Historical Background:
Operation Spring called for the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions supported by the 7th Guards Armored Division to make a deliberate attack in the direction of Falaise. The first phase of the plan was the capture of May-sur-Orne, Verrieres Ridge and Tally-la-Campagne. The ground from St. Andre-sur-Orne to Hubert-Folie was to be the start line, but on the night of the planned attack, July 24-25, it still remained partially uncleared.

The German force in the area consisted of the 272nd Infantry Division, elements of 2nd, 9th and 10th Panzer Division and the 1st SS Panzer Division.

The 3rd Division attacked Tilly-la-Campagne; although it achieved a foothold in a wood and put pressure on the village, it could not clear the place. More infantry and armor were brought forward and suffered heavy losses without improving the situation. German tanks and infantry counter-attacked and the push on this flank was called off in the afternoon.

In the center, the forward companies of the 2nd Division started up Verrieres Ridge. But, even with armor support , they could not take the ridge or the town of Rocquancourt.

On the left, the towns of St. Andre and St. Martin were never completely cleared, causing trouble from the start. As the 2nd Division Canadian forces pushed forward around these towns toward May-sur-Orne, they came under heavy fire from the ridge, enemy positions beyond the Orne and the town of May-sur-Orne. Some units did make it up the ridge, but ran into dug-in tanks. Further advance being out of the question, the force was ordered to retreat back to the start line.

The bold, yet bloody operation, by the Canadian Divisions was not in vain however, for it distracted the German command from 'Operation Cobra', the main Allied effort on this same day.

The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis Player: Take 6 command cards.

Allied Player: Take 5 command cards.
You move first.

Conditions of Victory:
6 Medals.
An Allied unit that captures any of the following towns, May-sur-Orne, Rocquancort or Tilly-la-Campagne counts as a Victory Medal. Place an Objective Medal in these towns. As long as the Allied unit remains on the town hex, it continues to count toward the Allied victory. If the unit moves off or is eliminated, it no longer counts.

Special Rules:
The Axis Special Forces tank units have 4 figures. Place an Axis special force token in the same hex with these units to distinguish them from the other units.