Churchill Squadron Italy

7/28/2019 Churchill Squadron Italy

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By Richard Chambers, Ken Camel and Wayne Turner


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Ccis i Ii Cig

The ChurChillsin norTh AfriCAAs a result o the relative success o the six Churchill IIIs thatsaw action during the Second Battle o Alamein, under thetitle Kingorce, the decision was made to dispatch two Armyank Brigades to unisia to support the First Army there.

Te 25th Army ank Brigade (consisting o the North IrishHorse, 51st Battalion, Royal ank Regiment, and 142nd(Suolk) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps) was the rstunit to arrive in theatre. Tey arrived just as the Battle orKasserine Pass was taking place.

From 21 February 1943, the Churchills were in action againstRommels orces. Tey developed a reputation or hardinessand an excellent cross-country capability. Indeed one German

commander claimed he had been orced to withdraw aterbeing attacked by a mad tank battalion which had scaled im-possible heights. It was in subsequent actions that the NorthIrish Horse was able to claim the honour o being the rstBritish armoured regiment to knock out a iger with directtank-gun re.

In April 1943, 21st ank Brigade (consisting o 12th and48th Battalions, Royal ank Regiment and 145th (Duke o

Wellingtons) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps) joined theght as part o the 4th Division. For the rst time massedChurchill units were used in operations supporting inantryon the oensive. Actions at Cactus Farm and Sidi Abdallah,

against dug in Fallschirmjgerand igers saw the loss o 36Churchill tanks rom 12th RR. On 6 May 1943, both tankbrigades ought their last battles in North Arica, and it was

just over a year until they next saw action, this time on theEuropean mainland, in Italy.

in iTAlyIn April 1944, Churchill tanks joined the Eighth Army onthe European mainland when the 25th ank Brigade and1st Canadian Division were tasked with smashing a holethrough the Hitler Line, one o the strongest deensive posi-tions in Italy. Te German deenders had careully used the

natural eatures o the land to help make the line near tank-proo. In addition to the well-sited anti-tank guns, mines,anti-tank ditches, bunkers and waiting counterattack orces,a deadly and not previously seen threat was waiting or the

Allied attackers. Panther tank turrets, emplaced at groundlevel on a concrete casemate with excellent elds o re, couldknock-out any Allied tank at distance, and were only visibleonce they red.

On 23 May 1944, ater a lengthy bombardment, theCanadians attacked, supported by the whole brigade withNorth Irish Horse on the right ank, 51st RR in the centreand 142nd RAC on the let ank. Heavy German artillery,

mortar and machine-gun re soon orced the inantry intocover and the Churchill squadrons were sent orward alone toengage the German deenders in a lethal close range reght.

As the day progressed, the deenders re was suppressed andthe Canadians were again able to advance. By nightall the

Hitler Line had been breached and the road to Rome wasopen. However, the cost in men and tanks had been high, theNorth Irish Horse alone losing 24 Churchills.

Te tank brigades then took part in the pursuit o the retreat-ing Germans, playing an important role in that advance. TeEighth Army was then transerred back to the Adriatic coastat the beginning o August in preparation or operations thataimed to smash through the Gothic Line on to the LombardyPlain, considered excellent tank country, where the armoureddivisions could hopeully exploit the situation and end the

war in Italy by the end o 1944.

From 28 August to 17 October both Churchill brigadesought in support o I Canadian and V British Corps in thebattles or the Gothic Line, the next major deensive lineo ortications prepared by the Germans, which they hadplanned to hold on to until at least the end o winter in early1945. Te Gothic Line was similar to the Hitler Line, but waso much greater depth, consisting o what appeared to be anever ending series o well ortied and deended steep ridgesthat entirely suited deence. Each time the Allies took oneridge, all they would see was another equally well deendedGerman position on the next ridge.

Troughout the campaign the Churchill tanks continu-

ally provided close support to the inantry over extremelydifcult terrain, which no other tank, Allied or Axis, couldhave traversed. However, by the time they had ought their

way through the Gothic Line, sunny Italy had become rainsodden, and the thick mud stopped the oensive betterthan any German counterattack. Te battle or Italy wouldcontinue into 1945.

Trough mud and blood to the green felds beyond.


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21 Tank Brigade (after May 1944)

Brigade HQ

145 Regiment RAC 12 Royal Tank Regiment 48 Royal Tank Regiment

Regimental HQ

A Squadron B Squadron C Squadron

Regimental HQ


Regimental HQ


25 Tank Brigade

Brigade HQ

North Irish Horse 51 Royal Tank Regiment 142 Regiment RAC

Regimental HQ


Regimental HQ


Regimental HQ


Italy tank Squadron

Te heart and soul o your tank squadron is the British-designed and built Churchill tank. Like the great manhimsel, the Churchill tank has had its air share o problems,but these have been overcome and the tank is now a reliableghting machine. In act, the latest versions are the most

heavily-armoured vehicles available to the Allies.As inantry tankers, however, you are there to support thePoor Bloody Inantry. Tey look to you when they come up

against dug-in Jerries, machine-guns and even the Panzers.You look to them to keep Jerrys Panzerausts and other tankhunters at a sae distance and to help you seize and hold theobjectives.

You are part o a unique, highly proessional, integrated team,

who having rehearsed this combined style o warare saely inBritain, and are now putting the lessons youve learned intopractice against the Hun.

Te North Irish Horse ound themselves supporting mosteveryone at one time or another while trudging up theboot o Italy. For their ample support to the Canadiansin the Liri Valley they were allowed to paint the Canadian

Maple Lea on the side o their turrets. Both Indian divi-sions also elt their riendly presence in the Liri valley andbreaking through the Gothic Line. Operation Olive sawthem once again up by the Canadians beore nally given

a rest in the winter o 44. Teir mix o Churchill heavytanks and Sherman V tanks allowed them a very exiblelevel o support to deliver to the inantry. In December1944 the 25th Army ank Brigade was disbanded and the

North Irish Horse replaced the 145th (Duke o Wellingtons)Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (which had been dis-banded) in the 21st Army ank Brigade.

north IrISh horSe


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t S(TAnkCompAny)

dIvISIonal & army Support platoonS

Air Support

aIrCraft

10

CombatplatoonS

headq

uarterS

Tank Squadron HQ

headquarterS

5

Tank Platoon

armour

5

Tank Platoon

armour

5

Tank Platoon

armour

5

artIllery

8

artIllery

Field Battery, RoyalArtillery

8

Medium Battery, RoyalArtillery

9

Air Observation Post

aop

10

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from eachbox shaded grey.

All your support platoons must be Indian (marked ), Canadian (marked ) or Eighth Army(marked ). If your choice symbol is not available you may field options with an Eighth Army(marked ) symbol or no symbol.

6

Rife Platoon

Infantry

Tank Platoon

armour

5

6

Rife Platoon

Infantry

Field Battery, RoyalArtillery

7

Carrier Platoon

reConnaISSanCe

7Anti-tank Platoon (SP),Royal Artillery

armour


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moTivATionAnd skillBy the time the tanks crews o the 21 st Army ank Brigade and 25th Army ank Brigadeentered combat in Italy the had gained much experience ghting in North Arica. A ankSquadron is ratedConfdent Veteran.

ank Squadron are British and ollow the British National special rules in the rulebook.

Tank Squadron hq

Company CommandChurchill IV

CommandChurchill IV

Churchill

Churchill ARV

Churchill

TAnksquAdron

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

Tank Platoon

Churchill III or IV

Command Churchill III or IV

Churchill III or IV

Headquarters

heAdquArTers

2 Churchill IV 190 points

opTions

Replace either or both Command Churchill tanks witha Churchill IV (NA 75) tanks or +20 points per tank.

Add up to two Churchill IV tanks or +95 points pertank, Churchill I CS tanks or +80 points per tank, orChurchill V CS tanks or +90 points per tank.

Add a Churchill ARV recovery vehicle or +15 points.

TAnksquAdron hq

Combat Platoons

TAnkplAToon

plAToon

3 Churchill IV 280 points

3 Churchill IV (NA75) 345 points

2 Churchill IV and 1 Sherman V 275 points

1 Churchill IV and 2 Sherman V 265 points

3 Sherman V 260 points

opTionArm any or all Sherman V tanks with a .50 call AAMG or +5 points per tank.

You may not have more Tank Platoons equipped withSherman V tanks than you have equipped with Churchilltanks.

Te troops o the tank regiments are equipped with ChurchillInantry tanks. Te heavily-armoured I tanks work closely

with the inantry, escorting them orward and providing directre support in order to get them onto the objective. Capable ocrossing trenches and streams, speed is not a actor, as they only

need to keep pace with the PBI, the Poor Bloody Inantry.

Once on the objective, the Churchills continue to protect theinantry rom enemy armoured counterattacks until the anti-tank guns can be brought orward to relieve them.

Having proven the concept o ank Brigades equippedwith the reliable and heavily armoured Churchill I tankssupporting the inantry in North Arica, you are now aboutto take part in the battles that will liberate Italy and deal adecisive blow to the dictatorships o Europe.

Your Squadron HQ can contain up to our Churchill tanks,with two o those being able to provide your platoons withheavy, high explosive close support. o help your tanks inthe rough Italian terrain, an armoured recovery vehicle is alsoavailable.


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British Rifle Platoon

Subaltern

Subaltern

HQ Section

Light Mortarteam

PIAT teamCommandRifle/MG team

Corporal

Rifle Squad

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Corporal

Rifle Squad

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

Corporal

Rifle Squad

Rifle/MG team

Rifle/MG team

4Th & 8Th indiAninfAnTrydivisions

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

eighTh Army

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

rifle plAToon

plAToon

HQ Section with:

3 Rie Squads 220 points 190 points 180 points

2 Rie Squads 170 points 150 points 140 points

No matter what higher headquarters or the papers say, thereal ghting is done by the inantry soldier. With little anarethey are the ones that slog through the terrain regardless o

weather and overcome the enemy in their bunkers.

When the battle gets tough make sure you have enoughinantry around to carry the battle in your avour.

eig a S

Te Eighth Army is a veteran ormation, having oughtrom North Arica to Cassino. Tey know how to ghtand are condent that their hard work will yield an

Allied victory. All Eighth Army Support platoons are

ratedConfdent Veterans.Te 25th ank Brigade supported the 1stCanadianDivision, who were had served with distinction in Sicily

1sT CAnAdiAninfAnTrydivision

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

and Italy in 1943. Canadian platoons are ratedConfdent Veterans.

4th & 8th Indian Divisions were also supported by the Inantry anks in the Liri valley andbreaking through the Gothic Line. Indian platoons are ratedFearless Veterans.

British Eighth Army platoons use the normal British special rules ound on pages 246 to 248o the rulebook. Additional Canadian and Indian rules are ound on page 10.

opTion

Turn all Indian Rie Platoons into Gurkha RiePlatoons or +10 points per platoon.

Equip all Rie/MG teams with Sticky Bombs or+10 points or the platoon.


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Carrier Platoon

Captain

Captain

Carrier Patrol

Command

Universal Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Sergeant

Carrier Patrol

Command

Universal Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Sergeant

Carrier Patrol

Command

Universal Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Sergeant

Carrier Patrol

Command

Universal Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Universal

Carrier

Anti-tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery

Subaltern

Anti-tank Section

M10 3 SP

M10 3 SP

Sergeant

HQ Section

M10 3 SP

Command M10 3 SP

Subaltern

ank Squadrons oten supported inantry alongside M10tank-destroyers o the Royal Artillery on the Gothic line.

CArrierplAToon

plAToon

4 Carrier Patrols 390 points 385 points 345 points



1 Carrier Patrol 100 points 100 points 90 points

errain drives the success o the Universal Carrier. When openand dry it can turn a ank beore the enemy can counter. Useits speed as an advantage to locate enemy concentrations ortargeting by aircrat or artillery.

Teir appearance on the battleeld together with air supportusing the Dixie procedures can soten the deence beorecommitting your inantry to assault.

opTions

Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hull-mounted MG or +5 points per carrier, or .50 calMG or +10 points per carrier.

Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG perCarrier Patrol with a PIAT anti-tank projector at nocost.

Replace all Universal Carriers with Indian PatternCarriers at no cost.

Carrier Patrols operate as separate platoons, each with theirown command team.

Carrier Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.

plAToon

4 M10 3 SP 320 points 310 points

2 M10 3 SP 165 points 155 points

AnTi-TAnkplAToon (sp), royAl ArTillery


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Captain

Captain

Captain

Captain

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

fieldbATTery, royAl ArTillery

plAToon

HQ Troop with:

Two Gun Troops with a total o:

8 OQF 25 pdr 325 points 325 points

One Gun Troop with a total o:



opTions

Add Jeep, 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors or+5 points per Gun Troop.

Replace the HQ Troop jeep and any or all 15 cwttrucks with White scout cars, Indian Pattern TroopCarriers, or OP Carriers, or +5 points or thebattery.

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 Staf team o the HQ roop must be attached to a Gun roop

rom its battery at the start o the game beore deployment,see the British Artillery special rules on page 248 o therulebook.

In the mud and mire o the Italian battleeld inantry andartillery became the supreme weapons o war. Te artillery

was requently used in massive artillery bombardments to

help prepare the way or an inantry assault.

Te 25 pdr guns oered excellent service through the NorthArican and Italian campaign. Lighter than the American andGerman equivalents, the 25 pdr adapted well to the battleeldconditions o Italy.

A Canadian orBritish Field Battery,Royal Artillery is ratedConfdent Veteran.


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Major

Major

HQ Troop

HQ Section

Sergeant

GUN Section GUN Section

GUN Troop

GUN Section GUN Section

GUN Troop

Sergeant

HQ Section

Sergeant Sergeant

Medium Battery, Royal Artillery

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Matador truck

5.5 gun

Captain

Captain

Captain

Captain

ConSCrIpt

traIned

veteran

reluCtant

ConfIdent

fearleSS

plAToon

HQ Troop with:

Two Gun Troops with a total o:

8 BL 5.5 540 points 540 points

One Gun Troop with a total o:



opTions

Add Jeep, 15 cwt trucks and Matador tractors or+5 points per Gun Troop.

Replace the HQ Troop jeep and any or all 15 cwttrucks with White scout cars, Indian Pattern Carriers,or OP Carriers, or +5 points or the battery.

You may not eld a Medium Battery, Royal Artillery unlessyou are also elding a Field Battery, Royal Artillery with atleast as many guns.

Although a Medium Battery, Royal Artillery is a singleSupport choice, each Gun roop operates as a separate

platoon with its own Command team. Te Command team

and Staf team o the HQ roop must be attached to a Gunroop rom its battery at the start o the game beore deploy-ment, see the British Artillery special rules on page 248 othe rulebook.

A Medium Battery, Royal Artillery may not be placed romAmbush within 16/40cm o enemy teams.

Te heavy 5.5 guns o the medium batteries contributed tothe massive bombardments along the Gothic Line. Te heavyshell dug German troops out rom their holes. Tose thatsurvived such a bewildering bombardment had only secondsto recover beore the troops o the Canadian and Indian divi-sions were on top o them.

medium bATTery, royAl ArTillery

A Canadian or BritishMedium Battery,Royal Artillery is ratedConfdent Veteran.


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Air Observation Post

Subaltern

AOP

Subaltern

Auster AOP

Air Support

Flight Lieutenant

Flight

Flight Lieutenant

Aircraft

AirobservATion posT

plAToon

Auster AOP 35 points

Air Observation Posts ollow the rules or Air Observation

Posts ound on page 139 o the rulebook as well as the DixieAir Support special rule below..

AirsupporT

dixie AirsupporTTe German habit o ghting rear-guard actions by day and

withdrawing to a new line o deence each night meant thatthe Allied troops were requently unable to make contact untillate aternoon because o the extensive German demolitions.On those occasions when contact could be made early in theday, the Germans were usually orced to withdraw beore darkand then targets became available or the ghter-bombers.

A new system, called Dixie, was introduced to make the bestuse o the ew hours o daylight let. When enemy targetsappeared, a call was made by Corps or Dixie, which wouldnormally be available rom 7- 8:30 p.m. During this period atactical reconnaissance aircrat, in radio contact with the aircontroller Rover David, and the ghter-bombers in the cabrank, was to be over the orward area or the entire time.

Te tactical reconnaissance aircrats task was to nd suitabletargets or the ghter-bombers and report them to RoverDavid. Troughout the Dixieperiod ghter-bomber aircrat

were to be kept in the cab rank in successive ormations o

six. Tis allowed the ghter-bombers to engage targets as theytried to disengage rom Allied ground units.

limiTed AirsupporT

Kittyhawk or Spitfre 130 points

sporAdiC AirsupporT

Kittyhawk or Spitfre 95 points

Te Royal Air Force provided the Eighth Army with air cover,hitting enemy targets whenever they could, although perhapsnot as oten as the soldiers on the ground would have hopedor!

At the start o your turn, you may elect to either use yourAuster AOP as normal (using the Air Observation Post rule)or to coordinate Dixie Air Support. Te Auster AOP cannotdo both in the same turn.

I you chose to use the AOP to coordinate Dixie Air Support,all air attacks against targets within Line o Sight o theAuster AOP are under its control.

Aircrat under the control o an Auster AOP may re-roll aailed attempt to Range In.

Unlike normal air attacks that cannot be within 16/40cmrom any riendly teams (see Saety Distance rule on page184 o the rulebook), aircrat under the control o an Auster

AOP will only abort i riendly teams are within 12/30cmrom the aircrat model.

0


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biis arSenal

tank teams

ArmourName Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

TAnksSherman V Standard Tank 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.

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

infAnTryTAnksChurchill III or IV Slow Tank 8 7 2 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo, Tow hook, Wide

tracks.OQF 6 pdr gun 24/60cm 3 10 4+

Churchill IV (NA75) Slow Tank 8 7 2 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo, Tow hook, Widetracks.

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

Churchill I CS Slow Tank 8 7 2 Co-ax MG, Protected ammo, Tow hook, Wide tracks.

OQF 3 howitzer 24/60cm 2 5 3+ Smoke.fring bombardments 40/100cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardment.OQF 3 howitzer 24/60cm 2 5 3+ Hull-mounted, Smoke.fring bombardments 40/100cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardment.

Churchill V (CS) Slow Tank 8 7 2 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo, Tow hook, Widetracks.

OQF 95mm CS howitzer 24/60cm 2 7 3+ Smoke.fring bombardments 48/120cm - 4 5+ Smoke bombardment..

self-propelled AnTi-TAnkgunsM10 3 SP Standard Tank 4 2 0 .50 call AA MG.

M7 3 gun 32/80cm 2 12 3+ Slow traverse.

reConnAissAnCe

Universal Carrier Hal-tracked 0 0 0 Hull MG.With PIAT anti-tank projector 8/20cm 1 10 5+ Hull-mounted.With .5 MG 16/40cm 3 4 5+ Hull-mounted.

Indian Pattern Carrier Jeep 0 0 0 Hull MG.With PIAT anti-tank projector 8/20cm 1 10 5+ Hull-mounted.With .5 MG 16/40cm 3 4 5+ Hull-mounted.

vehiCle mAChine-gunsVehicle MG 16/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 i other weapons fre.

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

infantry teams

Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Rife team 16/40cm 1 2 6

Rife/MG team 16/40cm 2 2 6

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

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

Sta team 16/40cm 1 2 6 Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

AddiTionAl TrAiningAnd equipmenTSticky Bombs are rated as Improvised Tank Assault 3.


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Gun teams

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

OQF 25 pdr gun Heavy 24/60cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable.

Firing bombardments 80/200cm - 4 5+ Smoke bombardment.

BL 5.5 gun Immobile 32/80cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster.

Firing bombardments 88/220cm - 5 2+

transPort teams

ArmourVehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Jeep Jeep - - -

CMP, Bedord or Morris 15-cwt truck Wheeled - - -

Quad or Matador tractor Wheeled - - -

White scout car Jeep 1 0 0OP Carrier Hal-tracked 0 0 0

Churchill ARV Slow Tank 8 7 2 Recovery Vehicle, Wide tracks.

airCraft

Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Kittyhawk MG 3+ 6 5+

Bombs 4+ 5 1+

Spitre MG 3+ 7 5+

Bombs 4+ 5 2+

3


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Churchill Squadron Italy

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Transcript of Churchill Squadron Italy