Askim to Die

Askim, Norway, April 13, 1940: The original German plan in Norway was to press forward 
toward Trondheim and Bergen, leaving Ostfold isolated for later care. But the report of strong Norwegian troop concentrations in the Askim-Mysen area convince Falkenhorst 
that it was necessary to delay the northern thrust and eliminate the Norwegian troops 
in Ostfold. The task given to the 109th Infantry Division. The Germans had to cross the river Glama near Askim to destroy the troops mobilizing at the Fossumstrokets fortress. 
On April 13th, at 0530 hours, the Jagdkommando Mantheys cross the Fossum bridge. At 
Dawn, the German attack from the bridgehead to force the Norwegian defense line at the western outskirts of the town of Askim. 

Game Length: 8.5 turns

For the Germans to win they must capture the multihex buildings
For the Norwegians to win they must hold the town and the hill

Germans: Squads, MMG's, LMG's, DC, AFV's
Noregians: Squads, MMG's, ATR's, ART gun.

Boards: #40, #46

Aftermath: Jagdkommando Manthey has to force a defence stong in machinegun and artillery 
support, but lacking the infantry to protect the flanks of the wide battlefield. Despite 
the fact that German probing attacks during the morning fails to break the Norwegian 
Resistance and that they have to face an unsuccessful Norwegian counterattack, at 1230 hours, it became clear for Gleditsch, the Norwegian commander, that retreat was necessary. The artillery could retreat in good order but the machinegun company has 
serious losses. At 1530 hours, Askim fell.

Source: VB 8, designed by Eric Bongiovanni, January 2009


