Battle of Westerplatte

On September 1, 1939, at 0448 local time, Germany began its invasion of Poland, starting World War II. The Schleswig-Holstein suddenly opened broadside salvo fire on the Polish garrison of the Polish Military Transit Depot on the peninsula of the Westerplatte, in the harbour of the Free City of Danzig. Eight minutes later, a crack marines storm unit from the Schleswig-Holstein advanced in three platoons while the Wehrmacht’s Pioneers blew up the railroad gate going on the land-bridge, expecting an easy victory over the surprised Poles.

However, the attackers suddenly came into a well-prepared ambush. German soldiers found themselves caught in a kill zone of Polish crossfire from concealed firing points while barbed wire entanglements effectively blocked quick movements.

The Poles held out for seven days in the face of a heavy attack although they were only supposed to hold out for twelve hours. The defense of the Westerplatte served as an inspiration for the Polish Army and today is still regarded as a symbol of resistance to the invasion. The site is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments and tracked by the National Heritage Board of Poland.

The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. As they say “The rest is history”….

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 6

Complexity:

Conditions:

Countryside

Context:

Historical

Location:

Poland

Year:

September 1, 1939

Theater:

Western

Campaign:

The Invasion of Poland

Codename:

Fall Weiss / Case White

Summary:

Objectives:

6 VP’s, plus one Permanent Medal Objective for each side (The Destroyer and the Supply Shed.)

Battlefield:

Contains countryside with a road, a railway, and a river.

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry (3 figures each), 2 Artillery

Axis – 10 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Destroyer!

Allied Strategy:

1. Because of the surprise nature of the attack, all of the Polish Allied Infantry only have three figures each. They are therefore very quickly overrun by the German forces. Gain the hits you can, and protect the Supply Shed!

Axis Strategy

1. You have a Destroyer at your disposal, with massive range. Use it every chance you get.

Battle Reports