Airborne Preview:
Part Two
By Mike Bennighof, Ph.D.
August 2013

As best as I can tell, Panzer Grenadier: Airborne is the 28th book supplement we’ve released. They’re a very popular item, allowing you to take your game fun into the bathtub with you. So when I looked at the boxes of leftover maps for the old, boxed edition of Airborne, using them in a new book version seemed like a pretty easy choice.

We have a bunch of them still in the works, so the book’s going to remain a staple product here. Even after this many of them it’s still a little hard to determine just what the mix of contents should be, between scenarios, game strategy, history and variant rules.

Airborne goes a little heavy on scenarios, though it wasn’t planned that way. Mike Perryman designed more scenarios than expected, and Patrick Callahan’s Behind the Beaches mega-scenario took up more space than alloted once all the design notes and other supporting materials were included - and it’s those extras that make the scenario.

The play’s the thing, though, and that’s based on the scenarios – in this case, 20 heavily revised ones from the boxed edition plus 14 new ones by Mike Perryman. Here’s a look at the middle third of them.

Scenario Twelve
Douve River Rumble        
7 June 1944
With Carentan secured, Major von der Heydte turned his attention to controlling the lock at La Barquette. First, the Germans needed to secure at least one of the two bridges near the lock as they lacked the boats needed to cross the river otherwise. Once that was accomplished they could turn their attention to the lock itself.

Note: This scenario requires the Airborne map in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
Though many raw recruits filled the ranks of the 6th Fallschirmjägers, they had been schooled by their veteran cadre in all facets of modern warfare. The veterans also made sure their newcomers understood the importance of maintaining the Fallschirmjäger esprit. Consequently, the newcomers took the teachings to heart and attacked with élan. Unfortunately for them, the American paratroopers knew a little about this fighting business too, and by noon Americans held the bridge without contest.

Notes
It’s a fight for the bridge hex, and the American paratroopers face German paratroopers with the same enormously high morale they sport. Plus there are more Germans, and they have better artillery. The ground favors the Americans, but overall it’s a tough task for the outnumbered Screaming Eagles: their usual recipe for victory. This one’s a brand-new scenario.

Scenario Thirteen
Vierville — Again!
7 June 1944
Early on the 7th of June the 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment replaced the 1st Battalion of the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (which had been unable to reach the start line in time) for the day’s advance on Ste. Come-du-Mont. The approach led through the village of Vierville.

Note: This scenario requires two boards from 1940: The Fall of France, an American 75mm howitzer from Battle of the Bulge, as well as pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
Almost from the beginning, German fire from the hedgerows on either flank forced the advance to a crawl as the paratroopers secured each defensive position in turn. As the day wore on each side grew in strength as additional units joined the fray. The advance continued beyond Vierville. In the afternoon, as the 2nd Battalion of the 501st approached Vierville heavy German fire from nearby hedgerows surprised them from an area supposedly cleared the day prior. By the end of the day the airborne threatened Ste. Come-du-Mont, but did not take it. Enemy pressure on the flanks forced the paratroopers to withdraw at midnight. Vierville would have to be retaken as well.

Notes
Officially this one’s an original scenario, but I can’t see what’s left of that one beyond the title and the formations involved. The board from Airborne’s been replaced by two from 1940 to better model the fight. There aren’t many troops on the map for either player at the start of the game, but waves of American reinforcements steadily improve the American ability to advance.

Scenario Fourteen
Georgia On My Mind
7 June 1944
The morning of D+1 found the 4th Infantry Division’s assault units still not in touch with the main elements of the two airborne divisions. The 8th Infantry Regiment attacked to the west early in the morning. The defenders of the village of Torqueville were Georgians of the 795th Ost Battalion, and not terribly eager to die for the glory of the Fatherland.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The Georgians in German service had earlier in the day captured the 4th Division G-1 and his sergeant driver. The sergeant was the son of Soviet immigrants and quickly talked 75 of the “German” soldiers into surrendering. The rest fought with some resolve initially, but eventually surrendered, along with their German officers.

Notes
This one’s an original scenario, and I’m pretty sure it goes back to the original edition as it bears a very Knipple-like title. The Americans are regulars of the 4th “Ivy” Infantry Division and not quite as awesome as the paratroopers, but they still have a significant morale advantage over the unwilling Georgians, who also face the chance of surrender if things aren’t going well.

Scenario Fifteen
Securing Ste. Mere-Eglise
7 June 1944
The American airborne troops held the town of Ste. Mere-Eglise, but only barely. Pre-invasion planning called for the perimeter to be expanded as soon as possible. The arrival of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division’s 8th Regiment allowed an advance to the north against what appeared to be the strongest German presence in the area.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The German defenders proved a tough nut to crack, but by the end of the afternoon the Yanks drove them north making Ste. Mere- Eglise safe. Crewmen of the 746th Tank Battalion could claim much of the credit for the ease with which this was done. Further advances would come at a much greater cost.

Notes
Another updated original, this time the Americans are launching a joint effort with both paratroopers and infantry, and some armor support, too. The Germans aren’t bad and are in pretty good number, and will have to depend on American confusion to slow down the onslaught.

Scenario Sixteen
Holding the Lock
7 June 1944
Back at the La Bourquette Lock, the paratroopers of the 501st Parachute Regiment had been unable to move from their positions throughout the D-Day night and most of the second day due to heavy enemy fire. At 1500 in the afternoon of the 7th they observed a large force of Germans approaching their position from the northeast.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
Intent only on escaping the American forces advancing off the beaches and surprised by the heavy fire, the Germans went to ground and fought half-heartedly. After exchanging fire for a few hours, the Germans began to surrender. If not for a particularly zealous leader, they would have given up more easily. In all, the paratroopers killed or captured 350 Germans.

Notes
This one’s an original scenario, featurig a tough fight for a key piece of terrain. The Germans outnumber the attacking Americans by almost two-to-one, but their morale is not nearly as good as that of the paratroopers and they know it: there’s a distinct possibility of German surrender.

Scenario Seventeen
Third Time’s the Charm
8 June 1944
More failures to capture or blow up the bridges across the Douve River north of Carentan on D+1 made such missions the 101st Airborne Division's overriding priority the next day. Although the lock at La Bourquette and the two wooden bridges to the east were in American hands, the German-held highway bridge remained an open door to Utah Beachhead's southern flank. General Maxwell Taylor ordered the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment to attack.

Note: This scenario requires a board from Airborne, an S35 from Edelweiss, and pieces from Elsenborn Ridge and Battle of the Bulge. Only use leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The American attack was plagued by lack of coordination and the failure of the glider battalion to participate. But, after a while the Germans had enough and gradually fell back before the American advance. At 1400 the Germans withdrew across the Douve and blew the bridge the Americans had been trying for three days to destroy.

Notes
It’s an original scenario, the third American attempt to take the bridge over the Douve, and this time both sides can bring in ample reinforcements. It’s a hard fight with lots of troops brawling on a single board.

Scenario Eighteen
VII Corps Advances North
8 June 1944
The Allied command declared the beachhead secure, and now VII Corps had to expand it in three directions. Elements of the 82nd Airborne’s 505th Parachute Infantry and 325th Glider Infantry Regiments made up the extreme left flank of the morning advance northwest toward Montebourg. The battered German 709th Static Division held the line, attempting to form a defense between the landing beaches and Cherbourg.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne, an American PARA and 75mm howitzer from Battle of the Bulge and two strongpoint markers from Edelweiss in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge. Only use leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The Germans grudgingly gave ground, falling back almost two kilometers, but only after American tanks were brought forward near the end of the day. Beyond this point the German line was a far tougher proposition and would require a greater effort to break.

Notes
It’s a couple days after the invasion, so the paratroopers are tired but they’ve gathered their stragglers and have ample support from artillery and tanks. The Germans have recovered a little too, and they have a strong prepared position awaiting the American advance.

Scenario Nineteen
Hill 30
8 June 1944
The All Americans of the 82nd Airborne secured Hill 30 on D-Day, then promptly found themselves isolated there in a sea of Germans. They held off German attacks two days, but lost their radio this morning. To give warning of an enemy attack, the commander ordered 70 paratroopers to man a roadblock at the western end of the Chef du Pont causeway.

Note: This scenario requires a board from 1940: The Fall of France in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The determined men in gray quickly drove in the roadblock, but the fighting for Hill 30 soon stalemated. The deadlock lasted until 1600 when the paratroopers finally got their radio working and called down heavy artillery fire on the Germans. This “incentive” convinced the weary Germans to withdraw, and they slowly drifted back to their starting position.

Notes
This is a new scenario, taking place on a board from 1940 this time. And this time, it’s the Germans on the attack, with good morale and good numbers. But paratroopers know how to hold their ground, and eventually their artillery will show up.

Scenario Twenty
Le Goulet
9 June 1944
The first step of the Allied plan for liberating Cherbourg entailed its isolation by cutting across the base of the Cotentin Peninsula. Headquarters assigned the 82nd Airborne Division the capture of Montebourg Station as the first objective, but before that could be attempted the intermediate town of Le Goulet needed to be secured. At dawn on June 9th the 2nd Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment moved out supported by some glider infantrymen.

Note: This scenario requires boards from 1940: The Fall of France in addition to a PARA ENG from Battle of the Bulge pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The 325th Glider Infantry bore the brunt of the heavy German resistance which slowed the American advance. Regimental Commander Colonel “Swede” Swenson decided the enemy was not moving fast enough for his liking and ordered his men to help them along. The men fixed bayonets and surged forward, driving the disheartened enemy before them at a lively clip. However, this faster pace came at a steep price in men, including a company commander. Private Darrel C. Dilley described the fighting as “worse than Italy.” Nevertheless, the Americans liberated Le Goulet and cut the distance to Montebourg Station in half.

Notes
Despite the name – I’m convinced we’ve done a scenario titled “Le Goulet” before – this one’s new and takes place on boards from 1940. It’s a bigger scenario than most in Airborne, with the Americans on the attack and the Germans sporting much better morale than is usually seen in this set.

Scenario Twenty-One
VII Corps Advances Again
9 June 1944
The previous day’s advance had not been terribly difficult except at the very end when the German defenses just beyond Grainville had stiffened. The early morning resumption of the attack was to be preceded by a heavy artillery bombardment and the advance continued toward Cherbourg.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne, an American PARA ENG from Battle of the Bulge in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Conclusion
The Germans pounded the advancing Americans all along the line. To the east, the shelling all but halted the 8th Infantry Regiment. The three battalions of the 82nd managed to advance a few hundred yards, but then came under such heavy fire that the lead units were forced to ground. The plan called for renewed attacks that afternoon with additional artillery support, but the bombardment fell through and the commanders called off further operations that day.

Notes
In another rebuilt scenario from the old edition, the Americans are on the attack and despite the historical results described in the conclusion above, they actually have a slight edge in artillery firepower. Their morale is very good, but the Germans are pretty stout themselves – all the unwilling troops of this fairly crapulent division had already run away by this point.

Scenario Twenty-Two
Montebourg Station
10 June 1944
Following the successful Utah landings, VII Corps turned the 4th Infantry and elements of the 82nd Airborne Divisions north for the capture of Cherbourg. On the 10th of June the left flank of the drive featured the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment attacking toward Montebourg Station, a railroad station serving the city of Montebourg.

Note: This scenario requires the board from Airborne, an American 75mm from Battle of the Bulge, and a SdKfz-222 from 1940: The Fall of France, in addition to pieces and leaders from Elsenborn Ridge.

Notes
This is a smaller scenario, an updated one from the very earliest edition of Airborne. The Americans are on the attack and their artillery is even more powerful now as more and more batteries come up over the beaches. The Germans are still willing to fight, so it’s not going to be an easy task for the All-Americans.

And that winds up the middle segment of our scenario preview. You can download a digital edition of Airborne or order the printed version, but either way, you need to be playing these battles.

Order Airborne right now!

Mike Bennighof is president of Avalanche Press and holds a doctorate in history from Emory University. A Fulbright Scholar and award-winning journalist, he has published over 100 books, games and articles on historical subjects. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife, three children and his dog, Leopold.