SWORD 80: D+1

Well what an incredible 2 days of wargaming having played the British landings on Sword beach during D-Day, across 6th & 7th June!

Fours years in the making, and the biggest game I’ve personally played. 500+ figures, 100+ vehicles, 22 landing craft, beach obstacles, buildings (a mix of scratch built, mdf, resin and 3D printed), 6 boards to give 8×6 playing area.

Played over 20 turns. The first third was a really hard slog for the British trying to make progress, with heavy casualties (75% in some units) among the assault wave’s engineers, vehicles and DD’s.

The middle third was essentially the British breaking out and it looked like a win coming. Then onto the final third, which could have gone either way – it was close right until the final turn! A small part of Riva Bella just wouldn’t fall and I didn’t get to Hillman quickly enough, Colleville slowing down the Suffolks.

Objectives held at end of turn 20:
British held Cod, Morris, Daimler.
Germans held Riva Bella, Hillman.

Result a German victory.

Full AAR to come once I’ve caught some breath, but here are a few of the many pics in the meantime. Well done and thank you Ian for a cracking couple of days and being an erstwhile opponent.

Now I’ll make a start on the AAR, and I’m already thinking of what can be improved for next year.