Close Combat - Gateway to Caen
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Language Support
Languages | Interface | Audio | Subtitles |
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English | ✓ |
Description
Close Combat: Gateway to Caen is a great release in the critically-acclaimed Close Combat series. Gateway to Caen focuses on the largest, concentrated British offensive since the Normandy landings in an attempt to penetrate the German lines west of Caen and cross the Odon River to get the stalled advance moving again.
With Close Combat: Gateway to Caen you can play at the strategic and tactical level, putting yourself in the boots of both the generals and the platoon commanders. You can move or combine your battlegroups on the strategic level and decide the outcome of battles on the tactical level. You will command squads in close combat situations, using small arms, mortars, machine guns, armored cars, and tanks to triumph against the enemy. You command artillery and mortar barrages and even air strikes. You will get to know individual solders, platoons, battalions, and the larger brigades and battle groups which they comprise.
Players can experience the desperate situation of the outnumbered, but well- armed Panzergrenadiers, or the daunting offensive mission of the fully- supported British infantry advancing across the treacherous Odon Valley. At your command are Churchill, Cromwell, Firefly, Sherman, Stuart tanks and more. Panther, Tiger, Stug, and Mk.IV tanks will arrive to support German Panzergrenadiers as they try to hold the line against a concerted British attack.
The historic scope of Operation Epsom is captured in single battles, operations, and the grand campaign. The strategic battlefield offers over two dozen individual battlefields with over three dozen accurately portrayed German and British battle groups. British infantry regimental history is reflected in name among the various battalions. You can deploy your battalions as they actually fought in the struggle for the Odon. The game includes all new maps and a range of upgraded effects.
The Setting
With the success of the Allied landings at Normandy and their domination of
air and sea, expectations were high that the momentum would continue on land.
It was not to be so. Though initially surprised and overwhelmed, the German
Army quickly recovered, mobilized, and, counterattacked. Field Marshal Rommel
formed a capable defense in Normandy that made the Allied advance costly.
Superior Allied artillery and air power failed to crack the German lines.
Though the Norman City of Caen was originally a British D-Day objective, its
capture would elude and frustrate Montgomery’s 21st Army for weeks to come.
Operation Epsom was Field Marshall Montgomery’s first concentrated attempt to
go around the city and the Odon River, and break through the strengthening
German bulwark. The newly-arrived British VIII Corps, supported by 700 guns of
the Royal Artillery made a go of it along a four-mile front between Rauray and
Carpiquet. Defending that front was the infamous 12th SS Panzer Division.
Though reduced by weeks of heavy fighting they remained a potent and
experienced foe. The Germans had offensive plans too, but the British struck
first, and the 2nd SS Panzer Corps, the last of Germany’s offensive reserves
in Normandy, was instead committed to stopping the British breakthrough along
the Odon. Can you, as Montgomery and his commanders, re-chart the course of
the Normandy campaign and prevail against Germany’s SS Panzer divisions? Can
you as the Germans, once again stop Montgomery, or eclipse history and push
the British back entirely?
Features
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Thirty new battlefield maps accurately reflect the Odon Valley west of Caen, France.
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65 vehicles, 36 infantry units, 77 weapons.
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New vehicles and guns including Churchill, Cromwell, M-10 Achilles, and Firefly tanks; 17-pdr AT guns, Loyd Carriers, and more.
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Revised terrain files that represent the specific conditions of the Odon battlefield: tall cornfields and hindered, muddy movement during rainy weather.
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New features including Rolling barrages and dug-in/camouflaged tanks and anti-tank guns.
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Historic regimental names and battalion organization.
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Mount troops or guns on vehicles.
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Integrated multi-player lobby and match-making forums.
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Enhanced Scenario Editor - Create your own "what if" Scenarios.
Developed by
Published by
Language Support
Languages | Interface | Audio | Subtitles |
---|---|---|---|
English | ✓ |