Saverne Gap, Vosges

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Map Type: Standard, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Saverne Gap

Listen up, soldiers. The Saverne Gap is the low door through the Vosges—and the key to Strasbourg. On 21 November, XV Corps under Haislip hit the line at Phalsbourg and started prying that door open. While our infantry pressed the pass, Leclerc did exactly what I like—speed and audacity—splitting his 2e DB into two hard-driving task forces: one swinging north via La Petite-Pierre, the other knifing south through the woods by Dabo. They struck Saverne from both flanks, and a southern column punched in from the west, climbing to the Gap and rolling the defenses from behind. The enemy fought, but without depth or reserves you can’t stop a three-pronged hammer. Result: Saverne falls, the hinge breaks, and the road to Strasbourg yawns wide.

Lesson: find the gap, hit it fast, hit it twice, and exploit without blinking. Keep moving—because momentum, not caution, wins cities and ends campaigns.

~~ General Howitzer

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 4

Complexity:

4

Conditions:

Moutaneous Countryside

Location:

France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign

Codename

Summary:

Because of the impassable mountains, Saverne Gap is almost like three separate battles taking place.

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. As Allies, there is very little opportunity to move troops from one section to another, so you need to watch your tactics carefully and be careful with your attack.

2. One possible opportunity for attack is up the center, if you have the right combination of cards, such as Infantry Assault, you goal is to quickly overwhelm the first town in your way. While they enemy controls that town they can force you back against the wall and score some extra hits with retreat flags. The wire bales in front of the town will definitely decrease your attacking power, but with two or three good center section attack cards, you will eventually be successful. From there, your forces will be able to spread out a bit for the attack against the forces defending town of Saverne.

3. Your right flank will be the most difficult one to maneuver through. With the tight quarters and the enemy protected in a town and forest hex, it will be difficult for your tanks to succeed agains them. The tanks can only fire with one dice at a time. And you only have one infantry force to attack the town and forest hexes. If you can lead with your infantry, they will be more successful by being able to throw two dice at a time for each close assault attack.

4. Watch your card play, and when you get the right combination of special Combat cards, use that as the basis for your decision of which section to pursue your victorious attack.

5. With a number of left flank cards, you can attack the infantry in the woods and town at a distance. Degrade and eliminate them, and then move in to attack the town of Saverne itself from the flank, surprising the enemy, just as they did historically.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Note that because the mountains are impassible, you will not be able to fire your artillery at the outer sections.

2. The center section will be the most important to guard as the town of Saverne represents an immediate win. If the enemy occupies two of the three hexes in the town of Saverne, they will win immediately. So you must guard it at all costs.

3. Keep your forces in the forests and town hexes and never leave them. Just stay safely hidden inside as you continuously attack them relentlessly degrading their attacking power.

4. If the Allies make a strong push up the center, you may need to move your Infantry from the left or right flanks over to the center section to occupy the town of Saverne.

5. The other option, if a strong center push is coming up the center, is to force attacks on either flank to distract the enemy and force them to look elsewhere.

6. Watch the right flank, as the enemy has many Armor, but they often get placed into no-retreat situations. That is the time to attack them harshly and gain an extra 17% attack advantage against them!

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

46%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

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Sainte-Mere-Eglise

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Map Type: Standard, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Sainte-Mere-Eglise

“Listen up! On June 6th, 1944—D-Day—the boys of the 82nd Airborne Division as part of Operation Neptune, jumped out of those planes and straight into history. Sainte-Mère-Église—that was the prize. Those paratroopers were dropped right on top of the town, some hanging from steeples and some dropping straight into Germany’s lap!

But those boys didn’t flinch. They fought like hell, street by street, house by house, until Sainte-Mère-Église was ours. That town was the first piece of France to taste freedom again, and by God, it stayed that way.

They didn’t just take a town—they choked off German reinforcements and cleared the way for the boys coming in at Utah Beach. That’s how you make a landing stick, boys—you seize the ground, hold it like a bulldog, and keep moving forward! Sainte-Mère-Église was just the start of the march that would bring Hitler’s Reich to its knees!”

~~ General Howitzer

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 4

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

countryside

Location:

France

Year:

June 6th, 1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Normandy Campaign

Codename:

Operation Neptune

Summary:

The option to drop paratroopers in either of the three sections at the start of the battle makes for a very interesting strategy, and a battle that varies quite a bit from game to game. Is there a better choice between dropping the paratroopers in the center section, or left or right flank? It comes down to the cards in your hand. So before you do the para-drop, check your cards, and determine where your most likely result of overwhelming force will occur. Combine a strong set of cards, with the presence of 3 or 4 additional infantry, could turn the tide in favor of the Allies.

Objectives: 4 VP’s

This is a four VP game, so there it is fast, and there is no room for mistakes. It is not so much about strategic positioning; it is about hitting the enemy hard and fast.

Terrain:

Countryside with forests on each side of the town of Mere-Eglise in the center section.

Troops:

Allies – Infantry, 6 -10, depending on the success of the paradrop.

Axis – 9 Infantry, 1 Armor

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. Check your cards before you drop. Then use the drop to give even more power in your strong section. However, note that there is no guarantee that all four paratrooper units will survive the drop. You may end up with half of the force you expect. And you must be prepared for that contingency, should you drop them in the midst of enemy forces. A good commander prepares for this eventuality.

2. Your center section infantry should be ready to deploy in either direction, depending on enemy actions.

3. If you can maximize your firepower in one section, and quickly destroy the enemy, then you may have enough time and movement to bring your forces to strengthen the attack in the next section.

4. The Allies control five cards to the Axis four, so the principles of flexibility and responsiveness are on your side.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. You are going to have to respond to the surprise attack by the Allies before you can do much else. But as soon as you have a chance, move your Armor out into the battle.

2. You will have superior forces on whichever side they did not drop into, so do what you can to get your four kills before their forces overwhelm you.

3. Your armor will be helpful for the win, but not essential.

4. It is actually possible to win just by focusing fully on one side. So even if you have unbalanced cards it can be done.

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

62%

Author:

Days of Wonder

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Pruzana

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1941, Armor, Artillery, Campaign Book Vol. 1, Countryside, Infantry, Map Type: Standard, 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

🔥 Winning as Allies

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.

🔥 Winning as Axis

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

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Pointe-du-Hoc

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Artillery, Base Game, Beach, Countryside, D-Day, Infantry, Location: France, Map Type: Standard, 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

🔥 Winning as Allies

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. This will keep you out of the Artillery range.

🔥 Winning as Axis

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:

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Pegasus Bridge

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry Only, Map Type: Standard, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Pegasus Bridge

The Battle of Pegasus Bridge took place on June 6, 1944, during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Just after midnight, British airborne troops from the 6th Airborne Division, led by Major John Howard, carried out a daring glider assault to capture two critical bridges over the Caen Canal and the Orne River, later known as Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge.

General Howitzer:

Now listen up! The mission was crystal clear: secure those bridges, and do it without hesitation. Why? So no German panzers dare roll onto our beaches and stomp the Allied advance inland. You shall not let them through!

Despite stiff resistance, the British airborne forces struck swiftly and clean—bridges seized, German counterattacks cut off, and few casualties to count. That’s the hallmark of precision, restraint, and utter battlefield dominance.

Capturing Pegasus Bridge wasn’t a side theater—it was the backbone of D‑Day success. Once secured, reinforcements poured inland and German armored units were effectively nailed down before they ever saw the fight. This operation wasn’t coincidence—it was craftsmanship.

Let me be blunt: this was one of the most precise airborne operations in history—pure planning, unshakeable bravery, executed in lockstep with strategic vision. That’s how wars are won—not by waiting for luck, but by making it happen.

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 2, 3, 4

Complexity:

1

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Normandy

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign

Codename

Briefing:

This intro scenario to M44 has only infantry, so managing their movements and ability to attack will determine victory and success. It is heavily favored for the Allies, to represent history, so the Axis need to have a great combination of card management, lucky dice and good strategy to win.

Objectives:
Four VP’s, and two bridge Objective Medals.

Battlefield:
Countryside, slashed by two rivers – the Orne and the Caen Canal, whose bridges are the focus of the Objective Medals.

Troops:
Allies – 9 Infantry
Axis – 6 Infantry

🔥 Winning as Allies:

1. The Allies are faced with the need to literally ‘divide and conquer’ on two fronts. One strategy to address this is to focus your energies first on your right flank and take out the units defending the bridge. Once they are gone, and the bridge is gained you will already have three of your needed four points. You will of course have to manage your forces on your left flank so that the enemy is not picking them off one by one from acrosss the sandbags and from across the river.

2. The other attack option is to encircle the enemy by going around the lake with your excess Infantry forces. The Allies have more Infantry than can effectively attack in the narrow range between the river and the lake. So you can send some around the lake on a long-range mission to attack the enemy from the other side as well.

🔥 Winning as Axis:

1, Because Allies are heavily favored with a 9-6 infantry count, and a 69% success rate, the Axis must get all of their infantry into the fight as soon as possible. Early moves to activate the infantry in the corner of the right flank should be implemented. They can bring a good flanking maneuver to slow down the Allied attack on their sandbagged comrades by firing across the Benouville river.

2. An alternative attack strategy, if you have the movement cards for it is to get at least one of your infantry units across the bridge and into the fight in the center section.

3. Although the Objective Medal of Orne Bridge is within easy reach of the Allies, there is no need to sit on it and wait to be attacked out in the open (As a bridge provides no defensive value). A better strategy would be to have the two infantry units on the left flank to secure protection in the grove of trees above and below near the bridge. Each unit would be within two hexes of the bridge and able to send a withering attack against any Allied units who prematurely try to grab the bridge without first clearing the Axis defenders.

DoW Battle Reports

( percentage of Allied victories):

69%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link

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Panzers vs. Grants

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1942, Armor, Desert, Infantry, Map Type: Standard, Mediterranean Theater, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Theater: Mediterranean

Panzers vs. Grants

“Listen up, boys! In May ‘42, in the blazing North African desert, the British 7th Armoured Division rolled out their shiny new Grants—those big 75mm guns looked damn impressive on paper. They thought they’d finally have the edge over Rommel’s Panzers.

But let me tell you, those German 15th Panzer boys weren’t in the habit of rolling over for anyone! They didn’t give a damn about new tanks—they had the tactics, the guts, and the desert smarts. The British fought hard, but the Germans danced circles around them, turning that desert into a killing ground.

In the end, those Grants put up a hell of a fight, but the Germans sent ‘em packing. That’s the lesson of that day, boys—firepower alone don’t win the battle; it’s the man in the tank and the way he fights that makes the difference!”

~~ General Howitzer

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 4

Axis – 6

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Desert

Location:

North Africa

Year:

1942

Theater:

Mediterranean Theater

Campaign:

Battle of Gazala

Codename

Summary:

This scenario is played out on an almost wide-open sandy battlefield with tanks battling it out. It is a great test of the attacking power of the Allied Grants vs. the German Panzers.

Objectives:
This is a 5 VP game, and since it is on an open desert battlefield, it will proceed rather quickly. There is one Medal Objective hex for the Axis in the form of the British HQ and Supply Tents.

Battlefield:
An open desert terrain with just a few sand dunes and an oasis.

Troops:
Seven Panzers vs five Grants, balanced by the fact the Axis only have 1 infantry, and the British have five. No artillery.

Special Rules:

1. HQ & Supply Tent – the Allies must defend this hex. It is a Permanent Medal for the Axis at the Next Turn Start. So just landing on it, does not automatically grant the Medal. You must hold it until the start of your next turn.

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. As the Allies, you are at an armor disadvantage. The enemy starts the scenario with most of the armor misplaced on the flanks, and only two in the center section. But as soon as they consolidate their forces together, you will feel the might of their firepower. Therefore you need to work your units, infantry and armor as a cohesive force. Do not let your armor get out way ahead of the infantry. Work them together for a stronger attack.

2. Focus your effort and cards, as they will allow, on the center section where you can defend against attacks from either flank.

3. The goal is five VP’s, and since the enemy only has two infantry, this means you will have to take out at least three Panzer units.

4. Defend your HQ & Supply Tent hex. It is a Permanent Next Turn Start Medal. Once the Axis gain it, they keep it.

5. The Axis get a significant card advantage, so you may find yourself playing a lot of defense.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Your Panzers in the center and right flank are outnumbered due to the four-figure tank units of the British, so you will need to get your Panzers which are stuck behind the palm forest on left flank into the game as soon as you can.

2. Do not attack on your right flank until you have the material and cards to do it.

3. Note that the HQ/Supply Tent is a Permanent Medal Objective. If you are able to push them out and take the terrain, you gain a Permanent Medal – if you can hold it for one turn – even if you leave the hex.

Classic Battle Reports:

(percentage of Allied victories)

32%

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

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General Howitzer’s Field Guide to Memoir 44

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My War Room

Saverne Gap, Vosges

Saverne Gap

🔥 Winning as Allies

🔥 Winning as Axis

Sainte-Mere-Eglise

Sainte-Mere-Eglise

🔥 Winning as Allies

🔥 Winning as Axis

Pruzana

Pruzana

🔥 Winning as Allies

🔥 Winning as Axis

Pointe-du-Hoc

Pointe-du-Hoc

🔥 Winning as Allies

🔥 Winning as Axis

Pegasus Bridge

Pegasus Bridge

🔥 Winning as Allies:

🔥 Winning as Axis:

Panzers vs. Grants

Panzers vs. Grants

🔥 Winning as Allies

🔥 Winning as Axis