Battlegroup Westwall

 

I thought I'd share a few pictures and initial feelings about the new softback Battlegroup supplement covering the battles at Germany's border in Autumn 1944: Battlegroup Westwall.

Now Westwall is a softback supplement so is designed to be used with a couple of other Battlegroup products, these being the rulebook and the Axis and Allies lists from Overlord (or the later reprint Beyond the Beaches) so you'll need those to get the most out of it - although like all Battlegroup products the history and scenarios included can be worth the cost and this also has a mini campaign included!

So, presuming you're not like me and just slowly collecting all of WW2 (I jest but it's getting closer) is this book for you? As previously stated it covers the period after Normandy but before Wacht Am Rhein (Bulge) and Into the Reich - so September to November. Although the British were also fighting fiercely at this point their main focus was Holland (and any suitable rules found here can be used for Holland - Battlegroup is a tool kit) and this book focusses primarily on the American forces slogging their way through the dilapidated re-re-done fortifications of the Westwall: the last line protecting the Fatherland, as the remnants of the once mighty German army desperately re-arm and reform behind it. It also covers the particular misery of the fighting in "the Big Hurt" or Huertgen forest with special rules for thematic occurrences like airburst in canopy and forest floor. 

Like all Battlegroup books there is a comprehensive history overview section that covers the background events leading up to and action from Aachen to Huertgen Forest, the events around Lorraine and the fortress city of Metz. As ever its well written, has a great selection of real pictures and miniature shots and lots of interesting informational inserts with details about key events. Now you may ask why you need 26 pages of History information you could get anywhere else, but I would argue the history is so well written and focused, including giving a breakdown of the units involved and the action you're trying to portray that it is necessary and really beneficial for beginners and old hands alike (I think I have definitely forgotten more about WW2 than I'll ever know). People would definitely complain if it wasn't there (they’ll complain no matter what) and for the newcomer to WW2 gaming it is a real boon - it may even spark your interest in the historical side.

 Whilst it uses the lists from Overlord (only one full list in this book - the German Panzer Brigade Battlegroup) there are the usual additions and subtractions listed for all the necessary forces so you can tailor the Volksgrenadier Division list (Wacht Am Rhein), Germany Infantry Division 1944 (Overlord) and Armoured and Infantry Combat Engineers for the US lists (Overlord). 

The key addition present here is for the german lists in the form of the new Defense section with more detailed Westwall specific defenses including sparse minefields, flak bunkers and a comprehensive list of bunker types with new options such as defensive machineguns and flamethrower shelters. This is a really interesting section and breathes new life into any bunkers you have for already bought for those rarely played and often harrowing Normandy landing games. 

Alongside the lists and amendments is the scenario section. Battlegroup is well known for its generosity and proliferation of scenarios in its books and this one delivers with .....one. Yep just the one but it's important and not unexpected. It's an attack/defense scenario with the Axis player holding a fortified defensive line, nothing too shocking there. This isn't bad news however as many there are another 6 scenarios hidden away in the section after the army lists; the mini campaign. 

The Clipper Campaign is a 6 battle mini campaign covering Operation Clipper in late November 1944 and can be played as Americans or British (if you don’t have US) against the Germans (in reality it was the US vs Germans). There are six scenarios to be played that are squad to platoon in size (1 squad and 5 platoon sized games) with the historical forces listed or the ability to select replacement forces from your available miniatures (as usual). It's not as complicated as the Torch/Kasserine one but a nice addition that should be doable in a good, long weekend or over a few weeks at club.

As stated the full list presented here is the German Panzer Brigade Battlegroup which replaces the standard panzer Brigade from Overlord. This is a very thematic list which may admittedly seem bland to those not interested in or aware of the historical significance of the options: as it appears to simply have very few options. This list represents the armoured counter attacks (mostly the southern Lorraine front) by the new, very cut down Panzer divisions and is a welcome addition to the available stable of late war formations. The Author goes as far to state that the traditional panzers divisions of Normandy and Into the Reich aren't suitable for this period of conflict and you should look to Wacht Am Rhein if they are more your taste.

This new supplement arrived this morning (I paid for it myself and everything) and I'm really pleased to add it to my existing precious pile of Battlegroup books - I may not play much Westwall but Huertgen is on my list (when I finish my trees) and I intend to keep picking up any books The Plastic Soldier Company puts out in the Battlegroup series. 

Battlegroup:Westwall can be bought direct from The Plastic Soldier Company here.

Stay safe,

BeneathALeadMountain