Historical Background:
Planned with the utmost secrecy, German “Operation Watch on the Rhine”, launched in the wee hours of December 16, 1944. Hitler’s objective: To conduct a blitzkrieg on what the US First Army considered a “quiet” front and push through the densely forested Ardennes Massif under the cover of heavy overcast weather. He hoped to split the British and American lines, capture Antwerp and wipe out the encircled Allied armies in order to help negotiate a favorable peace treaty.
South of Manteufell’s front, the 110th Infantry Regiment faced the main thrust of the attacking German divisions, alone on an 11-mile front. Having crossed the River Our easily, the German Infantry infiltrated the woods of Luxembourg while its Combat Engineers were struggling to bridge the river for the tanks of 2. Panzer-Division. Overrun by German infantry, the village of Marnach soon fell. Using Clervaux as a strongpoint, Colonel Fuller attempted to stage a counter-attack and recapture Marnach. But the bridges had now been built; With 2. Panzer on the move, Clervaux had to be evacuated. The road to Bastogne now lay open…
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Briefing:
Axis Player
[Germany]
Take 6 Command cards.
You move first.
Allied Player
[United States]
Take 5 Command cards.
Conditions of Victory:
8 Medals.
The villages of Heinerscheid and Marnach, and the Castle in Clervaux are Permanent Medal Objectives (Turn Start) for the Axis forces.
The two road hexes with an Exit marker are Exit hexes for the Axis forces.
Special Rules:
Winter Combat (Actions 25 - Combat Cards), Winter Weather (Actions 26 - Winter Weather) and Reduced Visibility (Actions 27 - Reduced Visibility) rules are in effect.
Place a badge on the Allied Tank Destroyer unit (Troops 24 - Tank Destroyers).
The River Our is impassable. For the Axis forces, Pontoon Bridge rules are in effect (Terrain 33 - Pontoon Bridges).
Scenario link
Setup photo:
In the first game, I played as the Axis, while my opponent took the Allies. The Axis had some early luck, managing to build two pontoon bridges within the first two turns. They then launched an attack on Marnach with infantry and successfully captured it. The Allies counterattacked with tanks and infantry, securing two medals, but the Axis armor, along with a well-timed Medics & Mechanics card, wiped out the counterattacking forces.
With the road to the Axis’ left flank exit now open, one Axis armor unit attempted to eliminate the Allies’ Tank Destroyers, reducing them to just one figure. However, the Allies responded with an Attack in the Center, destroying the Axis armor unit. After intense battles in the center and left sections, the Axis shifted focus to their right flank, playing key cards to secure two more medals and clinch victory with a final score of 8-3.
End Photo:
An axis armor unit is ready to exit:
2 pontoon bridges built:
After a fierce fight Heinerscheid is taken:
For the second game, we switched sides and began the battle. The Axis started by attacking Marnach, weakening the defending unit but losing one of their own in the process. In the next turn, the Axis played an attack and built a pontoon bridge, while the Allies brought an armor unit to the front. When the Axis armor crossed the bridge, the Allied armor was waiting. Despite being outnumbered 1 to 4, the Allied armor unit managed to score two medals before it was destroyed.
The Axis then attacked the artillery at Clervaux, landing a hit, but in the following turn, the Allies launched an assault in the center and destroyed the Axis armor. The Axis then attacked the Allied units on their right, reducing one to just one figure. However, the Allies responded by leaving their positions, launching a counterattack with infantry and armor, and taking two medals without losing any units.
The Axis then played Their Finest Hour, scoring two medals, exiting a unit, and tying the game at 7-7. The Allies used a Recon on their left flank, weakening one of the Axis armored units. But the Axis responded with an Armor Assault, destroyed an Allied artillery unit, and won the game with a final score of 8-7.
End Photo:
An axis infantry is close to an exit:
Defend Clervaux!
Attack the panzers!
Conclusion: This scenario was incredible—probably the best one I’ve played so far, and I’ve been averaging about one new scenario every day for the past two years. If you’ve played this scenario, I’d love to hear how it went for you. How did it compare to other experiences you’ve had?