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Scenario Author:
RhinoBones
Author's E-mail Address:
RhinoBones@aol.com
Last Scenario Revision Date:
December 30, 1998
VERSION 1.1
Background
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The war in Western Europe began on the 4th of August 1914 with the German army executing the opening phase of the Schlieffen Plan, the push through Belgium and the envelopment of the French armies deployed in East Central France. The Northern wing contained the First, Second and Third German armies, each of which contained 34 divisions of infantry. A cavalry corps of three divisions was added for good measure. The Belgians gathered their forces (nine infantry divisions and one of cavalry) to defend the fortresses of Liege and Namur, fully expecting that each of these monuments to the concrete guild would hold out for over a month. A month was thought to be ample time for the world to come to the rescue. The Belgian army was small, under equipped and valiant but spread much too thin to adequately protect the land.
In preparation for the war Austria’s Skoda Munitions Works had developed the monster 305mm siege cannon. Krupp, in Germany, had developed an even more monstrous 420mm siege cannon. These weapons were used to reduce the forts at Liege and then were moved to Namur where they proved to be equally devastating. By August 22nd the roads through Belgium were open all the way to the French boarder where they would meet the British for the first time at a place named Mons.
On August 5th, at Liege,
a relatively obscure general makes a notable appearance for the German
army and for military history. During an attack the general of a
German brigade is killed and replaced by one General Erich Ludendorff.
General Ludendorff crosses the Meuse River and takes the heights overlooking
Liege and the Liege fort complexes. He sends a message to the commander
at Liege to surrender, and of course the Belgian commander, General Leman,
refuses to do so. Ludendorff threatens to destroy Liege by air if
the German army is not permitted free passage. A short time later
a single zeppelin appears over Liege and drops thirteen bombs, making the
city of Liege the target of the first air raid in history. Nine civilians
die as a result and become the template for millions more throughout the
20th Century. The city of Liege surrenders. Ludendorff is proclaimed
a hero. The remaining forts continue to resist, but only until the
Krupps finish their job.
Victory Conditions
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The German armies must reduce and then capture Brussels and the forts at Liege and Namur, opening up the invasion route to the North of France. The Germans must do this quickly in order to maintain the Schlieffen Plan schedule and to deny the French and British the opportunity to come to the aid of the Belgians.
Remarks
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When playing this scenario in the solitairy mode I recommend playing from the German side with the Allies set on the hard setting. PBM games favor the Allied side.
Last Update Changes
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