident rained.

FLAILPLATOON

If attacking up to one Armoured or ank Platoon canbe swapped for an Flail Platoon before deployment. SeeD-Daypage 30.

FUELTRAILERChurchill Crocodile tanks are not affected by the Fuelanks rule like normal tank flame-throwers. In addi-tion, ank Platoons equipped with Churchill Crocodiletanks may not launch assaults.

Command Sherman

Sherman Sherman

Tank Platoon

Churchill Crocodile

Command Churchill Crocodile

Churchill Crocodile

9

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT0 TO1 ANTI-TANKPLATOON,

ROYALARTILLERY

PLATOON

HQ Section with: 2 Anti-tank Sections 120 points

1 Anti-tank Section 70 points

OPTION Replace all 6 pdr guns and Loyd Carriers with 17 pdr

guns and Quad tractors for +40 points per section.

Te infantry have their own anti-tank guns, but the RoyalArtillery backs them up with more and bigger guns whenneeded. Tey have a mix of light, easily hidden 6 pdr gunsbacked up with heavy 17 pdr guns for the big Jerry tanks.

0 TO1 ARMOUREDPLATOON

PLATOON 3Sherman III 200 points

OPTION Add Firefly VC tank for +80 points.

During the Normandy campaign the 51st Highland Divisionreceived support from both the 4th and 33rd Armoured

Brigades. Tey even had brief support from the Canadians andfought alongside the Poles.

0 TO1 TANKPLATOON

PLATOON 3 Churchill Crocodile 390 points


10/14

RECONNAISSANCEA Recce Platoon is a Reconnaissance Platoon.

Field Platoons, Royal Engineers may not launch as-saults, nor may they Counterattack if assaulted. FieldPlatoons, Royal Engineers will always attempt to BreakOff at the earliest opportunity.

Te Recce Patrol and Scout Patrols operate as sepa-rate platoons, each with their own Command team.

Although its sections count as separate platoons for allother purposes, a Recce Platoon deploys all at the sametime as a single platoon.

Subaltern

Sergeant

Scout Patrol

Sergeant

Scout Patrol

Command Humber IV

Subaltern

Subaltern

Recce Patrol

Humber IV Humber LRC

Recce Section

Subaltern

Humber IV Humber LRC

Recce Section

Subaltern

Recce Platoon

HQ Armoured Car

10

0 TO1 FIELDPLATOON, ROYALENGINEERS


4Field Sections 120 points

3 Field Sections 95 points

2 Field Sections 70 points

OPTION Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.

When you deploy your force at the start of the games youmay 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 hasbecome more critical. Tey lay and clear mines and obstacles,and construct and repair bridges. Because of their specialist rolethey know their own value and will often withdraw rather thanfight if attacked.

0 TO1 RECCEPLATOON

PLATOONHQ 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 hull-

mounted MG for +5 points per carrier or 0.5 MGfor +10 points per carrier.

Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG per Patrolwith a Boys anti-tank rifle or PIA anti-tank projec-tor at no cost.

2ndDerbyshire Yeomanry RAC provide recce support to the51st Highland Division. Tey lead the way, scouting ahead andlocating the enemys weaknesses and strengths.


11/14

11

0 TO2 FIELDBATTERIES, ROYALARTILLERY

PLATOONHQ roop with:

wo Gun roops with a total of:

4 Gun Sections 280 points

One Gun roop with a total of:


1 Gun Section 105 points

OPTION Add 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors at no cost.

Although a Field Battery, Royal Artillery is a single Supportchoice, each Gun roop operates as a separate platoon withits own Command team. Te Command team and Staffteam of the HQ roop are Independent teams. If the com-mand team of the HQ roop joins a Gun roop, it becomesthe Platoon Command team.

Although they count as separate platoons for all other pur-poses, a Field Battery, Royal Artillery deploys as a singleplatoon, all at the same time. For example, both Gun roopsare treated as a single platoon when calculating the numberof platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.

Te highly trained men of the Royal Artillery always ensurea devastating barrage is just a field telephone call away. Witheight guns at their disposal, and further batteries from thedivision ready to support, any enemy troops caught under thegaze of a forward observer better start digging. Tough oncethe barrage lifts the highlanders wont be far behind!


12/14

12

0 TO1 LIGHTANTI-AIRCRAFTPLATOON



1 Gun Section 75 points

Te Royal Air Force and the US Army Air Force now dominatethe sky, but on occasion the odd daring Hun penetrates thescreen and attacks the troops on the ground. Fortunately thedivisional light anti-aircraft regiment is there to protect boththe front and rear troops from air attacks. Te 40mm Boforsguns put up an impenetrable wall of automatic fire that eventhe most determined Jerry pilot finds difficult to breach.


13/14

13

ARSENAL

TANK TEAMS Armour

Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

MEDIUMTANKS

Sherman I, II, III, or V Fully-tracked 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.

M3 75mm gun 32/80cm 2 10 3+ Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Firefy VC Fully-tracked 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Tow hook.

OQF 17 pdr gun 32/80cm 2 13 3+ No HE, Semi-indirect fire.

INFANTRYTANKS

Churchill Crocodile Fully-tracked 13 7 1 Co-ax MG, Protected ammo, Slow tank, Wide tracks.

OQF 75mm gun 32/80cm 2 10 3+ Semi-indirect fire, Slow traverse, Smoke.

Crocodile flame-gun 4/10cm 5 - 5+ Hull-mounted, Flame-thrower, Fuel trailer.

RECONNAISSANCE

Universal Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 Hull MG.

With Boys anti-tank rifle 16/40cm 2 4 5+ Hull-mounted

With PIAT anti-tank projector 8/20cm 1 10 5+ Hull-mounted

With .5 MG 16/40cm 3 4 5+ Hull-mounted

Humber LRC III Jeep 0 0 0 Turret Front MG.

Boys anti-tank rifle 16/40cm 2 4 5+

ARMOUREDCARS

Humber IV Wheeled 1 0 0 Co-ax MG.

M5 37mm gun 24/60cm 2 7 4+

VEHICLEMACHINE-GUNS

Vehicle MG 16/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

.50 cal Vehicle MG 16/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

GUN TEAMS

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Vickers HMG Man-packed 24/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down. Firing bombardments 40/100cm - - -

ML 3 Mk II mortar Man-packed 40/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.

ML 4.2 mortar Light 48/120cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.

Bofors 40mm gun Immobile 24/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.

OQF 6 pdr gun Medium 24/60cm 3 10 4+ Gun shield.

OQF 17 pdr gun Immobile 32/80cm 2 13 3+ Gun shield, No HE.

OQF 25 pdr gun Heavy 24/60cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable. Firing bombardments 80/200cm - 4 5+ Smoke bombardment.


14/14

14

INFANTRY TEAMS

Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Rifle team 16/40cm 1 2 6

Rifle/MG team 16/40cm 2 2 6

SMG team 4/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.

Light Mortar team 16/40cm 1 1 4+ Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.

PIAT team 8/20cm 1 10 5+ Tank Assault 4.

Staff team cannot shoot Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

ADDITIONALTRAININGANDEQUIPMENT

Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.

TRANSPORT TEAMS

Armour

Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Jeep Jeep - - -

CMP 15 cwt or 3-ton truck Wheeled - - -Quad or Morris AA tractor Wheeled - - -

White scout car Jeep 1 0 0

M5 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0

Troop, OP, Mortar, or Lloyd Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0

MMG Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 HMG Carrier, Passenger-fired hull MG.

Aircraft

Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Typhoon Cannon 3+ 8 5+

Rockets 3+ 6 3+

Documents

51st Highland Division