Historical Information in Scenarios?

[Knavery]

Hey folks --
I just wanted to know if BfTB has a good historical summary of each battle before you play? The reason I ask is that many of us may not have knowledge of them and some perspective would provide more enjoyment out of the game.

[MarkShot]

There is usually some general information in the main briefing which proceeds the side briefings for each scenario. However, it's not that extensive compared to getting a book or searching the Web.

RDOA had come with a 100 page history/analysis of Market Garden. In HTTR, that same text was moved from the manual to the sold separately HTTR Strategy Guide.

Here is an example:

December 22nd 1944, 14:00 hours, Luxembourg

Historical scenario. 7. Armee: LXXXV Armee Korps sector - Southern Shoulder.

In response to Eisenhower's command on December 19th for a counteroffensive toward Bastogne by 3rd Army, Bradley and Patton agreed to move the inexperienced and untried III Corps headquarters north from Metz to Arlon in Luxembourg, attaching 3 divisions from rear areas behind the 3rd Army front.

These 3 divisions (4th Armored, 26th, and 80th Infantry Divisions) were to launch a counterattack along a 30 mile front from Ettelbruck to Neufchâteau. The 4th Armored Division on the left wing was to advance north to Bastogne through rolling hills and pastureland cut by an occasional creek or stream. However the axis of advance for the 26th Infantry Division in the center and 80th Infantry Division on the right traversed through some of the most treacherous terrain found anywhere in the Ardennes. These 2 divisions were to advance to the Sure River and secure crossing sites before pushing on toward Wiltz and relieve some of the pressure on the defenders in Bastogne.

On an operational scale, December 22nd marked the end of the defensive battles for the US soldiers fighting the German 7th Army along the Southern shoulder of the Bulge. Feeling certain that the Germans were unaware of the imminent threat to their southern flank, Patton told the commander of III Corps, Maj. Gen. John Millikin to "Drive like hell".

The Standard reinforcement schedules for both sides reflect the historical arrival times and locations of units in the battle. The Favour Allies and Favour Axis settings provide alternatives favouring one side or the other.

[simovitch]

Also, the manual gives a 4 page Narrative of the whole campaign, placing each scenario in perspective. Example:

Breakthrough:
Hitler had high hopes for the 6th Panzer Army but the results from his SS troopers were mixed at best. After beating it’s head against the American 2nd and 99th Divisions around the twin villages of Rocherath and Krinkelt, The 12th SS Panzer Division was withdrawn with heavy losses on the night of the 18th to be re-deployed a few kilometers to the south along the road to Bütgenbach. Looking for an end run around Elsenborn Ridge, the 12th SS tried for nearly a week to break through the US 1st Infantry at Döm Bütgenbach without success (Scenario #9). Peiper and his tank regiment from the 1st SS Panzer Division continued its drive on December 18th (Scenario #10) advancing nearly 10 miles more into the American rear before being halted by a blown bridge at Habiemont on the Lienne Creek. Peiper’s kampgruppe fought on for over a week in the Stoumont - La Gleize region before being almost completely annihilated. If Peiper had enough fuel, and was able to cross the Lienne early on the 18th, he could have perhaps reached his designated crossing point on the Meuse River at Huy (Scenario #17), and made a strong push toward Antwerp.

[MarkShot]

Oops, sorry! I must have missed that as I tried reread the manual in one sitting the other night!