Counter Attack at Bulson*
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Date: May 14, 1940*                     
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Battle Type: French/Germany Meeting Engagement*
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Design: James Quinn*
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The Situation - On May 13th, the Germans successfully crossed the Meuse at three locations in the Sedan area.  The French 55th Infantry Division had largely been routed from the area and only a thin line of remnants remained to attempt to hem in the German bridgehead.  That day the 213th Infantry Regiment and the 7th Tank Battalion were released from Xth Corp reserves to the 55th Division's command for purposes of a counterattack on the embryonic German bridgehead.  This attack was to be launched on the morning of the 14th, at the same time the Germans hopped to expand their bridgehead to the South and West by pushing outward with whatever units that had established themselves on the French side of the river.  A meeting engagement was set.*
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French Player - The counterattack is to be organized along three parallel attacks.  Each attacking force is composed of one infantry battalion and one tank company.  You will command the 1st Battalion in its advance towards Bulson.  You will be supported by a company of tanks from the 7th Tank Battalion and the sole remaining artillery battery functioning, a 75mm group.  Your mission is to secure Bulson and push into Chaumont.  Should these objectives be largely obtained the German attack will have its timing thrown off and its forward movement disrupted.  Under best circumstances, it might lead to the recapture of Sedan.*
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You will be facing German units of unknown strength.  There is a line of remnants from the 55th Infantry still holding in the Bulson area but this area should not be considered to be in friendly hands at this time.*
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The men under your command are "B" level reservists who have never seen combat before.  The German units in front of you proved their combat effectiveness yesterday with the storming of Sedan.*
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Germany Player - You will be commanding elements of the 1st Panzer Division.  Yesterday your men exerted a great deal of effort in their successful crossing of the Meuse.  After a night of rest you are ordered to continue the advance.  You are to begin immediately with forces at hand.  Reinforcements will be feed to you piecemeal as they are moved across the river.  Your men are somewhat short in supplies and this situation will be remedied as quickly as possible. The composition of French forces to your front are of an unknown quantity but can be expected to be of low quality.*
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Aftermath - The French attack, under the command of Lt. Col. Labarthe, was not conducted with enthusiasm.  Labarthe was quoted as saying during planning, "This is a mission of sacrifice you ask of my regiment."  The 1st Battalion moved forward cautiously at 0645.  They soon ran into light opposition and edged their way to the outskirts of Bulson. The arrival of German AFV's and aerial attacks cause the initiative to shift from the French to the Germans.  German armored units advanced to either side of the 1st battalion causing it to withdraw from the battle around 1100.  No French objectives are achieved.*
