Chapter 1

About Close Combat

June 6, 1944. The largest invasion fleet in history lies off the coast of Normandy, France. Four years ago, France surrendered to Germany, and the remnants of the British Expeditionary Force fled from the beaches of Dunkirk. Now the Allies are ready to strike back. Their goal is to liberate western Europe. The Germans’ goal is to hurl the invaders back into the sea. Failing that, they must harass and delay the Allies and make them pay for every foot of ground. In this campaign, the fate of nations hangs in the balance.

The campaign you’ll be fighting in Close Combat took place in Normandy between June 6 and July 18, 1944. It begins late on D-Day as units of the American 29th Infantry Division reach the high ground above Omaha Beach to meet the German 352nd Infantry Division. The campaign ends 20 miles inland at the strategic town of Saint-Lô.

During those six weeks, soldiers of the Allied and German armies endure some of the closest and most vicious combat of World War II, across one of the most bizarre terrains ever contested in any war: the Norman hedgerow country—the bocage. It’s a place where rulebook tactics don’t hold up; where a defense based on infiltration and ambush kills men and tanks who seldom see the enemy; where adaptability and improvisation become as important as tanks and guns in pressing the attack. No matter which side you choose to play, Close Combat is an intriguing mix of historically accurate weapons and terrain, realistic combat psychology, and opportunities to change history through superior skill and leadership.

The Close Combat campaign consists of six operations, each with distinct chal- lenges and opportunities. The decisions you make and the leadership you provide decide the outcome of each operation, and shape the campaign to reflect your effectiveness as a commander.

Page 2
Image 2
Microsoft manual About Close Combat