Gambsheim, France, January 7th 1945 Story : The French launched an offensive to reduce the Gambsheim salient north of Strasbourg. Coming from Kilstett, a detachment of the 5th Division Blindée (Armored Division) had to join the 3rd batallion of the 3rd Rgt de Tirailleurs Algériens. The operation started at 2 P.M. after a brief artillery barrage. The first objective was the crossroads of Bettenhoffen and then Gambsheim. The légionnaires in support of the tanks quickly moved forward but the German defence was formidable. The French lost eight tanks when meeting the antitank guns and the heavy tanks dispersed in the village and the near woods. After four hours of violent fightings, the French must face the fact that they can not take Gambsheim.

French units :  3e Régiment de Tirailleurs algériens

3 Bazooka, 2 MG Crews, 2 Platoon leader 57mm AT Gun, 2 60mm Mortar, Jeep 14 Rifle

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3e Compagnie du I/RMLE (Régiment de Marche de la Légion Etrangère) 1 Bazooka 3 Veteran, 3 M3 Halftrack

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1er escadron du 1er RCA (Régiment de Chasseurs d’Afrique) 2 M5 Stuart

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III/1er RCA and 7e RCA 4 M4 A2 Sherman, 2 M10 Wolverine, 1 Tanker ace

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Artillery 2 105mm Howitzer

German units :  1st Kompanie, 533. Volksgrenadier Division   

1 Panzerfaust, 4 MG Crews, 1 Platoon leader 10 Rifle, 8 cm Mortar, Fortified building Part of the 2nd Kompanie, 533. Volksgrenadier Division 1 MG Crew, Panzerfaust 4 Rifle, Pak 40, Pillbox sPzJg-Abt. 654 and SS PzJg Kp. 95 2 Panther, 1 Jagdpanther, 1 Panzer ace Artillery 2 15cm Rockets

Scenario rules : Use the tactical rules. The French player sets up first and starts first. The battlefield consists of LW (light wood), VI (village), HL (Hill), TO (Town), CL (Clear) German Headquarters LW1 TO2 TO3 CL4 LW5 VI6 VI7 CL8 HL9 CL10 VI11 CL12 CL13 CL14 VI15 CL16 French Headquarters 1.

Turns 9 turns

2.

Supply

Each player receives 20 points at start. Moreover, the French player receives 3 supply dices each turn. The German player receives 2 dices each turn. Supply points remain hidden during the game. 3.

Special cards Each player has a 36 special cards deck (2 identical cards max.) of his own choice. Each player draws 1 free card each turn with the possibility of buying only one other card at the cost of 6 points. Each player takes randomly 5 cards from this deck before the game begins.

4.

Heavy fog All assaults are simultaneous during the first 3 turns.

5.

Scarce ammo Each time the German player fires with one of his rocket artillery unit, he must roll a die. On a 4-6 result, this unit has run out of ammunition and can not fire until the end of the game.

6.

Others No refit allowed.

Set up and reinforcement : French:

He deploys the 3e Régiment de Tirailleurs algériens in CL14 and VI15. The artillery is placed in the French headquarter and can not move.

German :

He deploys the 1st Kompanie in TO2, TO3 and the German headquarter, the 2nd Kompanie in VI6 and VI7. The Pillbox with the Pak 40 inside it must be placed in VI7. The artillery is placed in the German headquarter.

Turn 1:

Both the 1er escadron du 1er RCA and the 3e Compagnie du I/RMLE are deployed in the French headquarter.

Turn 3:

The III/1er RCA and 7e RCA arrive in the French headquarter.

Turn 4:

The sPzJg-Abt. 654 and SS PzJg Kp. 95 arrive in the German headquarter.

Victory The French player must control the 2 TW zones at the end of the game to win the game. Any other result is a German victory.

Credits Scenario by Sylvain Ferreira adapted for The Last Crusade by Florent Coupeau. Originally published in Vae Victis 5.