Schwammenauel Dam

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1945, Armor, Countryside, Infantry, Location: Germany, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Terrain Exp Pack, Theater: Western

Schwammenauel Dam

SchwamDam_center

SchwamDam_Dam1

SchwamDam_full

SchwamDam_left

SchwamDam_right

Historical Summary

We didn’t fight our way to the Schwammenauel Dam for scenery — we took it because it was choking our advance. The Germans thought they could hold the Roer hostage by flooding the valley and buying themselves time. That was a mistake. American infantry went in, took that dam under fire, and shut the valve on German delay tactics. Once the dam was secured, Operation Grenade could roll forward without interference, and the Roer was crossed on our terms. That action tore down the last real barrier in the Rhineland and put our armies back on the march straight into the heart of Germany — exactly where we intended to go.

~~ General Howitzer

VP’s:

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 5

Complexity:

Conditions:

Mountains & Countryside

Location:

Germany

Year:

1945

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Allied Rhineland Campaign

Summary

This is an exciting scenario with some unique features which recreate actual events on the battlefield in 1945.

Objective:

Six Medals will win, but the principle objective for the Allies is to preserve the two dams, Schwammenauel and Urft. Should either of them get successfully sabotaged by the Germans, and the Allies will likely lose the scenario.

Battlefield:

It is rugged mountainous terrain encircled by a river, mountains, and forests, with a dam at either end of the River Roer.

Troops:

Allies: 10 Infantry, 2 Armor

Axis: 8 Infantry

Special Rules:

Sabotaging a Dam – each of the two dams require a total of 4 stars to be destroyed. At the start of every turn, no matter what cards they hold in their hand, the Axis player rolls two dice, one of each dam. However, the dice will only count and apply to a dam if an Axis unit is on the actual dam hex. For each Star rolled, if the dam is occupied by Axis forces, a star icon is placed on that dam. Once a total of four stars accrue, the dam is destroyed, and the Axis player receives 4! victory medals per dam.

Allied Strategy:

1. Big Picture Strategy: Destroy the enemy or capture the dams before they are sabotaged. Your best option, historically is to capture the Urft Dam first.

2. You have two Armor units, but given the rugged terrain, they will be almost useless to you. If you waste your time trying to get them out from behind the mountain, you will be giving the Axis time to sabotage the dam.

3. Your paratroopers have landed in a dangerous spot, pressed up against the mountain wall as they are. Move them forward to attack ASAP, before they are destroyed.

4. Your right flank is your strongest at the start. Move quickly forward to overwhelm the enemy and secure the Urft Dam.

Axis Strategy:

1. Big Picture Strategy: the goal is to delay the Allies (delaying tactics) as long as possible so that you can blow the dam(s). This will take at least four turns, but in reality, much longer. If you successfully sabotage one dam, (worth 4 medals!), you only need to take out one other Allied unit to win. Should you blow both dams, you are guaranteed a win. (Historically, the Germans were able to blow the discharge valves of the Schwammenauel Dam and flood the Roer River.

2. The Dam provides no battle protection. The only reason to stay on the hex is to attempt to sabotage the dame. But once the Allies get close, keep some forces in the woods to attack and slow down the enemy.

3. The Allied Paratroopers are easy prey, backed up against the mountain. Take them out quickly before they can attack your forces in the town of Kommerscheit.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

Across the River Roer

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1945, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Location: Germany, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Across the River Roer

Across the River Roer wasn’t just another bridgehead — it was the kind of operation that tests an army’s guts and grit. In February ’45, the Germans tried to drown the Allies out of the Rhineland by blowing their dams and turning the Roer into a boiling, flooded barrier. They figured the rising water would halt us cold. It didn’t. It just delayed the inevitable.

When the river finally dropped, our boys moved with discipline and fury. Under artillery, machine-gun fire, and every trick the enemy could throw, they forced that crossing, yard by yard, boat by boat. The Germans were dug in, determined, and desperate — but they couldn’t stop an army that had momentum, purpose, and the will to finish the job.

The Roer crossing cracked open Germany’s western shell and put us on the doorstep of the Rhine itself. And once you reach the Rhine, you’re cutting straight into the enemy’s heart. This operation proved again that no flood, no fortress, no line of resistance can hold back an Allied force that’s hell-bent on victory.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

6 Allies
4 Axis

Complexity:

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Germany

Year:

1945

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Rhineland

Codename:
Operation Grenade

Summary

Artillery plays a major role in this scenario, with three on one side and one on the other.

Objectives:

Six VP’s including all three town objectives and an exit hex for the Allies, if they can get there.

Terrain:

The River Roer is a major strategic barrier which slows the advance into battle.

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry, 3 Artillery

Axis – 7 Infantry, 2 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Attack Vector Options: Left Flank:
If you are going for a left flank assault, the enemy artillery will pick off your forces as you advance. So gather at the river first, since that barrier will stop your troops for one turn. Once everyone has breached it, then you will have to attack en masse and quickly attack before the artillery takes you out.

2. Your artillery on the right can provide support fire for your troops if you pursue a central or right flank attack. But if you can move them forward at least one row before the battle begins, do that. The result will be that the sandbagged infantry in the center will be subject to 2D attacks from the artillery.

3. Attack Vector Options: Right Flank
An attack on the right flank is going to be a challenge as long as the enemy armor can move in and attack your infantry on the open plain before the town with the victory hex. And then should you even reach it, you have to hold it until the end of the game to get the VP’s.

Axis Strategy:

1. Historically, the Allies were able to move across the Roer and establish a 3-mile beachhead. This means that the scenario is stacked against you, if you attempt to come out from your defensive positions and launch an assault. You may be able to do it, especially with your armor on your left flank, but be careful, as the Allied artillery is powerful.

2. Keep your armor mobile. You will most likely need them on your left flank to defend the town hex medal objective.

3. Move your infantry in the back of the center section forward to replace the infantry you will lose in the center and right flanks.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL: