Brecourt
From OMGWiki
The Brécourt Manor Assault (June 6, 1944) during the U.S. parachute assault of the Normandy Invasion of World War II is often cited as a classic example of small-unit tactics and leadership in overcoming a larger enemy force.
This map was created through collaboration by Lolto and Spartan 11793. It was designed exclusively for the OMG modification for Company of Heroes.
This six player map is still in beta.
Contents |
History
As a result of the crash of a C-47 carrying its company commander, effective command of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division devolved to the company executive officer, 1st Lt. Richard Winters. After linking up with his parent unit at the hamlet of Le Grand Chemin on the morning of June 6, 1944, Winters was ordered up front away from his company. With minimal instructions of "There's fire along that hedgerow there. Take care of it," and no briefing, Winters found himself tasked to destroy a German artillery battery. The battery had initially been reported to be 88 mm guns firing onto causeway exit #2 leading off Utah Beach and disrupting landing forces of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division advancing inland on this route. Several other units had stumbled onto the enemy position earlier in the morning and had been repulsed.
After some reconnaissance personally done by Winters, at about 8:30 a.m. Winters collected a team of thirteen men from his own and other companies. Knowing little more than a general location of the gun emplacements south of Le Grand Chemin and not even knowing what was on the other side of the hedgerow, Winters' team attacked Brecourt Manor, located three miles southwest of Utah Beach and north of the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. There he discovered No. 6 Battery of the 90th Artillery Regiment, consisting of four 105 mm howitzers connected by trenches and defended by a platoon of soldiers.
Winters held that the unit was part of the 6th Fallschirmjägerregiment (6th Parachute Regiment) with emplaced MG42 machine guns. The 1st Battalion of the 6th had been ordered to Sainte Marie-du-Mont from Carentan during the afternoon but arrived after dark. The 1st Company 919th Grenadier Regiment (709th Infantry Division) was posted at Sainte Marie-du-Mont and responsible for the area. Elements of 1058th Grenadier Regiment (91st Luftlandedivision) were defending throughout the vicinity, and the artillery was part of this division also. The 795th Georgian Battalion, attached to the 709th ID, was to the northwest at Turqueville but is less likely to have been present because of terrain difficulties. Whichever unit defended the battery, the U.S. paratroopers were opposed by approximately sixty German soldiers.
The crew originally assigned to the four 105mm guns had apparently deserted during the night of the airborne landings. Oberstleutnant Frederich von der Heydte of the German 6th Parachute Regiment, upon discovering they had been abandoned while observing the landings at Utah Beach, traveled to Carentan where he ordered his 1st Battalion to find men and work on the artillery battery.
Upon arrival at the battery location, Winters developed a quick plan of attack. He positioned a pair of M1919 .30 caliber machine guns to serve as a base of fire and sent several soldiers (2nd Lt. Lynn D. Compton, Pvt. Donald Malarkey, and Sgt. William J. Guarnere) to one flank to destroy a machine gun position with grenades and provide covering fire. Sgt. C. Carwood Lipton climbed a tree, which exposed him to enemy fire but provided an excellent view of the enemy. He opened fire, but return fire caused him to return rapidly to the ground. Winters then led an attack down the hedgerow leading to the first gun position.
While the trenches connecting the artillery positions provided the Germans with an easy way to resupply and reinforce the guns, they also proved to be their biggest weakness. After destroying the first gun position, Winters and the rest of his team used the trenches as covered approach routes to attack the remaining guns in turn. Each gun was destroyed by placing a block of TNT down its barrel and using German stick grenades to set off the charges.
Reinforcements from "D" (Dog) Company, led by 2nd Lt. Ronald C. Speirs, arrived to complete the assault on the fourth and last gun. Speirs had a reputation as an excellent but extremely aggressive officer, and he led his men against the last gun position by running outside the trenches and exposing themselves to enemy fire.
After the four guns were disabled, Winters' team was starting to draw heavy machine-gun fire, from Brecourt Manor itself, and withdrew. He had discovered a German map in one gun position that was marked with the locations of all German artillery and machine gun positions throughout that area of the Cotentin Peninsula. This was an invaluable piece of intelligence and was passed up the chain of command.
Winters also directed the fire of two American tanks which arrived later from Utah Beach to eliminate remaining German resistance.
Map Description
This map is based off the Brecourt Manor Assault detailed previously in this article.
Creator's Comments
Lolto
The map could not have been possible without the help of Spartan, he did a phenomenal job with the very basic layout I gave him and it has quickly become a highly played map. The map is based off of many historically accurate maps and references. However, if you notice any inaccuracies, keep in mind that the game-play of the map was taken highly into consideration over accuracy.
Download Versions
In order to download this map you have to get OMG.
Tactics & Tips
- Secure your flanks early as it will make your life much easier.
