A Helping Hand

Near St. George-d'Elle, France, June 13, 1944: After landing at St. Laurent-Sur-Mer 
on D-Day plus 1, with enemy shells raining onto the thinly held beachhead, the 2nd 
Infantry Division was immediately pressed into the attack. Since it had not been anticipated that the Indian Head Division would be sent into action so soon, its 
support weapons and equipment were not scheduled to arrive for another three days. 
Almost a week later the Division was still fighting with rifles alone. On the 13th 
of June, the 1st Battalion crossed the River Elle in an attack towards the town of 
St. George-d'Elle, situated southwest of the Cerisy Forest, and was pinned down by 
mortar and machinegun fire from the high ground overlooking the river. Capt. Ernest 
B. Miller, D Company Commander, went over to Company C in an effort to push their 
advance.

Game Length: 7.5 turns

For the Americans to win they must exit troops towards the town of St. George-d'Elle
For the Germans to win they must prevent the Americans from reaching St. George-d'Elle

Americans: Squads, OBA
Germans: Squads, MMG's, LMG's, mtr's

Boards: #2, #11

Aftermath: While leading the men over the hedgerows against the enemy positions, 
Capt. Miller was killed instantly by fire from an enemy machinegun. Without 
adequate support weapons to counter the superior range of the German machineguns 
and mortars, the Americans relied on the cover afforded by the bocage and heavy 
artillery support to advance south of the Elle. Here the attack toward St. Lo was 
halted by order of General Bradley, and a long grudge fight with the 3rd Fallsschirm-
jager began.

Source: scenario designed by Bryan Milligan
