Battle Report: 107th Panzer Division Assault on the Son Bridge

 

Bolt Action Battle Report: The 107th Panzer Division Assault on Son Bridge
September 20th, 1944

The fields and roads surrounding the Son Bridge were eerily quiet as dawn broke. Dug into defensive positions on the northern side of the bridge, the American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division braced for the inevitable assault. Across the canal, the rumble of engines and clatter of tank tracks echoed ominously—elements of the 107th Panzer Brigade were on the move. This would be a fierce contest for control of this crucial crossing in Operation Market Garden.

The German Panzers assault

The German armor surged forward, a mix of Panzer IVs and StuG IIIs leading the charge, flanked by halftracks brimming with Panzergrenadiers. Shells and bullets rained down on the American positions, but the paratroopers held firm in their dugouts, trenches, and bunkers. Thanks to their prepared defenses, the withering German fire proved ineffective, with ricochets and explosions sending dirt and debris flying but failing to dislodge the defenders.

The Americans responded with disciplined small-arms fire and sporadic bazooka shots, keeping the advancing German forces at bay.

As the pressure mounted, a US radio operator frantically called for air support. Minutes later, the distant roar of engines grew louder, and a P-47 Thunderbolt swooped down through the clouds. The fighter-bomber released its payload directly onto a Panzer IV attempting to cross the riverbank. The explosion disabled the tank’s tracks, leaving it immobilized on the water’s edge. Despite being a sitting duck, the Panzer IV’s turret continued to rotate, spitting shells at the Americans in the trenches.

The Americans under fire in their positions

Seizing their moment, a squad of Panzergrenadiers charged the newly constructed Bailey bridge, braving torrents of gunfire from the Americans and even a strafing run from the P-47. Reaching the far side, the Germans stormed into a trench occupied by a US bazooka team. A young private, armed only with his bazooka and raw determination, fought off the charging grenadiers in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Swinging the empty tube like a club, he dispatched one soldier after another, forcing the surviving Germans to flee in disarray. Bloodied but unbowed, the private held his ground, his actions likened to a rock standing unbroken against a crashing wave.

The Stug is knocked out by XXX corps armor.

Meanwhile, a German flamethrower team miraculously survived waves of American fire. Dodging machine gun bursts, tank shells, and rifle fire, they managed to find cover just short of a critical bunker housing several American paratroopers. The German commander barked the order to light the flame and eliminate the defenders inside. But as the operator raised the flamethrower, his courage failed. The sight of the gun barrels trained on his position, coupled with the horrors of war, proved too much. The young soldier froze, refusing to carry out the attack. The German officer shouted in frustration, but it was too late—the opportunity had passed.

The Americans hold the bridge!

As the battle reached its crescendo, the roar of British engines signaled the arrival of XXX Corps. A Sherman tank platoon emerged behind the German lines, having broken through to reinforce the Americans. The Sherman, led by an ace crew, made quick work of the German armor. The StuG III erupted in flames, its crew scrambling for safety. The immobilized Panzer IV on the riverbank was finally silenced by a well-placed round. The German halftracks, caught in the open, were shredded by the tanks withering fire.

With their armor destroyed and reinforcements overwhelmed, the German assault faltered. Colonel Von Schnitzel, realizing the day was lost, reluctantly gave the order to retreat. His troops scattered back across the fields, leaving the battered but victorious paratroopers to emerge from their bunkers and trenches.

The Americans regrouped on the Bailey bridge, their battered uniforms caked in mud and soot. As the last of the German forces retreated into the distance, a cheer erupted among the paratroopers. They had held the bridge against overwhelming odds, ensuring the advance of Allied forces deeper into
occupied Holland!

Another great game of bolt action with a convincing allied win! The game played out much like the historical events of the Son Bridge assault. The 107th Panzer Brigade made a valiant attempt to seize the crossing, but the arrival of British XXX Corps turned the tide. The combination of American grit and British firepower proved too much for the German attackers. There's something fun about playing a historical battle out and having it resolve much the way that it did on the actual day in history!

Looking forward to our next game of this campaign where the British paratroopers in Arnhem must hold on against all odds.

Signing out,

Chewie

Scenario 5: 107th Panzer Assault on the Son Bridge

Background: September 20st 1944, after the initial destruction of the Son bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal and the Allied success in constructing a Bailey bridge to allow XXX Corps to continue their advance, the Germans mount another concentrated effort to disrupt the Allied supply lines and delay their progress toward Nijmegen and Arnhem. German infantry and tanks advanced toward the bridge under the cover of smoke and suppressing fire while the 101st Airborne Division, who had been tasked with defending the bridge and its approaches, quickly sprang into action to repel the assault. Will the Americans be able to hold on until reinforcements arrive or will the Germans capture the bridge and halt the entire operation?

Baily bridges allowed the allies to rapidly pass rivers and canals.

Scenario: 

Forces:

107th Panzer Division:

2nd Lieutenant + man (Regular)

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles (1 Panzer Faust)

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles (1 Panzer Faust)

Sturmpioniere Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + Flamethrower & loader + 3 rifles.

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 2 assault rifles (1 Panzer Faust)

Panzerschreck Team (Regular)

Motorcyle with Machine-gun side car (Regular)

Panzer IV Ausf H

StuG III 

Sdkfz 251/1 Half-track

101st Airborne Division:

2nd Lieutenant + man (Veterans)

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 3 rifles + LMG and loader.

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 3 rifles + LMG and loader.

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 3 SMGS + 2 rifles.

US Air Observer (Veteran)

British Infantry Section (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 7 rifles 

British Infantry Section (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 7 rifles

Bazooka Team (Veterans)

Heavy Machine Gun Team (Veterans)

M3 37mm Anti-Tank gun Team (Veterans)

M3A3 Stuart Tank (Regular)

M4A1 Sherman Tank (Regular)

Mission Objectives: 

The German forces must seize the Baily bridge over the Wilhelmina canal. The German player gets 1 VP for every US Unit destroyed and 5 VP if they control the bridge at the end of the game. The US player gets 2 VP for every German unit destroyed.

Special Rules: 

Wait for XXX Corps!: The Guards Armoured Division and supporting units from XXX Corps moved to reinforce the 101st Airborne during the battle but it took them a while to get there! The British Infantry and tanks must be held in reserve and can only begin to enter the field from turn 3. 

Looking forward to playing out this armor heavy scenario in a cracking game of bolt action!


Signing out,

Chewie.

Review: RKX Miniatures 3D printed by OzWargaming

I wanted to share my thoughts on something new I recently tried for my Bolt Action armies: 3D printed models. I’ve been hearing a lot about how 3D printing is taking the wargaming community by storm, so I decided to dive in and see what all the fuss was about. For this experiment, I purchased a mix of British and German models from OzWargaming, featuring sculpts from RKX Miniatures’ 28mm WWII range. Here’s my review and honest thoughts on this experiences 

This was my first time working with 3D printed miniatures. As someone who’s used to the crisp sculpts of Warlord Games and Rubicon’s plastic kits, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The models I received were nicely detailed and mostly to scale with Bolt Action miniatures, which was a pleasant surprise. For example, I tried mixing a 3D printed gunner and machine gun with loaders from Warlord Games’ British/Canadian Infantry Plastics, and the result was surprisingly seamless—the figures blended together nicely.

However, the 3D prints weren’t without issues, so let’s break things down.

• Scale Compatibility: For the most part, the scale of the 3D printed figures works well alongside Bolt Action minis. This was particularly noticeable with infantry pieces, where I could mix and match components with no glaring size discrepancies.

 

The middle model is a 3D print from RKX minis and the other 2 are Warlord plastics

 

• Detail: The sculpts themselves are decent, with a good level of detail on weapons, uniforms, and equipment. The models capture the essentials of WWII-era soldiers nicely.

Unfortunately, the 3D printed models fell a little short when compared to traditional plastic kits. Here are the main issues I ran into:

1. Textured Finish: One drawback for me was the slightly textured surface of the models. While this texture largely disappears after priming and painting, it’s not as smooth as Warlord or Rubicon plastics, and that initial difference was noticeable.

2. Brittle Material: The resin/plastic material used in the 3D prints felt brittle compared to traditional plastic kits. This is a major concern for wargaming miniatures, as they’re handled frequently during games. I worry about long-term durability, especially when it comes to thinner parts like gun barrels. E.g. the Bren Carrier was shipped to me with damaged tracks and it's not easy to fix.
   

3. Print Quality Issues: While the detail on most models was solid, there were a few noticeable flaws. For instance, the Flak 30 model I received had a wonky wheel that I couldn’t ignore. These imperfections can be frustrating, especially for those of us who love precision in our armies.

    

   

   Left: Wonky wheel, Right: Good wheel.
   

    

4. Scaling Problems: One particular issue I noticed was with the crew for the Universal Carrier. The crew models were noticeably smaller in scale compared to the infantry figures. While this isn’t unique to 3D prints (Rubicon and Warlord tank crews also suffer from this problem), it’s still worth mentioning.

   

   Notice how much bigger the warlord model is compared to the crew
   

   
   

    

Overall, my first experience with 3D printed miniatures has been... fine. They’re OK, but they didn’t blow me away. For someone with their own 3D printer setup, this would be a fantastic and affordable way to bulk out armies or create rare units that aren’t readily available from traditional manufacturers. However, as a one-off purchase, I personally prefer the quality and reliability of Warlord Games, Rubicon, or Tamiya models over 3D printed minis.

That being said, if you’re on a budget or looking for something specific that isn’t sold elsewhere, 3D printing could be a great option. For me, though, I’ll be sticking to the tried-and-true plastic kits for now.

Signing off,

Chewie

Battle Report: Crossing the Waal

 Battle Report: Crossing the Waal

Operation Market Garden, September 20th, 1944

“Hold your nerve, boys! We’ve got to take that bridge!” shouted  Sergeant Leeroy Jenkins from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as the rubber boats pushed off into the cold, churning waters of the Waal River. Bullets hissed and snapped over the river like deadly rain, and shells from German mortars crashed into the water, sending towering geysers skyward.

The Americans advance up the river bank!

The American paratroopers strained at their paddles, using rifle butts and even helmets to propel their fragile boats. The crossing was chaos—boats shattered, men thrown into the water—but the Americans pressed on. Finally, the first wave hit the northern riverbank under a storm of German machine gun fire.

As the Americans leaped out of the boats and scrambled up the embankment, German defenders opened fire from their entrenched positions. Machine gun nests sprayed deadly bursts, and grenades were lobbed down onto the advancing paratroopers. Despite the withering fire, the Americans pushed through, determined to establish a foothold.

Fierce melee on the embankment.

The air was filled with shouted orders and the screams of the wounded. In a brutal melee atop the riverbank, the two sides clashed with bayonets, rifle butts, and knives. Paratroopers fought like demons, and the Germans, though entrenched, were unrelenting. In the chaos, the German Leutnant Heinrich Von Schnitzel  was bayoneted by a fierce American corporal. His death sent a ripple of uncertainty through the German ranks—their leadership had been decapitated.

Among the American assault was Private Wilson, carrying a flamethrower. His squad had managed to push up close to a German trench, where enemy riflemen were stubbornly holding their position. Wilson dashed forward, his flamethrower aimed and ready. But when he pulled the trigger, instead of a torrent of fire, only a pitiful hiss came out. The tank had been punctured by enemy fire during the crossing, and now the weapon was useless—filled with nothing but water. Cursing, Wilson quickly discarded the flamethrower and drew his sidearm. With his M1911 pistol, he fired at the trench, buying time for his squadmates to close in and lob grenades.

The bazooka destroys the MG team in the crater

On another flank, a bazooka team managed to crest the riverbank under heavy fire. Spotting the muzzle flashes of an MG42 tearing into their comrades, the loader slammed a rocket into the tube, and the gunner steadied his aim. A loud whoosh echoed as the bazooka fired, the rocket screaming toward its target. The projectile hit dead center in a crater housing the German MG team. A deafening explosion followed, silencing the machine gun with finality. Smoke and debris filled the air, but the cost was high—the bazooka team was quickly picked off by precise German rifle fire before they could retreat to cover. Their sacrifice, however, had cleared the way for more Americans to land and push forward.

Amidst the growing battle, German reinforcements arrived—a Kubelwagen, its mounted MG34 spraying bullets wildly, came racing onto the field. The vehicle sped across the American line of advance, its machine gun rattling furiously. Though the gunfire forced some paratroopers to dive for cover, it was largely ineffective. In return, the Americans opened up with rifle fire. The Kubelwagen swerved and zigzagged to avoid being hit, its tires kicking up dirt and debris. For now, the small German force managed to buy precious time for the defenders.

The bridge is destroyed by German engineers!

Despite heavy losses, wave after wave of American paratroopers continued to land on the riverbank. They pushed deeper into the German positions, driving the enemy back inch by bloody inch. Victory seemed within reach—the Americans were about to take the final stretch of ground leading to Nijmegen Bridge.

But suddenly, a thunderous explosion shook the battlefield. A massive cloud of dust and smoke erupted from the bridge as the Germans’ final act of defiance came to fruition. Their engineers had succeeded in setting off the demolition charges, and the bridge, the vital link to Nijmegen, came crashing down into the Waal.

General Gavin, watching through binoculars from the southern bank, let out a cry of shock. The bridge was gone, and with it, the Allies’ hope of a swift victory. Though the Americans had fought valiantly and crossed the Waal under impossible odds, their efforts now seemed futile.

As the ruins of the bridge smoldered in the river, the realization set in—Operation Market Garden was faltering. Was this the beginning of the end?

This was an absolute cracker of a game for bolt action - at first my opponent and I were skeptical if the Americans would even make it off the river bank but some lucky rolls (or unlucky!) soon had the game evenly matched and in the balance. It was an extremely close game that literally came down to the final roll of the dice on turn 6 to see if the demolition charges went off (a roll of a 1 followed by a 1-4!!!). What an amazing end to a nail bitter game!

Looking forward to our next scenario when the German Panzers assault the Son Bridge!

Signing out,

Chewie

Scenario 4: Crossing the Waal

American forces cross the Waal river under heavy fire.

 

Background: September 20th 1944, desperate to secure the Nijmegan bridge before German reinforcements arrived, General Gavin devised a daring plan: the Americans would conduct a risky daylight assault across the Waal River in flimsy canvas assault boats and in full view of German machine guns and artillery! Men from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment set out to cross the Waal in these small boats with many men paddling with rifle butts or even their hands. The crossing was chaotic. Many of the boats were damaged or sunk by enemy fire but amazingly the paratroopers made it across and launched a ferocious assault on the German positions dug into the north bank. However, will it be enough to secure the bridge and give XXX corps a clear path to Arnhem?

Scenario: Crossing the Waal (from Operation Market Garden Campaign Book).

Forces:

Kampfgruppe Henke:

2nd Lieutenant + man (Regular)

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles

Heer Grenadier Squad (Regular)  (Must be held in reserve till turn 3)
NCO with SMG + LMG + Loader +4 rifles (1 Panzerfaust)

MMG team (Regular)

MMG team (Regular)

Kübelwagen + MMG (Regular)  (Must be held in reserve till turn 3)

82nd Airborne Division:

2nd Lieutenant + man (Veterans)

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles.

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles.

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles.

US Paratrooper Squad (Veterans)
NCO with SMG + 5 rifles.

Bazooka Team (Veterans)

Medium Machine Gun Team (Veterans)

Flamethrower Team (Veterans)

Mission Objectives: 

The US forces must seize the north side of the bridge. The US player gets 1 VP for every German Unit destroyed and every US unit at the North side of the bridge. The German players gets 1 VP for every US unit destroyed. If the Americans have failed to clear the bridge embankment by the end of Turn 5 roll a D6; a result of 1 means the German engineers have prepared their explosive charges. Roll the D6 again; a result of 1 or 2 means the bridge has blown and Market Garden has been stopped in its tracks. If not, repeat the process at the end of Turn 6, but this time a result of 1 – 4 means the bridge has gone up in smoke!

Special Rules: 

Under heavy fire: To represent the US forces advancing under heavy fire, before the game starts resolve a preparatory bombardment against the American forces.

 

The next installment for our campaign. Looking forward to playing out this amazing scenario in a cracking game of bolt action!


Signing out,

Chewie.

 

Battle Report: The Battle for Nijmegan

The early morning mist clung to the streets of Nijmegen as the American paratroopers moved into position. High above the city, an American machine gun team had set up in the bell tower of an ancient church, its Gothic spires giving them a clear line of sight over the city. The team knew that this position was vital; they could see the entire German advance from here.

Paratroopers overlooking the city streets

As the German forces moved into position, setting up in the abandoned houses which now lay bombed out on rubble filled streets. A German sniper, expertly hidden in the bombed-out remains of a nearby building, began picking off the gunners. The Americans tried to return fire, but each time the gunner popped up to fire a burst, the sniper’s shots forced them to duck back down. The Germans then brought in a mortar, sending shells crashing into the church tower. Each explosion shook the tower, raining dust and debris on the beleaguered Americans, who found themselves trapped and unable to move.

On the ground, the fighting was equally intense. A squad of German mortar men had taken up position in the hedges on the outskirts of town, their shells falling with deadly precision on the advancing Americans.

The sounds of battle drew the attention of a group of Dutch partisans who had been waiting for their chance to strike back at the occupiers. In a dark, dank basement beneath a crumbling house, they had been listening to the battle above, waiting for the right moment. When they heard the sharp crack of a sniper’s rifle from the upper floors, they knew it was time to act. Armed with makeshift weapons – a mix of clubs, hammers, and a few old rifles – they quietly ascended the stairs. Bursting into the sniper's nest, they found a lone German soldier, his rifle trained on the church tower. The partisans overwhelmed him in seconds, clubbing him to death in a flurry of blows. The sniper’s body was dragged into the street, a grim symbol of the Dutch resistance’s determination to fight back.

Meanwhile, the battle for the bridge raged on. A Sherman tank from XXX corps arrived and began to lead the final assault, its massive turret swiveling to and fro as it pushed down the narrow streets. But lurking in the shadows was a lone German soldier armed with a Panzerfaust, determined to stop the

None of the Panzershrek shots found their mark!

Allied advance.

With a steely resolve, the German soldier took aim and fired his first rocket. It streaked toward the Sherman but missed, slamming into a nearby wall and sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air. The Sherman pressed on, its machine guns blazing, but the German soldier was not deterred. He reloaded and fired again, only for the second rocket to go wide and explode harmlessly in an open square. Undeterred, the German soldier prepared a third Panzerfaust. Just as he was about to fire, the Sherman’s main gun roared to life. The explosive shell hit the German’s position, sending a shower of rubble flying. When the smoke cleared, the Sherman was still moving forward, unscathed.

Meanwhile, in a rare lapse of tactical judgment, a group of German soilders charged from their position of a bomb crater into a unit of veteran paratroopers. The Americans raised their rifles and shot the advancing Germans to pieces before counter assaulting and occupying the same crater from whence they came.

The paratroopers capture the crater

As the battle seemed to reach a crescendo, the roar of engines echoed across the battlefield. It was the sound that the paratroopers had been waiting for – the tanks of XXX Corps had arrived. Led by the renowned Irish Guards, the British armored columns smashed through the German defenses on the outskirts of Nijmegen and pressed toward the city center. It was then that Corporal Hensley, spotting an opportunity and took matters into his own hands. He revved up the engine of a nearby Jeep, its machine gun mounted and ready. Without hesitation, he drove straight into the crossfire, bullets whizzing past as he charged toward the German mortar position. The Germans frantically tried to reload, but they were too slow. The Jeep skidded to a halt just meters from their position, and the .50 caliber machine gun roared to life. In a matter of seconds, the German mortar crew was mowed down, silencing their deadly fire.

The Brits arrive at the city outskirts

The sight of the British tanks rolling into Nijmegen bolstered the weary paratroopers. With renewed vigor, they coordinated their efforts with the advancing tanks, tightening the noose around the remaining German defenders. Kampfgruppe Henke, despite their best efforts, found themselves increasingly outmatched and outgunned.

With the British armor providing overwhelming firepower and the American paratroopers pressing the attack, the German defense began to crumble. The streets of Nijmegen were filled with the sounds of battle – the rumble of tanks, the crack of rifles, and the thud of artillery. But the coordinated efforts of the Allies slowly but surely pushed the Germans back.

As the last remnants of Kampfgruppe Henke retreated across the bridge, the battle for Nijmegen came to a close. As the smoke began to clear, the paratroopers and British tank crews let out a cheer – a victory cry that echoed across the ruined city. They had won the day, but the road to Arnhem still lay ahead, and with it, more battles yet to come.

Sneak Peak: British XXX Corps

With our next campaign game coming up it put the fire under me to get a move on with the British forces for the Operation Market Garden Campaign. I'm making a force that I want to use to represent XXX Corps!

XXX Corps played a crucial role in Operation Market Garden, one of the most ambitious and daring operations of the war. The corps was commanded by Lieutenant General Brian Horrocks and consisted of an array of British and Commonwealth troops, armored divisions, and support units. Their objective during Market Garden was to advance through the Netherlands, secure key bridges, and ultimately link up with airborne forces that had been dropped ahead to seize these strategic points. Despite the operation’s mixed outcomes, the bravery and tenacity of XXX Corps remain legendary.

XXX Corps passing through Grave are greeted by Dutch civilians.

In our Operation Market Garden campaign, I wanted to capture the essence of this historical effort by building an army that represents the combined might of the Anglo-American forces. While XXX Corps was predominantly British, the operation itself involved a coordinated effort with American airborne divisions, making it a perfect theme for a diverse and dynamic army.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this project (and hobby in general) has been (1) researching the units and battles in detail and gaining a deep understanding of the importance that these events held for not only the people who lived through them, but us as well, and (2) the opportunity to paint a new faction. Transitioning from my usual armies to XXX Corps allowed me to explore new techniques and color palettes. The distinct British uniforms  provided a refreshing change and a chance to expand my painting skills. Here's a few snaps below of some minis I've done so far:

Simple conversion with a US airborne left arm

Wounded rifleman

Sarge having a durry

The boys together

Wouldn't be XXX corps without some armored support (still very much WIP)

Creating my XXX Corps army for the Operation Market Garden campaign has been a fulfilling experience. I'm excited to see how this army performs on the tabletop and how it adds depth and immersion to our campaign games.

Whether you're a seasoned wargamer or just starting out, I highly recommend taking on a project that pushes your creative boundaries and allows you to learn more about the rich history behind the armies we collect and paint.

Signing out,

Chewie