The way to Berlin would be long and difficult for the Americans. One of the missions of the airborne is to drop ahead of an attacking force to seize bridges and other key locations to facilitate the advance. A useful example is Operation Market Garden, where the US, British, and Polish airborne and glider forces attempted to seize and hold bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegen. The danger, as that operation demonstrated, is that the paratroopers are lightly armed and susceptible to overrun by heavy forces. To pave the way for the advance of 7th Army to Berlin, elements of the 82nd Airborne dropped ahead of the attack path. The first target for the "All American" was the important crossroads at Flecken Calvorde and its bridge across the Albert Mittelland Canal.

The challenge for the Soviet player is to pressure the American player while he's disorganized and keep him from seizing and digging in around the objectives. Meanwhile, the American needs to grab the objectives and hold on until the advancing armor reaches their position and relieves them. A tough task either way.