Reichswald - The Siegried Line
9th February 1945: The Reichswald is the 5-mile gap between the Maas and Rhine and the natural advance route from the German-Dutch border to the Ruhr. After amassing troops to get a numerical advantage near Groesbeek, the allies advanced towards Kleve. The German Reichswald defenses were thin, about 11,000 men. One of the defending battalions was a seriously ill outfit, made up of men with various stomach ailments, another was made up of deaf men.
The Germans however were holding the Siegfried Line, providing them with plenty of defensive barriers. They had flooded the area north and south of the Reichswald narrowing the gap even more. They also had paratroopers in reserve, tough, well-trained men full of fight. More bad news fell on the advancing allies in the form of a cold penetrating rain that would fall for 5-6 days adding to the floods.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. Can you change history?
6 VP’s
Card Balance:
Allies – 5
Axis – 5
Complexity:
4
Conditions:
Countryside
Context:
Historical
Location:
Netherlands
Year:
1945
Theater:
Western
Campaign:
Codename:
Summary:
Objectives:
6 VP’s, plus two city temporary Objective Medals
Battlefield:
Countrsyide with marsh on one side, a road running through much of it, and numerous ‘dragon’s teeth’ roadblocks which can only be removed by use of the Allied Dozer tanks.
Troops:
Allies – 10 Infantry, 3 Armor
Axis – 9 Infantry, 1 Armor
Allied Strategy:
1.
Axis Strategy
1.
Battle Reports
Author:
Originally played in the Dutch Open, 2022; and in The Finest Hour Open, Chicago 2025.
Link:
