Scenario: Baptism of Piron

[SaS TrooP]

I present you my new scenario! This time we are depicting first day of combat of Brigade Piron, the only Belgian ground unit in Allied forces in Normandy, 1944. I believe such events should be carefully depicted since this game allows for it... and because other nations deserve no less than the ones we play daily.

Have fun, feedback very recommended.

Baptism of Piron*
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Date: 17th of August 1944*
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Location: Franceville, west of Cabourg*
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Type: Belgian advance vs. German delay*
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Design: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza*
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"Brigade Piron" was a Belgian brigade serving underwestern allies. It was formed back in 1940 from Belgian soldiers who managed to cross to Britain after their country fell. Its name originates from most notable commander, Jean-Baptiste Piron, later the commander of Belgian occupation of Germany and Chief of Staff.
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Originally, Brigade (severely understrenght yet in 1944, with just one reinforced motorized battalion, one armoured car company and artillery battalion assisted with engineering company) was to be used as reserve behind frontline troops so it could reach Belgium untouched and be a core of recreated Belgian military. However, Belgian government in exile insisted on putting the brigade into action as morale was detoriating.
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This scenario depicts very first engagement of Brigade Piron, near villages of Sallenelles and Franceville on August 17 1944.
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Brigade was ordered to capture Franceville and closely located Merville villages (with infamous Merville Battery at the beach). Capturing these positions would be neccessary in order to open the route towards Cabourg and increase the tempo of constantly stalling Allied advance. German positions were however strong: bunkers and strongpoints, numerous mines and booby traps and one ambush after another weakened Brigade Piron and successfully blocked them for noticeable amount of time.
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After entire day of heavy fighting, Brigade has managed to capture designated objectives and carried on towards Cabourg.
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NOTES: This battle is historical. Terrain is recreated as accurately as it can be done, units deployment and their equipment as well. Thanks to excellent historical information great majority of surnames and nicknames were recreated. Some units of the Brigade Piron arrived late at the battlefield as they were supporting British paratroopers covering Piron's right flank. For this reason watch your reinforcements coming. One of the artillery batteries is marked with L symbol. It was made of Luxembourgish only. In the later stages of this engagement, a british company of Devonshires Regiment arrived to support Piron's struggle. They will enter the map from the south.
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German defences in this scenario are based on tactics, not numbers nor equipment. You may encounter many death zones and more complicated ambushes than in other scenarios. Also, Germans WILL NOT rush after several flags are captured. Flag values are relatively low: Belgians had no practical possibility to replenish heavy casualties, so keep yours to minimum if you want to achieve a victory.
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Best played as Belgian side and Germans as AI. For harder playthough it is recommended NOT TO use Z-fire against Germans
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Source: http://www.brigade-piron.be/campagnes_en.html