Produktbeschreibung
Das neue Normandy-Modul. 32 Counter. Sonderregeln für den Angriff über die Klippen. Szenarien.
Contents: 24" x 30" historical map, rulebook, play aids and charts, 132 die-cut counters, 5 scenarios, Platoon leader campaign game.
Commentary: The 2nd Ranger Battalion's assault on the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc on D-Day is the theme of this historical module, designed by Mark Porterfield and developed by Brian Martuzas. As such, it is one of the very few ASL historical modules that depict amphibious operations. Special rules add considerable flavor; they include massive craters caused by the D-day bombardment, special Atlantic Wall fortifications such as blockhouses and gun bunkers, scaling ladders and ropes, and more. These rules create a unique playing experience, but at the expense of considerable complexity.
The countersheet included with the module includes a new German squad type (5-4-7s) and the "controversial" U.S. Army Ranger squads. The Ranger squads are 7-6-7 squads which can deploy without a leader (more or less as Finns can). However, a deployed ranger squad is replaced by two 3-4-7 half squads plus a 1-6-8 BAR gunner. It is the SMC with the Browning Automatic Rifle which is controversial, as it proved open to all sorts of ahistorical abuses. As a result, the BAR gunner rules were not widely accepted by ASLers.
Action takes place on a fairly attractive map depicting the beaches and bocage of Pointe du Hoc. It does a good job of representing the many enclosed fields. The campaign game that uses this map is 7 campaign dates long, which makes it fairly manageable, but includes the amphibious landing. The five scenarios are also fairly complex (including one scenaro depicting the landing). Four of the five scenarios involve NOBA, so players should be familiar with those rules. Probably for this reason they have not seen very much play. They range in size from very large to quite small.
Pointe Du Hoc will not appeal to everyone's tastes, but for D-Day and amphibious enthusiasts, it may prove rewarding. |
