By Simon Macdonald

Updated on
2 December 2013

53RD WELSH DIVISION

53rd (Welsh) Division

WWI and inter war
On 2 July 1915 the Division was ordered to refit for service
in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind,
the rest of the Division left between 14 and 19 July and
embarked at Sevonport and sailed via Alexandria, landing at
Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 9 August 1915.
The effects of month of savage fighting that typified this
campaign, few reinforcements and the dreadful blizzard of
November reduced the Division to just 162 officers and
2428 men (about 15% of full strength). Between 11 and
12 December the Division was evacuated and went on to
Alexandria, where it began to arrive 20 December. From
1916 onwards the division was involved in the Palestine
Campaign.

Wilson designed the divisional symbol represent the Welsh

or Bardic Crown. Various other stories arose around the
symbol, including it representing not only W standing
for Wales, but the process of attack. The horizontal
representing the firm base of the attack, the central, solid
point representing the spearhead and the side members the
outflanking movements. However, these were never the
intention of the designer.
Early in the war the Division was posted on several defensive
assignments. In April 1940 the Division transferred to
Northern Ireland, where it remained until November 1941.
It returned to the mainland again to defend Kent and the
South Coast between 19411943, when it was earmarked to
form part of the British Second Army.
In October 1943 the division was reorganised, its 159th
Infantry Brigade detaching to form part of 11th Armoured
Division, with the 71st Infantry Brigade taking its place.

On 26 March 1917, the 53rd Division bore the brunt of

the First Battle of Gaza where the three brigades, along
with the 161st Brigade of the 54th Division, had to advance
across exposed ground, withstanding shrapnel, machine
gun and rifle fire, to capture the Turkish fortifications.
Despite gaining the advantage towards the end of the day,
the British commander called off the attack so that the
divisions casualties, close to 3,500, were suffered in vain.
1917 concluded with the capture and subsequent defence
of Jerusalem.

The 71st Brigade often jokingly referred to as the divisions

International Brigade being formed from The East
Lancashire, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
and the Highland Light Infantry Regiments.

Remaining active throughout the interwar years, the division

served as part of the Home Defence Forces of the United
Kingdom between 19391940, fittingly based to defend
Wales and the borders.

Normandy

Preparation and Training

The Divisional badge, a red W on horizontal a bar
was conceived by Major General Bevin T. Wilson who
commanded the division upon re-mobilisation in 1939.

During the Divisions crossing of the channel Brigadier

Whistler of 160th Brigade was flown off to Normandy to
take command of the 3rd Division (Montys Ironsides) on
23 June.

53rd Welsh Division landed in Normandy on 28 June as a

follow-up division and was placed under command of XII
Corps now defending the Odon Valley position and was
held in reserve for Operation Epsom, the drive to Hill 112.
The division then went onto the line in the Hill 112/Odon
area and saw heavy fighting as part of Operation Greenline,

53RD WELSH DIVISION

a diversionary attack West of Caen leading up to Operation

Goodwood.
In August the Division began to push out of the Odon
region driving along the river Orne adjacent to the Canadian
sector as part of the attempt to close the Falaise Pocket. It
was during the fighting near Balfour that Lieutenant Tasker
Watkins won his Victoria Cross.
Due to the casualties suffered by the division in Normandy
and the acute lack of infantry reinforcements, some battalions
were replaced and reorganised. The international regiments
were mixed throughout the division as a result.

Holland
During Operation Market-Garden the Division was located
on the West flank continuing its advance with XII Corp
starting on the Lommel Bridgehead and advancing on the
Tilburg/S Hertogenbosch axis.
After the week long grind the XII Corp had still hadnt made
their objective of s-Hertogenbosch. Over the following
weeks the 53rd garrisoned the island South of Arnhem.
The taking of the Scheldt peninsula (Operation Pheasant)
commenced on 22 October. The British XII Corps was
tasked not only with expanding the Nijmegen Salient
westward, but also with destroying the German fortress at
s-Hertogenbosch, thereby cutting the German 15. Armees
line of communication with LXXXVIII. Korps, stationed
south of the Maas on the Scheldt.

city of Tilburg. The 51st (Highland) Division meanwhile,

would take the towns of Schijndel and Boxtel and would cut
the German lateral lines of communication between Vught
and Tilburg. The 53rd (Welsh) Division would attack from
what they hoped would be an unexpected direction from
the northeast.
The division was battle-hardened from Normandy, but had
not suffered anywhere near the level of casualties suffered by
other British divisions in the killing fields of the Bocage. As
a consequence, it was experienced, seasoned and confident.
It was also to be well-supported by artillery and air power,
as well as armour from 7th Armoured Division and specialist
Funny armour from General Hobarts 79th Armoured
Division.
Arguably the Funniest of all were the newly converted
Canadian Ram Kangaroos armoured troop carriers based
on obsolete Ram tanks. These Ram Kangaroos were to be
used in action for the first time in this operation, which was
designated Operation Alan.
Armoured Support was also provided by the Cromwells of
the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (The Skins)
sent to reinforce the 7th Armoured following their losses
in Normandy. The Skins were the only Regiment of the
7thArmoured Division in attendance for the assault on the
city. Additional support armour support was also provided
by the Shermans of the East Riding Yeomanry (ERY) from
33rd Armoured Brigade and the Crocodiles of 141st RAC
(The Buffs).

For this task, XII Corps was reinforced by the addition of

15th (Scottish) Division, who would be given the objective

53RD WELSH DIVISION

SHERTOGENBOSCH AND APPROACHES

1000

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Rosmalen

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158

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160

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General
Direction of
Advance

15

ale
Rosm

Oss
Heesch
Nuland
Kruisstraat
Berghem

Hintham
Railway Station
Positions at the end
of 24 October
Positions at the end
of 25 October

Zuid

s-Hertogenbosch
The city, designated a Festung or Fortress by the German
high command, was a vital supply connection to the German
forces left on the Scheldt as well as the only real withdrawal
route from the peninsula. Even Hitler himself telephoned in
the order to Hold at all costs.
In line with its importance it was garrisoned by some four
battalions from 712. Infanterie-Division. Approximately
nine companies were located in the town with the remainder
guarding likely approach routes.
The 53rd Divisions start line was some 15km to the North
East near Oss. The structure of the attack was;
160 Brigade to push to the North of the railway supported by
the Skins, some Crocodile Churchills from the Buffs as well
as Flail Sherman Crabs from the Westminster Dragoons
(79th Armoured Division).
71st Brigade to advance South of the railways astride the
main Oss-S Hertogenbosch road.
158th Brigade was held in reserve along with the 53rd
Reconnaissance Regiment and a squadron of the Skins to
exploit any gaps in the line and to seize the canal bridges into
the town, should an opportunity arise.
At 0630 on 22 October the advance began well with the
160th Brigade gaining some 5 miles (8km) and reaching
Kruisstraat at 1.30pm. The 71st Brigade, unsupported by
armour, made much slower progress.
By 1500, the Divisional commander, Lieutentant General
Bobby Ross decided to capitalize the gains of 160 Brigade.

Wille

msva

art

On the codeword Saucepan he released the reserved

158thBrigade, spearheaded by the 53rd Recce Regiment and
1st East Lancashires mounted in Ram Kangaroos, to push
through their gained positions. Unfortunately 158th Brigade
ran into mine fields shortly after and the advance bogged
down. 160th Brigade were once again ordered to advance.
During the days fighting the 71st Brigade saw some sharp
action, with the 1st Highland Light infantry (1st HLI) in
the village of Nuland and the 4th Royal Welch Fusiliers (6th
RWF) were unfortunate to lose all their officers who were hit
while assembled to receive orders.
The advance continued early on 23 October with 160th
Brigade pushing on towards Rosmalen. 71st Brigade continued
slowly onwards through the forested terrain which straddled
the road South of the Railway. By afternoon the Division
was well placed to attack the city itself.
To prepare for the assault on the city proper the artillery
programme Chicago, consisting of some 200 guns (approx
three quarters 25 pdrs, the remainder Medium and Heavy
guns), fired over 50,000 shells into the city throughout the
night of 23/24 October.
During the night of 23/24 October the hamlet of Hintham
was assaulted jointly by elements of 160th Brigade from the
North and 158th Brigade from the East in order to make up
for the comparatively slow going of the 71st Brigade. The
remainder of each brigade made good progress into the city
overnight with a platoon from 160th Brigade even crossing
the canal before the bridge was blown behind them.
The remainder of 24 October saw one squadron of the Skins

53RD WELSH DIVISION

joining 158th Brigade in the city following a head long dash

down the steeply banked railway, under the sights of German
guns. The remainder of the Skins pushed along the Hintham
road with the 6th RWF into the city.
Later that afternoon the 6th RWF made the assault across
the lock gates, supported by the Skins tanks and the
Buffs Crocodiles and held the bridge against determined
counterattacks throughout the night while a class 40 bridge
was constructed by the supporting engineers.
The battle had until now gone more-or-less according to plan.
During 25 October however, the Division suffered several
set-backs; The attempts to cross the canal in the NW of the
city by 160th Brigade were unsuccessful as the Germans had
reinforced the position overnight.
The 1st East Lancs were to flank the city and drive towards the
bridges in the SW of the city while the 1/5th Welch Regiment
were to clear the centre of the city. Both these advances did
not start until late in the afternoon with each only reaching
their objectives late in the evening, by which time all three
bridges were reported as blown and partially destroyed.
The plan for 26 October was for 158th Brigade to cross the
partially demolished bridges in the SW of the city. The 1/5th
Welch were to rush the bridge in the centre of the town with
the 7th RWF in reserve, ready to exploit either bridgehead.
The infantry were now supported by the Shermans of the
ERY who had now relieved the Skins.
At 11am the 1/5th Welch rushed the bridge under smoke
and mortar preparation, taking 25 prisoners and 2 MGs.
These early gains were opposed with violent counterattacks
throughout the day. The East Lancs however took their
bridge in the southwest against only light opposition.

Exploiting the East Lancs success, 7th RWF passed through

the East Lancs bridgehead and fought their way towards the
railway station. The East Lancs meanwhile, pushed along the
river and linked up with the 1/5th Welch at approximately
10pm.
The 27 October saw mainly mopping up in the West of
the city until the Germans counterattacked with infantry
in company strength, supported by some five StuGs and
three Jagdpanthers. The infantry were halted by combined
small arms and mortar fire. The armour was engaged by all
available guns and eventually seven of the eight were either
destroyed or captured.
The taking of S Hertogenbosch is still seen as a fine example
of infantry/armour co-operation in an urban environment.
By special order the divisional commander, Major General
Bobby Ross stated, I do not think that any formation could
have shown greater enterprise and resourcefulness...
Even the captured German Garrison Commander, Major
Riehl, stated that he had been surprised by the speed of the
Divisions advance and was impressed by the resolute manner
with which the infantry had crossed the various canal and
river crossings under fire.

Ardennes
In December 1944, now attached to XXX Corps, it was one
of the British divisions that took part in the Battle of the
Bulge as part of Montys Long-stop, helping to blunt the
northern tip of the German salient.
The 53rd Recce Regiment was attached to the British 6th
Airborne Division for the operation while the main body of
the Division saw action at the very tip of the bulge South of
Lige on the River Ourthe.

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Into Germany
Following the Ardennes, the division was sent north in
February 1945, to take part in Operation Veritable. Still
attached to XXX Corps, the division slogged its way through
the Reichswald Forest and assaulted the fortified city of
Weeze beyond. It was during this bitter period of difficult
fighting in deep forest, waterlogged fields and shattered
towns, all the while mired in mud, that the division suffered
over half its total casualties for the war. Nevertheless, the
division broke through the Siegfried Line.

Rejoining XII Corps and crossing the Rhine during Operation

Plunder, the division saw action as part of the Exploitation
Reserve and broke out to the North East across the River
Issel. The fighting which followed, in the last months of the
war, saw several bitter battles against enemy formations that
included determined Marine Divisions and even a Hungarian
regiment, before ending the War in Hamburg.

Welsh Special Rules

The 53rd Welsh Division uses all of the normal British special rules found on pages 247 to 248 of the rulebook. In addition,
they use the following special rule.

Cymru am Byth
(Pronounced: Cum-ree am beeth, Translation: Wales
Forever)
The old saying goes: To be born welsh is to be privileged;
not with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with music
in your heart and poetry in your soul. This feeling of
pride, combined with the close-knit farming and mining
communities the 53rd (Welsh) Division is raised from gives
the soldiers a strong sense of community. The senior NCOs

and Junior officers were often seen as leading members of

the community, in and out of military service and would
frequently inspire those around them to continue on when
times were at their bleakest.
A platoon joined by the 2iC Command team from a Welsh
company (including those from the international brigade)
may re-roll failed Platoon Morale Checks.

Extract of Sospan Fach (Little Saucepan) Mae bys Meri-Ann wedi brifo,
song of 4th Battalion, Welch Regiment. A Dafydd y gwas ddim yn iach.
Maer baban yn y crud yn crio,
Ar gath wedi sgrapo Joni bach.
Sosban fach yn berwi ar y tn,
Sosban fawr yn berwi ar y llawr,
Ar gath wedi sgrapo Joni bach.

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Mary-Ann has hurt her finger,

And David the servant is not well.
The baby in the cradle is crying,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.
A little saucepan is boiling on the fire,
A big saucepan is boiling on the floor,
And the cat has scratched little Johnny.

Lieutenant Tasker Watkins

Lieutenant Tasker Watkins, Victoria
Cross, 1/5 Welch Regiment
On 16 August, West of Falaise, Lieutenant Watkins company
came under short range fire while crossing a corn field laced
with booby traps. In response Lieutenant Watkins personally
charged two enemy posts in succession. On reaching the
second his Sten gun jammed, throwing the carbine in the
Germans faced he pulled out his revolver and shot him
before he could recover.
With only 30 men remaining of his company the Germans
counter-attacked with some 50 infantry. Lieutenant Watkins
directed the fire of his men in response before leading a
bayonet charge resulting in the near complete destruction
of the enemy.
At dusk the battalion was ordered to withdraw. Lieutenant
Watkins did not receive the orders and now finding themselves
alone, surrounded, depleted in numbers and in failing light
Lieutenant Watkins organised the companys withdrawal.
While withdrawing back through the corn fields they were
once again challenged. Lieutenant Watkins ordered his men
to scatter and once again charged the enemy position; this

time armed with a Bren

gun. After silencing
yet another enemy
position
Lieutenant
Watkins finally lead
the remainder of the
company back to his
Battalions lines.
Retiring from the Army
at the rank of Major after
the war, Tasker joined
the legal profession; he
represented the victims
families during the Aberfan Disaster and eventually gained
the position of Lord Justice of Appeal. Tasker also pursued
his passion for rugby, firstly as a player for Cardiff RFC and
the Glamorgan Wanderers. His association with the sport
continued off the pitch with him being Chairman of the
Welsh Rugby Union until 2003. Tasker passed away in 2007,
aged 88. There is a statue erected in his memory outside the
National Millennium Stadium in Central Cardiff.

CHARACTERISTICS
Lieutenant Tasker Watkins is a Warrior Company Command Rifle team and is rated Confident Veteran. Lieutenant Tasker
Watkins replaces the Company Command team of a Rifle Company (page 8) from the 53rd Welsh Division for +20 points.

Bloody Angry

Commanding Voice

In one of his few interviews Tasker talked about his

remarkable actions leading to his VC, Tasker showed
characteristic humility and concern for his men. Upon
seeing the decimation of the men under his command by
the German machine-guns, Tasker described how I just got
so bloody angry.

Tasker was noted at a young age to have a commanding

voice, one that would shore-up the line during the war and
subsequently silence a court room in the years following.
A Company commanded by Tasker Watkins may re-roll
Company Morale Checks.

When Tasker Watkins and a platoon he has joined is forced

to Fall Back by defensive fire in an Assault, Tasker Watkins
may choose to not Fall Back and continue the Assault by
himself. If Tasker Watkins continues the Assault in this way
he hits on 2+ in the Assault.
Enemy platoons do not need to make a Motivation Test to
Counterattack if only assaulted by Tasker Watkins.
Regardless of whether or not Tasker Watkins was hit in the
enemy Counterattack, you must take a Motivation Test
to Counterattack for Tasker Watkins and the platoon he
has joined. If passed, the whole platoon may Charge into
Contact, rejoin and continue the Assault as normal. This
does not trigger another round of Defensive Fire. Tasker
Watkins calms down and reverts to hitting on 3+ in
Assaults.
Otherwise Tasker Watkins Breaks Off.

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Rifle Company
HEADQUARTERS

Rifle Company HQ

HEADQUARTERS

(INFANTRY COMPANY)

You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.
Any Divisional Support Armoured Platoons in your force must be from the same regiment,
if you take an ERY Armoured Platoon, a second Armour choice must be an ERY Armoured
Platoon. If your take a Skins Armoured Platoon, a second Armour choice must be a Skins
Armoured Platoon.

Crocodile Tank Platoon

Breaching Group

19

ARTILLERY

Field Battery,
Royal Artillery

16

Medium Battery,
Royal Artillery

17

ARMOUR

RECONNAISSANCE

Field Battery,
Royal Artillery

16

Skins Armoured
Platoon

19

10

INFANTRY

ERY Armoured Platoon

13

INFANTRY

Pioneer Platoon

Rifle Platoon

Mortar Platoon

ARTILLERY

ARMOUR

13

INFANTRY

ARTILLERY

10

Rifle Platoon

WEAPONS PLATOONS

INFANTRY

COMBAT PLATOONS

DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

Skins Armoured
Platoon

13

ANTI-TANK

ERY Armoured Platoon

13

11

Carrier Platoon

Rifle Platoon

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

(SP), Royal Artillery

14

ANTI-TANK

Light Anti-aircraft
Platoon, Royal Artillery

15

11

Anti-tank Platoon

19

Breaching Group

INFANTRY

AOP

MACHINE-GUNS

12

Heavy Mortar Platoon

12

RECONNAISSANCE

15

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Air Observation Post

18

Machine-gun Platoon

Rifle Platoon

Recce Platoon

Air Support

18

Anti-tank Platoon,
Royal Artillery

14

Machine-gun Platoon

Anti-tank Platoon
(SP), Royal Artillery

14

MACHINE-GUNS

12

BRIGADE SUPPORT PLATOONS

AIRCRAFT

Motivation and skill

After their blooding on the killing fields of Normandy, after arriving from Britain as one of
Montys Green Divisions, the division has earned important battlefield experience. A Rifle
Company from the 53rd Welsh Division is rated Confident Veteran.

MOTIVATION

SKILL

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN
53RD WELSH
DIVISION

HEADQUARTERS
Rifle Company HQ
Headquarters
Company HQ

50 points

Option
Add Jeep or Troop Carrier for +5 points.
As the commander of a company Welshmen you take
with you the pride of this small nations regiments with
historys spanning several hundred years a piece. Whether
a Boyo from the South, Gog from the North or one of

Rifle Company HQ

the international regiments, youre all coal eating, sheep

chasing, rugby playing Taffys now according to the top
brass.

COMBAT PLATOONS
Rifle Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Rifle Squads
2 Rifle Squads

180 points
140 points

Add a Transport Section with:

3 Ram Kangaroo APC

+20 points

Options
Add a .50 cal MG to any or all Ram Kangaroo APCs
for +5 points per APC.
The last few years of hard training across Britain has
formed the various regiments into a tight-knit division.
Regardless what Jerry throws at you are confident that the
supporting arms of Artillery and Armour will carry the
day.
When making a Night Attack, Rifle Platoons equipped
with a Transport Section may still make a Spearhead move,
even though the platoon is not entirely made up of Infantry
Teams.

Ram Kangaroo APC

Ram Kangaroo APC

Ram Kangaroo APC

Transport Section

Rifle Platoon

53RD WELSH DIVISION

WEAPONS PLATOONS
Mortar Platoon

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Mortar Sections
2 Mortar Sections
1 Mortar Section

175 points
120 points
65 points

Option
Add Troop Carrier and Mortar Carriers for +5points
for the platoon.
The new ML 3 Mark II mortar is a big improvement
over the old Mark I. Its increased range allows it to match
the German weapons and earn the crew five bob a sheep
during range practice.

Command Rifle team

Troop Carrier

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

Observer
Rifle Team

Observer
Rifle Team

ML 3 Mk II Mortar Carrier
Mortar

ML 3 Mk II Mortar Carrier
Mortar

ML 3 Mk II Mortar Carrier
Mortar

ML 3 Mk II Mortar Carrier
Mortar

Mortar Section

Mortar Section
Sergeant

Observer Rifle Team

ML 3 Mk II
Mortar

ML 3 Mk II
Mortar

Mortar Carrier

Mortar Carrier

Mortar Section

Mortar Platoon

Pioneer Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Assault Squads
1 Assault Squad

80 points
55 points

Option
Add a 15 cwt truck and Jeeps with trailer to the
platoon for +5 points.
A rifle battalion has its own platoon of pioneers of
tradesmen and sappers. The pioneers receive additional
training in the specialist areas of field fortifications and
obstacles. They have proven their worth time and time
again in Normandy, clearing the way for infantry assaults
against the Germans defences.

10

You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle team with a Flamethrower team at the start of the game before deployment.

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Carrier Platoon

Captain
Captain

Platoon
4 Carrier Patrols
3 Carrier Patrols
2 Carrier Patrols
1 Carrier Patrol

345 points
260 points
175 points
90 points

Universal
Carrier

Command
Universal Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Carrier Patrol
Sergeant

Options
Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hullmounted MG for +5 points per carrier.
Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with
a hull-mounted .50 cal MG per Carrier Patrol for
+5points per carrier.
Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with a PIAT
anti-tank projector per Carrier Patrol at no cost.
Replace all Universal Carriers in all Carrier Patrols with
Wasp Carriers for +25 point per Patrol.

Universal
Carrier

Command
Universal Carrier

Carrier Patrol
Sergeant

Universal
Carrier

Command
Universal Carrier

In the close terrain of Normandy, the support of the

carriers proved vital. Their ongoing support in Holland
will continue prove their worth. After receiving the first
batch of wasps in Normandy, the General keeps these in
reserve in order to pool them in support of the attacking
infantry brigade.

Universal
Carrier

Carrier Patrol
Sergeant

Carrier Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.

Carrier Patrols operate as separate platoons, each with
their own command team.

Universal
Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Command
Universal Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Carrier Patrol

Carrier Platoon

Carrier Patrols equipped with Wasp Carriers are not

Reconnaissance Platoons.

Anti-tank Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with:
6 OQF 6 pdr (late)
4 OQF 6 pdr (late)
2 OQF 6 pdr (late)

205 points
140 points
75 points

Option
Add Troop and Loyd Carriers for +5points for the
platoon.
Even in 1944, two years after its first battles in the Desert,
the 6pdr is still a potent anti-tank gun. It can take out
most of Jerrys tanks. Only the largest of Jerrys Panzers
cause it problems, and these still fall prey to flank shots.

Loyd carrier

Loyd carrier

Loyd carrier

Loyd carrier

Your company has access to the battalions excellent 6-pdr

anti-tank guns. You can set up a deadly ambush with their
high rate of fire and low silhouette.
While attacking, place them wisely to halt an enemy
armoured counterattack, keeping your combat platoons
focused on securing their objectives. You can also move
them forward and shell enemy foxholes and gun teams.

Loyd carrier

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Loyd carrier

11

BRIGADE SUPPORT PLATOONS

Machine-gun Platoon

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Machine-gun Sections
1 Machine-gun Section

140 points
75 points

PIAT team

Command Rifle team

HQ Section
Sergeant

Options
Add PIAT team for +20 points.
Add Troop Carrier and MMG Carriers to the platoon
for +15 points per Machine-gun Section.
Despite being English pansies, the boys from the Manchester
Regiment provide excellent service to the division. They
can just about make their Vickers machine-guns sing! The
Manchesters extensive training allows them to get the most
from their weapons, even to the extent of bombarding
targets far beyond normal machine-gun range.

Troop Carrier

Sergeant

Vickers HMG

MMG Carrier

Vickers HMG

MMG Carrier

Vickers HMG

MMG Carrier

Vickers HMG

MMG Carrier

Machine-gun
Section

Machine-gun
Section

Machine-gun Platoon

Heavy Mortar Platoon

Subaltern

Platoon

Subaltern

HQ Section with:
2 Mortar Sections
1 Mortar Section

155 points
80 points

Options
Add PIAT team for +20 points.
Add Troop Carriers and Loyd Carriers to the platoon
for +5 points.
As well as their medium machine-guns; the Manchesters
have a platoon of heavy 4.2 mortars. These combine
the advantages of both mortars and medium artillery.
They have the mobility and quick response of a mortar
along with a large calibre shell delivering even more high
explosive per round than a 25pound gun!

12

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

Mortar Section

Mortar Section

Heavy Mortar Platoon

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Divisional & Corps Support

Motivation and skill
After a thorough grounding on the battlefields of France Divisional Support Platoons are
rated Confident Veteran unless otherwise noted.

ERY Armoured Platoon

SKILL

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
2 Sherman V and
2 Firefly VC
3 Sherman V and
1 Firefly VC
2 Sherman V and
1 Firefly VC

425 points
Command Sherman V
HQ Tank

375 points
295 points

In October, the East Riding Yeomanry Regiment (ERY),

from Yorkshire, supported 53rd Welsh Division in Holland
fighting around s-Hertogenbosch and the later crossing
of the Maas.

Sergeant

Lance Corporal

Sherman V
Tank

Tank
Tank
Corporal

The production of Firefly tanks has caught up with

demand and some of our platoons are now equipped with
two of these deadly tanks. Theyll make quick work of any
German tank.
Be wary as you drive up the road. If Jerry so much as
pokes his head out of any scrub or patch of grass, your
orders are to blast him out with everything youve got!

Firefly VC
Tank

ERY Armoured Platoon

Skins Armoured Platoon

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
2 Cromwell IV and
2 Firefly VC
3 Cromwell IV and
1 Firefly VC
2 Cromwell IV and
1 Firefly VC

350 points

Command Cromwell IV
HQ Tank

320 points
250 points

Freshly arrive from Blighty, the 5th Royal Inniskilling

Dragoon Guards or Skins have been training hard, but
Holland is their first true test while the rest of the 7th
Armoured Division are refitting.

Sergeant

Lance Corporal

Cromwell IV
Tank

Tank
Tank
Corporal

Motivation and skill

Skins
Armoured
Platoons are rated
Confident Trained.

MOTIVATION

CONFIDENT

Firefly VC
Tank

TRAINED

Skins Armoured Platoon

53RD WELSH DIVISION

13

Anti-tank Platoon (SP),

Royal Artillery

Subaltern
Subaltern

Sergeant

Command SP anti-tank gun

SP anti-tank gun

Platoon
4 M10C 17 pdr SP (late)
2 M10C 17 pdr SP (late)

370 points
185 points

4 Archer
2 Archer

280 points
140 points

The priority for this advance has also freed up some 17pdr
SP guns to help us maintain momentum.

SP anti-tank gun

SP anti-tank gun

HQ Section

Anti-tank Section

Anti-tank Platoon (SP), Royal Artillery

These self-propelled guns are ideal for setting up ambushes

or holding off an enemy armoured counterattack to free up
your tanks and infantry to keep pressing forwards.

Anti-tank Platoon,
Royal Artillery
Platoon
Command
Rifle team

HQ Section with:
4 OQF 17 pdr (late)
2 OQF 17 pdr (late)

15 cwt truck

295 points
150 points

Add 15 cwt truck and Quad tractor and limbers to

the platoon for +5 points.

Anti-tank gun

Anti-tank gun

Quad tractor and limber

Quad tractor and limber

Anti-tank gun

Anti-tank gun

Quad tractor and limber

Quad tractor and limber

HQ Section with:
4 OQF 6 pdr (late)
2 OQF 6 pdr (late)

140 points
75 points

Add Troop and Loyd Carriers for +5points for the

platoon.
The infantry have their own anti-tank guns, but the Royal
Artillery backs them up with additional and bigger guns
when needed. They have heavy 17pdr guns for the big
Jerry tanks.

Anti-tank Platoon, Royal Artillery

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon (SP),

Royal Artillery

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
6 Bofor 40mm SP
4 Bofor 40mm SP
2 Bofor 40mm SP

250 points
170 points
85 points

Sergeant

Sergeant

Anti-aircraft
Section

Anti-aircraft
Section

Self-propelled Bofors 40mm guns can keep up with your

tanks and still provide some anti-aircraft cover, should
Jerry slip an air attack by the Royal Air Force.

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon

(SP), Royal Artillery

14

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon,

Royal Artillery

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
6 Bofors 40mm
4 Bofors 40mm
2 Bofors 40mm

Jeep

Command Rifle team

HQ Section with:
175 points
120 points
60 points

Option

Sergeant

Sergeant

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Add a Jeep and AA tractors to the platoon for

+5points per Anti-Aircraft section.
You never know when Jerry might strike your column
with dive bombers so the 94th Light AA Regiment, Royal
Artillery has been assigned to keep the skies clear during
your attack.
The platoon is well armed with Bofors 40mm guns. Deploy
them along with your support troops such as artillery to
keep them safe and free to support the advance.

Anti-aircraft
Section

Anti-aircraft
Section
Sergeant

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Bofors 40mm gun AA tractor

Anti-aircraft
Section

Light Anti-aircraft Platoon,

ROYAL ARTILLERY

Recce Platoon

Subaltern
Subaltern

Platoon
Recce Patrol

Subaltern

190 points

Options
Add Scout Patrols for +90 points per patrol.
Replace all Humber IV armoured cars with Daimler I
armoured car at no cost.
Fit Littlejohn adaptor to one Daimler armoured car
at no cost.
Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an extra hullmounted MG for +5points per carrier or .50 cal MG
for +10 points per carrier.
Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG with a
PIAT anti-tank projector per Scout Patrol at no cost.
53rd Recce Regiment, RAC supported the division armed
with Humber IV armoured cars accompanied by Humber
LRC IIIs and carriers. They lead the way, scouting ahead
and locating the enemys weaknesses and strengths.

Command Humber IV
HQ Armoured Car
Sergeant

Humber IV

Corporal

Humber LRC

Humber LRC

Recce Section

Recce Patrol
Sergeant

Command
Universal Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Scout Patrol

Recce and Scout Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons.

Recce and Scout Patrols operate as separate platoons, each
with their own command team.

Humber IV

Recce Section

Sergeant

Command
Universal Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Universal
Carrier

Scout Patrol

Recce Platoon

53RD WELSH DIVISION

15

Field Battery, Royal Artillery

Major

Platoon

Major

HQ Troop with:
Two Gun Troops with a total of:
8 OQF 25 pdr

325 points

One Gun Troop with:

4 OQF 25 pdr
2 OQF 25 pdr

185 points
105 points

HQ Troop
Lieutenant
Lieutenant

Options
Add Jeep and 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors for
+5points per Gun Troop.
Replace HQ Troop jeep with a White scout car for
+5 points.
Replace any or all Observer Rifle teams and their
OP Carriers with Observer Sherman OP tanks for
+10points per tank.

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

GUN Section

GUN Section

Observer Sherman OP tanks cannot launch assaults.

Although a Field Battery, Royal Artillery is a single
Support choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate
platoon with its own Command team. The Command
team and Staff team of the HQ Troop must be attached
to a Gun Troop from its battery at the start of the game
before deployment (see page 248 of the rulebook).

GUN Troop
Lieutenant

With 200 guns supporting the division, The highly trained

men of the Royal Artillery always ensure a devastating
barrage is just a field telephone call away.
With eight guns at their disposal, and further batteries
from the division ready to support, any enemy troops
caught under the gaze of a forward observer better start
digging. Though once the barrage lifts the Welshmen
wont be far behind!

Lieutenant

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

OQF 25 pdr gun

GUN Section

GUN Section
GUN Troop

Field Battery, Royal Artillery

16

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Medium Battery,
Royal Artillery

Major
Major

Platoon
HQ Troop with:
Two Gun Troops with a total of:
8 BL 5.5
One Gun Troop with:
4 BL 5.5
2 BL 5.5

HQ Troop

540 points

Lieutenant
Lieutenant

310 points
170 points

Option
Add Jeep and 15 cwt trucks and Matador tractors for
+5 points per Gun Troop.
You may not field a Medium Battery, Royal Artillery
unless you are also fielding a Field Battery, Royal
Artillery or Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery with
at least as many guns.
Although a Medium Battery, Royal Artillery is a single
Support choice, each Gun Troop operates as a separate
platoon with its own Command team. The Command
team and Staff team of the HQ Troop must be attached
to a Gun Troop from its battery at the start of the game
before deployment (see page 248 of the rulebook).
The AGRAs (Army Group, Royal Artillery) were brigadesized artillery formations assigned to the different Corps
operating in Holland.

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

BL 5.5 gun

BL 5.5 gun

Matador tractor

Matador tractor

BL 5.5 gun

BL 5.5 gun

Matador tractor
GUN Section

Matador tractor
GUN Section
GUN Troop
Lieutenant

The mainstay of the medium regiments is the BL 5.5 gun

howitzer. This superb weapon fires a 100lb/45kg shell and
can reach targets over 9 miles (nearly 15km) away and
adds considerable punch to British artillery capabilities.

Lieutenant

HQ Section
Sergeant

Sergeant

BL 5.5 gun

BL 5.5 gun

Matador tractor

Matador tractor

BL 5.5 gun

BL 5.5 gun

Matador tractor
GUN Section

Matador tractor
GUN Section
GUN Troop

Medium Battery, Royal Artillery

53RD WELSH DIVISION

17

Air Support

Flight Lieutenant

Priority Air Support

Typhoon

Flight Lieutenant

220 points

Limited Air Support

Typhoon

Typhoon

170 points

Flight

Air Support

When faced with big cats our best response is to take

defensive positions and snot them with an air strike from
the ever present RAF Typhoons. Once the big cats are slain,
the Division can push on to its objectives.

Air Observation Post

Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant

AOP
Auster AOP

25 points

The Royal Artillery has several Air Observation Posts that

can fly high above the battlefield and spot difficult-to-see
targets behind enemy lines.

18

Auster AOP
AOP

Air Observation Post

53RD WELSH DIVISION

79th Armoured Division

HOBARTS FUNNIES IN BELGIUM AND HOLLAND

Motivation and Skill

The 79th Armoured Division has been put to the test on the beaches of Normandy, now
they are expert assault engineers, putting their skills to work breaching the tough German
defences in Holland.
Support Platoons from the 79th Armoured Division are rated Confident Veteran.

MOTIVATION

SKILL

RELUCTANT

CONSCRIPT

CONFIDENT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

79TH ARMOURED
DIVISION

Crocodile Tank Platoon

Platoon
3 Churchill Crocodiles
2 Churchill Crocodiles

510 points
340 points

Command Churchill Crocodile

A force with a Crocodile Tank Platoon may not use the

British Night Attack special rule. Instead they Always
Attack (see page 257 of the rulebook).
Churchill Crocodile

Fuel Trailer
Churchill Crocodile tanks are not affected by the Fuel
Tanks rule like normal tank flame-throwers.
In addition, Crocodile Tank Platoons equipped with
Churchill Crocodile tanks may not launch assaults nor
may they Counterattack if assaulted.

Churchill Crocodile

Crocodile Tank Platoon

On a number of occasions the Welsh called on the help

of Churchill Crocodiles from the 79th British Armoured
Division to deal with entrenched German positions.

Breaching Group

Subaltern

Platoon
1 Sherman V and 2 Sherman Crab

Subaltern

150 points

Options

Command Sherman V

Add AVRE Section for +50 points.

Add Bulldozer Section for +15 points.

Sherman Crab flail tank

Although a Breaching Group is a single Support choice,

each Section operates as a separate platoon with its own
Command team. The D7 Bulldozer is an Independent
tank team.

Command AVRE Assault Tank

Teams from all Sections of a Breaching Group are always

Non-assaulting teams when involved in an assault.
However, a D7 Bulldozer may assault Bunkers as
normal.

Sherman Crab flail tank

Flail Section

D7 Bulldozer
Bulldozer Section

AVRE Assault Tank

AVRE Section

Breaching Group

Now the funnies have proven themselves time and again

on D-Day and though-out Normandy they have picked up
vital experience and some new kit after dealing with Jerrys
fortifications.

53RD WELSH DIVISION

19

BREACHING GROUP SPECIAL RULES

Breaching Force

Gun tanks forward!

Breaching teams always lead every attack with the infantry,

storming straight into the jaws of the enemy fortifications.

When the engineers encountered an armoured threat, the

AVsRE were sent to the rear and left the job to the gun tanks.

A force that includes a Breaching Group Always Attacks

and is considered a Mechanised Company for the purpose
of the Armoured Reserves rule found on page 269 of the
rulebook.

At the beginning of the game before deployment, for each

Breaching Group, you may remove the AVRE Section from
the Group to add a single Sherman Crab Flail tank to
the Flail Section (for a total of one Sherman V and three
Sherman Crab flail tanks in the Breaching Group).

AVRE SPECIAL RULES

PETARD MORTAR

Fascine and SBG Bridge

AVsRE are often fitted to carry fascines or SBG bridges. The
fascine, a bundle of saplings used to fill a ditch, is carried on
a frame on the front of the tank. When the tank reaches the
ditch, it drops the fascine, and then resumes its demolition
duties.

The AVRE is equipped with a Petard spigot mortar. This

strange weapon fires a 290mm bomb popularly known as
a Flying Dustbin. Unusually, the breech opens outside the
tank above the assistant drivers hatch. They slide the hatch
back and load the weapon as it sits above them.

The SBG (Small Box Girder) bridge is a standard British light

bridge 34 (10 metres) long. An SBG bridge is carried on the
front of the tank and lowered across streams and ditches or
against seawalls and embankments to create a crossing.

The Petard mortar shoots as a normal (although very shortranged) gun.

At the start of the game after fortifications (if any) are

placed, but before deployment, you may elect to mount a
Fascine or Assault Bridge on any or all of your AVsRE. An
AVRE that has a Fascine or Assault Bridge mounted cannot
shoot. In addition, an AVRE that has an Assault Bridge
mounted is Overloaded rather than Wide-tracked.
Fascines act as Assault Bridges, but may only be used to
bridge ditches and craters.
An AVRE may abandon its Fascine or Assault Bridge
instead of shooting, removing the Fascine or Assault Bridge
from play.

Demolishing Tanks
The Petard is a weapon that relies entirely on explosive effect.
If the Petard ever fired at a tank, its armour would be almost
irrelevant. The blast is likely to blow off tracks and cause
other damage without penetrating the armour.
Any Armoured vehicle hit by a Petard mortar uses its Top
armour rating for its Armour Saves.

Demolishing Obstacles
The Petard fires such a big round that it can even demolish
anti-tank obstacles.
An AVRE may attempt to gap an Obstacle. The AVRE must
not move in the Movement Step, and must be able to draw
a Line of Sight to an Obstacle and be within 4/10cm of it
to attempt to gapit.
Roll a Skill Test for the AVRE in the Shooting Step instead
of shooting.
If the test is successful, the Obstacle is removed,
Otherwise, it remains intact.

20

53RD WELSH DIVISION

British Arsenal
TANK TEAMS
Armour
Name
Mobility
Front
Side
Top
Weapon
Range
ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Equipment and Notes

Tanks
Cromwell IV
OQF 75mm gun

Light Tank
32/80cm

6
2

4
10

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo, Tow hook.

Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Sherman V
M3 75mm gun

Standard Tank
32/80cm

6
2

4
10

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.

Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

Firefly VC
OQF 17 pdr gun (late)

Standard Tank
32/80cm

6
2

4
15

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Tow hook.

No HE, Semi-indirect fire.

Slow Tank
32/80cm
6/15cm

13
2
5

7
10
-

1
3+
5+

Co-ax MG, Protected Ammo, Wide tracks.

Slow traverse, Smoke.
Hull mounted, Flame-thrower, Fuel trailer.

Half-tracked
4/10cm

0
3

0
-

0
6

Hull mounted, Flame-thrower.

Wheeled
24/60cm

-
4

-
6

-
4+

Gun shield, Awkward layout.

Anti-aircraft.

M10C 17 pdr SP
OQF 17 pdr gun (late)

Standard Tank
32/80cm

4
2

2
15

0
3+

.50 cal AA MG.

No HE, Slow traverse.

Archer
OQF 17 pdr gun (late)

Slow Tank
32/80cm

1
2

1
15

0
3+

AA MG, Awkward layout.

Hull mounted, No HE.

Standard Tank

Hull MG.

Half-tracked
8/20cm
16/40cm

0
1
3

0
10
4

0
5+
5+

Hull MG, Recce.

Hull mounted.
Hull mounted.

Humber IV
M6 37mm gun

Wheeled
24/60cm

1
2

0
7

0
4+

Co-ax MG, Recce.

Daimler I
OQF 2 pdr gun
With Littlejohn adaptor

Wheeled
24/60cm
24/60cm

1
2
2

0
7
9

0
4+
5+

Co-ax MG, Recce.

Humber LRC III

Boys anti-tank rifle

Jeep
16/40cm

0
2

0
4

0
5+

AA MG, Recce.
Hull mounted.

AVRE
Petard mortar

Slow Tank
4/10cm

8
1

7
5

2
1+

Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo. Wide tracks.

Bunker buster, Demolition mortar, Slow traverse.

Sherman Crab
M3 75mm gun

Standard Tank
32/80cm

6
2

4
10

1
3+

Co-ax MG, Overloaded, Mine flail.

Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.

3
3

2
4

6
5+

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

Infantry Support
Churchill Crocodile
OQF 75mm gun
Crocodile flame-gun
Wasp Carrier
Wasp flame-gun

Self-propelled Guns
Bofors 40mm SP
Bofors 40mm gun

Sherman OP

Reconnaissance
Universal Carrier
With PIAT anti-tank projector
With .50 cal MG

No HE.

Engineering Tanks

Vehicle Machine-guns
Vehicle MG
.50 cal Vehicle MG

16/40cm
16/40cm

53RD WELSH DIVISION

21

GUN TEAMS
Weapon

Mobility

Range

ROF

Anti-tank Firepower

Notes

Vickers HMG
Man-packed
24/60cm
6
2
6
ROF 3 when pinned down.

Firing bombardments 40/100cm
- - -
ML 3 Mk II mortar
Man-packed
Firing bombardments

24/60cm
40/100cm

2
-

2
2

3+
6

Smoke, Minimum range 8/20cm.

Smoke bombardment.

ML 4.2 mortar

Light

48/120cm

4+

Smoke bombardment.

Bofors 40mm gun

Immobile

24/60cm

4+

Anti-aircraft, Gun shield, Turntable.

OQF 6 pdr gun (late)

Medium

24/60cm

11

4+

Gun shield.

OQF 17 pdr gun (late)

Immobile

32/80cm

15

3+

Gun shield, No HE.

OQF 25 pdr gun

Heavy
Firing bombardments

24/60cm
80/200cm

2
-

9
4

3+
5+

Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable.

Smoke bombardment.

BL 5.5 gun
Immobile
Firing bombardments

32/80cm
88/220cm

1
-

13
5

1+
2+

Bunker buster.

INFANTRY TEAMS
Team

Range

ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes

Rifle team

16/40cm

Rifle/MG team

16/40cm

6
6

Light Mortar team

16/40cm

4+

Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.

PIAT team

8/20cm

10

5+

Tank Assault 4.

Flame-thrower team

4/10cm

Flame-thrower.

Staff team

16/40cm

Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment

Pioneer teams and teams equipped with Gammon Bombs are rated as Tank Assault 3.

TRANSPORT TEAMS
Armour
Vehicle
Mobility
Front Side Top
Jeep or Jeep with Trailer

Jeep

CMP 15cwt, or Bedford QLT 3-ton truck

Wheeled

Matador, Quad, or Morris AA tractor

Wheeled

Jeep

Half-tracked

White scout car

M5 half-track

Equipment and Notes

Optional passenger-fired .50 cal AA MG.

Troop, OP, Mortar, or Loyd Carrier

Half-tracked

MMG Carrier

Half-tracked

HMG Carrier, Passenger-fired hull MG.

Standard Tank

Deck-turret MG.

Armoured Personnel Carriers

Ram Kangaroo APC

AIRCRAFT
Aircraft
Typhoon

22

Weapon
To Hit
Anti-tank
Firepower
Cannon 3+ 8 5+
Rockets
3+
6
3+

53RD WELSH DIVISION

Notes