First Assault Wave (Omaha Beach)

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

First Assault Wave (Omaha Beach)

The invasion of Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal part of the D-Day landings during World War II’s Operation Overlord. Omaha Beach, one of five landing sites in Normandy, was assaulted by U.S. forces, primarily the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, supported by specialized units.

Heavily fortified by German defenders from the 352nd Infantry Division, the beach presented challenging terrain with high bluffs, barbed wire, and entrenched gun emplacements. American troops faced intense machine-gun fire, artillery, and obstacles as they landed, resulting in high casualties, particularly in the initial waves.

Despite the heavy losses, small groups of soldiers managed to breach the German defenses, scaling the bluffs and neutralizing key positions. By the end of the day, the U.S. forces had secured a tenuous foothold, paving the way for the larger Allied advance into occupied France. The success at Omaha Beach, though costly, was crucial to the ultimate liberation of Europe from Nazi control.

General Howitzer’s perspective:

“Let me tell you something—Omaha Beach was no picnic. The enemy had the high ground, the machine guns, and every advantage. But our boys? They didn’t stop. Through smoke, blood, and hell itself, small squads clawed their way up those bluffs, took out key positions, and broke through the defenses.

By day’s end, we had ourselves a fragile foothold—but it was ours. And that patch of bloody sand became the launch point for the drive to liberate France and crush the enemy war machine.

So don’t ever forget—victory doesn’t come easy. It comes from courage, sacrifice, and the will to fight forward when every instinct says to drop. That’s what won Omaha. That’s what wins wars.”

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 4

Axis – 5

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Beach

Context:

Historical

Location:

France

Year:
1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

D-Day

Codename

Summary:

True to history, this is a tough battle for the Allies to win.

Objectives:

5 VP’s including Medal Objectives

Battlefield:

Omaha Beach is well-guarded with hedgehogs, barbwire, and numerous hills to slow down the Allied advance. If they successfully make it off the beach, there are three towns at the edge of the battlefield with victory points for them.

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry, 3 Armor

Axis – 7 Infantry, 2 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Get off the beach as quickly as possible!

2. Keep your armor and infantry attack cohesive. They are both needed to successfuly breach the bunkers. The armor fires from a safe distance, and then when ready, the infantry moves in for the kill and take over.

3. One of your Infantry on the right flank is a special forces which can move two hexes and still attack. Get it up to the enemy as quickly as possible.

Axis Strategy:

1. The Axis have artillery on each flank, which gives you control over nearly every hex on the beach. Use them to good effect.

2. There are five! town medal objectives which need to be defended for this scenario. If you can slow down the advance of the Allies, it will give time for your artillery to hit them.

Battle Reports (percentage of Allied victories):

19%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Escape via the Coastal Road

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1942, Armor, Artillery, Desert, Infantry, Mediterranean Theater, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Escape via the Coastal Road

In May of ’40, the Germans came roaring into France, and the Allies—Brits, French, and Commonwealth alike—were staring down the barrel of encirclement. So they fell back, fighting tooth and nail toward Dunkirk. One lifeline was that damned coastal road, hugging the Channel, choked with men, guns, and danger at every turn. It was no pleasure cruise—enemy fire, chaos, and desperation were the order of the day. But by God, they held on long enough for Operation Dynamo to haul over 330,000 soldiers out of the trap and back to Britain, ready to fight another day.
~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Desert

Location:

North Africa

Year:

1942

Theater:

Mediterranean Theater

Campaign:

Dunkirk Evacuation

Codename:

Operation Dynamo

Summary:
The Escape scenario is a race to the edge, to either escape or prevent escape. If the Allies can prevent the Axis from getting through the gaps in the escarpment, they can win easily. But if the Axis can move fast enough, and get in front of the Allied troops, they will have the time they need to bring in the rest of the armor and pound the enemy into the dust before they can escape via the Coastal Road.

Objectives:
Six VP’s, combined with the escape hexes on the edge for the Axis.

Battlefield:
Desert, divided in half by an escarpment with three gaps in it.

Troops:
Allies – 10 Infantry, 1 Armor, 1 Artillery
Axis – 6 infantry, 5 Amor

Allied Strategy:

1. For Allies, it is all about providing a protected retreat. Take advantage of the easy VP’s gained by escaping out of the exit markers. The unprotected left exit will be the easiest course of action. Use your tanks to protect your escape, by holding off the Axis long enough to go. Fortunately, the Axis armor has to make it way through the escarpments. This slows down their advance and their ability to mass against the Allies. If you can block entrance through an escarpment with a combination of infantry and armor, it may provide enough tie for the rest of the troops to escape to the left.

2. The right exit is heavily defended by sandbagged infantry, so don’t attack that unless you have overwhelming force.

Axis Strategy:

1. The goal is to get through the escarpments with your armor as quickly as possible and begin attacking the escaping troops.

2. If you can get an armor unit to sit on the unguarded exit marker to block the exit to your right, you will be in a position to pound the Allied infantry into dust with the rest of your armor.

Classic Battle Reports:

(percentage of Allied victories)

52%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Dug in at Sidi Omar

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1941, Armor, Artillery, Desert, Infantry, Mediterranean Theater, Memoir 44, Scenario

Dug in at Sidi Omar

The Battle of Sidi Omar (November 1941) occurred during the broader Operation Crusader in the North African Campaign of World War II. Sidi Omar, located on the Libyan-Egyptian border, was a heavily fortified Axis stronghold defended by Italian and German forces.

On November 25, 1941, British and Commonwealth forces, particularly the 4th Royal Tank Regiment and elements of the 2nd New Zealand Division, launched an assault to capture the position. The defenders, dug in with anti-tank guns and artillery, inflicted significant casualties on the attacking tanks.

At Sidi Omar the enemy fought hard, but it wasn’t enough. Our boys hammered their defenses, smashed the garrison, and bagged hundreds of Italians as prisoners. That victory didn’t just clear the ground—it locked down the left flank for the advance, gave us breathing room, and drove Operation Crusader forward. With Tobruk relieved and the Axis grip on North Africa broken a little more, Sidi Omar proved again: when the Allies hit with weight and will, the enemy breaks.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Desert

Context:

Historical

Location:

Libyan – Egyptian border

Year:

1941

Theater:

Mediterranean Theater

Campaign:

North African Campaign

Codename:

Operation Crusader

Summary:

Objectives:

6 VP’s and Exit hexes for the Axis

Battlefield:

The dominant elements of this scenarios are the hilly dunes controlled by the Allied infantry, and the wide open battlefield for the armor units of both sides to meet in the middle section and one flank.

Troops:

Allies – 6 Infantry, 4 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 5 Infantry 7 Armor, 1 Artillery

Allied Strategy:

1. Your infantry on the dunes can hold off the enemy for a long time. This should give you enough time to get your armor, which is stuck in the corner on your right flank, into the field of play.

2. Because your armor can only move two hexes at a time, it may take a couple of turns before you pose enough of a threat for them to stop attacking your infantry on the dunes.

3. Quickly get to the center section with your forces, in order to prevent any of the enemy from thinking about escaping out of the Exit hexes.

4. With your artillery in the center section on the dune, you are able to attack any enemy in the center section. Use it to good effect.

Axis Strategy:

1. The principle advantage which the Axis have in this desert scenario, is that the Axis armor can move three hexes vs. the Allies who can only move two. This give you the opportunity to move in quickly on the Allies and take out some armor before they can respond.

2. The enemy have full control of the sand dunes in the middle of the center section and its adjoining flank. But you can keep your armor at a three-hex distance, and just keep attacking them until one or two hexes are eliminated.

3. Remember that there are some Exit hexes in the back of the battlefield for the Axis. If you are able to overwhelm the forces on the dunes, and close in on them, some of your troops may be able to make their way off the field (and make a few attacks on their way).

Battle Reports
(percentage of Allied victories):

47%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Counter-Attack on Mortain

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Counter-attack on Mortain

“Alright, boys—here’s the lowdown on that Axis stunt they called Operation Lüttich. Early August ‘44, the Germans thought they’d knock us back on our heels by punching through at Mortain, aiming to cut us off at Avranches and stop our drive into Brittany. Hell of a plan—if we were asleep!

They hit us hard at first, but we didn’t blink. Our boys dug in, held those lines with guts and grit. And don’t forget—our flyboys were on ‘em like hounds on a fox, raining steel and fire from the skies until those Nazis were howling for mercy.

The result? Germany’s counterattack went up in smoke—smashed, scattered, and thrown back with a hell of a lot of their tanks and men left behind in the dust. That’s the way to fight, boys—no retreat, no surrender, and always give ‘em hell!”

~~ General Howitzer

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Codename:

Operation Luttich

Summary:

As it was historically, the Allies are very well protected, and controlling most of the field of play.

Objectives:

4 VP’s, and one Objective Medal for Axis

Battlefield:

This scenario has a nice combination of hills, forests, and hedgerows scattered across the battlefield. There is also a river in one corner making it difficult for extra infantry and armor to engage in the war.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry, 2 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 7 Infantry, 6 Amor

Allied Strategy:

1. You have the advantage of terrain control, defensive positions in hedgrows, forests and towns. But you need to take advantage of it by quickly attacking where you can.

2. Your right flank is your weak one, being outnumbered by enemy forces, 5 to 2. Use your infantry on Hill 317 to attack the no-retreat armor before it moves away.

3. Note that as long as you have your forces on either of the two hexes of Hill 317, you can use any Recon (on the right) cards to call down Airpower attacks against the Axis. Use it, and bomb them back to Berlin!

4. Then move your infantry in the back of the right flank forward into the town of Mortain to support your other infantry unit on the hill, and to box in the enemy even more than they are already.

5. If you have the movement points, you can place your infantry at I1 into the village to defend the Objective Medal.

6. Get your armor in your left corner into the action ASAP. If you can get over to the river before the enemy has moved into safety, you can score one or two VP’s by attacking them in their no-retreat positions.

Axis Strategy:

1. Your forces on the left flank are bunched up, and you have a no-retreat armor ready to get hit by the infantry hidden in the woods. You need to create some mobility on your left and some of your troops into the woods to attack the enemy.

2. Your right flank is equally problematic. You are a sitting duck back against the border. So you need to get those troops into safety into the nearby towns, at least. Even better if you have the cards to move them out into the action. Or else when the enemy armor in the upper right flank becomes mobile, they will make their way down and easily destroy one or two units.

3. It is going to be difficult to get all four VP’s, so you should target the Objective Medal in the village on your left flank. If your armor can survive the infantry attacks as you make your way there, it will be an important VP for you.

4. You only need four Medals to win this scenario, and three of them are on your left flank, ready for the taking. Just take out the two Infantry units and roll into the town of St. Hilaire.

Classic Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

39%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Counter-Attack of the BEF

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1940, Armor, Artillery, Breakthrough Game, Countryside, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Mobile Artillery, Scenario, Strategic, Theater: Western

Counter-Attack of the BEF

France, May ’40—Guderian cuts to the Channel and splits the front. Gort answers with a punch at Arras: Franckforce—Matildas and Durhams—drives south of the city, hits Rommel by surprise, scatters his cyclists, and rolls over light guns like they’re tin. Then Rommel does what winners do—drags up heavy artillery and 88s, fires direct, and stops the thrust. Dusk brings the Luftwaffe; the counterattack bleeds out. By nightfall the BEF falls back, and the only road left is the sea—Dunkirk.

Lesson: shock opens the door, but you hold it with guns and air. Mass your armor, keep your flanks covered, bring the big artillery, own the sky—and don’t stop moving.

~~ General Howitzer

VP’s

12

Card Balance

Allies – 6

Axis – 5

Complexity:

4

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:

1940

Theater:

Western

Campaign

Codename

Summary:

This scenario accurately reflects the difficult job the British had in 1940 to try to stop the Axis onslaught with a courageous Counter-Attack by the British Expeditionary Force (BEF).

Allied Strategy:

1. There are a couple of medal objectives available to you, just beyond the train tracks (row 8) at the towns of Agny and Wailly (row 11). If you can position two of your forces within movement distance of both of them, you can set yourself up for a final medal capture and win.

2. Attack Plan: do not cross the railroad tracks on row 8, until you have eliminated all enemy forces on row 7. Just line up – with appropriate safety spacing – your Armor and Artillery and pick off the Infantry units on that row until they are gone. Deal with any enemy Armor that gets moved into the battle as well.

3. It is going to be difficult to protect and hold control of the town of Arras at A9. If you can get enough forces over there in time, you may be able to put up a good fight. But you will be in enemy territory the entire time, and it will be difficult to control. You could consider either a strategic withdrawal, to preserve your Infantry unit, or stay and fight, attempting to take out as many enemy forces as possible before your demise.

4. Your weak section is your right flank. With the enemy 88 Artillery in the woods, they present a formidable challenge to advance in that sector. You will need to deal with it first. The way to do this is to get your Artillery unit in the region up to row 4 or 5. You will be out of reach of the 88, and will be able to pick it off.

5. Your Artillery units are too far back. Take every opportunity to move them forward.

Axis Strategy:

1. You can actually win this one without crossing the railroad tracks on row 8. But the BEF must cooperate by attempting to come in for the kill. You can finish them off, and then save your final coup-de-grace for the Medal in the town at A9.

2. Possible Attack Vector: Target the town of Arras at A9, which has an Axis Temporary Medal Objective. Start moving forces up in that direction. It will have two benefits of concentrating your firepower into one sector, and then after a successful destruction of the enemy in that region, you can capture the town of Arras – and hold it – for an additional medal. This attack plan could potentially yield two to three medals, maybe more.

3. Your Armor is misplaced at the start of the battle. Take every opportunity to move it forward, so it can begin to attack across the railroad tracks at the enemy.

Battle History Results

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