Battle of Warsaw

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1939, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Location: Poland, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Urban

Battle of Warsaw

The Battle of Warsaw on September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of World War II, as Germany invaded Poland and launched a full-scale assault on its capital. German forces, using blitzkrieg tactics with tanks, aircraft, and artillery, quickly overwhelmed Polish defenses.

Warsaw held out for several weeks under heavy bombing and siege, but after intense fighting and massive civilian casualties, the city surrendered on September 28, 1939. The fall of Warsaw marked the collapse of organized Polish resistance and the start of a brutal occupation.

General Howitzer summarizes its impact:
Warsaw was the first hard punch of the war—Germany rolled in with tanks and bombers, and Poland never stood a chance. The city fought like hell, but blitzkrieg was fast, brutal, and unforgiving. When Warsaw fell, the world saw what Hitler was willing to do, and what happened when you weren’t ready. It lit the fuse for everything that followed and proved this war wasn’t going to be clean or quick—it was going to be total.

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis – 6

Complexity:

4

Conditions:

Countryside – Urban

Location:

Warsaw, Poland

Year:

1939

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

The Invasion of Poland

Codename:

Case White / Fall Weib

Summary:

The Axis begin in countryside, and thus, have ease of movement. But as soon as they begin to breach Warsaw, it becomes an urban challenge for them, and the tanks are much less useful.

Objectives:
6 VP’s, which can also include one temporary Medal Objective, if two of the four Fortress hexes are occupied.

Battlefield:
This is a complex scenario with the Allies defending Warsaw as they are surrounded by Axis invaders. The battlefield is composed of roads, wire bales, sandbagged troops protected in city and church hexes. Since this is an urban scenario, the infantry will play a major role for both sides.

Troops:
Allies – 10 Infantry; 2 Artillery
Axis – 10 Infantry; 6 Armor; 1 Artillery

Allies:

1. Note that although the Axis have overwhelming armor advantage, the number of infantry hexes in this scenario are balanced at ten – ten. And since infantry are the primary forces useful for urban warfare, this part, at least, is good news for the Allies.

2. The Allies also have two well-placed artillery in two corners of the city. They can provide an effective deterrent against the Axis onslaught. Use them at every opportunity.

3. The scenario begins with two infantry forces out in the open on unguarded hexes. Get them into a town or church hex as you are able to, as there is no point in giving up easy VP’s to the enemy.

4. The Axis Infantry unit at A5 is in a no-retreat position. If you have the cards, you can gain some hits there early in the game.

Axis:

Big Picture strategy for the Axis is to soften the urban infantry defenses with long-distance shelling from your artillery and armor. Only when they are weakened should you move in for the close assault from the infantry.

1. Two of the four Fortress hexes become a temporary Objective Medal if the Axis can keep and hold them. Note that although they are occupied by Polish troops at the start of the scenario, they are not sandbagged, like some of the town hexes. This makes them a possible point of attack for you.

2. The Axis have overwhelming armor forces, but given that this is an urban scenario, their fire-power is limited. They can be kept at a distance and used to soften the defenses in preparation for an infantry attack. Remember that armor and infantry are designed to work together.

3. However, should you get an armor assault card, you may give consideration to moving right next to all of the heavily guarded infantry hexes, so that you can complete a close assault maneuver with one extra dice for every attack. With two dice per attack, and four armor units, you can do serious damage to the enemy, and soften them up for your infantry assault. This will have the additional benefit of having the armor units automatically removing the barb wire, so that when the infantry does come, they can attack with more firepower. But once this is completed, then pull back your armor as quickly as possible.

4. The placement of your forces on the right flank is awkward. You have an infantry and an armor unit with no retreat option. Unless you move those to a better spot, they will be targeted by the Allied artillery, granting them a quick early VP.

5. Remember that, as Axis, you can convert Recon cards into air attacks. This will give you additional opportunities to take out entrenched units, like the artillery.

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

51%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Battle of Kalatch

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1942, Armor, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Battle of Kalatch

The Battle of Kalach (August 8–11, 1942) was a significant engagement on the Eastern Front during Operation Blue, the German summer offensive aimed at capturing the oil-rich Caucasus and Stalingrad. The battle occurred near the town of Kalach (now Kalach-na-Donu), located west of Stalingrad.

German forces, primarily from the 6th Army, clashed with Soviet troops in an attempt to secure critical crossings over the Don River. The Germans aimed to encircle Soviet forces defending the area and advance toward Stalingrad. Despite stiff resistance, the Soviets were forced to retreat across the river after suffering heavy casualties. The German victory at Kalach cleared the way for their advance on Stalingrad, where the subsequent battle would become a turning point of the war.

While a tactical success for the Germans, the battle highlighted the growing determination of Soviet forces and set the stage for the eventual encirclement of the 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad later in 1942.

General Howitzer summarizes this battle’s significance:
The Germans may have won the ground, but they missed the bigger picture—those Soviet boys weren’t breaking, they were digging in. This fight lit the fuse that would blow the 6th Army to hell at Stalingrad. You can win a battle and still lose the war if you don’t see what’s coming.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 4

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Russia

Year:

1942

Theater:

Eastern Front

Campaign:

Codename:

Operation Blue

Summary:

This scenario begins with half of the Russian forces stuck behind an impassable river with only a single bridge from which to advance. At the same time, one third of the German forces are stuck in the corner.

Objectives: 6 Medals, including the town of Dobrinka as a temporary territorial medal for the Axis

Terrain:

Mostly open countryside with a few forests and hills. There are two rivers with bridges behind which many forces for each side are stuck.

Troops:

Allies – 3 Infantry, 6 Armor

Axis – 3 Infantry, 6 Armor

Allies:

1. If you want to defend your units around the town of Dobrinka and the accompanying medal, you will need to get your forces moved forward very quickly. Many of them are stuck behind the Le Don river, so you will need to cross the bridge with your armor quickly.

2. Move your armor on your right flank into the center, to defend your other center section armor which is behind the Le Don River and will need some protection until they do so.

3. About the only way to win this scenario is to get your armored forces out from behind the Le Don river. Make it your first priority, before attacking the enemy, no matter how tempting, to get your forces into play. You each of six Armor units, but with three of yours stuck behind the river, and backed up against the border wall, they are as good as sitting ducks. Get them across the bridge ASAP!

Axis:

1. Historically, the Axis executed a pincer move from both sides. You will have to get your forces across the bridge of the Le Tchir River as rapidly as possible.

2. The natural focus for your first attack is of course the two Allied infantry units defending the town of Dobrinka.

3. The Allies have two Armor units up against the border at columns J and I. If you can get your Armor up there in time, you can smash them against the wall. Six dice on average will give you an extra hit for each flag. It is a very quick way to take out that half of the battle forces.

Author.

URL

Bastogne Corridor West

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Winter, Winter Wars

Bastogne Corridor West

Let me tell you something: Bastogne Corridor West was a knockout punch thrown in a snowstorm, and our boys delivered it with grit frozen to their faces.

In late December ’44, the Germans came crashing in from the west, hell-bent on slicing through the lifeline that kept Bastogne alive. They thought they could slam the door shut before the Third Army reached the paratroopers. Well, they were wrong.

Patton’s tankers, infantry, gunners, and flyboys stood their ground in the worst winter Europe had seen in years. The enemy hit hard—armor, guns, the works—but our men hit harder. Through drifts, smoke, and steel, they held that corridor like it was the spine of the whole damn war—because it was.

By beating back that counterattack, we kept Bastogne supplied, kept the line unbroken, and broke the enemy’s last real chance to split our forces. It was a turning point in the Bulge, and it proved once again: when the Allies are cornered, they don’t fold—they fight their way out.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

including some territorial objective medals.

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Winter

Location:

Belgium

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Ardennes

Codename:

it was part of the larger Battle of the Bulge (German codename: Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein, or Operation Watch on the Rhine)

Summary:

This is a reverse of the Corridor East scenario. But in this scenario both forces are pressed up against their respective borders. The scattered forests in the center of the battlefield are up for grabs to whomever can get to them first.

Objectives:

6 medals including territorial medals for each side by controlling their town objectives.

Terrain:

Winter, wooded, with open plains for fun tank battles

Troops:

Allies – 8 Infantry, 7 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 6 Infantry, 6 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allies:

1. Big picture strategy for Allies is to quickly mobilize your forces before the enemy armor moves in for attack. Get your Infantry into defensive positions in the towns of Moricy, Remagne, Lavaselle, and Sibret if you can. This will slow the Axis attack while you mobilize your own Armor.

2. You have two Artillery. If the enemy moves forward quickly, you can begin using them immediately. If they delay advancement, you can move your own Artillery forward one or two hexes. Air Power cards are played as Artillery Bombardment, so it will be good to have your Artillery in a forward position, should that card become available.

3. The Axis have the advantage of being closer to the forests. So they will be able to place their Armor in there, and blast you if you try to make a frontal assault out in the open middle section. Your best attack vector is your left flank, where your forces can move forward under the protection of the towns and forest’s on that side.

4. Wait them out in the center section until either they come out from the forests, or you have the cards for a massive assault. Of course, if you can capture the forests first, that is the way to go.

Axis:

1. Big picture strategy is to move your Infantry into the forests, and mobilize your Armor rapidly for some early hits against the enemy before they have had a chance to mobilize.

2. Because there are a lot of open spaces, and a lot of Armor, this can become very much a tank battle. So choose your section and focus of attack carefully. The center section gives your forces the most mobility.

3. Capture the center forest hexes. Then begin moving your artillery and your right flank forces forward to put pressure on the enemy.

4. Keep the pressure on your left flank. If you get close enough to the town of Sibret, in the corner, near the end of the game you can grab that as your last Medal.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

Bastogne Corridor East

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1945, Armor, Artillery, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Winter

Bastogne Corridor East

The Battle of Bastogne Corridor East was a crucial engagement during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. It occurred in late December 1944 and early January 1945, focusing on the eastern approach to the besieged town of Bastogne, Belgium.

German Objective: The German army aimed to break through U.S. defenses east of Bastogne to secure critical roads and regain momentum after their advance stalled.

Allied Response: U.S. forces, including the 101st Airborne and supporting armored divisions, mounted a fierce defense despite being surrounded and outnumbered. The weather improved, allowing Allied air support to deliver supplies and conduct airstrikes.

Outcome: The Allies successfully held the eastern corridor, repelling repeated German attacks. This defense helped maintain the Allied hold on Bastogne and contributed to the eventual German retreat, marking a turning point in the Ardennes Offensive.

General Howizer has some observations on this battle:

The Germans threw everything they had at us—tanks, infantry, the works—but our boys, including the damn fine 101st Airborne and our armor, stood their ground like a stone wall. Surrounded? Outnumbered? Hell, that just meant we could shoot in every direction. Then the skies cleared, and our flyboys swooped in with supplies and bombs, giving the Germans a taste of hell from above.

We held that eastern corridor like bulldogs on a bone, smashed every attack they sent, and kept Bastogne in Allied hands. That stand didn’t just hold the line—it broke the enemy’s back and turned the tide in the Ardennes.

Memoir 44 Details

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Winter

Location:

Belgium

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge)

Context:

Historical

Strategy Summary

Objectives:

6 VP’s, including Exit Medals for the Axis forces

Terrain:

In this scenario, the Allies control two-thirds of the battlefield at the start. Because there are scattered forests across the field of play, it makes it difficult for the Axis to push them out. But they begin the round with superior forces, while the Allies are crammed into the back of one flank.

Troops:

Allies – 7 Infantry, 4 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 8 Infantry, 5 Armor, 1 Infantry

Allied Strategy:

1. Big Picture Strategy:

Focus on defending villages and chokepoints, leveraging defensive terrain and slowing down Axis tanks. Keep units close to key areas like the exit markers to prevent breakthroughs.

2. You have four armored units jammed together in the lower left flank. At least half of those will need to shift right to engage the enemy in the center section, to prevent Axis forces from escaping across the exit row.

Axis Strategy:

1. Big Picture Strategy:
Use tanks’ mobility to avoid prolonged battles in forests and villages. Concentrate forces for a decisive breakthrough toward the exit markers or to capture critical objectives like villages.

2. Given the preponderence of the Allied armor on your right flank, this would be your weak flank. So be careful of launching an attack on that side unless you have a tremendous set of cards for it.

3. Also note that the Allied infantry at c6 is within a two dice attack of your no-retreat armor unit. So you will need to move that away quickly.

4. You have a lot of forces on your left flank. Spend a card to get them into the action in the center section when you can.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL:

Mignano Monte Lungo

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1943, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Location: Italy, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Mignano Monte Lungo

Listen up, men—

The Battle of Mignano Monte Lungo was a damn fine example of grit and redemption. After switching sides, the Italian troops had something to prove—and by God, they did it. That mountain was no cakewalk. The Germans were dug in deep, with every ridge covered by fire, and the terrain was as unforgiving as a mule kick to the gut.

But those Italians, with the Yanks watching, clawed their way up that blasted rock from December 8 to the 16th, 1943. Took casualties. Took hell. But they took the mountain too. That wasn’t just a hill—it was a message: Italy was back in the fight, and they were fighting on the right side this time.

Monte Lungo wasn’t just a tactical win. It was a morale sledgehammer. And it cracked open the road to Cassino. That’s how you turn the tide—with steel in your spine and fire in your gut.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Context:

Historical

Location:
Italy

Year:

1943

Theater:

Western

Campaign:

The Italian Campaign

Codename

Summary:

The Axis forces begin this scenario in control of the hexes across two-thirds of the battlefield, protecting two VP town hexes. The challenge for the Allies is to cross the open plain with out being decimated before they can control the hills and get to the VP’s.

Objectives:

6 VP’s, plus Monte Lungo and Monte Rotondo are temporary Medal Objectivese for the Allies.

Battlefield:

Troops:

Allies –

Axis –

Allied Strategy

1. Big Picture Strategy: the Axis forces have an Artillery guarding the left flank, and it’s objective medal. But there is an objective medal on the right flank. Head all of your forces in that direction.

2. If you can move your Artillery forward one row, you will be able to hit more of the enemy with 2D attacks.

Axis Strategy

1. Big Picture Strategy: Guard the Objective Medal on your left flank. If the enemy gets the right cards, they can very quickly come upon your forces and overwhelm them.

Battle Reports:

(percentage of Allied victories)

Author:

Days of Wonder

ID:

Link: