Grumble Jones November Scenario - GJ113 Bailey's Iron Fist

Now just to be clear Bailey's is not the drinkable Baileys. Sorry to disappoint fans of the delicious Bailey's liquors. No...Bailey's in this case is much less tasty and refers to those deployable bridges used by the US Army. See Elliot Gould's description of them in the movie, A Bridge too Far for more information!!

Not this...(my personal favorite variety)

But this...marvel of American ingenuity.    

This month's scenario was taken from the pages of a Casemate publication. I know...I can hear the gasps...heresy as I did not utilize an Osprey book. The world has slipped its axis. 

Casemate has a number of books in this series, that are simply fantastic. Beautiful color plates, great photos and on topic narrative that tells a great bit of history. It is rare to find a book that is fair prices, smallish in size, that packs so much punch. Honestly, these books are a must have for any serious library. They reflect a very high editorial standard and are the equal of any of the Osprey tomes, if not better in some cases.

Currently, they cover Normandy, the Bulge, Kursk and then various units both Allied and Axis. Well worth the price and as I said packed with useful and informative stuff.

This month's scenario concerns a little ol' Bailey Bridge held by the US 83rd Infantry Division and coveted by the grenadiers of the 17th SS Panzergreandier Division. The Mailed Fist vs. the Thunderbolt Across Europe.

As Operation Cobra unfolded and imperiled the entire German Army in Normandy, small unit actions would carry great weight. German counter-attacks would persist even in the face of great odds. But on occasion, this attacks would pose a significant risk and inflict heavy losses on the Americans, British, Canadian and Polish forces. 

This month's scenario covers one such counter-attack by the 17th SS Gotz von Berlichingen Panzergrenadier Division. The Germans were attempting to take out a Bailey Bridge being utilized by the Americans at Remilly-sur-Lozon.

The counter-attack would meet with some early success and inflict heavy losses on the Americans, but ultimately fail as reinforcing Allied Armor pushed back the SS Grenadiers. These often forlorn attempts by the Germans would ultimately sap their available armor strength for very little gain...much like the entire Mortain Offensive itself.

Here now is Bailey's Iron Fist.

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

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All Grumble Jones scenarios are available from the ASL Archive website. 

(Just search on Grumble Jones)