Matrix Games Forums

Expecting the release go Close Combat Gateway to Caen, some research on Operation Epsom was needed. The web site History of War http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/op ... epsom.html provides a quick overall read of the operation, but Strategos http://www.strategos.demon.co.uk/D-Day/welcome.htm provides more details on the battles involved. In it the actions of German tank ace Whitman and his Tiger tanks at Villers-Boccage and the battle of Hill 112 are of great interest. Hopefully, these battles in the game play out as exciting as their history.

Unfortunately there is a dearth of good websites about this complex operation. The Wikipedia site has the most comprehensive overview. Fortunately, there are several decent books on the Operation: Authors Lloyd Clark, Iain Daglish, and Tim Saunders wrote pretty well-researched books on Operation Epsom, but they don't all agree on some of the finer details. Daglish uncovered some new information, and his book, along with a new, recently-published German source, present a much clearer picture of how the Operation unfolded. Monty nearly cracked Normandy wide open with this one.

Tiger tanks saw a limited role in this battle, but you will see them in at least one of the German battlegroups (with multiple, accurate camo schemes). The British will have plenty of Churchill tanks, and the many variants present in the battle are in the game.

Thanks for the reference of authors on this topic. I'll check out one of Daglish's books for he has a number of books on the Second World War.