Author	treadasaurusrex (Germany)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	Britain
Participants	NBGB
Play Date	2026-05-19
Language	English
Scenario	LIBE036

This was a 3-session playthrough, in which I led the defending German elements of Kampfgruppe Weiss of the 9th SS “Hohenstaufen” Panzer Division in a 14-turn brawl in mixed, Norman terrain. The flexible & resourceful, NBGB led attacking elements of the British 2nd Northampton Yeomanry Regiment and the 1st Battalion/Royal Norfolkshire Regiment. This play-through featured armored units on both sides. The leader draw was better than average for both sides.

We used the FOW (starting on game turn 2, to allow the British force a quick approach march) consolidation, smoke/illum and excess initiative optional rules. We also tried these FOUR house rules: 1) Road Movement for Mechanized & Foot Units — All FOOT & MECHANIZED units may move on roads at the rate of 1/2 Movement Point (MP) per road hex, just like MOTORIZED units, 2) Standardized Movement for Mechanized Units — All mechanized units may move through clear hexes at a movement cost of only 1 movement point (MP) per hex, instead of 1 1/2. Add one to this cost if moving up, across, or down slopes hexes, 3) Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Consolidation — Reduced 2-step tanks, and other AFV units of the same type, nationality, and morale condition may be combined to form a single, full-strength unit. Both reduced units must start their activation in the same hex and be activated by an adjacent – or same-hex – good order, Tank Leader. This action costs both units all their movement points. Remove one of the units, flip the other to its full-strength side and mark it activated, and 4) Voluntary Unit Reduction — Players may voluntarily reduce 2-step personnel units to 1-step (halved) units if they have at least one leader of MAJOR or higher rank among their side’s assigned force. To do so, the unit to be halved must begin the player’s activation phase in the same hex or in an adjacent hex to a CAPTAIN or higher rank. The full-strength unit to be halved must be in good order and this action costs all the reduced unit’s movement points. Remove the full-strength unit and replace it with 2 reduced strength units. Mark both — and the leader — as activated

This rule set provided improved playability & simplicity during this high mobility, play-through.

The fast-paced, initial session (game turns 1-3) consisted of NBGB’s now-traditional, careful & methodical approach march that gradually veered to the right as it advanced. This time my learned opponent led with a squadron of Cromwells and successfully drew Herrenvolk attention elsewhere with the sacrifice of a M-3 and a Bren carrier platoon. The advance turned into a smokscreened & well-supported attack on Hill 119, accompanied by a swift right flank movement around the dug-in German defenders. The victory point tally in the early going was 20-5 in favor of the Third Reich by session’s end.

Our action-packed, second session (game turns 4-7) was a frustrating episode for the defending Herrenvolk who lost ground on Hill 119, but only absorbed a single step loss in heavy combat. The British also lost a step but were able to exit a company of M-3 halftracks off the south map edge, and also push the Germans back from their initial positions on the hilltop. A combined SEVEN combat 7-die rolls were thrown this session. The updated victory point score was now 19-10, still in favor of the embattled Germans.

The action-packed, third session (game turns 4-12) saw the Germans lose a single step and leader, while the Tommies lost another 4 steps in heavy, but frustrating, combat on Hill 119. The Brits slowly overwhelmed and pushed back the Germans. A combined TEN combat 7-die rolls were thrown, all at critical moments. At the start of the 12th game turn, the German side conceded when there was no longer a possibility of a victory, or even a draw. The final victory point score was 33-17 in favor of His Majesty’s hard-fighting troops – a major, and well-earned – British victory in Normandy! In all, there were 7 FOW-shortened game turns of the 12 played, which materially benefited the defending Herrenvolk, who managed to hang onto the town of La Bistiere.

This was an entertaining & relatively balanced, scenario that slightly favors the outnumbered, German defenders. We give this one a 5, as it was a fun-to-play, with a challenging & cunning opponent. We thought that the scenario rules should include both efficient move & fire, and also the tank rider optional rules, to create greater opportunities for the Cromwell tank & Achilles units of the bustling Yeomanry. It merits a recommendation for both SOLO and SHARED play. As published, the more experienced player should lead the defending German side.