[Alsace] Counter-attack at Gambsheim - January 06, 1945

Unternehmen Nordwind - Unternehmen Nordwind.
Western Front By: jdrommel - Last update: 10/20/2009
Axis Player: Allied Player:
x4 x5 x5 x5
    first You play first


Historical Background:
After the defeat of Ardennes offensive, Hitler wanted to launch a new offensive in order to keep the initiative on the western front. Started on 1st January 1945, the aim of Operation "Nordwind" was to repulse the Allies from Alsace and to recapture Strasbourg. On the 5th of January, German troops from 553.Volksgrenadier Division crossed the Rhine and established a bridgehead at Gambsheim, at only 20 kms from Strasbourg. US Task Force "Linden" organized a rapid counter-attack with the help of the local French Resistance to push back German soldiers beyond the Rhine. The operation was made from two directions : from the west and the village of Weyersheim and from the south and the village of Killskett, along the railway. This attack, conducted with a bad coordination, with green soldiers and in a very bad weather conditions, was a failure. The Gambsheim bridgehead was never reduce by Allied troops and remained in German hands until February 1945, at the end of Operation "Nordwind" and the German withdrawal.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Allied player [USA/French Resistance] : 5 command cards, you move first.
Axis player [Germany] : 4 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
5 medals. The central hex of Gambsheim is a temporary medal objective for the Allied player.

Special Rules:
- Landgraben is impassable except by the bridge (Terrain 8).
- Use "Ravines" rules for the ditch (Terrain 50).
- Use "French Resistance" rules for the 2 French units. (Nation 1).
- Use "Big Guns" rules for the US artillery (Troop 3).

Scenario Bibliography:
- Magazine Historica n°27 - Opération Nordwind.
- Album mémorial Bataille d'Alsace 1944-45 - Ed. Heimdal.

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
4
4
10
1
4
14
1
2
3
1