This is the scenario I have wanted to play from the scenario book since I first saw it – it uses all the map, has tanks on both sides, with plenty of time – 52 turns starting at 0830.

The objective of the scenario is the control or destruction of the bridge in 0412 by the US.

I played the US in this one and failed to learn any lessons from our previous game! The plan was simple. The first phase; the main para force with tank support to take the first two villages in 0604 and 0803, and secure the woods in 0707. While this was to happen the rest of the paratroopers would use the swamp hexes as cover and move towards the bridge and put pressure on hexes 0412, 0513 & 0613. Phase two; the main para force to fights its way down to 0509. The second para group to continue to apply pressure around the 0412, 0513 & 0613 and hopefully prevent the German reinforcements from crossing the bridge. Phase three; all remaining forces to converge and assault the bridge in 0412. Sounds simple doesn’t it!

My forces seemed adequate; 14.5 paratrooper platoons, some para HMGs, a couple of 57mm ATGs, a 75mm gun, a couple of tanks and some intermittent artillery. The only way of moving the guns was a solitary jeep, more on this later. I also had a reduced ENG squad who could it left unmolested destroy the bridge and win the game single-handed for me.

The jeep and guns were a real challenge. I only had the one jeep, so if I lost that the guns were stuck – I had to back off with the jeep until the way was clear. Remember the jeep can’t cross the hedgerows so routes on the map were rather limited.

The German defenders had 9 grenadier platoons, some HMG’s, 75mm INF gun and 50mm ATG. Not too scary. However on a roll the 10 the following units appear; some more grenadiers, two panzer IVF2, some motorcycle troops and an Sdkfz 251. The IVF2’s were particularly worrying me – better than the M4 & M5 that I had.

The Germans had a morale of 8/7 which seems a little high considering the history of the units involved. The 709th infantry was a static unit that had not seen active service and the 352nd infantry was a unit reformed from a few veterans from the Russian front and a lot of quickly trained replacements. Maybe 7/7 would be more appropriate to differentiate their morale from those of the highly motivated US paratroopers.

The Game. The first village fell quickly. However the attack on the second village did not. The German reinforcements arrived at 0945. Most stayed to guard the bridge area, but the panzers immediately rolled across the bridge and stopped when they could get the second village in their sights but the US tanks could not respond.

The firepower of the supporting panzers blunted the paratroopers attack on the second village, and after a couple of failed assaults the paratroopers decided to cut their losses and flank the village. The jeep had to run the gauntlet of the Germans in the second village and skirt all around the edge of the board. The planned attack on the woods in 0707 did not happen and the paratroopers there seemed unsure what to do and so wasted a lot of time trading ineffective shots with the Germans in the woods.

The paratroopers began to make some progress around 0513 & 0613 but the Germans rushed a panzer back to support the defence and the paratrooper attack stalled.

By 02:00 the para force was struggling. A major assault developed on the causeway next to the bridge. The Germans reinforced with a panzer and in a daring move the US M4 rushed into the fray. The paratroopers initially held the advantage as many of the defenders were demoralised; however the Germans had the reserves and were eventually successful, another decisive moment in the battle.

The remains of the main para force were whittled down as they attempted to flank the second village. The paratroopers also failed in their attempt to take the woods in 0707 as the Germans reinforced with a panzer platoon. At this point the US had lost all their tanks but had managed to set up an ATG in hex 0108 which could cover the causeway. The Germans even attempt a counter attack against the artillery forces in the 0803 village, but were repulsed.

The US paratroopers called off their attack at 15:45. The Germans had launched successful counter-attacks against the paratroopers at the bridge and around 0806.

Summary – Well my impatience cost me the game, I am still too use to rushing attacks. I had 52 turns to conduct this attack but was pretty well spent after about half the time allowed. Not taking the village in 0604 was a major error – I rushed trying to take both villages before the arrival of the German reinforcements, when they arrived at 0945 and my opponent rushed his panzers forward and I was caught in an exposed position and took many losses. With the time available I should have allowed at least an hour for softening up each of my target hexes, using artillery and direct fire before committing any units to assault, I guess the blood just rushed to my head! 0607 and the woods in 0707 are key hexes in this battle, they can interdict the road network and have good fall-back routes to the village in 0509.

I think my guys moving through the swamp hexes to pressure the bridge and surrounding hexes is a good strategy but I sent them in too early. They fought well but needed artillery and tanks support to really route out the German defenders. If the rest of my attack had succeeded then the village in 0509 would have provided a good fire support base for my ATGs and tanks when the final battle for the bridge took place.

My opponent used his forces sensibly and ground down my inept attack.

The best scenario we have played so far in the Airborne module – lots for both players to do and a good mix of units. Hard to say about balance as my attack failed so spectacularly – will have to play this one again.