This game took the better part of two weeks to play. The planning was the hardest part, and the British plan did not go well. The British OBA and air performed lackluster, given their higher numbers. German air and OBA did well in proportion. The British tried to economize CPs to allow both day and night attacks in Days 1 and 2. These diluted attacks beat the Germans up some, but the British suffered heavily for modest gains. The 1st BN of both the 25th/26th SS PG Regts were ravaged, but held. A German night attack (day 2) with fresh BNs erased most of the British gains. Day 3 the British attack with 3 infantry and 2 armor BNs and take Marcelet, but not Cheux. The German composite BN arrives that night and chews the worn down Brits to pieces. Day 4 sees another British move with 3 Infantry and two armor BNs. The German barely hold a horseshoe around Cheux, both sides consolidate depleted units at night. Day 4. The Germans deploy what’s left across the board. The Germans can put together less than 1 SS PG regiment, with the Wehrmacht units all consolidated in to 1 kampfgruppe. The British can muster 4 understrength infantry BNs and less than a BN of armor. The Brits throw it all in to a daylight attack and still fail to capture Cheux. The Germans counterattack the last night battle and retake Marcelet! Massive german win.

Our group finished this fantastic PG campaign, ending up with the British major victory. In the end, the British/Scots claimed three out of four objectives, and the Germans were soundly beaten, being unable to threaten the British advance. More detailed description of the campaign can be found here.

Initially (pre-game analysis) it felt that the British side did not had any hope for success, but eventually few German planning mistakes gave a winning chance which was fully exploited. Grasping the campaign rules are also fundamental to understand the somewhat special dynamics involved.

Replayability is next to none IMO, as it is more difficult to achieve the element of surprise needed to achieve the initial breakthrough which gives the British side a fighting chance. If the first day is not a success, the strong German reinforcements can easily contain the British advance, and keep them away from their objectives.

I rated this with five, even though it is not necessary super balanced game, and luck has rather big impact on the game as the amount of artillery available is determined with a single – although modified – die roll. But the experience of playing this immense and multi-levelled game is really rewarding and fun, and currently I don't know if we are able to get the same kicks out of playing regular scenarios. If you have BN, the C&C 2 and some additional Brits (definately needed, we used a second BN and some augmentees from Liberation), give it a go! Team play is highly recommended to share the burden.