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Chapter 1 About Close Combat
1
Chapter 1
About Close Combat
June 6, 1944. The largest invasion fleet in history lies off the coast of Normandy,
France. Four years ago, France surrendered to Germany, and the remnants of the
British Expeditionary Force fled from the beaches of Dunkirk. Now the Allies are
ready to strike back. Their goal is to liberate western Europe. The Germans’ goal
is to hurl the invaders back into the sea. Failing that, they must harass and delay
the Allies and make them pay for every foot of ground. In this campaign, the fate
of nations hangs in the balance.
The campaign you’ll be fighting in Close Combat took place in Normandy
between June 6 and July 18, 1944. It begins late on D-Day as units of the
American 29th Infantry Division reach the high ground above Omaha Beach to
meet the German 352nd Infantry Division. The campaign ends 20 miles inland at
the strategic town of Saint-Lô.
During those six weeks, soldiers of the Allied and German armies endure some of
the closest and most vicious combat of World War II, across one of the most
bizarre terrains ever contested in any war: the Norman hedgerow country—the
bocage. It’s a place where rulebook tactics don’t hold up; where a defense based
on infiltration and ambush kills men and tanks who seldom see the enemy; where
adaptability and improvisation become as important as tanks and guns in pressing
the attack. No matter which side you choose to play, Close Combat is an intriguing
mix of historically accurate weapons and terrain, realistic combat psychology, and
opportunities to change history through superior skill and leadership.
The Close Combat campaign consists of six operations, each with distinct chal-
lenges and opportunities. The decisions you make and the leadership you provide
decide the outcome of each operation, and shape the campaign to reflect your
effectiveness as a commander.