North Bank

Oosterbeek, Holland, September 24, 1944: By Sunday, D-Day plus 7, the beleaguered British 1st Airborne
had contracted into a tight knot around the village, anchored by positions on the north bank of the Lower 
Rhine. Just across the water were friendly forces, but their every attaempt to reach the "Red Devils" thus 
far had failed. Within the shrinking perimeter the situation was critical; ammunition and medical supplies 
were short, and for every three men fit for combat there were two seriously wounded. At 1030 Hrs, a truce 
was arranged for the evacuation of British wounded into German care. Dr. Graeme Warrack and Major Egon Skalka,
divisional medical officer who together had arranged the chivalrous operation, now coordinated the "battlefield
clearing" from der Hexenkessel of 450 wounded. No sooner was this completed, at 1700 Hrs, than the shelling
resumed. And with it came a German attack planned to push the paratroopers away from their riverfront positions
and their tenuous link with Allied troops to the south.

Game Length: 7 turns

For the Germans to win they must capture the bridgehead area
For the British to win they must defend the bridgehead until reinforcements arrive

Germans: Squads, LMG's, AFV's
British: Squads, LMG's PIAT's, AT Guns

Boards: #8, #21

Aftermath: The might of the German attack fell upon the area around the Dolderen laundry, along the perimeter held
by exhausted men of the South Staffordshire Regiment. German troops, taking advantage of the truce, had infiltrated; 
and now came more panzergrenadiers with Tiger tanks in support. In the midst of the fight was "Temporary" Major Robert 
Cain, attached to the South Staffordshires from his own regiment (the Royal Northnumberland Fusiliers) as an observer, 
who had assumed command of one of the rifle companies. Over the past week, he had become something of a legend for
his personal heroism and remarkable leadership. When the whirwind struck, Cain raced for the AT gun set up nearby; with 
a single gunner as an assistant, he managed to disable one panzer. But in the process, the gun's recoil mechanism was
damaged. Taking up a PIAT, Cain continued to fight, inspiring his ad hoc command. Through the efforts of this doughty 
handful of paratroopers, the German threat was again turned back. Robert Cain would later be awarded the Victoria
Cross for his actions during the Arnhem operation. But his, and the others', steadfast courage could not change the 
realities of the situation. The next morning, the decision was made to withdraw the survivors of the Arnhem drop from 
their bridgehead. "Market-Garden" had failed.

Source: ASL Annual '91, ASL Scenario A38, North Bank
 