The Vaagso Raid - The Matrix Games version of West Front

27 December, 1941
OPERATION ARCHERY [Best played as Allies]. Situation: VAAGSO ISLAND, located off the Norwegian coast between TRONDHEIM and BERGEN, is home to a modest German garrison and to a plant producing fish oil, a source of glycerine for explosives and of vitamins A and C, essential for U-Boat crews. Enemy is in 1 to 2 company strength with perhaps 1 light tank. At any time there many be about 50 Wehrmacht and naval troops on leave in the area as well. Friendly forces in immediate support of the operation consist of 3 Commando, with attachments from 2 Commando and 1st Norwegian Independent Company, RAF support, cruiser HMS KENYA, and destroyers HMS OFFA and HMS ONSLOW. Mission: 3 Cdo will destroy enemy forces and installations in SOUTH VAAGSO and MAALOY. Execution: Force will consist of five groups. GP 1 [2 Tp] -- Land at HOLLEVIK. Clear area HOLLEVIK - HALNOESVIK. Move to support GP 2. GP 2 [LCol Durnford-Slater, HQ Elmt, 1 Tp, 3 Tp, 4 Tp]. Land SOUTH of SOUTH VAAGSO. Sweep North through town, destroying objectives. GP 3 [Maj Churchill, 5 Tp, 6 Tp, 1 Norwegian Ind Coy]. Land at and clear MAALOY, destroying the battery position there. GP 4 [elements 2 Commando] . Floating reserve on board HMS KENYA. Not shown in game. GP 5 [Detachment from 2 Cdo]. Land WEST shore of ULVESUND. Block enemy movement along road south from NORTH VAAGSO. Patrol into NORTH VAAGSO. Special instructions. Turn 1 Off-board fire should be predominately smoke in order to simulate smoke bomb dropped by RAF during the run-in by the assault craft.