BRIDGE AT REMAGEN
BB 26.1 CONCEPT: JEFF ROBERTS DESIGN: BRIAN BLAD
REMAGEN, GERMANY, 7 MARCH 1945
Following the failure of the Ardennes offensive, the remnants of Field
Marshal Model’s Army Group B retreated to the natural defensive position
afforded by the Rhine river. All along the river German ground units and air-
craft destroyed the bridges that spanned it. Units of the American 9th
Armored Division (Part of US First Army) were stunned when they discov-
ered the bridge at Remagen still standing. Whether due to faulty explosives,
a desire to continue to evacuate civilians and military personnel, or a simple
failure of command the Americans were quick to recognize the opportunity
afforded them.
8 41
VICTORY CONDITIONS: American player must control the Bridge AND have
9 CVP east of the river at game end. The German player wins by avoiding the
American VC OR by destroying the bridge.
GERMANS SET UP FIRST
AMERICANS MOVE FIRST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Only hexrows Q-GG are in play on both boards
Various Elements of Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe Troops [ELR:3]
set up first West of the river, unconcealed on any hill hex. Flak guns may not set up in buildings {SAN:4}:
3 2
2 2
german
set up on the Island in the river (this represents a barge): Reinforcements (enter via hex 41y1 on a dr < the current turn number):
SPW 251/1
2
set up anywhere east of the river:
3 2
VASL artwork used with permission of Rodney Kinney
Elements of 9th Armored Division [ELR:4] enter anywhere along the West edge and/or hex 8Q9. Some, all or none may enter each turn {SAN:3}:
american
M3 M3A1 M3 MMG
4 3 3 2
5 2
Armored Elements enter on turns 1, 2, and 3:
BRIDGE AT REMAGEN
BB 26.1
SSR: Optional Civilian Rules:
1. EC’s are overcast with no wind at start. Prior to play, the following units are placed randomly in hexes 8Y1-
2. A two lane stone bridge exists in hexes 8Y2,3,4. The bridge is dam- 8Y10, 41Y9 and 41Y10. Either make a DR for each unit (result -2
aged at start and its initial capacity is determined by the German play- equals hex number placed in) or hold them above the board over hexes
er via secret DR. German player makes DR x 3, the resulting number 8Y4/Y5 and drop them all. Place them in the hex they land closest to.
is the maximum tonnage that if exceeded will cause the bridge to col- Stacking limitations are ignored for civilian set up ONLY.
lapse. On board 8 all buildings on level 2 are stone, all others are
wooden. 8W6 is a level 2 building with stairwells in hexes 8W6 and Qty Counter Notes
8V6. Due to rubble road movement bonus is NA and minimum cost 18 Italian represents civilians
to enter bridge hex is 2MF / 4MP. 6 wagon
3. American player makes a dr for reinforcements as part of rally activ- 3 pulkha represents ox-carts
ities. The dr identifies the type of AFV that arrives that turn. Only 2 3 kubelwagenA represents civilian vehicles
of each vehicle may arrive. Roll for optional weaponry per Chapter H 3 truckB
as applicable. A: each kubelwagen contains a half-squad of civilians
B: each truck contains a full squad of civilians
dr AFV
1 M26 Pershing
Each rally phase the German player makes a dr and moves the column
2 M36 GMC
of civilians forward a number of hexes (the number generated by the
3 M4A3 (76)W MT dr/2 FRU) in the direction of 41W6-41T4-41R1. Aside from that, civil-
4 M10 GMC ians are considered unarmed and cannot move. Civilians DO AFFECT
5 M4A3 (75)W MT Combat unit stacking as any other unit would and overstacking penalties
6 M24 LT apply. If a gap appears in the column either at start or during play the
trailing units will close the gap by moving one extra hex. Civilians will
This rule is to reinforce that sources vary as to the actual US armor that was on the scene ignore German units in their path, but will surrender to any American
at the time of the bridge’s capture. unit(s) which bar their progress as part of this rally phase movement.
Neither player may fire at a hex containing only civilians, nor may civil-
4. Due to the failing relations between SS and Non-SS units no SS unit
ians be massacred (exception berserk SS). If civilians find themselves
may FG with a non-SS unit. SS units may self-rally as Finnish units,
under attack, they suffer losses as would a prisoner.
ELR is 5 and underlined. If an SS unit goes berserk it will charge the
nearest non-ss unit, American, German or civilian (see optional rule The American may Capture civilians by simply entering their hex and
below). If a German unit is charged that unit can not defend itself if it replacing Italian unit with a prisoner counter of appropriate size. If he
prep fired, or until the AFph. A Berserk unit once created remains chooses to capture, the American unit ends its movement phase doing
berserk until eliminated or Game-end. SS Berserk will massacre so. American may interrogate prisoners (in enemy country) and/or com-
Civilians (if in play) mandeer their vehicles. Following capture the American player may
order them to the rear, whereupon they, without need of a guard, will
5. German player may receive random air support. On a dr of 1 in a rally
move in subsequent American rally phases three hexes regardless of
phase reinforcement segment. Air support is a number of FB with
stacking limitations toward hex 8Y1 and off-map.
bombs (determine randomly number appearing). Plane(s) must
attempt to attack the bridge, no sighting TC is necessary. (If using A Berserk SS unit will massacre a civilian in CC if it does not gun them
civilian optional rule see below for more restrictions) Once each down in AFph if that is the closest unit for its mandatory charge in the
plane has made an attack, successful or otherwise (if not using civil- first Mph and all subsequent Mph’s during which it is still alive.
ian option) it is removed from the mapboard. FB attacks must make a morality DR instead of a TC. There is a +1 to
6. Germans suffer from ammunition shortage this task check for every civilian squad on the bridge and a +2 for every
civilian vehicle, wagon on the bridge. The DR is further modified by -1
7. B6.33 is amended as follows. A KIA does not necessarily destroy the
for every American squad and -2 for every American vehicle on the
bridge. If a KIA is obtained vs a bridge hex by DC , HE or Bomb
bridge. On a final DR of ≥12 the planes circle until the next German
make a DR, multiply by KIA number and subtract from the current
Prep Fire phase. If the lead plane passes this task check, all planes are
bridge capacity. Result is now the new capacity. If the result is ≤0 the
assumed to pass and all will drop their bombs on the bridge. After the
bridge collapses and the German player wins.
bombing run is completed, all planes are exited from the mapboard after
any/all American AA fire is resolved against them.
AFTERMATH:
Seizing the opportunity, American units quickly overwhelmed the sur- Panzer reinforcements and Luftwaffe strikes did not materialize. Finally
prised defenders and flak gunners on the west side of the bridge. in the face of intense firepower the disorganized German resistance col-
American infantry began to slowly work their way through the scattered lapsed and American troops and vehicles poured across. In the ensuing
debris on the bridge to the east side. Although German engineers were days First Army was able to establish a lodgement from which it would
able to detonate a charge, the bridge remained standing. Promised later begin its drive into the heart of Germany.
