Our most recent JodieCon at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, was surely the best yet! It was a weekend wargame campaign about and a commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

Aside from 50 participants in the wargame, and over 100 spectators and veterans, the event also featured an exceptional 30-inch WWII model display by the International Plastic Modelers Society, an Airborne Warfare Seminar by Lt. Col. Mark Johnson, and three complete demonstrations from reenactors of the Irish Guards, British 1st PARA, American 101 st and German Falschirmjagers. Thanks to all of these people, to the GMs -- and especially to Rick Stakes from the WARZONE in Cleveland, OH, for his traveling so far, and his essential contribution to the event.

Recognition

Willi Zahn, who did a great Falschirmjager presentation, was also voted Eindhoven Most Valuable Player for command of a German Parachute Division, while British PARA reenactor Sgt. Stephen Kellar won MVP for his role (Vandervort at Nijmegan) with the 82nd Airborne Division. The MVP at Arnhem was Luke Holbrook (9th SS Hohenstauffen), while overall German MVP was student Fred Hubig. Allied MVP was Mike Sarno (Urquhart), The "Crash and Burn Award" went to Jim Graham (Monty) for his "sheep-killing artillery," and "counter-demonstration of the Combined Arms concepts."

Operational Account

As are most really exciting contests, the outcome was not clear right up until the 1 1th hour, but the winners did finish with a clear cut and decisive victory. On Day One, the entire 1st Brit Para dropped and consolidated near (and some unfortunately dropped into) Arnhem, and rapidly gained control of all of the city and both sides of the Bridge. The US 82nd Airborne Division also saw initial success, despite heavy casualties, and managed to firmly secure all of the key Nijmegen area bridges by the end of Day Two.

However, the 101 st Airborne Division's success was limited due to early trouble with German Flak batteries, and some surprise SS units retreating from XXX Corps. The Eindhoven Bridge was finally captured when XXX Corps arrived. However, the Brits (and later the Poles) at Arnhem were eventually doomed by Day 4, when XXX Corps slowed to a crawl past Eindhoven, and came to a complete halt at Veghel.

While the battle was a close-run thing until the end, the Germans initial blunt of XXX Corps at Eindhoven (over 1,200 British infantry casualties on Days One and Two) was critical, and made the Arnhem success all the more frustrating. Having infantry and artillery support stripped off at Eindhoven, the unsupported British Armor never made it through the town of Veghel. This was the decisive point. By 9 am on Day Four, 150 tanks were knocked out there.

Most of the anti-tank damage was done by close assault from German Pioneer Companies beside the two bridges in the town (they only intended to destroy the bridges -- not kill 150 tanks!). So much for getting all the way to Arnhem! Despite a hasty pontoon bridge, time had run out. When the smoke cleared on Day Four, the XXX Corps'spearhead was blunted and all of Arnhem was again in German hands.

All of the Allied and German commanders did a superb job right up until the end, and special kudos to the game masters JT, Mike Pierce, and Charlie Elsden, for truly tireless contribution. It was a unique experience that we hope to someday capture again. Photo's will beon the web site soon-.

Hope to see you at the next Jodiecon!

(Editor's Note: Pete's Jodiecon campaigns are a popular wargaming weekend event, His schedule for next year includes: Bukrin Bridgehead, WWII 1943 Eastern Front, Feb. 11-13, Alexander's Successors, Ancients Campaign, April 7-9: Getttysburg, 1863 Campaign, April 28-29; Austerlitz, 1805 Napoleonic, June 9-11.