Historical Background:
On the 7th of January 1945, the German Nineteen Army initiated an attack south of Strasbourg against the First French Army. Code-named 'Sonnenwende' ("Winter Solstice"), the operation led by the 198th Volksgrenadier Division and 106th Panzer Brigade and other armored elements threatened the southern flank of the VI Corps and the city of Strasbourg.

The initial German assault concentrated on the west side of the Rhone-Rhine Canal, hoping for a fall back of French forces between the canal and the Rhine, if Erstine could be taken quickly enough. The bulk of the German Armor and one regiment of the Volksgrenadier Division drove north then swung back to cut off the French infantry in a forward position.

De Lattre's French forces, consisting of the French 5th Armored Division and the French 1st Infantry Division, held up. After the initial push, although ordered to press on, German forces could not push on beyond the southern suburbs of Strasbourg, never becoming a serious threat. Operation Sonnenwende ended with only minor gains.

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

Briefing:
Axis Player: Take 4 command cards.
You move first.

Allied Player: Take 6 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
5 Medals
An Axis unit that captures the town hex or bridge hex, as noted, counts as one victory medal. Place an objective medal on each of these hexes. As long as the Axis unit remains on the hex, it continues to count toward the Axis victory. If the unit moves off or is eliminated, it no longer counts.

Special Rules:
The Rhone-Rhine Canal is frozen and may be crossed. The ice, however, in some parts is not thick nor safe. Whenever a unit moves onto a canal hex, roll one battle die. If a Star is rolled, 1 figure is lost. There are no other movement or battle restrictions in regard to the canal.