Welcome back to Firefight Fridays. Last week we covered the paratrooper scenario “Best Laid Plans”. We also took a look at Demolition Teams. This week we will talking about the final scenario of the core box, “Crossing the River Styx”. This scenario covers the battle for Nijmegen. There are no new rules to introduce in this scenario (though there are a couple scenario specific ones). It is just a big, epic scenario with all the bells and whistles on it. Let’s jump in.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
After securing the canal crossing at Eindhoven, the next set of bridges to fall for Operation Market Garden were those in the city of Nijmegen. The British forces which had dropped at the final city of Arnhem were up against stiff resistance and needed to be relieved. This meant time was of the essence for the paratroopers at Nijmegen. Unfortunately, delays after the drop gave the German defenders of the city time to organize a defense and secure the targeted bridges over the Waal River. Most of the bridges were destroyed, but the primary road and rail bridges were occupied and remained intact. After days of sustained fighting in the city itself, desperation led to a plan by the Americans to use canvas boats to cross the Waal River downstream of the bridges and then attack from the side. The thought was that continued conventional fighting over the bridges would cost the Allies in Arnhem time they did not have. The plan was a success, but came at the cost of heavy casualties from the men of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment while crossing the river.
