British Forces at Villers-Bocage, Part Two: B Squadron, 4th County of London Yeomanry (4 CLY)

     The Belle of the Ball at Villers-Bocage is truly the 4th CLY.  The tankers were valiantly trying to redeem themselves after a disastrous morning outing at Point 213 just east of the town where A Squadron had been destroyed by some of Wittman's trusted subordinates.  If you like British Cruisers with over sized rivets it is hard not to like this Cromwell equipped unit.  While they are reluctant, they are also veterans so they should put up a pretty good showing in the narrow streets.  When you consider that the British have a full armoured squadron plus a full infantry company plus a couple of other assets, the sheer density of the force makes it unlikely that the Germans can bull their way and attain the objectives.  We'll see soon. 

     First up is the Company HQ with two Cromwell IVs and two Cromwell VI Close Support tanks.  The pictures here also shows the Crusader AA tanks which is not in the scenario, but look neat.  LTC Lord Cranley is there as well as a higher headquarters team, not having been picked up as a POW yet.
The company ARV is there too to look neat, though it isn't in the scenario either. 

B Squadron HQ with a couple of additions that won't be in the battle.

Another view of the HQ and Lord Cranley.

Lord Cranley wishes he was in the scenario as well.

Squadron CO and 2iC Command Cromwell IV tanks.

And again . . .

A Crusader AA tank with twin 40mm Bofors guns.  This would easily shred any German halftrack but wouldn't survive any encounter with ANY German tank. 

The company Cromwell ARV. 

Another view of the ARV.

 

Next up are several pictures of the four armoured Troops (1-4), each with 3 Cromwell IVsand a Sherman Firefly with an impressive 17 pdr gun.  This last tank is the main threat to the Tigers, so I expect them to be targeted early and often by everything the Germans have.  Since the Firefly has a standard Sherman armour ((6 front, 4 side), these crews may not last long. 

 

1 Troop, B Squadron.

Troop leader in a Command Cromwell IV.

Another view.  Love those rivets!

2 Troop, B Squadron overhead view. 

 

Cromwell IVs are nice, but Fireflys are the real Tiger threat. 

The 17 pdr is pretty pronounced on a standard Sherman hull.

A side view of the Firefly.

3 Troop, B Squadron.

4 Troop, B Squadron.



Lastly, the British have a Recce Patrol with three Stuart V tanks.  These look very cute, but probably won't last much longer than the German motorcycle teams.  When the Tigers go out to hunt, the Stuarts should stay behind a powerful AT gun screen.  Perhaps they can guard the Sextons?  Perhaps . . .

Stuart Vs look cute, but with a 37mm pop gun, can't do much against Panzer Mk IV Hs or Tigers.

Stuarts in all around defense.

The troop leader wonders how many turns his troop will last. 

Even a wrecked Tiger is more threatening than a Stuart V. 

     This really is a lot of tanks in a relatively small space.  I don't want to have a wheel-to-wheel broadside by each side against the other, but it may end up that way. 

A traffic jam in Villers-Bocage.  Not all of the 4th CLY tanks will fit on the one road.  Let alone the Sextons and Stuarts and . . . well, what about the Germans?  Ouch!

 

Troops wait their turn on the side roads.

Lord Cranely wonders if he really wants to advance out of the town before tea. 

We are ready now!  Let the battle begin!

    That's it for the forces for now.  I may have to put the town away for a bit to work on other projects until the British Commander gets home from college, but it's ready to go.  Finally!