Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.

2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
Operation: Market Garden.
Skirmish Wargaming using the NUTS rules.




Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
The idea of this document is to provide some form of loose structure in gaming the
Arnhem campaign at the skirmish level. The aim is take one major action per unit per
day that can be considered representative of the greater campaign.

For example, the 101
st
captured four of the five bridges tasked to the Division.
However, the bridge at Son was blown up as they approached it. The action Capture
Son Bridge distils these 5 separate actions into one.

By maintaining this simplicity, players can use as much or as little scenery, figures etc
that they may have in their collection.

The Timeline Table

This table shows the major action that each division will under take as part of the
overall Operation. As stated above, each one is based on a historical event.

To use the table you need 6 counters e.g. 6 pennies. Place a counter at the top of each
column.

Move the counter onto day 1 and then game each action for each division. If the
Division achieves its daily objective then move its counter onto the next days
objective e.g. on day 1, the 101
st
capture Son Bridge and will have to defend the
bridge on day 2. If the division fails to achieve its daily objective then its counter is
moved up one e.g. the 101
st
fail to defend Son Bridge and must recapture it the
following day. The counter cannot be moved higher than the day 1 objectives.

XXX Corps cannot advance past each of the Link up with 101
st
Airborne and Link
up with 82
nd
Airborne objectives without each respective division being on the Link
up with XXX Corps objective respectively. This is designed to mirror the problems
XXX Corps had advancing down Hells Highway. For example, if the 101
st
has not
captured and defended Son Bridge, then XXX Corps cannot advance. If XXX Corps
reach either of the Link up with 101
st
Airborne and Link up with 82
nd
Airborne
objectives before the respective division has, then XXX Corps can lend its forces to
help the other divisions e.g. if the 101
st
has not captured Son Bridge and XXX Corps
has reached the Link up with 101
st
Airborne objective then they may help the 101
st

achieve its objective.

The 1
st
Airborne have two columns. The left is the overall Arnhem column, The right
relates to the bridge only. The 1
st
Airborne objective left counter moves onto the next
days objective, irrespective of whether they achieved their objective or not this is
designed to reflect the fact that they are on their own. The 1
st
Airborne right counter
only moves once they have moved to the bridge successfully.

If XXX Corps have not met up with 1
st
Airborne by the 8
th
day, then 1
st
Airborne will
be withdrawn from Arnhem on the 9
th
day and the operation will be deemed a failure.





Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
Day 101st Airborne 82nd Airborne XXX Corps 1st Airborne
1
Capture Son
Bridge.
Capture Grave
Bridge.
Overcome
infantry and anti
tank units.
Secure Landing
Zone.

2
Defend Son
Bridge.
Defend Grave
Bridge.
Liberate
Eindhoven.
Advance to
Arnhem Bridge.

3
Link up with XXX
Corps.
Capture Nijmegen
Bridge.
Link up with 101st
Airborne.
Attempt to link up
with forces at
Bridge.
Capture Arnhem
Bridge.
4
Defend Nijmegen
Bridge.
Overcome
infantry and anti
tank units.
Attempt to link up
with forces at
Bridge.
Defend Arnhem
Bridge.
5
Link up with XXX
Corps.
Link up with 82nd
Airborne.
Defend
Oosterbeek
positions against
German attacks.
Defend Arnhem
Bridge.
6
Link up with
Polish Airborne at
Driel.
Defend
Oosterbeek
positions against
German attacks.
Defend Arnhem
Bridge.
7
Overcome
infantry and anti
tank units.
Defend
Oosterbeek
positions against
German attacks.
Defend Arnhem
Bridge.
8
Link up with 1st
Airborne.
Link up with XXX
Corps.
Link up with XXX
Corps.
9
Withdrawal if not
relieved by now.
Surrender.

101
st
Airborne Actions

Capture Son Bridge
Historically, the 101
st
met little resistance and captured four of the five bridges tasked
to the Division. However, the bridge at Son was blown up as they approached it, after
being delayed by a short engagement with two German anti-tank guns.

The aim of this action is to capture the bridge.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 2.





Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06





If, after 10 turns, the 101
st
has not captured the bridge, the German player gets to role
on the following table to determine if the bridge is blown.

If the bridge is blown, the 101
st
must still capture the
area around the bridge so that British Engineers can
build a Bailey bridge.

Tanks are not available to the 101
st
.

Defend Son Bridge
Historically, the 101
st
encountered a small force of
Panthers at Son, which started firing on the Bailey
bridge.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Tanks are not available to the 101
st
.

Link up with XXX Corps
Units of the 101
st
were sent to take Best the day before were forced to yield to German
counterattacks during the morning. British tanks arriving during the day helped push
back the Germans by late afternoon.

The aim of this action is to capture the village.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Tanks are available to the 101
st
.

82
nd
Airborne Actions

Capture Grave Bridge
The 82
nd
arrived and the small group dropped near Grave took the bridge intact in a
rush.

The aim of this action is to capture the bridge.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 2.
If, after 10 turns, the 101
st
has not captured the bridge, the German player gets to role
on the following table to determine if the bridge is blown.

Bridge Blown Table
2D6 vs. Rep of figure at
the plunger.

Pass 2D6
Bridge Blown

Pass 1D6
Explosives dont go off,
try again in 1D6 turns
Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
If the bridge is blown, the 82
nd
must still capture the
area around the bridge so that British Engineers can
build a Bailey bridge.

Tanks are not available to the 82
nd
.

Defend Grave Bridge
German forces continued to press on the 82
nd

deployed at Grave.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured
previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Tanks are not available to the 82
nd
.

Capture Nijmegen Bridge
A combined effort to take the Nijmegen Bridge was mounted by two companies from
the Guards Armoured Division and the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry
Regiment, 82
nd
Airborne.

The aim of this action is to capture the bridge.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

If, after 10 turns, the 101
st
has not captured the bridge, the German player gets to role
on the following table to determine if the bridge is blown.

If the bridge is blown, the 82
nd
must still capture the
area around the bridge so that British Engineers can
build a Bailey bridge.

Tanks are available to the 82
nd
.

Defend Nijmegen Bridge
German attacks on the heights made significant
progress, capturing the only remaining bridge
suitable for tanks. A counterattack at Mook by
elements of the 505th PIR and 4th Battalion, the
Coldstream Guards forced the Germans back to their line of departure by 2000.
However, the 508th PIR lost ground at Im Thal and Legewald when attacked by
German infantry and tanks.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Tanks are available to the 82
nd
.

Bridge Blown Table
2D6 vs. Rep of figure at
the plunger.

Pass 2D6
Bridge Blown

Pass 1D6
Explosives dont go off,
try again in 1D6 turns
Bridge Blown Table
2D6 vs. Rep of figure at
the plunger.

Pass 2D6
Bridge Blown

Pass 1D6
Explosives dont go off,
try again in 1D6 turns
Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
Link up with XXX Corps
At this point, most of the 82
nd
, reinforced with British tanks, were engaged in
defensive missions with the objective of holding the highway corridor. Small attacks
seesawed back and forth all along the corridor.

The aim of this action is to defend a village.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Tanks are available to the 82
nd
.

XXX Corps Actions

Overcome infantry and anti tank units.
XXX Corps did not start their advance until 14:35, and shortly met infantry and anti-
tank units dug in on the road. The force was delayed several hours and a number of
Guards Armoured division's tanks were lost.

The aim of this action is to capture the opposite end of the board whilst eliminating
the opposition. Attack begins with a Barrage.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Liberate Eindhoven.
XXX Corps soon arrived in Eindhoven and by that night were bivouacked south of
Son.

The aim of this action is to capture the town.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Link up with 101st Airborne.
Units of the 101
st
were sent to take Best the day before were forced to yield to German
counterattacks during the morning. British tanks arriving during the day helped push
back the Germans by late afternoon.

The aim of this action is to capture the village.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Overcome infantry and anti tank units.
The advance of the Guards, hindered by marsh land that prevented off-road
movement, was soon halted by a firm defensive line.

The aim of this action is to capture the opposite end of the board whilst eliminating
the opposition.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Link up with 82nd Airborne.
Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
At this point, most of the 82
nd
, reinforced with British tanks, were engaged in
defensive missions with the objective of holding the highway corridor. Small attacks
seesawed back and forth all along the corridor.

The aim of this action is to defend a village.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Link up with Polish Airborne at Driel.
During the morning, a small reconnaissance unit of XXX Corps managed to slip
through fog around Nijmegen and link up with the Poles at Driel.

The aim of this action is to defend a village.
This is considered a Small Action Fighting Patrol. For the purposes of generating the
German forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Overcome infantry and anti tank units.
The Germans attacked the Poles in order to tie them down, but several tanks arrived
from XXX Corps and they were beaten off.

The aim of this action is to maintain a defensive position.

This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 5.

Link up with 1st Airborne.
Congratulations, you have made it to Arnhem!!! The operation is over. The war
maybe over before Christmas!!!

1st Airborne Actions

1
st
Airborne do not have access to any tanks whatsoever.

Secure Landing Zone.
The 1st Airborne, meanwhile, had landed without major incident. However, only half
of the Division arrived with the First Lift, and only half of these, in the form of the 1st
Parachute Brigade, could advance on the bridge. The remaining troops had to defend
the drop zones overnight awaiting the arrival of the Second Lift on the following day.

The aim of this action is to maintain a defensive position.

Germans do not have tanks available. Tanks are replaced by Hanomags.

This is considered a Small Action Perimeter Patrol. For the purposes of generating the
German forces, the Germans have a support level of 2.

Advance to Arnhem Bridge.
The 1st and 3rd Parachute Battalions pushed towards Arnhem Bridge during the
early hours and made good progress, but they were frequently halted in skirmishes as
soon as it became daylight.
Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06

Germans do not have tanks available. Tanks are replaced by Hanomags.

This is considered a Small Action Fighting Patrol. For the purposes of generating the
German forces, the Germans have a support level of 2.

If successful, 1
st
Airborne can now move onto their right column

Attempt to link up with forces at Bridge.
To the north of Oosterbeek, the 4th Parachute Brigade led the 1st Airborne Division's
attempt to break through the German lines there, but due to communication
difficulties and considerable enemy resistance, the attack failed with heavy losses.

This is considered a Small Action Fighting Patrol. For the purposes of generating the
German forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

If successful, the forces at the bridge are deemed to be reinforced.

Attempt to link up with forces at Bridge.
To the north of Oosterbeek, the 4th Parachute Brigade led the 1st Airborne Division's
attempt to break through the German lines there, but due to communication
difficulties and considerable enemy resistance, the attack failed with heavy losses.

This is considered a Small Action Fighting Patrol. For the purposes of generating the
German forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

If successful, the forces at the bridge are deemed to be reinforced.

Defend Oosterbeek positions against German attacks.
The remnants of the 1st Airborne Division were gathering at Oosterbeek for their last
stand. To the east of the village, the 1st, 3rd and 11th Parachute Battalions and 2nd
South Staffords were organised into a defensive position

This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

If successful, the forces at the bridge are deemed to be reinforced.

Defend Oosterbeek positions against German attacks.
Throughout the day their position was heavily attacked on all sides.

This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 5.

Defend Oosterbeek positions against German attacks.
The Germans, wary after unsuccessful and costly attacks the previous day, shelled
and mortared the Airborne positions heavily in lieu of additional direct assaults.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 5.

Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
Link up with XXX Corps.
Congratulations, you have held out long enough for XXX Corps to reach Arnhem.

Withdrawal if not relieved by now.
1st Airborne Division received their orders to withdraw across the Rhine. The
operation has failed.

1st Airborne Bridge Actions

If one Defend Bridge Action fails then the right column is then put out of use.
It is possible for 1
st
Airborne Bridge troops to be reinforced, but only if the Attempt
to link up with forces at Bridge actions have been successful.

Capture Arnhem Bridge.
During the early hours of the morning, the 1
st
Airborne began their attack towards
Arnhem Bridge.

The aim of this action is to capture one end of the bridge.
This is considered a Large Action Attack. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 3.

Defend Arnhem Bridge.
The 2nd Battalion and attached units, by now amounting to approximately 600 men,
were still in firm control of the northern approach ramp to the Arnhem Bridge.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Defend Arnhem Bridge.
The remaining British troops continued to fight on fiercely, some with just fighting
knives.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Defend Arnhem Bridge.
By afternoon, British positions around Arnhem Bridge weakened considerably.
Casualties, mostly wounded, were high from constant shelling.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 4.

Defend Arnhem Bridge.
The Germans overcame remaining pockets of resistance throughout the day.

The aim of this action is to defend the bridge captured previously.
Operation: Market Garden using the NUTS rules.
2
nd
Edition.
Simon Norrington 31/08/06
This is considered a Large Action Defend. For the purposes of generating the German
forces, the Germans have a support level of 5.

Link up with XXX Corps.
Congratulations, you have held out long enough for XXX Corps to reach Arnhem.

Surrender.
XXX Corps have not arrived. Any troops near the bridge are forced to surrender.