Pruzana

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1941, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Pruzana

The Battle of Pruzana, part of the larger Eastern Front conflicts in World War II, took place in the area around Pruzana (now in Belarus) during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, in 1941. German forces, advancing rapidly through Soviet-held territory, encountered Soviet resistance in Pruzana as part of the initial Soviet defenses against the Axis invasion.

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 3

Axis – 6

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Russia

Year:

1941

Theater:

Eastern Front

Campaign:

Operation Barbarossa

Codename

Summary:

Objectives:
Five VP’s; no Objective Medals.

Battlefield:
The principle feature of the Pruzana scenario are the two tree lines intersecting the battlefield in both a horizontal and a diagonal pattern, providing great cover for both sides.

Troops:
Russians – 7 Infantry, 3 Armor, including one T-34, 1 Artillery.
Axis – 6 Infantry, 6 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. The Allies can win this one by staying behind their sandbags and resisting and attacking the the Axis forces as they get near.

2. Make good use of your artillery to degrade the enemy forces as they approach.

3. Possible Attack Vector: If you get the cards and are able to bring your Armor around both sides of the center woods, you can sometimes catch the Axis in the center, and then pummel them with your Infantry in the woods, followed by your Armor. It can create a real kill box in the center, with the right set of cards.

Axis Strategy:
1. As Axis, you need to be wary of the enemy artillery right in the center of the battlefield. It will be able to strike much of the field of play. So if you get an early Barrage, or Air Power, take it out as soon as you can.

2. The big picture strategy is that until the enemy artillery is taken out, your best attack strategy is to move up each flank away from its full power attacks, at the same time as you use your armor to take out the infantry in the woods.

3. You can use your armor to do long distance degrading of the enemy forces, until they are at a point where your infantry can make an assault across the open fields.

4. Use your artillery on the right flank at every opportunity.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

Ponyri (Kursk)

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1943, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Eastern Front, Infantry, Location: Russia, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Eastern

Ponyri (Kursk)

The Battle of Ponyri took place in Ponyri, a small town in the Kursk Oblast of Russia, during World War II. It occurred in July 1943 as part of the larger Battle of Kursk, one of the biggest tank battles in history.

General Howitzer summarizes:

Ponyri was a slugfest in the mud and blood of Kursk—like a Stalingrad on a smaller scale. The Germans threw their Panzers and infantry at that rail junction with everything they had, trying to break through to Kursk, and the Soviets met them with steel, fire, and sheer grit. House to house, trench to trench, they held the line. The enemy never got past it—and Ponyri became the anvil that broke the German spear.

7 VP’s

Card Balance:

Russian – 4

Axis – 6

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Russia

Year:

1943

Theater:

Eastern Front

Campaign:

Battle of Kursk

Codename:

part of Operation Citadel

Summary:

Objectives: 7 VP’s.

The key to winning Ponyri is controlling the town. It is worth two VP’s. Whichever side controls the town will cause the opponent to waste a lot of troops trying to gain control.

Terrain:

Countryside with forest and hills on one side, mines on the other, and the five-hex town of Ponyri in the center.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry, 4 Armor, 3 Artillery

Axis – 8 Infantry, 7 Armor

Allied Strategy:

1. The town of Ponyri is worth two VP’s. You begin with control of it, but since it has 5 hexes, you should take control of the central hex of Ponyri so that you have majority control. This will force the enemy to waste a lot of forces throwing themself against this well-defended town.

2. The Allied role in this scenario is primarily defensive. Use your sandbags and be slow to leave them. But if the enemy begins pummeling your armor on the left flank, you may need to consider a more aggresive approach, if your cards allow it.

3. You have three artillery. Take the time to move them forward one row early in the battle while you still have time, so that they can improve their hit rate against the enemy.

Axis Strategy:

1. Because the town of Ponyri is worth two VP’s! , you should attempt to get your infantry into it pretty quickly, before the enemy occupies all town hexes. But only take it, if you can keep them there, as they will be surrounded by the enemy on all sides.

2. On your left flank, use the forest and hills to advance your infantry under cover. If you try to make a direct assault in the open countryside, they will get decimated.

3. On your right flank, you have an armor superiority, so you can place yourself behind the mines and continuously degrade the enemy’s strength. But be aware of the artillery on the right. If the Allies move it one row forward, your armor directly behind the row of mines will be subject to 2D rolls against your forces.

4. When the enemy is sufficiently degraded, you may consider breaching the mines. (Expect some hits, but if you use your elite forces that begin with 4 armor figures, you should have a sufficient survival rate to continue the attack.) If you find the opening, you can push through for direct assaults against the enemy armor.

Battle Reports:

( percentage of Allied Victories):

54%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Soviet_troops_and_T-34_tanks_counterattacking_Kursk_Voronezh_Front_July_1943

Battle of Kursk
(Copyright: www.mil.ru)

Pointe-du-Hoc

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Artillery, Base Game, Beach, Countryside, D-Day, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Theater: Western

Pointe-du-Hoc

The Battle of Pointe du Hoc was a critical part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Pointe du Hoc, a steep cliff overlooking the English Channel between Utah and Omaha beaches, was targeted because it housed a German gun battery capable of threatening the Allied landings.

U.S. Army Rangers were tasked with scaling the 100-foot cliffs to neutralize the German artillery positions believed to be in bunkers at the top. About 225 Rangers from the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions led by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder. Using ropes, ladders, and grappling hooks under intense German fire, the Rangers climbed the cliffs while under heavy fire. The Rangers discovered the artillery guns had been moved inland. They located and destroyed the guns using thermite grenades. The Rangers suffered heavy losses—fewer than half were still capable of fighting after the battle.

General Howitzer sums up its importance:

Listen up, men—Pointe du Hoc wasn’t just another hill; it was the lynchpin in the whole damned invasion. Our boys scaled those cliffs under fire, ripped out the German artillery, and made damn sure nothing could rain hell on Utah and Omaha. It was guts, grit, and glory—one of the boldest strikes of D-Day, and it damn well helped crack open Fortress Europe.

~ General Howitzer

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 4

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Beach

Location:

Normandy

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Invasion of Normandy

Codename:

Part of Operation Overlord

Briefing:

This scenario is a tough one for the Germans, as the Allies have a 69% success rate.

Objectives:

Because this is a 4 VP scenario, every single hit matters, so both Axis and Allies need to carefully target and concentrate their fire.

Battlefield:

This scenario has a ridge running across the entire battlefield. It is a two-hex move to climb the hill, so it is a challenge for the Allies to mount it. But once they do, it is a short trip to the forest in the corner containing additional victory points.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry

Axis – 5 Infantry, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Like all beach scenarios, the goal is to get off the beach as quickly as possible. But the ridge running across the beach, does allow Allies to assemble their forces just behind the ridge, massing together, until they are ready to climb the ridge together and attack.

2. Watch out for the infantry hex on the Pointe, and for the artillery on your right flank. You will need to shift your forces to the left as quickly as possible, or the enemy could gain one VP before you even get out of the water. You can move your infantry in a straight lateral move while still in the water, to get away from the Pointe.

3. The best pathway to the VP’s in the forest on your right flank, is to overwhelm the enemy on the left flank, and work your way all the way across the middle section into the forest. Once you make your way off the beach on the left flank, you can take a bit of time to assemble all of your forces, and gather the cards you need for your center section attack.

Axis Strategy:

1. Take advantage of the ridge facing the shore. If you have the infantry movement cards, get to the ridge and batter the troops as they approach. If you just sit in your bunkers or sandbags, and wait for them to mass and attack, you will be overwhelmed.

2. First moves are to attack with your infantry from on the point, and your artillery while Allies are still in the water. This will force them up the coast away from your artillery, and most importantly, away from the victory points in the woods.

3. Use your artillery well to slow down, harass, and destroy the troops while they are still on the beach.

4. Once the Allies make it up onto the ridge, if you can restore your remaining forces back into your bunkers, it may give you enough time to degrade the enemy forces enough to prevent their achievement of the VP’s in the forest on your left flank.

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

69%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Operation Goodwood

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Operation Goodwood

The Battle of Goodwood (July 18–20, 1944) was a major Allied offensive during the Normandy Campaign in World War II. The operation was spearheaded by the British Second Army, under Lieutenant General Sir Miles Dempsey, and aimed to break through German defenses east of Caen and open the way for a broader advance.

General Howitzer explains:

“Listen up! The Battle of Goodwood was one hell of a slugfest in the summer of ‘44. It kicked off with the skies roaring—a massive aerial bombardment to soften up those German positions, and then the British and Canadian tanks rolled out, thousands of ‘em, across that open French ground.

But you know how it goes— the Germans were dug in deep. Minefields, anti-tank guns, artillery—the whole works—slowed down that armored push, and the Germans counterattacked with everything they had.

Even though they didn’t break through like they hoped, it wasn’t for nothing—the Germans were bleeding, and those tanks kept ‘em busy. It gave us breathing room to launch Operation Cobra and tear open the western flank.

So remember this, boys—even when the breakthrough doesn’t come, if you’re tying up the enemy and keeping him on his heels, you’re still doing the job! That’s the mark of a real fighting force!”

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Normandy Invasion

Summary:

In the Goodwood scenario, whichever side can gain control of the ridge on the flank, will be in a position of dominance for that flank. Control of the town in the other flank, will lend an advantage to whomever controls it.

Objectives:

Six medals, no terrain objectives

Terrain:

The Goodwood scenario is marked by a large hilly ridge on one flank, while the other two sections are basically a wide open battlefield, with just one two-hex town in the center of it. The center section is wide-open to allow the tank battle which occurred historically.

Troops:

Allies – 6 Infantry, 6 Armor

Axis – 7 Infantry, 3 Armor, 2 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. The most important first thing which the Allies need to do in this scenario is in the center section. Their armor is only two hexes away from the Axis infantry in the town of Cagny. The armor has no retreat option. Therefore, the typical odds of a one in three hit ratio, increase by 17% to a one in two possibility of a hit, per die. So the armor will need to be moved into the adjacent forest, or moved away entirely to a spot where it has a retreat option.

2. You have six armor to the enemy’s three armor. Use it by rapidly gaining control of the center and attacking from there. You will also need to be ready to move into your left flank to defend your weak infantry.

Axis Strategy:

1. Although outnumbered, the Axis’ armor has been able to defeat the Allied armor with the right combination of tactics and patience. You need to stay in your defensive positions, and attack as opportunities present themselves. Then with the right combination of cards, you can push up through the center and take control.

2. Potential Attack Vector: You are strong on the right flank, while the enemy is weak. If you can move your armor forward rapidly, you could score a lot of points.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

Normandy – Vaumicel Manor

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Normandy - Vaumicel Manor

The Battle of Vaumicel Manor occurred on June 6, 1944, as part of the D-Day landings during Operation Overlord in Normandy. It was a localized but intense engagement involving the U.S. 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

The battle focused on the capture of Vaumicel Manor, a key German stronghold near the beachheads. The heavily fortified manor served as a command post and artillery position, threatening Allied movements inland. The paratroopers, despite being scattered during their drop, regrouped and launched a coordinated assault on the manor.

After fierce fighting, including close-quarters combat, the U.S. forces captured the manor, neutralizing its defenders and securing a critical position. This success contributed to the broader efforts to consolidate the Allied beachheads and disrupt German defenses in the region.

The battle exemplified the resourcefulness and determination of airborne troops in achieving their objectives under challenging conditions.

General Howitzer comments on this battle:

“Now listen here! After some downright brutal fighting, including hand-to-hand combat, our boys took that manor and wiped out the defenders. It wasn’t just a fancy house—it was a key position, and taking it helped us lock down the beachhead and throw the enemy’s plans into disarray.

That fight showed exactly what airborne troops are made of—grit, guts, and the will to get the job done no matter the conditions. They didn’t wait for perfect—they took the fight to the enemy and came out on top.

That’s how you win a war, gentlemen—by fighting smart, pushing hard, and never backing down!”

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 6

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Normandy

Year:

June 5th – 6th 1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Normandy Invasion

Codename:
Operation Overlord

Summary:

The Axis forces are scattered across the battlefield, while the Allies are lined up against their border ready for attack. The challenge for both sides is to make their way across the open battlefield. Using hedgerows and forest hexes is the best way to move your forces towards the medal objectives in each of the towns. There are two medals each for Axis and Allies. They seem to be within reach, but getting to it, and holding it are two different things. You will have to make sure you have dealt a crippling blow to any nearby enemy infantry before you seek to posses a town hex medal.

Objectives:
Six VP’s, with two Objective Medals in the towns of Ferme de l’Ormel and St. Laurent for the Axis, and one Objective Medal for the Axis at the town of Vacqueville and at Wn.69.

Battlefield:
Countryside scattered with forests and hedgerows.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry; 2 Armor
Axis – 8 Infantry, 1 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Big picture strategy is that your right flank is your strong one, and your left flank, although you have a lot of firepower, us up against a well-entrenched artillery which will cut your to ribbons unless you deal with it. If you get the cards, you can make a good push up the right flank. But you will have to target each unit along the way and take them out one hex at a time.

2. Be careful of the Axis artillery on your left flank. They can reach nearly to the back row of hexes. And any attack attempted upon the two infantry hexes at A5 and d4 will be supported by a two-dice response attack from the artillery.

3. Be sure to protect the two town hexes on the third row which contain Medal Objectives for the Axis.

Axis Strategy:

1. You are primarily in a defensive position in this scenarios as the Allies advance against you, so remain in defensive positions. But should the cards present an attack opportunity, then take it.

2. However, you have some Combat Engineers and Special Forces in the back. Move them forward, under protection, but get them into a spot to assault some of the forward positions of the enemy. The special abilities of the Combat Engineers can attack while ignoring terrain battle restrictions.

Author

URL

Normandy – Bretel Wood

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Normandy - Bretel Wood

“Bretel Wood—now that was a tough nut to crack in the summer of ‘44. The German paratroopers—Fallschirmjäger—were holed up there like a bunch of badgers, ready to fight to the last man. They were some of the best the Germans had, and they weren’t giving up without a fight.

Our boys went in there—thick woods, close-quarters combat, lead flying in every direction—and they didn’t let up for a second. We pushed ‘em out, inch by inch, because when you’re in the woods, you fight with guts and grit, not just tanks and guns.

In the end, we threw those paratroopers out and kept rolling forward. That’s how you keep the momentum, boys—you break the enemy’s back and never give ‘em time to breathe. Bretel Wood wasn’t just another patch of dirt—it was a stepping stone to driving the Germans clean out of France!”

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Normandy

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Context:

Historical

Summary:

This scenario begins in a state of relative chaos with Axis and Allied troops scattered across the battlefield without a clear pattern. The number of hedgerows and minefields also considerably slow down troop movements across the terrain. Brettle Wood is a game of inches. The hedgerows only allow for limited attack at a time so each commander will have to be content (usually) with small gains per turn.

Objectives:

6 Victory Points

Terrain:

Hedgerows are scattered across the battlefield, with mines slowing advance on one flank.

Troops:

Allies – 8 Infantry, 1 Artillery

Axis – 9 Infantry, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Big Picture plan for Allies, is primarily a defensive role, unless you have the cards for a significant advance in one section.

2. Because this is a hedgerow hell scenario, make good use of your artillery which can supercede all terrain restrictions. If you can get it moved forward early in the game, it will significantly improve your attack abilities. However, this is a Nightime Strategy game, so you will be unable to use that Artillery for several turns.

3. This is a long scenario of six medals, but the enemy only have nine Infantry plus the Artillery, so you are going to have to handle the Artillery in order to win.

Axis Strategy:

1. Big picture plan for Axis is to move forward in a coordinated way and press your advantage in whichever section the cards warrant. All your Infantry are Elites (besides the two Engineers), so you will be able to move two and battle. This will help you to cross the open terrain quickly into a defensive position for attacks.

2. You have a two to one advantage on your right flank. Move your infantry forward, hiding behind the hedgerows until your forces and cards are in place for an assault. If you can move some forces from the center section into your right flank, you will gain an overwhelming attack force.

3. You have two Engineer units which should be used to clear the mines and attack the enemy on your left flank.

4. This is a long scenario for six medals and the enemy only has eight Infantry, so it is pretty much a fight to the death. You are more than likely going to have to deal with the Artillery in order to win this scenario.

Author

URL