Produktbeschreibung
Villers-Bocage : new Normandy Battlebook - introduces Panzer Lehr Division and the 7th Armoured Division, plus many new vehicles - large Tiger units, Cromwell units, Jagdpanzer IV and much more!
The Battle for Villers-Bocage
Normandy, 12-16 June 1944
Oh, were to begin - simply put it was an honour to be able to work on this project, let alone be the lead writer and developer. The project would bring life to the wild clash of arms that ensued as both sides jockeyed for the most advantageous position shortly after the initial allied landings. It was a time were both sides were rushing forces forwards as they manoeuvred against one another. The forces being rushed forwards were all elite in there own way. What more could a writer ask for - a classic battle of manoeuvre, Elite units from both sides, and a resulting clash that would change the way the campaign was later fought.
In all the annals of the fighting in Normandy, that hot summer of 1944, there is no greater battle than this one. A small French town in the middle of nowhere would become the focal point for an event that would have turned the tide one way or the other for both sides.
On the German side you have Panzer Lehr with its Commander, General Major Bayerlan, the former chief of staff for Rommel and his Afrika Corps. Now Commanding the Panzer Lehr and its Cadre of experts he had prepared his troops well for the battle to come. If that wasn't enough there is the 101 Schwere SS-Panzerabteilung and its top Tank Ace Michael Wittmann and his expert crew. On the British side are the long fighting veterans of the desert victory, the 7th Armoured Division, the very men who had defeated General Bayerlan in the Africa.
So what is in the Battle Book you ask? Why, the history of this epic clash of arms between the elite Tiger tanks of 101 Schwere §§-Panzerabteilung supported by Panzer Lehr fighting against the British 7th Armoured Division as they struggled for control of the small French town of Villers-Bocage. This means complete lists for the above units and a mini-campaign that plays out the struggle for the town across three linked scenarios. Combine that with some simple painting guides and warriors you have the makings of what I think is the best book we have yet published.
Going a little deeper now on the units involved, I will begin on the German side. We have the vaunted Heavy Tiger Tank Battalion of the 101 Schwere §§-Panzerabteilung whose second company is commanded by none other than Michael Wittmann, the man who would single-handedly stop the allied drive in its tracks. Now, for the very first time, you can field those Tiger tanks you have been collecting all in one company. Furthermore, as an independent battalion, there are actually support troops that worked with those Tiger tanks. All of these units are part of the overall list and make it possible to play the entire battalion if you ever wanted to. Better yet we have the new Tiger tanks that Evan sculpted so you can put this force on the table with the latest and greatest sculpts ever.
The second unit is none other than the Panzer Lehr. A unit formed of training staff and all the equipment a commander could ever want. This was all brought together to test out the organizational structure and doctrine for future German panzer divisions. This unit is arguably the best-equipped division in the entire German Army at the time. Every one of its Panzergrenadier battalions is equipped with armoured half-tracks and Panzerschrecks anti-tank rocket launchers. In fact, it would make any US Armored Division commander envious. Add to those little toys the fact the reconnaissance is fully equipped with Sd Kfz 234/2(Puma) Armoured Cars with a 5cm gun and well, I think you've got a great organization with enough new pieces of kit to make any player sit up and take notice. With their distinctive uniforms and equipment, this division is sure to warm the heart every German player out there. Better yet, Seth, our new sculptor has given us a fantastic range of miniatures in the uniform of the Panzer Lehr.
On the Allied side, we have the veterans of many years of fighting in the desert. The men of the 7th Armoured Division better known as the "Desert Rats". These grizzled soldiers had more than done their part in waging war on the Hun, and yet once again they have been called on by King and Country to take the fight forward on the field of battle. Armed with fast-moving Cromwell tanks and supported by hard-hitting Sherman VC Firefly's they have the equipment to move out on the field of battle.
This force is no easy push over, as the Germans would learn on the field of battle. All this experience has given them a veteran status but made them reluctant to just throw their lives away needlessly. They will fight hard and long, but have grown cautious in a war that seems to go one forever. These brave men are no longer stupid enough to simply wade forward against the enemies machine-guns, rather they simply bring in additional firepower to blast the enemy and clear the way. To capture this trait we created the Cautious not Stupid rule. This helps the reluctant troops stay around if nobody is shooting at them.
Then we have the warriors. For the German players we have a full-fledged master of armoured combat and his Tiger tank, Michael Wittmann. What more can be said about a man that had served Germany since the start of the war commanding a number of armoured vehicles, rising up through the ranks till he commands his own company of Tiger tanks (at this time). Now sitting in the Bocage of Normandy, he has managed a truly impressive tally of kills. Michael Wittmann is an epic warrior and has the abilities of one. In his design, we took into consideration just what he was noted for. His ability to find the enemy flank and with his superb gunner destroy them with a single shot at any range. His abilities mimic much of what has been written about his exploits. He is a one-man killing machine that can turn the tide of battle in a single salvo of shots from his Tiger's 88mm cannon. I assure you he is all that you would expect him to be.
On the British side we have Tom Stanley and his 6 pdr gun. Here is the unit that stopped the Tigers cold - first Wittmann by damaging the front sprocket of his tiger and putting his one tank roll of destruction to an end. Later several of Mobius's 1st company Tigers in the tangled streets of Villers-Bocage would become victims of these guns and their crews. Through skilful deployment and use in the narrow streets, these small guns successfully engaged and stopped the counter-attacks of the Tigers. To honour these brave men we even developed a small box that contains an entire 6 pdr platoon all in one package.
Even with all the above, the design of the scenarios is what I am most proud of. You can play them as separate games or together as a series of games. This way they allow you the gamer to fight the day's battles in and around Villers-Bocage.
These are not normal 1500-point battles on a 6x4 table. Each scenario presents a wide variety of points, table size and terrain match-ups that create some fun tough scenarios. Starting, with the first scenario, Wittmann begins the battle alone and moving out to stop the British soldiers. Moving onto the wide road the battle begins against a combined arms force of British Motor Infantry. In this scenario, you get a chance to play out the initial feat of Wittmann's advance when he destroyed the enemy on the road and moves into Villers-Bocage. It is a fast simple game to play in which players can take turns to see who can do the mission best. However, the outcome is never a given and how well you do affects the next game, the taking of hill 212.
While Wittmann sallied forth to do battle, he sent the rest of his company to the nearby hill 212 to destroy the front of the British column. For this scenario, the Germans get four heavy Tigers in which to do battle against an entire British Armoured company of Cromwell and Firefly tanks in the Bocage of Normandy. Yes, that's only four Tigers against an entire company of over 14 British tanks. It is a tough scenario for both sides that I'm sure you will play many times as either side.
Once again, the winner determines what the start of the next game will look like; the counter-attack into the actually town of Villers-Bocage.
The final game is the struggle in the town itself. This time you can gather your friends together and play a four-man battle or keep it just two, because there are now four companies on the table. For the Germans they have a Tiger Tank Company and a Panzer Company from Panzer Lehr. The British have a Motor Company and an Armoured Company in the middle of the town. Now the Germans must once again evict the British forces from the buildings and alleyways of the town so recently lost to the British advance.
In the end I feel that we have done the Battle of Villers-Bocage and the units that fought in the ensuing battle the justice they deserve in the telling of this titanic struggle in the Bocage of Normandy.
Inside you will find:
- History of the battle for Villers-Bocage.
- History and organisation of the German 101. Schwere §§-Panzerkompanie and
the Panzer Lehr Division.
- Options of field a Schwere §§-Panzerkompanie from 101.
Schwere-Panzerabteilung and Panzer, Panzergrenadier, Panzerpionier
or Aufklärungs companies of Panzer Lehr Division.
- History and organisation of the 7th "Desert Rats" Armoured Division.
- Exploits of Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann, commander if 2. Kompanie,
101. Schwere §§-Panzerabteilung and Sergant Tom Stanley of the Oueen's
Royal Regiment.
- Three new linked scenariis; to be playeds separatly or as a part of
a campaign; Wittmann's Wild ride, Point 213, and the Batller
for Villers*Bocage.
- Extensive uniform painting guides.
- Inspirational colour photos. |
