Hi everyone! My name is Martin and I'm the poor fella to serve as punching bag for Fionns' Germans ;-) But like all true underdogs, I am more than determined to keep up a good fight and beat the odds. In fact, I intend to beat the heck out of them :-)

Just to remind everybody once more - as Fionn mentioned in the introduction, please do not reveal any extra "intel" to me or him about the other side's positions. You will be experiencing a live game in progress and we intend to keep the "Fog of War" intact, not only to give you something really exciting to read, but also to show you all the strengths and innovations that COMBAT MISSION delivers. So don't spoil the fun! However, I will gladly answer any questions you might have (and so will Fionn), so please email me (gamesofwar@online.de) if you want, or even better - post on Battlefront.com's message board. There should also be a thread which Fionn and I will avoid, so you can discuss the game between yourselves and exchange opinions.

Anyhow, with all that said, let's start with the show. I hope you will enjoy following it as much as we enjoy playing it.

Martin

**** United States Orders ****

The Colonel looked up when I entered the room, but didn't smile. A bad sign, I thought. But at the moment I didn't really care - I was happy enough to escape the cold outside after an hour ride in the open Jeep. Major, the Colonel said and waved me to his desk. I am going to detach you from your current duties." He looked in my eyes to spot a reaction, but my face was literally frozen from the cold outside.

We have an urgent situation developing in the neighbouring sector and I need a good man to look after it." He handed me an envelope stamped Top Secret. "Here are your orders. Time is working against us, so I suggest you read them on the road. If you have any further questions, the S-2 in the area will know the details. That's all, Major. I was on the way out when he added: Good luck.

Back in the Jeep I opened the mission orders. I had the bitter taste of upcoming battle in my mouth when I started reading them.

Mission Background:

The Germans have been holding a key village all through the winter. The village controls an important road net and bridge over a recently frozen river. Several attempts to take the town by direct assault have failed, so a flank attack was launched earlier in the day consisting of a Rifle Company and a platoon of tanks. The attack succeeded in breaking through the flank and has taken up positions to the rear of the town. A coordinated assault on the town from all sides is intended to sweep the Germans out once and for all.

The defending force is small, but prisoners have confirmed that it is being held, at least in part, by elite Fallschrimjäger troops. Intelligence reports would seem to indicate that the defending force is lacking heavy weapons. Confidence is high that the forces available will be enough to handle the defenders.

Unfortunately, patrols sent further into German territory report that an enemy armored column is on its way to relieve the garrison and push back the friendly forces that broke through earlier in the morning. This action by the Germans was not anticipated and therefore presents a difficult situation. The flanking force is not strong enough to deal with BOTH the village defenders AND the oncoming enemy relief force. Air support has been called for, but it is not likely to arrive in time (if at all). You will have to make do with what you have as reinforcements are not directly available for the flanking force. The only hope is to hold the enemy up in the woods and to take the town swiftly, then concentrate defenses to repulse the enemy force.

Mission Objective:

Take the village and defend it against all enemy forces.

Good luck!