The Battle of Calais:Southern Action

British Report on actions concerning the southern flank during the Battle of Calais, May 1940

(Al-German Division vs Paul-British Brigade)

The following is an account of the British defence of the village of Nielles les Calais, which is about 3 1/2 km south of Calais on the northern coast of France. This action occurred on 23rd May 1940, and was a subsidiary defensive operation in the Battle of Calais. It was designed to, and in fact did, delay a German offensive on the port town, which was all out of proportion of the British Forces involved.

Al from 20th Century Wargaming was my host on a very wet and windy Saturday Night, that did see many drinks drunk and stories swapped. Game time ran from 8pm til 4.30 am. Then from 10.30am til 4.30 pm. This saw 14 moves out of 24, and we will get back to it in a few weeks time.

I will post the report in three phases, with the first being the Southern flank, next Centre flank and the final post the Northern.

Initial placement of my somewhat limited forces saw my elements of the Queen Victoria's Rifles emplaced in the village. These were cut off from the rest of the Brigade in Calais actual and were to act as a trip wire to may main defence of the port. I reinforced the QVR with a AT, and LMG AA Platoons from their Support Coy. I also stripped elements of the Support Groups of the Brigade to act a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to act as a Mobile reserve in Carriers and gave them 45 minutes notice to move out from Calais to either help defend the Village or cover the QVR withdrawal. A reinforced Coy from a Searchlight Regiment was also available within 1 km of the ville defending the beach.

Above photo shows the Nielles les Calais Village with AT Pn and LMGAA guarding a the main entrance, Carriers at the back of the Ville mean the QRF has arrived. Almost 2 full Coys are emplaced in the houses

First moves saw at least 2 Battalions of Motorized SS German Infantry accompanied by Brigade Recon and AT Companies. try and steamroll into the ville. AT Rifle fire and accurate small arms fire stopped the Sdkfz 222 Pn and forced them back, while the truck columns under fire deployed their infantry along the roadside. The QRF was activated and mounted up and started to move from Calais.

Two RAF Fighter SQN's of Defiants strafe the SS Motorized REGT. The RAF was always available when called and were a mobile asset that never failed to cause damage to the Germans.

The RAF was then called to strafe the column, and Defiant aircraft carried out an attack that set Companies of trucks on fire and caused some early morale problems with the German Infantry, while a Bomber attack from the Battle Squadron failed to achieve much other than keeping Jerrie's head down. Al then called in his Assault Gun (StuG III) Pn in to wrinkle out my defenders, while his AT Coy started to encircle on the left with Infantry support, and on the right with even more Infantry.

In response I decided to call in my Mk VI Vickers Light Tank Squadron from the centre area of battle (Next post) to help my defence as no real Armoured threat appeared to be in the area, and one of my rules is to always reinforce success.

My Searchlight Coy was then moved from the beach to act as a blocking force, out of the Village.

Photo above shows German Trucks destroyed and Assault Gun Platoon in contact with ville defenders.

The Vickers swung through the Village past the Assault Gun Pn and into the dismounting German troops, again with no threats coming from the centre I moved my slow moving Infantry tanks from this area in support of their attack. Meanwhile my emplaced infantry battled the Assault guns, and advancing SS Infantry. Special mention to the AT Rifle Pn who fought a long running duel lasting at least 7 turns with the StuG, and still managed to survive.
Mk VI Vickers Squadron amongst the deploying Germans, total carnage ensured with a AT Coy ceasing to be effective, and thus any real threat to the attack. The speed of the Vickers makes it an ideal counter attack asset.

After some very successful action in the centre of battle, I ordered my Cruiser Troop to switch directions and join this battle. This did leave a gap in the centre, which the Germans failed to exploit.

With the Armour forces the Hammer and my Searchlight Coy the Anvil, the Germans were in disarray, and failed to make any gains, and suffered heavy casualties.

Cruisers joining the fray, with Matilda's slowing advancing.

This part of the battle proved to be a reality check for the Germans, who tried again and again to force their way out of the built up area into the open ground to outflank my defenders. Every attempt was held in check with my vastly out numbered forces.

Pinned StuG III and German SS Infantry attacking.

With the Germans finally being able to deploy their Support weapons on the flank, and my Matilda's and Cruisers having to be redeployed back to the centre to deal with a Armoured Thrust, I decided to throw in my final Armoured reserve...Carriers from the Armoured Regt.

Searchlight Coy. Lacking support weapons and only rifles to hold the Battalion of Germans facing them, they showed the British Bulldog spirit and earned themselves a proud place in British Army History.

With Mk VI support the Carriers attacked with good results. This took some of the pressure off the Searchlight Coy and although eventually two of the three Troops were destroyed, the 90 minutes they were in action saw the QVR and support elements being able to be withdrawn from the Village in good order.

My decision to withdraw was made with a heavy heart. With huge pressure in the centre and right flanks, this action although drawing off German forces was beginning to turn Jerrie's way. "He who defends everything defends nothing", was ringing in my ears

Carriers and Mk VI's holding the line giving time for the QVR and QRF to withdraw, note two Carrier Troops on fire, while a battery of Infantry Guns lay abandoned.

With German Infantry hot on their heels my forces withdrew. After battle in the centre my remaining Cruiser Section from a Troop covered them on one flank, while the Glorious Searchlight Coy covered the other. The withdrawal saw no casualties and was made in good order

Withdrawal from the line.

So ends the Southern Flanks report, next post: Centre Flank Action!