North American Campaign Continued... The setting is Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the dusty hot summer of 1947. The Germans, roundly defeated at the crucial battle of Waterbury, are attempting to withdraw to a more tenable position to the south. Bridgeport lies along their path of retreat, and is a crucial (again!) crossroads. Thus the Allied North American armies are anxious to pinch off the Axis line of withdrawal at this point, and the Germans are equally determined to keep the town in their possession. Elements of the opposing forces clash here on the heels of reports of the debacle at Waterbury. German light forces are entrenched in the town, comprising a small garrison force. Several Puma armoured cars and Sturmgeschutz vehicles are present, along with a 75mm anti-tank gun. Approaching from the north-east is the Allied column, which includes two Centurion tanks, a Churchill VII tank, a Jackson M36 tank destroyer, a Black Prince heavy tank, two M40 self-propelled 155mm Guns, and several Ram troop transports. Also present is a small Soviet goodwill force, joining the North American campaign for the first time, which includes 3 JS-III heavy tanks, 2 T-34/85 mediums, and a T-34/76 medium vehicle. Not much, but every little bit is welcome in these bitter months. A scouting force composed of 3 armoured cars round out the Allied task group. Unknown to the Allies, German reinforcements are forthcoming. Heavy tanks and troops are coming from the south. Two half-tracks mounting dread Nebelwerfer rocket launchers will provide devastating artillery support. Also, reports of a column of Allied vehicles captured in the campaign escorted by German tanks coming to their assistance bolster Axis morale. Little do they suspect that this is an Allied trick - the German vehicles are the captured ones! As the battle opens, the Pumas are battered by artillery fire, but most survive long enough to inflict painful damage in the Allied armour. Slowed by the crawling pace of the heavy tanks, the bulk of the Allied force has to stand by helplessly as the fast scout cars are smashed by the German armoured cars. On the other flank, the masquerading column opens fire on the town, disturbing the German commander, to say the least. But for the Allies, it is just barely too late. The Allied detachment is caught out in the open when it should have been in town. The heavy German reinforcements, especially the Nebelwerfers, wreak havoc. Only one Centurion II tank, two Shermans, and one captured Mark IV tank reach town. There they are caughtand blasted by the onrushing enemy. But the Germans do not escape untouched. The trapped Americans and Free Britishers lash out, and in their dying breaths destroy and damage several Axis vehicles, totally annihilating the garrison vehicles in the area. Still, things look pretty grim for the Allies. The Germans, having turned the aforementioned flank into so much scrap metal, turn their tender mercies on the main force. Soon the suburbs become a graveyard for Allied tanks. However, the picture is brightened quickly. Several Allied heavy tanks smash the Pumas, and advance through the wreckage into the town and safety. In the backfield, the M40s begin to live up to their reputation, sending the Nebelwerfers scurrying for cover, and opening up many Axis tanks like a giant can opener. But the most stunning reversal took place in the centre, where the two Centurion tanks, having failed in their attempt to succour the trapped Allied group , duel hot and heavy with the German garrison. Two enemy vehicles which oppose them are destroyed, as is one Centurion, in the point-blank street battle. The surviving Centurion lives on to light the flaming torch of victory for the Allies. Having already knocked out one Mark IV, the Free British tank enters the city. Immediately, it is engaged by a Hunting Tiger. Single-handedly, the Allied tank despatches the huge German tank with two well-placed shots. Finding no other quarry thereabouts, it turns around and heads back toward its supporter tanks on the other side of town. Midway, a Tiger I tackles the scrappy heavy. Again, the Centurion flames its opponent with two shots. Now, it reaches the other side of town, Here it engages a Tiger II vehicle, flaming it in its turn! Damaged in the encounter, it turns to stalk its last opponent - a Tiger I tank. But its luck runs out, the Tiger landing a killing shot. The M40s nearly flatten the Tiger with a direct hit, but it lives on to fight another day. Nothing else moves in town. The Nebelwerfers, decoyed into the open by the incredible Centurion, have been blasted by the M40s. The other Allied tanks have accounted for the rest of the Axis vehicles, and viceversa. The troop carriers of both sides shelter in the town. The open-topped M40s dare not enter town and risk destruction. The Tiger dares not to venture out, battered as it is. Though the Allies later withdraw under cover of darkness, the German position is fatally undermined. The stage is set for the conclusive Second Battle of Bridgeport. Second Battle of Bridgeport: April 13, 1947 Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 117 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1971 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com