The combined French and British preliminary bombardment in the Montauban sector, unlike other sectors along the Somme front, had been highly effective.The 30th Division with the French XX Corps on their right, around 7:30am, advanced toward the German front trench line, through gaping holes in the enemy wire created by the artillery shelling. Once the first trench line was secured, the British troops again moved forward quickly under the cover of the relentless barrage from friendly artillery. About an hour later, they were preparing to attack the village.
On the left of the 30th Division, the 18th Division had tunneled to within yards of the German front line, when a series of mines blew, creating a large crater at Casino Point. The British mortars, that had been brought forward, then opened up and the first German trench was taken rather quickly. However, as the British infantry began to move forward toward the second line of enemy trenches and the Pommiers Redoubt, the fighting was fierce. The Germans had taken up a strong defensive position and it was late in the day that the Germans were forced to retire.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
British 6
3
10
5
0
- MOVE FIRST
Each turn, the active player plays 2 Command cards, one for the left board (leftmost 3 sections) and one for the right board (rightmost 3 sections)
A reserve artillery may be played by either or both command cards as per normal rules, but must be placed on respective board
Units may move between boards.
Command card activate only units on their board.
Players may play 1 Combat Card per board
At turn end, player draws 2 Command Cards, and either 2 Combat cards, 4 HQ, or 1 Combat Card and 2 HQ.
- British player does the No-Man’s-Land shelling roll.
The 8th and 34th British Divisions objective was the town of La Boisselle. The 8th Division attacked from the north, up Mash valley between Ovillers and La Boisselle, while the 34th Division moved up Sausage valley and flanked La Boisselle from the south. Two large mines were set off to open a gap in the German defenses, but the mines, and the week long British bombardment preceding the attack, had little effect on the Germans. As soon as the bombardment lifted, the Germans returned to their trenches and the British advance met with disaster, as most of the land they were crossing provided little cover. Some of the German trenches were gained, but the town of La Boisselle was still under German control at the end of the day.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
British 7
4
10
5
0
- MOVE FIRST
Each turn, the active player plays 2 Command cards, one for the left board (leftmost 3 sections) and one for the right board (rightmost 3 sections)
A reserve artillery may be played by either or both command cards as per normal rules, but must be placed on respective board
Units may move between boards.
Command card activate only units on their board.
Players may play 1 Combat Card per board
At turn end, player draws 2 Command Cards, and either 2 Combat cards, 4 HQ, or 1 Combat Card and 2 HQ.
The French assault to retake Fort Douaumont began at 11:50 AM, 22 May. The plan called for a three-pronged attack. On the left, the 36th Infantry Regiment managed to capture the Morchée Trench, but it was costly and the regiment became pinned down and could advance no further. The 74th, on the right, could not make any progress and only the 129th Infantry Regiment in the center made it to the fort. By nightfall, only a small portion of the fort was under French control. The next day, troops from the French 34th Division tried to reinforce the Frenchmen in the fort, but were repulsed. Without support, the French in the fort surrendered.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
On 7 March the Germans renewed their attack on the right bank of the Meuse, which coincided with the attacks against the French positions on the left bank. The German objective was Fort Vaux, but first the 408th and 409th German Regiments would have to overcome the French defense in Vaux Village and a number of French strong points. After almost 24 hours and many assaults, the village was finally taken. Too weak after taking the village to press on against the fort, it would take the Germans until the end of the month before the fort would be taken.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
All direct attacks toward Hill 304 had been a costly failure. Therefore a plan to outflank the position was proposed and on 20 March, after a lengthy bombardment by trench mortars, General von Kneussl’s 11th Bavarian and 11th Reserve divisions attacked Malancourt and Bois de Malancourt. The attack against the woods was successful, however, the French remained in control of the village at the end of the day. German forces then paused, as another big bombardment was prepared for the next day. On 22 March, the two divisions moved on “Termite Hill” near Hill 304, but the advance was met by a massive French artillery shelling, which ended the German advance.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.