ASL First Fire

I've just received Heat of Battle's newest product, Beyond the Beachhead (BtB), aka "Fighting the Bocage." While not quite as ambitious as their CG Onslaught to Orsha (OtO), this appears to be another excellent and high quality product from the mind of Chad Smith.

As the title implies, this "Battle Pack" depicts the fighting that took place inland of the invasion beaches during the first seven weeks following D-Day, as the Allies first came to grips with the infamous Normandy hedgerows. To illustrate this terrain, BtB includes two mapboards and two overlays containing Heat of Battle's new artwork for Bocage hexsides (which allows Bocage and hedges to exist on the same mapboard for the first time). The pack seems to have been well received so far, with several AARs already having been posted on the ASL Forums. I'll provide links to those reports with the scenario reviews below.

The package is "oversized" due to the overlays included. The outer cover is the same size and stock as that included with OtO and includes a few special rules on the inside cover. One of these covers vertices where bocage and hedges intersect, something not previously encountered in the ASL system. The major new rule covers "Light Bocage." This is pretty much identical to regular Bocage except that it is only a half-level obstacle, therefore not leaving blind hexes, and the movement rules for crossing the hexsides are modified slightly. One other rule clarifies the effects of SCW on Bocage hexsides (at least for the purposes of this scenario set), and admits that HoB's interpretation for this Battle Pack goes against a recent clarification issued by MMP. I take this to mean that the scenarios in BtB were designed and playtested prior to that official clarification, and thus this rule exists to avoid a possible unbalancing of the BtB scenarios. The inside of the back cover gives a LOS example illustrating the new Light Bocage rules.


The centerpiece of this package, of course, is the playing field provided therein. Two geomorphic mounted boards are included as are two approximately half-board sized overlays (one with a village, the other with a large hill mass). The four items show fairly standard ASL artwork (with the notable exception of the new bocage artwork) and as one would expect the terrain is heavy on hedgerows. Both overlays will work on either mapboard, giving a total of six configurations. The cover also claims that the overlays will work on other existing geomorphic boards as well (the hill overlay is used on board 4 in one scenario). The artwork is crisp and clearly printed (I'm not sure if this is computer generated or hand painted, but if done eStyle, it far surpasses the results seen in the Starter Kit). This now makes a total of four boards produced by HoB counting the unfortunately out of print High Ground package, and all are worthy additions to the system. As an extra bonus (mainly for pre-publication orders), unmounted (but laminated) copies of both mapboards were also included, a nice thing to have as MMP transitions to ASLSK-style boards in the future.

Eight scenarios are provided, all of course featuring the Germans versus either the Americans, British or Canadians. Two scenarios use two mapboards, but the remaining six are one board or less in size, befitting the hedgerow battles depicted.

Taking Tailleville (one board) - Canadian forces armed with flamethrowers and Sherman IIIs attempt to clear a village of German troops late on D-Day. The Germans get tunnels and Fortified Locations to aid in their defense. (AAR)

Merely Hanging On (one board) - A German counterattack tries to retake St. Mere Eglise on D-Day plus 1 from American paratroopers who receive tank support midway through the battle.

Kraut Corner (half board) - German paratroopers defend a strongpoint near Cloville against American troops featuring a flanking force and a Tankdozer. Both sides receive OBA support. (AAR)

Firestorm in St. Manvieu (one board) - Scottish troops attempt to capture a village defended by SS Panzergrenadiers three weeks after D-Day. Both sides receive OBA with the Brits also receiving a Creeping Barrage and three Crocodiles.

Martinville Ridge (one board) - German forces, with aid from a Bombardment and three tanks, attempt to dislodge American forces from a level 2 hill. (AAR)

Men Against Tanks (less than half board) - U.S. infantry forces try to clear a small playing area of German paratroopers defending with entrenchments, wire and two dug-in tanks. (AAR)

Blood on Hill 192 (two boards) - Two companies of American infantry (including Assault Engineers) with eight AFVs try to dislodge heavily dug-in German paratroopers from a large hill mass. The U.S. forces have two OBA modules (one pre-registered) but the Germans get tunnels and special Breaches in the bocage to aid their cause.

Steel Inferno (two boards) - German Panzergrenadiers attempt to hold a village from a British attack. Both sides have armor support, with the Germans receiving amored reinforcements late in the game. Both sides receive OBA with the British applying a pregame Bombardment.

A good looking set of scenarios. Check out the AAR links to get some first impressions from players who have already tried them out.

The only minor nitpick I can find is that there doesn't seem to be a listing on either the game package or the website showing what the ASL prerequisites are for playing this pack. Of course, the German, American and British/Canadian counters will be needed. The maps have slope hexsides, thus requiring ownership of at least one of the HASL modules featuring these rules. In addition, one scenario requires captured LMG counters for the Germans provided in the Pegasus Bridge module, although these can easily be substituted for. Also, two scenarios use Bombardment rules provided in a KGP RG note. Otherwise, I don't think there are any special requirements. Boards 4 and 11 are needed for one scenario each, and the only other boards used in these scenarios are the two provided in the package itself. Likewise, no other overlays are needed either.

Overall, a very nice Battle Pack, and early returns from the online community seem to be very positive. I look forward to playing these. Heat of Battle has set a high standard with recent products like Firefights! and especially OtO and this newest package seems to live up to that legacy. Nice job.