Post date: Apr 01, 2014 3:22:51 PM
The French publication Casus Belli gave us twenty-eight scenarios between 1982 and 1986 notably extending the French experience beyond Crescendo of Doom’s early war coverage. There is no doubt the identity of occupied France was a complex one and Messrs. Pierre Stutin, Luc Sérard and others develop the story of who she was. Their clever use of US counters to depict Free French trained and armed by US forces and depicting French troops serving in the Waffen Frankreich with SS counters develop a national characteristic that is uniquely French in the Squad Leader system.
The scenarios cover the eastern front (8), the western front (19) and the African theater of operations (1) and represent French, US, British, Soviet, Polish and German nationalities. There are six Blitzkrieg scenarios and the remainder are substantially occurring during ‘43-’44.
I found the following scenarios notable for either their historical context or unique design:
“Attaque à l’aube” is the first contact between French and German forces in Luxembourg, the start of it all.
“L’Avancée de Holving” depicts the Maginot Line with turrets atop bunkers.
Four scenarios depict the Blitzkrieg are “Attaque à l’aube”, “La cote 311”, “Pour Varsovie”, “L’Avancée de Holving.”
Scenarios including the Free French are “Embuscade au Sablon”, “Le Carrefour de Tanville”, “La Route de Dabo”, “L’ attaque de Grüssenheim”, “Le Prix De L Hermoisme” and “Le dernier barrage.”
Scenarios including the Waffen SS Frankreich are “Radomsyl I” and “Radomsyl II.”
Scenarios on the actions around Pegasus Bridge on June 6, 1944 are “Diables Rouges”, “Eclairs a Ranville”, “Le Pont De Benouville”, “Les Fantomes De La Nuit” and “Pegasus bridge I.”
I have chosen to present the scenario cards and historical links, where available, in French to preserve the character presented by Casus Belli. I would suggest reading the card as presented, the subject is limited and one can often understand knowing a word or two of French. Then use Google Translate to provide translated text, note that Chrome will offer to translate a webpage on the spot.
I think these are a valuable contribution to any collection and I hope you find them interesting. They may be found in the Scenario Archive by searching Casus Belli in the Publication tab.
Scott