#0808_05 Cauvicourt - Blooding the Polish - Battles of Normandy

Robertmesnil, South of Caen: August 8th, 1944. (Scenario Size: Regiment. Head to Head or Human vs AI for either side) Major General Stanislaw Mazcek's Poles had waited for over two months to be committed to the Normandy campaign. After years of training in the United Kingdom the need to be in action was becoming intolerable. Mazcek's men were part of General Simond's 2nd phase assault and left their departure line on time just before 2pm. Mazcek's 3rd Infantry Brigade as well as much of his supporting artillery had either been delayed or disorganised by the erroneous bombing of the Allies by two American heavy bomber squadrons. Not wanting to delay the attack, all available forces were ordered to clear enemy forces east of the Caen-Falaise highway. The Germans Kampfgruppe Waldmüller had pushed up the highway to the southern fringe of St-Aignan-de-Cramesnil after their attack a few hours earlier. The Poles unaware of the German advance moved forward in such a dense formation that the defenders caused heavy casualties with their initial volleys. With little cover, there was little option but to continue the Allied advance.