The final Battle, Otta, 28 April, 1940

 Following the 15 Brigade's second battle of the Norwegian Campaign at Kjorem, it was the turn of the Green Howards to attempt to halt the inexorable German advance.

The first view is from the north, again the British perspective, with Otta center frame...

Now the view from the south (German perspective). The first German troops can be seen on the left bank...

German troops move northward, while an airstrike misses an outlying farmhouse (not occupied actually because the Allies learned the Germans always destroyed the buildings first...

Just as the Germans failed historically to do effective recon, the ambush is sprung, and it is deadly as numerous Germans go down as well as some Shaken (yellow pins). German return fire does score some Shaken but no casualties...

As the first German armor advances up the highway (a Sdkfz 221 AC), a 25mm ATG scores a direct hit...

The firefight in the western hills continues, while the German squad is nearly destroyed. Support can be seen in background...

The new German squad has some success, but the Brits are still holding...

And now they too are taking casualties! This is what the British need, a piecemeal attack...

A second Sdkfz AC (top center) moves north along the highway, not knowing that another 25mm ATG is lining it up (upper left)...

Meanwhile, as the fight in the western hills, continues, the second German squad has taken heavy losses as well...

The Armored Car pays for its rashness, and is also destroyed (the second 25mm is in upper left). Two shots, two destroyed Cars. With two squads knocked out of the fight at the cost of four Brits, this is a much better turnout for the Allies!

The Germans luck changes for the better, as a new squad comes under fire on the highway, but suffer no casualties. An artillery barrage smashes into the British entrenchments...

Another unsuccessful airstrike on Otta itself (again, the structures are all unoccupied)...

Now the German squad on the highway pays for its advance, losing its MG team (the double-washer stand) along with several riflemen...

Another artillery barrage is not as deadly, but British return fire is...

Yet another German squad smashes into the British defenses, this time leaving only one unaffected Tommy in his foxhole...

The Germans appear to be finally gaining the upper hand...

While the Brits are holding desperately holding their position on the highway...

More Germans now make their appearance (a whole lot more actually, including, a Pz 1 and Pz II, and the Propaganda Tank!)...

The great British luck continues as all three German tanks (PzII on left, with PzI and Propaganda Tank upper right) are destroyed (medals for the AT gunners!)...

Time is running out for the Brits overlooking the highway however...

And finally, the Brits are destroyed...

As the battle draws to a close, a reserve British squad counterattacks in the hills, and inflicts heavy casualties...

And so the campaign came to a close. More than a dozen battles, between Norwegians, Brits and Germans. It went pretty much the way it did historically, but the gaming was enjoyable. Leave your comments and hope you enjoyed. It also turned out to be our last gathering for the time being,  at the local shop, Collectormania, in Parker, Colorado. Covid upticks have closed the shop down for gaming. Will certainly miss our gatherings and look forward to the return to action in the near future! Hope all are keeping safe, and trust your die rolls are going well!