Throwback Thursday: The Battle of the Grasshopper

The following first appeared on the old Imperial Guard Boot Camp forum back in December 2008. Ben was in my neck of the woods and we decided to have a rematch at my FLGS, the since-closed Geeks in Whittier, CA. We decided to eschew any sort of points balance and threw everything we had onto the table in a scenario very much inspired by the Battle of Rorke's Drift on January 22, 1879.

Hope you enjoy reading this report! I had a lot of fun writing it up. 


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Report
Submitted by Lord Colonel Z.E. Whitlow
32nd Praetorian Regiment of Foot

On the morning of the 10th, Major M.B. Fletcher-Jones, his staff, one full company of the 32nd Regiment, and a squad of Space Marines from the Ultramarines chapter, and myself boarded the transport ship Grasshopper; bound to reinforce a fort besieged by Valhallans. While en route, enemy missile teams were able to strike the ship and send it crashing down into the planet’s surface. Miraculously, only three Space Marines were killed in the impact, and the survivors clamored out of the smoldering wreckage. However, the ship had crashed in the middle of the Valhallan lines and was now surrounded by a battalion of conscripts and heavy weapons teams.

Our brave men prepared for the ensuing fight. Four lascannons, one heavy bolter, and one mortar made up our heavy weapons teams. Three flamers, three grenade launchers, a meltagun, and a plasmagun made up our special weapons. The rest were armed with lasguns. All told, we had 45 men, officers, and other ranks who were holding our position. The Valhallan menace came into sight and skirmishers opened up the exchange. The Valhallans took three casualties, but ultimately overwhelmed the five man team. They charged our lines slowly, taking heavy casualties. The bulk of these came from a large conscript force charging our flank. Few of our men were killed in this exchange. It was at this time that the Space Marines emerged from the wreckage and charged the enemy. They took massive casualties, with two ultimately surviving the battle.

The regular Valhallan squads who advanced us headlong melted away and were soon routed. The conscripts, though poorly disciplined, hit our flank. Vicious hand-to-hand combat ensued, though the enemy ultimately ran away from the fight. The majority of our casualties came from this encounter. Ultimately one Valhallan squad and heavy support squad remained of an original force of eight. They retreated from the field, leaving our battered survivors to care for the wounded until help could arrive. We were ultimately picked up by the transport Chamberlain some hours later, and taken to a depot for rest and re-supply. 

Much distinction goes to Major M.B. Fletcher-Jones, who showed immense bravery though the rest of his headquarters staff was killed. Sergeant Geoff of the 2nd Squad, 1st Company is to be commended for guiding his men in wiping out a full squad of Valhallans in three volleys. Every man distinguished himself in the course of this action and turned a possible disaster into an astounding victory.

Here attached are photos of the action, as captured by a combat photographer serving with us.

Our men before they boarded the Grasshopper.

The survivors emerge from the wreck, relatively unscathed.

The Valhallans approach.

Sgt. Geoff's men prepare for action.

Sgt. Geoff and his hold against the first enemy assault.

On our flank, however, the line commanded by the late Sgt. Smyth encountered brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Halfway through the battle, the Ultramarines appear from the wreckage and take the fight to the enemy.

After several more hours of combat, the Valhallans flee from the field!