Introduction

There have been many books, movies, and games covering the airborne component of the allied invasion of France. Does the latest Panzer Grenadier series boardgame from Avalanche Press bring a fresh look to this well documented area? Airborne is a platoon level tactical boardgame depicting battles fought by US Airborne troops during the Normandy invasion in June 1944. It also includes several scenarios from Operation Market Garden, the failed allied attempt to force a crossing of the Rhine in the Netherlands in September 1944. Airborne is the third game in the Panzer Grenadier series, with the two previous games focusing on the Eastern Front. Though at first glance the game might be viewed as "PanzerBlitz with leaders and morale," Airborne's system of unit activation and morale heavy combat system makes for an intriguing depiction of tactical combat.

Presentation and Plot

In the early hours of 6 June 1944, paratroopers of the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were dropped into the Contentin Peninsula on the right flank of the Allied invasion beaches. Their goal was to gain control of the river crossings and causeways behind UTAH beach and blunt any German counterattacks. Despite being for the most part scattered hither and yon by the drop, small units banded together through the night and were able to take most of the invasion objectives. The paratroopers were involved in fierce battles for the control of river crossings and villages for the next several days as the landing beaches were fully established. Prior to their withdrawal in early July, the 82nd was involved in the drive to isolate the Contentin Peninsula and capture Cherbourg, while the 101st assaulted the important town of Carentan. Most of these battles, especially those on 6 June, involved no more than several companies on each side.

Due to the speed of the allied breakout through France, the airborne forces were not employed again until Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands in September 1944, leading to more battles for control of bridges and river crossings.

Airborne consists of twenty stand-alone scenarios, nine of them taking place on D-Day, the 6th of June. In addition to the Normandy invasion scenarios, Airborne includes three scenarios from the 101st Division's battles around Eindhoven. There is no provision for a campaign linking the scenarios, so the results of one do not affect any of the others. The scenarios range from short battles involving no more than ten counters to long engagements with battalion strength forces.

Installation requires a space about 11" x 26".

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