Poterie Ridge
After the capture of Hill 131 (Mont Etenclin) on July 3, 1944, the paratroopers of the 325th Glider Infantry and 508th Parachute Infantry Regiments, 82nd Airborne Division, were ordered to capture La Poterie Ridge and Hill 95, the last heights before Mont Castre. On July 4, Independence Day in the United States, they launched their assault under the cover of an artillery barrage. The US artillery stopped firing while the paratroopers were still in the open field and the Germans opened fire with machine-guns and mortars. The paratroopers suffered heavy losses before reaching the ridge, but finally captured their objective during the night. It was the last fighting the 82nd saw in Normandy, as the division was replaced by the 8th Infantry Division on July 11. The 82nd would return to England to prepare for projected airborne operations.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
7 VP’s
Card Balance:
Allies – 6
Axis – 5
Complexity:
3
Conditions:
Countryside
Context:
Historical
Location:
France
Year:
1944
Theater:
Western
Campaign:
The Invasion of Normandy
Codename:
Summary:
Objectives:
7 VP’s, plus two temporary medals for the Allies
Battlefield:
The battlefield is covered with many forest and hedgerow hexes.
Troops:
Allies – 10 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Axis – 9 Infantry, equipped with machine guns and mortars
Allied Strategy:
1.
Axis Strategy
1.
Battle Reports
Author:
Originally played at Chattanooga Open, 2023; and The Finest Hour Open, Chicago 2025.
Link:
