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Tactiques (Tactiques # 8 ID: TAC64)   [next]   [previous]

Near Wickerschwihr, France 1945-01-27 (7 others)

Overview:

"Hold Your Ground!" -- The French First Army had been stymied by the ferocious resistance of the German 19th Army in front of Colmar since the beginning of December. Toward the end of January 1945, the French launched a general offensive to eliminate the “Colmar Pocket”. Second Corps was ordered to liberate the city with the help of U.S. troops of 21st Corps. The first objective: the Colmar Canal to the east. The Americans quickly lost momentum. General Monsabert decided to throw in 4th Combat Command in an extra effort to first cross the Canal and then push on to the south. Detachment A were to the fore, their objective; the bridge at Wickerschwihr. Platoon Bethouard, accompanied by a detachment of legionnaires, were the first to arrive at the Canal. A patrol found that the bridge had been partly demolished. It was impassable to vehicular traffic, but could still be crossed on foot. The French took up position, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the detachment. Very soon, a German company approached from the direction of Bischwihr.

Defender: Free French (5th Company, Foreign Legion Regiment and 3rd Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, 4th Combat Command, 5th Armoured Division)  

Errata (source)