Here is a run down of the scenarios that will be included in Battles in Normandy. In addition to the scenarios listed here, SSG Beta testers are currently working on additional scenarios that will be available for free download shortly after the release of the game.
Normandy Campaign June 6th – July 7th
This is the first of the campaign scenarios. It begins on 6th June with the naval bombardment and landing of the airborne forces, followed by the Allied landings on all five beaches. The Allied player must carefully execute his bombardment plan, in order to minimise the inevitable attrition caused by the German defenders.
Once the first wave is onshore, both sides face difficult choices. The Allies must link up their separate beachheads and probe the German defences for weak points. The British must eventually grasp the nettle and deal with the German stronghold of Caen. The Americans must take Carentan in order to link their two beachheads and then take Cherbourg.
The Germans cannot be strong everywhere, but must carefully choose where to commit their Panzer divisions for counterattacks. While the Germans need to contain the Allies, attempting to do so while still within range on Allied naval gunfire can be a difficult task. Coping with the overwhelming strength of Allied airpower is also a continual challenge.
Breakout from Normandy July 18th to August 6th
This is the second of the campaign scenarios. It starts with the British carpet bombing attack on Caen, and leads quickly to the Cobra offensive by the US at St Lo.
The Allies start the scenario in pretty good shape. Cherbourg has fallen, and the US has the luxury of having four Armored divisions withdrawn from the line and refitting. No such luck for the Germans, who are forced to commit every single Panzer division to the front line, where the constant pressure and chronic lack of replacements are starting to take a heavy toll.
The challenge for the US is to engineer a serious breakout and capture objectives far behind the start line. The British must (finally) take Caen and force the Germans in their sector to start back-pedalling.
The Germans face some difficult times, but if they can keep their heads, they can still punish ambitious Allied players and slow, if not stop, the inevitable.
Cherbourg June 19th – June 26th
This is a short scenario, but one with plenty to do. Eisenhower has assured the US commander that the capture of Cherbourg is the absolute top priority in Normandy, except for Air Support (not much) and reinforcements and replacements (none at all). So the US player has only eight days, and the men he starts with, to capture Cherbourg.
The German player has no expectation of luxuries like reinforcements and replacements, which is just as well, as there’s no chance whatsoever of any outside assistance. Outnumbered and out muscled, your motley collection of defenders must hold off superior forces. Regardless of the usual Hitler directives, you know that holding up the US here will buy precious time for German defenders facing the main Allied assault.
Bloody Omaha June 6th – June 15th
This shorter scenario is affords a good chance for the US player to practice his bombardment and beach landing skills. Forethought and finesse will help to reduce casualties and get your men off the beach quicker. Time is pressing and you have to reach objectives well inland.
For the Germans, a facility for dodging 14” and lesser calibre shells will definitely come in handy. Although some retreating is probably inevitable, a line must drawn somewhere and then defended. Reinforcements will arrive and the Americans must be held.
Monty’s Landings June 6th – June 26th
This scenario covers the landings on all three British beaches. The British landings will normally go fairly smoothly, but waiting not too far inland are some not very friendly Panzer divisions. The bocage and the urban terrain of Caen make ideal defensive positions, and persuading the defenders to move will be a very difficult proposition.
As the Germans, this is your chance to deal out some major pain to the Allies. The clear ground in front of Caen can be a real killing ground, and the longer you hold out the more help you will get, at least in the short term.
Carentan June 8th – June 19th
Without Carentan, the Utah and Omaha beachheads cannot be effectively linked. In this scenario, the US has twelve days to take this key objective, which holds up the entire expansion of the US beachhead. German reinforcements are on the way, so the US must strike quickly and force its way through the German defences, regardless of cost.
Mortain August 5th – August 13th
Hitler has ordered yet another decisive counterattack. The usual suspects (several Panzer divisions) have been rounded up and given a very ambitious plan to follow. This could cause trouble for the US, whose forces have been touring rural France following the breakout. However, these once mighty Panzer divisions are a shadow of their former selves. The Panzer Lehr has been reduced to a single Recon battalion. For the German player, these forces, wounded though they are, represent a last chance to avert looming disaster.
Falaise August 17th – 28th
The disaster that was looming at Mortain has definitely arrived, and only Adolf Hitler thinks otherwise. The British and Canadians are at Falaise and the Americans and the French are at Argentan. In the gap between these two towns, an entire army will live or die. The Allies are out to kill as many Germans as possible, and the Germans will have to retreat in good order to survive. Whether they can maintain that good order is literally the difference between life and death.
The Ardennes Offensive 4
In addition to these Normandy Scenarios - we have also updated the long time favourite 'The Ardennes Offensive' scenario. This scenario is presented as a bonus scenario in Battles in Normandy and takes advantage of the enhancements found in the newer Battles in Normandy Engine.