Montelimar

scenario_Montelimar_start_Axis

The Battle of Montélimar (August 21–28, 1944) occurred as Allied forces, advancing quickly north from the Operation Dragoon landing beaches, sought to disrupt the German retreat along Route N-7, a critical supply and escape route near the Rhône River. The battlefield featured a mix of open farmland, rugged hills, and strategic chokepoints.

By August 22, skirmishes intensified as both sides probed each other’s strength. On August 24, German forces gained a critical edge after capturing detailed Allied operational plans. Despite this intelligence, their ambitious counterattacks on August 25 faltered. Efforts to cut off American forces and secure key terrain like Hill 300 and the Condillac Pass achieved mixed results. While some German gains were made, they were driven back by American artillery. Conversely, Allied attempts to sever N-7 were repelled by strong German counterattacks, leading to a tactical stalemate.

The battle demonstrated the high stakes and challenges for both sides in controlling the vital escape routes, ultimately contributing to the broader Allied effort to liberate southern France.

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Southern France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Normandy Invasion

Codename:

Operation Dragoon

Summary:

Objectives:

Six VP’s, plus terriotorial objectie medals for the Axis if they capture the towns, and for the Allies if they reach the river’s edge.

Terrain:

The Montelimar scenario has 5 hllly hexes dominating the center of the field of battle, plus several nearby hills. The side which controls this has some hope of reaching their objectives, whether it is the victory point towns, or the victory point riverway.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry, 2 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 9 Infantry, 4 Armor, 1 Artillery

then

Allied Strategy:

1. The Allies begin the scenario in control of the central hilly hexes, which gives them an immediate edge. This is only blunted by the fact that the Axis are able to move first. If they get the right cards, such as an Assault in the Center or an Infantry Assault command card, they can make an immediate bid to challenge that central control.

2. Note that the hills on the right flank are impassable. This makes the right section almost its own battlefield. If the Axis get an attack advantage down that lane, they will be able to reach the Objective Medal in the town of Grane.

3. If you hope to hold the right flank, you will need to get a unit into the forest at K4. A Probe on the Right would allow you to swap places quickly by moving Infantry at L2 to K4, and Infantry K1 to L2

4. The killer move is to station a unit on the hill (h6) next to, or on the hex (i6) in Condillac Pass. Then when you are ready to finish off an enemy unit to gain your fifth medal, then also move your other unit from the sixth row hexes where they have been waiting, right up to the Rhone River to capture your sixth medal as a territorial objective!

Axis Strategy:

1. Both of your flanks are strong compared to the Allies. So advance down those if you can, as they each also have an objective medal waiting for you at the end. However, your right flank is guarded by Allied artillery, so the left may be the place to make your biggest push.

2. You need to take control of the hill in your central section. Your forces are pressed up against the Rhone River and subject to no-retreat hits.

Battle Reports
(percentage of Allied Victories):

54%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

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