Historical Background: General Rommel's 7th Panzer Division arrived at the river Meuse on May 13. On the island of Houx, soldiers of the 7th Motorcycle Battalion discovered locks that the infantry could use to cross the canal. The first bridgehead was set up west of the Meuse. At Dinant, the 6th Riflemen Regiment attempted to cross the river with inflatable rafts but a French battalion opened fire and the Germans were forced to retreat. To cross the river, they had to wait for artillery and armor support, which was supplied as soon as the heavier weapons arrived. At Bouvignes, the 7th Riflemen Regiment managed to cross the Meuse with inflatable rafts and established a second bridgehead. By the evening of May 13, the French resistance from the 39th and 77th Infantry Regiment had weakened. Rommel issued orders to build pontoon bridges so German tanks could cross the river and assist the infantry advance. On May 14, a French counter-attack with tanks and infantry retook Haut-le-Vastia, but this success was short-lived. Soon after their offensive push, the whole French Army was ordered to fall back behind the Charleroi-Rocroi-Signy-l'Abbaye Line, a defense that existed in name only. The River Meuse was no longer an obstacle for the German tanks. The "Sichelschnitt", or "Sickle-Cut" - named for the operation that would cut the Allied forces in two - had begun. The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing: Axis player [Germany] : 6 command cards, you move first. Allied player [France] : 5 command cards.
Conditions of Victory: 6 medals.
Special Rules: - The two bridges on Houx Island are locks. Only infantry units can use them to cross the river. - Use "Collapsible Rafts & Boats" rules for all Axis infantry units (Action 5). - The Axis player can build pontoon bridges as soon as an Axis unit occupies the west hex of Dinant. Use "Pontoon Bridge" rules (Terrain 33). - The hills West of the river are played as cliffs from the riverside and as normal hills from every other side. Use "Cliffs & Sea Bluffs" rules (Terrain 11).
Scenario Bibliography: - "Rommel France 1940" - Ed. Heimdal. - Album Mémorial Blitzkrieg à l'ouest - Ed. Heimdal. - "Sedan Mai 1940" - Claude Gounelle. - "La guerre sans haine" - Tome 1 - Maréchal E. Rommel.
Warning: Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.
|
Set-up Order |
 |
2 |
 |
1 |
 |
6 |
 |
9 |
 |
9 |
 |
16 |
 |
7 |
 |
2 |
 |
6 |
|