The Golden Talon at the Bulge*
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USA vs Germany*
January 3-8, 1945*
5 Battles*
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During a week of bitter cold and snow during the Battle of the Bulge, the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division received its babtism of fire. You will be in command of a battalion of the 513th, which fought the toughest battles faced by the division in the Ardennes, and suffered the heaviest casualties. In the end, though battered, the fighting spirit of the regiment was unbroken. *
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Background:*
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The 17th Airborne Division (The Golden Talon, from its Divisional Insignia) was formed in late 1943 around a cadre of veterans from the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. Its training was particulary rigourous, with special emphasis placed on building esprit de corps. 2 glider and 2 parachute regiments were formed, one of them the 513th.*
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The Golden Talon was rushed to Belgium in December to help stop the German drive in the Ardennes and assigned to Patton's 3rd Army. By January 3 1945, the division had reached the front lines near the town of Monti, a few miles west of Bastogne. They replaced the 11th armored division in that sector. American forces including the Golden Talon had orders to attack northwards and cut-off the Germans still in the tip of the Bulge.*
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The opposing Germans were veteran panzers and grenadiers of the 3rd PanzerGrenadier Division and the Fuhrer Begleit Brigade. These troops were experienced, tough, and well-equipped. Although they and other German units around Bastogne had been pushed back, they were still in good shape and were ordered to attack and restore the encirclement, prior to crushing Bastogne once and for all.*
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The green paratroopers of the 513th PIR were about to run head-on into these German mechanized forces.*
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Gameplay Notes:*
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1. Your core force has been chosen for you. It represents a battalion of the 513 Parachute Infantry Regiment. Experience and morale values are representative for the untested unit. Your Platoon and Company HQs represent the veteran cadre and are significantly more experienced.*
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2. You are not limited in the type of support forces you can purchase. The 17th AB drew at times on the 11th Armored Division for tank support during the battle, and had access to Corps artillery assets.*
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3. Battle #3 results in a campaign branch so that a major victory takes you along an easier path - you will have more build and support points in the final engagements.*
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4. There is no BPR divisor, so spend all build points. In fact you may have trouble keeping all your units up to full strength at times.*
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Special thanks to Jake Cornmesser for his invaluable help playtesting.*
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Design: Doug McBratney*
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This campaign is dedicated to PFC "Mack" McBratney, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He earned his Purple Heart during the Bulge. Remember dad, "Old paratroopers never die, they just go to hell and regroup!"*
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