Battle for Rots by Mark Piper

11th June 1944

Background

After German forces re-captured Rots on the 8th June, the village formed a salient in the allied front
line. It also controlled a part of the Mue valley to the north of the main RN 13 highway. It was
defended by a battalion sized group based around the 1st & 4th companies of the 1st Battalion of the
26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment as well as the Panthers of the 4th Company of the 12th SS Panzer
Division. These forces were dug-in in and around the buildings and woods of Rots and Le Hamel.
To eliminate this threat to the flank of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division it was decided to launch
an attack by the attached 46th Royal Marine Commando, reinforced by a tank squadron of the 10th
Canadian Armoured Regiment.

Hobby Master 1:72 diecast

Centaur CS Tank

The Wargame Scenario

The game is played on an 8' x 6' table. Woods are open. Hedgerows are treated as per the rules (not
bocage). The River Mue may be crossed at all points but is treated as a linear obstacle to movement.
Buildings start intact. The game lasts for nine moves.

Allied forces win if they control two out of three objectives at games end (the objectives being Le
Hamel, Rots and Chateau). An objective is controlled if only one side has combat elements (not OP
teams, abandoned AFVs or crews and empty transports) within 9" of the centre. The Germans win if
they prevent the allies from achieving their victory conditions. Any other result is a draw.

Sources

Rapid Fire D-Day Supplement – Colin Rumford

Pfeiffer’s Last Ride – The Battle of Le Hamel and Rots– R Mark Davies
http://fireandfury.com/extra/downloads/rots.pdf (Battlefront scenario)
The Panzers and the Battle of Normandy – George Bernage
12th SS – History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division (Volume One) – Hubert Myer
Juno Beach (Battlezone Normandy) – Ken Ford
Steel Inferno (1st SS Panzer Corps in Normandy) – Michael Reynolds
The Authorised History of the Royal Marine Commandos – James D Ladd
Holding Juno - Mark Zuehlke

Pages 2 and 3 are for the German player’s eyes only

Page 1 Pages 4 and 5 are for the Canadian player’s eyes only
German Player Information
German tanks are elite, all other troops are regular. All German forces deploy south of the deployment
line. Infantry are in prepared positions. German
1st Battalion (Group)
guns are deployed south of the Caen – Bayeux road.
26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment
(Major Krause)
Morale test @ 20 casualties

HQ 1st Company On Table Artillery

CO + 4 figures, Panzerschreck, 8 figures, Panzerfaust, 2nd Battalion SS Panzer Artillery Regiment 12
heavy car medium truck
8 figures, 2 x 105mm howitzer,
2 x Sdkfz 11 half-track prime mover

16th (Pioneer) Company 12th SS Escort Company

8 figures, Panzerfaust, flamethrower, 6 figures, MMG, 81mm mortar,
Sdkfz 251/7 half-track Panzerfaust, medium truck

4th (Heavy) Company

3 figures, 81mm mortar, medium truck,
6 figures, 2 x MMG, Panzerfaust, medium truck,
3 figures, 75mm AT gun, medium truck

4th Coy, 12th SS Panzer Regiment 12th SS Artillery Regiment

(Capt Pfeiffer) 2 figure OP team, Kubelwagen
2 x Panther (75mm)*

* AT ranges = short 12", medium 36", long 60". HE = 6 x 10"

The German LMG rule (+2 for Panzer Grenadier

small arms groups) applies. Germans move first.

Above: Valiant Miniatures plastic Germans painted by Steve

Goodhand (www.valiantminiatures.com).
Page 2
 German Battle Map: Rots
n

Lasson


Bray

Rosel

Le Hamel
German
Defended
Area

Rots

To Bayeux Chateau

48"

To Caen

= objective

Page 3
Canadian Player Information
All troops are regular.
Off Table Artillery
46th Royal Marine Commando, 12th Field Regiment RCA
4th Special Service Brigade 3 x 25pdr battery (2 guns in each battery)
Test @ 20 casualties (Lt Colonel Hardy)

HQ A Troop
CO + 6 figures, PIAT 5 figures La Regiment de la Chaudiere,
8th Canadian Infantry Brigade
Test @ 20 casualties (Lt Colonel Mathieu)

HQ Company Carrier Platoon

CO + 6 figures, PIAT, 2" mortar 3 figures, PIAT, Bren Carrier
B Troop X Troop
5 figures 5 figures

Y Troop Z Troop
5 figures 5 figures
A Company 8 figures B Company 8 figures

S Troop 12th Field Regiment, RCA

5 figures, MMG, 3" mortar OP Carrier, OP Sherman C Company 8 figures D Company 8 figures

Support Company
6 figures, 6pdr AT gun (no APDS), Lloyd prime mover,
3" mortar, Bren Carrier

Troop, 2nd Independent A Squadron,

Royal Marine Armoured 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment
Support Battery (Fort Garry Horse)
Centaur (95mm)* 2 x Sherman (75mm), Firefly (17pdr)**

MG Platoon, Troop, 3rd AT Regiment,

Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Royal Canadian Artillery
3 figures, Vickers MMG, 4 figures, 17pdr AT gun,
Bren Carrier M5 HT prime mover
(Attached to infantry battalion)

* Centaur CS (95mm howitzer), C class armour, gun 2, HE 12 pts

table 4 (or VMG). Test as independant AFV.

** 17pdr AT ranges = short 12", medium 36", long 60".

No HE or hull MG

The elements above start on-table in the

deployment area as indicated on the scenario map. The elements above start on the northern edge of
British move second. the table.

Page 4
 Canadian Battle Map: Rots

Lasson

24"
Bray

Rosel
Canadian
Start Line

Le Hamel

Rots

Chateau
To Bayeux

To Caen

= objective
Page 5