Grumble Jones September Scenario GJ074 - Race for the Wolfheze

Wow...2019 is flying by...and it's already time for the September Grumble Jones Scenario. This month's scenario is set in Arnhem and is perfect for the 75th Anniversary of the  Battle of Arnhem, which is only days a way as I type this. As with many of my scenarios these days, my source of inspiration would be another of the Osprey Combat Series books. In this case, I would turn to Arnhem 1944 British Airborne Soldier versus Waffen SS Soldier. by David Greentree.

I know I say this often, but this series of books is well worth the money and a great addition to your library. The unit actions depicted are well suited to ASL scenario designs as well as any platoon level miniatures game. 

I was drawn to the fighting around the Ginkel Heath Landing Zone. The British were trying hard to defend their landing zones as the follow-on Lifts came in to support the airborne assault. Controlling the landing zones was critical. The Germans also understood this and worked hard to put pressure on the British landing zone perimeters. 

This month's scenario depicts the fighting around the Wolfheze Hotel, which was a perimeter objective of the 7th KOSB. The British would succeed in reaching the hotel, but could not hold it against the sustained assaults of SS Battalion Eberwein. Ultimately, the British would fall back from the hotel and suffer heavy losses. 

The scenario takes the action from the time that both the Germans and the British began moving towards the hotel and the subsequent fight for control. I added SSR's negating No Quarter and the possibility of Massacre. The Germans took a great many prisoners throughout the fight at Arnhem and I felt this should be reflected in the scenario as well. Additionally, the grenadiers of SS Battalion Eberwein were not the hard-bitten veterans of the Eastern  Front and presumably not used to the vicious no quarter battles fought there. As is always the case, I hope this scenario captures the essence of the fighting 75 years ago in Holland.

This month's scenario is dedicated to the men and women who gave their lives at Arnhem 75 years ago. Theirs is truly the Glory.

As always these monthly "Basement Quality" Scenarios are offered for fun only and as a thank you to the readers of this blog.

Remember to open pictures in a new window in order to maximize the size. 

And as always, these scenarios can be downloaded from The ASL Scenario Archive 

(just search on Grumble Jones).