US 1st Infantry Division Battle History

[CGGrognard]

This is just a start to follow the US First Infantry Division (aka The Bloody First, The Big Red One) and their actions during the Second World War. Since the
Close Combat series has returned to following a specific unit, it seems appropriate to highlight the units' historical path and compare that with the battles
the game producers will be providing in Close Combat: The Bloody First.

November 1942: OPERATION TORCH - Landed at Oran in North Africa.
January-May 1943: TUNSIAN CAMPAIGN - Elements fought in Maktar, Medjez el Bab, Kasserine Pass, Gafsa, El Guettar, Beja, and Mateur.
July 1943: OPERATION HUSKY - The First was the first ashore in the Allied invasion of Sicily.
June 1944: D-DAY - assaulted Omaha Beach, secured Formigny and Caumont in the beachhead.
July 1944: Broke through St. Lo and then attacked Marigny.
October 1944: The Division laid siege to Aachen, taking the city after a direct assault.
December 1944-January 1945: VON RUNDSTEDT OFFENSIVE-Ardennes defensive actions.
February 1945: Fought across the Roer and drove to the Rhine.
March 1945: The Bloody First took part in the encirclement of the Ruhr Pocket and captured Paderborn.
End of War: The First pushed through the Harz Mountains, and was in Czechoslovakia, at Kinsperk, Sangerberg, and Mnichov.

The First Infantry Division - Wikipedia

[huckc]

I'm a big fan of picking this division. Those battles should be fun and a nice variety of theaters to fight in.

Naval support for scenarios like Gela would be awesome. Calling in the big guns!

[CGGrognard]

Yes I agree. It's been a while in the Close Combat series since Naval support was available. Hopefully, it will be included and designed off the bombardment system used in Gateway to Caen.

[LeeChard]

More material to make me want to see the release!

[CGGrognard]

It's February and during this time in 1943, the 1st Infantry Division was involved in the Tunisian Campaign after landing in Oran during Operation Torch the previous year. During the Tunisian Campaign, the Allies (including the 1st Infantry Division) was to compel the Vichy French into capitulation, then push towards Tunis to secure the port there. But both supply lines and Axis air interdiction made the 800km advance from the landing zone in Oran to a challenging one for the Allies. However, the Axis had prepared defenses in and around Tunis which included the 10th Panzer Division. Capturing Tunis would relive pressure on the British in the Eastern Mediterranean and prepare for the invasion of Sicily.

Therefore we should expect in this game that supplies, Axis air power and built up Axis defenses to play critical roles in this chapter of the 1st Infantry Division. Looking forward to some intense combat operations in The Bloody First.