One thinks of the M18 'Hellcat' Tank Destroyer as a north west Europe 'Late-War' AFV, debuting in Normandy and then the Bulge and all that. But in researching the Anzio landings, I came across one of those weird snippets of history that just cry out for a scenario!
Eighty years ago, it seems Tank Destroyer command wanted the early version (T70) of the M18 evaluated under combat conditions, so they shipped three or five (sources vary) to the Anzio beachhead. These were issued to the 894th TD Battalion, who, concerned at their paper thin armour, attached them to their recon company.
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| 894th M18 (later, in Rome) |
This coincided with the a German counter-attack against the west of the bridgehead against the British 24th Infantry Brigade (Guards). The 894th were sent up to provide support to the 5th Bn. Grenadier Guards defending the outskirts of CARROCETO.
This called for a small game as part of my commemorations of 1944 in 2024 attempting to echo particular actions on or about the same calendar date. This can provide rewarding historical insight into the relative length of the campaigns and the wider war.
Wheeling out my fave Buying Time scenario, I put together a small 50 point force for the Allied defence of CARROCETO: a Platoon of Grenadier Guards, a 25 Pounder Battery to represent the 2nd Field Regiment RA, and of course our 894th Tank Destroyers complete with Hellcats!
The German attackers of Kampfgruppe FALKE of the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division would come in at around twice the points: 2 infantry platoons, StuG company, Wespe battery and a single surviving Panther.
With the enemy infantry expected to come up the more heavily groved left flank, the Grenadiers Rifle Platoon was placed in and around the left hand side of the village, PIAT team well to the fore covering the main road. The arty FOO was placed, as is traditional, in the Church tower.
The guns themselves dug in around the village square.
The 894th's security element was well forward also on the left flank to provide additional firepower against the panzer grenadiers expected to come this way...
On this occasion the Germans came on as expected, the armour going to their left flank which was comparatively open...
Leaving the covered approach to the dismounted panzer-grenadiers. The Panther stood overwatch in the centre.
The Hellcats sprang their ambush straight away, benefitting from the cover of the olive groves to confront the StuGs at short range.
However, shooting through cover, strikes were few - one StuG KO'd and two bailed out - a disappointing debut!
The response was far more accurate, and with their paper armour, quite devastating!
The Panzer Grenadiers trudged up, dodging artillery barrages in the gaps between groves.
The ambush sprung to little avail, the Hellcats attempted to disengage, but the Panther's claws struck at long range!
Now with only light armour in support, the 5th Grenadier Guards withdrew from their forward positions, and the Panther claimed the objective. A quick game is a good game, and this one followed the overall historical outcome to a surprising degree, as shown by the Presidential Unit Citation earned by 'B' Company of the 894th at Anzio:
A video version of this batrep is available on Youtube - 3mins duration:
Very interesting, a few years ago I did a study of Anzio order of battles for the Anzio campaign and while aware of the plentiful M10’s, I had no idea of the M18’s. Safe handling the thin skinned vehicles with good guns is always a wargaming dilemma.
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm yes it makes you wonder how many experimental type units and engagements went on without making it to the official OOBs!
DeleteA fascinating snippet of history for sure. A lovely looking game and another #44 in 2024 under your belt:)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve - yes will try and keep regular!
DeleteExcellent! I've always had a soft spot for the M18. I think Wargames rules really struggle with the concept of SP Anti tank guns (which is what Hellcats, Marders, Archer etc are), which rely on concealment and mobility for their effect rather than armour thickness. I sometimes wonder if the best approach is to treat them as very mobile towed AT guns, so at least they are harder to locate than tanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin! Yes the Ambush rule can only go so far...With the 'Seek Strike and Destroy' rule they do get the opportunity for a second movement order to get back into cover, but that's not helpful in a stark and open winter landscape!
Delete"Initial combat in Italy
ReplyDeleteFive T70 prototypes were sent to Italy in the spring of 1944 for testing and saw combat during the breakout from the Anzio beachhead with the 601st (two) and 894th Tank Destroyer Battalions (three). The 894th employed them in the battalion's Reconnaissance Company because of their high speed. In addition to the vehicle's speed, battalion members were also impressed with the power of the 76 mm gun, but were less complimentary of the T70's thin armor and small internal volume, which they felt affected crew confidence in battle, and made living inside the vehicle and handling main gun ammunition awkward, respectively. The 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, originally a towed gun unit, re-equipped with the M18 during the summer of 1944; it was the only battalion in the Italian campaign to be fully equipped with the M18."
Thanks mate - some really good sources are available on the history of the 894th Bn in particular.
DeleteBest scenarios are from reports, but not always "even" fights. TD units are obviously not tanks and pack a punch but need terrain to function properly. The lack of Sherman's is shown in the casualty rate. Sherman units would provide HE or smoke to supplement TD units.
ReplyDeleteYes agree mate - and few fights were even - its a poor commander who leads his men into an 'even' fight!
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