No Better Spot to Die


La Fiere, June 7tn, 1944: Ste. Mere-Eglise was under strong attack from the north so the 507th Parachute Regiment was shifted
into a supporting position southwest of the town leaving only the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Regiment facing the Germans
at La Fiere. What was left of the Battalion was commanded by Lt. John Dolan - eight senior officers having already been killed.
The obsolete French tanks employed by the Germans on the Cotentin had been dealt with harshly in the streets of La Fiere the
previous day, with four destroyed by a mere handful of paratroopers. Now the Germans would emply them again in more advantageous
terrain.

Game Length: 8 Turns

For the Germans to win they must capture VP building hexes from the paratroopers
For the Americans to win they must defend the town from the Germans

Germans: Squads, MMG's, LMG's, MTR's, AFV's
Americans: Squads, MMG's, BAZ's, AT Gun


Aftermath: The lead tank was quickly knocked out but it, the roadblock, and the burnt-out wreck from the previous day's fighting
now provided cover for the German infantry who opened a furious firefight. The paratroops soon began to melt away under the
constant fire. The platoon leader, 2nd Lt. William Oakley, was among the wounded. His replacement, Sgt. Owens, now with only 14 
men left asked Dolan for permission to withdraw. The reply, "I don't know a better spot to die" seemed to stiffen their resolve
because they were still holding out when the Germans requested a 30-minute truce to evacuate the wounded. It is hard to say who
was more relieved to see the truce, but as the Germans used it to withdraw back into Cauquigney they obviously didn't realize
how close they had come to winning the battle this day.

Source: ASL Paratrooper Module, Scenario 16, No Better Place to Die
