Another Scenario and Some Changes
September 2001
Sunday, September 30, 2001
Another Scenario and Some Changes
And more from 109 Gustav:
"The Last Defense's first scenario since the grand re-opening has arrived. Panthers defend a Roadblock at St. Severs in this historical scenario by Stalingrd. Not only that, but you can play this scenario with a different set of unit icons, made by Sgt. Steiner from scans and online clubs and ladders.
The banner ads are back at the top of the page. The final score in the poll was 4 votes for pop-ups and 10 for the top of the page.
A little more good news-I've switched FTP clients from Interarchy to Viacom's FTP Client. The new application is looking much better, so these updates shouldn't take quite as long. Of course, I can't do any updates at all unless you send in files to be posted. Hint, hint. :-)"
A Moving Experience
More from Magnus too:
"We have a new scenario available at Appui-Feu. It is a semi-historical one called "Operation Goodwold," depicting the fighting around "Beaumont sur Flivres" on 18th July 1944. You can download it in our "scenarios" section.
BTW, please note that Appui-Feu will be running slow for the upcoming 2 weeks because I am moving to a new town. As soon as I get a new connection, Appui-Feu will be updated again and more regularly than the past two months.
Magnus"
Saturday, September 29, 2001
The Future Is So Bright...
More from Manx:
"I'm slowly getting my act together in getting the site back to something approaching normality, but I still have many pages to adjust to the new design/layout. I will be uploading the new pages as and when I do them. I hope to have the vast majority of the site finished by next weekend. In the meantime, thanks for your patience while I'm making the transition.
Anyway, on to more important stuff --- We have news about a recent meeting of CM enthusiasts in the Washington DC area. On Friday 28th September, the guys met up at Grevey's to down a few beers and talk about all things CM. Thanks to Lawyer and E-Cat we have a picture from the meeting -- it's great to be able to put faces to names."
September 30, 1941
Eastern Front, Ukraine-
The 1st Panzer Group begins the offensive against the southern Ukraine from the Dniepr and Samara Rivers, and immediately severs a vital Soviet rail line. The advance toward Rostov moves behind three Soviet armies. General Erich von Manstein's Eleventh Army then advances to trap 106,000 Soviet troops and 212 tanks between the two German forces on October 6 in a classic encirclement operation. One Soviet force, the weakened Twelfth Army, retreats northeastward.
Eastern Front, Soviet Union-
Operation Typhoon, the attack on Moscow, officially begins. Germany's Army Group Center's 73 divisions face 85 Soviet divisions plus 10-15 in reserve. General Heinz Guderian's Second Panzer Group thrusts toward Bryansk and Orel. Two days later, the 3rd and 4th Panzer Groups move to encircle Soviet forces around Vyazma.
Friday, September 28, 2001
September 29, 1939
Politics, Soviet Union-
After occupying Poland, the Soviet Union concentrates on extending its control over the Baltic Sea region to safeguard against any German threat. During the next few weeks it gains bases and signs "mutual assistance" agreements with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Finland, however, will not agree to the Soviet Union's territorial demands and mobilizes its armed forces in October as political dialogue fails to resolve the crisis.
From the Bocage...
Panzerman has another teaser:
"Time for a little update. Our new scenario "South of Villers-Bocage" will be ready soon. For more info head over to The Scenario Zone."
September 28, 1941
Politics, Allies-
An Allied conference in Moscow is attended by Stalin (Soviet Union), Harriman (United States), and Beaverbrook (United Kingdom). The United States extends assistance to the Soviet Union through its Lend-Lease Act of March 1941.
Thursday, September 27, 2001
September 27, 1939
Politics, Germany-
Adolf Hitler's senior commanders are told of his plans for a western offensive at the earliest opportunity. This announcement is met with hostility by the military, who resent Hitler assuming direct control over strategic planning and also feel unprepared for this undertaking. His plan for invading the Low Countries, formulated as Plan Yellow on October 19, is constantly aborted due to bad weather. The plan is also modified and its objectives widened before the actual offensive in 1940.
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
New CMMOS Section Now Open
For some time now Gordon and his team of happy little elves have been slaving away on their little utility called the Combat Mission Mod Option Selector or CMMOS for short.
That utility and a handful of mods has been up to now only been available on Manx's great site but today that all changes.
Introducing the first dedicated and complete CMMOS site anywhere. Not only do we have the newest version of the Utility (2.01) we also have posted over 30 Fully CMMOS Configured Mods. That's right OVER THIRTY!
So if you just can't get enough of that CMMOS loving than head on over and go to town!
See, just when you think you can't depend on good old CMHQ to deliver the goods, guess what happens? WE DELIVER THE GOODS. Don't write us off, we gots lots in store.
Now, get going, your bothering me here!
Madmatt
September 26, 1944
Western Front, Holland-
End of "Market Garden;" 2,400 soldiers come back across the Rhein River from Oosterbeek. 10,000 soldiers were dropped north of the river.
Tuesday, September 25, 2001
September 25, 1940
Politics, Norway-
Nazi sympathizer Vidkun Quisling, who proclaimed himself Norway's leader following the German invasion, becomes head of the government. In reality Quisling remains a German puppet with limited authority.
Monday, September 24, 2001
Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful...
Scipio says:
"Another camo is finished: a US Winter Camo for all '44 & '45 US Army troops, including the tank crews."
September 24, 1941
Sea War, Mediterranean-
The first U-boat enters the Mediterranean (half the entire U-boat force will be operating there later in the year). The Operation Halberd convoy leaves Gibraltar bound for Malta. During the six-day trip, Italian warships attempt to intercept the convoy, but an Italian submarine is sunk. The British bombard Pantellaria, an Italian island situated between Sicily and Tunisia.
Sunday, September 23, 2001
Hear Me, See Me...
109 Gustav has another one:
"The Last Defense's longest delay between updates is over. Trent Yoxall has sent in another sound mod, this one a tank machine gun sound. It goes well with his earlier heavy tank sound. Andrew Miszyn submitted his first mod, a scoped MP-44.
Some good news for you-I'm working on another website to supplement The Last Defense. This one will be for everything except Combat Mission, and will include artwork, cheesy software, and desktop pictures. It will most likely be done in a week or two or three. Can anyone guess the name of this new site?"
Saturday, September 22, 2001
September 23, 1944
Air War, Germany-
The RAF makes a night precision raid on the Dortmund to Ems Canal, the inland waterway that links the Ruhr with other industrial centers. A total of 141 aircraft are involved, the canal is breached, and a section drained. The RAF loses 14 bombers.
September 22, 1943
Eastern Front, Crimea-
The Soviet Thirteenth Army crosses the Dniepr River south of Kiev and bridgeheads gradually emerge along it.
Pacific, Papua New Guinea-
Allied land and seaborne offensives begin against the Japanese on the Huon Peninsula.
Sea War, Arctic-
A raid by British midget submarines to destroy the German battle squadron at Altenfiord in Norway cripples the battleship Tirpitz. The submarines, however, are unable to attack the battlecruiser Scharnhorst as it is at sea, and the pocket battleship Lutzow could not be found. The three midget submarines involved in the attack on the Tirpitz are sunk.
Friday, September 21, 2001
Almost Finished...
Panzerman has more goodies to share:
"It's been quite some time since we had a large update...so here comes one your way:
1) Almost all of the scenarios for the Belgium and Netherlands pack are finished. We are now shifting our attention towards testing and operations.
2) I would like to thank all the members of the Combat Scenario Design team for there hard work. For the rest of the news click your way to the Scenario Zone.
Rob"
Thursday, September 20, 2001
September 21, 1939
Politics, Romania-
A local fascist group, the "Iron Guard," assassinates Romanian Prime Minister Armand Calinescu.
Back in Action
Hello All,
Like most (if not all) of you, Matt and I were deeply affected by last week's terrorists' attacks. As a result, we decided to keep CMHQ's profile low for "a while." We chose to keep things to a minimum until we felt like getting things going at full speed again.
Well, that time has come. I shall be adding my daily "Today in History" entries and posting updates from other CM websites as they arrive. Also, over the next couple months, you will begin to notice a couple key changes here at CMHQ. First, OUR updates will become more frequent and, second, our primary focus will be shifting toward a little thing we like to call "Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin."
Keep your eyeballs focused on CMHQ. There is a lot of excitement right around the corner.
Finally, I would like to share one final thought. A lot has been said about returning to "normal" everyday life. Well, to be honest, I don't see the need to rush. If what happened last week does not cause us to take pause, what will?
Peace.
Ted
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Four New CMBB In-Game Screenshots!
Okay, for the last week or so people have been complaining and whinning and..umm oh whats that other thing they always do... Oh yeah BITCHING about all sorts of stuff with regards to the forums and how we run them. Well tough!
BUT, we are not total heartless cuds and as promised here are four new Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin in-game screenshots.
As always these pics are "works in progress" and do not neccesarily indicate the look of the finished product. In fact, I can pretty much GAURANTEE that much has changed even since these pics were taken....MUCH...But you will have to wait to see what that might be....
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
American Red Cross Launches Family Registration Web
Saturday, September 15, 2001 — The American Red Cross today launched an online network that will help unite loved ones with survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Family Registration Web at www.redcross.org allows those in the impacted area to self-register with the Red Cross, helping the agency to respond to the estimated 6,700 inquiries received from concerned friends and family nationwide.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Jackson, Pop Stars Look to Aid Attack Survivors
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Reminiscent of 1985's ``We Are the World'' fund-raising effort, a group of pop stars led by Michael Jackson plan to record a new song to raise $50 million for survivors and families of victims in Tuesday's terror attack.
Jackson, Destiny's Child and Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys (news - web sites) all plan to record a new song, titled ``What More Can I Give,'' that Jackson will produce personally, according to a statement on Sunday.
Other singers committed to the effort include pop sensation Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync (news - web sites), and Mya.
``I believe in my heart that the music community will come together as one and rally to the aid of thousands of innocent victims,'' Jackson said. ``There is a tremendous need for relief dollars right now and through this effort each one of us can play an immediate role in helping comfort so many people.''
Proceeds from the song's distribution will go to a relief fund for the victims' families and survivors.
The pop singer known worldwide for hit albums like 1982's ''Thriller'' and 1987's ``Bad'', is currently working on the ``What More Can I Give.''
Jackson's New York-based spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, said the song will be released as soon as possible, and more celebrity singers are lining up to be part in the effort.
The effort is similar to Jackson's work on ``We Are the World,'' which he co-wrote and performed. That song, in which scores of pop stars participated, has raised $65 million for the USA for Africa fund that aids victims of starvation in Africa.
``We have demonstrated time and again that music can touch our souls. It is time we used that power to help us begin the process of healing immediately,'' Jackson said.
Along with an English-language version of ``What More Can I Give,'' Jackson and the other singers plan to record a Spanish language version.
Saturday, September 15, 2001
Remembering...
On September 11, without regard for human life or love, the World Trade Center was attacked, and despite significant efforts by many, the Twin Towers, disappeared into history.
The lives lost will not be forgotten, as this tragedy is one that no one will forget nor forgive. We will develop this digital memorial as a way of remembering the lives lost.
Friday, September 14, 2001
MS Lends Helping Hand
Microsoft Corp. is donating $10 million dollars to relief groups and government agencies to help deal with the tragic events that happened at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The gift consists of $5 million in cash and $5 million worth of software. The cash is earmarked for the United Way of New York’s September 11 Fund and The New York Community Trust.
The software giant is taking other measures to help out, including encouraging its 44,000 employees to make donations (which MS will match up to a certain amount), organizing an on-campus blood drive, and helping customers in New York and at the Pentagon to rebuild damaged computer networks.
Shrapnel Games Details Donations
Shrapnel Games announced today that it will be donating 5% of its website's product sales to The American Red Cross Emergency Relief Fund through October 10. The donations will help to fund the rescue operations and medical assistance for the victims and families of the terrorist acts that took place in New York City and Washington, DC, on the morning of September 11.
Shrapnel Games emphasized that its prayers and sympathies go out to the victims and the families of those affected by this disaster.
Battlefront Forums back online
Battlefront.com has decided to re-open their massively popular message forums this morning. They have also posted the following message:
"The terrorist attacks in the United States have shocked, disgusted,
saddened, and angered all persons with even an ounce of humanity in them.
It is therefore natural for such people to express their feelings about these horrific events. However, if every public forum were to turn into a free for all discussion/debate about terrorism, we would find ourselves all consumed by it to the detriment of everything else. Since that is one of the major goals of terrorism, allowing these forums to become hijacked by the horrible events of the past few days would be a grave injustice to those who have suffered from its effects.
We host/manage these BBS forums to discuss issues directly relevant to the our games, and therefore discussions of current geopolitical events (no matter what they are) do not belong here. With this in mind, any thread that becomes sidetracked by current events discussions will be locked up. Any individual who does not respect our wishes will be prevented from posting for 2 weeks. Anybody posting ethnic, cultural, national, or religious slurs will be instantly banned for good.
Please understand that we DO wish you to express your feelings about the events of this week, but you should do so in forums which are appropriate for such expression. And this is not the appropriate place.
Thanks,
Battlefront.com"
What these means is that NO messages with regards to the terrorist attacks will permitted in ANY of their forums. Battlefront will be starting ONE message thread where people can virtually "CHECK IN" to let the rest of the Community know they are okay. This thread will be posted in the General Forum and will be started by Battlefront themselves. You can go directly to this thread by following this link:
http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=001155
-Madmatt
Thursday, September 13, 2001
In the Line of Duty
Of all the stories coming out of the recent events, none have been more moving than that of the emergency personnel in New York City. Knowing full well that the second tower could collapse at any time, scores of firefighters and police officers risked their own lives to try to save those still trapped in the building. These people are real heroes and deserve our gratitude.
If you would like to help, funds have been established. One is the NY Firefighter's Memorial Fund. Please show your support for those who paid the ultimate price.
A Time to Heal
Hi All,
In light of this week's events, I have decided to handle the news a little differently for at least the remainder of this week. I will not be posting the usual "Today in History" installments or news updates from other sites. Instead, I plan to search through the constant flow of real-world news stories in search of "special" stories to share. Also, if any of you have something positive from recent events that you would like to share, I would be happy to post it here.
Ted
Time to move ahead...Two new Mods
Well, I inadvertenly uploaded this page with the new mod links too early (I intended to do so only once the BFC Forums were re-activated) but I will go ahead and leave them up. It's time we turn our collective gaze away from the horror of D.C. and New York City and get on with our lives.
As such, I offer up two new mod sets from a joint co-operation between Gordon and Fernando. They are Ambush Camoed SdKfz 251 series half tracks in both summer and winter versions and with SS and Heer optional insignias.
Hopefully, in some very small way, these can help to get our minds off the weeks events.
Madmatt
A few words if I may
Just a little over 53 hours ago my entire life changed. It was Tuesday, just a little after noon and I was driving my girlfriend back home when I flipped on the radio and was confronted with the voice of Peter Jennings talking about some sort of terrorist bombing. The words didn't really seem to effect me at first. I thought that perhaps there was another suicide bombing in Israel. I flipped the channel and again I heard only a news feed. I listened closer but still thought it *must* have been somewhere else. It felt distant, almost annoying even... About 5 minutes after listening I heard the words that hit me harder than any blow before. The Pentagon had been attacked!
Both myself and Laura were in a state of shock. I immediately began to listen intently, putting all else around me out of my mind. Then two more hammer blows were delivered, BOTH the World Trade Towers had also been rammed by jets earlier in the day as well. All in all four separate planes had been hi-jacked and all were now destroyed.
My mind reeled. It seemed that the events were some twisted chapter out of a novel or a nightmare of unprecedented scope. Now, two days later the nightmare is all too real.
I have barely left my TV set since, vainly scanning for some hint of good news, something to lift my spirits. Sadly such info seems scarce.
At the time of the attacks a decision was made at Battlefront.com to shut the forums down as we simply could not control the volume of posts on this issue, some with quite extreme rage and understandable anger. Some have chastised us for this move but we don't regret it in the slightest. A similar decision was made by myself to halt all news and updates here on CMHQ. I did decide to leave the Chat system online and have spent much time there over the last two days. The overriding sentiment was one of shared grief and the expected calls for blood and revenge.
I know people have the best intents but that is simply not going to happen nor is it even close to the right course of action. History has often showed the United States is sometimes slow to anger but once awoken, at the cost of lives it always seems, it will pursue a course of action that inevitably results in those responsible being brought to justice. It could take weeks, months or years but act we shall.
I have been hearing the normal rhetoric of politicians cast aside and plain, simple words used instead and that is just another indication of the sheer magnitude of these events.
All I can ask is that in days to come that we accept the challenge to temper our understandable anger and bloodlust with a dash of rational thought and compassion.
Retribution will come, and when it does it will be swift and sure, but it will never bring back those lives that were snuffed out so suddenly and without warning in these outrageously cowardly attacks.
We must be united in our conviction and not allow terror and fear and rage to take hold. In this way we will take away the only weapon that those that wish to attack us have.
Thank you all for the support and messages and words that you have given over these incredibly trying days.
In times like these we get a brief glimpse of how borders and lines on maps mean nothing when human drama of such a scale plays out. We are all human and have all shared feelings of deep grief and dispair.
Amidst the tangle of rubble and shattered steel will arise a new worldwide and unified conviction to end the sway that terrorism holds.
It is now time to lift our gaze from what transpired on Tuesday and try as best we can to resume our lives, although they are all changed forever. In this light we will start to post news once more on CMHQ and an update is currently in the works. Ted and myself will try to post relevant news as we see fit and try to find something hopeful in all of this chaos to read about. The Forums at Battlefront.com are also planning to be reopened later today or tomorrow at the latest.
Thank you again...
GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU
Matt
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
US ATTACKED IN MULTIPLE TERRORIST ACTIONS!!!
As you should be aware this morning the United States of America was targeted and attacked in several terrorist actions. The cost in lives is still unknown but both World Trade Center Towers and a substantial portion of the Pentagon have collapsed after being rammed by commandered commerical airliners. A 4th plane was also hijacked but wrecked in Pa. well short of any populated areas, but all crew and passengers were killed.
This is a indeed a sad day and I fear that the world will never be the same.
Please do whatever you can to help by donating blood, plasma, your time and prayers.
United we can escape this night and world of shadows and bring those responsible to swift justice.
May they eternally burn in hell!!!
-Matt
Friday, September 7, 2001
All Better
Panzerman is on the case:
"Lots of people have been having problems downloading the new battles we have made...so over the next few days I will send it off to Manx and others.
Now for a little news on the Belgium and Netherlands pack head over to the Scenario Zone.
Panzerman"
The Fantastic Four
Scipio has news for you:
"The Fantastic Four:
I made four new German Camo uniforms: 2 SS Summer (SanMarco & Dot44 pattern), 1 SS Winter (BW Desert pattern), and 1 Heer Summer (Bulgarian Summer Forest pattern). They are unhistoric except the Dot44, but who cares? ;-) I haven't spent much time for fieldgear, but if someone wants to have templates of the camouflage patterns, he can email me.
You can download my mods at WarfareHQ.
Cheers,
Scipio"
More Flags
Mr. Dorosh has a little something to share:
"Some new unit flags are up at TOMMY, including a pair courtesy of MAXIMUS based on a suggestion by FAIRBAIRN-SYKES, depicting the Pegasus of British Airborne troops. They are available on the general game icons page."
Two Mods and a Picture
More news from 109 Gustav:
"It's been a little while, but there's two new mods and a picture. So I believe you'll find this update to be worth the wait. The Last Defense recieved its first sound mod today; Trent Yoxall's Heavy Tank
Sound. Marcus Braun submitted a SdKfz 250/1 for the Support Vehicles section and F.L. Werdmoelder has a picture of a machine gun that is ready to go anywhere."
September 7, 1939
Western Front, Germany-
France begins minor skirmishes across the border with Germany near Saarbrucken.
Sea War, Atlantic-
Britain's first convoys sail across the Atlantic. The system is already operating on Britain's east coast to protect merchant ships from U-boat attacks.
Wednesday, September 5, 2001
September 6, 1939
Eastern Front, Poland-
The Polish government and high command leave Warsaw and order their forces to withdraw to the line of the Narew, Vistula, and San Rivers. Nazi troops make a dramatic advance that reaches beyond Lodz. They also seize Cracow in the south.
September 5, 1939
Politics, South Africa-
Prime Minister Jan Christiaan Smuts declares war on Nazi Germany following the formation of a new cabinet after political disagreements over joining the conflict.
Politics, United States-
The authorities officially proclaim their neutrality.
Monday, September 3, 2001
September 4, 1939
Air War, Germany-
Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command launches its first attacks against Nazi warships in the Heligoland Bight off northwest Germany, but the government will not authorize raids on targets within Germany.
It's Done!
Panzerman has a little something to add:
"Well, for those of you who have been waiting for the 505th Nere Ste
Mere-Eglise scenario, you can go to The Scenario Zone and pick it up.
Panzerman"
The British Are Coming!
The usual weekend update from Tom:
"This seems to a BRITISH week: yesterday England beats the German soccer national team 5-1 (the horror, the horror) and today Andrew Fox released his splendid new "Action Pack Vol. 4-Commonwealth Uniforms:" Hi-Res combat dresses for the "Tommies," the Canadians, and the Poles (Infantry, Paratroops, Tanks Crews). You can find the new stuff-together with a nice new German tan water uniform and several German helmet variations-on the "Faces & Uniforms" section of the TCMHQ Mod pages."
September 3, 1939
Politics, Allies-
Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany after their ultimatums regarding the invasion of Poland expire. Australia and New Zealand also declare war. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain forms a war cabinet, which includes prominent antiappeasers First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill and Secretary for the Dominions Anthony Eden.
Sea War, Atlantic-
The liner Athenia is sunk by the U-30 after being mistaken for a British auxiliary cruiser, claiming 112 lives.
Sunday, September 2, 2001
New and Improved!
Michlos has more good stuff:
"The CMT has added some Battle Rules to its strategy section.
Visitors can now also add both questions AND answers to our FAQ.
While we were at it we also added some more terms (now 86 terms) and some more recommended reading.
We have also redone the page layout a little.
Keep an eye out for even more map/scenario releases by (the growing) CMT crew.
Michlos"
A Link, a Mod, and Three Pictures
109 Gustav is at it again:
"I asked, and you answered! In just one day I recieved three new files to post, leaving me with no choice but to do another update! Michlos sent in a link to The Combat Mission Times, an online newspaper delivering the latest information from the front lines. Mark IV gave us three more pictures that will be appreciated by all Combat Mission players, and Richard Bodle has a new mod-Archer with Net Camo-for you to download."
Back in Business!
109 Gustav is back on the air:
"Where should I start? It's so nice to be running my website again. Coming back and seeing that it hadn't been updated since May was awful, but there was nothing I could have done about that. Everything's back the way it was, plus a few extra files, of course. Mk. IV sent in some awesome pictures of the Doolitle Reunion and Vinny Prochelo gave us a link to his website, Das Reich. Look forward to another, bigger update on Sep. 1st!"
September 2, 1939
Politics, Allies-
Ultimatums are delivered by Britain and France to Germany demanding its immediate withdrawal from Ploand.
Saturday, September 1, 2001
While You Wait...
Panzerman has more news to report:
"The Low Countries Battle Pack that I told you about a few days ago is now under construction. To fill the gap over the next month or two (when the pack will be ready) I have put together a small battle with the 82nd (505th) Airborne Battalion in its action between Neuville-au-Plain and Ste Mere-Eglise on the morning of June 6th.
Also, The Scenario Zone has joined the Combat Mission webring.
There may not be as many updates in September because school starts next week. Also, over the next few week there will be a lot of changes here at The Scenario Zone so it may be down a few days over that time period.
Panzerman
September 1, 1939
Eastern Front, Poland-
A German force of 53 divisions, supported by 1600 aircraft, crosses the German and Slovak borders into Poland in a pincer movement. Plan White, directed by General Walther von Brauchitsch, aims to totally parylize Poland's 24 divisions by swift encirclement, thus cutting their lines of supply and communication. While Poland mobilizes its full strength, its forces in action, lacking both air and armored support, are largely placed on the country's borders. They are quickly overrun, and reinforcements often arrive too late to halt the German attacks.