This is a 3 Round Campaign set during the Normandy Campaign of 1944 with Crossfire as the tactical rules. I threw it together because Dick Bryant was interested in how to run my Kursk 3 Round outside the Eastern Front.
Campaign Structure
Essentially rounds 1 and 2 involve an offensive by the Allied side. Round 3 is the counter offensive by Germans or the final rearguard action. The Allied player has one force composition for the duration of the campaign, and the German player two: one Defensive and one Offensive. The Defensive Force fighting in the front line (rounds 1 & 2) and the Offensive Force in strategic reserve (round 3) . The results of each round affect the overall result.
Forces Available
It is assumed the base forces of both sides have the same troop quality, e.g. Green, Regular, or Elite. Bonus troops can be any troop quality. If this is not the case then additional bonus points should be awarded.
Recommended Force Levels:
Size of Game | Nationality/Force | Total Points |
---|---|---|
Small | Allied | 74 |
Small | German Defensive | 62 |
Small | German Offensive | 74 |
Mid-Sized | Allied | 148 |
Mid-Sized | German Defensive | 124 |
Mid-Sized | German Offensive | 148 |
Large | Allied | 259 |
Large | German Defensive | 217 |
Large | German Offensive | 259 |
Choose a base force then add bonus selections to bring the force up to the point total, as per section 14 of the rules (p. 33).
In addition each force is awarded additional bonus points for any disparity in Command & Control points. For example, in a large battle between a German force and a Allied force, the Germans gets +10 bonus points. Check out the table for the full range of options.
Size of Game | Command & Control | ||
---|---|---|---|
Good e.g. German | Okay e.g. US/Commonwealth | Poor e.g. Soviet | |
Small | 0 | 4 | 7 |
Mid-Sized | 0 | 5 | 8 |
Large | 0 | 6 | 10 |
I recommend you use my alternative rules for the points cost of vehicles.
Types of Scenario
The three types of scenario (Hasty Defence, Prepared Defence, Meeting Engagement) mentioned in the diagram for the Campaign Structure are described on my scenarios guidelines page.
If entrenched, i.e. in a prepared defence, the German Defensive force also gets additional points of fortifications. 7 points for a Small game, 14 for a medium and 21 points for a Large game. For example, 21 points would give 2 x 2 Squad Bunkers, 7 mines and 8 wire sections. This is in addition to the force size mentioned above.
Optional Rule: Recover losses
For simplicity casualties should not be carried between rounds on the assumption that reserves are fed in as front line troops become exhausted. If you want the added complexity of carrying over casualties then try this …
Keep records of the stands killed (pinned and suppressed stands recover between battles).
Immediately after a battle all killed commanders (PC, CC, BC, RC) that haven’t already been replaced using Rule 2.3.3. Killed Commanders, must be replaced by a squad or crew served weapon. If possible the replacement must be a subordinate stand, however, if this is not possible then any stand can be used.
After all commanders have been replaced the player can roll to recover any stands that are still lost (i.e. killed in any of the previous battles or lost as replacements for commanders). Roll once a turn for each stand that is still lost; the score requiGerman depends on the Battle Result: 3+ if you won the round; 4+ if you lost.
n the case of Round 3, where the German player is using their Offensive force, just arbitrarily impose the casualties from the Defensive force to the Offensive force. The German player chooses which platoons lose the stands, but must try to keep the same kind of balance, , e.g. if the Defensive force had lost 10 stands across 4 platoons, then the same will be true of the Offensive force.
Example Forces
In a Large Normandy game with an attacking US force the Americans would get:
- 1 x Leg Infantry Battalion
- Bonus selections to bring the total to 259 points
- An addition +6 points of bonus selections due to the disparity in command and control
The Germans would get a defensive and offensive force. The Defensive force would get:
- 1 x 1944 Leg Infantry Battalion (188.5 points)
- Bonus selections to bring the total to 217 points
The German offensive force would get something like:
- 1 x 1944 Panzer Grenadier Battalion
- Bonus selections to bring the total to 259 points
Dick Bryant used this as the basis for his Operation Cobra 3 Round Campaign. Have a look.