ChrisBBB2  | 02 Nov 2018 9:36 a.m. PST |
Am I just imagining it, or are the Canadians in Normandy a bit neglected by us wargamers? I see plenty of games featuring Brits in Operations Goodwood, Epsom etc, or Yanks fighting through the bocage towards St Lo. But I've only ever seen one or two games of what I think is a really interesting episode and full of potential for wargaming, namely Canadian 3rd Div running into 12th SS Panzer Div on D+1 to D+3. This isn't a one-dimensional attack-defence slog. Both sides are mobile, both sides have about 100+ tanks, both sides have room to manoeuvre and choices to make. I did a scenario for it recently which lived up to my expectations, at least. AAR on my BBBBlog:
link Chris Bloody Big Battles!
link |
| Frederick | 02 Nov 2018 11:10 a.m. PST |
Good report and quite right – after all, 3rd Canadian Division was the only Allied unit to achieve their D-Day objectives There is a really good book on the Canadian Army in Northwest Europe called The Cinderella Army by Terry Copp |
| bhall389 | 02 Nov 2018 12:33 p.m. PST |
Mark Zeuhlke does an excellent job covering this stage of the Normandy battles called Defending Juno. I game this and other Canadian actions in NWE all the time, but I'm Canadian… Brian |
| Thresher01 | 02 Nov 2018 1:32 p.m. PST |
One of the toughest fights of the war. Should definitely see more play, I suspect. Operation Charnwood is another good scrap, as is Operation Spring, and the hardfought actions in and around Hill 112. link link link link |
| Tony S | 02 Nov 2018 3:03 p.m. PST |
There is a really good book on the Canadian Army in Northwest Europe called The Cinderella Army by Terry Copp That's my old history Prof! Interesting, very engaging lecturer. And that is indeed a great book. The slog through the Netherlands is covered quite well, and would be a wonderful source of scenario ideas. |
| wrgmr1 | 02 Nov 2018 4:13 p.m. PST |
Nice AAR.
Another excellent book is "Guns of Normandy" by George Blackburn. He was a 25 pounder troop commander in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. |
| mwindsorfw | 02 Nov 2018 4:48 p.m. PST |
I don't ignore them, but I'm not going to buy a whole set of new figures. The British will have to stand on for the Canadians when needed. |
 miniMo | 02 Nov 2018 7:27 p.m. PST |
Nice AAR. Canadians are my strong suit for Bolt Action. Lots of fun modelling conversions to build Ford Lynxes, and infantry head swaps for the assault troops of the 12th Manitoba Dragoons (armoured corps, so black berets and RAC pattern helmets)! |
| Ryan T | 03 Nov 2018 12:36 p.m. PST |
GHQ Miniatures has a scenario book (Micro Armour: The Game – Canada in World War II) with thirteen scenarios involving Canadians . It includes five scenarios from Normandy: Buron (7 June), Putot-en-Bessin (8 June), Bretteville-l'Orgueilleuse (9 June), Operation Charnwood (8 July) and Verrières Ridge (20 July). Although the scenarios are set up for GHQ's Micro Armor: The Game rules they would be readily adaptable to Spearhead. The book also includes a listing of the changes in the TO&E and OOB for the Canadians in both Italy and northwest Europe. |
| ChrisBBB2 | 03 Nov 2018 1:23 p.m. PST |
Gentlemen, thanks for all your nice responses. Interesting to get your book recommendations and to learn about GHQ's scenario book. And of course good to hear that others are paying suitable tabletop tributes to Canada's exploits. Chris |
| TangoOneThreeAlpha | 04 Nov 2018 8:33 a.m. PST |
Hi
There are a fair number of scenarios featuring Canadians here::
link All for Battlefront WWII rules but easily converted for other rule sets. Cheers Paul Cheers Paul |
| Simo Hayha | 04 Nov 2018 10:19 p.m. PST |
just finishing up this book. a detailed book on the subject.
link also
link link |
tries the naval wargame in the Axis & Allies series.
