Once German forces moved back up the southern slopes to reestablish themselves, the defensive positions were significantly bolstered. The feature was initially taken by the 11th Armoured Division in late June, but the position proved to be untenable. Hill 112 had been identified as a key objective in the earliest days of the campaign. To the southwest of Caen stood a tall hill with medieval villages and chateaus dotted amongst the wheat fields of its gentle slopes – the hill was named somewhat dispassionately with typical military brusqueness “Hill 112”. For General Montgomery, two objectives in his list of priorities were close to the top and came hand in hand – the capture of the strategically vital city of Caen, and the necessity to tie up German armour and reinforcements as they pushed in from the east so as to take the pressure off the US First Army to the west. In the 14th Century it saw the invading armies of the English push their way through the Norman countryside 600 years later General Erwin Rommel himself would describe it as the feature to control if command of Normandy itself was to be obtained.Īs the British Second Army fought its way inland from the amphibious assault of June 6th 1944, stiff resistance was encountered on every step of the way. Gently sloping up from all directions, this ancient feature allows a commanding view of the countryside down over Caen itself and even as far as the north coast of Normandy. Some five kilometres southwest of the historical city of Caen is a tall hill which dominates the surrounding area. “We Shall Fight in the Hills We Shall Never Surrender” – The Assault of Hill 112 Mark also introduces a scenario allowing you to taste the action for yourselves!

The struggle for control of a vital hill in Normandy is chronicled by Mark Barber.

Advanced squad leader scenario 2000