Embedded Files
Background
April 1915 saw the first use of poisoned gas on the western front, as the Germans attacked north of Ypres in their efforts to break through to the coast. This new weapon was far more successful than the German High Command had anticipated, with the French 87th Territorial Division in particular sent reeling as men fled from this 'choking horror'.
Both armies sit astride a canal, with the British holding the nearest bridge, but having been forced off the high ground that would have protected it, towards the end of fighting the day before. The German command sees the need to take the bridge, and the commanding high ground beyond, as a platform for its next major push.
The British divisional commander fears that his troops too will be subject to more gas attacks, and his troops are fearful as they recall the tales of terror, and the sorry sights of troops stumbling from the battlefield suffering from exposure to the deadly chlorine gas.
Designer's notes
This fictional scenario is set in the days that followed that first attack. Both sides face each other from hastily dug entrenchments, with no wire for further protection (such has been the speed of the advance the day before), and the German High Command determined to continue with its offensive: they must break through and reach the Channel.
No flank marches are allowed to either force.
Terrain
The map is shown at the bottom of this page. The grid squares on the map are 12" squares.
Objectives
The victor of this scenario is determined by accumulating victory points.
Victory points are accumulated as follows:
1. 3VP Each of the two ridges, complete with their town sector. If these features are contested, then 2 VP for the town sector, and 1 VP for the remainder of the feature.
2. 3 VP The bridge.
3. 2 VP The village outskirts adjacent to the bridge.
Entry points
Each side starts with some troops in their trench lines as marked on the map
Orders of Battle
The OOBs for each command can be downloaded as pdf files using the links below. I recommend that the OOBs are downloaded separately, as there are some variations that would best be kept to each player to provide an element of surprise for the opponent.
Scenario notes:
1. Individual notes are included in each side's OOB
2. The canal is crossable to infantry and MMGs only at any point other than the bridge, taking one full turn to cross.
3. All entrenchments are light entrenchments only.
4. Wave attacks need not be enforced.
5. Players should use the counter battery rules posted to the Great War Spearhead official web page. Look under "New and optional rules".
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