Test of Steel - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Origny, 15km E of St. Quentin, France: [Best played against Human opponent] After a week of unexpected success, Hitler became concerned for the safety of the lengthening left flank of the panzer breakthrough. As a result the panzer divisions were ordered to halt on the 17th and allow the infantry divisions time to catch up. For the French 2nd Cuirassier Division, dispersed over a wide area west of the Oise River covering the approaches to St. Quentin, this was the opportunity to strike back. With no chance to coordinate with the rest of the division, the 8th and 14th Armored Battalions were finally ready to attack Bernot and Neuvillette late in the afternoon. Prior to receiving the halt order, the leading formations of the 6th Panzer Division had managed to seize several crossings of the Oise and Sambre Canal northeast of Origny and had spent most of the 17th strengthening the few bridges so that tanks could be moved into the bridgeheads. As the sun began to set, Colonel von Ravenstein's screen of weary troops suddenly found themselves under attack by French tanks including the monstrous Char B1-bis. With their backs to the river the Germans had little choice but to stand and fight, pitting their lighter more maneuverable panzers and anti-tank guns against the might of the French armored force in a test of steel!