Counter-Attack of Panzer Lehr

by GeneralHowitzer | Oct 9, 2025 | 1944, 2025 Refresh, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Counter-Attack of Panzer Lehr

Listen up. Just past midnight, 11 July ’44, Panzer Lehr shoved columns into the seam between the 47th and 39th Infantry and hacked our wires to pieces. For a moment it was noisy and blind—but the 9th Division sized the breach, slammed in blocks, and sealed the gap like a vise.

What followed was a butcher’s bill for the enemy. Their tanks, bled of momentum and coordination, ran headlong into American armor and anti-tank guns and were picked apart. By afternoon, the counter-attack was gutted—steel burning in the hedgerows, infantry scattered, command broken. They bought themselves one day—nothing more.

Lesson: when the enemy punches a hole, you don’t panic—you orient, block, and crush. Kill the spearhead and the body dies. Then you turn back to the business of advancing.

~~ General Howitzer

Medals

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 4

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:
1944

Theater:

Western Front

Summary:

The asymmetrical starting pattern of this game makes for an interesting and challenging battle for both sides.

Objectives: 6 Medals
Including an exit medal objectives for the Axis player who escapes through the Allies’ baseline.

Terrain:

Countryside with hedgerows and forests.

Troops:

Allies – 4 Infantry, 8 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 5 Infantry, 6 Armor

Allied Strategy:

1. You have more firepower than the enemy, but you will need to get into the protection of the hedgerows before they come down the lanes. Then you will be in a position to halt their counter-attack action.

Axis Strategy:

1. Historically, this counter-attack by the Axis failed, so you will have an uphill battle to win. But any units you get across the Allied baseline will result in a medal for you.

Battle Reports

Author:

Days of Wonder, part of the 2025 Refresh of the Base Game

Link:

Panzer Lehr at Hauts-Vents

by GeneralHowitzer | Oct 8, 2025 | 1944, 2025 Refresh, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Panzer Lehr at Hauts-Vents

Listen up. Just after midnight, 11 July ’44, Panzer Lehr—Germany’s showpiece—came rumbling through Hauts-Vents, tanks up front, infantry in tow. We didn’t wait for introductions. Our guns spoke first.

Lehr was fresh in January; by July they were tough but tired. In the hedgerows, strength on paper doesn’t matter—fire discipline and nerve do. My units cut their infantry to pieces in a string of sharp dawn fights and bloodied the panzers until their thrusts lost steam. By mid-afternoon, our lines were firm, their armor still dribbling in without mass, and the initiative was back in American hands.

Lesson: meet steel with steel, kill the spearhead, and the rest of the phalanx goes nowhere. Hold the line, then drive.

~~ General Howitzer

Medals

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:
1944

Theater:

Western Front

Summary:

The asymmetrical starting pattern of this game makes for an interesting and challenging battle for both sides.

Objectives: 6 Medals
Plus, the two hexes of the town of Le Rocher are temporary medal objectives for the Axis player.

Terrain:

Countryside with hedgerows and hills.

Troops:

Allies – 7 Infantry, 2 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 5 Infantry, 5 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Your Armor is outnumbered five to two. You will need to coordinate your forces of both the Infantry and Armor working together to fend off the Panzer Lehr forces.

Axis Strategy:

1. You have an overwhelming Armor advantage, but your tanks are blocked and far away from the action (which is more than likely the village of Le Rocher), so you need to get them there as soon as possible.

Battle Reports

Author:

Days of Wonder, part of the 2025 Refresh of the Base Game

Link:

Belle-Lande

by GeneralHowitzer | Oct 2, 2025 | 1944, 2025 Refresh, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Theater: Western

Belle-Lande

Listen up. Our attack on Hauts-Vents bogged down. Hobbs did the right thing—shifted weight to the 119th and drove on Belle-Lande to turn the enemy’s flank. Task Force X pressed; Task Force Y moved to back up the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. Then the surprise: Belle-Lande, reported empty, lit us up—tanks dug in, infantry stiff as a board. That unexpected fire choked the relief and killed momentum.

We clawed to the village edge, took the measure, and found steel in the hedgerows. With darkness closing, we pulled the forward elements, called in the guns, and set to blast a path for dawn. End of the day: no objectives taken.

Lesson: never trust last night’s report—recon twice, flank hard, and keep artillery married to the advance. Momentum is earned; when it stalls, you reset and hit harder.

~~ General Howitzer

Medals

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:
1944

Theater:

Western Front

Summary:

The asymmetrical starting pattern of this game makes for an interesting and challenging battle for both sides.

Objectives: 5 Medals
Plus, the town of Belle-Lande is a complete set of temporary medals for the Allies.)

Terrain:

Countryside with hedgerows, hills, and 8 hexes for the town of Belle-Lande

Troops:

Allies – 7 Infantry, 6 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 6 Infantry, 5 Armor

Allied Strategy:

1. Historically, the Allies had a hard time attacking Belle-Lande, so your forces on the right flank will be facing a challenge if they attempt to cross the open land into the two defended hexes on the right. It may be better to pursue the ridge on the right and the hedgerows on the left for the Infantry forces. Then your Armor can attack from a distance to soften the town defenses before you launch your Infantry against it.

2. Every hex of Belle-Lande is a Temporary Medal Objective. Taking out just two hexes of Infantry and moving in, will gain you four of the five Medals needed to win.

Axis Strategy:

1. This is primarily a defensive role for the Axis. Stay behind your sandbags and fire away.

Battle Reports

Author:

Days of Wonder, part of the 2025 Refresh of the Base Game

Link:

Battlegroup Heintz at Hauts-Vents

by GeneralHowitzer | Oct 1, 2025 | 1944, 2025 Refresh, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Theater: Western

Battlegroup Heintz at Hauts-Vents

Listen up. Hauts-Vents was a knuckle of roads west of St-Lô—the kind of crossroads that decides a campaign. The Germans threw together Kampfgruppe Heintz from the 275th Infantry to sit on it. We pushed XIX Corps—30th and 9th Infantry up front with 3rd Armored’s CCB—to rip that hinge off the door.

They fed in Panzer Lehr on the 10th and counterattacked hard on the 11th. Didn’t matter. We took Hill 91, smashed their thrusts, and CCB seized the Hauts-Vents crossroads. Result? Their screen cracked, their line started to sag, and St-Lô’s fall became a question of hours, not weeks.

Lesson: take the crossroads, break the spine, keep moving. Momentum wins France.

~~ General Howitzer

5 VP’s

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 4

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:
1944

Theater:

Western Front

Summary:

The asymmetrical starting pattern of this game makes for an interesting and challenging battle for both sides.

Objectives: 5 Medals
The town of La Rocher has two hexes worth one medal each.)

Terrain:

Countryside

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry, 2 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 7 Infantry, 1 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Since you only need five medals to win, the town of Le Rocher is of great tactical value for you. It is close, and it is worth two victory medals. When you take out the two Infantry guarding it, and move into the town, you will have four of the five medals needed to win.

Axis Strategy:

1. While Hill 91 needs to be protected, you should consider moving your Infantry from the hill in the direction of Le Rocher in order to lend some support against the forces of 120th Infantry.

Battle Reports

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

The 2025 Refresh for Memoir ’44

by GeneralHowitzer | Sep 29, 2025 | Base Game, Memoir 44, Rules

Discover the New Era of Memoir '44

Experience the 2025 Refresh Today

Immerse yourself in the enhanced world of Memoir ’44, where history meets strategy in a refreshed gaming experience.

The Legacy of Memoir '44

Memoir ’44 is a celebrated board game that brings the pivotal battles of World War II to life. Since its inception, it has offered players a unique blend of historical accuracy and strategic gameplay. The game allows enthusiasts to relive significant military operations, fostering a deeper understanding of the tactics and challenges faced by commanders during the war. Its educational value and engaging mechanics have made it a staple among WWII gaming aficionados.

Memoir ’44 was originally released in 2004 by Days of Wonder, timed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

It launched as a board game recreating key battles of World War II, starting with the Normandy campaign, and has since grown into a system with many expansions covering the Eastern Front, Mediterranean, Pacific, and more.

Box4

Box-Germans

Box-Allies

Holders-Dice-Tokens

Tokens

Rules

Scenarios

What's New in the 2025 Refresh?

Explore the exciting updates and enhancements in the latest version of Memoir ’44.



New Rules

1. Terrain Height

Terrain is now identified as at Level 0, 1, or 2. If units are “higher” than another one, they can shoot over them.

2. Air Superiority

In the previous edition of the game, the Allies always had air superiority. Thus when they received the Air Power card, Allies would always roll two dice per hex, while the Axis always rolled one die per hex. But now there is a chart to indicate, based on the year and the theatre of war, who has superiority. Sometimes it is Allies; sometimes Axis; sometimes neither.

3. Team Play with 3 or 4 Players

4. Special Rules for Young Generals



New Historical Scenarios

Dive into newly added scenarios that expand the historical scope, offering fresh challenges and strategic opportunities. There are five new scenarios! And they are arranged into a Campaign mode.



Improved Visuals

Enjoy updated graphics and components that bring the battlefield to life with greater detail and realism.

1. New Card Stylistics

The graphics more clearly illustrate troop movements and rules.

2. Decorative Storage Boxes for the Troops

The boxes are decorative, and have special compartments for each type of figure.

Five New Scenarios

Scenario-Penzer-Lehr-Hauts-Vents

Scenario-Hauts-Vents

Scenario-CounterAttack-Panzer-Lehr

Scenario-Belle-Lande

Scenario-BattleGroup-Heintz

Sword Beach (Breakthrough)

by GeneralHowitzer | Sep 23, 2025 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Beach, Breakthrough Game, Countryside, D-Day, Infantry, Location: France, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Sword Beach (Breakthrough)

The Battle of Sword Beach took place on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) — the easternmost of the five Allied landing beaches during the Normandy invasion. It was assigned primarily to British forces, with support from Free French commandos, as part of Operation Overlord.

By nightfall on June 6, the Allies had:

Landed over 28,000 troops
Secured a beachhead about 5 miles deep
Linked up with Canadian forces from Juno Beach
Held their positions despite German counterattacks

Listen up, men — Sword Beach wasn’t just another patch of sand; it was the gateway to Caen and the key to cracking open Hitler’s Atlantic Wall on the eastern flank. At dawn on June 6th, the British 3rd Infantry hit that beach under a storm of lead and steel. Mines, wire, and concrete — it didn’t matter. They went straight through it, methodical as a tank rolling downhill.

While naval guns thundered from offshore, the Royal Engineers cleared obstacles like veterans of a hundred storms. And those Free French commandos — they fought like lions, linking up with the boys from Pegasus Bridge to lock down the flank before Jerry could regroup.

The Germans tried to hit back with their 21st Panzer Division, and for a moment, they even reached the coast — but our airmen and artillery smashed them flat. By nightfall, the British held Sword, linked up with the Canadians at Juno, and built a bridgehead five miles deep.

Caen didn’t fall that day — but Sword showed the world how an army fights when it’s trained, disciplined, and led with purpose. That’s how you take a beach — with steel in your hands and fire in your gut.

~~ General Howitzer

VP’s

12

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 4

Complexity:

4

Conditions:

Beach

Context:

Historical

Location:

Normandy

Year:

1944

Codename:

Operation Overlord

Summary:

12 Victory Points:

12 Medals, including Permanent Medal Objectives for Allied control of Casino Riva Bella, Strong-point Cod, and Strong-point Trout. Also a 2-Medal Temporary Objective for which ever side controls the Orne River and Canal. Finally, massive 3-Medal Temporary Objective for whomever controls the two Hexes representing Caen. Initially the Axis player gets these three medals at game start.

Terrain:

Countryside and Beach

Troops:

Allies – 8 Infantry including 3 Elites, 5 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 10 Infantry, 3 Armor, 2 Artillery

Allies:

Big Picture Strategy: Like all beach scenarios, the number one primary goal for your forces is to Get Off the Beach!. Do not pause to capture the three frontline enemy medals. You can encircle them and then attack from all sides.

1. Once you have gotten your forces out of the water, then you can encircle the enemy at the three Permanent Medal Objectives at Casino Riva Bella, Strong-point Trout and the Chateau. Those medals are almost a given, so do not lose an excessive number of forces attacking them before you are out of the water.

3. Get your Artillery out of the water as soon as possible. They will be vital to breaking through the strongholds of the enemy on the beach. It will be especially important to take out the Artillery in the bunker as soon as possible, or it will destroy your forces.

Axis:

Big Picture Strategy: Get your forces forward. Bring the battle to them.

1. You have Armor stuck in your lower left flank which you need to get forward to the beach as quickly as possible. Practice some delaying techniques for a couple of turns to allow your Armor forward. You will be in a much better position to repel the enemy forces.

2. Two approaches to deal with the enemy forces in your lower right flank:

Option A: Eliminate the enemy forces on your lower right flank along the Canel de Orne as quickly as possible so that you will not have to worry about a rear-action attack. Then you can move your forces forward towards the beach.

Option B: Surround them and slowly pick them off throughout the game, saving the coup-de-grace for the end, when you can kill off the final Infantry for one Medal, and then move onto the bridge for two Medals. This will earn you three! medals in a single turn. Save it for last to win the round.

Author: Days of Wonder

URL