Easter Big Game - Grave to Nijmegen - Days 1 and 2

Sunday was split in two with Day 1(17th Sept 1944) played in the morning and day 2 (18th) in the evening

505th Paras with assorted supports and a useless Corps HQ south of Groesbeek preparing to move out

504th Paras heading towards Grave with some covering forces detached in the direction of Nijmegen (this was my command)

German heavy artillery, ex Russian 152mm guns, that over the coming days would cause enormous damage to the 505th and 506th Paras. Lovely models by Alan with the towed versions in the woods

506th Paras heading towards Wyler

Preparing for an assault on Grave bridge, it's a long way and the defenders are dug in

"Boy" Browning poncing around in Mook

Day 1 ended with me clearing the bridge defenders at some cost but not able to cross the bridge in time.

Day 2 505th Paras dug in around Groesbeek

506th still attempting to capture Wyler

German reinforcements arrive from the east and also from the north for the defenders of Nijmegen

Yet more

Across the bridge, the defenders of Grave have concentrated on the side of Grave out of sight of my mortar and artillery observers.

Our reinforements 325th Glider Infantry and our artillery.

Close of Day 2 - US forces gathering to the east of Nijmegen and all the buildings on that side have been ruined by artillery with no better targets available.

But what happened at Grave? The defenders caused enough casualties on my assaulting force to force a morale check, and if anything but a 1 is needed, please fill in the rest...

German defenders settling in in Nijmegen, it's going to be a tough fight

506th have still not taken Wyler, but the German were badly mauled.

505th are dug-in in something of a salient

Glider Infantry and some Paras have worked their way through the Groesbeek heights towards Nijmegen

German artillery north of the Waal, the 105mm's are actually off table and the 88mm has had minimal sucess firing indirect

The German defenders waiting in Nijmegen

Now out for a meal and a good nights sleep!?