Panthers Across the Channel

By D.Q. Nix (a.k.a. PhoeNix), e-mail: douglasnix@attbi.com

22 April, 1945. Somewhere on the coast of Great Britain.

Scenario Length: 18

Complexity: 7

Visibility: 15 (light haze)

Description: Land, sea, air -- this one has it all! In this "what if" scenario, it is 1945 and the war in Europe, instead of winding down, is in full swing. Although the Germans did not launch Operation Sea Lion (the invasion of the British Isles) in '41, as originally planned, they do successfully launch Operation Sea Panther in '45.

This scenario is the culminating battle of that operation. It is part of a full-scale invasion of a coastal British industrial city that is vital for the production of the Allied war machine.

The majority of the German armored forces will arrive from the south, via landing barges. SS engineers in motorboats will help clear the mines along the beach. Naval cannons will provide artillery support for the landing troops, as the coastline is fairly well guarded by gun emplacements.

Farther ahead, deep behind enemy lines, Panzergrenadiers will drop via parachutes; while recon tanks, field guns, and mobile HQ's will arrive via Me 32 "Gigant" gliders.

Additional tanks, infantry, and self-propelled artillery, having landed several miles down the coastline, will arrive midway into the scenario, from the southwest. However, Allied reinforcements will arrive early in the scenario, from the northwest, from the north, and from the northeast, with British troops arriving before the Americans.

Air support will be heavy for both sides; more so for the Allies, since their airports are much nearer.
